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Weekly Wrap Up 07/03 - 13/03

14th March 2004, 10:58am
Welcome to the second weekly wrap, as we delve into the last week to find out what has happened on Gamebiz and in the gaming world. This week will have a few additions as I work on refining the weekly update.

General News

First off is some Australian news that the new xbox bundle Halo Elite Force Pack is now released Australia wide for a price of $349. Information for the Next Wave Independent Game Developers Conference in Melbourne have been released containing prices, and other details about the conference. In other general news, Ea's Harry Potter game will become the first third party title to incorporate the eye toy. Another cool piece of hardware coming to the PS2 is In2games Control System which get rids of the conventional controller. Gamecube owners do not despair, you can now take the cube online with warppipe, only with certain games that support the LAN feature though. On the developer front Codemasters is looking for developers that require a publishers. While it appears that the next-gen is starting to go up a cog, with Day 1 Studios seeking a lead game designer in a fully funded xbox 2 title.

Demos & Trailers Galore

This week gamebiz has had a mixture of demos, gameplay movies and trailers available. On the demo front, we have links to the PC version of Kill.switch demo a modest 77mb download. Those who enjoy rugby will be pleased as you will be able to download Pro Rugby Demo for all you wannabe coaches.

On the trailer and gameplay video front gamebiz has a few available, starting off with a Van Helsing Trailer which will be making its way to the xbox and ps2, basically a killing feast with vamps and other nasties. The new game in the Hitman series has released a new trailer for Hitman: Contracts. Next we have is a small video of Ground Control II: Operation. Last of all is a gameplay video of the upcoming game Red Ninja: End of Honor.

Go For Gold/New Release

This week gamebiz received a few reminders of what is about to be released. First of the rank we have is Tenchu: Return from Darkness on the xbox coming out on the 19th. The multi million copy seller Enter The Matrix has a new price point as it moves into each of the respective platform, platinum, classic and player's choice ranges. With the Scooby Doo movie about to hit the big screen gamebiz received a reminder that Scooby-Doo!: Monster's Unleashed is set to be released in march on PC and GBA. While the console version Scooby-Doo! Mystery Mayhem is set to hit the market in march as well. After what has been a long time for Nintendo fans, Final Fantasy is back to Nintendo at last on the Gamecube in Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles set for a march 19th release date. Finally The Suffering has been released overseas, while we wait for a release date indication.

Game Announcements

Few new game announcements were made this week, and some killer titles to say the least. One of the bigger news is the highly acclaimed Pro Evolution Soccer is coming to the xbox. Donkey Kong Country 2 is coming to the GBA with new characters. Ubisoft added another CSI title to its stable announcing CSI: MIAMI for the pc. GMX announced a tv/comic book tie in using the rights of Martin Mystere. Finally Capcom through their Japanese site announced Street fighter III 3rd STRIKE for the PS2 at this stage.

Official Sites Gone Live

One lone site in the past week with
Transformers Armada: Prelude to Energon site go live.

Game Info

This week gamebiz received some further information about the following titles.
Shade: Wrath of Angels Info
Club Manager Info regarding update packs
Conflict: Vietnamto launch in 2004
Beyond DivinityGets its own Novella

Hot Topic

The hot topic of the week was the leaked specs of Nintendo's DS, which the information and discussion can be followed in the following forum

Features

The feature of the week, is a Gamebiz exclusive interview with Namco about their game R: Racing Victory where we found out, some extra goodies for the PAL version, more info about features of the game, and how they work and interact.

Reviews

Four reviews on Gamebiz the past week.
Enigma: Rising Tide (pc)
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind GotY Edition (XB)
I-Ninja (PS2)
Mario Party 5 (GC)

Screens

A new feature this week is the screens section, after feedback from our readers. This has been implemented cause you wanted it. So lets get the ball rolling with the following screens.
Headhunter: Redemption Screens
Beyond Divinity Screens
World War Zero Screens
Starcraft Ghost Screens
Spawn: Armageddon Screens
Men of Valor Screens
Tribes: Vengeance Screens & Diary
Lords of the Realm III Screens
Phantasy Star Online Episode III Screens
Blitzkrieg: Burning Horizon Screens
Colin McRae Rally 04 Screens
Vampire: The Masquerade
Soldiers: Heroes of World War II
Konami's Gradius
True Crime: Streets of L.A (PC)
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition Screenshots
Ground Control 2: Operation Exodus

Well that is another week gone in the gaming world and on gamebiz. Feel free to comment on the weekly wrap up here. Stay tuned for another week on Gamebiz for the latest in gaming news in Australia and right around the globe.
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by Robert Gardner