Something for everyone?
Ubisoft's just lifted the lid on its full line-up of Wii U titles. Some we knew about already, others we didn't. Here's what's heading to Wii U: Not a bad line-up we think. What about you?
Braainnss
Not content with showing off more of Rayman Legends for Wii U, Ubisoft's also lifted the lid on ZombiU, a Wii U-exclusive zombie-based survival horror. It's actually an evolution of last year's Killer Freaks from Outer Space, but with zombies instead of aliens. The publisher showed off a very lengthy trailer showing Dead Rising-style action set in the UK: zombies are decapitated in front of Buckingham Palace. Just like this week with the Jubilee, then.Ubisoft®’s Infectious ZombiUTM Coming Exclusively to Nintendo's Wii UTM Survival-Horror Shooter Showcases Nintendo Wii UTM GamePad, Delivers Intense and Terrifying New Gaming Experience LOS ANGELES — June 4, 2012 — Today, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Ubisoft challenged gamers to find out how long they can survive in the dilapidated, infected world of ZombiU – a new survival-horror shooter that will be released exclusively for Nintendo’s Wii UTM. ZombiU headlines a group of eight titles from Ubisoft that will be available for the Nintendo Wii UTM. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the studio behind critically acclaimed titles like From DustTM, Beyond Good & Evil® and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter®, ZombiU puts players in the middle of London circa 2012, where an outbreak has infected the population, destroying their humanity and turning them into mindless monsters preying on the flesh of the few remaining survivors. This fear-fueled first-person shooter takes all the terror, chaos and tension found in the best of the horror genre and adds original interactive elements, including a unique death mechanic that puts players in the body of a different survivor each time they die, allowing them to track and take down their old, infected characters, recover their equipment and see if they can stay alive just a little bit longer this time. ZombiU showcases the innovative features of the Nintendo Wii UTM GamePad and creates new game experiences not possible on other consoles. The Nintendo Wii UTM GamePad serves as the player’s ultimate survival kit, called the “Bug Out Bag.” The Bug Out Bag is a backpack containing all the maps, tools, weapons and supplies that players can scavenge from the limited resources available in the devastated cityscape. ZombiU also uses the Nintendo Wii UTM GamePad’s touch screen, gyroscope and camera to create a tactile connection between gamers and the in-game world. Finally, ZombiU features a distinctive multiplayer adversarial mode that allows one player to take on the role of “Zombie Master,” spawning and controlling enemies from a top-down view on the Nintendo Wii UTM GamePad while the second player fights for survival on the big screen in first-person shooter view with the Nintendo Wii UTM Pro controller. “ZombiU is a dark and daunting game that gamers will love to play again and again,” said Guillaume Brunier, producer at Ubisoft. “ZombiU takes advantage of the Nintendo Wii U’s one-of-a-kind capabilities and will be a launch title that every gamer will want to sink their teeth into.” For more information on ZombiU, please visit the official ZombiU website (www.zombiu.com) and facebook.com/zombiugame ZombiU also can be pre-ordered at UBIShop® by visiting: www.ubishop.com/zombiu
Supports Pro Controller
Ubisoft's shown off more about Rayman Legends including how it'll work with the Wii U GamePad. In co-op play, the player using the GamePad controls a new character, Murphy, who's more of a support character instead of playing a regular role: Murphy can interact with ropes, platforms and enemies on screen to make life easier — or more difficult — for the other players, who'll be using Wii Remotes. Wii U supports five players — four with Wii Remotes, one with the Wii U GamePad. The player using the Wii U GamePad also sees unique information on the controller's screen — they can touch purple icons to sprout Lums in the main stage. Co-operative play looks suitably crazy and fluid with three players; five could be manic. It's exclusive to Wii U and will be out at launch.UBISOFT EMBARKS ON A LEGENDARY ADVENTURE WITH RAYMAN LEGENDS LOS ANGELES, USA — June 4, 2012 — Today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Ubisoft® revealed Rayman Legends®, a brand new platforming adventure with innovative social functionality. Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, Rayman Legends will be available on Nintendo’s Wii U™ system. “The combinations of new controls and original game styles that the Nintendo Wii U makes possible really inspired the creative ambition of the team working on Rayman Legends,” said Michel Ancel, creative director at Ubisoft. ”Rayman Legends expands upon what everyone loves about Rayman’s world, and adds new ways of playing together that will make it the most collaborative and fun game in the franchise.” Rayman Legends is the follow-up to last year’s highly-acclaimed Rayman Origins®. Legends uses the innovative Wii U Gamepad to explore fresh multiplayer gameplay experiences and expand beyond the traditional platform games. Players use the Wii U GamePad to discover new ways to navigate through the game with touch–based gameplay to take out enemies or clear paths and gyroscope technology to manipulate and rotate platforms. The GamePad also allows you to continue the adventure of Rayman and his friends on the controller screen even while the television is off. Rayman, Globox and the Teensies are back to embark on a new fantasy adventure through a series of legendary worlds with new environments, characters and enemies. Rayman Legends features a variety of uniquely-themed levels including several musical maps intricately set to creative soundtracks and a spooky medieval theme. Players can also connect online with friends through a variety of challenges to test their skill and speed, and see where they rank on the worldwide leaderboards. Rayman Legends retains the fantasy appeal of its predecessor while adding a multitude of clever and entertaining gaming modes, new characters, new environments and a new soundtrack. The award-winning team of artists, designers and composers behind the UbiArt framework has also returned with an advanced engine to include multi-dimensional gameplay elements, an improved lighting system and updated game rendering that elevate Rayman Legends to the next level.
Out in October, apparently
Ubisoft's done what EA hasn't and shown off a game for Wii U. Just Dance 4 kicked off Ubisoft's press conference with a performance from Flo-Rida and some dancers. The video in the background showed a player placing the Wii U GamePad into the cradle and dancing. As you would. Ubisoft has confirmed Wii U will support up to five players, with the player using the GamePad able to capture video and screenshots to share online as well as acting as a Puppet Master, controlling dance routines for the other four players.Wii U-exclusive Features: The Wii U version introduces, for the first time ever, up to 5-player gameplay with the innovative and exclusive Puppet Master Mode. In this mode, the player operating the Wii U controller becomes a true Master of Ceremony as thegets the power to switch dance routines that are being performed by the four other players in real-time. The Wii U operator he also has the ability to create choreographies and choose playlists for the other players to follow. In addition, the Wii U controller allows for writing on-screen live dedications and taking pictures and videos of the best dance moments to share online. It’s a complete new way to take part in the Just Dance experience!Ubisoft has said the game will be available on Wii U from the system's launch.
Update: Vita version confirmed too
Update: EA has also confirmed the game is coming to Vita. Burnout creators Criterion just wrapped up showing off Need for Speed: Most Wanted on PS3, due for release in late October 2012. The game is an open world racer not unlike Criterion's Burnout Paradise, with enhanced Autolog support and more. It's out in October and looks quite tasty.
Catch it all live
Ubisoft's E3 press conference is always a big one and this year's no different. With new in-game footage and details of Assassin's Creed III to rumours of new Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia games there should be plenty to watch out for, and we'll have it all for you here live. The Ubisoft conference kicks off at 3pm Pacific — that's 6pm Eastern, 11pm UK and midnight Central European Time. Don't forget the Sony conference kicks off three hours later — 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern, 2am UK and 3am CET — if you feel like sticking around. [youtube:aKRWubusKBU]
Want to watch Ubisoft's Wii U games? Then keep it here as we bring you the live video of its E3 press conference. Can't get YouTube working for whatever reason? We'll have updates for you on new games, technology and anything else interesting Ubisoft has to show. Hopefully there's no Mr Caffeine. Ubisoft's conference is just part of the E3 extravaganza. Check out the full E3 2012 schedule to find out more about what's on, when and where to watch. [youtube:aKRWubusKBU] [livetext:e3/2012/ubisoft]
PS3 gets it first
PlayStation 3 owners can pick up Battlefield 3 Premium a week before PC and 360 owners. For $49.99/£39.99 — the content has a supposed retail value of $75 — you get two weeks' early access to five DLC packs over the coming months. Close Quarters, the first pack, is available today to download for PSN members. If you're a Battlefield 3 fan, will you be grabbing Premium today?
Sizing it up
If Nikkei is right, tomorrow we'll see a 3DS console redesign as Nintendo unveils a 3DS console with a 4.5" screen, 1.5 times bigger than the current model. Our editor James Newton and features editor Tom Whitehead — yes, they of the Nintendo Life podcast! — sat down in video form to chat about what the rumour could mean for Nintendo. Would it help 3DS towards profitability? Will it be more comfortable? What about those of us with the original machine? All this and more insightful and delightful discussion right below these words. [youtube:MRNCaUgUDPs]
My name is James Newton, and this is my website - a collection of my writings about
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