USK website hints at Xbox 360 launch line-up

GamesIndustry.biz has learned that the website for USK, Germany's videogame ratings board, is displaying a list of all the Xbox 360 titles it's been testing since the end of August.

While developers can submit betas for testing, they must have exactly the same content as the final version - which means all games on the list are completed or near to completion, and are likely to launch alongside the 360 when it hits Europe on December 2.

Key title Kameo, an action adventure from Microsoft-owned Rare, was submitted for testing back on August 15 and so is bound to be ready for launch. As is Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, Ridge Racer, NHL 2K6 and NBA 2K6 - all of which were tested in September.

Then on October 4, USK tested Project Gotham Racing 3 - suggesting that the racer will be here on launch day, despite the recent emergence of rumours to the contrary. It's likely to be joined by Peter Jackson's King Kong, Call of Duty 2 and GUN - all tested by the middle of October.

Final Fantasy XI was tested on October 21, and this week USK has been working on FIFA 2006 and Dead or Alive 4.

In addition, a number of Xbox Live Arcade games have been tested, including Bejewelled, Zuma, Hearts and Hexic, the Alexey Pajitnov-created puzzler that will come pre-installed on the Xbox 360 hard drive.

But there's one title that's conspicuous by its absence: Rare's much-hyped shooter, Perfect Dark Zero. This could suggest that it won't make it as a launch title, since there's now only just over a month left in which to get the game tested, manufactured and distributed.