EA, Konami send mixed signals on soccer
Next generation Xbox 360 exclusivity for FIFA 07 and Pro Evolution 6
remains uncertain. It is clear that both games — at lease in name –
will be released on current generation platforms such as PlayStation 2,
and PSP. Microsoft originally said that both soccer titles were next
generation exclusives on Xbox 360 for 12-months, reports have countered this, but the company is sticking to the original statement.
Talking to Gamesindustry.biz,
Microsoft has said it “can confirm that PES 6 and FIFA 07 are indeed
next-gen exclusive to Xbox 360 in Europe for the next 12 months, as
announced”, however, this contradicts a statement from Pro Evo 6
producer and creator Shingo Takatsuka, “We never said exclusive for one
year on the next-gen platforms. We said this year,” he told 1up.com. Konami, the company behind Pro Evolution is expected to make a statement soon.
While spokespeople for EA, the makers of FIFA 07, are giving
conflicting statements to different media outlets. Gamesindustry.biz
quoted an EA spokesperson saying, “FIFA ‘07 is exclusive to the X360
for the next 12 months”, adding that it was a worldwide deal. However Game Informer
reported that with the claimed 12-month next generation exclusive “EA
has also told Game Informer that their announcement is also not true in
the case with FIFA games”.
Microsoft has no 12-month soccer exclusives, says publishers
Xbox
360 12-month exclusives were being reporting for FIFA 07 and Pro Evo 6
(pictured, left), this is not the case according to games websites
gameinformer.com and 1up.com. The exclusives are now said to be only to
the end of the year.
We reported
that a Microsoft press release only said such, but the source of the
“12-month” claim came a press conference hosted by the firm.
“:Pro Evolution Soccer 6 will be on Xbox 360 next generation
exclusive for the next 12 months, I’m also really happy to be able to
announce that FIFA 07 will be an Xbox 360 next generation exclusive on
Xbox 360 for the next 12 months” said Microsoft’s Chris Lewis
speaks at a press conference this week. Speaking to Eurogamer.tv afterwards, he said, “Xbox 360 is the only option for the next 12 months”.
However, Pro Evo 6 producer and creator Shingo Takatsuka told 1up.com
that “We never said exclusive for one year on the next-gen platforms.
We said this year. We were agreed that it was this year”. According gameinformer.com, “EA has also told Game Informer that their announcement is also not true in the case with FIFA games”. [some links vie here]
Correction: PS2
Sony Computer Entertainment Ireland yesterday stated that the
PlayStation 2 price drop will leave the recommended retail price at
Shots fired in console war, PS3 gets red card
FIFA
06 (pictured, left), and Pro Evolution Soccer 6, the next games in the
two most popular football series, have been secured as next generation
exclusives on the Xbox 360, at least till 2007.
“Microsoft owns football,” Chris Lewis told journalists at a German games conference. Various media outlets have reported the exclusive as “12-month” deal. Eurogamer.net attributes it to Lewis, but a Microsoft press release merely states “this year”.
The deal follows Microsoft announcing in May that Sony will not have
a Grand Theft Auto 4 exclusive. Misreported at the time, the release
section of that deal only referred to a same day release. However, the
PlayStation not being the first home of GTA still firmly favours of the
Xbox 360.
EA’s FIFA 06, also on DS, GBA, Gamecube, mobile, PC, PS2, PSP,
Xbox, is set for an end of September release. While Konami’s Pro
Evolution Soccer 6, also on DS, PC, PS2, PSP, is due to follow in
October.
Northern Ireland students win at Dare
Rule of Thumb, a Derry based team, won in three categories at Dare to be Digital, a student games development competition in Scotland
Hugh O’ Keeffe, Alan McNicholas, William Horton, David Doherty, and Seamus Gallagher, all studying ICE (Interactive Computer Entertainment)
at the North West Institute in Derry, won ‘Best Use of Technology’
receiving prize money of £2000. Unusually, the team won ‘Best Team
Player’ with another £500. While Alan McNicholas picked up the award of
‘Best Artist’. Their game, Gal:Ex Spatial Delivery (pictured above), is
describe as a story-driven action/adventure game with platform and
puzzle elements.
The story follows Jake and a green blob ‘Goup’. When his ship
crashes, Jake finds himself on a ‘mysterious planet’. By shape-shifting
around Jake, Goup enables them to travel the planet in search of cargo
lost in the crash.
The team first won
the Northern Ireland heats, Rule of Thumb along with Dublin-based
Enduring Fragments were among seven teams to work on a prototypes at
the University of Abertay Dundee.
PROFILE: Orla Sheridan, Xbox Ireland boss
Orla Sheridan heads the Xbox section of Mircosoft Ireland, Fergal Breen of IrishDev.com
profiles and talks to Sheridan about her days playing the Commodore C64
to launching the Xbox 360 in Ireland. Thanks to IrishDev.com for
allowing us to reproduce the article here…
Orla
(Xbox) Sheridan is Microsoft Home and Entertainment Division Manager in
Ireland. It’s a role she created in 2001, shortly after joining the
company. The division is now responsible for some of Microsoft
Ireland’s flagship retail products including Xbox, Vista and Office.
Born
in Granard, Co. Longford, Sheridan was educated locally before
travelling to Dublin, where she studied Marketing Design at DIT,
Mount Joy Square, graduating in 1994. Orla finished her student life at
UCG, where she completed a Post Graduate course in 1995.
“From
my earliest days in school I realised that the emerging technology
industry was going to be huge. To make a real impact on Irish life and
on my life. I also knew the systems of the day were too complex and I
dreamed of a world where the opportunities that tech can provide would
be accessible to everyone from 4 year olds to pensioners” says Orla,
explaining her choice of career.
Sheridan
began that career at Digital Ireland, working in their marketing
division for two years before joining Iomega, who were launching a
series of consumer products, following their blockbuster zip drive.
Speaking
four languages, Orla travelled within the Iomega European network,
spending a year in Germany before moving to the companies Switzerland,
Geneva HQ. Sheridan also moved along the career path at Iomega,
progressing from local retail sales manager to EU Channel Manager.
“It wasn’t a different role, instead it was expanding my previous role, adding new responsibilities,” says Orla.
Sheridan
returned to Ireland to manage Gateway’s EU retail division, a role she
remembers fondly. “I was very sad to see Gateway close in 2001 but kept
many friends from the time,” Orla recalls.
“Leaving Gateway during
the economic downturn was tough, over a period of a year, almost all of
my tech friends and colleagues felt the impact, being made redundant or
needing to dramatically reduce their IT spends,” says Orla. “I was okay
because I was young, in my twenties without mortgage or family
worries,” she explains.
“You
never know who you need around, who you need to rely on. The down turn
was very humbling but I believe everyone needs at least two knocks to
develop an appreciation for life and success,” says Sheridan.
Following
Gateway, Orla decided to build her retail experience and spent 18
months managing Dixons. “I learned to plan ahead in B2C, try preparing
for a retail Christmas in November and you will realise why outlets
start planning in February!”, laughs Orla.
Her
experience of both B2B and B2C tech retail channels brought Orla to
Microsoft in 2002 where she founded the Irish Home Entertainment
Division that she now manages.
At
the helm, Sheridan has overseen marketing of classic Xbox, Xbox live,
Halo 2 and Xbox 360. Each one a major milestone in consumer-tech
history. Xbox was the first global console launch, reaching EMEA, APAC
and USA simultaneously. Xbox live, stole the show as the first online
console offering and is still the largest console gaming service on the
net. Halo 2 was the largest entertainment launch in history, outselling
even Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and Xbox 360, stole the market for next
generation consoles from the incumbent.
“Xbox
360, has been a highlight of my career. Not many people realise that as
far back as 1998, Microsoft was planning Xbox 360 and in Ireland my
team began planning the launch almost a year
before the product was released to the public,” explains Orla, “after a
year’s preparation I was incredibly excited. Seeing everything come
together, then learning that the system sold out in five minutes. It
really was an incredible feeling,” she continues.
Discussing
the competition Sheridan says, “We shipped over 5 Million Xbox 360s,
which took us 8 months. It took iPod 36 months. 10M will have shipped
before our competitor ships 1 unit, that’s a key indicator to who will
win this HD Generation. I’m really looking forward to a big Christmas
battle in 2006. The console wars are going to be fun!”
Orla
believes the tech revolution is just beginning and that it’s about to
speed up, “So far, I’ve seen the internet emerge, the web, email; I
used an early version of internal email back at Digital!” says
Sheridan, continuing “my vision is of friendly, easy to use consumer
technology. Today tech is better than ever; we have icons, where once
we had DOS but there is still a lot to improve and that’s why I can
safely tell you the industry is only now heating up.”
“I
believe Irish people adopt new technology or not, no half measures.
We’ve been left behind in broadband but wireless will change all that.
Ireland will leapfrog to wireless broadband and lead the EU again.
Wireless broadband and true digital convergence are my trends to
watch,” says Sheridan.
Microsoft culture is renowned for its agility and entrepreneurial spirit, but what else influences Orla? “Music,
has a huge impact on my life, people like Bob Geldof effect me. Whether
you agree with his politics or not, it’s inspirational to see a local
Dublin lad make it internationally and then help so many people. Moving
into the music industry with our new Zune player is going to be lots of
fun but my lips are sealed on that project!” says Orla.
“From
a business perspective I’m inspired by Peter Moore, VP of
Microsoft’s
Interactive Entertainment Business. Peter is a truly global player,
born in Liverpool, of Irish descent he moved to the US in his twenties
and then to Asia. He understands the critical differences and
similarities between each HE market,” explains Sheridan.
Orla’s
future is far from boring, at Microsoft her next projects include, the
launch of Vista, Office 2007, Zune, Halo 3, the console wars and Gears
of War, a new game expected to match Halo in sales and popularity.
(some pretty big projects!)
Sheridan
explains, “From Zune integration to Xbox live anywhere, which is
seamless interaction with Xbox live using your phone, Xbox or desktop
PC, Vista is the catalyst. It will take twelve months for the public to
recognise how significant the new OS is. This coming year we will bring
into the marketplace over $20 billion dollars in prior year RD
spend with our new product offerings!
We will then invest an additional $6.4 billion this year alone.”
The
secret to Orla’s success? “Trust, Tell the truth, the good and the bad,
so that when you have good news people know it’s true. Hard work and
trust!”, concludes Orla Sheridan.
World Cyber Games Irish leg in Dublin
The Irish heats
of the World Cyber Games are to take place in Dublin from September 23
- 24. There are currently 103 of 250 places taken on the event’s Room101.org signup page.
Taking place at the government’s Digital Exchange
on Crane Street (near the Guinness Storehouse), it’s a
bring-your-own-computer 24 hour LAN, with competitions for PC and Xbox
360. Participants must be over 18 and holders of an Irish Passport.
It is planned that there will be two areas; one for players PCs only
used for warm-ups, and a competition area with neutral “state of the
art PCs with top of the range kit” which will be used by all players,
spectators will also be allowed to attend.
The official games for 2006 are Fifa Soccer 06, Half-Life: Counter
Strike 1.6, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, StarCraft: Brood War, WarCraft
III: Frozen Throne, Dawn of War: Winter Assault, and for the Xbox 360,
Dead or Alive 4 and Project Gotham Racing 3.
Although it was advertised that signups closed on August 18, this is apparently not the case. The world finals are in Monza, Italy from October 18 - 22.
PS2 price drop, pink model to be released
Sony
Computer Entertainment Europe have said the price of normal PlayStation
2 should droped to
REVIEW: Astonishia Story
Developer: Sonnori Corporation | Publisher: Ubi Soft | Format: PSP
Reviewer: Craig Gallagher 
2006 they may notice how one of the most dominant publishers in the
history of gaming veered slightly off track. Ubisoft is responsible
for three of the most successful gaming franchises, Rainbow Six,
Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell. In recant months we’ve got a slew of
mediocre Japanese RPG games. Sony did this years ago but quickly decided against it, hopefully Ubisoft will follow suit.
Astonishia
Story follows the
adventures of a knight called Lord, who traverses a 2D world infested
with numerous monsters in search of some scepter. His
adventures, involve little more than killing monsters with a combat
system so basic that your allies and opponents die in no time, yet
you are able to survive an seemingly never ending onslaught. This would
be forgivable if the game contained even a measure of originality.
This is yet another of
those games which is an absolute waste of the PSP’s graphic
potential. The game looks cheap, there’s no other way to say it. Graphically, it
could easily pass as a GBA title.
It
used to be a lot easier to forgive games their flaws, but with the
large number of games available its hard to recommend anything that
doesn’t at least strive for originality. Just how many times can we
embark on a quest to retrieve some magical scepter, before it becomes
old?
Havok warns of lack of graduates as high numbers fail science and maths in Leaving
A representative of Havok, the Irish games middleware company, has been on RTE Radio One’s Liveline
saying that Ireland is no longer turning out high numbers of the
computer graduates that is needed. He was saying that while they would
like to hire locally, they had to hire people in from abroad.
Havok’s spokesperson also
highlighted that while their company may be seen as fun orientated
because of computer games their job placements are mostly heavy on
math.
This comes as the same day of the Leaving Cert results with high failure numbers in science and maths, and with 4,000 students failing ordinary level mathematics. Mary Hanafin, the Minister for Education, asked students who did well in the subjects to look at doing relevant third-level courses.