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[togglebrush] 05/10/2008 11:04

Vietnam War devastation looms in Shellshock 2
Ex Game.co.uk 01.10.2008

First person shooter fans will be able to experience the excitement and devastation of the Vietnam War in a new title to be released by Eidos.

Shellshock 2 places gamers in the war to deal with the aftermath of a top-secret consignment, known as Whiteknight, being accidentally dropped into the uncharted Vietnamese jungle.

Many special operation soldiers are dropped into the jungle to try and recover the consignment, but they all disappear until one month after the loss.

Then one suddenly emerges from the jungle with a crazed and deranged attitude after having their soul poisoned.

Lee Singleton, general manager of Eidos Games Studios, said: "Shellshock 2 is very different to any first person shooter you've seen before; at times it feels more like you're in a horror movie than a game.

"Survival takes on a new meaning as you fight against all sides of the conflict: your enemy, your allies and the victims... the casualties of Whiteknight, an enemy that ultimately has no side."

Shellshock 2 will be released on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PC.

[darrens] 05/10/2008 09:02

I like preview of TRU because it rather objectively seems to sum up the game without any pro or con prejudices.

I'm guessing we should start to see proper reviews (rather than previews) over the coming months and I'm guessing we're generally in for an average of 8/10. Not enough of a "revolution" to warrant anything higher but based I think more of the same with a new coat of paint actually translates to a very good game.

[life of crime] 04/10/2008 11:27

That was a good find Gyro. Any additional marketing and distribution muscle WB can give the game in the States is very welcome. Whether it gets the same backing as the Lego title is another matter, as they do not have the same level of interest in TR as they do in the Lego game (i.e. they own both the Batman franchise and the studio with the latter).

However, if they do throw the same degree of weight behind TRU, it would encourage my long held belief that WB will add to their 20% stake by buying the company outright, using it as an investment in a property they expect to own in due course. It may be some time though, as I think Tchenguiz's breakeven is around 150p and even a stellar 08/09 may not see the share price at that level in this type of market.

I'm still optimistic TRU will sell between 3-4M copies, although I would have preferred a late Oct release so that it kept them out of the Xmas scramble but was close enough to pick up additional festive sales. I can only hope the management are so confident in what CD are showing them they believe it can handle the competition. If it is that good, being released on 6 platforms will not hurt. We shall see.

[darrens] 04/10/2008 10:00

dealy, I'm not quite sure I'd go as far as saying I was optimistic about TRU in N. America but given my expectation is fairly low then any positive news is better than I expected.

To be honest, it could just be clutching at straws. Of course they are going to *say* that they are throwing everything behind it but a) whether they do and b) whether it would make a difference if they did are open to debate.

I think the high volume yesterday was because there seems to be a fairly disciplined big seller at about 30p and a buyer arrived yesterday to do some business.

[dealy] 04/10/2008 07:42

Darren

I detect a note of optimism! That gives me great faith. Of course the last line is very powerful "Upcoming releases like the next "Tomb Raider" from Eidos, in November, and "Fear 2," in February, will get the same kind of treatment."

This article seems to have come out after the market close in London. Could it have been behind the relatively high volume rise yesterday?

[darrens] 04/10/2008 07:16

Great find.

It's what TRU really needs in N. America so if WB are prepared to throw some serious weight behind a campaign for TRU then that makes things much more interesting.

[gyroscope7] 03/10/2008 23:27

WB gives big push to 'Lego Batman'

Studio steps up to promote interactive titles

Warner Bros. is used to spending heavily to promote its movies.

So why not apply the same strategy to its videogames?

Warners is backing the launch of "Lego Batman" with a campaign that could rival any tentpole release. The title's rollout is being accompanied by a barrage of advertising across print, TV and the Internet, the release of licensed merchandise, a major presence at Comic-Con, McDonald's as a fast food partner and, of course, toys.

Now that Warner Bros. is working overtime to be a major player in the vidgame sector, the effort on behalf of "Lego Batman" spotlights how aggressively the studio is likely to promote future interactive titles.

McDonald's backed the game with toy-filled Happy Meals and TV spots throughout September. It's the first time the fast-food purveyor has promoted a vidgame.

Meanwhile, Microsoft also produced TV spots for the title that promotes the Xbox 360 and Windows versions of the game, and Sony is bundling the title alongside an animated Justice League DVD with its PlayStation 2 console.

Naturally, toymaker Lego has created "Lego Batman"branded playsets to sell alongside classic Batman toys.

If it all looks like a movie campaign, "that was the goal," says Martin Tremblay, prexy of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "There are tentpole films and we're trying to create tentpole games. "More than one option(Person) Martin Tremblay
Office Assistant, Production Assistant
(Person) Martin Tremblay
Production Assistant
That means using all of Time Warner's properties in a major way.

Cartoon Network is blasting ads for the game, KidsWB.com is promoting the title, DC Comics created a comicbook and Warners' homevid division includes trailers on DVD releases.

"If you look at everything that can be done within the Warner Bros. environment, we've done it," Tremblay says.

Upcoming releases like the next "Tomb Raider" from Eidos, in November, and "Fear 2," in February, will get the same kind of treatment

[the crypt] 03/10/2008 16:23

dEALY WELL SAID - MY DEAR FRIEND

[dealy] 03/10/2008 15:41

The last time we had a bit of volume (and I am only talking about a bit as opposed to virtual none) the stock moved up as well.

Let's hope for a positive decision tonight in the US and return of some money to stocks.

[the crypt] 03/10/2008 13:28

david bennett - do you think i care??????????????????????? where's Gordon??

[pastasource] 03/10/2008 12:51

Shellshock 2 video here:



Looks 'okay', but feel it will get easily lost amongst the likes of Call of Duty.

[darrens] 03/10/2008 11:07

dealy:

o TW either showed terrible judgement in buying 10% at £5 or, on the flip side, showed great judgement not to buy more at that price. Either way, they simply made a mistake.

o As queeny has often reminded people, SCi received no offers at any price. All the talk of £400m was no more than that. Nobody even tabled a bid.

o I guess Tchenguiz didn't want to be diluted and, at 35p, it was a fair price. Obviously the world is a different place now and you could argue that SCi has been less affected by the turmoil in the markets than many others.

Interestingly, now you mention it, I seem to recall that before the latest turmoil there were rumours that Tchenguiz was in trouble. If they were true, then they'll be even truer now and I wonder if he may be, or end up, a distressed seller of SCi.

I agree with queeny that there are much better bargains than SCi out there in the VG "space" but since they're the only game in town for UK stocks I still think they're worth a punt.

[queeny2] 03/10/2008 10:08

THANKS .... buyers of shares in the mkt today, but not moving the price. I feel so un-tempted. You look at TTWO trading below where it was before GTA blockbuster and you get the feeling TRU could do really well and it wouldn't make ha'porth of difference.

[rawli] 03/10/2008 10:04

21st November

Same day as new Need for speed amongst others

Andy

[queeny2] 03/10/2008 10:00

remind me release date for TRU?

[the crypt] 03/10/2008 09:35

i just we have not moved into another trading band of 25p - 30p.

[the crypt] 03/10/2008 08:31

dealy - correct that has been my point- but you think that they also be picking up lose shares at these desparately low levels. By the way, did the winchester grub say something? Mighty be them lols, says I.

[dealy] 03/10/2008 07:44

There must be a reason why Time Warner bought 10% of the company last year for nearly £50m, why suitors looked at buying the company this time last year for £400m, why Time Warner and Robert Tscg-whatever he's called - increased their holdings in the open offer.

It can't all be bad.

[the winchester club] 03/10/2008 07:14

more wind from you I see.......

[the crypt] 03/10/2008 05:34

may the wind be strong and push these up..........................

[darrens] 01/10/2008 22:43

Andy, well I'm only in for a punt at the moment. If TRU looks like being a huge hit in Europe (or a hit in the US) then I'll think of going in properly but, at the moment, I think they are just a punt.

Control/gameplay very similar to TRL and anniversary from what I've been reading. Some incremental improvements but basically the same game with better graphics.

All those small titles are irrelevant and imho a waste of time/money. I ignore them...as should SCi.

Lots of winks and nudges from Eidos about the third film. Not sure that they'll get any money directly but it does help build the brand and I never tire of seeing Angela Jolie as Lara.

[rawli] 01/10/2008 18:07

Hi Darren

Hope you are well. Can't believe you are back in SEG again, I might have to have a look again now ;-) .

The Buzz is ok with TRU but then again there is not much Buzz about anything this year from the Public just the publishers who all think they have games that will sell in bucketloads! I am hearing it looks stunning but its the control & gameplay not the looks that will sell the game IMO.

Last week showed what could happen Saleswise as Brothers in Arms , De Blob & Samba de Amigo did relativly poor sales compared to their expected sales figures! They were all extensivly TV Advertised as well .

I also think SEG need to keep their nerve with the Trade prices they are going to charge as even Microsoft are now doing deals with their 1st Party titles as Supermarkets & nationals are playing hardball with a lot of titles even refusing to stock or giving minimal shelf space to titles. They need to keep the margins up as like you so its almost certainly an all eggs in one basket gamble where I am standing by SEG on TRU.

I will get better Idea middle to end of October when they start doing presells to the Indie Market where it is upto and what is forecast by SEG as well.

Eidos are also still chucking out lots of small titles which are doing hardly anything at retail.

I haven't heard anything recently about the film although I do recall them being very close to getting Angelina Jolie to aggree to a third movie before she became pregnant. If it was to happen it should be a nice little earner for SEG.

Hope that helps

Andy

[davidbennett] 01/10/2008 13:18

Topped up today @ 30p :-)

£1 by Xmas....