Amazon UK’s latest Pre-Order stats show that we love sequels!

I love new IP, and in recent years, a number of companies have been pushing some new properties with great results. EA has been one of the companies on the forefront with both Dead Space and Mirrors Edge being very well received. Looking at these figures from Battlefield 3 among others, they will certainly be happy with these latest numbers from Amazon UK.

Amazon UK has taken current pre-order totals and compared them to the previous games in the series over the same amount of time before release, see below for the breakdown.

Pre-order uplifts versus previous title with same amount of time remaining until release:

Gears of War 3 (release date 20 September 2011)                                     216%
more pre-orders than Gears of War 2

FIFA 12 (release date 30 September 2011)                                                  325%
more pre-orders than FIFA 11

Batman Arkham City (release date 21 October 2011)                               349%
more pre-orders than Batman Arkham Asylum

Battlefield 3 (release date 28 October 2011)                                               2,302%
more pre-orders than Battlefield 2

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (release date 1 November 2011)        488%
more pre-orders than Uncharted 2

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (release date 8 November 2011)         321%
more pre-orders than Call of Duty: Black Ops

Liz Hosmer, Video Game manager at Amazon UK states -

“We have already started seeing a great deal of excitement about the major video games launches for Christmas this year and that can be seen by how many people are pre-ordering these titles, Call of Duty: Black Ops’ is the biggest selling video game of all-time on Amazon.co.uk and it looks from these figures like ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’might well be challenging for that title come the end of the year.”

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3: Classified Intel Pack (UK) Contents Detailed!

Did you Pre-order the mysterious ‘Intel Pack’ edition of Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 from GAME or Gamestation? At the time I pre-ordered the game, they didn’t know what it contained, and a quick Google search also brings up many of the same questions from other customers. I got my poster with my initial deposit, but whether the Intel pack was extra maps or a soundtrack…who knew?

Well I have some good news for you. Today I popped into my local store to discover that they have confirmed exactly what the ‘Classified Intel Pack’ version of the title includes. While they currently have no confirmed pricing, they expect it to be the same, or £5.00 more than the standard game, and if Black Ops is anything to go by, this November isn’t going to be cheap!

The currently available to Pre-Order Intel Pack edition of MW3 is set to contain –

•     -Mini-Modern Warfare 3 Strategy Guide (BradyGames produced)
•     -British Special Forces Avatar Outfit
•     -Excusive Item that will be revealed soon!

Hopefully the guide will come in handy when trying to track down all the collectables that the game will no doubt include, while my avatar is dressed up in his suitable attire. The other top secret item though it a mystery though, hopefully some kind of in game unlock maybe?

If anything is revealed you can guarantee that we will let you know first.

doublesix to show Strike Suit Zero at GamesCom. Screens and Teaser Trailer Revealed.

While the space combat genre has been dormant for a good few years, doublesix is set to wake it up with their new title ‘Strike Suit Zero’. This space combat arcade shooter allows players to pilot a transforming fighter as they battle to save the Earth. At the current time, the title is scheduled to be released digitally on the PC and game consoles in early 2012. The press release states that the title will be released for PC and PSN only, but according to Joystiq, we may see the title on Xbox 360 also (Source)

I’m very hopeful for this title, and especially given by love of the genre (StarLancer etc.) I’m glad to see a title like this get some recognition. Given the talent behind this title, (Junji Okubo (Steel Battaltion, Appleseed: Ex Machina) and music from Paul Ruskay (Homeworld)), this is looking to be a fast paced, colourful shooter.

Strike Suit Zero is an action-packed arcade game set in the final hours of a future Earth.  The clock is ticking; your planet is about to be destroyed and its only hope is the Strike Suit; an advanced, transforming spacecraft that empowers the player with ludicrous firepower and awesome abilities. Every second is precious; you’ll be forced to fight with fury, choose targets on instinct and make snap decisions that will not only affect the outcome of your mission but your path through the game and the ultimate destiny of seven billion lives.

“Strike Suit Zero is inspired by the classic space combat games we all love,” said Jim Mummery, Creative Director doublesix games.  “But our game goes further – it takes that inspiration, pumps up the pace and injects a massive sense of urgency to excite and challenge the player.”

Below are the first screens, concept art and even a teaser trailer. Keep watch over the next couple of weeks for more on this title from GamesCom (18th-21st August 2011) in Cologne.

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Splinter Cell HD Trilogy Hits PlayStation Store Tomorrow

Ubisoft’s International Product Manager, Akshay Paul, has announced via the PlayStation Blog the official release date of the HD reboot of the original Splinter Cell Trilogy, which is… TOMORROW!?

That’s right Fisher fans; it’s official that the Splinter Cell HD Trilogy will hit the PlayStation Store tomorrow for all European users. The bundle, which includes Splinter Cell, Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory will be available to download at the price of €29.99/£23.99. Optionally, each individual title can be downloaded at €9.99/£7.99 each.

Akshay continued with saying in the blog:

Each and every one of them has been highly acclaimed, each exceeding a 90% metacritic rating and bringing the stealth action genre to new heights. I am sure many of you are thrilled at the idea of embodying the cold and calculating Sam Fisher again.

All three titles have been remastered with enhanced graphics, all in 1080p HD, and can be played in stereoscopic 3D. Each of the titles also have full Trophy compatibility (for you trophy whores out there; that’s 3 Platinum’s up for grabs).

And PlayStation Plus users will be treated with:

- 20% Discount on Splinter Cell

- 10% Discount on Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow

- Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory comes with an exclusive theme featuring Sam Fisher

Sony’s DADC Facility “Burned to the Ground” in London Riots

The ongoing riots that have swept London has resulted in the destruction of Sony’s DADC (Digital Audio Disc Corporation) facility.

A source for the BBC has confirmed that the warehouse was set on fire, after looters fled the scene carrying Sony products. No injuries have been reported.

The multi-story, 20,000 square meter facility that is situated in Innova Park, in the Enfield area of the Capital, is where many European games, DVD’s, CD’s, and Blu-Ray Disks get pressed and packaged, before being sent out to distribution warehouses. And as a result, may potentially delay the production and therefore release of such products in the area.

Sony spokesperson, Yoko Yasukochi said:

There will likely be some impact on deliveries. We cannot determine the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage yet because it’s not possible to enter the building.

Sony has just confirmed that an investigation is now underway.

The violent disorder began in the late evening of Saturday last week, after the peaceful protest over the fatal shooting by police of 29-year-old Mark Duggan. It is reported that Duggan was stopped in a Taxi cab by police, under Operation Trident, which investigates gun crime in London’s African and Caribbean communities. The inquest has heard that the father of four died of a single bullet wound to the chest, after an apparent exchange of fire with specialist firearms officers, who attempted to carry out an arrest. Current investigations confirm that an illegal firearm was recovered from the scene in Ferry Lane, Tottenham, north London. An investigation is still ongoing.

Over 450 people have been arrested in the riots.

Metropolitan Police has declared the violence in London over the last three nights as “the worst in recent memory”.

Numerous celebrities have united on Twitter to condemn the riots, including; Stephen Fry, Piers Morgan, Dame Kelly Holmes, and Justin Bieber.

Image Source: BBC News

Codermasters Release: Bodycount ‘Behind The Bullets Part 2: The World’ Video

Interested in learning more about the technical side of making a game like Bodycount from the producers that brought us “Black” for the PS2 and Xbox? Well… now you can.

Press Release

“The world of Bodycount is one where players can pull the trigger with “no moral ambiguity about killing absolutely everybody” say the development talent behind the forthcoming shooter that invites gamers to go ballistic. In the second ‘Bodycount: Behind the Bullets’ video series, the team from Codemasters® Studios Guildford showcase the latest turbo-charged gameplay and discuss the design principles that define this unique game-world.

The ‘Behind The Bullets Part 2: The World’ video explores how Bodycount’s art direction, class-based enemies and setting come together to deliver the perfect platform for chaotic firefights. As the developers discuss their determination to step into “different territory”, gameplay footage shows some of Bodycount’s gameplay highlights, including shredding tech, its cover-lean mechanic and AI that work together to deliver aggressive, distinct and exaggerated arcade gunplay.

“You feel like you’re really kicking the ass out of the world,” said Max Cant, Art Director. “There’s so much environmental destruction, you’re never going to get the same playthrough twice, each building will be different.”

Game Director Andy Wilson added “Bodycount’s AI is completely class-based. On top of that we’ve got three factions, the army, the militia and the Target. Whenever these factions meet, they’ll fight in a completely dynamic way and that class-based behaviour on both sides will dictate how that battle plays out. It’s different every time, and it’s going to be a different experience for you each time you go in and attack.”

Bodycount is set to fire into retail on August 28th (North America) and September 2nd (EMEA) for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.  Sign up for the latest news, screens and videoswww.facebook.com/bodycountgame and www.twitter.com/bodycountgame.” – END

Urban Act Transforms Nathan Drake into the New Sandman

As a daredevil treasure hunter; PlayStation 3’s golden boy, Nathan Drake, has journeyed all over the globe. Mayan Temples, exotic beaches, vast deserts; I don’t know about you, but I’d be sick to the back teeth at the sight of sand filling my tracking boots.

But even Nathan himself would have to deeply appreciate what Urban Act did at this year’s Interactive and Digital Entertainment Festival in France, using only sand.

Whilst Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception was getting shown off on the show floor in all of its cinematic glory, the art group turned the beach outside into their own art exhibit, in tribute to Naughty Dog’s third instalment of the action adventure series.

Uncharted 3 from ASTUNT on Vimeo.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Cinematic Trailer

Here is the cinematic trailer of the upcoming chaotic shooter, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, the latest video game spin-off based on the long-running tabletop war game, published by THQ and developed by Relic Entertainment.

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine will be released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on September 9th.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Chaos Reveal Trailer

Witness the truly chaotic universe of Warhammer 40,000 with this gameplay trailer of the upcoming action shooter, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine, published by THQ and RTS veterans, Relic Entertainment.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine will be released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on September 9th.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Multiplayer Classes Trailer

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is setting itself up to be a worthy spin-off of the future war franchise, with its seem ably solid hybrid of shooting and melee combat, all within a gorgeously chaotic universe. Being able to enjoy such epic warfare in multiplayer can only is an added bonus.

Online multiplayer, most of the time, prides itself on features that allow players to choose exactly how they want to play their game, and the multiplayer in Space Marine is no exception, as proven by the new Multiplayer classes trailer.
Players online can choose between either playing as the loyal Space Marines and the traitorous Chaos Space Marines. Each faction has three different classes:

- Tactical Marine/Chaos Space Marine: A well-rounded soldier, specialising in both mid/long range fire fights and melee combat.

- Devastator Marine/Chaos Havoc: Heavily armoured brute that has access to the largest ranged weapons available, including sniper rifles and machine guns. Less agile to manoeuvre due to the heavy armour.

- Assault Marine/Chaos Raptor: Close combat specialist, equipped with a back-mounted jump pack to quickly jump into combat.

But that’s not all; your playable marine is completely customisable, transforming you into a bad-ass looking warrior. Weapons are also customisable, as perks are unlockable as soon as you succeed in certain challenges for particular weapons. So the more you play, the better you become.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine will be released on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on September 9th.