Microsoft saved some of their best announcements for X06 in Europe. The biggest surprise was the “major franchise” making its way on to Xbox Live Arcade. Early rumors swirled around that it was Metal Slug, which is coming to Live, but actually it’s Doom. Id Software’s horror based FPS is online now with four player online deathmatches and split screen gameplay. Sweet!
Other big news from the Microsoft camp is the HD-DVD player is coming out in mid November for $199 in North America. Along with the drive you get a HD-DVD disk of King Kong. Grand Theft Auto IV is going to have downloadable episodes over Xbox Live and Rare’s franchise Banjo-Kazooie return on the 360. Banjo-Kazooie isn’t a surprise since they were a pretty big hit on the Nintendo 64, but what about resurrecting Killer Instinct?
Read a full list of announcements past the break.
A landmark partnership announced between Academy Award-winning writer, director and producer Peter Jackson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Fran Walsh, and Microsoft Game Studios will create two new interactive entertainment series exclusively for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live®. The first series will be a collaborative effort with Bungie Studios to co-create the next great chapter in the “Halo®” universe. The second series will be an entirely original property targeted at bringing new audiences into the captivating world of interactive entertainment. In addition, Microsoft Game Studios will partner with Jackson and Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to the creation of world-class interactive entertainment.
“Halo Wars” is an all-new real-time strategy game based on the legendary “Halo” universe and designed exclusively for Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios, creators of the “Age of Empires®” franchise.
Rockstar and Take-Two announced they will provide Xbox 360 gamers with exclusive access to two downloadable, epic episodes of “Grand Theft Auto IV” via Xbox Live, each with hours of entirely new gameplay and available only on Xbox 360 just months after the release of the title.
Ubisoft confirmed that the next “Splinter Cell” title, the next installment in the series after “Splinter Cell Double Agent,” will be a console-exclusive on Xbox 360, a testament to the ability of Xbox 360 to deliver a complete experience no other console can match.
2K Games confirmed that “BioShock,” a revolution in the genre that will forever change the expectations for first-person shooters, will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 and Microsoft® Windows® next spring.
“Project Gotham Racing® 4,” the latest addition to the best-selling racing franchise from Bizarre Creations exclusively for Xbox 360, was unveiled. “Project Gotham Racing 4” promises to continue the “Project Gotham Racing” pedigree of innovation by introducing exciting new experiences to racing fans worldwide.
The beloved “Banjo-Kazooie®” franchise will breathe new, high-definition life on Xbox 360 exclusively from famed developer Rare Ltd.; astonishing next-generation visuals and presentation reunite beloved characters Banjo, Kazooie and Gruntilda — among other fan favorites — with their sharp wit and hilarious sense of humor.
Microsoft Game Studios announced its highly anticipated new massively multiplayer online game, “Marvel Universe Online” for Xbox 360 and the Windows Vista™ operating system, developed by industry luminaries Cryptic Studios, creators of the smash hit “City of Heroes.”
Two additions to Xbox Live Arcade were announced: the first-person shooter that pioneered the network-gaming era, “DOOM®,” from acclaimed developer id Software and Activision, is available today for download via Xbox Live Arcade. The game includes the original four-episode, single-player game, four-player split screen (cooperative and deathmatch) and four-player cooperative and deathmatch over Xbox Live. Also coming to Xbox Live Arcade soon is “Sensible World of Soccer” from Codemasters. Based on the classic 1994 Amiga title, “Sensible World of Soccer” will let gamers choose between the original graphics or an updated, high-resolution look and feel — while still capturing the original’s entire world of football.
Arriving at retailers in North America, the U.K, France and Germany in mid-November 2006, the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player will retail for $199.99 in North America (estimated retail price)* and €199.99/£129.99 (estimated retail price)* in the U.K., France and Germany. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player comes with the Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” on HD DVD (for a limited time) and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote
Also here is a list of the achievements for Doom:
Neophyte (20) – Complete any level
Episode 1 (25) – Complete Episode 1 on ‘Hurt Me Plenty’ or higher
Episode 2 (25) – Complete Episode 2 on ‘Hurt Me Plenty’ or higher
Episode 3 (25) – Complete Episode 3 on ‘Hurt Me Plenty’ or higher
Episode 4 (25) – Complete Episode 4 on ‘Hurt Me Plenty’ or higher
Rampage (35) – Complete all levels on UltraViolent mode
Nightmare (10) – Win a Nightmare level in single player
Rookie (10) – Get 50 kills on Xbox Live
Destroyer (10) – Get 100 kills on Xbox Live
Scout (5) – Find a secret area of a map
Hoarder (5) – Find all items in level
Clean Slate (5) – Kill all monsters in level on ‘Hurt Me Plenty’ or higher
