Activision press conference

(07/15/2008)

10:17

Patiently waiting for the conference to begin, guys. Be patient.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:17

10:19

In the mean time, I will say a few things. One, word is that there will be NO playable games at this event. This is strictly a press conference. The following games have screens and trailers on the press disc they handed me: Quantum of Solace, Call of Duty: World at War, Spider-Man Web of Shadows, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and ... Wolfenstein. Yes, Wolfenstein.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:19

10:19

I'll be posting the images from this stuff as soon as I can get them up, so bare with me.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:19

10:20

The music being played sounds like it might be music from World Tour. Maybe? We're listening to "Welcome to the Jungle" and we heard a version of the Scoprion's "Rock You Like a Hurricane" that had more strings than I remember. A re-recording for the game? Who knows. This is all speculation, of course.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:20

10:21

Now The Cars' "Let's Go" is playing. Maybe this is the Rock Band soundtrack.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:21

10:23

Still waiting for this thing to start. There's food somewhere, but I'm alone and can't leave my laptop ... the things I do for you guys.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:23

10:25

Nelson diaz is coming out. Apparently, this guy is a comedian and a videogame freak. Who?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:25

10:25

He's asking us to clap for ourselves. I bet he's going to start telling some jokes, none of which will translate well in this live blog, I'm sure.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:25

10:25

His 360 gamerscore is over 45 thousand. And he uses the Internet. So good for him.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:25

10:26

Here he comes: Mike Griffith, CEO of Activision games publishing. He came out holding a DS and Guitar Hero: On Tour, saying "Let me just put [this] on pause." Groans all around.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:26

10:28

Now he's telling us that GH: On Tour has sold over ten times what their next best-selling DS title has shown. The game is popular, we get it.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:28

10:29

18 million songs have been downloaded for Guitar Hero III. He's mentioning Guitar Hero: On Tour and "GH Tunes," their music sharing service.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:29

10:29

He's going on about how games are a social experience and how the experience is changing. We knew this already, right? I think we did.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:29

10:31

He's touching on some business stuff ("Activision Blizzard is huuuuuuge! We rule!"), most of which no one will care about here. So I won't even try to follow along.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:31

10:32

Talking about Singularity -- they sent a press release out about. Developed by Raven Software, first-person shooter ... something about controlling time. TimeShift? I remember that game. We're looking at a trailer now.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:32

10:33

very rainy, some fire, and some industrial looking areas. There's a Russian-sounding guy talking about something unsafe and unstable ... he told them, damn it, but no one would listen. Now look what happened? Things exploded. People died. The trailer ended! Why didn't you listen?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:33

10:34

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion "announced." Sequel to the original game, featuring 24 super heroes -- Spider-Man, Captain American, the Hulk, Venon, Green Goblin, using the new "fusion" feature that allows players to share powers and "fuse" them.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:34

10:34

Here's the first trailer ... something about fighting an ultimate war. A "global assault." The Thing, Iron Man, Wolververine ... you get the idea.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:34

10:34

Looks like the leaks about the game were true.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:34

10:35

There's a new Wolverine game coming out by Raven Software, called X-Men Origins: Wolverine, based on the upcoming film. The likeness of Hugh Jackman will be in the game. Wolverine is cool, right?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:35

10:36

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen coming out. Hey, that's the name of the movie! Surprised? Shame on you.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:36

10:37

Alright, he's done. Turning it over to Nelson Diaz, who will attempt to be funny, maybe. Or he'll tell us who he is. Either way, we win!

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:37

10:37

@glentennis the trailer said "ultimate war."

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:37

10:38

Treyarch's Mark Lamia is up talking about Call of Duty: World at War. We've done previews of this game a few times; I personally saw it last month. Do a search. I'm goin gto rest my fingers. I must say that Lamia looks tired.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:38

10:39

New World at War trailer. I think it's new. In any case, it looks like it's in-game and real-time. I say that because it looks good, but the running animation was pretty horrendous looking. ot of these scens from the demos Treyarch showed us last month -- things exploding, Japanese ambushing American soldiers, climbing trees, lots of fire.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:39

10:40

The game, I think, looks good -- it's going to be hard for a lot of people to get excited about the title, but I'd say give it a chance. I mean, Lamia looks so tired -- they must have been working very, very hard.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:40

10:40

Talking about adding tanks to multiplayer in the game. Leveling up, new perks, etc.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:40

10:41

He's talking about cooperative play in Call of Duty: World at War. Again, this is nothing new. There's a new competive mode to co-op. They're announcing that Keifer Sutherland will voice one of the characters in World at War.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:41

10:41

Keifer fans must be very excited.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:41

10:43

He we have some split-screen video of cooperative play. Players are walkinug around slowly in a swamp, and come across a downed plane. A grenade appears from nowhere, and the Japanese ambush ... things are gettingu hectic. It's hard to watch both screens, but suffice it to say that both players are shooting at things. As you'd expect, of course.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:43

10:43

We're seeing another section of cooperative play in beach area. Lots of fire beingu set from player one who is wielding a flamethrower.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:43

10:44

Here's another area, this time with a few tanks, lots of fire, a few explosions. What you'd expect from a game like this. It looks hectic, is looks fun, and Infnity Ward's engine is holding up well. The game looks nice in action.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:44

10:46

Boom. Pew pew pew.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:46

10:46

Oh, this comedian is back. What was his name again?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:46

10:47

Studio head for Shaba Games, Chris Schultz (spelling?) to talk about Spider-Man: Web of Shadows. First, we see the trailer. The city we're shown is covered is some kind of black goo; perhaps this means something to comic book fans, but it just reminds me of that skit in Creepshow 2. Spider-Man is overlooking the city. It's very dramatic. The trailer ends.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:47

10:47

Chris is up on stage now.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:47

10:48

The game is not based on a film, it's based around an original story, and well ... we know this stuff already. But that's fine. We'll listen again. You don't have to. But the gist is: there's some kind of conflict, and Spider-Man has to decided to team up with: his fellow heroes or his adversaries?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:48

10:49

Web of Shadows has a rebuilt combat system, apparently. You'll find that Spider-Man bounces off of enemies, can swing kick, and fight up and down walls with enemies. Not sure how he can do that, since uh, he's the only guy who can CRAWL ON WALLS. But hey, I'll go along with this.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:49

10:51

They're about the show us some of the wall combat. Perhaps it will be explained. Oh look, enemies that crawl on walls. Well I'll be damned. Spider-Man is crawling up the wall, kicking enemies, fighting as he would on flat land. The demo is over. It was a video; I'm not sure there's a console anywhere in this place. Oh, there WAS that DS with Guitar Hero: On Tour in the beginning.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:51

10:52

Players can use the red suit for agility and web-based powers, or the black suit for brute force, power and strength. There's a robust upgrade system, and players can "become the Spider-Man they want to be." The choices you make will change how the story plays out, how people will react to you, and more.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:52

10:53

Here's some more video now, Spider-Man fighting 1,000 feet up ... fighting Vulture and his minions. Spider-Man makes some witty comments, Vulture is totally cereal. The video froze for a moment, but we're back. vulture is picking up some swords; this is like a Castlevania boss or something.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:53

10:54

They're now on a roof. Lots of jumping, lots of attacks in the air. Spider-Man uses a web shield to block a sword attack. this combat looks pretty great; if you liked what you saw in the combat trailer they released awhile back, you'll dig this. Spider-Man actually switched suits mid-fight ... mid-air, even!

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:54

10:55

Spidey is swinging on Vulture as he tries to fly away, and toss a pretty crazy Matrix-like dodge through a flurry of swords. I'm confused ... is this real-time? Or a cut-scene? I get the impression there's going to be some quick time event actions at the end of that fight.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:55

10:56

It's James Bond time. Here's a trailer. It's footage from the film, it looks like, Quantum of Solace. Wait ... is this the trailer to the film? Looks like it. Hey, this movie looks totally bad-ass, but it's certainly not a game.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:56

10:58

Keith Snelgrove (?) is out to talk about James Bond. He works for Danjack? Small privately held family company that ... wait, what the hell. There's some really long family tree he's going on about, talking about how they basically own the rights to the Bond franchise in film and the licenses. Maybe? I don't know. Wikipedia it.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:58

10:59

Do you want to play the Quantum of Solace game or see the movie more?
Movie.

( 69% )

Games.

( 5% )

Who cares?

( 26% )

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:59

10:59

Hey look, a poll. Take it!

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:59

11:00

This guy is going on and on and on about this stuff. He's speaking very, very, very fast.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:00

11:01

Apparently, unprecedented access has been given to Treyarch for this film. This partnership will "move into the future."

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:01

11:02

Garrett from Treyarch is on stage to talk about his game. I forgot his last name -- sorry, Garrett! He did offer me a copy of Casino Royal on DVD and we were (almost) wearing the same shoes.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:02

11:04

Wow, you guys really don't care about this new Bond game, eh? You should check our preview.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:04

11:04

At some point, I think we're going to see some footage of the game. It's "never been seen before."

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:04

11:05

Wait, no ... we've seen this before. Please check our preview. It's the scene in the hotel where Bond is trying to save LeChiffre (from Casino Royale).

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:05

11:06

I really have to pee, but I will not. See how I suffer for you guys?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:06

11:07

Should I go and pee?
No.

( 6% )

Yes.

( 18% )

Pee in your pants.

( 76% )

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:07

11:07

Here comes another clip from the game, which is something we HAVE no seen before. It's from the new film. He's waiting for the results of an interrogation ... bond that is.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:07

11:08

the game looks nice, very recognizable as the CoD 4 engine.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:08

11:09

Bond is running, first-person-style through a sewer, chasing someone. He falls through the floor, and loses the chase. But he keeps going. He's Bond, he doesn't stop. . There's a nice section with lots of cover, great to show off the new third-person cover system, which looks a lot like Gears of War. Why fix what ain't broke?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:09

11:10

The lights come down ... here's a new trailer. Wait, it's more Bond. this time from the game. Looks like a mix between the game and the movie.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:10

11:11

Judi Dench is concerned by Bond's methods. Then we see a lot of things blowing up, a lot of people getting hurt. This Bond guy is bad news.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:11

11:12

Todd Hollenshead from id is out to talk about the Wolfenstein project. Working on the game with Raven.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:12

11:12

Since I'm not taking pictures (two hands, people!), Todd's wearing a white shirt and has a pony tail.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:12

11:14

The character from the other Wolfenstein games, BJ, is back. And he likes kicking Nazi butt. The Nazi's have "new tricks" in this new Wolfenstein game. They're exploring a way to open up a portal to another dimension, called the "Shroud." BJ has to figure out how to use this portal and use it against the Nazi.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:14

11:14

Are there some Wolfenstein multiplayer fans out there? Todd wants to know. He asked.
Yes.

( 57% )

No.

( 35% )

What's Wolfenstein?

( 9% )

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:14

11:14

BJ can enlist the resistance to help him and fight alongside him to battle the Nazis.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:14

11:15

The game will have multiplayer, apparently. Surprised?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:15

11:15

We get to see a bit of the game, but not much, Todd tells us. More will be shown at Quake-Con.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:15

11:16

Short trailer being shown. Many things exploding, some electricity ... and then uh ... wait, what? Shortest trailer ever. It's over. Less than 20 seconds.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:16

11:16

"It's time to rock, it's time to roll." The comedian says so.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:16

11:16

A GH: World Tour trailer. Very short. Coming this Fall.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:16

11:17

Brian Bright from Neversoft is out, ready to talk about GH: World Tour. He has a Guitar strapped to him. 85 master recordings in-game, on disc. The Doors, The Eagles, Van Halen. "Bands you won't see anywhere else."

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:17

11:17

This year we have big rock stars and bass players. No names. We'll hear about a few today.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:17

11:18

Huge support for downloadable content, frequent releases -- singles, track packs, full length albums. Metallica's new album, Death Magnetic, will be downloadable day and date with the album's release on PS3, 360, and Wii. Waits for applause. Awkward silence.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:18

11:18

Did he just say that all drums will be compatible with Guitar Hero? Did he? He did.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:18

11:19

Same for guitars.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:19

11:19

Where will you rock this fall?
Guitar Hero: On Tour

( 21% )

Rock Band 2

( 65% )

Samba de Amigo Wii

( 14% )

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:19

11:20

There's a lot of information he's giving us that you can read in our preview we put up a few weeks ago. Talking about instruments.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:20

11:21

The drums are up on stage. They look cool and really "plastic-y." Hard to see from here. kind of doesn't look like a finished retail unit; maybe they're not done yet. They weren't a few weeks ago, and they didn't give us any hands-on because of it.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:21

11:22

Showing ports on the back of drum. You can use a splitter and plug in TWO kick pedals for double bass drums.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:22

11:22

There's a MIDI in jack on the back of the drum kit. You can use any drum kit and play the game with any professional drum kit. Woah.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:22

11:23

You can plug all kinds of wild stuff into the drums ... use it to record stuff in-game.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:23

11:23

Andy from Neversoft is giving us a demo of the drums. Doing rolls and what not. This is better than the drums we heard in WiiMusic, I'll say that much.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:23

11:24

He's showing us the microphone. It sure is a microphone!

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:24

11:24

Brian passes the microphone back to the comedian guy.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:24

11:24

Wait, a famous drummer is coming out ... here it comes. Here it comes.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:24

11:25

Here comes Travis barker. He's going to play the drums. He's in the game, and he's going to demo the drums to us. The comedian is interviewing him. He's not funny.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:25

11:25

Barker was "hit up" by Neversoft about testing the drums, and he did some consulting for the drums.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:25

11:26

Barker is saying that it's "really realistic to the real thing." Really now.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:26

11:26

Barker looks like he's high. His watch is shiny.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:26

11:27

Barker looking forward to Van Halen and Metallica is World Tour.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:27

11:27

Travis is leaving, Brian Bright is back. He's going to talk about the music studio, and I still have to pee.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:27

11:28

Please read our preview of this stuff.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:28

11:29

So, this looks nice, as it did when we previewed it. Something I'm noticing -- the on-screen avatars are idle and are, in unison, doing the "achy-breaky." It's ridiculous.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:29

11:32

Lots of applause for the drum machine demo, which was controlled with the guitar. There's also a keyboard in the game, with 80 different synth sounds.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:32

11:33

Pretty wild in terms of options with this music studio.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:33

11:34

He's doing a demo of the synth. It's totally synthy. The music studio is definitely impressive; there's going to be a lot of people spending A LOT of time messing around with this thing. Hopefully it's going to yield some great results, and not a slew of garbage. I will, day one, upload a note-for-note version of Christina Aguilera's "Fighter." Look for it.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:34

11:35

You can also change how the venues lights will react during your created song. Fancy.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:35

11:36

He's making it sound like you can upload songs that aren't full band tracks. So I guess you can just make a drum track for people to play?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:36

11:37

Not showing us the GH Tunes store. He's not connected online. But we can see the Rock Star creator.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:37

11:37

Creating a female character. Again, please see our preview for this stuff. But you can do some pretty crazy things. There are some people filming this conference, so you'll be able to see it shortly, I'm sure. It looks pretty great. Instrument creator is full-on customizable for drums, mics, bass, and guitars. Body styles, finish, etc.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:37

11:38

There's also a "randomizer" if you're lazy. I'm lazy.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:38

11:38

He's just kind of rambling now, it sounds like. He's talking about the online modes, Battle of the Bands, etc. You can hear in the background a song playing. It's Smashing Pumpkin's "Today." Confirmed!

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:38

11:39

Another special guest is coming out. Another friend of Guitar Hero. It's the chick from Paramore. Haley Williams. She is SOOOOO tiny. Holy hell.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:39

11:39

Haley Williams is in the game, as is a Paramore song. Leaks confirmed part II.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:39

11:40

Paramore were addicted to Guitar Hero. Played it on tour. She's still very short. Her hair is very red.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:40

11:40

The comedian keeps saying "How was it like ..." What does that even mean?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:40

11:41

Haley thinks that it's going to give people an opportunity to test out being a rocker. Drugs does that, don't they?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:41

11:42

She's very excited to try it out. She's looking forward to hearing Slipknot's new single "All Hope is Lost" in the game (but it sounds like she just wants to hear it, not that it's actually IN the game).

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:42

11:42

Neversoft folks are coming out to play the game. Haley is here ... make her sing!

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:42

11:42

No, she's gone.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:42

11:43

They're playing "Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen. Also, you can hear Beastie Boy's "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn" playing in the menus. CONFIRMED.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:43

11:43

We saw Paramore's "Misery Business" in the menus, too. You taking notes? Anyone?

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:43

11:45

The lights are blinding me. The drums in "Hot for Teacher" are freakin' nuts. But Andy from Neversoft is nailing it. Looked up and i was blnded by the lights, but saw some metal fist icons thrown up in the vocal bar ... the singer made some noise. Way to activate "Star Power," perhaps.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:45

11:45

Andy is getting points for doing drum fills. Hard to tell how that works.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:45

11:48

The crowd goes wild. They're really excited. It looks cool. Looked hard, too.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:48

11:49

People are standing, I can't. i have to pee. And my lap top is, well, in my lap.

Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:49

11:49

Oh, i hear another song in the background ... "Walk This Way." It faded out FAST.