wraggster
April 8th, 2006, 01:32
Game Informer reveals French publisher's project for the next-gen console, Red Steel--but is it an "incredibly violent" sword game, as rumored?
It's no secret Nintendo is going off the beaten path with its next-generation console, the Revolution. With its unconventional controller and lack of high-definition graphics, the device is not trying to imitate its competitors, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
However, some industry watchers have wondered if the platform will be so different that porting other next-gen titles to it won't be profitable. Others fear that that third-party publishers stung by losses on poor-selling GameCube titles will hold off supporting the platform until they're satisfied its userbase is big enough to warrant developing orginal titles for.
Some of those fears can now be eased, as it has been confirmed that Ubisoft is making a Revolution game. Today, the editors of Game Informer magazine leaked their May issue's cover shot--a stark image of a pistol and a katana sword with the Revolution controller reflected in its blade. The game is identified as "Red Steel," a new title from Ubisoft's Paris studio, with a development team including former members of the Prince of Persia, Far Cry Instincts, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell staffs.
Unsurprisingly, the Game Informer post doesn't go into any further detail about Red Steel, preferring to goad readers into buying the forthcoming issue. However, the revelation appears to confirm--or at least add weight to--a rumor that surfaced late last week in Europe.
The rumor first appeared on the Advanced Media Network's Revolution Advanced site. Citing anonymous sources within Nintendo of Europe, the site told of a game code-named "Katana" in development at Ubisoft. "This first-person game combines shooting elements with swordplay ones, according to sources," said the site. "What's more, it's incredibly violent and adult-themed."
Are "Katana" and Red Steel the same game? As neatly as the theory fits, it cannot be officially confirmed. As of press time, Nintendo had not responded to inquiries, and Ubisoft declined to comment on the game further.
It's no secret Nintendo is going off the beaten path with its next-generation console, the Revolution. With its unconventional controller and lack of high-definition graphics, the device is not trying to imitate its competitors, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
However, some industry watchers have wondered if the platform will be so different that porting other next-gen titles to it won't be profitable. Others fear that that third-party publishers stung by losses on poor-selling GameCube titles will hold off supporting the platform until they're satisfied its userbase is big enough to warrant developing orginal titles for.
Some of those fears can now be eased, as it has been confirmed that Ubisoft is making a Revolution game. Today, the editors of Game Informer magazine leaked their May issue's cover shot--a stark image of a pistol and a katana sword with the Revolution controller reflected in its blade. The game is identified as "Red Steel," a new title from Ubisoft's Paris studio, with a development team including former members of the Prince of Persia, Far Cry Instincts, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell staffs.
Unsurprisingly, the Game Informer post doesn't go into any further detail about Red Steel, preferring to goad readers into buying the forthcoming issue. However, the revelation appears to confirm--or at least add weight to--a rumor that surfaced late last week in Europe.
The rumor first appeared on the Advanced Media Network's Revolution Advanced site. Citing anonymous sources within Nintendo of Europe, the site told of a game code-named "Katana" in development at Ubisoft. "This first-person game combines shooting elements with swordplay ones, according to sources," said the site. "What's more, it's incredibly violent and adult-themed."
Are "Katana" and Red Steel the same game? As neatly as the theory fits, it cannot be officially confirmed. As of press time, Nintendo had not responded to inquiries, and Ubisoft declined to comment on the game further.