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E3 Lineup updated 5/18/02
by Jolex Del Pilar
Monday, May 6 2002
A short list of what's to come at this year's E3!
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Well E3 is about two weeks away and many are expecting lots of questions to be answered. Nintendo's Online strategy (if it exist), Sony's upcoming plans for it's online Final Fantasy game, and Microsoft's own online network, are all things that will affect the way we play games for years to come should each company choose to pursue the online gaming route.
Many amazing titles will be showcased at this year's E3 and here's a short list of confirmed titles that we've collected.
Acclaim
· All Star Baseball 2003
· Aggressive Inline
· Burnout
· Dave Mirra BMX 3
· Headhunter
· Legends of Wrestling
· Mary-Kate and Ashley Sweet 16
· Punch King
· Turok: Evolution
· Vexx
· ZooCube
Activision
· Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4—PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
· Matt Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2—PS2, Xbox, GBA
· Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer—PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
· Shaun Murray’s Pro Wakeboarder—PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
· X-Men: Next Dimension—next-generation consoles
· X-Men: Wolverine’s Revenge—PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
· Blade 2—PS2, Xbox
· Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions—PS2
· True Crime: Streets of LA—PS2, Xbox
· Rally Fusion: Race of Champions—PS2, Xbox, GameCube
· Minority Report—PS2, Xbox, GameCube, GBA
· Star Trek Elite Force II—PC
· Star Trek Starfleet Command III—PC
· Stuart Little 2—GBA
· Tarzan: Return to the Jungle—GBA
· DOOM III—PC
· Return to Castle Wolfenstein—PS2
· Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven—PS2
· Street Hoops—PS2, Xbox
· Medieval: Total War—PC
BBC Multimedia
Ace Lightning
New titles for 2002 include Ace Lightning, due for release following the TV show's TV premiere in Autumn this year. The game, being developed for PC, PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance, is a third person action adventure with a selectable first person perspective. Game-play will comprise of platform-based progression, puzzle solving and tactical combat across a range of themed environments.
Robot Wars
BBC Multimedia will be demonstrating Robot Wars - Extreme Destruction at E3. This latest Robot Wars title is set to be the company's first title to be published for Xbox, as well as PC and GameBoy Advance.
The release of Robot Wars - Extreme Destruction follows last year's success of the Robot Wars titles, Arenas of Destruction on PC and PlayStation 2, Advanced Destruction on Game Boy Advance and Metal Mayhem on GameBoy Color, which between them sold over 250,000 units in the UK during 2001.
Children's titles
As the UK's Best Children's Software Company 2001*, BBC Multimedia is also announcing forthcoming Bob the Builder and Tweenies PC CD-ROM titles. Both titles complement BBC Multimedia's existing portfolio of children's software that includes the award-winning Tweenies - Ready to Play, the biggest selling children's CD-ROM of 2000; winner of the 2001 IVCA Gold Award, Tweenies - Play to the Music; and Bob the Builder - Can We Fix It?, winner of an IVCA Gold Award in 2001, which is now enjoyed by children in over 10 countries.
Codemaster's
Colin McRae Rally 3
PS2 / Xbox – releasing September 2002
You are Colin McRae in the game that presses the accelerator in rally sport gaming. http://www.codemasters.com/colinmcrae3
Dragon Empires
PC/online – releasing autumn 2002
Live, fight and rule an empire in this incredibly rich MMORPG.
http://www.codemasters.com/dragonempires
The rest of the line-up includes:
IGI 2: Covert Strike
PC – releasing autumn 2002
The acclaimed superb stealth-based first-person shooter returns with international intrigue and extreme action. http://www.codemasters.com/igi2
Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing
PS2 / Xbox - releasing May 31 / June 7 2002
Landing the hardest punch of them all, Tyson comes to Xbox and PS2 in dazzling form, complete with 15 other heavyweight professionals.
http://www.codemasters.com/mthb
Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis
Xbox – releasing autumn 2002
Command land, sea and air units in the Xbox edition of the ultimate realistic Cold War military experience.
http://www.codemasters.com/flashpoint
Operation Flashpoint: Resistance
PC – releasing June 2002
The official expansion pack delivers a new prequel campaign, remarkable high-resolution graphics and enhanced network code.
http://www.codemasters.com/flashpoint
Prisoner of War
PS2 / Xbox / PC – releasing summer 2002
Experience the intrigue, danger and heroism of Allied escape attempts from POW camps during World War II in this incredible stealth adventure. http://www.codemasters.com/pow
Pro Race Driver
Xbox/PS2 / PC – releasing summer 2002
High speed and aggressive touring car race action combines with a dramatic plot of murder, betrayal, revenge and, for some, victory.
http://www.codemasters.com/tocaracedriver
World War II: Frontline Command
PC – releasing autumn 2002
>From The Bitmap Brothers, this squad-based action real time strategy game lets you command some of World War II’s most significant battles.
http://www.codemasters.com/ww2
Databecker
Highland Warriors is a 3D real-time strategy game featuring “the most advanced gaming engine of the moment.” It is in development by German-based Soft Enterprises and will immerse players in the feuds between Scotland and England during the seventh through fourteenth centuries.
Data Becker will also be previewing America II, the follow up to America, its previously released real-time strategy game based on life in the U.S in the 1800’s.
EA Sports
· Madden NFL 2003—PS2, GC, Xbox, GBA, PSone, PC
· NBA Live 2003—PS2, GC, XBOX, PSone, PC
· NASCAR Thunder 2003—PS2, GC, Xbox, PC
· 2002 FIFA World Cup—PS2, GC, Xbox, PC
· Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003—PS2, GC, Xbox, PC
· Knockout Kings 2003—GC
· NHL 2003—PS2, GC, Xbox, PC
· F1 2002—PS2, GC, PC
· NCAA Football 2003—PS2, GC, Xbox
EA Sports Big
· Freekstyle—PS2, GC
EA Games
· Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets—PS2, GC, Xbox, GBA, PSone, GBC, PC
· James Bond 007 NightFire—PS2, GC, Xbox, PC
· Battlefield 1942—Xbox, PC
· The Sims—PS2
· Sim City 4—PC
· The Sims Online—PC
· Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2—PS2, GC, Xbox, PC
· The Lord of the Rings. The Two Towers—(not listed)
· Medal of Honor Frontline—PS2
· Command & Conquer Generals—PC
· Earth and Beyond—PC
· 1503 A.D- The New World—PC
· Ty the Tasmanian Tiger—PS2, GC
Co-published
· Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Xbox
· Disney Golf—PS2
· Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension—PS2, GC, PC
· Drome Racers—PS2, PC
· Bionicle: Matoran Adventures—GBA
· Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter—PC
· The Simpsons Skateboarding—PS2
Encore
· Dragon’s Lair 3D—PS2, GC
· Daredevil—Next-generation consoles
· Dragon Tales Adventures (working title)—PC
· Sesame Street Monster Clubhouse (working title)—PC
Interplay
· Hunter: The Reckoning—Xbox
· Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance—PS2
· Run Like Hell—PS2
· Galleon: Islands of Mystery—Xbox
· Icewind Dale II—PC
Kemco
Title: Batman: Dark Tomorrow
Release date: November 5, 2002
Genre: Action Adventure
Platform: GameCube, PS2 and Xbox
Explosions echo throughout the mean streets of Gotham as rival gangs battle for control of the city. Anarchy reigns supreme with the sudden disappearance of Police Commissioner James Gordon and the lockdown of Arkham Asylum, home for the criminally insane. By using all of his skills, both mental and physical, as well as a variety of gadgets, Batman must stop the gang war, infiltrate Arkham Asylum and rescue the Commissioner. During this time, Batman must also piece together clues to discover the mastermind behind these seemingly unrelated events and stop an evil plan that threatens the fate of the entire world!
Title: Egg Mania
Release date: September 10, 2002
Genre: Action Puzzle Game
Platform: GBA
In this cartoon arcade style puzzle game, players battle one another to be the quickest to build a tower out of blocks. Facing challenges that include ascending water, challenging enemies and the inherent environmental hazards within each level, players must catch the falling blocks and drop them into their correct positions before the rising water consumes them. The object of this game is to be first to reach the top of the level and locate the pull chain that is used to “flush” their opponent’s tower.
Title: Egg Mania: Eggstreme Madness
Release date: September 10, 2002
Genre: Action Puzzle Game
Platform: GameCube, PS2
Faithful to the original game theme, Egg Mania: Eggstreme Madness evolves around the concept of racing to build towers from randomly falling blocks while avoiding nasty foes and rising moat water. The game delivers an amazing array of customizable options for balanced gameplay and optimum challenge and includes dozens of new characters and modes that offer puzzle game depth and replay value.
Title: Boulder® Dash EX
Release date: August 2002
Genre: Acton Puzzle Games
Platform: GBA
Based on the coin-op arcade classic, players are cast as a curious explorer that, upon discovering a hidden cave, stumbles across the remains of an ancient culture. These adventurers must delve into the ruins of six worlds and search for hidden treasure, all the while defending themselves against blood-sucking bats, poisonous scorpions and a plethora of other monsters. New features include screen rotation and scaling, time bombs and multi-player support.
Title: Crazy Chase
Release date: October 2002
Genre: Action Adventure
Platform: GBA
In this quick-thinking crazy game, players will strap on their turbo-charged clown shoes and assist Kid Klown in saving the world and defeating the vile space pirate Dirty Joe, who has kidnapped “Her Royal Bratness,” Princess Honey. Players join forces with Kid Klown to find four items that will enable the dynamic duo to reach the next stage before Dirty Joe’s bomb detonates. Fast fingers and a sense of humor are essential while facing perilous objects, such as cars, thorns, spikes, cannons, sticky bushes and rolling logs.
Title: Woody Woodpecker Crazy Castle 5
Release date: September 2002
Genre: Action
Platform: GBA
In this fifth installment of the action-adventure Crazy Castle series, players step into the shoes of the loveable Looney Toon character Woody Woodpecker in his quest to aid Mother Nature in freeing the Fairy World from Demons. With the assistance of Mother Nature, players must navigate through several elemental worlds, collecting keys and other useful items, while assuming different costumes and discovering new abilities along the way. While searching for keys to find and unlock new doors, players will come across treasure chests filled with helpful items such as dart guns to freeze enemies or fruit pies to momentarily stun them. Each world has a new and dangerous adversary that must be defeated, before advancing to the next level and ultimately saving the Fairy world.
Sega
Sega
Shenmue 2 for Xbox
· NFL 2K3—Featuring online play for PS2 and Xbox users.
· NBA 2K3—PS2, Xbox online
· NCAA College Basketball 2K3—PS2, Xbox online
· Phantasy Star Online (working title)—Xbox online
· Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II—GameCube online
Sega will announce two more online titles later this year (or at E3) and will also bring the latest version (III?) of Phantasy Star Online to the GameCube as well.
Sierra
MALICE:
Malice is a platform action-adventure game featuring the most unexpected heroine to come to the console arena. In development for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system, Malice is due to release worldwide later this year on both next generation consoles under the Sierra brand. Boasting a tough and feisty teenage heroine, players will no doubt grow addicted to guiding through time in order to undo the terror of a Dog God gone mad. Malice features 22 levels, a truly original story, and a cast of quirky characters. It's been heralded for its fantastic graphics, unique weaponry, compelling storyline, and intriguing heroine.
SWAT: URBAN JUSTICE:
SWAT: Urban Justice is the fourth in the SWAT series and the most compelling game yet from their award-winning franchise. With a new engine and new gameplay options, SWAT: UJ offers a premier law enforcement experience, allowing gamers to become a modern day hero and live the life of an elite SWAT officer. Players can go head-to-head with Los Angeles' most brutal street gangs when the game is released worldwide this September for the PC. SWAT: UJ is the only game to reward players for saving lives and protecting the innocent. It delivers 16 intense missions set in stunningly realistic Los Angeles locations that can be played in mission, career, and multiplayer modes. New weapons, characters, and gear will also be included.
THE HOBBIT:
The first video game based on the worldwide best-selling book of the same name, "The Hobbit" is a third-person action/adventure game set in the world of Middle-earth. In the game, players take the persona of Bilbo Baggins, an unassuming hobbit who has been unwittingly thrust into an epic adventure. Due to be released in 2003 for the Nintendo GameCube, "The Hobbit" aims to set new standards for fantasy video games.
TRIBES AERIAL ASSAULT:
Tribes Aerial Assault for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is the highly anticipated console debut of one of the world's top PC action online games, and will be one of the first games to take advantage of Sony's add-on network adapter. Unlike other shooters, Tribes Aerial Assault lets players fly in addition to running and jumping, a true 3D action experience that makes traditional action gaming seem stale and flat. Tribes provides an
arsenal of futuristic weapons, exclusive vehicles, and boundless outdoor arenas in which to do battle.
NASCAR:
NASCAR(r) Racing 2002 Season, the latest addition to Sierra's award-winning racing franchise, features every track in the 2002 NASCAR(r) Winston Cup Series with teams, drivers, and sponsors of the 2002 race season. New driving lessons will bring novice drivers up to speed, while track tours narrated by three-time NASCAR(r) Winston Cup Series racing Champion Darrell Waltrip will help even the most seasoned veterans find the fastest way around each circuit. Both novice and seasoned drivers will experience the thrill and excitement of racing like the pros on the most realistic NASCAR(r) Racing simulation for the PC.
SSI
· Outlaw Golf—Xbox, GameCube
· Farscape: The Game—PC
· Warbirds III—PC, Mac
· Seablade—Xbox
· Real War: Rogue States—PC
· Soldiers of Anarchy—PC
· Darkened Skye—GameCube
· Eve Online: The Second Genesis—PC
· BMX Trick Racer—GBA
· The Last Ninja—Xbox
· Outlaw Volleyball—Xbox
Take Two Interactive
Rockstar Games:
· Grand Theft Auto 3—PC
· Smuggler’s Run Warzones—GameCube
Gathering of Developers:
· Stronghold Crusader—PC
· Age of Wonders II—PC
Take-Two:
· Celebrity Deathmatch—no platforms listed
· Duke Nukem Advance—GBA
· Conflict: Desert Storm—PC, PS2, Xbox, GameCube
· Spec Ops: Airborne Division—PSone
· Austin Powers Pinball—PSone
TDK Mediactive
Robotech® Battlecry and Robotech: The Macross Saga: A mission driven, third person action game that takes the hi-tech mecha mayhem of the animated television series and translates it into an exciting real-time 3D game. In this high-octane action shooter, players take on the role of an intrepid fighter pilot and must put their skills to the test in a desperate struggle to aid the Robotech Defense Force (RDF) in safeguarding the planet Earth against the evil alien forces of the Zentraedi armada. Players control the Veritech fighter, a unique multi-purpose mecha, capable of agile ground-based combat in robotic form, or quickly transforming into an advanced tactical fighter for aerial dog fighting. Robotech: Battlecry is scheduled to launch this fall for PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube, with Robotech: The Macross Saga being released for Game Boy Advance.
Shrek® Super Party: Movie-like graphics and multi-player action come to the living room in this interactive board game with 30 action-packed mini-games! Up to four players can play as Shrek, Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad, Donkey, Monsieur Hood or Thelonius. By advancing in the board game, swapping bugs and/or teaming-up against opponents, players will compete to earn 100 drops of bug juice and win the game. Shrek Super Party is scheduled to release on Xbox in fall, 2002.
Shrek Extra Large: The ogre is back! And he’s EXTRA LARGE! Enhanced and redesigned for the GameCube demographic, the hit character-based platformer, Shrek is back and stacked with 10 levels, new and beloved twisted fairy tale characters, over 15 awesome cut scenes and action-packed gameplay! Players will explore twisted fairy tale lands and complete over 50 missions in order to rescue Princess Fiona. Scheduled to release fall, 2002.
Shrek Treasure Hunt: Tons of Shrek fun on PlayStation One! In this third-person activity based video game, kids can play as Shrek through a series of mini-games. It all starts in Shrek’s swamp, where he and Princess Fiona are planning a picnic. It seems that Three Blind Mice have borrowed Shrek’s materials and, well, misplaced them. Players will play as Shrek and complete 10 mini-games. Only when all the pieces are collected, will Shrek and Princess Fiona be able to enjoy their lovely picnic. The hunt is scheduled to begin this summer.
Shrek Hassle at the Castle: A third-person action/adventure game with a Japanese-flavored character design. The game loosely follows the storyline of the Academy Award® winning major motion picture. Shrek embarks on a journey to save his swamp that has been overrun by fairy tale characters. In order to regain his rightful land, Shrek must rescue Princess Fiona from the evil Dragon’s castle and return her safely to Lord Farquaad. Coming to Game Boy Advance this fall, Shrek Hassle at the Castle features seven massive levels and 21 packed stages.
Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis: The dynamic DC Comics super hero stars in a spectacular underwater action/adventure brawler. Aquaman defends the deep-sea city of Atlantis against three of his most infamous arch-enemies, including the Lava Lord and Black Manta. Comic book and video game fans alike will jump at the chance to wield Aquaman’s legendary super powers and cybernetic morphing hook hand against these seemingly invincible villains and their armies. Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis is scheduled to come to Xbox and GameCube this fall.
Dinotopia: The Timestone Pirates: Based on James Gurney’s vision of a unique civilization where dinosaurs and humans live peacefully together, Dinotopia immerses players in a colorful action-adventure. Thrust into the role of Clayton, the young hero, players will journey across land, sea and air on a quest to return stolen eggs to a fierce herd of tyrannosaurs, and ultimately claim the legendary Timestone. Dinotopia: The Timestone Pirates has recently released to stellar reviews on Game Boy Advance. The release of the game coincided with the premiere of Dinotopia, the eagerly anticipated mini-series from Hallmark Entertainment, which premiered May 12 on the ABC television network. This “mega-series” is the largest ever made-for-television production.
Mercedes-Benz WorldRacing: A challenging driving experience with a mission based game design. At the end of each successfully completed mission, players can unlock new and vintage Mercedes-Benz cars, prototypes and racing models in this electrifying 3D racing game. The custom landscape engine allows players to experience bigger and better racing environments, even allowing them to leave the racetrack itself and drive off-road for shortcuts. The game will feature a large spectrum of complex international scenarios. Mercedes-Benz WorldRacing is due to release for the Xbox in fall, 2002.
Pryzm: Chapter One: The Dark Unicorn: In this fantasy action/adventure, Pryzm, a young winged unicorn, and Karrock, a tenacious old troll, seek the cause of a plague of dark magic that has corrupted the lands and twisted the inhabitants into hideous mutants. The unlikely duo use their spectacular magic powers to defend themselves and heal the mutant enemies they encounter on their journey, gradually cleansing the lands of the plague until at last they discover its perilous source. Pryzm: Chapter One: The Dark Unicorn is scheduled to release on PlayStation 2 June 11, 2002.
Masters of the Universe He-Man: Power of Grayskull: The most powerful man on the Game Boy Advance… A hero whose courage knows no bounds and strength has no equal. He is He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe. In an epic world of magic and mystery, there are battles to wage and secrets that must be kept. When Skeletor and his evil minions try to take over all of Eternia, it is up to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to protect their land. The game features both on-foot and vehicular combat modes. Up to four players can battle in head-to-head action with link cables. Coming this fall to Game Boy Advance.
Ubi Soft
· Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Raven Shield—PC, Xbox
· Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Splinter Cell—PC, Xbox
· Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc—PC, Xbox, GC, PS2
· XIII—PC, Xbox, GC, PS2
· Shadowbane—PC
· Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon—GC, PS2, GBA
· The Sum of All Fears—PC
· Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Potion Commotion—GBA
Various Companies
Nintendo: Mario Sunshine, Zelda Cube, Star Fox Adventures.
We will be updating our list as we inch closer to E3. Stay with us until then!
--- Jolex Del Pilar, E3 Lackey |
