Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, a weekly piece that talks about industry stories that may or may not be related to co-op gaming.
The stories for this week:
- Disney to Close Black Rock Studio
- Bungie Aerospace Finally Detailed, People Disappointed
- Call of Duty Goes Convention Route, Announces Call of Duty XP for September
- Skyrim to Have Less, but More Expansive DLC than the Fallout Games
- Enjoy the 4th of July Weekend for our United States Readers
Disney to Close Black Rock Studio
Sad news to report that another mostly racing game developer (think Bizarre) is about to close. Black Rock created the critically acclaimed Pure and Split/Second, games I both enjoyed. The real sad thing is that the developer felt really good when Disney picked them up, but obviously critical acclaim does not necessarily translate to sales acclaim.
Source: Joystiq
Bungie Aerospace Finally Detailed, People Disappointed
Most were hoping this would be an announcement of the game they were working on that is to be published by Activision, but unfortunately it is not. Instead it is an offshoot of Bungie that will help other companies create things for social and mobile media. The first game that will come out of this is called Crimson for the iOS and Android platforms with Jordan Weisman’s (of FASA fame) Harebrained Schemes. Oh well, at some point Bungie will show off their new game.
Source: Joystiq
Call of Duty Goes Convention Route, Announces Call of Duty XP for September
Call of Duty goes the convention route this September 2nd and 3rd in Los Angeles. Starting on July 19 up to 6,000 people will be able to spend $150 to participate in the event where you will be able to play the new game and learn all about Call of Duty Elite. There will be major “talent” at the convention as well and will replicate a multiplayer map from Modern Warfare 3 inside the 12-acre spot set in urban Los Angeles. All sales of tickets and proceeds will go towards the Call of Duty Endowment fund and Activision has announced that the event will cost far more than what they expect to make, giving it a “this is for the players” type of perspective.
Source: Joystiq
Skyrim to Have Less, but More Expansive DLC than the Fallout Games
Bethesda does plan for Skyrim to have DLC, but it will be with a more full expansion pack type feel than the Fallout games have gotten with their DLC and will have less quantity as well. This could be good or bad news. Good news because the possible $15 DLC will seem more worth it, bad n the fact that they could take a while to make if they are longer experiences and there may be greater gaps between them. Skyrim releases on 360, PS3 and PC November 11 (11-11-11).
Source: me
Enjoy the 4th of July Weekend for our United States Readers
Enjoy the weekend, spend time with your family and play some games, whether they be co-op or not. I know I will enjoy the weekend as I become old enough to run for president on July 4, and no I have no plans of doing such a thing. Having been around politics for over a decade now it’s just not something I’d ever want to be voted in for.
Source: me