Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

EA Cranks Up Villainy For GoldenEye 'Sequel'

Posted by simoniker on from the cheeky-monkeys dept.

Thanks to Yahoo for reprinting an Electronic Arts press release officially announcing the first-person shooter GoldenEye: Rogue Agent for PS2/Xbox/GameCube, a title "being developed by EA's Los Angeles studio" (and clearly hoping to trade off the immense popularity or Rare's original GoldenEye FPS for Nintendo 64), with the new game featuring a plot that allegedly "breaks all the rules by transporting players to the dark side of the Bond universe to experience life as a high-rolling, cold-hearted villain." With screenshots not yet forthcoming, Eurogamer drills a little deeper into the previously rumored game's name, explaining: "The idea apparently is that Goldfinger is locked in a war with Dr. No for control of a massive criminal organisation... so then, you might be wondering, why is it called GoldenEye? Because, it says here, your nameless henchman lost an eye in an encounter with Dr. No, and Goldfinger's technicians replaced it with... a... golden... eye... Nice one, EA." Update: 05/05 23:38 GMT by S : GameSpot has a few more details on the title, which they note "revolves around run-and-gun action."

50 comments

  1. Looks like the others. by hal2814 · · Score: 1

    This looks like the other Bond sequels that failed to live up to the original. Hopefully, I will be wrong.

    1. Re:Looks like the others. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The only sequal that lived up to Goldeneye was Perfect Dark. The story wasn't great (and not even related to 007), but the gameplay was just as good, if not better, than the original Goldeneye.

    2. Re:Looks like the others. by hal2814 · · Score: 4, Informative

      And who can forget that Tom Baker (that's Doctor Who to you and me) was one of the game's voices in Perfect Dark.

    3. Re:Looks like the others. by NonSequor · · Score: 1

      I didn't know that. I may have to look for it just for that. I remember not too long ago seeing a store with several boxes of Perfect Dark.

      --
      My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
    4. Re:Looks like the others. by SamSim · · Score: 1

      Um, what's your source on that? I don't recall any decently-acted voices in the game, I thought they were all acted by Rare staff members.

      --
      qntm.org
    5. Re:Looks like the others. by hal2814 · · Score: 2, Informative

      This isn't where I found out about it, but Tom Baker's official website mentions it.

      www.tombaker.tv

      It seems like I found out at gallifreyone but I could be mistaken. Oh, and I never said the voice was decently acted.

    6. Re:Looks like the others. by SamSim · · Score: 1

      It looks like he did a voice-over for the UK TV ad for PD. I can't remember a voice that sounded like his, but it's more plausible. See here. Could of course be a different Tom Baker, heaven knows there's more than one of them.

      --
      qntm.org
  2. Drilling deeper, my ass by roll_w.it · · Score: 1
    urogamer drills a little deeper into the previously rumored game's name


    WTF - it says the same thing in yahoo's copy of the official release.
  3. Just when I thought EA couldn't get any worse.... by GaimeGuy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They pull a stunt like this. What a stupid, cheap way to make money. -_-

  4. "Drilling deeper" / "my ass" jokes in by Embedded+Geek · · Score: 1

    3... 2... 1...

    --

    "Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."

    1. Re:"Drilling deeper" / "my ass" jokes in by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, wondering what's taking so long

  5. GoldenEye sequel. by TomSawyer · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I thought GoldenEye was a seminal piece of work. Until I played GoldenEye I hadn't encountered a FPS that didn't require that I just run around and shoot under an artificial precept like a timer. I particularly liked that if I didn't perform my missions correctly I would fail.

    When I not so long ago wanted to play a sequel to GoldenEye, I purchased Rare's PerfectDark at EB's used bin for $10-$15

    --
    If you disagree then it must be overrated, redundant or trolling.
    1. Re:GoldenEye sequel. by linzeal · · Score: 1

      Not exactly bargain bin but one of the most sophisticated FPS I have ever played is Hitman Contracts(disclaimer: I have not played others in the series).

      --
      An Education is the Font of All Liberty
    2. Re:GoldenEye sequel. by Repton · · Score: 1

      Give the Thief games a go!

      You should be able to pick up Thief 2 in one of the bargain labels cheaply. It has its flaws, but it's well worth what you'd pay for it today.

      Some of the missions --- steal a certain amount of stuff _without_ killing anyone; sneak through the streets to your home; follow someone through the streets without being seen.

      The game lets you adjust the difficulty on a mission-by-mission basis; the higher difficulty levels are usually characterised by requirements that you steal more and kill / KO _less_.

      And it's got a plot too! (although the plot is on rails)

      --
      Repton.
      They say that only an experienced wizard can do the tengu shuffle.
    3. Re:GoldenEye sequel. by rowanxmas · · Score: 1

      The most important thing is that they make the controls like Halo. With seperate joysticks for x-y axis and looking, you have so much more control, and that is why it is such a good game. Its toobad the PS2 controllers suck so hard, since you couldn't have the same kind of control.

  6. Ladies and gentlemen.... by Eluding+Reality · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I present to you the lamest marketing ploy ever!

    As much as I would like a new Bond game of the quality of goldeneye, I sincerely hope that this is a huge failure - simply because of the marketeers or execs at EA that think they can pull stunts like this. It would have been bad enough to make a sequel to Goldeneye since the first game covered the entire span of the film, but to use the name Goldeneye in a Bond game and to justify it by making up such a lame story is unbelievable.

    1. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by irix · · Score: 1

      This is just the game indstry using the same marketing scum tactics that work in other industries: if you have a brand name then capitalize on it.

      For example, the GM "Hummer H2" or the Dodge truck "Hemi" engines have little if anything to do with what they are named after. It is just the manufacturer trying to cash in on brand populatrity.

      Not that I don't agree with you: I loved the N64 Goldeneye and I hope whomever thought of this marketing tactic at EA rots in hell.

      --

      Do you even know anything about perl? -- AC Replying to Tom Christiansen post.
    2. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by damien_kane · · Score: 1

      Actually the H2 is just a hummer made street legal, in that respect the '2nd Hummer', or 'H2'. Definitely a sequel to the original, and, as with most sequels, inferior.

      "Hemi" engines are called such as they have hemispherical combustion chambers, i.e. the top of the cylinder is a hemisphere instead of a wedged plane.
      This allows for better placement of the spark plugs, thereby increasing combustion efficiency. It's widespread use today has nothing to do with sequels, and more to do with Americans wanting more power in their trucks and SUVs.
      It was originally designed for racing. It has been available in street cars since late 1964, and was used widely in racing predating that.
      More Info on the Hemi

    3. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by PhotoBoy · · Score: 1

      This has to be one of the lamest attempts to cash in on the Bond franchise yet. EA have been trying to recapture GoldenEye's greatness for years now and they still haven't managed it.

      All I can say is, thank goodness for Project 64 (http://pj64.emulation64.com/iedefault.htm)!

    4. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by irix · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually the H2 is just a hummer made street legal

      Absolutely incorrect. The AM General "H1" (a.k.a the original Hummer) already came in a street legal version. GM bought the rights to the "Hummer" name and then proceeded to take a Chevy Tahoe and put square body panels and fake plastic lift hooks on it and call that an "H2". The "Hummer H2" has absolutely nothing to do with the military HWWMV (Hummer) or the street legal version thereof. It is just GM selling an overproced SUV and cashing in on the name.

      "Hemi" engines are called such as they have hemispherical combustion chamber...

      I'm well aware. But look at Dodge's marketing - the ads with the truck towing the old Hemi 'Cuda and the guy asking "does that thing have a Hemi?". The way they are marketing the engine has nothing to do with cylinder profiles and everything to do with cashing in on brand recognition from a '60s muscle car.

      --

      Do you even know anything about perl? -- AC Replying to Tom Christiansen post.
    5. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by Gothic_Walrus · · Score: 1
      ...but to use the name Goldeneye in a Bond game and to justify it by making up such a lame story is unbelievable.

      Can you really say that the story is "lame" at this point in time? From what I've learned, games can change quite a bit before they're released. It's possible that the actual storyline will be very different when the game comes out. Beyond that...they could have a lot of fun with this premise...especially if we can kill Bond. :)

      And what happens if the game is as good as Goldeneye is (or was, depending)? Won't we all benefit from it? :)

      In any case, does the storyline really matter? When people think GoldenEye, most people think of the amazing multiplayer. If this game can manage to recreate the fun of the N64 game's multiplayer, it will be a hit. Undoubtedly.

      And lest we forget, you can succeed without a gripping story...Serious Sam, anyone? :)

      Give it a chance...you might like what you see. If not, then no harm's been done to you.

      --
      Goo goo g'joob.
    6. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by Eluding+Reality · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I can definetely see the potential for a good game - it is a whole new spin on Bond since you get to play the role of the bad guy.

      But since they were going to all the trouble of coming up with a whole new storyline and a brand new main character, they had absolutely no reason to call him Goldeneye, other than to cash in on the success of the original Goldeneye game. They could have given this character any other name and succesfully expanded the Bond universe, but by using the name Goldeneye they will only confuse people as to what Goldeneye is, is it a satellite or a person?
      I was slightly annoyed earlier when I posted because its things like this that really give marketers and such a bad name and I would like it if it was a good game, but I just wish they didn't have to go down this road of tricking the public - the game should be good enough to stand by itself and create its own reputation without having to trick people into buying it

    7. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by chrismcdirty · · Score: 1

      True... you can exist without a gripping story. But you mention Serious Sam. Goldeneye (the original) and Serious Sam have very different play styles, and (I'd imagine) very different audiences. Not only was Goldeneye great for multiplayer, but it was slow-paced and had a great storymode that wasn't just about killing.

      --
      It's like sex, except I'm having it!
    8. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by BRSloth · · Score: 1

      This has to be one of the lamest attempts to cash in on the Bond franchise yet.

      I bet you didn't saw "Die Another Day"...

    9. Re:Ladies and gentlemen.... by turpie · · Score: 1

      It's the explanation of why they're calling it Goldeneye that is lame.

      The new games story may be great, but the use of the Goldeneye name will still be lame if it has nothing to do with the original Goldeneye.

  7. Another game they can market with 'Goldeneye' by eamonman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Imagine, playing a game where you are playing a soccer-like game in an enclosed room, say your den.
    Say the walls behind you and your opponent are the goals.
    Also say you and your opponent are pirates who happen to say 'aye' every time you hit the ball.

    gol - den - 'aye'

    aka Pong

    (except that some programmer will have to spend a few mintes replacing the 'bip' sound with a semi annoying 'aye' sound.)

    --
    0- Eamonman Proud member of DNRC
    1. Re:Another game they can market with 'Goldeneye' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Dear Lord. :)

    2. Re:Another game they can market with 'Goldeneye' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can see why your mother keeps you in the basement.

    3. Re:Another game they can market with 'Goldeneye' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pirates say "arrr", not "aye" or "argh". ARRRR!

  8. Creative... by guard952 · · Score: 2, Funny

    It this supposed to be a followup article showing how game programmers have so much stress and poor games are being produced (/ marketed)?

  9. Finally! by bigbigbison · · Score: 1

    Finally, we have a sequal to Contract Jack!

    --
    http://www.popularculturegaming.com -- my blog about the culture of videogame players
  10. Alternate endings? by MMaestro · · Score: 1
    Well if you start off with a 'golden eye' (...) if I beat the game with say 100 chest shots, will I unlock a 'golden armor' cheat? I can see it now, 100 head shots would unlock the 'golden sniper rifle', 100 grenade kills would unlock the 'golden grenade' and 100 knife kills would unlock the 'golden knife'...

    Ok on second thought, maybe not such a good idea.

    1. Re:Alternate endings? by Bloomy · · Score: 1

      Besides, you can get the golden knife by defeating the Grim Reaper in the basement of Brahm's Mansion.

    2. Re:Alternate endings? by ffsnjb · · Score: 1

      Best Castlevania (2, Simon's Quest?) Post Ever? :)
      W26K
      R5KN SIBK
      Darn, can't remember the rest of the ultimate cheatcode for the best game ever.

      --
      "Why do you consent to live in ignorance and fear?" - Bad Religion
  11. Ok so lemmie get this straight by evil-osm · · Score: 2, Funny

    Golden eye is a character who lost his eye to an unfortunate smelting accident, and he works for me now? "your nameless henchman lost an eye" and Goldfinger's techies replaced it with a gold eye, because that Goldfinger jumps at any opportunity to replace body parts with expensive prosthetics (he's got a vice, ok?). Now, Goldfinger is locked in a war with Dr. No for control of a criminal organization? So that means that Bond has to set us up the bomb before the henhmen reaches 12:00?

    (sniff)...(sniff)... I just wanna play the game mommy.

    --


    E.

    Never rub another man's rhubarb - The Joker
    1. Re:Ok so lemmie get this straight by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 1

      Any chance the henchman's name is actually Enzo Matrix?

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  12. how shameless by ssand · · Score: 1

    I really enjoyed Goldeneye, and Perfect Dark. What made these better than the other bond game that came out for the N64 was that Rare did them, and not EA. I found EA didn't do as great of a job on them. For them to take the term Goldeneye, which everyone who played it knew it was from the movie, and create a stupid plot around it is really stupid.

    Being able to play a villain could be interesting, especially if they have both a hero and villain story line for the game.

  13. So if he only has one eye... by AllenChristopher · · Score: 0

    Does that mean that the game will manually disable any stereo LCD glasses or stereo displays you may have?

  14. You do realize by metalhed77 · · Score: 1

    That this only annoys only an extreme minority. I'd say its mission accomplished for the marketing team.

    It isn't tricking anyone, although it is stupid. I really don't see how linking the names is a 'trick' myself.

    --
    Photos.
  15. I would like this game if you killed good guys by RotJ · · Score: 4, Funny
    It sucks that all you're going to be doing is fighting Dr. No's henchmen. So the gameplay will be the same as any old Bond game. If this game would do something creative, like let you KILL BOND or at least release a deadly virus to kill millions of innocents, I'd be more interested in it. But EA's probably not ballsy enough to take on the other side of morality like the GTA series did. Let me guess, towards the end of the game, you'll defeat Dr. No but afterwards, Goldfinger betrays you and orders you killed. You end up fighting the same people who you worked for, defeat them, end up seeing the truth about the nature of evil, and go home to rethink your life.

    Elan Sleazebaggano: You wanna buy some death sticks?
    Obi-Wan: You don't want to sell me death sticks.
    Elan Sleazebaggano: I don't want to sell you death sticks.
    Obi-Wan: You want to go home and rethink your life.
    Elan Sleazebaggano: I want to go home and rethink my life.

    The 007 game I'd like to play is one where you're Jaws and you go around biting things, and maybe lifting and throwing other things. Make that game EA, and I'll buy it.

    1. Re:I would like this game if you killed good guys by Wheaty18 · · Score: 1


      Scorpio you're totally mad!
      </SeanConnery>

  16. Literary 007 by Goldfinger7400 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Does anybody own the rights to the literary James Bond series? EA may have bought the rights to make sucky games based on such an awesome movie franchise, but could someone (better) license the books and make (better) James Bond games based on them, just like Sierra is making (unfortunately suckier) games based on the literary Lord of the Rings?

    I would love to see Ian Fleming's James Bond appear in games, rather than Brosnan. You could even cast a digital Sean Connery, since I don't think EA owns him.

    1. Re:Literary 007 by SamSim · · Score: 1

      Fleming's Bond did a whole lot less shooting than Brosnan, plenty of intrigue and spy stuff and sex, but not much in the way of firefights, which, while not making up the whole game, should at least be the main emphasis of a first-person shooter. Still, a baccarat sub-game could be nice.

      I don't know who owns the rights to the books, but almost of all of them have been adapted into movies by United Artists, who may still own those rights. However, a remake of Casino Royale - the only Bond novel not to be turned into a (serious) movie - is planned, so I could be wrong.

      --
      qntm.org
    2. Re:Literary 007 by e2mtt · · Score: 1

      Yeah! Connery's Bond ruled. I imagine a Hitman type game, starring a Connery 007, set in the 60s, mixing action, stealth, and character interaction= complete with vintage car chases, underwater levels, and everything. I want to preorder right now.

    3. Re:Literary 007 by Goldfinger7400 · · Score: 1
      According to this

      http://geocities.com/simonbermuda/page2.html

      Orsen Welles almost finished making a movie out of Moonraker in the fifties. The movie looked like it would have been great had it been completed. It'd be a long shot but I think some game company might be able to license that film out from under UA. Not only would it be an opportunity for more Bond but it would show fans a new story that had been massacred by United Artists.

      And a Bond game doesn't necessarily have to be a shooter. It was a bit of a surprise that Rare decided to take that route in the first place, and EA seems to have just decided to make Bond themed shooters without having any real Bond essence left in them, like the referenced article says Bond is about style, style, style not stunts, stunts stunts. With a focus on style a great Bond game could be made in the form of a LucasArts style adventure game, or some sort of mesh between Splinter Cell and Deus Ex. Heck, I should just write a text adventure based on Bond, and EA wouldn't care, but gamers might.

  17. I've got some bad news for you then... by Rayonic · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If you really want this new EA Bond/Goldeneye game to be lousy, I've got some bad news for you:

    EA's Bond games have been progressively getting better. (The latter being declared as the best Bond game to date, by some.)

    --
    [PowerPoint] is a tool for capitalist presentation
  18. Are you mentally challenged? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's one of the most retarded posts I've seen on /. in a long while.

    Get a brain! Morans

  19. Re:Just when I thought EA couldn't get any worse.. by SamSim · · Score: 1

    If Rogue Agent gets good reviews, and turns out to be worthy of the name - which I doubt - then I will buy this game. However, right now my plan is to go into Game, pick up the game, um and ahh for a bit, and then leave, possibly buying another copy of the original GoldenEye just to spite EA.

    --
    qntm.org
  20. Re:Just when I thought EA couldn't get any worse.. by Goldfinger7400 · · Score: 1
    This is actually starting to look better the more I research the game. I found this article:

    http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/articles/gaming_ge2_ talent.php3

    that seemed particularly intriguing, as much as I despise EA I think they might try a bit with something like this that attracts so much attention. It is good to see EA involving outside developers for once, much in the way Wideload Games is basing its business model.