Weekly Video Game News and Trailers – 09/15/2012
By Patrick Newman
New Los Angeles Studio for Kojima
Kojima Productions, currently hard at work on bringing Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes to consoles, is on the verge of opening a new studio based on Los Angeles. Recent job listings indicate that character, cinematic and environment artists are being scouted for the company, which producer Ken-ichiro said in February would open a California-based studio “if we find the right people.” Though the job listings only reference a “3D action game” as being in the works for Kojima Productions, the open-world “Ground Zeroes” project will likely be the first order of business for the new LA wing of Kojima’s empire.
Killzone Trilogy HD Next Month
The 720p HD version of the PlayStation 3-exclusive Killzone will see release next month, at the low price of $15 on the PlayStation Network. On October 23rd, players can re-experience the gritty first person shooter, now running at a smooth 30fps, with enhanced filtering, textures, and sound effects. A trophy system designed to take advantage of the PlayStation 3’s online capabilities has also been integrated, making this enhanced version an easy sell all around.
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – Inside Recon Raven Strike
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Bayonetta 2 will be a Wii U Exclusive
Interestingly enough, Bayonetta 2, the sequel to 2009’s solidly reviewed third-person beat-em-up, is being developed as a Wii U exclusive. Coming so soon on the heels of a rumor that had pegged Bayonetta 2 as cancelled, it should come as great relief to fans of gothic horror and martial arts that Nintendo is now publishing. Platinum Games is once again supervising development on the title, which is expected to hit stores in March 2013.
Darksiders II to the Wii U
THQ has announced Darksiders II as being one of the Wii U’s launch titles, due to arrive with the console on November 18th this year. Packaged with Argul’s Tomb, the first DLC pack to be released for the game (adding roughly five hours of playable content), Darksiders II for the Wii U will also take advantage of the Wii U’s oft-praised GamePad controller to scroll through maps and inventory. The game, which has long been rumored as a contender for Wii U launch title, has already found success on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC.
Cabela’s Hunting Expeditions – Teaser Trailer
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Wii U gets Black Ops II
In an unsurprising move given the months of speculation, Activision finally confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops II is coming to the Wii U. The game, which will land at an unspecified time after other versions of the shooter drop on the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 November 15th, is following the lead of many other titles heading for the console, by taking advantage of the Wii U’s innovative control setup. The GamePad’s second screen can be used in tandem with the TV to change loadouts and look at maps, which will undoubtedly have an immense impact on how the game is played. Black Ops II on the Wii U will also support the Pro Controller and Wii remote/nunchuck, include the franchise’s “Zombie” mode, and run at 60 frames per second.
New Obsidian Title in the Works!
Obsidian Entertainment, which in the months after Fallout: New Vegas’ release has become a name synonymous with quality RPG’s, began promoting their newest effort, code-named “Project X” this week. Finally revealed as Project Eternity – a new gaming endeavor that will initially be funded by Kickstarter – the website for the developer teased the project with a series of numbers inside of ouroboros symbols, before finally coming clean with their ambitions. Pitched as a hybrid between Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment, the game is an isometric, party-based RPG. Obsidian’s Kickstarter goal is to raise 1.1 million within the next 32 days.
NHL 13 – Launch Trailer
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Matt Bissonnette working with Danger Close
Matt Bissonnette, one of the famed (and previously unidentified) Navy SEALs who participated in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, recently worked as a consultant for EA and developer Danger Close Games on Medal of Honor: Warfighter. Bissonnette, who under the pen name Mark Owen is releasing a book this week about the raid called “No Easy Day,” has been the subject of some controversy for developments such as these, in which intelligence runs afoot of entertainment. In an interview with CBS this week, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta lamented of Bissonnette, “… When he reveals that kind of information, it does indeed jeopardize operations and the lives of others that are involved in those operations.”
Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition Delayed
Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition, initially planned for release September 18th, has been delayed until November 30th. All versions of the game, including the iPad and Mac versions, will now drop on this new date, giving Overhaul Games the time they need to polish it to a mirror shine. An announcement from Overhaul president Trent Oster reads, “After recently reviewing the game and then consulting with our partners, we’ve decided to ensure that Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is the best possible product on launch. Thus, we have pushed back the release date of the game. To all who have pre-ordered, we ask for your patience as we move toward our final release date — and we will be working on something a little extra for you.” Enhanced Edition offers a re-mastered, updated version of the classic BioWare RPG.
Medal of Honor: Warfighter – Zero Dark Thirty Map Pack Trailer
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From the PunchDrunkGamer Forums:
* Capcom Confirms Details of Post Launch Content for Resident Evil 6
* Killzone Trilogy – Announcement Trailer
* Nintendo Direct Wii U Preview Reveals European Launch Details of New Wii U Console
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