Miami Vice, Knight Rider, Slew Of Vivendi Games Revealed

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Miami Vice, Knight Rider, Slew Of Vivendi Games Revealed

Posted by simoniker on Monday January 12, 2004 @11:49AM from the new-game-new-game-new-game dept.

Thanks to GameSpot for its article revealing publisher Davilex will be releasing a game based on '80s TV show Miami Vice for PC, PS2, and Xbox. The game, in development at UK-based Atomic Planet Entertainment, offers "a third-person action game in which players engage in dangerous raids and gunfights in Miami nightclubs and warehouses", and means an official adaptation for an already videogame-influencing TV series. Davilex are also producing a sequel to their Knight Rider game, hopefully a little better-received than the original PC version. Elsewhere, Boomtown has a complete Vivendi release list for 2004, mentioning a number of previously unknown games, including two new Tolkien-licensed games for PC, new titles in the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro series, games based on film properties such as Predator, Chronicles Of Riddick, and Van Helsing, as well as Krusty Demons (either a motorcross game or a title involving everyone's favorite Simpsons clown?)

48 comments

Speaking of 80's remakes... by jxa00++ · 2004-01-12 11:55 · Score: 3, Insightful

I am still waiting for an A-Team game. Can you imagine it:

Ten years ago a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.
1. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-12 11:58 · Score: 0
  
  Too bad George Peppard is dead.
2. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by Your_Mom · 2004-01-12 12:06 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  Yeah but it will suck when no matter how much ammo you unload into the boss-character and he will never die. Explosions will take place, cars will flip, but he'll keep coming out of them dirtied but relatively OK.
  
  (For those of you who haven't seen the series, I don't think one 'bad guy' died. EVER. Just injured)
  
  --
  Objects in the blog are closer then they ap
3. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by NanoGator · 2004-01-12 12:23 · Score: 1
  
  "I am still waiting for an A-Team game. Can you imagine it."
  
  I made a comment elsewhere in this thread that I'd like to see a Knight Rider game based off of the GTA Engine. Frankly, I think A-Team and Miami Vice would also be perfect for this engine. They have just the right outdoor/car driving setup to make a game that episodes of any of these shows would easily translate into.
  
  Well I can dream anyway. Man I'd love to recreate the Blues Brothers police chase, though...
  
  --
  "Derp de derp."
4. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-12 13:04 · Score: 0
  
  What the hell. A "I'm still waiting for an A-Team Game." sentence gets a +4 insightful?! What's insightful?!
  
  I'm sure the game would suck as much as every other TV game spinoff anyway. Starskey & Hutch sucked just like all the other TV games so far.
  
  And uh.. the description they gave for Miami Vice is almost exactly the description for GTA. Maybe they should try being more innovative? GTA has *already been done before*...
5. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by Kris_J · 2004-01-12 13:23 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I am still waiting for an A-Team game
  You can download an unreleased prototype here.
6. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by obeythefist · 2004-01-12 14:26 · Score: 1
  
  Starsky and Hutch sucked for two big reasons.
  
  1) It was a console game, so the graphics and handling were sub-par 2) It was an arcade game. Gamers aren't kids anymore, we all grew past the left-right-shoot buttons, we need more sophistication.
  
  Take two should be licensing out that GTA3 engine like crazy!
  
  --
  I am government man, come from the government. The government has sent me. -- G.I.R.
7. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by Pluvius · 2004-01-12 15:13 · Score: 1
  
  Starsky and Hutch is another game that I thought wasn't that bad; it was on par with Knight Rider, incidentally. Anybody who thinks that arcade games are automatically bad should be referred to that thread from a few days ago that talked about how simple games can be better than complex ones.
  
  Rob
8. Re:Speaking of 80's remakes... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-13 03:33 · Score: 0
  
  About two weeks ago, I stumbled onto a game idea...watching late night television. Magnum P.I. ...it could have a rendered Ferrari, rendered Higgins, and fully rendered short shorts, Helicopters to fly, and women to chase...er...rescue. Problem being that most gamers have no idea what Magnum P.I. is. Oh well, may the 80s never die. Wait a minute...was magnum even during the 80s...I don't know...anywho.
Licenses, Licenses, Licenses by Cosmik · 2004-01-12 12:01 · Score: 3, Interesting

I guess the Video Games Industry is becoming more like Hollywood every day.

Whatever happened to the original idea? */slap forehead* Of course! You can't mass produce games that are only designed to saturate the market in hopes someone will buy a few copies if you have to waste all that valuable time coming up with a half-original idea.

I guess we know now how publishers have planned to cut down on production time without sacrificing Q&A - no original ideas.

Ok, I'm finished. Sorry for that - just a case of Mondayitis.
Knight Rider by NanoGator · 2004-01-12 12:14 · Score: 0, Redundant

I want them to make a Knight Rider game based on the GTA Engine.

--
"Derp de derp."
Bring on the lawsuits! by Daniel+Wood · 2004-01-12 12:18 · Score: 1

So now Vivendi gets sued because you play a cop in Miami Vice and beat up Hatians and Cubans?

(Note: Miami Vice was before my time, so I'm just guessing here)
1. Re:Bring on the lawsuits! by Cosmik · 2004-01-12 12:24 · Score: 1
  
  Nah, I think in Miami Vice they mostly beat up white guys. And everyone knows it's ok to beat up white guys, so no one will sue and everyone will be happy.
2. Re:Bring on the lawsuits! by Roman_(ajvvs) · 2004-01-12 16:04 · Score: 1
  
  In the case of Miami Vice it's Colombians mainly, IIRC. Middle America gets featured heavily, as does an alligator. Of course you'd get PETA on your arse if you had any alligator assaults in a game like Miami Vice before any Colombian groups would even be aware they're being shot at with a gatling gun. LOL
  (I'd blame mondayitis, but it's tuesday...)
  
  --
  click-clack, front and back. I'm not moving this car otherwise.
Re:Speaking of remakes by NanoGator · 2004-01-12 12:54 · Score: 1

"So..... that would make this post redundant would it not?"

No.

"Christ man, I wonder if we included you AC posts how many replies a day you are making?"

I don't post AC, sorry. I'm not afraid for people to know who I am.

--
"Derp de derp."
Still need to see... by Jorkapp · 2004-01-12 13:09 · Score: 1
Slew of Vivendi Games released

I Still want to see:
- Half Life 2
- Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
- CowboyNeal vs Predator
--
Frink: Nice try floyd, but you were designed for scrubbing, and scrubbing is what you shall do.
Yeah, sure by Kurin · 2004-01-12 13:11 · Score: 3, Funny

Here's something that looks GREAT*: http://www.vugames.com/product.do?gamePlatformId=7 87

*horrible
Re:Speaking of remakes by NanoGator · 2004-01-12 13:13 · Score: 1

Is that all you got? Heh.

Bet you aint got the balls to use your nick.

--
"Derp de derp."
Re:Licenses, Licenses, Licenses by sofakingl · 2004-01-12 13:14 · Score: 2, Informative

Just because a game is based on an already existing intellectual property, doesn't mean it won't have originality in it, nor does it mean it won't be any good. Just look at GoldenEye for the N64; it's considered one of the best games for the system.

Don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of licensed games are quite poorly done, but that doesn't mean that all of them will be that way. It's just a matter of how well the trasition from film to game is done.
Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-12 13:16 · Score: 0, Flamebait

If the Vivendi is going to use licenses, why are they using such outdated licenses? The fans of those shows are mostly in their 30s. Considering that people that age grew up playing simple arcade games, I doubt that they're going to be able to handle a 3D title. Not to mention, I would highly doubt that there's very many people that age playing video games at all.

Before I get an argument about how Vice City was successful while being influenced by Miami Vice, take this into consideration. For one, Vice City gained a lot of its popularity just because it was a sequel to GTA III, not to mention it was just a good game in its own right. Also, Vice City had huge amounts of influence from Scarface, which is much more popular with young people than Miami Vice. Scarface is violent and widely popular amongst people's favorite rappers.

Not to mention, Scarface had pastel colored clothing, just like Miami Vice.

--

Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
1. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by I+Be+Hatin' · 2004-01-12 13:32 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  The fans of those shows are mostly in their 30s. Considering that people that age grew up playing simple arcade games, I doubt that they're going to be able to handle a 3D title.
  WTF are you talking about? Exactly what about a 3D title makes you think us dinosaurs can't "handle" it? Shit, some of us were playing 3D games while you were still crapping in your diapers, punk.
  
  --
  I know god exists. I read it on the internet, so it must be true.
2. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by unclethursday · 2004-01-12 13:35 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  The fans of those shows are mostly in their 30s.
  So? I'll be 30 this year and was a fan of most of these shows.
  Considering that people that age grew up playing simple arcade games, I doubt that they're going to be able to handle a 3D title.
  Yeah, we all stick to Pong, since it fits our arthritic wrists and fingers, not to mention our brains that can't seem to comprehend 3D games, much nicer than trying to play GTAIII/VC, Zelda: The Wind Waker, Knights of the Old Republic, Half-Life, etc.
  Damn, my rhumatoid is flaring up, and my brain is frying from typing this.
  Not to mention, I would highly doubt that there's very many people that age playing video games at all.
  Yeah, you know how these fancy controllers and all their buttons make us old farts unable to play on them. Back in my day we only needed a joystick, and no buttons!
  When you grow a brain, do be sure to let us know.
3. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-12 14:51 · Score: 0, Flamebait
  
  Damn, my rhumatoid is flaring up, and my brain is frying from typing this.
  
  Good, maybe it'll keep you from posting smart ass responses here.
  
  Just because you are almost thirty and play video games doesn't make you representative of your demographic. Besides, you are posting on Slashdot, too. If I were to say that most people your age weren't that heavily involved in tech, would give me another snotty response like the one you've given here?
  
  Don't take what I said out of context, as if it was a scientific law applicable to each and every 30 year old.
  
  Well, pending that you're not too busy playing video games or being a prick here, you'll probably want to go out and do what most people in their 30s do... buy a Ferrari and try to pick up chicks 10 years younger than they are. It's called going through your midlife crisis. Make sure that you live it up, it won't be too much longer before your pooper starts going, too.
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
4. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-12 15:09 · Score: 1
  
  Is this the big one, Fred? Christ, you seemed really upset about that, as if you were somehow having a hard time coming to terms with your age.
  
  Not everybody your age was able to make the transition to current games. Most modern games are much more involved nowadays and require precise control. I've seen many people that age have a terrible time trying to control what they were doing within the game.
  
  But, considering that you are a man of genius, perhaps you were just out of touch with people your age.
  
  Well, thanks for giving me the tough talk, you sure did show a "punk" like me the ropes. Now that I know that you're a middle aged man who takes extreme pride in their video game prowess, I have a great deal of respect for you...
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
5. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-12 15:16 · Score: 1
  
  ...and fuck closing your tags!
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
6. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by I+Be+Hatin' · 2004-01-13 01:46 · Score: 1
  
  Christ, you seemed really upset about that, as if you were somehow having a hard time coming to terms with your age.
  Thank you for the deep analysis of my psyche, Dr. Sigmund Fraud.
  Now that I know that you're a middle aged man who takes extreme pride in their video game prowess, I have a great deal of respect for you...
  "Extreme pride"? Where the hell did you dream that up from? All I said was that we could "handle" 3D games, not that I'm a fucking Quake-master.
  And believe me, sonny, not having the respect of an insignificant twirp such as yourself really doesn't keep me up at night.
  
  --
  I know god exists. I read it on the internet, so it must be true.
7. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-13 04:00 · Score: 1
  
  "Extreme pride"? Where the hell did you dream that up from? All I said was that we could "handle" 3D games, not that I'm a fucking Quake-master.
  
  I didn't need to dream it up, you implied it in your parent post:
  Shit, some of us were playing 3D games while you were still crapping in your diapers, punk.
  
  Oh wow. You played 3D games in the 80s. You really wanted to drive the point home by giving me that page about SubRoc-3D.
  
  You were exactly right, some of you played 3D games in the 80s. Some of you, not all. And the number of 30 something Slashdot reading video game players must be huge, right? I could hardly see how you are the prime example of your demographic. Why do you bother acting like you are? And why would you want to at your age? It won't get you laid, it won't make you more popular, and it sure as hell won't give you any respect from anyone regardless what you think of me.
  
  And believe me, sonny, not having the respect of an insignificant twirp such as yourself really doesn't keep me up at night.
  
  Yes, so insignificant that you keep posting here with angry responses. You know, you could've just stated that you disagreed with me in a nice manner rather than getting worked up and adding me as a foe over a comment about video games. Your responses make me think that you really do care, and I thank you for caring.
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
8. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by mahdi13 · 2004-01-13 05:55 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry, this is funny...gotta keep it going :)
  
  And the number of 30 something Slashdot reading video game players must be huge, right?
  It's at least two ;)
  And why would you want to at your age? It won't get you laid, it won't make you more popular, and it sure as hell won't give you any respect from anyone regardless what you think of me.
  What does that mean? Sounds like you are in High School and these are the things that matter the most. News Flash: These things don't mean a thing after college (well, maybe the laid part, but we've already had a good run with that).
  Your original post sounded like it was aimed mainly at those that don't play games after 30...like they grew out of it or something and games are for kids. Does playing games get High School students laid, popular and respect? Never did when I was there, but I had fun!
  
  When I grow old, I want to sit around and play Enemy Territory instead of Bridge =)
  
  --
  "Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
9. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-13 11:05 · Score: 1
  
  Sorry, this is funny...gotta keep it going :)
  
  I'm having fun with it. At least I know that they archive threads after a while, so it can't go on forever. That gives me some relief. Anyways, on to answering.
  
  What does that mean?
  
  It means that playing video games when you're older isn't anything to brag about.
  
  Sounds like you are in High School and these are the things that matter the most.
  
  Nope, I'm out and about to head off to the wonderful world of college.
  
  News Flash: These things don't mean a thing after college (well, maybe the laid part, but we've already had a good run with that).
  
  Actually, they very well could. If you aren't popular, nobody will want to know you enough to give you some! And, if you don't get any respect... nobody will want to give you some! That's a rough life. Being popular and having respect certainly do help in getting laid.
  
  Your original post sounded like it was aimed mainly at those that don't play games after 30...like they grew out of it or something and games are for kids.
  
  Many indeed do, they end up getting a job and having kids so they don't have time for it. But, when I mentioned not being able to handle a 3D title, I meant that the modern games are too hard to handle in terms of manipulation, controlling what you're doing, not as if it was too much for them to absorb. It's funny to watch people that age controlling their left thumbstick with their right hand or having to resort to the directional pad and still have a hard time maneuvering.
  
  Instead, I got a bunch of angry older people who took it the wrong way.
  
  Regardless, I wasn't even trying to imply that getting laid, popularity, and respect were that important. I was just trying to say that bragging won't do anything for you (I Be Hatin'), so shut up about it. For the Slashdot crowd, I could've very well said that it won't get you a raise from your boss or that it won't get you a pat on the back from Stallman or Torvalds.
  
  Maybe getting laid, being respected and popular is too far of a stretch around here. Oh snap! Here we go again... (I don't use smilies, but you can picture one here with a big, shit-eating grin.)
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
10. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-13 11:32 · Score: 0
  
  I'm not 30 yet, but I could tell that I Be Hatin's first reply was intended to be funny. You then flamed him for it, touching off a mini flame war. You'd better lighten up before you get to college, or you'll burn out. Pun wholeheartedly intended.
11. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-13 11:41 · Score: 1
  
  No, actually that's not the way it went. I noticed him on my foe's list before I made my comment, so he actually seemed serious but was just modded as funny.
  
  Had he not made me a foe, I probably wouldn't have replied at all.
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
12. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by illuminata · 2004-01-13 11:45 · Score: 1
  
  Excuse me, I meant to say my freaks list. And, for the grammar whores, there was no need for the apostrophe either. This thread just doesn't die.
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
13. Re:Why Such Old Licenses? by I+Be+Hatin' · 2004-01-13 12:43 · Score: 1
  
  Oh wow. You played 3D games in the 80s. You really wanted to drive the point home by giving me that page about SubRoc-3D.
  That's right... I wanted to make the point that 3D games have been around for a long time, and it's not the "3D" that's difficult. But your original post was very condescending by implying that somehow older people can't grok 3D games, because they grew up playing Space Invaders and that's all they'll ever be able to play. In reality,
  You know, you could've just stated that you disagreed with me in a nice manner rather than getting worked up and adding me as a foe over a comment about video games. Your responses make me think that you really do care, and I thank you for caring.
  Bwahahaha.... worked up? Just blowing off a little steam after a hard day of work. You'll understand when you move out of your parents' house.
  As for why I added you to my foes list, don't read too much into that. I don't take anything seriously with this account. I've only had it for less than three months, and I've already got seven foes... for most of them, I don't even remember why I made them foes. In two months, I probably won't remember why I added you, either (your memory goes in old age, y'know). You haven't made my foes list on my real account yet. When you do, then you can think I care (or at least you can think I think you're a supreme asshat).
  
  --
  I know god exists. I read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Predator != Universal!!! by unclethursday · 2004-01-12 13:25 · Score: 2, Informative

Predator is 20th Century Fox, not Universal. (C) 2001 - 2002 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Aliens versus Predator(TM), Fox Interactive and their respective logos are trademarks of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All other trademarks and copyrights are property of their respective owners.
Nonsense by ReyTFox · 2004-01-12 13:33 · Score: 2, Insightful

The average age of gamers has steadily risen over time. In the computer world, it's pretty much already reached the demographic average of all computer users(and AFAIK has been since at least the mid-90s, when I first started seeing such discussions after getting Net access): i.e. people in their 30s. This isn't hardly as true for console users, but they've been getting closer with time.
Some Proof
These are statistics from 2003, and it's only to be expected that as the game market grows it will take in a demographic closer to that of the whole population.
1. Re:Nonsense by illuminata · 2004-01-12 14:19 · Score: 1
  
  Well, I'm going to try finding the actual ESA study to see how it was conducted and what questions were asked in the study. But, I have a feeling that this might not be too accurate of a study.
  
  Now, let's first assume that when the ESA uses the categories computer games and video games, that video games means console games.
  
  When the ESA did the age divisions, they lumped 18-35 in one category and 35+ in another. I would be very curious to see how the 18-35 category breaks down.
  
  Despite that, here's where I think that the most error could have come from. Notice how the 35+ demographic is much larger in the computer gaming category. Then, in the article that you provided, look both of the top gaming sites statistics. Notice how many are gaming networks like Yahoo!, MSN, AOL? Even sites like Neo Pets and Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Baseball are included. These people could hardly be considered "gamers".
  
  My guess is that the ESA included the type of games offered by some of those sites (chess, checkers, card games, fantasy games, etc) in their study, hence having a larger amount of older people written off as gamers. The other statisticians did it, so it wouldn't surprise me that a group representing the game industry included them either.
  
  --
  
  Until Slashdot fixes the funny modifier, use insightful or interesting. The poster knows your intentions.
2. Re:Nonsense by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-12 14:22 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  Doesn't everyone's age steadily rise over time?
Re:Licenses, Licenses, Licenses by Toxygen · 2004-01-12 14:09 · Score: 0

I'll tell you why there's so few original ideas anymore, it's because the people who are making video games grew up playing video games. What we've got here is a pool of talent that's feeding off itself, in other words, the video game industry (just like hollywood and the music industry) is being inbred to death. That's not to say there isn't some really inspired stuff out there, but there's so much that's just an amalgam of features the developers liked in another game(s) and decided they could mix-and-match them into another great game (or movie, or album)
I still don't get what was so bad... by Pluvius · 2004-01-12 15:10 · Score: 1

...about their first Knight Rider game. I mean, sure, it wasn't the best driving game in the world, but I've played a lot worse. Maybe the fact that I play most of the games that come out for the PC gives me better perspective or something.

Rob
Re:Lator Gator by NanoGator · 2004-01-12 15:15 · Score: 1

Well you're no fun. Use a nick when you want me to reply.

--
"Derp de derp."
Re:Lator Gator by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-12 15:16 · Score: 2, Funny

Seeing as I don't have a Y chromosome

post pics plz
Davilex? *shudder* by Roman_(ajvvs) · 2004-01-12 16:08 · Score: 1

They've brought out some really baaaaaad stuff, that I've had the misfortune of playing (and the fortune of never owning).
Most of their games I've seen look like they've been done by a mediocre programmer using clik n play, with a guy behind him telling him where to click. Nothing they can do to the Miami Vice licence is going to make me crave Tommy Versetti's bike trips any less...

--
click-clack, front and back. I'm not moving this car otherwise.
Re:Licenses, Licenses, Licenses by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-12 21:37 · Score: 0

I'll tell you why there's so few original ideas anymore, it's because the people who are making video games grew up playing video games.

As opposed to the 80s, when far more people grew up playing video games? :)
Confirmation that V has killed CS:CZ? by Farmer+Jimbo · 2004-01-13 01:33 · Score: 1

I suppose this is the official confirmation that Vivendi has decided not to release CS:CZ. Kinda strange to learn that by not seein it on the list. Of course everything about CS:CZ's development has been strange. Maybe they plan on throwing it in free with HL2. I can't beleive they're just writing the whole project off.
Re:Licenses, Licenses, Licenses by Toxygen · 2004-01-13 04:31 · Score: 1

OK, maybe not "grew up", maybe "matured" is a better word. The point is, game developers are game players.