E3 2009: Ubisoft press conference (Red Steel 2, RUSE, Assassin’s Creed 2, Avatar, and more)

Jun 4, 2009 at 6:59 PM
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Ladies and gentlemen, its time for Ubisoft to approach the stage and present their finest trinkets and wares with which to dazzle and amaze……or just see a lot of stuff about Petz: it’s your call.

• UPlay

While not an actual game, it is a web-based community service (along the likes of Steam, but not by much), allowing users to purchase Ubisoft products, discuss strategies for various games, as well as interact through an Ubi-branded menu system. It will support Splinter Cell: Conviction, as well as future products coming out down the line.

Release Date: Unknown

• James Cameron’s Avatar

A joint collaboration between Ubisoft and James Cameron; while the game is tied into the movie, they only share the setting and not the same plot; which could mean more exploration within the world of Avatar. While the movie has apparently been over a decade in the making, development on the game started a little over two years ago, with the hopes that in can avoid the problem most movie tie-ins usually fall victim to.

Movie Release Date: December 18

Game Release Date: most likely late November or early December, around the time of the movie release.

• Assassin’s Creed 2

Easily one of the big games for Ubisoft this year, it takes place right after the first Assassin’s Creed left, but not with the same character; set once again during the Italian Renaissance, expect some of the same moves from the first game, with a few new ones, as well as new weapons that include concealed handguns and twin daggers.

Release Date: November 17, 2009

• Red Steel 2

Already seen during the Nintendo showing earlier, except this time they are actually giving a demo of the game; I’ve already said what I needed to say about Red Steel 2, but just to reiterate the fact: If it looks and play this good when it comes out, it will sell like gangbusters.

Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction

The demo that was shown here was basically the same demo during Microsoft’s presser, but it still looks fantastic; multiple ways to approach missions, while important info that is achieved throughout the game is presented within the environment in real-time, making it appear somewhat more like a movie than a game(this is seen during an interrogation event); objectives are also displayed within the environment as well, thereby preventing you from having to pause mid-game, creating a fluid sequence throughout(‘Infiltrate the mansion’ is displayed in huge letters on the mansion itself as you approach it, etc).

Release Date: Fall 2009

• RUSE

An RTS (real-time strategy) title, RUSE requires players to try to outsmart and fool their opponent by using the weather, decoy ships and troops, while they do the same and try to catch you off-guard with a fake naval battalion group when they are really coming at you from up above with bombers. Second-guessing yourself, and seeing things from your enemies’ standpoint are required of serious players if they want to survive. See the trailer for a better visual description.

Release Date: Unknown

• Style Labs Makeup

Another game for the girls and only available for the DSi, you take a picture of yourself using the camera and it puts your face in the game, and try on clothes and makeup. After that, go nuts.

Release Date: Unknown

• Petz

Its Petz……I shouldn’t have to explain this one, its freaking Petz. Three new versions coming out and all of them are for the kids; if you are a grown man and you are found playing this, then you really need help.

Release Date: Unknown

• Your Shape

Being packaged with a camera and headed for the Wii, it will ‘scan you’ and place you inside the television; an in-game coach and tacking tech will make sure you don’t cheat. While it doesn’t make use of the Balance Board, its touted as ‘the new era in fitness’. Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Rabbids Go Home

Rayman takes a step aside, with the Rabbids taking the spotlight this time around. Trying to go back to their home (the Moon, oddly enough), they must collect enough items to pile up and reach their destination. To make it easier: Think Katamari Damacy, but with enemies and psycho rabbits.

Release Date: Unknown

• TMNT: Smash Up

Use the following equation to figure it out:

Smash Bros.

-Anyone that was in Smash Bros.

+ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

= TMNT: Smash Up.

Release Date: September 22, 2009

• No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle

New to the sequel will be the ability to wield two beam katanas at once, as well as new weapons, moves, and a ‘revenge’ theme that forces Travis to return to the UAA after a three-year hiatus.

Release Date: January 2010

• Project Eden

Not much is known about it, except that Tetsuya Mizuguchi is working on it with Q Entertainment.