[GameRatty] tag: ubisoft

Square makes late Eidos bid but Warner in pole position

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:52:46 +0000

A battle between East and West looks set to decide the future of Eidos.

MCV understands that both Warner Bros and Square Enix are ready to mount rival acquisition bids this month for the ailing British publisher.

Although national press reports have fingered EA and Ubisoft as potential buyers, nose-tappers are backing Warner as the victor. It already owns 20 per cent of the Britsoft firm, and would only have to spend around $30m for a controlling interest. A spend of around $80m would give it total control, putting Eidos' current market value at around $120m.

RUMOR: Square Enix and Warner Bros. Both Want Controlling Interest in Eidos

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:28:01 +0000

If the bigwigs over at Eidos were to look upwards today, they may see a stream of buzzards circling overhead in a most ominous fashion, if a report over on MCV is to be believed. Last week and this week, most rumors circulating around the possible take over of Eidos have mentioned Electronic Arts and Ubisoft within the same sentence, but Warner Brothers is the one that has purchased 20 percent of the stock in Eidos and have had restrictions lifted on purchasing more. However, today, MCV is reporting that Square Enix is thinking about throwing their hat into the ring as well… or to begin circling the skies above Eidos with the rest of the lot.

Although Warner Brothers would only have to purchase another $30 million for a controlling interest in Eidos, $80 million would give it total control over the company. Yet, with Square Enix showing interest now in the way of company president Yoichi Wada visiting Eidos’ Denmark developer studios, rumors have the Square set to make a bid on controlling interest in the company.

A source for MCV stated that: “I think Warners will still win, but it’s very interesting that Square have expressed this late interest. They are clearly looking for Western talent.”

This would make perfect sense because Square is interested in creating titles with a more Western appeal, and with Eidos in dire straits financially, this could indeed be a significant step towards a more global market for Square Enix. That is, unless Warner Brothers beats them to the punch.

Until more a concrete announcement is made however, take the news of Square Enix making a play towards Eidosas just a rumor for the time being and don’t count out Warner Brothers just yet. Someone will win the race eventually, and when they do we will be sure to let you know who crossed the finish line first.

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X3F TV -- Prince of Persia: Elika's Abilities

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:45:00 +0000

Filed under: X3F TV, Prince of Persia

In Ubisoft Montreal's latest installment of the Prince of Persia series a new hero is paired with a magical Princess named Elika. As the two battle against an evil darkness that takes over the Persian landscape, an ancient force becomes usable by Elika. Essentially, Elika acts as the navigation, safety net and even transportation to the player. Check out this video which showcases each of the four main abilities Elika can use to help you access new areas in Prince of Persia.

Make sure to check out our Prince of Persia launch coverage, including our extensive review.

X3F TV -- Prince of Persia: Elika's Abilities originally appeared on Xbox 360 Fanboy on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft to add 120 to Romanian studios

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:31:57 +0000

Ubisoft will add heavily to its Romanian dev teams between now and the middle of 2009, adding a further 120 people to the 650 already employed at its offices in Bucharest and Craiova. According to Financiarul.ro, 75 people will be hired to Bucharest, with a further 51 people added in Craiova, bringing Ubisoft Romania close to [...]

MCV: Square Enix considering Eidos acquisition; Warner's still in it

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:26:00 +0000

Filed under: Business

Honestly, we're starting to lose track. In what we can only imagine is routine for its flagship heroine, Lady Croft, Eidos (née SCi) is being courted by a gaggle of interested suitors, ranging from the longtime admirer Warner Bros. Interactive, to recent newcomers EA and Ubisoft, and now ... Square Enix?

MCV reports the Japanese gaming giant is looking more to the West than ever, not only starting Square Enix LA - a new US-based studio - but also considering an acquisition of Eidos to rival current acquisition front-runner WBIE. While MCV's anonymous source thinks "Warner's [acquisition bid] will still win" MCV speculates that "Square Enix could opt to buy single assets - perhaps just IO and the Hitman brand," whom SE president Yoichi Wada "has already visited." Let's just hope that whoever acquires Eidos and all of her assets takes good care of them. It's not just Lara and Hitman ... we've got Deus Ex 3 to consider, you know.

MCV: Square Enix considering Eidos acquisition; Warner's still in it originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 News Prince of Persia sneaks onto shelves

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:16:29 +0000

Prince of Persia sneaks onto shelves

Today Ubisoft announced that Prince of Persia for the XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 has shipped to store shelves.

The Daily Hotness: In-game advertising really grinds my gears

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:10:00 +0000

Expect to see things like the above image plastered all over PlayStation Home, as well as an increasing number of your favorite videogames in the near future.

At an upfront by Microsoft-owned ad firm Massive held in New York City on Wednesday, Activision Blizzard revealed numerous upcoming sequels to established franchises (including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, one of the more uninspired videogame sequel titles in recent memory, and what’s being called Guitar Hero 5 for now).

A devious and sickening example of in-game advertising came in a sample screenshot from GH 5. Of course, the Guitar Hero franchise is already infamous for its blatant and brazen advertising, like the Axe-branded guitar and the Pontiac Garage venue in Guitar Hero III. Apparently, a screenshot of GH 5 was shown; it featured a Burger King logo next to the note highway. Excuse me while I go vomit into a wastebasket.

I suppose this shouldn’t surprise anyone, since Activision recently signed a multi-year ad deal with IGA Worldwide. Still, this kind of crap disgusts me, and it should disgust you, too.

Anyway, recap! A Canadian actor who lent his voice to some Ubisoft games told the world how he escaped last week’s Mumbai terror attacks; Activision announced Eagles, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and reggae songs for Guitar Hero World Tour; Hamza continued his prolific run of previews; and plenty more happened on 12/03/08.

Wednesday Regulars:
Scraps: 'You're heavier than you look' (12/03/2008)

Originals:
F.E.A.R. 2's viral marketing is clever, mildly creepy

Reviews:
Castlevania Judgment

Previews:
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Ghostbusters (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Ghostbusters (Wii)
Ghostbusters (DS)

Contests:
Contest: Get beta access to Freaky Creatures with clever Photoshop skills
Contest results: Why you haven't bought a gaming notebook yet
Sacred 2 contest winners announced!

News:
Microsoft confirms internal memory in new Xbox 360 Arcades
Prince of Persia voice actor recounts survival of Mumbai attacks
Eagles, Nirvana, Pumpkins, and free reggae pack coming to Guitar Hero this month
Blitz working on 'true 3D games.' Yes, just like Freddy's Dead!
Red Bull first to exploit Home's advertising potential
Captain Obvious: Atari will continue selling games to retail
KOTOR MMO has 'potential' to fleece you of all your cash
Atari: Used games are 'extremely painful'
LBP moderation is 'evolving,' will eventually display the reason for deletion
Activision hearts sequels, announces Guitar Hero 5, Modern Warfare 2, and more
DC Universe could be on your doorstep by next Christmas
Tetsuya Mizuguchi's new Wii music game named QJ
Pata-pata-patapon plushies are the perfect decor for your rearview mirror
Gardening Mama bends over in America Spring 2009
MS starts racial profiling, claims Hispanics like home entertainment best
190 million households to have consoles in 2012
Delay on Ghostbusters was to max out the creepy factor
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days confirmed for US release
Prepare to be jealous: Ben Heck shows off his new portable Xbox 360
Study: First-person shooter cutscenes aren't engaging enough
Hefty Fable II patch nearing completion, no word on a launch date
Disney entering the MMO market: Mickey Mouse roleplay sex in 5, 4, 3, 2 ...
Come be amazed by Valve's lifetime retail sales figures

Galleries:
Street Fighter movie: Chun-Li? More like Chun-Lie
Shiny skin time: new Tekken 6 PS3/Xbox 360 screens

Videos:
Prince of Persia: The Fallen King makes us want to pinch little cheeks
DJMAX Technika now testing in Los Angeles
DSi clenches, eventually yields, to some hot homebrew lovin'
Have you heard of Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled?
New Riddick trailer shows darkness, also gameplay
F.E.A.R. 2 videos terrify with the power of the S.I.L.L.Y. A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.

The Daily Hotness: In-game advertising really grinds my gears

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:10:00 +0000

Expect to see things like the above image plastered all over PlayStation Home, as well as an increasing number of your favorite videogames in the near future.

I suppose this shouldn’t surprise anyone, since Activision recently signed a multi-year ad deal with IGA Worldwide. Still, this kind of crap disgusts me, and it should disgust you, too.

Wednesday Regulars:
Scraps: 'You're heavier than you look' (12/03/2008)

Originals:
F.E.A.R. 2's viral marketing is clever, mildly creepy

Reviews:
Castlevania Judgment

Previews:
The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
Ghostbusters (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Ghostbusters (Wii)
Ghostbusters (DS)

Contests:
Contest: Get beta access to Freaky Creatures with clever Photoshop skills
Contest results: Why you haven't bought a gaming notebook yet
Sacred 2 contest winners announced!

Galleries:
Street Fighter movie: Chun-Li? More like Chun-Lie
Shiny skin time: new Tekken 6 PS3/Xbox 360 screens

Far Cry 2 PC patch arriving next week

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:43:04 +0000

Ubisoft representative Ubi-Marc has given word that a patch for the PC version of Far Cry 2 will be available someday between Dec. 8 and 11. No official word about what’s going to be fixed has been released, but Ubisoft has previously said they’re going to fix the too narrow field-of-view that’s causing distress for widescreen owners. My advice to Ubisoft is simple: Get rid of that hyperbolically short respawn time for road blocks, which seems to be the biggest issue for everyone that has played the game.

You asked, he answered; Prince of Persia - the graphics, the upgrades, the new features

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:53:28 +0000

It's as simple as this - you asked, he answered. By "he" I meant no less than Prince of Persia (PS3, Xbox 360) producer Ben Mattes from Ubisoft. Mattes checks in on some of the most frequently asked fan questions, gives them his answers, and posted them on the PlayStation Blog. Now how about that? Squeenix could take a leaf out of his book.

Some of the questions have already been answered on previous announcements and interviews, so let's look at what we don't already know.

For one, it's going to be better-balanced than its predecessors - no draggy fight-less story parts, nor will there be fight-saturation to the point of battle boredom. In addition, the new fighting system will allow newbie gamers to fight well, but give advanced gamers access to wicked combos.

As for lifespan, rushing through the game would take about 12-15 hours. But if you go out of your way collecting trophies and finding out more about the game's story, Mattes reckons you'll take about 18-20. Not bad.

If you're wondering about the relevance to other Prince of Persia titles, it won't have anything that'll affect the main story. But hardcore fans will get to appreciate a few tidbits that'll remind them of the past titles.

Ben Mattes did take on a handful, and you can catch that and the rest of his answers for Prince of Persia on the PlayStation Blog. Follow the source link and you're good to go.