[Pre-E3 2006] Atari Bares All
Sorry, PlayStation kids, no next-gen stuff to see here.
Published: May 5, 2006
“As the Atari brand has withstood the test of time, so does the appeal of many of our games and franchises,” said Atari, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Bruno Bonnell. “We continue to reach and surpass milestones, such as the ten-millionth mark of Dragon Ball Z game sales, and redefining genres we originated, such as Alone in the Dark’s horror survival and Test Drive Unlimited’s Massively Open Online Racing (M.O.O.R.™). Atari continues to move forward and seek out groundbreaking, imaginative and entertaining properties like the underground based, street smart HOT PXL. Evident as part of our E3 line-up, these and other games are all part of the Company’s evolution and continued focus on gameplay.”
If it sounds like our friend Bruno is trying awfully hard, it's probably because he is. Atari has battled a string of moderate critical bombs, and some of their more high-profile licenses didn't pan out as well as they'd hoped, so a little clever spin is important here. Not that they need a lot of it, mind you; their E3 lineup is arguably the most current-gen focused of the publishers we've been talking about this week, showing that they see some clear worth in the PS2 in the eve of the PS3 launch, something we have to agree with.
Oh, sure, there are next-gen offerings (nothing that's specficially noted as PS3, though, sorry), but the support for the PSP and PS2 are encouraging indeed:
Arthur and the Minimoys
Directly inspired by world famous film director and writer Luc Besson’s upcoming animated film of the same name, the Arthur and the Minimoys game will follow the film’s storyline and feature eye-popping graphics and technical innovations. The game allows players to relive the fantastic adventure of young Arthur and his two pals, princess Selenia and her brother Bétamèche, in their mission to save the Minimoys’ world from destruction. Set to time with The Weinstein Company theatrical release of the movie in North America, Arthur and the Minimoys game is currently in development by Lyon-and Paris-based Etranges Libellules, creator of several successful animated games, including Asterix XXL and Kirikou.
BattleZone
BattleZone is the modern update to the 1980 classic arcade game. Set in futuristic international military environments, BattleZone puts players in control of highly maneuverable hover tanks, challenging them in close combat scenarios against their rivals with relentless onslaughts of quick, action-oriented battles. BattleZone for the PSP system is being developed by Paradigm Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA.
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics is the first time the highly-coveted D&D license has ever graced a next-generation portable system. D&D: Tactics authentically utilizes the D&D 3.5 rule-set created by Wizards of the Coast and allows players to take a party of six adventurers into a wide variety of dangerous environments to experience deep and exciting turn-based action. In development by Kuju Entertainment, D&D: Tactics will take full advantage of the PSP system’s wireless capability and offer gamers a multiplayer mode.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, the top-selling DBZ game of 2005. Combining action, fighting and light role-playing game (RPG) elements, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 will send players into a rich story mode that spans the entire Dragon Ball, DBZ, and Dragon Ball GT series. The game takes the acrobatic and intense 3D flying and fighting dynamic made popular in last year’s hit to a whole new level with over 100 playable characters, 15 vast and vibrant 3D destructible environments, and nine different game modes, including intense single and multiplayer battles. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is being developed by Namco Bandai Games Inc. / Spike.
HOT PXL
HOT PXL, the ingenious and hip new title, brings fast and furious bite-size gaming to the masses. HOT PXL comprises more than 200 deviously crafted mini-games based on a unique and original story premise that draws inspiration from street culture and the digital lifestyle – whether it’s blasting through an old-school style video game, busting tricks on a skateboard or a BMX, stage-diving at a concert, or just trying to cross a busy digital street. The game’s web site, www.hotpxl.com, will serve as an integral part of the experience and the community. HOT PXL is being developed by zSlide.
Super DBZ
Super DBZ is a new highly intense DBZ fighting experience unlike any other Dragon Ball Z game. Featuring an all-new and more complex DBZ fighting system with unique fighting combos for all 18 characters, Super DBZ promises fans and gamers explosive on-screen environmental damage. Super DBZ is in development by Namco Bandai Games Inc. / Crafts & Meister, and including the creators of the acclaimed Street Fighter II arcade game.
If it sounds like our friend Bruno is trying awfully hard, it's probably because he is. Atari has battled a string of moderate critical bombs, and some of their more high-profile licenses didn't pan out as well as they'd hoped, so a little clever spin is important here. Not that they need a lot of it, mind you; their E3 lineup is arguably the most current-gen focused of the publishers we've been talking about this week, showing that they see some clear worth in the PS2 in the eve of the PS3 launch, something we have to agree with.
Oh, sure, there are next-gen offerings (nothing that's specficially noted as PS3, though, sorry), but the support for the PSP and PS2 are encouraging indeed:
Arthur and the Minimoys
Directly inspired by world famous film director and writer Luc Besson’s upcoming animated film of the same name, the Arthur and the Minimoys game will follow the film’s storyline and feature eye-popping graphics and technical innovations. The game allows players to relive the fantastic adventure of young Arthur and his two pals, princess Selenia and her brother Bétamèche, in their mission to save the Minimoys’ world from destruction. Set to time with The Weinstein Company theatrical release of the movie in North America, Arthur and the Minimoys game is currently in development by Lyon-and Paris-based Etranges Libellules, creator of several successful animated games, including Asterix XXL and Kirikou.
BattleZone
BattleZone is the modern update to the 1980 classic arcade game. Set in futuristic international military environments, BattleZone puts players in control of highly maneuverable hover tanks, challenging them in close combat scenarios against their rivals with relentless onslaughts of quick, action-oriented battles. BattleZone for the PSP system is being developed by Paradigm Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Infogrames Entertainment SA.
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics is the first time the highly-coveted D&D license has ever graced a next-generation portable system. D&D: Tactics authentically utilizes the D&D 3.5 rule-set created by Wizards of the Coast and allows players to take a party of six adventurers into a wide variety of dangerous environments to experience deep and exciting turn-based action. In development by Kuju Entertainment, D&D: Tactics will take full advantage of the PSP system’s wireless capability and offer gamers a multiplayer mode.
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is the sequel to Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi, the top-selling DBZ game of 2005. Combining action, fighting and light role-playing game (RPG) elements, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 will send players into a rich story mode that spans the entire Dragon Ball, DBZ, and Dragon Ball GT series. The game takes the acrobatic and intense 3D flying and fighting dynamic made popular in last year’s hit to a whole new level with over 100 playable characters, 15 vast and vibrant 3D destructible environments, and nine different game modes, including intense single and multiplayer battles. Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 is being developed by Namco Bandai Games Inc. / Spike.
HOT PXL
HOT PXL, the ingenious and hip new title, brings fast and furious bite-size gaming to the masses. HOT PXL comprises more than 200 deviously crafted mini-games based on a unique and original story premise that draws inspiration from street culture and the digital lifestyle – whether it’s blasting through an old-school style video game, busting tricks on a skateboard or a BMX, stage-diving at a concert, or just trying to cross a busy digital street. The game’s web site, www.hotpxl.com, will serve as an integral part of the experience and the community. HOT PXL is being developed by zSlide.
Super DBZ
Super DBZ is a new highly intense DBZ fighting experience unlike any other Dragon Ball Z game. Featuring an all-new and more complex DBZ fighting system with unique fighting combos for all 18 characters, Super DBZ promises fans and gamers explosive on-screen environmental damage. Super DBZ is in development by Namco Bandai Games Inc. / Crafts & Meister, and including the creators of the acclaimed Street Fighter II arcade game.
