News: Activision at E3
Posted 16 May 2002 at 08:38 by Gerben
Activision debuts its strongest and most compelling game slate to date at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles on May 22 – 24, 2002.
From new action sports titles such as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater™ 4, Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX™ 2, Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer, and Shaun Murray’s Pro Wakeboarder, to legendary game franchises like id Software’s DOOM III™, to entertainment inspired games including Minority Report�, Stuart Little 2, XXX, theX-Men, Blade and Star Trek, Activision’s slate demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering the best interactive entertainment experiences to audiences worldwide.
The company’s lineup includes:
Action Sports:
As the market leader with a 63% share in the fast-growing action sports genre, Activision has established Activision O2 as the brand of choice among both hardcore gamers and sports gaming enthusiasts. Activision O2 personifies the gravity defying philosophy of the action sports athletes and encompasses industry-leading franchises like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater�, as well as all new games, which will debut at this year’s E3.
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater™ 4 continues to build on the success of the renowned franchise by reinventing the skateboarding genre with an all-new career mode, levels and goals. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PlayStation�2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox™ video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Game Boy� Advance)
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX™ 2 continues the tradition of the popular BMX game by delivering an over-the-top gaming experience that lets players perform hundreds of tricks and combos using a new trick tweaking system as they embark on three modes of play - the immersive Road Trip, Single Session and Free Ride and multiple two player modes. Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2 is rated “T” (Teen) with blood, mild lyrics and violence and the hand-held version is rated “E” by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Game Boy Advance)
Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer lets players ride like six-time world champion Kelly Slater or as one of eight of the most accomplished pro surfers of all time as they search for the perfect wave. Featuring ultra realistic wave and ocean conditions, real-world breaks, detailed graphics and intuitive controls, the game delivers the adrenaline action of surfing and the rush surfers feel when dropping in on a wave. Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance)
Shaun Murray’s Pro Wakeboarder will introduce this popular water sport to video games. Featuring two-time world champion wakeboarder, Shaun Murray and seven other pros, the game challenges players to catch big air off the wake as they perform acrobatic feats such as Front Flips, Whirlybirds, and Tantrums. Shaun Murray’s Pro Wakeboarder is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance)
Super Heroes:
Marvel Comics’ Super Heroes -- Spider-Man, the X-Men and Blade -- are among the most widely recognized brands in entertainment. With a 59% market share, Activision is the leader in the super heroes category and is poised to further cement its market position with three new super heroes games that will be unveiled at E3.
X-Men: Next Dimension is the only fighting game for the next-generation consoles that recreates the epic super heroes battles from comic books and films. Players expand their combat beyond the traditional arena and battle across expansive 3D levels using advanced fighting combos, aerial combat and dynamic interactive environments to wreak havoc on foes. X-Men: Next Dimension has been rated “T” (Teen) with violence and suggestive themes by the ESRB.
X-Men�: Wolverine’s Revenge™ is the only action-adventure game that lets players take on the persona of Wolverine as they explore the mysterious past and deadly future of the most popular X-Men character. X-Men: Wolverine’s Revenge is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance)
Blade 2 is the only game that lets players take on the role of the baddest of the vampire slayers. Players must make maximum use of Blade’s special abilities, weapons and martial arts moves to stop the vampire nation’s quest to create an all-new form of super-vampires known as Reapers. Blade 2 has been rated “M” (Mature) with violence, blood and gore, strong language by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft)
Driving:
Earlier this year, Activision established its presence in the driving genre with WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions�, a top selling title for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Activision is continuing to broaden its reach in the genre with three new driving titles that focus on mission-based driving and off-road racing.
WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions is a mission-based driving game set in the streets of Hong Kong that lets players choose one of two roles -- an elite anti-Yakuza squad member taking on the vicious mafia or a high-level secret agent trying to uncover corrupt ties between the mafia and the police. WRECKLESS: The Yakuza Missions is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system)
True Crime: Streets of L.A. blends high-speed mission-based driving action, full impact martial arts fighting, and daring shootouts in a world that puts players in the role of a rogue cop in L.A. who must take down the mafia. True Crime: Streets of L.A. has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft)
Rally Fusion: Race of Champions is a visually explosive, all action racing game set across 20 interactive environments. Players must compete in a series of races against the top drivers in 20 of the hottest licensed cars with the ultimate goal of becoming the “champion of champions.” Rally Fusion: Race of Champions has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube)
Mass Market:
Activision is the #2 independent U.S. game publisher and one of two U.S. publishers with worldwide revenues in excess of $500 million. The company recently posted revenues of $786 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002. As a result of its market position, Activision has been able to bring some of the most recognized entertainment brands to audiences of all ages. At this year’s E3, the company will showcase six games with broad-reaching, mass-market appeal.
Based on Steven Spielberg's highly anticipated sci-fi thriller, Minority Report™ lets players assume the role of the movie's hero, pre-crime officer John Anderton, the head of an elite police squad that predicts and apprehends murderers before the crimes can be committed. When Anderton is accused of a pre-crime murder, he's forced to elude the law to prove his innocence, while attempting to uncover an insidious conspiracy. Minority Report has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance)
After the triumphant return of Voyager to the alpha quadrant, the Hazard Team is assigned its deadliest mission yet – duty onboard the Federation’s renowned flagship, the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701-E in Star Trek Elite Force II. As returning character Ensign Monro, players will travel to the far reaches of the universe to unravel the mystery behind two new alien races and a lost civilization. Star Trek Elite Force II has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PC)
A starship tactical simulator, Star Trek� Starfleet Command III™ is the first game in the series to take place in The Next Generation timeline. The game surrounds the events of a new Federation/Klingon space station and a Romulan conspiracy designed to drive a wedge between the two great empires. Star Trek Starfleet Command III has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PC)
Following the storyline from one of this summer’s most anticipated films, Stuart Little 2 puts players in the role of the loveable can-do star, Stuart, and challenges them to run, dodge, jump, drive, skateboard and fly as they solve the disappearances of Stuart’s new best friend, Margalo, and Mrs. Little’s wedding ring. Stuart Little 2 has been rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB. (Game Boy Advance)
Based on Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic tale, Disney’s Tarzan: Return to the Jungle for the Game Boy Advance is the action-adventure sequel to the wildly successful Tarzan� Game Boy� Color game. Once again, players take on the role of Tarzan as both a young boy and an adult, adapting to the ways of the jungle and overcoming its most dangerous perils. Tarzan: Return to the Jungle is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (Game Boy Advance)
XXX, based on this summer’s highly anticipated action movie starring Vin Diesel of “The Fast and The Furious” fame, is the only game that lets players enter the world of spy/action sports athlete Xander Cage. Featuring fast-paced motorcycle and shooting action, XXX includes 11 challenging levels of gameplay, plus a cool arsenal of high-tech weapons and gadgetry. XXX has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (Game Boy Advance)
Enthusiast Games:
A 20-year reputation for quality and value has established Activision as a brand of choice among gaming audiences. The company’s research has shown that it ranks as one of the most recognized names among interactive entertainment companies. Activision’s product portfolio is balanced between licensed content and original game properties. Licensed products provide the company with a predictable revenue stream, while original game properties offer additional financial upside.
id Software’s DOOM III™ is the latest installment in one of the most successful franchises in PC gaming history. Built on id’s revolutionary new 3D graphics engine, DOOM III draws players into the most frightening and gripping 3D gaming experience ever created. DOOM III is currently in development by id Software™ and has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PC)
Set against the backdrop of WWII, id Software’s Return to Castle Wolfenstein™ plunges console players into a maelstrom of action, espionage and covert operations, as an American soldier tasked with infiltrating the heart of Nazi Germany and stopping the darkest plans of the Third Reich. Return to Castle Wolfenstein is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system)
Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven is the first sequel to the original Tenchu video game. Set in the shadowy world of feudal Japan, the game immerses players in the role of a ninja warrior seeking to serve justice against an evil overlord. Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system)
Street Hoops is a gritty, “in your face” street-style basketball game that encompasses the look, speed, energy and attitude of park/playground blacktop competition. Street Hoops has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft)
As the sequel to the highly acclaimed Shogun: Total War, Medieval: Total War challenges players to reshape the history of the Middle Ages through a combination of epic real-time 3D battles and turn based empire building. Medieval: Total War has not yet been rated by the ESRB. (PC)