Xbox 360 Launch Titles and Information

1up has some information from a recent release of Xbox 360 launch information. They have available for you the Launch Titles list, an assurance that the EU and JP launches will be this year, an overview of the event, and updates on the titles Ninety-Nine Nights and Frame City Killer. From the launch titles list: "Activision: Call of Duty 2, Tony Hawk American Waste, Quake 4, Gun - Capcom: Resident Evil 5, Dead Rising - Square Enix: FFXI - Microsoft Game Studios: Everyparty (from Game Republic), Ninety Nine Nights, PGR3 - Ubisoft: Ghost Recon 3"

Comments

Question about FFXI for Xbox360

[PhilippeT]

I wounder if they play on new on the same servers as PS2 and PC? and if they are will "new" servers be added to compensate? I dont know much about FFXI, althought I am planning on getting it, but are new servers ever added? So new players can start on a world that doesnt already have players at the top level.

Re:Question about FFXI for Xbox360

[Neon Spiral Injector]

When new servers have been added in the past existing players are offered a migration option to the new server to help fill it up.

New players are joining the game all the time. Sure when the Xbox version debuts there may be a large influx. But I don't imagine it will be any different from when the Euro version of the game went live.

The way the game progresses, higher level players don't hang around the beginning cities all that much.

Re:Question about FFXI for Xbox360

[Fr05t]

I can say with almost 100% certainty Square-Enix will not have dedicated servers for Xbox users. They'll let their automated system for spreading out the new users do it's thing and if certain servers become over loaded they will offer a migration.

This is how they handled it for the US PC launch, US PS2 launch, and EU launch.

Re:Question about FFXI for Xbox360

[Anonymous Coward]

They won't add new empty servers, because if they did, they'd know that all the remaining players would jump over to the new servers in a heartbeat to restart chars on a server where the economy isn't completely shot to hell. (Although in a month or too, the farmers will be back.)

No, instead they might add a new server and offer migrations to it. (It's going to be four years old by the time the XBox 360 comes out, and with no enhancements to graphics, why the hell would you want to buy it for your new console?!)

These server migrations usually consist of the asshole players who totally fucked their reputation over on their original server and are looking for a new group of people to screw over. You should have read some of the threads on the last wave of "new servers" they created - could have made an interesting soap opera. Well, relative to soap operas, it would still have been totally boring.

Don't bother getting it. Seriously. Unless you like farming for money and hunting the same blue crab for hours on end, it's a complete waste of time and money. See if you can convince Blizzard to release WoW on the XBox 360, it's a far superior game. (And Blizzard actually does release new servers without transitioning existing maxed chars onto them, so you could get a chance to start on a fresh server.)

Re:Question about FFXI for Xbox360

[falcon5768]

well there is no reason to not start on a server with top lvl players and infact it could lead to problems as some NMs are higher than the items they drop and thus the items would be impossible for new players to obtain initially.

From what has been said Xbox players will be on the same servers not to much of a issue though i have a feeling they will be load balenced to other servers than the ones with most players.

And if you have friends on other servers its not a issue, just have them make a worldpass for you and give you the ID so you can start in their server.

As for new servers, last 2 where added with the addition of the EU players. There are 32 total so its unlikely they will add more though not unheardof.

What will be interesting is if the xBox version will come with the 3rd expansion (treasure of or if that will come later

Modern?

[Shadow Wrought]

the current timetable still makes the machine's territorial releases far closer than any other modern gaming machine. (emphasis added)

So what does that make the Xbox? Archaic? Medeivel? Ancient, perhaps? WOuldn't next generation, or newest generation be a bit more accurate than "modern?"

Re:Modern?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think "modern" includes the current generation of consoles, at minimum...

Are these actually launch titles?

[defkkon]

From TFA "...confirming what's already in development."

Nowhere does it say that these are launch titles. All it does is list some games that are in development for the console.

Am I missing something, or did the submitter not realize that there is a big difference between a launch title and a title in development for a new system?

I was quite excited to see a list of launch titles for the 360, and was quite disappointed...

Re:Are these actually launch titles?

[incom]

Exactly, there's no way RE:5 will be ready for xbox2 release.

Re:Are these actually launch titles?

[drjenk]

Yes there does not seem to be a breakdown of LAUNCH titles, as the link suggests. Just titles "in development". I'd sure like to have confirmation of quake 4. Damn that short footage I saw looked amazing.

Several of these could also be XboX3 or PS4 games

[DeadBugs]

# dea Factory: untitled
# Eidos: untitled
# Arc System Works: a 'battle melee action' game
# Kids Station, untitled
# Cavia: untitled
# Glef: untitled
# Jaleco: untitled
# Spike: untitled
# Namco: untitled RPG
# Hamster: untitled
# Vivendi: untitled
# Frontier Groove: untitled game
# Marvelous: untitled game

I love these vague press releases. ;-)

I'm sure

[MisterMoney]

that all these games coming out on 360 will be wholesome, family titles with no sexual situations or violence. unlike that evil GTA game.

fta

[Reignking]

1UP contributor Chris Kohler cracked the language code, hurriedly translating the list, which appears below. Remember, though, it's a rough translation and the game titles may not be completely accurate.

Obviously they just tried to dump this out as quickly is possible, because w/ a little work you could figure out the year for FIFA or which version of Winning 11 is coming.

Re:fta

[sho222]

I agree. I'm not sure what is worse, that 1UP.com published such a half-ass article, or that /. picked it up as news. I used to use /. as a filter so I would only read the stuff that matters. Lately the posts have led to a lot of junk articles.

Submitter didn't read article

[Anonymous Coward]

Games in development, not launch titles.

HUGE difference.

Mistitled

[MWoody]

Launch list? With half of them untitled and the system coming out in a few months? Hardly. This is an in-development list. Title of this article needs to be edited.

Re:Several of these could also be XboX3 or PS4 gam

[Alzheimers]

You should just trademark the title "Untitled: the Xbox360 Game" -- you could then sue the pants off them!

What's not on the list

[XxtraLarGe]

Bungie is conspicous by its absence. I thought Halo 3 was going to be one of the XBox 360's launch titles?

Re:What's not on the list

[EddieBurkett]

Bungie is conspicous by its absence. I thought Halo 3 was going to be one of the XBox 360's launch titles?

No no no. Halo 3 is the ace up the sleeve that Microsoft is saving to go head to head with the PS3 launch.

Re:What's not on the list

[Alzheimers]

According to http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3 /news_6119725.html
the rumor is that Halo3 will be released around the same time as the PS3. Seems a likely strategy, if they can get a sequel done that fast.

Re:What's not on the list

[-kertrats-]

I believe they're planning to release Halo 3 concurrently with the release of the PS3.

Re:What's not on the list

[hypnoticstoat]

Oh they'll get it finished in time, even if it means leaving out half of the game and then putting it in Halo 4 two years later.

Please mod article -1 Troll

[Fr05t]

As others have mentioned, this is not a launch list!

Really a first grader would be smart enough to see that from the article.

Geeze

[Harlockjds]

what part of "list of American, Japanese games in development" sounds like "Launch titles".

System Seller?

[warmgun]

Anyone see a must-have title that will sell systems? Because I don't.

Re:System Seller?

[Reignking]

It was supposed to be EA's game based on The Godfather, but that's not coming out until Q1 2006 now...

Re:System Seller?

[Anonymous Coward]

Not for the 360 it isn't...

The 360 version has been dumped.

Re:System Seller?

[Anonymous Coward]

This is insightful? Kind of subjective isn't it?

Different strokes for different folks. Personally I'm looking forward to Test Drive Unlimited and Full Auto.

Others will be looking forward to Halo 3 or whatever. What exactly is a "must have" game? Is one person going to decide that for the rest of us?

Re:System Seller?

[warmgun]

Actually, it can be fairly objective. There can be no doubt that a Grand Theft Auto, a Halo, or a Zelda will sell systems. The seething masses who will define the success of a console with their purchasing power can be easily swayed by a large title with major brand recognition. I think its fairly objective (in the sense that most people will agree) to glance at a list of software and say this title is going to sell a system. What you personally want to buy is irrelevent because niche title does not a successful system make.

Re:System Seller?

[Reignking]

This gamespot article has the details. PC version in Q1 2006, everything else coming later:

EA also said "a next-generation console version" of The Godfather "will appear later," meaning after March 31, 2006. So far, only an Xbox 360 version of the game has been announced.

Re:System Seller?

[SilentChris]

Considering most of this "article" includes a bunch of untitled games, I consider your post flamebait.

Re:System Seller?

[Anonymous Coward]

So put your pre-order in if it makes you feel better.

Won't make a non-existant version reality though.

Sorry.

Re:System Seller?

[Khuffie]

There can be no doubt that a Grand Theft Auto, a Halo, or a Zelda will sell systems. The seething masses who will define the success of a console

You say that like buying a good game is somehow a sin.

Re:System Seller?

[lxs]

I've heard that Untitled by Eidos will be the best game ever, but that they may have to change the name if Untitled by Cavia hits the shelves first.

Re:System Seller?

[warmgun]

A successful game is not necessarily a good game, and vice versa. Anyway, I didn't mean seething to have any negative connotation. Just to emphasize the action of the collective masses that a single, well publicized, hotly anticipated launch title brings about.

Re:System Seller?

[Anonymous Coward]

Do you have some inside information that we know nothing about? Or can't you read the article? Or are you hoping to waste someone's modpoints on flamebait?

Re:System Seller?

[timftbf]

Exactly. I personally have no interest in GTA (the theme is a *total* turn-off) or Halo (hate FPS), but I'm willing to accept the prevailing view that they're good examples of their types, and more importantly that they'll sell by the bucketload.

Zelda I'll always look forward to :)

Microsoft's launch "window"

[ZakuSage]

Doesn't Microsoft consider the launch titles to be any title released within a few months of release? If that's the case, it looks like a pretty bare launch.

I am disappointed with this list...

[tepp]

This isn't an official launch list, and there are a lot of unknowns in this list, but if this is true, I am very disappointed.

I'm a female gamer, and there isn't anything on here I want to play...

Most of these games are sports titles. I include racing games in the sports genre. I'm not interested in these. Most women aren't.

There's FFXI. Now, I have played MMRPG's in the past - Ultima Online, Evercrack, Evercrack 2, and WoW. I've seen/read about FFXI, and decided that I'm not interested, because it has the same problems that plague Evercrack and Evercrack2 - the amount of money needed to buy very rare items that are farmed to death and sold on ebay. That's the same problem that drove me away from the other games... it wasn't about having fun in the game, it was about spending RL cash to get necessary gear. If I was interested in FFXI, I would've joined awhile back. I don't think there will be a mass influx of players racing to play FFXI on the xbox for that reason.

Then we get into a bunch of boring shooters. There's an FFA shooter - Quake... ho hum. There's some mission based shooters like Call of Duty and Ghost Recon 3. Rah rah, go army. Not interested.

What's missing from this list, at least to my knowledge, are some good platform based games. Like Conker or Whiplash! or Prince of Persia or Katamari Damacy. Or some medieval based strategy games like Pharoah. Or some traditional fantasy dungeon games like the Gauntlet Series or Baulder's Gate. Or even some really good fantasy fighter games like the well-done LOTR games. Or how about some strategy/story telling single player games, such as the Knights of the Old Republic or Deus Ex or Thief III?

There's just nothing here that makes me go "I must buy this platform! I must own this game!"

Heck, even Halo 3 is missing from the lineup... not that I liked Halo 2. I loved Halo 1, but found Halo 2 to be wayyy too boring in the indoor levels and difficult to see your enemies... I found myself straining too hard to make out shapes in the alien levels and to find the unmarked door in a maze of unmarked walls, and gave up.

Just one big gamer girl's 2 cents...

Oh, and for the love of god, please, give us an DDR Ultramix or Beatmania for the Xbox 360... I can't believe they pushed Ultramix 3 onto the old XBOX and didn't put it on the 360. Considering the number of sales that Ultramix 2 had, and the growing Xbox-based DDR fan-set, you would think they would try to court them on to the new platform....

Re:I am disappointed with this list...

[badasscat]

I'm a female gamer, and there isn't anything on here I want to play...

Well, I think it's probably good to note that this is a translated list that appears to show the Japanese game lineup. I mean, "Take the A Train X" is definitely not going to be released anywhere else. (On the other hand, all of the American games listed here probably will be released in Japan.)

What's missing from this list, at least to my knowledge, are some good platform based games.

Well there are a lot of "untitled" games, and some new titles that we don't know much about (or at least I don't - anybody heard of "Chrome Hounds" before? That kinda sounds mistranslated to me...). It seems like the only titles on this list that anybody can react to are the ones that are known quantities because they are sequels, which almost by nature are not going to be that exciting.

But I agree, it's a pretty weak list, especially if this is the Japanese lineup. It definitely doesn't do anything to change any previous statements I've made about the Xbox 360 having virtually no chance there, same as the original Xbox.

And as for games like Katamari Damacy, see the problem with games like that is they actually require a bit of creativity, which is not something a lot of people in the game industry seem to have anymore. Especially not when you can take a derivative shooter like Halo and make $200 million from it. The way the industry works these days is somebody makes a lot of money from a game and for the next five years everybody simply tries to replicate that. Sad but true. Games like KD are the exception these days, not the norm.

I do expect the same will be true of the PS3's lineup, at least initially, and the jury's still out on the Revolution because I have not seen a single announced game on that platform yet (maybe I've just been living under a rock). No doubt it'll have all of Nintendo's own franchises, though most of them are little more than dinosaurs these days themselves.

I'll still buy all three systems, but I do hope to see some better games than this list at some point.

I am looking forward to seeing what Treasure's got planned, at least.

Oh, and for the love of god, please, give us an DDR Ultramix or Beatmania for the Xbox 360...

I have no doubt you will be seeing more DDR games on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. DDR's not dead yet.

Re:I am disappointed with this list...

[oGMo]

There's FFXI. Now, I have played MMRPG's in the past - Ultima Online, Evercrack, Evercrack 2, and WoW. I've seen/read about FFXI, and decided that I'm not interested, because it has the same problems that plague Evercrack and Evercrack2 - the amount of money needed to buy very rare items that are farmed to death and sold on ebay. That's the same problem that drove me away from the other games... it wasn't about having fun in the game, it was about spending RL cash to get necessary gear.

If this is the only reason that keeps you from playing FFXI, don't let it. Yes, some items can be expensive, including a few very-early on ones. No, you don't need them: only the obsessives who spend more time posting on boards about how much your gear sucks than actually playing think this. In fact, some things (Astral Rings are a good example) that you would think are highly desirable turn out to be not nearly as useful as much cheaper solutions. Cooking, for instance, is almost universally useful, can boost your stats significantly, and is much cheaper and usable at any level. And you can make some money from it.

I have not, nor has anyone I play with, paid for items or money. Square has even fixed a wide number of rare drops to make them useless to farmers in the last patch.

But money and items aren't what makes the game fun or interesting. You can go out there and camp the items, too. Do quests or craft to get the gear you need. Have the more experienced players help out the newer ones. Finding a group of friends to play with is what makes this game golden.

If I was interested in FFXI, I would've joined awhile back. I don't think there will be a mass influx of players racing to play FFXI on the xbox for that reason.

I doubt there will be an influx too. I would like to see a PS3 port (as I have little reason to get a 360), but you'd be better off playing the PC version if all you want is better graphics. I play the PS2 version, and I don't even notice anymore. Scenery still looks beautiful.

There's just nothing here that makes me go "I must buy this platform! I must own this game!"

Precisely.

Re:I am disappointed with this list...

[cornface]

Chrome Hounds is a mech game by From Software and published by Sega.

http://www.xboxyde.com/game_822_en.html

Looks kind of cool from the limited bit of info available.

Re:I am disappointed with this list...

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes, don't let that stop you from playing one of the worst MMORPGs in recent years, how about the lousy graphics. Or the forced grouping. Or the screwed up con system. Or the lack of quests with useful rewards. Or the lack of travel options. Or the silly "mission" system. Or the lack of zone and monster variety. Or the messed up economy due to a massive number of Real Money Traders. Or the overly-draconian death penalty. Or the job system that forces you to level two classes instead of just one. (Hope you enjoy the newbie zones!)

If this is the only reason that keeps you from playing FFXI, don't let it. Yes, some items can be expensive, including a few very-early on ones. No, you don't need them

Yeah, you don't need those items - unless you intend to group with other people, ever, so you can possibly hope to level up. Since you can't gain XP outside of a group, and can't hope the camp the NMs that drop the items you need when you need them, you'll be spending a lot of time in the newbie zones, farming for cash.

Then, when you're done farming for cash, you can move on to killing the same blue crab, over and over and over again, to level up.

How exciting.

It's called "Final Farming XI" for a reason.

Resident Evil 5 - really?

[metalmario]

Resident Evil 4 got out earlier this year (at least here in Europe). So they already have a sequel coming out later this year? On a brand new system? Wow. They sure thing make those games fast these days. Or is XBox 360 _that_ easy to develop for?

Re:Resident Evil 5 - really?

[VictimOfScience]

I just read on some videogame site that this is still 2-3 years from release, so while it may be relatively easy to develop for, it still takes a while to understand the new technology so that you can put together a game that looks this good. I have also read that the 360 isn't as easy to develop for as MS would have us think, though. VERY clean code is required of the developers in order to make these games look and run the way MS would have you believe they all will...we'll see what happens with most of them ;-)

Re:Resident Evil 5 - really?

[koi88]

Resident Evil 4 got out earlier this year (at least here in Europe). So they already have a sequel coming out later this year?

So far, RE 4 has come out only on Gamecube. XBox and PS/2 versions are due end of this year.
So I doubt the sequel comes out at the same time on XBox 360...

Full Press Release

[assassinator42]

Taken from: http://www.majornelson.com/2005/07/25/tokyo-xbox-s ummit/
Top Japanese Publishers Announce Commitment to Xbox 360
Blockbuster franchises such as "Resident Evil" and "Ridge Racer" are coming to Xbox 360.

TOKYO -- July 25, 2005 -- Today at the Xbox® Summit 2005 in Tokyo, more than 50 of Japan's elite game publishers pledged their support for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system, underscoring the momentum Microsoft Corp. is amassing behind the next-generation console. The games announced today, to a standing-room-only audience, span a full range of genres and include titles previously exclusive to other video game systems. These next-generation games, including major titles such as "Resident Evil" and "Ridge Racer," showcase the incredible experiences enabled through Xbox 360, presenting entertainment experiences that are always connected, always personalized and always optimized for high-definition television, while also spectacular on standard-definition televisions. By leveraging the system's revolutionary combination of hardware, software and services, these developers have brought their globally popular brand of gaming artistry to the next generation.
Japanese publishers that announced their support today for Xbox 360 include Capcom Co. Ltd., Konami Corp., Namco Ltd. and Tecmo Ltd., among others.
"Japan is one of the most important video game markets in the world and is a key pillar of our global strategy for Xbox 360," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for Xbox at Microsoft. "Our deep commitment to the Japanese market is evident in the exciting and unprecedented alliances we've forged with Japan's most talented and beloved game developers. Their new Xbox 360 titles will show the Japanese community and beyond that we are committed to defining the next generation of interactive entertainment."
Xbox 360 Game Titles Shown at Xbox Summit 2005

Activision
• "Call of Duty 2"
• "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland"
• "Quake IV"
• "Gun"
A R C System Works Co. Ltd.
• "Versus Tactical Action" (working title)
Artdink Corp.
• "A-Train X"
Atari Japan Co. Ltd.
• "Test Drive Unlimited"
Bandai Co. Ltd.
• "Mobile Suit Gundam" (working title)
Banpresto Co. Ltd.
• "Super Robot Wars" (working title)
Capcom
• "Biohazard 5 (Resident Evil 5)"
• "Dead Rising"
Cavia Inc.
• Title TBA
D3 Publisher Inc.
• "E-D-FX" (working title)
• "Chambara Beauty X" (working title)
Eidos KK
• Title TBA
Electronic Arts K. K.
• "FIFA Soccer 2006"
• "NBA Live 2006"
• "Need for Speed Most Wanted"
FromSoftware Inc.
• eNCHANT arM
Frontier Groove Inc.
• Title TBA
G.Rev Ltd.
• Title TBA
Genki Co. Ltd.
• "Shutokou Battle" (working title)
Hamster Corp.
• Title TBA
Hudson Soft Co. Ltd.
• "Far East of Eden Ziria - Tales from Distant Jipang"
Idea Factory
• Title TBA
Jaleco Ltd.
• Title TBA
Kids Station Inc.
• Title TBA
KOEI Co. Ltd.
• "Dynasty Warriors 5"
Konami
• "Winning Eleven" (working title)
• "Rumble Roses XX" (working title)
• "Proyakyu Spirits" (working title)
Marvelous Interactive Inc.
• Title TBA
Microsoft Co. Ltd.
• "NINETY-NINE NIGHTS"
• "Every Party"
• "Project Gotham Racing® 3"
Namco
• "Frame City Killer"
• "Ridge Racer 6"
• RPG Title TBA
• "Love Football" (working title)
SEGA Corp.
• "Chromehounds" (working title)
SNK Playmore Corp.
• "King of Fighters Maximum Impact 2" (working title)
Spike Co. Ltd.
• Title T

Re:Full Press Release

[Anonymous Coward]

Namco
RPG Title TBA

Wait wait wait...NAMCO is making an rpg for xbox360? That should be interesting.

xbox gets a new Super robot wars game and a gundam game. Bastards, how dare you prey on my love of giant robots.

Re:Guile vs Cage

[cornface]

Winner Guile

Loser you.

MS starting to bend my will

[rAiNsT0rm]

I have been dead set against the 360 and PS3 due to what I perceive to be big flaws. These consoles are set to drive development costs through the roof and time to market similarly which will translate into more expensive games, less games over the system life, and only games from major developers that are "sure things" like sports, FPS, and big-name franchises/sequels galore. All the things I hate about modern videogaming. Of all the next gen systems the Revolution is the only one to garner my approval, and the 360 was beyond dead last in my eyes... however they are starting to change that all and I hate to say it.

I see the 360 as a much more viable system than the PS3 as far as development tools, online support, system design/hardware, and the juggernaut of MS behind it. PS3 has: Unreal 3 engine... and that's about it so far.

My money will go to the Revolution first and then more likely than not a 360 after the first price drop and a clear vision of titles is available. God that hurts to say (especially after covering PS2 titles for over 4 years in the media) I don't think even Sony's biggest fanboi's can keep the flame burning for much longer as it looks like MS is pulling far ahead in this battle.

Re:MS starting to bend my will

[Anonymous Coward]

"My money will go to the Revolution first"

Well of course, with those specs (unannounced) and that launch lineup (unrevealed) and all that third party support (unlikely) it's a no-Brainer. Revolution all the way!

Re:MS starting to bend my will

[rAiNsT0rm]

And with the GC backwards compatibility, NES/SNES/N64 lineup available, and small sleek design, and Nintendo First-Party support, and the promised lower development costs and possibly open SDK... gee I wonder how I arrived at that. The first two alone are worth it to me since I do not own a GC and if Nintendo can manage three or four stellar first-party games I'm doin pretty good by my book.

C'mon - System seller is Christmas.

[Sysgen]

The 360 system seller is not a game. It's called Christmas. Seriously, your're going to be hard pressed to find one this holiday season, at least in the US. It will be the hottest electronics this holiday season and it also has some very anticipated games, continuing franchises and new IPs. All in all a great combination. The 360 does not need Halo like the Xbox did.

Re:C'mon - System seller is Christmas.

[mink]

They better not be using 127.0.0.1