Source From: www.techtree.com

Source From: www.gamespot.com

989 Sports benches football and basketball franchises
Sony's first-party sports development house announces that NFL GameDay, NCAA GameBreaker, NBA ShootOut, and NCAA Final Four will sit out the 2004-2005 season.
(May 5, 2004)

Just over a month after Microsoft benched most of its XSN sports games, Sony-owned studio 989 Sports has announced the majority of its series will also sit the 2005 season out. NFL GameDay, NCAA GameBreaker, NBA ShootOut, and NCAA Final Four will not be released this season, according to a statement released today by Sony Computer Entertainment America and 989 Sports.

Though unrelated, the XSN and 989 sports hiatuses were both officially spurred by quality concerns. "We need more time to create the game and establish the new benchmark in sports games," said SCEA Paul Murphy Sports Public Relations Specialist Paul Murphy. Saying SCEA's decision was prompted by "market feedback," Murphy stressed sales of the games in franchise were not disappointing.

989 was careful to note that other franchises would not be affected. Development is continuing as planned on the MLB and World Tour Soccer franchises, as well as the upcoming Athens 2004 Olympic game, and 989's new NHL hockey franchise, which will debut this fall.

Indeed, Murphy held up the success of the MLB franchise as the model 989 Sports would follow. "The additional time and development put into MLB allowed it to be the success it is," he told GameSpot.

Murphy also stressed that all four suspended franchises would return on current-generation consoles. "You'll see them on this generation of consoles," he said, "We've got a separate development team working on the PSP."

Overall, SCEA was careful to emphasize that they have no intention of abandoning sports games altogether, reaffirming that, "Sports games are a critical part of Sony Computer Entertainment America’s first party lineup. Sony Computer Entertainment America is committed to investing in this category with new technology and added staff to insure that our games not only close the competitive gap, but also make sure that all 989 Sports franchises live up to their former reputation (ztj050604)

Source From: www.gamespot.com

Terrell Owens catches ESPN NFL 2005 cover
The Philadelphia Eagles' newest wide receiver will appear on the box for the latest Visual Concepts football title.
(May 5, 2004)

ESPN Videogames has announced that it has signed Terrell Owens to be the cover athlete for ESPN NFL 2005. Since being drafted in 1996 by the San Francisco 49ers, the wide receiver has averaged over 1,000 receiving yards since the 2000 season. He also holds the record for most receptions in a single game, and he has appeared in the Pro Bowl four years in a row.

Owens, who has just signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, also has a knack for grabbing the spotlight both on and off the field. His fiery attitude is part of the reason ESPN signed the at-times controversial athlete on. "Whether setting the NFL record for most receptions in a game, delivering a ferocious block on rushing plays, or pumping up his teammates and the crowd, Owens embodies the spirit of the NFL, making him a perfect fit for our cover," said Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts, the makers of ESPN Videogames.

Not known for his reticence in public, Owens expressed his excitement about being on the cover. "I'm always looking for new and different ways of integrating football into my life," stated Owens. "It's only natural that I'm a part of ESPN NFL 2005. I'm one of the best on the real field, and ESPN NFL 2005 is the best on the virtual field. It's a perfect match and I'm excited to be a part of the ESPN NFL 2005 team."

It's not known whether the digital Owens in ESPN NFL 2005 will shake pom-poms after scores, pull a Sharpie from his sock to sign game balls, or demand a trade. However, ESPN did reconfirm the game will ship for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 platforms later this fall (ztj050604)

Source From: www.gamespot.com

Gearbox readying Halo Custom Edition
Developer plans free, modable PC edition of sci-fi shooter; no release date given.
(May 3, 2004)

Late Friday, Gearbox Software announced it is readying a new version of Halo: Combat Evolved. Called Halo Custom Edition, the new version of the wildly popular sci-fi shooter will allow players to create their own multiplayer mods and custom content.

According to Gearbox, Halo CE will be a free, stand-alone, 170MB.exe based on v1.04 of the PC Halo, and will include netcode adjustments and fast shaders. While it doesn't require gamers to have Halo PC installed to play it, Halo CE does require the original's retail key to unlock. Halo CE will also be strictly multiplayer, and it will not include any of the original Halo's single-player maps. As it has not been through Microsoft and Bungie's testing process, it will be supported solely by Gearbox.

Along with Halo CE, Gearbox will release the Halo Editing Kit (HEK). The separate 250MB download will allow users to create their own custom content for Halo CE, and it will include a set of tools, tutorials, and art.

Gearbox did not reveal the exact date the modding crowd will be able to download Halo CE from its site, saying only that it will be available in the next week or two. However, the developer has posted a handy Halo CE FAQ to answer gamers' numerous questions. (ztj050404)

Source From: www.gamespot.com

Vivendi, ATI double-team to show new HL2 footage
Half-Life 2 to get star treatment; will be shown in two show-floor theaters at E3.
(May 3, 2004)

At last year's E3, the hottest tickets on the show floor were the demos of Half-Life 2 and Halo 2, which were shown at the ATI and Microsoft booths, respectively. This year, ATI will be looking to bring in the crowds again with another look at Half-Life 2.

As with last year's showing, ATI will have a theater that's been set up to specifically show the game. The footage will be complemented by an additional showing at the Vivendi Universal Games booth. Both will feature the same footage from the anticipated but long-delayed sequel.

To skip the lines and view the demo at various assigned times throughout the day, E3 attendees can sign up for a Half-Life 2 Access Pass at the VU Games booth. Both booths will run the footage continuously throughout the day for general viewing. (ztj050404)

Source From: www.gamespot.com

Square Enix unveils E3 lineup
Publishing powerhouse will show a multi-platform lineup of games, a CG movie, and a number of mobile applications.
(May 3, 2004)

Square Enix is promising an E3 lineup of product that will reveal "some new and interesting directions" according to company pres and C.E.O. Jun Iwasaki.

Featured games include Final Fantasy XII for the PS2, the latest entry in the long-standing RPG series, and Kingdom Hearts II, also for the PS2, which continues the story of Sora and friends as they battle the Heartless alongside new characters in a mix of familiar and all-new environments. The Chains of Promathia expansion pack for Final Fantasy XI online will also be making an appearance.

Other games being shown at E3 include a trio of titles making their PlayStation 2 debuts. Star Ocean: Till the End of Time brings the acclaimed science-fiction RPG stateside, incorporating the extra features found in the director's cut edition of the game released alongside the original in Japan. Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel will tell the story of two alchemist brothers questing to find the Philosopher's Stone in a high fantasy setting. For attendees interested in something besides RPGs, Square Enix will also be showing off Front Mission 4, the next chapter in the best-selling mech-based strategy series.

Non-PlayStation 2 entries include Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for the Game Boy Advance, which will bridge the gap between the original game and the upcoming sequel. Square Enix will also provide a look at its growing library of mobile entertainment content, an area of gaming the company is making a new priority.

Alongside the various games, Square Enix will be showing clips from the upcoming CG DVD Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. The approximately 60-minute feature will revisit the area and residents of Midgar two years after the epic conclusion of the game's storyline. (ztj050404)

Source From: www.gamespot.com