Tag Archives: black box

Rumor has it that the 1500 jobs and the dozen or so in-development games that were cut at EA affected studios Pandemic, Maxis and almost the entire Command & Conquer team.

According to a source close to Kotaku, the team working on Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight was notified today that once the game ships some time in 2010, almost the entire team is to hit the road.

While this is not a surprising move by the studio, as loads like it have a tendency to do that once a game ships, the cutbacks also landed blows to EA Maxis, Rupture Studios and Pandemic with remaining workers being relocated to EA Los Angeles and Redwood.

Rumors also state that EA has laid-off staff at Black Box, Mythic Entertainment and Tiburon.

We’ll sent out a mail and see if anyone gets back with us.

The first proper SKATE 3 trailer’s stuck after the break, showing crews skating together and against each other.

Remember, the hook this time is the ability to get together in teams.

Everything else aside, this does look as though it’s put together by people that understand skateboarding. F’riggedyreals.

Out in May for 360 and PS3.

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Get the first SKATE 3 trailer after the break.

The footage shows off the game’s social aspects. It’s all about “crews” and co-op this time out.

EA announced the title today. Expect to be playing this next May on PS3 and 360.

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Update: The announce trailer’s here.

EA’s just confirmed SKATE 3 for a May 2010 release.

Online and offline co-op’s included this time. This, apparently, will allow you to create the “ultimate skate crew”. It’s set in Port Carverton, a new locale.

Black Box is doing it, obviously. PS3 and 360. PR after the break.

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Criterion Games is rumored to be working on the next iteration of the Need for Speed franchise, and it’s slated for a 2010 release.

According to a Primotech source, the development was announced during an internal presentation at EA Redwood last week by John Riccitiello.

EA responded to queries regarding the news with a side step, stating that “right [now] we’re focused on Need for Speed World Online, SHIFT and NITRO.”

Need for Speed developers, Black Box, are currently at work on the MMO title and will return to the racer for the 2011 release.

Last month, Need for Speed: Shift producer Jesse Abney from Slightly Mad Studios told us that Criterion would be a “great team to work with” on the series.

Get more through the link.

Thanks, ShiroGamer

No content with revealing three new Need for Speed titles, EA has revealed to EG that it has one more “secret” NFS game in development by the beleaguered Black Box team.

“Black Box is currently working on a future action title in the franchise,” said EA’s Keith Munro.

How Munro rejects as false the idea that the company is milking the franchise: “This isn’t about quantity, this is about crafting different games for different audiences and their unique tastes in the driving category,” he explained.

“The motivation was purely driven by our understanding of racing gamers and their desire to experience different kinds of racing games.

“I would say that our strategy is the inverse of milking; it is an intentionally non-traditional approach.”

More through the link.

By Mike Bowden

Develop reports that both Criterion and EA’s Bright Light studios in Guildford have been spared from any lay-offs the company is to make.

This information supports the information we provided you with last week, although Bright Light was admittedly off our radar.

Skate 2 developers Black Box got axed last week as EA looks to shed 1000 staff.

Full thing through the Develop link

By Mike Bowden

EA has released a Time is Money pack for Skate 2 that unlocks everything in he game that would only otherwise become available if you actually sit down and play it.

For 400 MS Points or £3.49 on PSN, you gain access to “all locations, skaters and gear that can be earned by playing through Skate 2′s career and online modes.”

In a seemingly unrelated move, EA has apparently fired 200 staff from Skate 2 development house Black Box.

Time is certainly money, these days.

Thanks, X3F.

By Mike Bowden

Following yesterday’s 200-strong lay-offs from Skate 2 developer Black Box, Rory Armes – EA Canada GM – apparently mailed the rest of the outfit explaining that a swathe of “positions at Black Box have been eliminated”.

The exec asked all staff to leave the studio to ease the consultation process, and said all remaining time that day would be dedicated to those affected by the cuts.

Full thing after the break, courtesy of Kotaku.

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Kotaku’s rumouring that Black Box has seen 150-200 staff laid off today following a company-wide meeting held at EA Canada.

CEO John Ricittiello is said to have headed up the shindig.

The news comes the day after Skate 2 – developed by Black Box – released in the US.

The outfit employs around 350 people.

EA has said it will go into fuller details on restructuring – announced to the tune to 1,000 staff – in its next earnings call on February 3.

Oh dear. Australian site Gameplayer‘s Skate 2 review reckons the PS3 version has severe frame-rate issues and “runs like a dog.”

From the piece:

There are some serious frame-rate concerns with the PS3 version of the game. We tested both the Xbox 360 and PS3 review code, even taking our rider in each version to the same spot in the world and switching the input on the TV back-and-forth to ensure it wasn’t some weird pre- and post-coffee phenomenon. But by comparison, the PS3 version runs like a dog. It is not a game breaker, but we did find ourselves missing landings and grinds simply on a part of the frame-rate screwing up our timing and no matter which way you look at it, that ain’t cool.

Skate 2 is released for Xbox 360 and PS3 on January 23.

By Mike Bowden

Images after the break. Black Blox’s Skate 2 is looking more than we decent we think and if you didn’t already know, a demo was available from Xbox Live yesterday and should be ready to go on PSN today.

EA has said Black Box is to close after Sthe game’s release.

Skate 2 hits the streets January 21 in the US and worldwide on the 23rd.

By Mike Bowden

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EA has released seven new Skate 2 videos showing all kinds of different aspects of gameplay from tricking through bailing.

In case you didn’t know, a Skate 2 demo will release on Xbox Live this morning with PSN to join in on the fun on the 15th.

Head over to IGN for a veritable video-feast of Black Box’s Skate sequel.

By Mike Bowden

EA has just issued a press release stating that Black Box’s Skate 2 demo will be released on PSN on January 15th.

The release confirmed that 360 owners can download the demo as of tomorrow morning.

Skate 2 will be released on January 21 in the US and worldwide on the 23rd.

Full release after the break.

By Mike Bowden

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After earlier reports outlining EA’s plans to fire 400 and close nine studios, it seems the first outfit to be axed is Need for Speed developer Black Box.

According to IGN, many of the studio’s staff are being relocated to EA’s Burnaby facility in British Columbia.

Apparently the closure will not be immediate, meaning SKATE 2′s development should remain unhindered. Full thing through the link.

By Mike Bowden

EA studio Black Box has given word that Need for Speed Undercover has an online multiplayer mode entitled Cops and Robbers.

It’s four against four with one team on the run whilst the other gives chase. Sounds like it could be good. Well, Block Box seems to think so, anyway:

“High-intensity police chases are a signature component of Undercover and this extends to the multiplayer experience as well,” said Bill Harrison, Executive Producer at Black Box. “The cops and robbers mode will thrust players into adrenaline-pumping battles as they utilize the Heroic Driving Engine to deliver or prevent the delivery of the package to the safe house.”

Full press release through the link. Game’s out on every platform under the sun this November.

By Mike Bowden

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EA has announced that Black Box developed Need for Speed: Undercover is set for a North America on November 18th and in Europe on November 21st, 2008.

The game will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, as well as the PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC and mobile so basically, there’s no avoiding even if you wanted to.

Also there’s some actress in it we’ve never heard of before called Maggie Q.

“Need for Speed Undercover features a deep and engaging story of spectacular Hollywood-style live-action that will transport players into the fictional world of the Tri-City Bay Area,” said Bill Harrison, executive producer.

“Working with talent the caliber of Maggie Q allows us to deliver an unparalleled level of storytelling that will keep players engaged in between 180-mile an hour races.”

Awesome.

More over at Videogamesblogger.

By Mike Bowden