360 to get both Mighty and Magica

Yet more Ubisoft news today, as Eurogamer discovers that Arkane Studios' Dark Messiah of Might & Magic is headed to the Xbox 360. Powered by Valve's Source engine, the game will be a port of the original PC title, with the additional subtitle, Elements (does every game have to have a subtitle these days?). For those unfamiliar with the game, it is a first-person RPG that's heavy on fantasy action. It's worth noting that the game received decent reviews on the PC, though many complained of lots of bugs. Here's hoping everything is ironed out for the 360 release. See a trailer for the PC version after the break.

EndWar controlled solely by voice commands

In an announcement during their Ubidays event in Paris, Ubisoft stated that their upcoming strategy title, Tom Clancy's EndWar, is capable of being controlled using only voice commands, although if you want, you can change the settings to use the controller to play as well. Ubi also wanted to point out that they are implementing a different camera position from the norm, comparing it to Madden's over the shoulder view. More details are expected to be revealed on EndWar as Ubidays continue. Are you down for gabbing your way through World War III?

New Assassin's Creed Screenshots

"Assassin’s Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics, Assassin’s Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.

The setting is 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history. "
Key Features

• Be an Assassin
  Master the skills, tactics, and weapons of history’s deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors. Plan your attacks, strike without mercy, and fight your way to escape.
• Realistic and responsive environments
  Experience a living, breathing world in which all your actions have consequences. Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests.
• Action with a new dimension – total freedom
  Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever, and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments. Scale buildings, mount horses, blend in with crowds. Do whatever it takes to achieve your objectives.
• Relive the epic times of the Crusades
  Assassin’s Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the 12th century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience, and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world.
• Intense action rooted in reality
  Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels.
• Next-gen gameplay
  The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for the next-gen console allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment, and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction Screenshots

"You are a fugitive and you’re being ruthlessly hunted by the very government you once served. The key to your survival is to improvise, adapt and overcome.

Experience original game play based on improvisation where your environment becomes your weapon. You need to react to changing situations and use the environment and the crowds around you to create diversions and deter your enemies.

Splinter Cell Conviction will deliver an adrenaline rush of game play with blood-pumping chase sequences, close combat and intense gun battles. To survive, build an underground network of allies who will help you obtain hi-tech gadgets and stay one step ahead of your pursuers as you struggle to unmask the forces that want you dead.

You’ve never played Splinter Cell like this before. "

Ubi Days: Brother in Arms trailer - Xboxyde

"Let's (hopefully) be done with the bad videos from the horrible screens of the press conference, here is a trailer of Brother in Arms. On a video where you can actually see things, the game looks like it evolved very well since the last E3.
Update: Direct feed trailer available."

Partial track list from Guitar Hero III revealed! [update]

Activision just released a press release with some details on the next installment in the much played Guitar Hero III series. The presser confirms that they game will be coming to the PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360, with each console to have some kind of wireless controller. There’es even going to be boss battles and famous rock venues for you to play in. They also released a small list of some of the tracks that will be in GHIII. I’m stoked about the Weezer add. Here’s the list…

• Paint It Black (by The Rolling Stones)
• Cherub Rock (by Smashing Pumpkins)
• Sabotage (by Beastie Boys)
• The Metal (by Tenacious D)
• My Name is Jonas (by Weezer)
• Knights of Cydonia (by Muse)
• Rock And Roll All Nite (as made famous by Kiss)
• School’s Out (as made famous by Alice Cooper)
• Slow Ride (as made famous by Fog Hat)
• Cult of Personality (by Living Colour)
• Barracuda (as made famous by Heart)

Damn, even the Beastie Boys and Tenacious D made it. The presser also says there will be all kinds of exclusive downloadable content, but it doesn’t say what each platform will get. I’m liking the fact that each console will get wireless guitar controllers, that’s a big plus. Neversoft also promises more surprises, as far as the tracks go at least, are on the way. The game itself doesn’t have a set release date but is supposed to be available in the fall.

[update] Here are a couple of snippets from the release that could tickle your fancy..

…strategic partnerships have been secured with all the major and independent music record labels and publishers…

This next bit could tickle a little too…

The exclusive Gibson guitars will include innovative features such as removable faceplates that will allow fans to later personalize their guitars and make it their own, and a new button color design that will be integrated for an even greater authentic feel and rock experience.

The Gibson rox sox and all that but a new color scheme? I hope they don’t throw more buttons in there because I’m just beginning to master the art of the five button shred.

Microsoft considered new Xbox every two years

"In a guest essay over on The Mercury News, original Xbox co-creator Kevin Bachus revealed that early on Microsoft kicked around the idea of releasing a new Xbox every two years. Bachus goes on to say that,

'our very first thoughts on Xbox included the somewhat misguided notion that we might upgrade the system every TWO years. Now wouldn't that have been disruptive!'

Disruptive indeed, thank god they scrapped such a horrible idea. In his guest essay Bachus also went on to describe the early days of the Xbox, how they brought developers on board, and what the big black Xbox's legacy ended up being. It's an insightful read into how the Xbox got off the ground and what the team's goals were going forward. Read Kevin Bachus' full essay after the jump."

Ubi Days: EndWar trailer

"Tom Clancy's EndWar was kinda forgotten in the middle of the big titles like Splinter Cell and Assassin's Creed, but it's still an important title for Ubisoft, and a new type of game for them too. So here is their brand new trailer, unfortunately 100% CG.
"

Shadowrun Demo Dated

"FASA announced today the release of an Xbox 360 demo of Shadowrun on June 6, 2007; a week after the game's release in North America. The reason for a post-release demo is the Halo 3 multiplayer beta. FASA wants all gamers, including those who are playing the Halo 3 multiplayer beta, to 'focus their attention and time on Shadowrun.'

Come June, when players are suffering withdrawal from H3 goodness, they can slide right into Shadowrun demo action.

Utilizing both the Xbox LIVE and Games For Windows LIVE network, Shadowrun tears down the walls between friends and gamer communities on the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista-based PC by letting as many as 16 gamers play together, regardless of platform.

Humans, elves, dwarves and trolls, can pick up Shadowrun for the estimated retail price of $59.99 for Xbox 360 and $49.99 for Windows Vista. Shadowrun is rated “M” for Mature, for gamers 17 years old and above. "

DiRT demo muddies up the Marketplace Thursday

European Xbox community manager AceyBongos has confirmed that a new Colin McRae DiRT demo will be hitting the XBLM this Thursday. AceyBongos mentions that the demo will be released at 9:00AM GMT in Europe, but we suspect it'll also be released to North Americans too. The DiRT demo will include three different racing modes including super stage crossover, nine player buggy racing, and a hill climb which promises to make everyone who plays it wet themselves with excitement. We'll keep our ears open for more details to where the demo will be released, but until then be prepared to experience DiRT this Thursday morning.

New 3D shot of CoD4

It’s not often that we at Xboxic decide to do a post on a single screenshot of a game unless it’s a new announcement. Well we know Call of Duty 4 is coming, so why the fuss over a new screenshot? Well, this is no ordinary screenshot. Oh no, this is the future of screenshots right here, with a 3D image of the game, fully rotatable for your viewing pleasure.

The downside to the future of screenshots is that they aren’t so easy to get onto the page, but fear not, we have a YouTube video that shows off everything as if you were controlling it yourself. You can check out the actual 3D shot here if you want to have a play around with it, but it only moves along the X Axis, no going up and down for you.

The screenshot doesn’t reveal a huge amount other than confirming that environments will be 3D, but hopefully more (3D) shots will be released along the way to release later in the year.

Trailer: MotoGP 2007

"Name: Launch Trailer
Price: Free
Availability: All Xbox Live members
Dash Details: Experience the sheer passion, excitement and SPECTACLE of MotoGP, the most thrilling motor sport in the world! MotoGP’07 brings the excitement and energy of the fans and media into the game world like never before."