Tons of details concerning Universal's ambitious E3 plans.
BY IGN Ah, how we love those precious weeks leading into to E3. Publicists are scrambling to get out announcements, editors are hurriedly typing on their Smith-Corona electric typewriters, and publishers are having pre-E3 events to show off their wares. Today's slew of announcements and pre-E3 goodies belongs to Vivendi Universal. Some of the announcements are a bit vague, however, but we promise greater details at E3. Expect more from the Vivendi Universal Pre-E3 Gamer's Day tonight. Until the snazzy new previews and hands-on begin popping up on IGN, feel free to peruse a short list of announcements from the big VU.
Battlestar Galactica is based off the groundbreaking television space series, and will ship for Xbox and PS2 this fall. Taking place 40 years before the series, you'll play as the Lorne Greene character Commander Adama when he was still an ensign. The action will be story-based and provide defensive, assault, escort, infiltration, and reconnaissance type-missions as well as the ability to assign up to three wingmen to help you out. Expect an endless wave of Cylons and some of the best CG we've seen to accompany this Warthog-developed space opera.
Cold Winter (release date unknown), will appear on both PS2 and Xbox and is developed by newcomer Swordfish studios. Sporting 13 single player missions across eight environments, this first-person shooter tells the story of a disavowed secret agent as he tries to clear his name in a dark world filled with espionage.
Vicarious Visions' Crash: Nitro Kart shipping in October for all consoles and GBA will feature 17 tracks, 16 playable characters, and 8-Player System Link on Xbox and PS2. Don't be surprised if you're stunned with the game's multiple adventure modes, arcade settings, and always-popular time trial option either.
Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat is developed by Magenta Software and will be based upon (and simultaneously released with) the upcoming Mike Myers movie of the same name. Expect a 3D action/adventure-type setup with Digital Eclipse producing the PC and GBA versions in Q4 2003.
The Fast and the Furious will hope to take licensed racing games to the next level with 35 popular music tracks, 80 diverse missions, and completely licensed vehicles straight from the motion picture. It's developed by Genki and will feature closed street circuit racing modes in addition to drag racing options. Best of all, it'll be online for both Xbox and PS2 this winter.
Futurama is surprisingly being designed by Matt Groening himself and will act as "the lost episode" to the recently cancelled series. Gamers will be able to play as Leela, Bender, Fry, and Dr. Zoidberg (lobster guy!) across 20 levels with 32 minutes of brand new animated footage made specifically for the game. Planned for Xbox and PS2 later this year.
The Simpsons Hit and Run will feature the voice actors and writers from the television show and will hit stores this fall for PC, Xbox, PS2, and GameCube. It's developed by the team at Radical Entertainment and will play out in a similar fashion to Grand Theft Auto; that is, a car-themed adventure game. Expect to play as Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and Apu, and interact with virtually every supporting character from the television show.
Confirmed new game Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds for Xbox, PS2, and GameCube this fall.
The Hobbit, which has already been announced, was confirmed for the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube later this year.
The beauty of Hoyle Majestic Chess will finally be realized for PC and Xbox.
The Lord of the Rings: Treason of Isengard, an action game based on the Tolkien trilogy, will ship this year for multiple platforms.
Metal Arms, an action shooter for Xbox and GameCube featuring all robots, four-player split-screen, the ability to blow of limbs and "hack" robots and play as them, ships this November.
Digital Eclipse is developing a new Spyro game, but the platforms were unspecified.
Tribes: Vengeance: from Irrational, will ship this year for PC. More details on this one very soon.
VU will distribute 2015's new military action game (Medal of Valor: Vietnam for PC and Xbox?) and will give a demo of the game behind close doors at E3.
Vivendi will distribute Elixir's new, unannounced title, and give a taste of the game behind close doors at next month's E3.
We'll have plenty more coverage on all of Vivendi Universal's games later today and at E3 in Mid-May.
