Launch titles for the Xbox 360 get official
by David Touve 
{ Oct 6th 2005 at 3:30PM }
The debates over how many and which titles would be available for the Xbox 360 launch have gone on for awhile.
In an interview with Joystiq only two days ago, Microsoft's Director of Platform marketing
spoke of roughly 15-20 titles upon launch. The list
becomes a little more settled already as Reuters
rolled together discussions with the top publishers/developers, if only to set our anxious digits at ease.
Whether this is the "official" list, depends upon whether you consider discussions with company spokespeople to be
official information.
From Take-Two Interactive:
NBA 2K6, NHL 2K6, Top Spin 2, Amped 3, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
From Activision:
Call of Duty 2, Quake 4, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, GUN.
From Electronic Arts
Need for Speed Most Wanted, FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup, NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06, Madden NFL
06.
From Rare/Microsoft
Kameo: Elements of Power, Perfect Dark Zero
From Blizzard Bizarre Creations (someone tell Reuters to fix their story)
Project Gotham Racing 3
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Josh @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Blizzard PGR3 i think thats a mistake -_-
abhinav @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Yeah this is kinda a : NO DUH! kinda article, no new info here, and blizard dosnt make PGR
SilentSno @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Reuters even has it wrong as Blizzard Creations. LOL Its Bizarre Creations and they are only the developer, its Microsoft published. I love people who can't even do reasearch.
Jordan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Yeah, I saw that mistake on another article too... MSN perhaps?
Lesbian Ham @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Oh, ok.
I see what you mean.
I thought Josh was saying how PGR3's a mistake! I was just about ready to say "let the flaming begin!" :p
David Touve @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Blizzard to Bizarre changed. I love people who cannot even spell ;-).
Seriously though. Apologies for the mistake. I tried to fix it asap once I found out. And yes, blogging is a bit quicker than normal journo, so there will be mistakes. We also don't publish changes on some back corner of the site, trying to pretend we are infallible. We put a strike in there, admitting the error, and fixing it.
Brandon Shipe @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Hahahaha, the Blizzard mistake was pretty funny. I actually wrote that out in my list the first time instead of putting Bizarre in.
moomer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Has anyone noticed that Kameo is the 1 single original title in this whole list?
And that all the rest look likely to play close to exatly the same way as their predecessors? All their predecessors?!! Some of these are on their 10th itteration!! Some are on their 3rd itteration in a single generation!!
Have Fun like you've never had before gamers :D xD
Quagmire @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Amazing line-up. COD 2, Quake 4 AND PDZ. Plus those sports games. Theres something for everyone.
s2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
No DOA4?
Totally looking forward to PGR3
pennywise969 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Original, as in not a sequel, right?
Isnt "Gun" an original Title?
Either way, good point. Tons of sequels. Do we think the launch of PS3 will be any different?
Take2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Isn't Gun a new title?
TiaMaster @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
This isnt an exhaustive list. This is just a list of confirmations for certain titles.
Like for instance, I wasn't sure if PDZ would make the launch day. I kinda figured it would be a "launch window" title.
recklessgemini @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Greatest launch ever?
Dude, I can play most of them on my xbox already!
moomer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Sorry, you're right, i missed that one
paralipsis @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Whether it be one or two original titles, it's still pretty thin. But that's pretty much the state of the video game industry these days.
Gamer Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I think that's a decent number of confirmed launch titles (17, to be exact). The list doesn't even include Ubisoft's contributions and some other particular exceptions like DoA4. It seems like a lot of these titles will be good first-gen games and Xbox 360 should have, at the very least, a decent launch. I'm interested in seeing events unfold in the several weeks and finding out which titles (if any, like possibly Gears of War) are truly great.
Donkey Konga @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Blame the publishers. Sequels are much safer than launching a new property. With few publishers out there, consolidation in the industry, rising budgets, lower profits, this is more or less the result of the industry than anything directly related to the Xbox 360. There ARE original titles forthcoming, so I don't know what the beef's all about.
Even the PS2 launched with DOA2, Ridge Racer V, Street Figher EX3, Dynasty Warriors 2, Madden NFL 2001, Ready 2 Rumber Boxing: Round 2, Armored Core 2, NHL 2001, and Unreal Tournament.
OTAM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Why is DOA4 not on this "list"? Wasnt Team Ninja going into overdrive to finish it because it's supposed to be a launch title?
SilentSno @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
David,
I was saying you or Joystiq for that matter. Some people need to realize that this is a Blog not a journalism site. Yeah i type too fast sometimes! :P
DOA4 will definately be a launch title as well. I can't say much more but Microsoft loves their launch titles and are doing anything and EVERYTHING they (MS) can to make sure they all make it. I can't say anything else, sorry!
shawn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
um...
Kameo sounds interesting.
That's a strong launch, though, even if it's particularly intersting for me.
SilentSno @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
ok, i'm done, i meant WASN'T saying you are Joystiq. :P I quit.... lol
Phong @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Sounds like a good launch lineup to me. DOA4 will probably make Japanese launch. No matter.
Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
#6, moomer,
Amen to that brother!
Another serving of Cheetos, now with extra cheese.
Creativity in the video game industry is officially dead and buried.
moomer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Did anyone ever say that the PS2 launch was particularly uplifting? At least we got a cheap DVD player out of it.
Regardless of whether the games are good or not, most of the industry is getting really DEPRESSING. Especially when original games are punished for their audacity.
Hate to say it but regardless of how good it may be, i expect Kameo to flop (relative to everything else).
Fuzz @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Console launches are the perfect oportunity for a developer to do a new franchise. It's the only time when there arn't many games around, so people are more likly to try it out. Its a good way to avoid it getting lost in a plethora of crap. But no, with a launch lineup like this, it is a clear sign that publishers arn't even willing to TRY. Freakin Weak. I guess this is what we have to look forward to.
Captain Obvious @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I can't wait for Oblivion and PGR. I probably will also get Top Spin just so my wife can have some things to do on it also.
Steven @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Well, as long as these next-gen games are going to be $60, I won't be buying a next-gen console.
$50 is still way too expensive for a new game that you'll play for maybe 3 months or less.
Alex K. @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
12 sports/extreme sports games
3 games with an actual story
3 FPS games
this launch lineup is the worst launch lineup in recent history. even worse than N64, DS, PSP, PS2, Gamecube, and pretty much anything you can think of besides the Gizmondo.
sandro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I see one game that looks like next generation :
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Everything else does not justify a purchase of a new console.
:=(
Ciao,
Jeffler @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
No NHL launch title from EA? Shocking.
Take2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Awe, come on. Worse launch than the PSP? I seriously doubt that. PSP is by far one of the weakest launches in recent memory. I'd kill for a new game to play on my PSP.
Keep in mind these are just CONFIRMED titles so far, there WILL BE others that have not yet been confirmed.
Senbei @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Steven (26): $50 might seem like a lot of money, but like you say you may well get a couple of months of entertainment out of it. If not that much, it'll be at least 15 to 20 hours in most cases. Compare that to a ticket to the movie theater where $10 buys you just about 2 hours of entertainment... and if you want to ever watch the movie again it's going to be another full $10. Videogames are really one of the best values for your money in entertainment hours, even at $50.
JPRacer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Alex K
I think it's one of the best launch lineup. The worst was clearly the PS2. The only "decent" game was SSX.
jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
$10 is expensive for a movie ticket, but it would be even worse if you had to buy the theater first...
HEPCECOB @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
actualy, if I'm not mistaken, kameo is not an original title, this is either a 2nd or a 3rd game in the series
jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I think this is where we start to seperate the different people.
I can't help but hear when someone say "only $50.00" and "great value", that they don't have to buy the systems them selves...
I don't see it as being $50 a game, I see games at $50-$60, game system at $400, TV at $500-$2000... extra controllers, memory cards, xlive account, game magazines for demos, upgrades to surround sound system, face plates, headsets, wifi... adding up to way more than I can afford under my gaming budget.
So you are telling me that to enjoy what is basically the same game I paid 25cents for at the arcade in 1984 is going to cost me thousands of dollars today to play at home. All the jiggly breast physics and shiny reflections on cars don't improve the game one bit. I will say it again, I am looking forward to the next cycle, but I am waiting for at least two price drops. Besides I would rather wait for the hidef version anyways (blu-ray or hd-dvd version).
$.02
Art Guy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I agree with JPRacer, this is the best launch list I have ever seen. I'll be getting Oblivion, PG2, COD2, Quake4 and Gun at launch.
Ln @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Senbei
You can't justify pricing like that. A song cost 79p($.99), but can give you decades worth of entertainment, even a lifetime. Would you be happy to pay $50 or more for a song?
Same with a book. A good book might last me a day, ironically a bad book can last a year! Which is worth more?
The market should be FAIR for both: the consumer, and the industry. They can't expect to rip us off by increasing pricing to obscene profit margins, and we can't expect them to give it to us for free. Hint: Gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry, don't worry they're doing OK out of it already.
Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
this is easily one of the the better launches..and why dont u see many original titles..??..beacuse company dont wanna gamble on lauch AND it usually takes more time to develop an original idea..especially for the 360 which didnt give developers that much time to mess around..and if u did any research ud see that theres plenty of original games in development...top of that list is gears of war..also all these franchises have proven successful monetarily and by fans so its a win win situation...besides the DC..this is the best launch list ive seen...
Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
and for all u talkin bout how games are expensive and blah blah...if u pay 99 a song or 20 bucks for a book...thats the same as a game..once u beat the game it doesnt SELF DESTRUCT...just like u can listen to a song for years and years..u can play a game for the same time frame...i dont even need to ask how many peeps still play their NESs and SNESs..thats proof right there...GOOD games never die..just like a good song or a good book..so u are gettin your moneys worth..do i wanna pay 60 per game..?? no...do i wanna pay 50 per game ..??no...but if development costs go up then its obvious we the lowly consumer will pay for it...thats just business...but thats why we have this thing called FREE WILL..so u can buy or not buy watever game/media u please...
s2 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
I thought Kameo was brand new.... just that it was originally developed for the GameCube, but never saw the light of day because Microsoft bought out Rare. Then it was to appear on the Xbox, only to be held until the release of the 360
moomer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
...and look you the DC faired. Back to what the other guy said though. Console launches are the best times to start new play styles and new franchises, as the market's willing to buy into something different and new and there's less competition from established franchises. As for development, it's not like game planning involves programming at the start. Developers have known that the 360 was coming for at least 2 years and could have begun game concepts at that time. Heck you can design levels and models way before your engine, and even effects could have been developed on directx platforms long ago, knowing 360 would support it.
Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
if sega had microsofts budget then we might be talkin about the next sega syatem and not XBOX...but still the xbox launch bit alot of developers in the ass..and as u can tell from recent years the overall number of original games shrinks every year...cuz companies dont wanna gamble when they can exploit a proven success over and over...and as i said..the new games will come..and i dont think not being a lauch game will hinder thier success...i mean shit...whens the last original nintendo game come out..theyve been banking on the same characters for dam near 20 + years...so that proves that its not that comsumers want original games..but original gamePLAY.. re-inventing a popular franchise id more rewarding than gambling on a brand new title..I.E. mario 64 , sonic adventures , GTA 3 , RE4 ,ninja gaiden black etc etc...
Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
Well, it still sucks...
If Sony comes up with more ORIGINAL titles at launch, Microsoft will pay for this rash of sequelitis.
A good time to see if Sony is smart. I don't think they will be any smarter, though.
Hence, in the end, we are condemned to re-play the same games over and over, with updated graphics every 4-5 years.
Maybe, that's normal...but I have been playing games for 20 years and I am just about to drop out...because I have already played many generations of these titles and I am bored...
That's not the way Microsoft or Sony are going to increase the size of the market or reach a new audience...quite the contrary...ultimately they will lose gamers they already have...
Ln @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
EMBASSY: "and for all u talkin bout how games are expensive and blah blah...if u pay 99 a song or 20 bucks for a book...thats the same as a game..once u beat the game it doesnt SELF DESTRUCT...just like u can listen to a song for years and years..u can play a game for the same time frame.."
Are you not able to comprehend simple analogies? I KNOW it's the same. That was PRECISLY my point.
Books, music OR games can be enjoyed for a day or a lifetime. You cannot start pricing or justifying costs according to potential length of time enjoyed.
LaughRiot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
People get caught up on the strangest of things. How many original titles at launch? Seriously, who cares? There will be original titles during the entire lifespan of the system. How is # of original titles at launch even relevant?
What's the next discussion going to be about? weight of the controllers? length of the power cord? # of days between releases of titles?
Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
i dont think its that big of a deal..asl long as they can reinvent titles and keep the games fresh..then i have no problem with it..and i doubt sony will do any better..their launches have always sucked...
Embassy @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
LN..i dont rememebr wat u said exactly but u ( or someone i dunno) made it seem like its completely diff from other media/entertainment...which is why i wrote wat i wrote...
moomer @ Dec 18th 2005 10:11PM
That's why I said, as far as i can tell, all these launch sequels look like they're gonna play just like their prequels.
It's one thing that Nintendo transformed the Mario Franchise with Mario 64. It's another that PDZ looks extrodinarily simmilar in gamestyle as PD64, and this is MS's big hype game. Now if it were a VR first person shooter then i would say THAT would be reinventing FPS's, just as Mario 64 reinvented platforming. But it isn't.
Sad as it may seem, Metroid 3 looks in a better position to do that. And this goes for just about this whole launch lineup (and almost every game we've seen on the horizon). It's not just the franchises that are still around, it really is the gamestyle. Don't forget either that the last time there was a crash in the market (which oddly enough Nintendo rose like a phoenix from) it was because the types of games people could play became stagnant like a stinky blobby bog.
That and E.T.