Joystiq

Crackdown 2 'Deluge' DLC overwhelms Pacific City

David Hinkle — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST

The new "Deluge" DLC for Crackdown 2 adds a co-op arcade mode where players must protect designated city zones from Pacific City's worst. It'll set Agents back 560 points ($7) and also adds several Achievements, Avatar awards and a "Capture the Orb" mode for up to 16 players, spanning six arenas.

Continue reading Crackdown 2 'Deluge' DLC overwhelms Pacific City

Crackdown 2 'Deluge' DLC overwhelms Pacific City originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Expect a 'Deluge' of Crackdown 2 DLC, Windows Phone 7 tie-in this month

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:15:00 EST

Microsoft has announced that a new batch of Crackdown 2 DLC will be released later this month. The "Deluge" add-on will add two new multiplayer modes to the game, as well as new Achievements and Avatar Awards. Deluge mode is a new co-op mode that sees up to four players defending "against increasingly more challenging waves of denizens from Pacific City." Meanwhile, Capture the Orb is a new adversarial mode for up to 16 players. Presumably -- and this is just a hunch -- players compete to capture the orb.

Interestingly, the DLC will be offered in both trial and premium versions. The free trial version will include the complete Capture the Orb mode and a single-player "sample" of Deluge mode. For 560 MS Points ($7), the premium version includes the full Deluge mode as well as the aforementioned goodies.

Microsoft is also planning to release a Windows Phone 7 tie-in project later this month. Entitled Crackdown: Project Sunburst, the game offers up tower defense gameplay utilizing Bing Maps. Playing Project Sunburst will unlock new features in Deluge mode and, conversely, Deluge mode will unlock new weapons in the mobile game. The press release notes that this is the first time such integration has been seen between Xbox Live and Windows Phone 7. Assuming the platform takes off, we doubt it will be the last.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (Deluge DLC)

Continue reading Expect a 'Deluge' of Crackdown 2 DLC, Windows Phone 7 tie-in this month

Expect a 'Deluge' of Crackdown 2 DLC, Windows Phone 7 tie-in this month originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC crashing issues resolved by reissue

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

A new, bug-free version of Crackdown 2's "Toy Box" DLC pack was released yesterday morning on Xbox Live Marketplace, according to Ruffian Games. Unfortunately, rather than a patch, the DLC has been re-issued, meaning that folks who downloaded the content will need to delete it and redownload. The new version fixes issues ranging from "crash on loading" to issues with the narrator's voice and Achievement problems, which we reported on earlier this week.

Ruffian says that the glitches were "caused by problems mastering the DLC package," thus the reissue rather than a patch. The developer assures players that "all will be fine" after the download, which was available publicly as of yesterday morning. We've yet to hear of any issues with the re-release, but feel free to let us know if you find any.

Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC crashing issues resolved by reissue originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC trailer gives us a taste of what's to come

David Hinkle — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:00:00 EST

In today's fast-paced world, we don't always have time to read everything. You've got things to do, places to be -- you expect a high quality video showing you what will be available in an upcoming DLC pack. That's why we've posted this video showcasing Crackdown 2's "Toy Box" DLC. You're welcome!

Continue reading Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC trailer gives us a taste of what's to come

Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC trailer gives us a taste of what's to come originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC hits the streets on September 2

David Hinkle — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Anxious to 'splode more stuff in Crackdown 2? Well, on September 2, you'll be able to access the "Toy Box" DLC pack. The DLC will come in two different flavors: as a free download, players can access the "Keys to the City" cheat unlock, the "Thruster" ability and a new multiplayer mode called "Vehicle Tag;" or agents can shell out 560 MS Points ($7) for an enhanced version including five new weapons, two new vehicles, a couple of Avatar items and 10 additional Achievements to unlock.

Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC hits the streets on September 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC handing over keys to Pacific City

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Ruffian Games is making good on last month's promise of Crackdown 2 DLC, with the announcement this morning of a forthcoming add-on for the game titled "Toy Box." The free version of the content pack will come with a rethought "Keys to the City" cheat unlock, the "Thruster" ability (described as "jetpacks for your boots") and a new multiplayer mode -- "Vehicle Tag."

For those of you willing to shell out 560 MS Points ($7), the pack also contains five new weapons, two new vehicles, a couple of Avatar items, and 10 new Cheevos. Are you keen on dressing up your agent in various colorful suits? Who isn't? The paid version of the pack additionally contains eight fancy new outfits, with ambiguous names like "Terror Firma" (also our second favorite Doctor Who spinoff) and "Dem Apples." The pack is said to be "coming soon," though a solid date hasn't been given for release. ~~We do have a trailer of the content in action, just after the break~~. [Correction: The video documentary was unrelated to the DLC. We've posted a Youtube trailer of the new content after the break. Thanks, Ryan!]

Continue reading Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC handing over keys to Pacific City

Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC handing over keys to Pacific City originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 holds on to top UK sales spot; Xbox 360 S has solid launch

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Crackdown 2 just barely held off Dance on Broadway last week to maintain the top spot on the UK all formats chart for a second week in a row. According to Chart-Track, "Orb Collector 2" sales dropped 36 percent and only sold about 800 units more than Ubisoft's show tune-themed Just Dance successor (the original Just Dance retained a supporting role in the ten spot). Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Red Dead Redemption each slipped one spot to third and fourth, respectively. The lone new entry in the top ten was Disney's Toy Story 3 in fifth place.

In hardware sales, although Chart-Track didn't reveal specific numbers, the Xbox 360 Slim (or Short) enjoyed the UK's most successful launch for a "revised" console. The redesigned console surpassed the relaunches of both the PS2 and PS3 slim models and, in its opening weekend, matched the regional launch figures of the Pro and Core Xbox 360 SKUs from back in late 2005.

Continue reading Crackdown 2 holds on to top UK sales spot; Xbox 360 S has solid launch

Crackdown 2 holds on to top UK sales spot; Xbox 360 S has solid launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 jumps to top of UK charts

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Crackdown 2 has broken the "petrificus totalus" spell cast upon the UK sales charts for the last couple weeks. Skills for broken spells, agent? Ruffian's compulsive orb-collecting sequel leaped ahead of Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Red Dead Redemption, which found comfortable homes on the range at second and third, respectively.

Ubisoft's Just Dance took its greatest tumble to date, dropping all the way down to ninth place -- most likely because everyone in the UK already owns it. However, proving that Just Dance wasn't a singular sensation for the publisher, newcomer Dance on Broadway steps up from sixth to fourth. Check out the UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Crackdown 2 jumps to top of UK charts

Crackdown 2 jumps to top of UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two Crackdown 2 DLC packs teased

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We might not have loved Crackdown 2 as much as anticipated, but we're glad to see that's not stopping developer Ruffian Games from supporting the game post-launch with downloadable content. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, producer James Cope revealed two (tentatively titled) packs already planned for release: "The Toy Box" and "Deluge." According to Cope, The Toy Box will be available first and features "new gadgets and vehicles," as well as opening up Pacific City in the same way that the first game's "Keys to the City" mode did.

Next will be the Deluge pack, which will contain "new game modes to expand the play" -- Cope says the team at Ruffian is aiming for "a completely new way to play the game you've already got." No release prices or dates were given for the DLC add-ons, though, presumably Crackdown 2 owners are still plenty occupied collecting all of them orbs. It's a hunger that can't be satisfied, folks!

Two Crackdown 2 DLC packs teased originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metareview: Crackdown 2

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Crackdown 2 left us with the feeling we were missing something -- like, an entire sequel's worth of content. It appears we weren't alone for the most part. Then again, if you've got AOO (agility orb obsession), you'll be too busy to care. Chase down the review orb links below for the full content:

Eurogamer (80/100): "Besides, they're offset by everything that Ruffian gets right: the masterful way the developers have turned simple neighbourhoods into set-pieces; the moments where nightfall triggers neon signage that reveals a hidden pathway up the side of a skyscraper; the way in which a chain of seemingly random Agility Orbs picks out a perfect racing line of superhero bounds from one chimney to the next and off into the horizon."
IGN (75/100): "The new additions, specifically the expansion to four-player co-op, are welcome, but this hardly feels like it was worth the three-year wait. It's mostly just more of the same, in the same city, with the same shortcomings and a slightly expanded set of missions. Crackdown 2 feels uninspired and rushed, and it certainly doesn't feel like a full sequel."
Game Informer (73/100): "Yes, the fights with gang leaders got old after a while in the first game, but they instilled a sense of progress. Without them, you're just jumping around ruined versions of the same old places, tracking down nearly 1,000 orbs, and working through the same pair of "kill 'em all" story missions until the credits roll. Crackdown is still ripe for an ambitious sequel, but this Crackdown 2 thing clearly isn't it. What a squandered opportunity."
1UP (B-): "There's no question that Crackdown 2 is a mere shadow of the first game, which stands as an absolute classic. The sequel feels more like an ambitious user mod than a true follow-up."
Giant Bomb (3/5) "There's a narrow subset of people that will absolutely love Crackdown 2 for it's "it ain't broke, so we didn't fix it" approach to sequel development. ... If you're in that group or if you're just looking for something absolutely mindless to do with a few online friends, Crackdown 2 is practically perfect for that."

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (E3)

Metareview: Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Crackdown 2

Justin McElroy — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST

As the always astute Chris Hecker once pointed out, the thing video games do best are power fantasies. While we're literally trying to rescue our family or kill the evil guy, the metaphorical (and arguably more important) journey is in watching our character grow from weakling to demigod, whether that's through the collection of the most powerful weapons or the fastest cars. The balance then is in making the literal journey just present enough that the metaphorical one means something.

For all its strengths, Crackdown's major failing was in not nailing this balance. Punching, jumping and exploding your way to superherodom was amazing, but the story and missions were so threadbare that there was nothing really pulling you through, there was no momentum. Though narrative was never going to be its strong suit, it needed just a few more breadcrumbs to get you from point A to point B.

Disappointingly, Crackdown 2 does not fix the balance between literal and metaphorical journey. In fact, it seems much more content to pretend it doesn't exist.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009)

Continue reading Review: Crackdown 2

Review: Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 demo now available; Facebook game unlocks bonuses

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Can't wait to earn 'Cheevos for the many, many heads you'll be busting in Crackdown 2? You can get an early start today -- the 1GB demo of the game, now available on Xbox Live Marketplace, features accelerated character leveling, four-player co-op and the ability to start earning Achievements, which will fully unlock when you boot up the retail version of the game, coming July 6.

In addition, the Crackdown 2-themed Facebook game Chuck's Duck 2 unlocks a new difficulty in the demo and a multiplayer weapon for use in the retail version of the game. Appropriately, said weapon is an exploding, sticky rubber duck. That ought to strike some fear into the hearts of Pacific City's mutant inhabitants, shouldn't it?

Xbox.com: Add Crackdown 2 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue

Crackdown 2 demo now available; Facebook game unlocks bonuses originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 demo drops in Monday, June 21

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:10:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Agent, you ready to get more skills for kills? Return to Pacific City with the Crackdown 2 demo next Monday, June 21. The "generous demo" will apparently be huge, according to our recent interview with Ruffian's James Cope.

You can likely increase your chances of getting the demo early by following Ruffian Games' Twitter account. The company appears to be giving out passes early to those with a quick enough Twitter finger. We also have 10 codes to give out, five on Twitter and five on Facebook this Saturday, June 18.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (X10)

Crackdown 2 demo drops in Monday, June 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Crackdown 2 prequel short explains origins of the mutants

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST

Ever since we found out that the mean streets of Pacific City had been ravaged by even meaner mutants in Crackdown 2, we've been curious about from whence said mutants sprung. Our curiosity was satisfied by the second episode in the animated "Pacific City Archives" prequel series, which tells of the exploits of twisted ex-Agency medical researcher Catalina Thorne.

Check out the episode after the jump to see Thorne's fall from grace and how she introduced the mutant virus into the helpless population of Pacific City. If that's not grounds for reaching archvillain status in Crackdown 2, we're not sure what is.

Continue reading New Crackdown 2 prequel short explains origins of the mutants

New Crackdown 2 prequel short explains origins of the mutants originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The worlds of Crackdown and Crackdown 2 compared

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:40:00 EST

If the recent animated prequel didn't convince you that Pacific City, the setting for the Crackdown series, has gone to hell in a handbasket since the franchise's first installment, then perhaps this will do the trick. BitMob recently posted a panoramic comparison of the city as it looked in Crackdown to how it looks in Crackdown 2. In short, it looks like a really, really terrible place to live now.

Watch as some of the notable landmarks from the first game crumble, decay or simply become derelict due to the influx of violent mutants that plague Crackdown 2. It looks like Pacific City has become a generally more dangerous place to take up residence -- though, as a concern, we imagine that ranks second behind what this gruesome makeover has done to the city's property values.

The worlds of Crackdown and Crackdown 2 compared originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 May 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Third Crackdown 2 ViDoc revels in mass destruction

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:15:00 EST

We should warn you right off the bat that the ViDoc for Crackdown 2 embedded above does at one point feature a Ruffian Games employee using the word "awesomeness," though he thankfully catches himself quickly before the madness spreads too far. While his excitement for this summer's Xbox 360 release is appreciable, we're not so sure that devolving into Valley Girl-isms is the way to play up the game's comically destructive sandbox gameplay.

As senior designer Dean Smith puts it, "For some reason, there's a lot of explosive things lying around Pacific City as well, so there's always a new prop to grab or a new explodable of some type." Now that's what gets us excited for more Crackdown: stuff exploding! Lots of stuff exploding! Hooray explosions!

Third Crackdown 2 ViDoc revels in mass destruction originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 May 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Viral Crackdown 2 contest offers early demo access

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 24 May 2010 19:15:00 EST

This is your lucky day, agent. Today you get to participate in viral marketing, easily the best kind of marketing in Pacific City. This marketing, as you may have guessed, is for Crackdown 2. You might be wondering why you'd participate in such a thing. After all, you loved the first Crackdown, you've read the hands-on coverage for the sequel, your pre-order money has been set aside and you're just coasting your way to July. The answer is simple: early demo access.

To get started, pick up Microsoft's Tag Reader app for your mobile phone (find it at gettag.mobi). Then, watch this video. At the end you'll see a hidden orb, which you can scan with Tag Reader. If you'd rather not watch the video (again), you can just scan the image to the right. Once scanned, you can register for a contest account, which will provide you with text message clues about the locations of the remaining "orbs." Find them, scan them and you're in.

Orbs for demos, agent. Orbs for demos. Unless you don't have a texting plan, of course.

Viral Crackdown 2 contest offers early demo access originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 May 2010 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 gets ultra-violent prequel cartoon

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:30:00 EST

You know what violent video gaming franchise we always thought would make an excellent Saturday morning cartoon? Crackdown. We're thinking of a modern day GI Joe series, with rugged super soldiers, death-defying acrobatic feats, the occasional car chase and a helpful PSA at the end of each episode. However, Machinima.com recently posted the first episode in a real cartoon series based on Crackdown 2, and ... well, let's just say they went in a much different direction with it. A much bloodier direction.

Check past the jump to see the first installment in "The Pacific City Archives," and think about how happy you are that whatever city you may be living in is relatively killer-mutant-free.

[Via Kotaku]

Continue reading Crackdown 2 gets ultra-violent prequel cartoon

Crackdown 2 gets ultra-violent prequel cartoon originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 May 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth on the sounds of Crackdown 2

Mike Schramm — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:00:00 EST

It's fair to say Crackdown was a surprise -- even if you didn't buy it for the Halo 3 beta key, odds are that you downloaded the demo and found a pretty impressive pre-GTA IV open-world shooter. That seems like a blessing and a curse for Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth and the rest of the dev team at Ruffian Games working on the sequel: on the one hand, we have fond memories of the original game, but on the other, there are more great open-world games out there now. Will we go back to Pacific City now that we've got a choice?

Mellroth is doing everything on his end to make sure that we do. From the music of the game (which features remixes from the likes of Bob Dylan and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as electronic beats by artists like Tokyo Black Star and Adam Freeland) to gunshots, explosions, and the ever-present tones of Michael McConnohie, he's put a lot of thought into what Crackdown 2 should sound like and why. Read on for an exclusive interview with the game's audio director.

Continue reading Interview: Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth on the sounds of Crackdown 2

Interview: Audio Director Kristofor Mellroth on the sounds of Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 May 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 vidoc shows that nothing is sacred

David Hinkle — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:15:00 EST

Despite its title, the latest Crackdown 2 vidoc, "Nothing is Sacred," reveals at least one sacred thing in Ruffian's upcoming game: humor. The amusing action becomes apparent when you knock someone upside the head with a sign post, or attach a satchel charge to their face.

The first game certainly had its share of guffaw-inducing moments and, come July 6, we'll know if -- on top of skills for kills -- agents will get lulz for kills.

Crackdown 2 vidoc shows that nothing is sacred originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 will not feature female agents

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST

Admitting that the ability to create and play as a female agent in the first Crackdown was originally intended (but eventually cut), Billy Thomson, Ruffian Games creative director and former lead designer of Crackdown at Realtime Worlds, explained to 1UP that the functionality won't be making an appearance in the sequel either. According to Thomson, it was excluded from the first game due to memory constraints that would've required a "massive reduction" to other parts of the game.

Similar limitations will keep playable female characters out of Crackdown 2 at launch, Thomson claimed. "You've got four players (in cooperative play), and that means every single player can be a different character, and that has to be in memory all the time ... we had to save memory all over the place because we've got so much more content in this game than we had in the first game ... we don't stream." While the studio isn't making any promises about a female agent DLC update, "we never know what happens in the future," teased producer James Cope.

Crackdown 2 will not feature female agents originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 touches down July 6

JC Fletcher — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:57:00 EST

Microsoft has announced the date for your return trip to Pacific City ... when you'll tear it to shreds in the name of justice! Crackdown 2 will launch in North America on July 6, with Asia, Australia and New Zealand releases following on July 8, and Europe's on July 9 -- narrowly missing the "first half of 2010" release estimate.

Producer James Cope previously said that a demo will be forthcoming before the release of the game, so we'll be playing some small portion of Crackdown 2 sooner than July 6. We're going to start playing even sooner than that, actually -- our dreams are littered with orbs.

[Update: New multiplayer ViDoc embedded above.]

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (X10)

Crackdown 2 touches down July 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 producer: 'Expect a demo' before release

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST

Crackdown 2 producer James Cope doesn't want you to have any doubt in your mind that a demo is headed to Xbox Live before the game's release, telling IGN UK in an interview, "You can definitely expect a demo to hit Live before the game is out." While we know the game's set to release in the "first half of 2010," Cope wouldn't get any more specific about the release date.

Cope, however, did explain the revamped orb collection system (which adds "new types of Orbs for Agility and Driving skills") and admitted that "the Agency has finally discovered the power of flight." More specifically, he's referring to helicopters, the armored vehicles that will aid you in your ~~destruction~~ clean-up campaign across Pacific City -- and something criminally absent from the first Crackdown. For a handful of more granular details about the upcoming city-jumping sim sequel, peep the rest of the source interview.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (11/24/09)

[Via Xbox360Achievements.org]

Crackdown 2 producer: 'Expect a demo' before release originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Greenberg: Crackdown 2 coming first half of 2010

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

On Major Nelson's weekly podcast -- with a host left laughing and teary-eyed due to the Xbox head's dental-related lisp -- Aaron Greenberg did some NPD boasting before ruminating on the first half of 2010. After pointing out Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell Conviction, and Alan Wake, he confirmed Crackdown 2 as part of Microsoft's list of "triple-A, exclusive" titles heading to the Xbox 360 during "the first half of the year."

"Those are just the exclusives, that doesn't include Final Fantasy ... there's no way we had a first half of the year like that last year," Greenberg added. The back end of the upcoming year is no slouch either in his eyes, with Halo Reach and Fable 3 said to be on schedule for launch in the Fall. Considering the first Crackdown's February release date, we're hoping for a similarly timed release of the sequel (just in time for its third birthday!). We've followed up with Greenberg and will update this post if we hear more.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (11/24/09)

Greenberg: Crackdown 2 coming first half of 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2's VGA trailer invites you to 'blow #&$^ up' with it

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST

As you might have already guessed, last night's Spike Video Game Awards show's "World Premiere" trailers have landed on the web via GameTrailers.com. First up for us this morning: Crackdown 2. Featuring the first campaign footage from the game that we've seen, it looks as though we'll be cooperatively taking down enemies with other agents when the game launches. Moreover, the entire trailer glories in the mass destruction introduced to us in the first Crackdown, backed up by a "Would you like to blow &%^$ up with me?" soundtrack. Color us excited.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (11/24/09)

Crackdown 2's VGA trailer invites you to 'blow #&$^ up' with it originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's your Crackdown 2 weapon loadout, agent!

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST

Doling out only a handful of fresh screens for Crackdown 2 with a smattering of in-game renders, Ruffian Games has done little to supply us with more information on its upcoming game in today's media release. Everything from various character designs to about two dozen weapon types can be found in the gallery below, showcasing the visually gussied-up artwork from the sequel to 2007's surprise hit. It appears as though the few screenshots included are of areas we've seen in the past, though (as you can see in the image above) we're now treated to many more explosions. Now if only we could get some sort of a release date, we could start getting properly excited for Crackdown 2. The thrill just ain't there without an end in sight, ya know?

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (11/24/09)

Here's your Crackdown 2 weapon loadout, agent! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get your graffiti in Crackdown 2

Justin McElroy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST

Why waste your graffiti on something as temporary as the rear wall of the nearby Rio Grande or Ronald's Cheese Corner when you could have it enshrined forever, digitally? That's the opportunity being offered by Ruffian Games, which is looking for graffiti submissions from fans who'll have a chance to get their art in the game and their name in the credits, if their work is among the best, that is.

If you're having trouble deciding what exactly, the theme - the jumping off point, if you will - of your e-vandalism should be, may we suggest ... Mighty Horse?

Get your graffiti in Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: Crackdown 2 lead designer Steve Iannetta

Xav de Matos — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST

In 2010, the agents are returning to action, this time with a new development team at the helm. Following a demo of Crackdown 2's single-player in action and a multiplayer deathmatch session, Ruffian Games' lead designer Steve Iannetta took time to discuss everything from new concepts and features in the sequel, the media's reaction to the RealTime Worlds "controversy" and evolving the co-operative world of Pacific City.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009)

Continue reading Interview: Crackdown 2 lead designer Steve Iannetta

Interview: Crackdown 2 lead designer Steve Iannetta originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Crackdown 2

Xav de Matos — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST

A hands-on preview of Crackdown 2 at TGS last week came with a catch: deathmatch only. No matter how much potential for greatness a game might possess, it's hard to gauge its true character when limited to a boring multiplayer mode. That's not to say that my time with Crackdown 2 was entirely boring -- it wasn't -- but simply playing the most generic mode of all didn't raise my enthusiasm beyond a mild passing interest.

While I wasn't able to play the game's single-player campaign, I was shown a rough portion of it in action. Ruffian lead designer Steve Iannetta and producer James Cope showcased the game's new weapons and enemies (the mutated citizens of Pacific City that were simply referred to as "The Freaks"). Unlike the deathmatch portion of the preview session, this part was interesting.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009)

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Preview: Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TGS 2009: Watch a Crackdown 2 deathmatch

Xav de Matos — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST

One of the biggest surprises to come out of TGS 2009 is the presence of Crackdown 2 -- and it's playable! While the Ruffian Games developed sequel was only just announced at E3, Microsoft decided to let press in Tokyo step into an early build of the new Pacific City. Some textures were missing, and a few glitches popped up, but it was to be expected in what we were told was a game "roughly at 60 percent" complete.

Stay tuned, we'll post our impressions soon, along with an interview with Ruffian lead designer Steve Iannetta. (Oh, and just in case you were wondering: we mopped the floor with the competition.)

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009)

TGS 2009: Watch a Crackdown 2 deathmatch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Overheard@TGS: Putting the 'crack' in Crackdown 2

Xav de Matos — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:45:00 EST

During a behind-closed-doors presentation of Crackdown 2, Ruffian Games lead designer Steve Iannetta broke it down like this: "The orbs are the 'crack,' in Crackdown."

It's true, and Iannetta says that orb fiends will not be disappointed when they go hunting for the returning collectible in Crackdown 2. Stay tuned for gameplay footage and our hands-on impressions of the upcoming sandbox title.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009)

Overheard@TGS: Putting the 'crack' in Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Crackdown 2 screens -- zombies included [updated]

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Click to embiggen

Is it still kosher to assume zombies are what's being featured in these Crackdown 2 screens? We saw a glimpse of the ... let's call them "mutated" enemies in the trailer released back at E3, but we'd yet to see them being punched, kicked, and exploded so vociferously before. With any luck, we'll nab some new gameplay video -- or maybe just impressions of new gameplay video -- when we check out the game this week at the Tokyo Game Show.

Update: After spotting 10 unlisted Crackdown 2 images on Ruffian's Flickr page, we were asked by Microsoft to remove the screens due to an exclusivity agreement with Game Informer magazine. In the interest of playing nice, we've complied with the request. We'll have the images back on Joystiq as soon as possible, we assure you ... though a Google Images search might net you results a bit sooner.

Gallery: Crackdown 2 (TGS 2009)

New Crackdown 2 screens -- zombies included [updated] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft explains why Ruffian is the right choice for Crackdown 2

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Before Microsoft revealed that Ruffian Games would be developing the upcoming Crackdown sequel, the original game's developer, Realtime Worlds, expressed some skepticism towards the idea. "I very much doubt that Microsoft would harm an otherwise fruitful existing development relationship by gambling on funding Crackdown 2 with a startup on RTW's doorstep, for obvious reasons," RTW's Colin MacDonald said last year. Things weren't so cut and dry for self-accused Crackdown fanboy (and Microsoft exec) Phil Spencer, who recently told Develop, "When Billy Thomson, the lead designer of the game [Crackdown 1], left Realtime Worlds, there was an opportunity."

Apparently, it would seem Mr. Spencer believes Realtime Worlds is simply too busy developing APB to give a Crackdown sequel the attention it deserves. "I wanted to make sure that anything we work on is correctly nurtured ... we had to find the right team who really understood what game it is - and that was Billy [Thompson] and the team at Ruffian." Crackdown 2 will be the first game developed by Ruffian Games since the studio's inception late last year.

Microsoft explains why Ruffian is the right choice for Crackdown 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 spotted on iPhone

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:15:00 EST

Get it? It's not an iPhone version of Crackdown 2. It's literally an iPhone with Crackdown 2 emblazoned across its shiny, shiny surface. It's a joke, see? The offending iPhone was spotted on the Ruffian blog, which noted it belonged to an unnamed executive producer at Microsoft.

Certainly, it's not quite as cool as a portable version of Crackdown 2 -- assuming it was a good portable version, anyway -- but it's cool nonetheless. At any rate, with the complete absence of any concrete Crackdown 2 details, we suppose it wil have to do for now.

Crackdown 2 spotted on iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 features 4-player co-op, 16-player online

Randy Nelson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:45:00 EST

Details posted to Xbox.com reveal that Ruffian Games' sequel to Crackdown -- the sleeper open-world, super-powered crime fighting game -- will feature cooperative four-player gameplay. The original game featured two-player, drop-in, drop-out co-op. Also noted: 16-player online multiplayer -- though not confirmed, this is presumably competitive and team-based. If you haven't done it yet, watch the official reveal trailer.

[Thanks, Erluti!]

Crackdown 2 features 4-player co-op, 16-player online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Agency is recruiting again: First Crackdown 2 trailer

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:15:00 EST

"The city is infected. You are the cure."

So begins the first trailer for Crackdown 2. The trailer subsequently showcases one of the Agency's supercops doing what he does best. If you've played the first Crackdown, you'll know that what an Agent does best is basically to be a complete and total badass. The only difference is that this time, it looks like the Agents just might have met their match. We won't spoil it for you, so just go ahead and give it a watch.

The Agency is recruiting again: First Crackdown 2 trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crackdown 2 announced for Xbox 360

Randy Nelson — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:19:00 EST

Microsoft answered many an open-world action game fan's prayers today by finally confirming Crackdown 2 for Xbox 360. The game -- which has been rumored for some time -- was shown in trailer form during the company's pre-e3 press conference, currently underway in LA.

The footage appeared to be an in-game cinematic and showed a monster emerging from a sewer. We noticed that, while the game's art style is reminiscent of the original's, it did appear slightly more realistic. Also as rumored, the game is being developed by Ruffian Games, a studio comprised of many former Realtime Worlds staffers who worked on the first game. No release timeframe was teased. We'll do our best to crack down Microsoft's PR walls and get more info on the game over the next four days.

Crackdown 2 announced for Xbox 360 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruffian Games expands team by 15, 'itching' to reveal first project

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:45:00 EST

While many other development studios are withering beneath the sweltering heat of the recession, it seems at least one studio is blossoming -- Ruffian Games, founded earlier this year by a number of former Fable II, Crackdown and GTA devs, recently announced that it had bolstered its staff with 15 new recruits.

This is great news for the unorthodoxly expanding studio (and for the recently employed developers), but we still don't know what Ruffian is working on. Apparently, this fact bothers them as much as it bothers us -- studio head Gaz Liddon said, "Now we're in full production, we're itching to share the fantastic work these guys have been producing," adding that he hoped said sharing "won't be too far away." We hope so too, as our attention span is pretty limited as far as -- Hey, a butterfly! Neat!

Ruffian Games expands team by 15, 'itching' to reveal first project originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ruffian Games job ad is decidedly Crackdown-free

Randy Nelson — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:20:00 EST

Scottish development house Ruffian Games has been the subject of a long-running rumor -- a rumor it is developing a sequel to Realtime Worlds' open-world 360 action title, Crackdown. To date, much of the speculation has centered around the high percentage of former Realtime Worlds staff now employed by Ruffian; staff that previously worked on Crackdown.

Now, up pops a Ruffian recruitment ad on Flickr, featuring a piece of artwork that looks wholly un-Crackdown-like. In fact, it's some sort of hideous beast. (In the good sense; no offense to the artist who drew it.) So, is this proof against the studio producing the rumored sequel or just Ruffian trying to throw us off the trail? We'd still wager we're not barking up the wrong developer, er ... tree.

Ruffian Games job ad is decidedly Crackdown-free originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 00:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Realtime Worlds: We'd be 'gutted' if MS gave Crackdown 2 to another developer

Dustin Burg — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: News

Talking to videogaming247, Realtime Worlds studio head Colin MacDonald addressed the recent Crackdown 2 rumors, specifically the fact that Ruffian Games was developing the sequel.

"Although to date we haven't had an offer from Microsoft for the Crackdown sequel rumoured, we continue to have ongoing discussions with them" admitted MacDonald adding that if Microsoft were to chose another studio to make the sequel, they'd want it done by "by an established, renowned developer that had the track record of delivering the quality gaming experience Crackdown players would demand." MacDonald confirmed that a handful of ex-Realtime employees have gone to Ruffian, but that the majority of the team remains and also made it clear that they doubt MS would chose a "startup on RTW's doorstep" (Ruffian) to develop Crackdown 2.

Stil no Crackdown 2 rumor busting or confirmation, but this is turning into a developer soap opera. How entertaining.

[Via Game Stooge]

Realtime Worlds: We'd be 'gutted' if MS gave Crackdown 2 to another developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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