A very interesting article is available over at MTV, of all places. The article discusses the role co-op can play in getting experienced gamers to enjoy genres they typically dislike. The article provides some anecdotal evidence that co-op can do just that.
This past week, one game has been on my mind. That game is Crackdown, a great co-op game for the 360. As is my nature, I always find the good games months and years after they come out. However, sometimes being late to the party can be nice, since I was able to discover Crackdown without the pretense of the Halo 3 Beta fury that was associated with Crackdown at that time. So, in the past week, I've been experimenting with the game and thoroughly enjoying the co-op experience.
Capcom has released a bunch of new screenshots and concept are for their upcoming Resident Evil title, aptly named Resident Evil 5. News broke two weeks ago that RE5 would be the first RE title to have Co-Op Play. The above concept art is that of your co-op partner, though no name or other details have been released.
It's a fine line to walk: no one likes delayed games, and yet, no one likes playing games that are clearly underdeveloped, either. However, as budgets for games rise, more and more titles are being delayed in order to add features that will make their titles stand out. As we recently reported, Saint's Row 2 has been moved back to add in 2 player co-op. Now, Mercenaries 2: World in Flames has been delayed as well, and for similar reasons. TVG had this to say after talking to developer Pandemic:
Are you ready to live the thug life with your gat in one hand and your mouse in the other? Well then you're in luck! Shacknews has confirmed that the recently delayed Saint's Row 2 will be making its way to Windows PCs this fall alongside the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 version.
An interesting article has been posted at Game of Design about procedural storytelling. That phrase is a mouthful, but what it could mean for co-op fans is that the storyline of a game would alter upon different replays, depending on the players' actions. The article springs from a discussion of the AI in the upcoming Left 4 Dead (covered at length here at Co-Optimus) and mentions Diablo 2 in this snippet:
Everyone here at Co-Optimus loves a good discount, particularly when the discount involves a fun co-op game. Well, we are in luck, because Gears of War is getting a price drop. The Xbox 360 version of the game is dropping to $39.99, and the Windows version of the game is dropping to $29.99. However, that's not all. Gamerscore Blog, who were kind enough to officially reveal the the price drop, has released more information. In particular? A two-disk version of Gears of War. Press release after the break.
Every platform this week is going to get some co-op lovin, thanks to the whip wielding LEGO version of Harrison Ford. LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Trilogy hits store shelves on Wednesday, though rumor has it you can find it as early as today.
It's June already, and that means the sun is shining, the weather is warmer, and it's time for another Xbox Live Co-Op Game Night! This month's night will take place on June 19th and the featured game will be Grand Theft Auto IV. We've covered GTA IV quite a bit in the past few weeks with both a review and some impressions, and now there's a full fledged night dedicated to Rockstar's big game.
Just click the boxart below to get the special prize at Amazon - and support Co-Optimus in the process!
We've just posted our review of Haze, an exclusive first person shooter with 4-player co-op on the PlayStation 3.
The fine folks over at 1UP are taking a look at the Co-Op Bill of Rights again; this time interviewing the author of it, Andre Vrignaud.
