TR1GG3R MAN's Blog

Halo 3 Announcement! - TV Ad Teaser

Master Chief As You Have Never Seen Him Before

Halo 3 TV Ad to air simultaneously on Xbox.com

November 30th, 2006 — Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today unveiled more details on the worldwide debut of a new Halo 3 teaser ad. The ad will be aired on Xbox.com in Europe around 02.15 GMT/03.15 CET on Tuesday 5th December. Gamers can experience Master Chief as they have never seen him before during the 60 second ad.

The ad will air in North America during ESPN® Monday Night Football on December 4th and for the first time ever, will be simultaneously aired in Europe on Xbox.com.

The ad, created by advertising agency McCann Erickson, will provide viewers with a unique and compelling look at Master Chief and the world of “Halo 3.” It is easily one of the most anticipated ads of the year. It underscores the innovative approach and driving influence the “Halo” franchise has commanded. The ad will also be available for download exclusively for Xbox 360 users via Xbox Live Marketplace.

Source: Xbox Community Network

Halo 3 Annuncio! - Spot TV

Master Chief come non lo avete mai visto prima

Pubblicita’ Halo 3 in onda su Xbox.com
 

30 Novembre 2006 — Microsoft Game Studios e Bungie Studios stamane hanno svelato maggiori dettagli sul debutto mondiale della nuova pubblicita’ di Halo 3. Lo spot andra’ in onda su Xbox.com in Europa attorno alle 03.15 (ora locale), Martedi 5 Dicembre. Durante i 60 secondi di pubblicita’ vedrete Master Chief come mai prima d’ora.

Lo spot andra’ in onda per la prima volta nel Nord America durante “ESPN® Monday Night Football” il 4 Dicembre e verra’ simultaneamente messo in onda sui siti Xbox.com Europei.

Lo spot, creato dall’agenzia pubblicitaria McCann Erickson, offrira’ agli spettatori uno sguardo unico di Master Chief e del mondo di “Halo 3”. E’ semplicemente una delle pubblicita’ piu’ attese dell’anno e sara’ scaricabile esclusivamente per gli utenti Xbox 360 dall’Xbox Live Marketplace.

Fonte: Xbox Community Network

XCN, Rainbow Six Vegas - Senior Producer Interview

Thanks to Xbox Community Network we have an interview with Chadi Lebbos, Senior Producer, Rainbow Six Vegas, Ubisoft Montreal.

1. UbiSoft games like GRAW, Splinter Cell and Vegas look amazing on Xbox 360, but Windows versions have always surpassed what the Xbox and Xbox 360 versions offered. Does Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas redress this balance by using the characteristic graphical power of the Xbox 360?
   Windows & 360 version will both look equally amazing, thanks to the 360's three core that allow us to simultaneously deal with rendering, physics and AI.
2. Online modes have been a distinctive aspect of your games. Will you improve previous modes and include new ones in Vegas?
   Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas has 6 online adversarial game modes including Attack & Defend, which is a team-based mode with mission-based objectives. This means that depending on the map you're playing, the objective will change whether it's to recover Intel, rescue a hostage or disarm a bomb.  We also have the Retrieval game mode, which has two teams racing to recover a biohazard canister.  This mode can be won either by captures, or by kills.  We're also bringing back our legacy modes: Team Survival, Team Sharpshooter, Survival and Sharpshooter.  The team, or player, left standing wins.
   Since team work is so important for us in this franchise, we have two different cooperative game modes: Terrorist Hunt and Story Mode.  Both these modes are playable in Split screen, System Link and on Xbox Live.  Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas online is the most complete multiplayer package you can get.
3. Why did you choose to use Unreal Engine 3, instead of the GRAW engine, or the one used in the last Splinter Cell ? What kind of new possibilities does UE3 gave to you ?
   Several core team members were familiar with the Unreal development suite having worked with Unreal 2 in the past, so it was a natural fit. The fact that it was equipped with the kind of networking support we needed for the game was also a big plus.
4. The demo released on the Marketplace is great, but not always smooth at moments; can we expect a better and constant frame rate in the final version ?
   Without a doubt.  We've had some time to improve the game's frame rate since the release of the demo.  Since first showing it at E3 we knew that many people wanted to play Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas, so we wanted to get a demo out there to showcase our new game play elements and when you read the forums, it's clear that a vast majority of players enjoyed the demo.
5. How much community input did you read/use, during the RS6 Vegas development?
   We read the forums and listen to our community. We know that they wanted a more tactical experience and with the package we're offering in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas, I'm sure they'll be happy about it.
6. What do you think is the most important feature in this new title?
   Actually, it's not a feature, it's the OPA (observe / plan / assault) concept and the global experience you'll have while playing Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas. We have a group of features that together offer a unique experience for the player. The take cover system, the snake cam, the rappelling, crashing through a window, getting your briefing live in the chopper and through the Picture in Picture, the tagging system, the team command, you name it.
7. How does the multiplayer game differ from the single player mode and will you be able to command your team-mates via the headset in single player?
   The multiplayer part of the game shares all the cool features you have in the single player like the rappelling and invert-rappelling, the fast-roping, the take cover, the snake cam and the wide variety of weapons.  You can even play through the entire story mode with your friends in coop.
   You can issue voice commands to your team in single player using your headset.  In the multiplayer, you can communicate with your team-mates to increase the team play.
8. Will be the 3rd person camera be disabled in the multiplayer game?
   No it won't.  We realize that some people are sceptical of third-person view in multiplayer, but we're convinced that it's a lot more fun and we've taken considerable time to tweak and balance the cover system just for MP. We play tested the game, played countless hours at the office with the development team.  It's not an unfair advantage because everybody has it, and when you get out of cover to shoot, you expose yourself.
9. Do you have any plans for Add-Ons or downloadable content in the future?
   It's our objective to keep supporting our games once they've been released, but it's too early to give any details on this.
10. What kind of co-op play can we look forward to seeing online and will this include the ability to play through the single player missions with friends as past incarnations of the game allowed?
    Two different co-op modes are available for you to play with your friends: Terrorist Hunt and Story Mode.  In Terro Hunt, you can play up to four players in a variety of maps in which you have to eliminate all terrorists.  In the story mode, you can go through the entire single player experience with your friends.  Both coops modes can be played with the multiplayer character you created using the P.E.C. 2.0, or you can select from a bunch of pre-made characters.
11. Could you tell us a little more about the new cover system and how it affects the way the game plays?
    Take cover is a new addition to the series and everyone who's played the game will say the same: it's great. Not only does it increase the observation stage of our game play by letting you see the situation, but since you can stay on cover and turn 360 degrees it's also really useful to stay in cover while you shoot at enemies that are trying to flank you.

Capcom - Lost Planet Multiplayer Demo

Capcom, the publisher of Lost Planet, received feedback from the Xbox Community about the Lost Planet multiplayer demo and released this statement:

“Hi there,

Capcom is listening and taking our community to heart. We appreciate all the great feedback we have received from our fans regarding the Lost Planet demos, especially the recently released multiplayer demo.   

We have noticed the recent concern about the text size in Lost Planet for SDTV users, in particular the “Elimination” mode of the multiplayer game where players’ scores are displayed on the top left of the screen. We want to assure gamers that we have already implemented a solution for text display in Elimination, which will be reflected in the final game (although it’s unfortunately not in the demo). 

Lost Planet will automatically detect if you are playing on an SDTV and change the score display settings for this mode automatically.  For the benefit of both you and your readers, we’ve included before and after shots of the text adjustment. In screenshot “LP – SD BEFORE”, you see how the text would have appeared before we implemented the change. In screen “LP – SD FINAL”, you can clearly see how the rankings text has been greatly enhanced, making it much easier for players to quickly determine scores and standing during a match.   

We would also like to remind you that demos on Xbox Live Marketplace do not completely reflect the final product, as they are still early works in progress.  

Additionally, steps have been taken within the single player game to make objectives more easily understood. New objectives are delivered to the player as both voice over and text. Once a new objective has been given, players can pause the game at any time to consult the in-game PDA.  

Please share this with your readers as we want to make sure people know that they will have a great experience with the game.

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition will be available on January 12, 2007 with support for up to 16 players online.  The multiplayer demo is currently available on Marketplace!”

Xbox Live Security

Here's an official word from Microsoft about the "banning" of alternate accounts:

http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/11/28/xbox-live-security.aspx 

XCN, NFS Team Producers Interview

Thanks to Xbox Community Network we have an interview with Mat Thomas and Kristian von Fersen, Producers on the Need For Speed Team.

1. What can we expect in the future on the marketplace, will there be new content eg new cars?
   Stay tuned for more news about marketplace items in the New Year! 
2. What can you tell us about the multiplayer-mode in NFS Carbon? Will there be a team feature?
   Players will have the ability to play against each other in split-screen in all the various Quick Race modes. 
3. Most of the Xbox 360 gamers are really concerned about the fact that they have to pay for download content, which other versions (current gen) have already on the disc for free. Are you trying to find out how much players are willing to pay for stuff like that? Or do we have to pay the full price for incomplete EA-games on Xbox 360 in the future?
   Downloadable content is a key element going forward for EA.  For Need For Speed Carbon, we are providing two elements - we are providing new content in the form of vehicles and also the ability for the player to purchase the top end cars from the start so they can progress through the career faster.  We are well aware that games are getting bigger and this year we made a decision to make sure our gameplay experience was tight and fun.  Being able to download the high end vehicles off the bat allows the player who doesn't have 30 hours to commit to a game to experience the same top end fun that a dedicated Need For Speed fan will through gameplay.  It is up to the player to decide what they want and the online element of Need For Speed Carbon simply offers the player more choice.  Any content that is unlockable on the Xbox 360 is also unlockable on the Xbox.  The only difference between the two is that you have the ability to purchase that content, should you choose to do so, on the Xbox 360.  It is completely up to the player as to whether or not they want to spend the time to unlock something or whether they choose to get access to something sooner by purchasing it online for the Xbox 360.
4. Why should we buy Need for Speed Carbon? Which are the most significant enhancements in comparison to Need for Speed Most Wanted?
   There are probably three key new areas that I think fans of the franchise will find very exciting.  The first is our new mode, Canyon Duel, where you and an opponent are going head to head in the ultimate game of cat and mouse.  The first run has you following the opponent’s car trying to stay as close as you can without going over the edge or slamming into the cliff face.  The closer you are, the more points you accumulate.  On the second run the roles are reversed and he is chasing you eating away at your score – make it down to the bottom in one piece with points left and you have proved your mettle.  Second, our physics has been a big focus this time around.  Last year we had feedback from fans of the franchise that they were looking for more differentiation between the car classes and we have taken it to heart this year.  Fans will immediate feel a difference in the handling, acceleration and driving techniques the moment they try out a car from each of the different car classes – Tuner, Exotic and Muscle.  Finally, the territory acquisition meta game experience will offer fans a whole new way to play through the game.
5. What new online game modes can we look forward to seeing in the game?
   Carbon’s online feature set is much broader and deeper than anything we’ve done before on a Need for Speed game.  For Most Wanted last year we had 3 online multiplayer modes.  This year we’ve added to that and included a great deal more .  In or out of the main career all of our race modes can be played online.  There are 4 game modes that you can compete in online multiplayer racing: Circuit, Sprint, Speedtrap and Canyon Duel.  Those races that aren’t multiplayer will track your best times and scores on the Online Leaderboards.  In addition, we also have to Online exclusive modes -- Pursuit Tag and Pursuit Knockout.  We are tracking and displaying your statistics for every race, track, game mode and free roam event you participate in during the game.  We’ve added Online Co-operative Challenge Series events where you can race with up to 3 friends in any of 4 challenges and complete the Challenge together  
6. How many cars are there to choose from?
   There will be over 50 cars available in the game this year.  We’ve really spent a lot of time differentiating the three car classes.  So much so that we’ve based part of the game around this fact and allow the player to choose their allegiance right at the start and play through the career in one of three different flows according to which class they’ve picked.  Each class will have certain strengths and weaknesses that the player must balance against their driving style or car preference.  There is no single class that will be consistently at the top.  Given the right driver, any of the 3 classes can be equally competitive.  I think Need for Speed fans will be really happy with the variety of cars we’ve chosen. 
7. Will there be an in car view?
   No, we decided not to include an in car view this year.  This is something we're talking about for future Need for Speed titles. 
8. Did you get a lot of feedback from the demo, and how did it affect the development of the game?
   The feedback from the demo confirmed a lot of our own concerns and thankfully issues brought up by our fan base were always going to be addressed for the final product.  We pay close attention to people's reactions to the demo to make sure what we are developing meets our consumers expectations. 
9. How would you compare the Xbox360 version of the game to other platforms?
   The Xbox360 is one of our lead platforms and along with PS3 and PC, offers the most game play features.  Visually, it certainly stands out when playing the game on a HDTV. 
10. Do you think the NFS games would be better if you had more time to develop them? Do you think that taking 2 years to develop them instead of one would improve the games in any shape or form?
    Although Need for Speed has been on an annual release schedule for a number of years now, it is important to know that each game is actually in development for approximately 18-24 months, in total.  We have a small team working on creative and technical R&D projects well before the majority of our team starts to work on the game.  As with any game these days, the more time you have the better!   We're very proud of the high quality and innovation that the Need for Speed franchise has consistently delivered year after year.  It's a truly remarkable and talented team working on this franchise.

XCN, Viva Pinata - Designer Interview

Thanks to Xbox Community Network, we have an interview with Justin Cook, a designer from Rare who worked on the Viva Piñata title.

1. If Halo is the series that defines Xbox and Xbox 360 as consoles, how difficult has it been to try and change people's view with a game like Viva Pinata? 
   Halo defines the Xbox and Xbox 360 for the traditional gamer market. What Viva Piñata is trying to do is to redefine that same piece of hardware to a different audience. I thought that it would be something very difficult but everyone that’s seen or played the game seems to really enjoy it. That's been a reassuring surprise.
2. How will the Xbox Live multiplayer work? How many players? We’ve heard that gamers will have the opportunity to have friends and rivals in a worldwide community of Viva Piñata-gamers.
   Initially the multiplayer aspect is just online trading. Any player can pack  any items from their garden into a crate and send them to their friends. The crates are all identical and you can't find out what's inside until you unpack them so you'll have the element of surprise. We have some plans for more multiplayer features in the future.
3. Will your pinatas die on a natural way, (including being eaten by another Pinata) or will you have an overpopulation in the future?
   Piñata can be smashed open and eaten by other piñata, but they just rebuild themselves outside the garden and leave. The garden has a limited space and when it is full new piñata cannot come in. Part of the game is deciding which piñata you'd like to fill your garden space with.
4. Viva Pinata reminds someone of games like Creatures or Pikmin. Did you lean on those classic games to get ideas for Viva Pinata?
   We started with a clean slate and built a game up from the ground up. When you play Viva Piñata I think you will find that we are something new. There are not many 'sandbox' type games so we are always compared to the others, but you haven't played anything like Viva Pinata before.
5. Some of the more hardcore Xbox 360 gamers are dismissing Viva Pinata as a 'kid's game'. How do you react to this?
   We made a great game that is a lot of fun to play. If someone won't try this game because of the way it looks then they are going to miss out on something fresh and exciting. The game is complex if you want it to be, but children can play at their own level. Only a real gamer will uncover all Viva Pinata's secrets.
6. Viva Pinata feels quite different to Rare's other titles. How do you see it fitting into Rare's catalogue?
   Viva Piñata is something new for Rare. Rare will continue to try new game styles. Working at Rare is about quality and entertaining games not about specific genres.
7. What are your plans for DLC with Viva Pinata? It seems to be the perfect game for this kind of content.
   We have some DLC planned. There will be new features, new piñatas as well as some surprises.
8. Some people have accused Microsoft of being cynical by marketing Viva Pinata at kids, particularly because of the TV show. What would you say to these people?
   We made a game that anyone can play, but kids don't read the gaming press. The best way to 'talk' to kids is through TV. 4kids have made a great show. It’s a great show if you buy the game or not, and the game is a great game if you watch the TV show or not. All the show does is let the kids know about our characters and the world of Viva Pinata. Its not some cynical advert it's just two (almost independent) parts of one franchise.
9. Have you seen the Viva Pinata TV show? What do you think of it, and how does it tie into the game?
   We see all the scripts and get the show sent to us here at Rare. We all like the show and look forward to 'cartoon' day when the next episode arrives.
10. Do you hope that Viva Pinata will have the same kind of success as a game series like The Sims? Do you want to expand the game in the same way that EA did with its expansion packs?
    We hope that Viva Piñata is successful, but we are not a copy cat game. We don't want to follow the Sims we want to build our own brand.
11. Microsoft is putting a lot of pressure on Viva Pinata to bring more kids to the Xbox 360. Do you really think that 1 game can widen the appeal of a console to such an extent?
    No, but someone has to make a start. We want to make a big enough splash to attract more developers into this part of the market. We have worked very hard to set a standard for family titles on Xbox 360, we hope that others will follow our lead.

Celebrando un anno di Xbox 360!

Un anno fa e’ nata la nostra splendida console. E’ stato un periodo di grandi successi e di novita’, Xbox 360 e’ riuscita a mettere il giocatore al centro della sua esperienza di gioco ed ha in serbo tantissime sorprese per il futuro!

Celebrating One Year of Xbox 360!

One year ago the Xbox 360 was born. Re-live the excitement of Zero Hour, read launch day memories from the Xbox community, and check out 360 reasons to love Xbox 360...

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360/oneyear.htm  

New Xbox Ambassadors! [Nov 06]

Today new Xbox Ambassadors were nominated and the program is expanding in Europe!  I was aware they were working on it, but today Trixie sent out an email informing everyone. It's nice to see the program grow always more

Soon the European part of Xbox Ambassadors will be managed by the EU Team and we will have a feedback system to see who's naughty or nice

Nuovi Ambasciatori Xbox! [Nov 06]

Oggi sono stati nominati nuovi Ambasciatori Xbox Italiani!

Lascio che si presentino da soli

Il programma si sta espandendo anche in Europa e la parte Europea verra' prossimamente gestita dall'Amministrazione EU.

Io saro' il vostro punto di riferimento per qualsiasi domanda e saro' sempre a vostra disposizione per qualsiasi evenienza.

Purtroppo alcuni utenti non sono stati accettati... non perdetevi d'animo e riprovate al prossimo turno!

Xbox Community Gaming – Gennaio 07

Xbox Community Gaming [EN]

Thanks to XCN I may be able to integrate the Blog (which has been an extention of the Xbox.com forums for quite some time) with our Xbox Live Calendar.

I think this will be a great opportunity for the Italian Xbox.com forum members to get in touch with our Calendar and find it of more use. For this occasion I decided to launch a new Community Program which I hope will have a great success like the others.

Xbox Community Gaming (XCG) is an event that plans on gathering our Community members to enjoy a nice and clean game. Much like a Tournament we will post results on the matches and see who played the best offering a topic of discussion on our Xbox.com forums.

Xbox Community Gaming [IT]

Grazie ad XCN potrei avere la possibilità di integrare il Blog (che è stato una estensione dei forum Xbox.com da parecchio tempo) con la nostra Agenda di Xbox Live.

Penso che questa sia una grande opportunità per gli utenti dei forum Xbox.com di mettersi in contatto con la nostra Agenda e di trovarla più utile. Per questa occasione ho deciso di lanciare un nuovo Programma Comunitario che spero avrà successo come gli altri.

Xbox Community Gaming (XCG) è un evento che mira a riunire i membri della Comunità per partecipare ad un gioco divertente e rilassante. Proprio come un torneo pubblicheremo i risultati delle partite e vedremo chi è stato il migliore, offrendo allo stesso tempo un motivo di discussione sui nostri forum Xbox.com.

Aperte votazioni per l'Intervista Del Mese [Dic 2006]

Sono aperte le votazioni per l'ultimo intervistao dell'anno! Affrettatevi a partecipare!

http://forums.xbox.com/8251666/ShowPost.aspx  

Censimento Utenti Del Forum [Nov 06]

Sei un utente Italiano dei forum Xbox.com?

Partecipa al sondaggio:

http://forums.xbox.com/8250604/ShowPost.aspx  

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars Announced for Xbox 360

Electronic Arts today announced that the sci-fi real-time strategy game Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars (C&C 3) is in development for Xbox 360.

Great news, I used to play the Command & Conquer series on PC way back. It will be nice to have it available on Xbox 360!

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2006/1117-commandconquer3.htm  

Annunciato Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars per Xbox 360

Electronic Arts oggi ha annunciato che stanno sviluppando Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars (C&C 3) per Xbox 360.

Giocavo a C&C su PC molto tempo fa, sara’ bello avere un gioco della serie disponibile su Xbox 360! 

XCN, Tony Hawk’s Project 8 - Project Lead Interview

Thanks to Xbox Community Network we have an interview with Brian Bright, the Project Lead on Tony Hawk’s Project 8.

1. What do you think is the most interesting feature of Tony Hawks Project 8?
   Nail the Trick is the most revolutionary feature.  It utilizes the analogue sticks to control the skater's feet.  Then you can kick the board in various ways and the board then becomes a physics object, flipping or spinning depending on how precise and to what angle you kicked it.  You can do it anytime in a combo and it's cool because it gives you complete freedom and creativity to innovate with never before seen  tricks.  It also perfectly satisfies the 'just one more flip' crack like addiction that is so important in gaming.
2. What involvement does Tony Hawk have in the development of this game?
   Tony is a fairly hardcore gamer.  He plays through the game a few times throughout development and gives us good feedback on what is both fun and true to skating.  He's also involved in the soundtrack, selecting the pros, providing us with good goal ideas (inspired from his 25+ years of experience), etc...  This year we 3D scanned his head and body and also did multiple motion capture with him and all of the pros to create the fluid animation system we have in Project 8.
3. How many original skaters are there in the game?
   Tony Hawk. Bam Margera, Bob Burnquist, Rodney Mullen, Paul Rodriguez, Stevie Williams, Ryan Sheckler, Daewon Song, and Mike Vallely all return.  We added Nyjah Huston, an 11 year old street skater who is the youngest competitor ever in the X-Games (He got 8th).  Lyn-Z Adams Hawkins, a 15 year old female skater who is the only woman to ever jump the DC mega ramp. Dustin Dollin is also new to the series.  He's a hardcore Vans skater from Australia.
4. Things like the Park Editor, the bertslide, the wall plant and other things were pretty cool in the last versions, will they be in THP8 and if not, why not?
   The bertslide is out, but we kept the quick 180 turn around and made it double tap on the right bumper.  The wall plant is still in.  The park editor has been taken offline this year, as we decided  to focus our resources on completely rewriting the render engine, core game design, animation system, and creating Nail the Trick.  The addition of online leader boards for almost every goal make the game feel massive and even solitary career only players can now feel connected to the larger skating community.  We feel this connectivity is the future of next gen.
5. Will the analogue trick based system allow for more of an individual style rather than the million points do the same trick in a circle thing? Do you think that the original games essentially became about high point exploits?
   Nail the Trick provides a completely new way to play the game where style and creativity both come into play.  The games have been about skill and navigating the lines in the world.  If someone finds a bug in the game to get a high score, as in the demo, we can title update.  That's the beauty of Live.  The ability to fix issues that could spoil the experience of the online players down the road.  We do thousands of hours of testing on these games, but nothing prepares your title for sending it out to the masses.  There are entire clans out there whose main mission is to find exploits in our games.  Now with Live we can stop them and even the playing field!
6. THPS are somewhat of a hardcore skater game now. On improving the game from the ground up does this mean we are going to have a more harder/challenging single player game to suit?
   No longer do you choose your difficulty level at the start of the game.  In Project 8 each goal has AM, Pro, and Sick levels of difficulty.  We did this so the game could be accessible to novice players but be extremely challenging to the most veteran players.  Sick is really tough, even for series players like myself.  This is the hardest and longest Hawk game to date.
7. One of the Xbox 360's biggest features is the Marketplace. For Project 8 are you planning to take advantage of this and release extra content such as more skaters to keep people entertained?
   We decided to put all of our effort into providing the best value for the consumer in the box.  We are not currently planning to do downloadable content for Project 8.
8. Recently EA have announced that they have plans to release a skateboarding game in 2007 which is going to make you being the number one developer for skateboarding games a challenge. How do you take to this news?
   Well, since THPS1 we have seen the following skating games: Street Skater 2, Evolution Skateboarding, ESPN X-Games, Goofy Skateboarding, Simpson's Skateboarding, Thrasher, Grind Session, etc…  It's not easy to make a 'good' skating game.
9. American Wasteland lacked a leader board in online play which I believe really hindered the amount of people that participated against others on Xbox Live. For Project 8 how do you plan to make the online on Xbox Live better and are we going to see a lead?
   We have 8 player online, with leader boards specifically for online.  We also have leader boards in the career game for 100 goals.  Even things like best combo, longest manual, grind, etc… are all on leader boards.  The addition of these boards extends the replay ability beyond even the sick ending of the game.
10. Why the name Project 8?
    This is the eighth Tony Hawk game.   We thought the name fit with the premise of the game, felt sort of futuristic (this being our first real next gen title) and paid homage to the longetivity of the series.
11. Will we see a real fluid animation system in a Tony Hawk that is more realistic than has previously been created?
    Previously we'd play one animation at a  time.  For Project 8 we have mo-capped all the pros and use their data to drive a brand new animation system that layers up to 20 animations at once on the skater.  The animations look amazing and feel totally fluid.
12. Which Multiplayer modes will be in THP8 and are there new ones in comparison to the last TH-Games?
    Many of the old favourites return with the addition of a new game mode called 'Walls'.  In 'Walls' the bigger the combo the longer the trail of the skater becomes.  The object is to frag other skaters by making them run into your trail.

Intervista Del Mese [Nov 06] - ZaaM IT

ZaaM IT risponde all’Intervista Del Mese: 

1. Come ti chiami?
   Luigi
2. Quanti anni hai?
   25
3. Come è nato il tuo Gamertag?
   Ho raccontato questa storia diverse volte e non diventa mai più interessante, comunque eccola qui :)
   Parecchio tempo fa chattavo un po’ su irc la sera, ma per qualche motivo il client che usavo si rifiutava di salvare il mio nick (ai tempi “ridah”, probabilmente). Presto mi sono stancato di scriverlo ogni volta e mi limitavo a premere il palmo della mano aperta sulla tastiera e confermare con “Invio”. Beh, una volta mi è venuto fuori “Zaam” e mi ci sono affezionato.
4. Ti piace il caffè?
   Diciamo che la mattina mi sveglio quando poso la tazzina vuota sul lavandino, la mezz’ora precedente è mistero. Direi che la risposta è obbligatoriamente sì.
5. Qual'è il tuo sogno nel cassetto?
   Vivere i prossimi 30 anni negli Stati Uniti.
6. Che musica ascolti (se la ascolti)?
   La musica è il 60% della mia vita, l’ascolto e la produco. Posso spaziare dalla musica classica al death metal, ma da sempre adoro HipHop/Rap e RnB, soprattutto se americano e meglio west-coast.
7. Ma che lavoro fai dato che hai sempre tempo in abbondanza per ravanare al PC?
   Non lavoro, il tempo libero è un regalino della cattiva burocrazia dell’Università.
8. Cosa fai oltre a giocare e a smanettare coi PC?
   Compongo e produco musica (niente particolarmente degno di nota), esco con gli amici, vado spesso al cinema.. Anche se non sembra conduco addirittura una vita normale.
9. Che studi hai eseguito?
   Sono perito tecnico con specializzazione in Informatica, ora laureando in Tecnologie Web e Multimediali.
10. Sai programmare? Se si, che linguaggi di programmazione conosci?
    A occhio e croce da 15 anni. Ho iniziato col Basic e conosco c,c++,java,javascript,visual basic, asp/vbscript ed ovviamente HTML, xHTML ed XML data la mia passione per Internet. Sto iniziando a smanettare col net framework ed asp.net (VB e C#).
11. Riesci a conciliare senza problemi lo studio dell'informatica con i tuoi progetti su Xbox 360?
    In questo periodo più che mai, visto che gli impegni di studio sono ormai pochi. Presto la situazione cambierà e vedremo :)
12. Qual'è tuo film preferito?
    Fight Club. L’ho visto almeno 5 volte in lingua originale ed il doppio in italiano.
13. Qual'è stato il tuo primo gioco eseguito su Xbox 360?
    Il primo “completo” è stato PGR3, che ho portato a casa con la 360. Il primo Arcade Hexic HD. Ma prima non ho resistito a provare il download di una demo dal marketplace e l’eletto era NFS Most Wanted, quindi tecnicamente il primo-primo è lui.
14. Cosa hai pensato/detto appena hai provato Xbox 360?
    “Ottimo, mi serve un LCD…”
15. Cosa hai pensato/detto la prima volta che ti si e’ rotta? E la seconda?
    Pazienza. Pazienza per la seconda volta.
16. Qual'è il tuo gioco preferito per Xbox 360 uscito sino ad ora? E in assoluto?
    Fin’ora probabilmente Oblivion. In futuro Halo3, probabilmente dovrei ma non riesco ad avere il minimo dubbio.
17. Quale è stato il gioco più brutto?
    Rumble Roses XX.
18. Puoi dirci i 5 giochi che aspetti con piu’ impazienza?
    Halo 3, Halo 3, Halo 3, Halo 3, GOW.
19. Quali giochi della vecchia Xbox hai, se ne hai?
    Ne ho molti e con qualcuno ci scappa ancora un partitella, ad esempio con Halo2, GTA San Andreas, Amped 2, Ninja Gaiden o Forza Motorsport. Da qualche parte in cameretta conservo anche (a memoria) PES5, Morrowind GOTY, Serious Sam, XIII, i vari FIFA ed NBA Live e sicuramente altri. Ultimamente pensavo di ricomprare Fable TLC e non ho accantonato l’idea: ho letteralmente adorato quel gioco.
20. Qual'è stata la prima console da te posseduta?
    Xbox.
21. Quante e quali console possiedi attualmente?
    Tutte quelle prodotte da Microsoft, una per esemplare.
22. Cosa ti ha spinto a comprare l’Xbox 360?
    Potevo non farlo? Ero sotto al negozio prima dell’apertura al day one.
23. Hai un faceplate speciale? Se si, quale?
    No e non credo di prenderne uno, mi piace molto il design semplice e sobrio.
24. Quando e come sei entrato a far parte nel mondo Xbox?
    Con la prima Xbox, se non erro nel 2003. Ho subito iniziato a frequentare diverse Community Online ed il newsgroup ufficiale italiano (strano, con la mia passione per Internet). Dopo qualche mese ho fatto l’abbonamento ad Xbox Live e ho iniziato davvero a vedere il potenziale della creaturina verde-nera.
25. Qual'è la cosa che piu’ ti infastidisce riguardo Xbox 360?
    Veramente riesco a pensarne solo una, cioè l’assenza di chat (anche video) multipla. Capisco le difficoltà degli sviluppatori di integrarla al posto della chat privata, ma credo che con un po’ di lavoro si potrà tranquillamente sviluppare come un’estensione della dashboard, cioè non utilizzabile durante un gioco. Spero che qualcuno se ne occupi presto.
26. Quale è stato il primo e l’ultimo obiettivo ke hai sbloccato su Xbox 360?
    Il primo “Livello 10” su PGR3, l’ultimo “Tagger” su Saints Row.
27. Cornetto caldo o ciambella fredda?
    Non c’è paragone, cornetto caldo. Alla crema ed accompagnato da un buon cappuccino.
28. Chi è stato il primo ad essere aggiunto alla tua lista amici?
    Una persona con cui ho passato moltissimo tempo online, con la prima Xbox e non solo. Un giorno abbiamo avuto una litigata per motivi davvero futili e ci siamo completamente persi di vista. Ad essere sincero mi spiace ancora molto.
29. Cosa pensi di Xbox Live Vision?
    Bellissima, l’ho presa il primo giorno utile. Tecnicamente impeccabile e l’idea di poter fare una videochat e associare facilmente una faccia a tutte queste voci sul Live mi piace moltissimo.
30. Che ne pensi di Zune?
    Che lo prenderò appena possibile.
31. Pizza o pasta asciutta?
    Piiiiiiizza.. Drooool * visualizzare Homer Simpson con una ciambella *
32. Se avessi una macchina scassata e la volessi portare a "Pimp My Ride" opteresti come console nel baule: Xbox 360 o PlayStation 3?
    Due Xbox 360.
33. Comprerai la PS3?
    Certo che no, Xbox 360 mi dà tutto quello che voglio da una console.
34. Ogni quanto fai il pieno di carburante?
    Interessante.. Non ho mai fatto il pieno in vita mia, sono uno di quelli che viaggia sul filo della riserva.
35. A che ora giochi? Ti vedo sempre e solo a orari da vampiri.
    Vedi bene :)
    Esclusi i weekend, preferisco solitamente giocare di sera, o più propriamente di notte. Ho anche la mania di seguire quei vecchi (e spesso di dubbia qualità) telefilm che Italia 1 propone sempre verso le 2, 2 e mezza di notte e spesso per passare il tempo ci scappa una sessione di gioco subito prima.
36. L'ora più tarda che sei stato sulla console durante la notte (vale sia per Xbox 360 che la vecchia Xbox).
    Chiedetelo a TecloITA ed ai cecchini 1vs1 di Halo 2 su Headlong.. Quel bravo ragazzo ha la capacità di tenermi incollato per un nulla alla console, l’ultima volta eravamo in videochat alle 4 e mezza di notte.
37. Quali caratteristiche dovrebbe avere la tua TV perfetta? Senza badare a spese...
    Un proiettore da un centinaio di pollici, alla faccia della corsa al full-hd.
38. Che impianto audio usi?
    Un sistema 5.1 della TEAC, ce l’ho dalla prima Xbox.
39. Paghi la bolletta?
    No, vivo con i miei.
40. Quando acquisterai la tua desiderata 307 cc?
    Prenderò probabilmente il modello che le succederà.
41. Se non prendi la 307cc prenderai la nuova Honda Civic?
    Più probabilmente una Impreza WRC, ovviamente dorata con i cerchioni blu scuro (…)
42. Cosa ne pensi di questa Community?
    Che è.. genuina. Altre community potranno vantarsi di un livello “tecnico” superiore o di cervelloni che a Zaam fanno un baffo, ma non hanno il nostro spirito di mettere un parola sempre e comunque ed aiutare ogni volta che sembra possibile. Raramente vedo nei nostri forum un messaggio senza risposta, anche se creato da una persona che magari il forum non lo frequenta molto. E’ questo che mi ha inizialmente spinto ad abbandonare piano piano le altre Community Xbox e dedicarmi a quella ufficiale.
43. Ma come ti è saltato in mente di creare un Blog con tanto di Obiettivi Xbox 360, forum ecc...?
    La voglia di fare qualcosa per tutti e tornare alla Community un po’ di quello che dava a me.
44. Quanto tempo spendi sul tuo Blog e nei forum?
    Tralasciando gli ultimi problemi col server (al momento in cui scrivo zaamit.com è ancora “down”) diciamo che se sono al PC sono quasi sicuramente anche su blog e forum Xbox. Tengo costantemente aperte almeno una decina di finestre su Internet Explorer, per aggiornarle tra un “lavoro” e l’altro al PC.
45. Quando mi sbloccherai da Messenger?
    Ho una sola persona bloccata in MSN e non frequenta certo i forum Xbox, chiunque altro mi veda offline è incappato nel bug che da sempre affligge il mio profilo MSN.
46. Da dove compri i giochi?
    Quasi sempre da EbGames.
47. Mai comprato online?
    Ho comprato spesso da Play.com, spero che comincino presto a fare succulente offerte sui giochi come per la vecchia Xbox.
48. Comprerai il Wii?
    In linea di principio sì, nella pratica non credo. Mi ripeto dicendo che Xbox 360 mi dà tutto quello che cerco per giochi e multimedia quindi difficilmente prenderò anche un'altra console.
49. Ritieni giusto il prezzo dei giochi della Xbox 360 a confronto di quelli della Wii?
    Non ritengo giusti i prezzi dei giochi a prescindere, ma nemmeno scatenerei una rivoluzione per questo.
50. A che ora fai merenda?
    Ultimamente sono assuefatto a pane e nutella tra l’1 e le 2 di notte.
51. Ti piacciono più i Simpson o Futurama?
    Simpson tutta la vita.
52. Chi ritieni sia più stupido tra Peter Griffin e Homer Simpson?
    Stupido è che lo stupido fa. Homer Simpson.
53. Che ne pensi dei giochi Arcade?
    Un’altra idea super-azzeccata, con alcuni ci ho passato letteralmente interi pomeriggi.
54. Come sei entrato nel Developer Program della Microsoft?
    Principalmente grazie a Friends Finder. Non è stato facile farmi notare, ma pian piano ci sono riuscito ed il giorno che sono entrato nel programma è stata una delle più grandi soddisfazioni in questo senso. Come sviluppatore, sto personalmente lavorando sui progetti più interessanti di sempre.
55. Una delle cose che più altera la vita di Gamer più o meno appassionati, sono le donne. Tu come sei messo?
    Una mia ex mi ha regalato la prima Xbox quindi perlomeno me le scelgo bene (ovviamente si è accorta presto di che aveva combinato e pentita non poco).
56. Quando smetti di fumare?
    Quando mi laureo. Grazie per avermelo ricordato dottore