Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Bizarre Creations finished with PGR4, hands DLC duties to Microsofthttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/bizarre-creations-finished-with-pgr4-hands-dlc-duties-to-micros/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/bizarre-creations-finished-with-pgr4-hands-dlc-duties-to-micros/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/09/bizarre-creations-finished-with-pgr4-hands-dlc-duties-to-micros/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Downloadable content is a prized nugget we all not-so-secretly hope awaits us after taking any game home, but like the midday sun on a carton of fresh milk, it also has us spoiled. However, with Bizarre Creations now parking its ride in Activision's garage, the developer stated that it's closing the books on last year's Project Gotham Racing 4, adding that it will not be releasing any more new content for the stylish Xbox 360 racer.

According to a recent post on Bizarre Creation's official forums by a dev calling himself "Ben," the studio has washed its hands of the game. "Bizarre Creations won't be adding anything more to PGR4 in the future," he wrote. "We've completed the hand-over to Microsoft, so any further add-ons will come from them and not us I'm afraid." The news probably wouldn't sting so much had the last update not been so incredibly cool, leaving us now waiting to see what else the British studio has up its racing sleeves.

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]]>activisionbizarre-creationsbizarrecreationsdlcdownloadable-contentdownloadablecontentmicrosoftpgr4project-gotham-racin...project-gotham-racingprojectgothamracingprojectgothamracing4Jason Dobson2008-05-09T02:00:00+00:00Microsoft to use SpeedTree for multiple projects in 2008http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/microsoft-to-use-speedtree-for-multiple-projects-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/microsoft-to-use-speedtree-for-multiple-projects-in-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/06/microsoft-to-use-speedtree-for-multiple-projects-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,


The next time you're frolicking through a dense forest in your favorite video game, be sure to bark out your gratitude to the widely used SpeedTree program and its painstaking planting, positioning and watering of all the nearby faux foliage. Microsoft Games Studios clearly appreciates this in-game gardening, having just entered into a new agreement with Interactive Data Visualization Inc. for the use of SpeedTree RT, a cross-platform real-time tree-generating program. A variant of the software was previously employed in both Project Gotham Racing 3 and Project Gotham Racing 4.

The agreement will see SpeedTree RT, which has already been incorporated into the Unreal Engine, used for multiple unannounced projects on the Xbox 360 and Games for Windows platforms. We can't venture any guesses as to what these titles may be, but we feel safe in our assumption that none of them will be set in Antarctica.

[Via GameDaily]

Read -- Press Release (PDF)

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]]>FoliageMicrosoft-Game-StudiosMicrosoftGameStudiosProject-Gotham-RacingProjectGothamRacingSpeedTreeLudwig Kietzmann2008-02-06T01:00:00+00:00PGR4 sets virtual stage for electric vs. petrol showdownhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/pgr4-sets-virtual-stage-for-electric-vs-petrol-showdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/pgr4-sets-virtual-stage-for-electric-vs-petrol-showdown/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/19/pgr4-sets-virtual-stage-for-electric-vs-petrol-showdown/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Do you think a lean, green electric sports car can take on a noisy gas-guzzler? In discussing the invitationals planned for Project Gotham Racing 4, developer Bizarre Creations used "Electric vs. Petrol Showdown" as one example, where you in the Tesla Roadster face off against a Ferrari Testarossa.

Can full, unadulterated speed be met without exhuming fossil fuels? It should make for a fun, philosophical monologue while you maneuver around corners. We do warn you, though, that beating the Ferrari in a race may lead to an excess in smug emissions.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

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]]>bizarrecreationselectricferraripgr4projectgothamracingprojectgothamracing4teslaroadsterRoss Miller2007-09-19T16:25:00+00:00PGR4 demo to have exclusive contenthttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/pgr4-demo-to-have-exclusive-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/pgr4-demo-to-have-exclusive-content/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/18/pgr4-demo-to-have-exclusive-content/#commentsFiled under: ,

A demo from Bizarre Creations' Project Gotham Racing 4 should be hitting Xbox Live soon, according to the developer (via Eurogamer). In addition to five playable vehicles (cars and bikes) that presumably will be in the full game, there will be an Arcade mode exclusive to the demo set in Macau, featuring exclusive challenges.
We're a bit perplexed about the exclusive content. If it's good, why not include it in the full game. Conversely, if the content is not good, or not on par with the full game, why use it to promote the title?

A time trial for Nurburgring Snow will also be in the demo. Project Gotham Racing 4 (with Geometry Wars: Waves) is due out October 2 in North America.

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]]>bizarrebizarrecreationsdemogeometrywarsgeometrywarswavespgr4projectgothamracingprojectgothamracing4xboxliveRoss Miller2007-09-18T12:57:00+00:00See Geometry Wars: Waves from Project Gotham Racing 4http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/see-geometry-wars-waves-from-project-gotham-racing-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/see-geometry-wars-waves-from-project-gotham-racing-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/09/12/see-geometry-wars-waves-from-project-gotham-racing-4/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As you probably expected, as you fire up your copy of Project Gotham Racing 4, lurking inside will be a new evolution of the Geometry Wars series called Geometry Wars: Waves. This new video offers a sneak peek of what you can expect and as you can see, it's definitely Geometry Wars.

The enemies are obviously acting different (coming at you in waves, appropriately enough), but we don't see much change from the XBLA version other than that. The graphics look a little snazzier, but that could just be out imagination. So, no, it's not going to something you'll pay full price to get your hands on, but it looks like a nice perk if you were planning on picking up PGR 4 anyway.

[Thanks, Jonah]

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]]>geometrywarspgr4projectgothamracingJustin McElroy2007-09-12T09:00:00+00:00Project Gotham Racing 4 releases Oct. 2 in US, Oct. 12 in Europehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/23/project-gotham-racing-4-releases-oct-2-in-us-oct-12-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/23/project-gotham-racing-4-releases-oct-2-in-us-oct-12-in-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/23/project-gotham-racing-4-releases-oct-2-in-us-oct-12-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: ,


Those hoping to steer seductively shaped hunks of metal through rain and snow should be pleased to note that Project Gotham Racing 4 is scheduled for release on October 2nd in America and October 12th in Europe. Those unsure of the Xbox 360 racer's selling points should simply read the first sentence again, noting that said hunks of metal may constitute either cars or motorcycles.

Though initially aimed for a September release, the DVD-loving folks at Bizarre Creations explain that today's two-day delay provides them with enough time to put "the finishing touches on the game to ensure it crosses the finish line at retail as the best title yet in the 'PGR' racing franchise." If you're curious as to what it is you'll be racing, peek past the break to see a list of newly unveiled in-game vehicles.

Gallery: PGR4 (Xbox 360)



Gallery: Project Gotham Racing 4 motorcycles



Cars
  • Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged 2004
  • Aston Martin V8 Vantage 2005
  • Austin Mini Cooper S 1964
  • Chevrolet Camaro Z28 1969
  • Ferrari F430 2004
  • Caparo T1 2007
  • Caterham R500 2000
  • Lamborghini Gallardo 2004
  • Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 2005
  • Tesla Roadster 2008

Not Cars

  • BMW F 800 S 2006
  • Honda NR750 1992
  • Honda CBR600RR 2005
  • Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 2007
  • MTT Turbine Superbike 2006
  • MV Agusta F4 Senna 2006
  • Norton 500 Manx 1962
  • Triumph Speed Triple 2005
  • Triumph Trident 2005
Expect a full list of vehicles closer to the game's release.

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]]>BizarreCreationsPGRPGR4ProjectGothamRacingRacingLudwig Kietzmann2007-08-23T12:55:00+00:00Oops: Ferrari crashes while filming PGR4 adhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/oops-ferrari-crashes-while-filming-pgr4-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/oops-ferrari-crashes-while-filming-pgr4-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/21/oops-ferrari-crashes-while-filming-pgr4-ad/#commentsFiled under: ,


While filming a commercial for the upcoming Project Gotham Racing 4, a Ferrari F430 drifted too wide out the corner and bumped into a concrete barrier. Did a massive explosion ensue? Screams of concerned mothers from the crowd echo in our ears? Well ... not really. Very little damage was done to the car, but considering that repairing the vehicle probably costs more than we make in a year, it kind of puts things in perspective. No Gizmondo executives were harmed in the crash.

The commercial is scheduled to appear in mid-August with PGR4 coming in September. Check out another video after the jump.

[Thanks, JimeneX]

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]]>commercialpgr4projectgothamracingprojectgothamracing4John Bardinelli2007-07-21T12:30:00+00:00Project Gotham Racing 4 loses two wheels, gains bikeshttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/project-gotham-racing-4-loses-two-wheels-gains-bikes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/project-gotham-racing-4-loses-two-wheels-gains-bikes/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/10/project-gotham-racing-4-loses-two-wheels-gains-bikes/#commentsFiled under: ,


Peanut butter and jelly.
Cookies and milk.
Cars and bikes.

Finally, Project Gotham Racing 4 brings two great tastes together. In a first for the franchise, the upcoming Xbox 360 racer will allow players to use both cars and bikes in the same race. Bizarre Creations is promising the same level of visual fidelity in the bikes as in the cars -- looking at the new screenshots released today, we're also equally impressed by the racer character models.

A new "Stunt button" will allow players to perform a "crazy move" that will earn the player the series' trademark Kudos. While some may find this move to be controversial, Bizarre Creations notes that the game "won't force you to ride bikes if you don't want to." Regardless, they think players are willing to try something new: "we expect 99% of players to take the bikes out just as frequently as the cars!"

Gallery: Project Gotham Racing 4 motorcycles

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]]>bizarre creationsBizarreCreationspgr4project gotham racingproject gotham racing 4ProjectGothamRacingProjectGothamRacing4Andrew Yoon2007-07-10T12:22:00+00:00Joystiq hands-on: PGR4 (Xbox 360)http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/joystiq-hands-on-pgr4-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/joystiq-hands-on-pgr4-xbox-360/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/09/joystiq-hands-on-pgr4-xbox-360/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Project Gotham Racing 4 follows the track of previous PGR titles by recreating cities on a building-by-building basis and then letting the fast cars loose. The September Xbox 360 game will include 10 total locations: New York City, Tokyo, London, Las Vegas, Quebec City, Shanghai, Macau, St. Petersburg, Nuerburgring, and the Michelin Test Track.

I got some hands-on time with a recent version of the in-progress game, with the touted weather and rain specifically being shown off. PGR4 looks and feels like it'll be a fun racer, and this time, motorcycles get to play alongside the cars.

Gallery: PGR4 (Xbox 360)



I rode a motorcycle through a rainy Shanghai night to get a sense of the game. Rain streamed down the face of my chase-camera as I practiced racing and turning. Motorcycles -- new to PGR -- follow slightly different "kudos" rules as the cars; I earned PGR's point currency not only by drifting on turns but also by tricks including wheelies and standing on the bike while racing.

The roughly 30 licensed motorcycles will be able to race directly against the roughly 100 licensed cars, although the game isn't being promoted as a cars-versus-bikes showdown. Instead, the single-player missions will straddle both vehicles, although online drivers can more easily specialize in one type.

In addition to the rain and puddles -- I got a close look skidding on the pavement after failed tricks -- PGR4 will include snow and ice. Volumetric fog -- rendered in a three-dimensional shape instead of a 2D layer -- was also touted. As we drove up the city hills, dense fog at lower altitudes cleared at peaks, showing city vistas. While the demo omitted snow and ice, fog and rain looked good at least.

Developer, Bizarre Creations, says AI will be improved in this version, giving opponents more of a vindictive memory of how you drive and more interest in earning their own kudos. But online play, including team-based racing, seems the most interesting way to race.

Specifics are still being defined, but friends will be able to play together, earning team points and individual points at the end of the race. (A teammate win will earn you points regardless of your own individual placement.)

And if your friends aren't around to help win a race, in-game replays and video sharing will recap that glory. Bizarre hopes it'll create a YouTube-like community within the PGR4 interface, and players will first be directed to Gamertag friends' videos before looking though random clips and top-rated movies.

Motorcycles, new weather, and team tactics make PGR4 worth considering for any racing fan. And the gorgeous real-life city settings still stand out against other titles.

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]]>bikebizarreBizarreCreationscarhandsonimpressionsmotorcyclepgrpgr4ProjectGothamRacingZack Stern2007-07-09T10:10:00+00:00PGR screenshot used to promote PS3 ... againhttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/pgr-screenshot-used-to-promote-ps3-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/pgr-screenshot-used-to-promote-ps3-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/17/pgr-screenshot-used-to-promote-ps3-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

For the second time this year, an image from Bizarre Creations' Microsoft exclusive Project Gotham Racing series found its way into a Sony promotion. On a Spanish internet ad for both Kia Motors and the PlayStation 3, a virtual Kia car with a PGR license plate could be clearly observed in a scene where the virtual and real car kept fading into one another. Though it has since been fixed, CVG managed to capture the incident.

Previously, a PGR3 render had been used by Sony to promote Gran Turismo: HD on Sony's official PSP Connect site. As CVG suggested, we don't blame Sony for this ad blunder -- more likely the err came from Kia's camp. Shame on Kia, though, for realizing that this image obviously isn't "True HD"; that should've been the first red flag that something is amiss.

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]]>cvgkiapgrproject gotham racingProjectGothamRacingsonyRoss Miller2007-05-17T14:55:00+00:00EA to publish Bizarre's new XBLA gamehttp://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ea-to-publish-bizarres-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ea-to-publish-bizarres-new-xbla-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/01/17/ea-to-publish-bizarres-new-xbla-game/#commentsFiled under: ,

EA's first downloadable console title will be Boom Boom Rocket, a new rhythm game from the geometric warmongers at Bizarre Creations. The game sees players traveling through a 3D cityscape and launching rockets to the beat of the music -- the more accurate you are, the more spectacular the resulting fireworks become. Gamedaily Biz reports that Boom Boom Rocket should arrive on Xbox Live Arcade in Spring.

Chip Lange, EA's vice president of online commerce, feels they've crashed the party at the opportune moment. "Now feels like the right time. Across EA there's been a lot of internal excitement about Arcade and we're at a point where we can dedicate resources to building Arcade games. We're very excited to be entering this space. This is a great way to develop new IP and work with small development teams internally and externally to build a casual, fun game experience."

Originally thought up by EA's own Pogo casual games team, the game should be a welcome addition to the XBLA lineup, especially given the grievous lack of any other rhythm games. The fireworks in Boom Boom Rocket will be accompanied by ten original tunes from Ian Livingstone -- we certainly hope he's familiar with synesthesia.

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]]>Bizarre CreationsBizarreCreationsBoom Boom RocketBoomBoomRocketEAGeometry WarsGeometryWarsPogoProject Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingRezLudwig Kietzmann2007-01-17T11:45:00+00:00X06 announcements crammed into a single posthttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/x06-announcements-crammed-into-a-single-post/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/x06-announcements-crammed-into-a-single-post/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/28/x06-announcements-crammed-into-a-single-post/#commentsFiled under:

Microsoft's X06 event started off in a thunderous explosion of news, with pieces of informative debris raining down upon the unshielded denizens of the internet since yesterday. If you're feeling clueless or overwhelmed, allow us to subject you to a helpful hail of bullet points:








  • Peter Jackson reveals a new partnership with Microsoft Game Studios. The king of the rings and his newly established Wingnut Interactive studio will work on an original property for the Xbox 360, as well as an unnamed Halo title. One can only hope that the crappy-game-based-on-a-movie and the crappy-movie-based-on-a-game curses cancel each other out when it comes time to play Peter Jackson's Halo: The Game of the Movie of the Game.
  • A new RTS, Halo Wars, is unveiled. Set in a time before the first Halo, the real-time strategy game is being developed exclusively for the Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios. Many confused pundits take the opportunity to point out that the Xbox 360 does not have a keyboard or a mouse.
  • Grand Theft Auto IV will have two "epic" downloadable episodes exclusively on Xbox 360. Rockstar and Take-Two promise that the new episodes will provide "hours" of new gameplay and will be available "just months" after the game's October 2007 release. The vague wording of the announcement fails to rule out the possibility that the PS3 could receive different downloadable episodes of its own.
  • The next Splinter Cell game is console-exclusive to the Xbox 360 -- meaning handhelds and the PC are still fair game. Fewer people are upset by this than those who realize Splinter Cell: Double Agent isn't available on anything yet.
  • Bioshock is exclusive to Xbox 360 and Windows when it releases "next Spring". The wording of the press release says nothing of the game should it release during any other season following Spring. Of course, nobody likes waiting ...
  • Project Gotham Racing 4 is coming. And the surprise hit gamers with all the force of a linen sheet flapping in the wind.
  • Rare is working on a new Banjo-Kazooie game. Presumably, players are still keen on collecting all the coins, apples, music notes, beans, feathers, diamonds, pearls, potions, rings, blocks, wrenches and / or yams mysteriously floating around the finely rendered landscape.
  • Marvel Universe Online is announced for the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. It's being developed by the folks behind City of Heroes -- perhaps you remember Marvel suing them for creating tools that allowed people to venture online as, err, Marvel characters.
  • Doom and Sensible World of Soccer join the Xbox Live Arcade lineup. The classic first-person shooter was already available yesterday for 800 points ($10). The Amiga footie title has not been given a release date yet, though the press release insists on using the word "soon."
  • The Xbox 360 HD-DVD costs $199.99 in North America and €199.99/£129.99 in the UK, France and Germany. It arrives in mid-November and will include the Xbox 360's Universal Media Remote and the HD-DVD version of Peter Jackson's King Kong. And with that, the circle is complete.

Congrats, scavenger hunter, you've found the secret c o d e good for one free copy of B A N K S H O T B I L L I A R D S 2: PRF4Q W798V G7JX9 2RX2W VT94G (Contest ran on 12/30/2006. The code has been redeemed.)

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]]>Banjo-KazooieBioshockHaloHalo 3Halo WarsHalo3HaloWarsHD-DVDKing KongKingKongMarvel Universe OnlineMarvelUniverseOnlineMicrosoftPeter JacksonPeterJacksonPGR4Project Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingSplinter CellSplinterCellXBLAXbox LiveXboxLiveLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-28T19:15:00+00:00New Xbox 360 bundle hits UK tomorrowhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/new-xbox-360-bundle-hits-uk-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/new-xbox-360-bundle-hits-uk-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/21/new-xbox-360-bundle-hits-uk-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: ,

Console bundles are often reviled during a system's launch period, as they make it practically impossible to leave the store solely with the item you wanted to purchase in the first place. A less bungled bundle, like the £299.99 Xbox 360 package launching in the UK tomorrow, comes several months after launch and doesn't deluge you with a bunch of games, accessories and HD televisions that you weren't quite ready to spend money on yet. Eurogamer reports that the deal in question includes 2 wireless controllers, a copy of Project Gotham Racing 3 and, quite generously, a Premium Xbox 360 as well.

How efficient can a bundle be at swaying your interest? Does the higher price tag or the lack of choice make it less appealing to those in the know?

See also:

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]]>PGR3Project Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingRacingXbox 360 bundleXbox 360 UKXbox360BundleXbox360UkLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-21T19:45:00+00:00Did Peugeot leak the PGR4 release date? Doubtful.http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/did-peugeot-leak-the-pgr4-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/did-peugeot-leak-the-pgr4-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/11/did-peugeot-leak-the-pgr4-release-date/#commentsFiled under: ,

A design contest from French automaker Peugeot has spawned some massive speculation on the future release date of Project Gotham Racing 4. According to the rules, any contest winner will have his or her concept car included in PGR4, " exclusively on Xbox 360 that will be released towards the end of 2007 or first half of 2008."

Would any of this be surprising? The last three PGR games were all released two years apart (2001, 2003, and 2005) -- thus, by induction, 2007 would be the release date for the third sequel. Also, developer Bizarre Creations has worked exclusively with Microsoft for the last four years, and the entire PGR series has been Xbox-exclusive.

This "leak" is probably nothing more than an educated guess. The existence of Project Gotham Racing 4, a sequel to three critically-acclaimed racing games, is about as surprising as the existence of gravity (hey, it's only a theory). A 2007 / early 2008 release would put Bizarre right on track. However, don't hold the developer accountable if they miss a deadline set by an unrelated, outside party.

In other news, sources tell us PGR4 will include some fast cars and "race tracks." It is unconfirmed whether or not J Allard will make an appearance.

See Also:
A look at 7-11's potential Wii slip-up

[via Euro Gamer]

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]]>pgrproject gotham racingProjectGothamRacingRoss Miller2006-09-11T12:15:00+00:00Forza 2 delayed, release date in limbohttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/forza-2-delayed-release-date-in-limbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/forza-2-delayed-release-date-in-limbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/07/forza-2-delayed-release-date-in-limbo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


After several days of internet murmurings and a noticeable lack of response from Microsoft, a delay in Forza 2's holiday release has manifested in that cruel place often referred to as "reality." Posting on the official Forza Motorsport forums, community manager Che Chou (username "chespace") revealed that the speedy sim sequel would overtake the 2006 holiday period and that the team would not "announce a new date until X06. Gotta do what you gotta do to get things right, y'know?"

Oh, we know. Given the game's relatively brief development time (the first Forza hit the Xbox last year), lofty goals and glut of prerendered promotional trailers, the news will likely disappoint more than it surprises. The few weeks leading up to Microsoft's X06 event are sure to be filled with speculation regarding the new release date -- we hear March 2007 is pretty popular these days. In the meantime, Microsoft expects you to gaze upon the latest screenshots, one of which features a rather exciting wall.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

See also: Forza 2 jacks PGR3 technology





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]]>Che ChouCheChoudelayForzaForza 2Forza MotorsportForza2ForzaMotorsportGran TurismoGranTurismoGT4holiday 2006Holiday2006PGRProject Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingRacingSimsLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-07T21:00:00+00:0025-year-old XBLA game delayed by a weekhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/25-year-old-xbla-game-delayed-by-a-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/25-year-old-xbla-game-delayed-by-a-week/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/09/05/25-year-old-xbla-game-delayed-by-a-week/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In a moment that's sure to elicit a grin or an unstoppable urge to fling your retinas into the back of your head, a game that was released in 1981 has somehow managed to be delayed for a week in the year 2006. Konami's side-scrolling shooter, Scramble, was all set for release this Wednesday when Microsoft's elite and possibly overworked team of testers concluded that the game simply wasn't ready to hit Xbox Live Arcade. The official word reveals that "during the final testing and certification of the title, we discovered some minor issues that should be addressed. Therefore, we are going to take an extra week and fix these items to ensure a high quality game experience for all when the title does launch on its new date of Wednesday, September 13."

This isn't the first time the weekly XBLA release schedule has had to make due without a new game -- this week's replacement is a Project Gotham Racing 3 UNO deck priced at 100 points ($1.25 in non-funny money). As exciting as theme decks and picture packs may be, the consistency of game releases has been somewhat shaky so far. Let's hope future XBLA Wednesdays don't have more games taking XBLA sick days. Har.

[Thanks Matt!]

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]]>KonamiMSFTPGR3ProjectGothamRacingScrambleShootersUNOXBLXBLAXBLAWednesdayXboxLiveLudwig Kietzmann2006-09-05T21:10:00+00:00A Bungie with business sense would make Halo 4 and 5 and...http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/a-bungie-with-business-sense-would-make-halo-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/a-bungie-with-business-sense-would-make-halo-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/07/28/a-bungie-with-business-sense-would-make-halo-4/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Recently there have been some rumblings that Bungie won't make another Halo game after Halo 3 which appear to be centered around a statement that Marty O'Donnell made in an interview with the BBC. In this interview, Marty says, "We all want Halo to be the great ending to an epic trilogy. We look at what Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings films - which each film bettering the previous one and that is what we are aiming for." Does that mean we won't be seeing another Halo game in the future? To people who understand that making video games is a business, the rumors (which are already half-disproved) that Bungie would end the Halo franchise anytime soon are ridiculous.

The first two Halo games combined have sold 14.3 million units. That puts the Halo franchise within the top 30 best-selling game franchises of all time. Without Halo, Microsoft might as well not have bothered with the Xbox; Halo and Halo 2 sold more units than the next six best selling games on the Xbox combined (if you're wondering, these games are Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Fable, GTA: Double Pack, Project Gotham Racing, and Need for Speed: Underground 2). With a Halo movie on the way, and the facts that Halo 2 sold more units than the first and is still the #1 game played on Xbox Live under Bungie's belt, it wouldn't be wrong to say that the Halo franchise is increasing in popularity.

The bottom line is that Bungie and Microsoft would have to be stupid to end their most lucrative franchise ever after #3. We don't claim to have any insider information, we don't dispute Marty's statement and we don't deny the possibility that Bungie will create new franchises, but based on pure business logic we'd expect to see at least another two games based on the Halo universe. From a business perspective, for Bungie to dump the Halo franchise after 3 would be sheer stupidity.

[Source for sales figures, Image from 1001 Fonts]

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]]>BungieBusinessFableFranchisesGame salesGameSalesGTAHaloHalo 2Halo 3Halo franchiseHalo2Halo3HaloFranchiseLord of the RingsLordOfTheRingsMarty O'DonnellMartyO'donnellNeed for Speed UndergroundNeedForSpeedUndergroundNFSPGRProject Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingSplinter CellSplinterCellXbox LiveXboxLiveConrad Quilty-Harper2006-07-28T07:45:00+00:00More cars pull into PGR3's garage [Update 1]http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/more-cars-pull-into-pgr3s-garage/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/more-cars-pull-into-pgr3s-garage/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/27/more-cars-pull-into-pgr3s-garage/#commentsFiled under: ,

According to the lads at the UK's Official Xbox Magazine, Bizarre Creations is revving up 12 new absurdly beautiful cars for another Project Gotham Racing 3 download (pictured car sadly not included). The Style Pack is likely to release for the princely sum of 400 Microsoft Points ($5), with individual car downloads looking to set you back 60 (75c) points each. The marvelous machines included in the pack are:
  •     365 GTB4 ("Daytona")
  •     BMW M3 CSL
  •     BMW M6
  •     BMW MINI COOPER S
  •     BMW Z8
  •     Chrysler Firepower Concept
  •     Ferrari 430 Challenge
  •     Gumpert Apollo Coupe 4.2 V8
  •     Mercedes CLK DTM AMG
  •     Pagani Zonda F
  •     RUF R.K. Spyder
  •     Vanwall GPR V12
As with the previous Speed Pack, one car -- the RUF R.K. Spyder -- will be available for free, no doubts as a means to lure you into shelling out your easily purchased points for the full roster. Not a terrible thing to be tricked into, we admit, but we'd rather be given the opportunity to download some more garages. As any playboy millionaire will be quick to remind you, there's not much point in owning a sports car if you're not able to show it off to your equally rich fake friends.

[Update: Now with real currency!]

[Via CVG, thanks smellslikepie! Mmm...pie.]

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]]>Bizarre CreationsBizarreCreationsBMWMicrosoftMSFTPGR3Project Gotham RacingProject Gotham Racing 3ProjectGothamRacingProjectGothamRacing3RacingRUFLudwig Kietzmann2006-06-27T19:25:00+00:00Forza 2 jacks PGR3 technologyhttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/21/forza-2-jacks-pgr3-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/21/forza-2-jacks-pgr3-technology/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/21/forza-2-jacks-pgr3-technology/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As much as we'd like to envision Microsoft programmers bursting into the UK offices of Bizarre Games, waving oversized pistols around and demanding that employees dump their precious code onto an external hard drive, the word "sharing" is the one used to describe the technology deal between the Project Gotham Racing 3 developer and the Forza Motorsport 2 team. In an Xbox World Australia love letter interview, lead designer Dan Greenawalt explains that the upcoming Xbox 360 racing sim will include an online TV mode, much like the one found in PGR3.

"In Forza Motorsport 2, you won't just be watching a bunch of Ferraris racing together. You'll be watching completely customized Ferraris racing in a simulation environment. The personality of the driver emerges in Forza Motorsport TV. Paint schemes and physics mastery add to the excitement and diversity of the 'telecasts'." Exciting news, certainly if you've discovered that watching is the best part of playing a game.

All joking aside, it is heartening to see PGR3's solid online implementation finding its way into another flagship franchise. Greenawalt goes on to highlight the game's 60 frames-per-second graphical glory,  its more nuanced Drivatar AI system and a photo mode that -- get this -- may allow you to share your virtual snaps with friends. Let's hope Microsoft remembers to share that marvelous technology with the Project Gotham team.

Well, maybe not all joking then.

[Via Eurogamer]

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]]>Bizarre GamesBizarreGamesDrivingForza MotorsportForzaMotorsportGran TurismoGranTurismoMGSMicrosoftMicrosoft Games StudiosMicrosoftGamesStudiosMSFTProject Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingRacingSimulationXbox LiveXboxLiveLudwig Kietzmann2006-06-21T21:55:00+00:00Bizarre experiments underway -- PGR4 "looking good," but needs more smokehttp://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/08/bizarre-experiments-underway-pgr4-looking-good-but-needs-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/08/bizarre-experiments-underway-pgr4-looking-good-but-needs-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/08/bizarre-experiments-underway-pgr4-looking-good-but-needs-m/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yellow CarBizarre's Ben Ward and Gareth Wilson recently sat down with OXM to talk about the possibility of Project Gotham Racing 4. And while the duo would not confirm the game was officially underway, Ward admitted that the team has "already done some experiments and things are looking good..." Wilson added that the team was confident they'd be able to "push the [Xbox 360] graphics a lot harder" a second time around.

During development of PGR3, Bizarre kept finding ways to do things better, but it was too late in the development cycle to re-code (the game had to be ready by the 360 launch). If and when PGR4 becomes a reality, the team expects to implement these superior techniques in order to boost the game's speed and of course, add more smoke. "I always want more smoke," says Wilson.

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]]>Bizarre CreationsBizarreCreationsOfficial Xbox MagazineOfficialXboxMagazineProject Gotham RacingProjectGothamRacingJames Ransom-Wiley2006-03-08T12:00:00+00:00