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  1. 'Bond 22' Setback To Affect Activision's Debut Bond Game?

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-09-04

    It was previously reported by CBn that Activision was planning on releasing their debut James Bond 007 game in May 2008, to coincide with the release of ‘Bond 22.’

    With the announcement that Bond 22 has been moved to a November 2008 release date, EuroGamer points out that this may cause a setback for the first Activision Bond game. Whether or not the game will still be planned for May 2008 or pushed back to match Bond 22 is unclear; Activision UK has declined to comment.

    Bobby Kotick, chairman and CEO of Activision, had previously said: ‘MGM has announced the release date for the next Bond movie following this holiday for May of 2008… that is where we would focus to have our first [Bond] game.’

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

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    Activision’s Debut Bond Game to Coincide with ‘Bond 22’

    First Activision Game Expected to be ‘Bond 22’ Tie-In

    Activision Granted James Bond Video Game Rights

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  2. Activision's Debut Bond Game to Coincide with 'Bond 22'

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-08-04

    Since Activision was granted the rights to the James Bond 007 video games, news has been relatively silent in the Bond game world. According to a new report from GameSpot, it will remain fairly quiet for quite some time.

    The next James Bond game, and the first from Activision, is not planned to be released until May of 2008 – to tie in with the release of Bond 22 (which will be released on the 2nd of that month). ‘MGM has announced the release date for the next Bond movie following this holiday for May of 2008… That is where we would focus to have our first [Bond] game,’ said Bobby Kotick, chairman and CEO of Activision.

    CBn previously reported that this first game from Activision was expected to be a Bond 22 tie-in (as well as the cancellation of EA’s Casino Royale), and this appears to be the case so far.

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on Casino Royale and all things James Bond 007.

  3. 'From Russia With Love' on PSP: What The Critics Said

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-05-27

    The most recent James Bond 007 video game, From Russia With Love was released on Sony PSP in April 2006 to many differing reviews. The most obvious factor drawing in many fans to this Bond game was James Bond himself – Sir Sean Connery. Now, after fans have played the game through and through, CBn takes a look back at the various reviews of From Russia With Love…the good and the bad.

    Two very different types of control system are on offer here although we’d urge you to select the former if you want to achieve anything in the game. This controls your character with the analogue stick whilst the other buttons take care of weapons, reloading, crouching and other movements. The other way is the reverse but this makes the whole thing feel considerably less responsive. Overall though the it is a testament to the developers and unlike the majority of console to handheld conversions you don’t feel like you are losing out on too much due to a compromised control system. Upgrades are also available to all your weapons by collecting stars although you’ll have to do some sharp shooting to acquire these.

    While many handheld versions of console games suffer from gaming elements either watered down or extracted completely, From Russia From Love arrives on the PSP almost completely intact with added bonus missions and multiplayer to boot. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable action romp too and in some ways it’s superior to its console cousins mostly due to the extras. Where it does come unstuck though is with the final polish and presentation – you do get the feeling that the games latter stages were a little rushed. Nor is there any sign of the famous Bond cars and while the average action fan will no doubt overlook this, fans of the series will be harder to please.

    Full Review – PSPworld

    The multiplayer experience reflects the rest of the game, in that it’s fun, simple to pick up, varied and yet a little rough. You can choose four match types, including the classic deathmatch and domination modes, as well as a few jetpack-based modes. Each match is fun, different and easy to set up and start. Plus, you can even play a few of the modes alone by using the game’s AI bots. This in particular helps elevate From Russia with Love from other multiplayer PSP games. Making things even better are the maps, which boast pretty good design, traps and the like. There aren’t many (you can choose four) but three of them are exclusive to the PSP build and they make for good matches.

    Having said all of that, From Russia with Love does suffer from a few issues. For starters, the camera tends to get stuck behind walls, tables and the like. Not all the time, but it happens more than it should. Certain levels in the game feel rushed, too, and you’ll therefore notice tears and a bunch of other graphical glitches. Along the same lines, the entire experience suffers from poor performance, so you’ll rarely notice a stable framerate. All in all, these aren’t game-shattering problems. It’s nothing that a little extra development time couldn’t have easily fixed.

    Full Review – IGN

    Interestingly enough, the best parts of From Russia With Love are the ones that EA managed to successfully translate from the film. The shoot-out with the Russian soldiers in the gypsy camp, the daring heist of the Lektor from the Russian consulate… These are the sequences that are the most memorable and enjoyable by far, not necessarily because of how great the gameplay is, but because they appropriately stretch out a few minute-long film sequences into a 10- to 15-minute level without sacrificing the great bits from the film. Fortunately, there are several of these sequences in the game, although there are less of them than there were in the console versions. All the driving missions from the console game have been cut here, which is really unfortunate, since some of those were among the most enjoyable levels.

    Full Review – Gamespot

    The action is wrapped up in a “classic” era Bond aesthetic, with Sean Connery in the lead role shooting his way through the plot of From Russia With Love, re-edited for videogames. As a result, the plot becomes more hackneyed after a few useless scenes/levels are tacked on, a bunch of faceless goons (great for shooting!) are added to the cast list, and you’ll spend a lot of time with a jetpack that wasn’t actually in the movie. Actually, it’s strange that EA didn’t just pick the over-the-top spectacle of Thunderball over From Russia With Love in the first place. The result is that the game walks the line between “retro” and “campy” — frequently crossing over to the camp side for a brisk jog. It’s strange, but the Bond personality can still be considered an asset.

    Full Review – GameSpy

    Sadly, the horrible control scheme puts a damper on this dapper British agent. Definitely watch the movie, strongly consider playing the PS2 and Xbox versions, and try out From Russia With Love on the PSP only if you haven’t already had enough Bond moments. Otherwise, this is one James Bond experience you can play without.

    Full Review – GamePro

    The Ratings On From Russia With Love

  4. First Activision Game Expected to be 'Bond 22' Tie-In

    By Athena Stamos on 2006-05-03

    The first video game from new 007 license holder Activision is expected to be a tie-in with Bond 22, reports Variety.

    Activision will have exclusive rights to 007 games for seven years starting from September 2007. Activision also has the rights to make Bond games not connected to new films.

    Variety also confirms the cancellation of EA’s Casino Royale (first reported on CBn), saying the publisher not being able to make the game cost MGM millions in license fees. Insiders indicated that decision, along with a shift in EA corporate strategy, led to the two canceling their deal.

    “No game means no revenue, and, for the first year, the consumer products team was left high and dry,” said one person close to the deal.

    Insiders said Activision was the No. 2 bidder for Bond in 2003, making it a natural to take the license now. “We looked at a very selective group of potential partners,” noted MGM exec VP of consumer products Travis Rutherfor.

    The 21 Bond videogames published since 1983 have sold some 30 million units overall. The new Activision deal is worth around $50 million, according to insiders.

    In what may turn out to be related news, an unconfirmed report in Britain’s Daily Express newspaper claims Eon is planning on releasing Bond 22 in 2007. The paper quotes a source as saying, “The next one will be in 2007 – Bond’s year. It will mean back-to-back shooting but then the next film will pick up where Casino Royale leaves off anyway.”

  5. Activision Granted James Bond Video Game Rights

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-05-03

    Activision Inc. has been granted the rights to the James Bond 007 video games from MGM Interactive and EON Productions Ltd. This comes as rather a surprise to many Bond fans, after Electronic Arts (EA), creator of such Bond games as Everything Or Nothing and From Russia With Love was supposedly holding onto the rights until 2010.

    Activision Inc. is the company behind the Call Of Duty, Spider-man, and Quake series, along with many other successful titles.

    The most recent planned video game from EA, Casino Royale, was cancelled partly due to deadline restraints, but this move from EA to Activision may have also played a role. The full press release from Yahoo follows:

    MGM Interactive and EON Productions Ltd. have awarded Activision Inc. the rights to develop and publish interactive entertainment games based on the James Bond license through 2014.

    This marriage of best-in-class intellectual property and next-generation gaming expertise continues the Bond franchise’s long legacy of providing thrills to audiences around the globe. Since the initial release of Dr. No in 1962, James Bond films have grossed more than $3.6 billion theatrically worldwide and approximately 30 million units of video games based on the world of James Bond have been sold to date. James Bond continues to delight audiences worldwide with a quintessential blend of action, glamour and sophisticated style synonymous with top secret agent 007.

    “James Bond is the ultimate action movie franchise, and we look forward to establishing a long-term relationship with MGM and EON,” said Mike Griffith, president and CEO of Activision Publishing Inc. “The James Bond franchise creates tremendous global expansion opportunities for Activision as it is one of the few video game licenses that appeals equally to domestic and international consumers. James Bond storylines are rich with style, drama and action, all of which lend themselves perfectly to developing extraordinary games that capture the thrill of being the most celebrated secret agent in the world.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will obtain the worldwide rights to create video games for all current and next-generation consoles, PC and hand-held platforms. The license will grant Activision the right to develop and publish games based on all of the James Bond movies, as well as non-movie based games.

    “MGM Interactive continues to work with best in class publishing and development teams, to ensure we deliver both memorable and fully immersive interactive gaming experiences for both core and mass-market gamers,” said Travis Rutherford, MGM’s executive vice president, Consumer Products and Location-Based Entertainment. “Activision’s proven expertise in developing cutting edge games, their core competency in managing large movie franchises combined with the global appeal of the James Bond property, will create a new benchmark for the next-generation gaming experience. We are excited to be partnered with Activision and look forward to a long and mutually successful partnership.”

    “Activision’s track record of developing engaging and sophisticated games across all platforms makes it the ideal partner to introduce the Bond videogame experience to a new generation of game players, as well as to provide new thrills and excitement for the legions of people who are already fans of the Bond films and games,” said David Pope, CEO of EON Productions Limited, maker of the James Bond films.

    Press Release

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on the first new James Bond video game from Activision Inc.

  6. 'From Russia With Love' On PSP Released In UK

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-04-13

    Originally delayed from a mid-March release in both the UK and US, the Sony PSP platform of the newest Electronic Arts (EA) James Bond 007 game, From Russia With Love, starring Sean Connery as agent 007 is now shipping in the UK. The PSP edition of the Bond game was previously released in the US on 4 April. It has so far met with mixed reviews, much like the console platform.

    The game can be ordered from amazon.co.uk for a discounted price of £29.99. As IT News reports, ‘Players can invest in their character and customize the ultimate Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options, including an all new single player mode consisting of 8 exciting missions, multiplayer mode with ad-hoc wireless, 16 new Bond challenges, several new unlockable Bond villains and classic Bond gadgets and weapons.’

    The original press release from EA follows:

    EA Announces From Russia With Love Videogame for the PSP; Sean Connery’s James Bond to Make His First Appearance on the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 7, 2005–Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced plans for a PSP(TM) version of the latest installment in the widely successful James Bond(TM) videogame franchise, From Russia With Love(TM), starring Academy Award(R)-winner, Sir Sean Connery. The highly anticipated game is scheduled to ship this fall on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube(TM) under the EA(TM) brand. The announced PSP version is scheduled to ship in early 2006.

    From Russia With Love, the videogame, will be based on the classic Bond film but also will feature new plot twists, gadgets and characters. Sir Sean Connery, appearing in his first-ever videogame, lent his voice and likeness to the project.

    From Russia With Love(TM) for the PSP(TM) system gives players the opportunity to experience the timeless fiction of the classic James Bond movie on the go. Invest in your character and customize Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options.

    Officially licensed by MGM Interactive, From Russia With Love is being developed by EA’s Redwood Shores, Calif. Development studio. This game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information about the PSP game, visit www.007.ea.com.

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on James Bond 007: From Russia With Love.

    Order ‘From Russia With Love’

  7. EA's Casino Royale Cancelled

    By Evan Willnow on 2006-04-07

    CBn has learned that the Casino Royale videogame from EA has been cancelled. It is not clear whether EA will release another James Bond-themed videogame in its place.

    Apparently, at least part of the reason for the cancellation was that EA was unable to meet the tight deadline for a November release while still being able to match the game action to the film.

    Casino Royale is the 21st James Bond film produced by franchise holders Eon Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production began shooting in January and is due for release worldwide on 17 November 2006. Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, it is currently being filmed in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK.

  8. 'From Russia With Love' On PSP Released In US

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-04-04

    Originally delayed from a mid-March release, the Sony PSP platform of the newest Electronic Arts (EA) James Bond 007 game, From Russia With Love, starring Sean Connery as agent 007 is now shipping in the US. The game is set for PSP release on 13 April 2006 in the UK.

    The game can be ordered from amazon.com for $39.99. As IT News reports, ‘Players can invest in their character and customize the ultimate Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options, including an all new single player mode consisting of 8 exciting missions, multiplayer mode with ad-hoc wireless, 16 new Bond challenges, several new unlockable Bond villains and classic Bond gadgets and weapons.’

    The original press release from EA follows:

    EA Announces From Russia With Love Videogame for the PSP; Sean Connery’s James Bond to Make His First Appearance on the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 7, 2005–Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced plans for a PSP(TM) version of the latest installment in the widely successful James Bond(TM) videogame franchise, From Russia With Love(TM), starring Academy Award(R)-winner, Sir Sean Connery. The highly anticipated game is scheduled to ship this fall on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube(TM) under the EA(TM) brand. The announced PSP version is scheduled to ship in early 2006.

    From Russia With Love, the videogame, will be based on the classic Bond film but also will feature new plot twists, gadgets and characters. Sir Sean Connery, appearing in his first-ever videogame, lent his voice and likeness to the project.

    From Russia With Love(TM) for the PSP(TM) system gives players the opportunity to experience the timeless fiction of the classic James Bond movie on the go. Invest in your character and customize Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options.

    Officially licensed by MGM Interactive, From Russia With Love is being developed by EA’s Redwood Shores, Calif. Development studio. This game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information about the PSP game, visit www.007.ea.com.

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on James Bond 007: From Russia With Love.

    Order ‘From Russia With Love’

  9. 'From Russia With Love' PSP Release Delayed To April

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-03-15

    Bond fans eagerly awaiting the release of the newest James Bond 007 video game, From Russia With Love for the Sony PSP, starring Sir Sean Connery as Bond, are going to have to wait a little longer.

    Originally scheduled for release on 14 March 2006 in the US and 17 March in the UK, the game has been delayed on both sides of the Atlantic to April. The new release dates are: 14 April in the UK and 4 April in the US.

    The press release from EA follows:

    EA Announces From Russia With Love Videogame for the PSP; Sean Connery’s James Bond to Make His First Appearance on the PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable)

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 7, 2005–Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced plans for a PSP(TM) version of the latest installment in the widely successful James Bond(TM) videogame franchise, From Russia With Love(TM), starring Academy Award(R)-winner, Sir Sean Connery. The highly anticipated game is scheduled to ship this fall on the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft, and the Nintendo GameCube(TM) under the EA(TM) brand. The announced PSP version is scheduled to ship in early 2006.

    From Russia With Love, the videogame, will be based on the classic Bond film but also will feature new plot twists, gadgets and characters. Sir Sean Connery, appearing in his first-ever videogame, lent his voice and likeness to the project.

    From Russia With Love(TM) for the PSP(TM) system gives players the opportunity to experience the timeless fiction of the classic James Bond movie on the go. Invest in your character and customize Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options.

    Officially licensed by MGM Interactive, From Russia With Love is being developed by EA’s Redwood Shores, Calif. Development studio. This game has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information about the PSP game, visit www.007.ea.com.

    Stay tuned to CBn for all the latest news on James Bond 007: From Russia With Love.

    Pre-order ‘From Russia With Love’

    Buy ‘From Russia With Love’

  10. 'From Russia With Love': What The Critics Said

    By Devin Zydel on 2006-02-22

    The most recent James Bond video game, From Russia With Love was released on the three console versions back in November of 2005 to many reviews. The most obvious factor drawing in many fans to this Bond game was James Bond himself – Sir Sean Connery. Now, after fans have played the game through and through; and with the PSP releases coming in March, CBn takes a look back at the various reviews of From Russia With Love…the good and the bad.

    From Russia With Love looks and plays a lot like Everything or Nothing, which isn’t surprising since it’s running on an engine that seems very similar to its predecessor’s. Bond is dealt a variety of weapons and gadgets to use, including a few nifty ones like the Q-copter, a miniature helicopter that both provides Bond with surveillance of hard-to-reach areas and acts as a weapon (in that it will explode on command). Bond also has a special belt that lets him rappel up and down steep areas. Rappelling was in Everything or Nothing, but it’s not quite the same here. It’s more of a quick mechanic used to get around than something you’ll ever find yourself using in a big action sequence. There’s no rappelling down buildings while stuff’s blowing up here.

    Full Review – Gamespot

    From Russia With Love is a good game, but it’s not enough of a leap above its predecessor, Everything or Nothing, to earn a higher score. In fact, one and a half years later, From Russia is a healthy update at best, but neither a significant nor stunning one. The game is a little short the first time through (but yes, there is good replayability). The aiming reticule’s role should be broadened for more exploration and creativity in beating a level. The RPG elements are great; I love them. But I want more upgrades for my weapons. Also, the game’s bosses are predicable and easy.

    The levels in EON bordered on great. In comparison, some of From Russia’s missions are longer, but generally their design is average. EON offered cliff-jumping levels, tanks, and all sorts of racing segments. From Russia offers less vehicle variety and some really unimpressive boat levels. Nothing beats that one EON motorcycle mission, which was one of the best motorcycle racing missions I’ve ever been on. The driving here is really run of the mill. The cars aren’t all that fast nor do they handle very well. The shooting segments are good, but nothing better than in EON. Plus, in an age that demands a co-op component, EA switches from EON’s co-op to From Russia’s competitive multiplayer. Huh? Seems strange to me.

    Full Review – IGN

    We’ll go into specifics, but the basic reason is simple: From Russia With Love is an overly liner, repetitive action game with very little personality. It dictates almost every moment that players can use Bond’s cool gear, and how they can use it all. Gunplay is reduced to its most basic elements, and there’s little AI to speak of, other than the occasional swarms of goons that appear on the most difficult setting. Even at its most difficult, however, the game is barely a challenge, and simply isn’t much fun.

    With abilities like Bond Focus, you’d think otherwise. Target an enemy, and press the focus button to zoom in and highlight weak points. Bond might be able to shoot a guard’s grenades, or the rockets protruding from a backpack. A soldier hanging from a rappel line might be brought down by shooting the wire.

    While using focus, these weak points show up as small circles on the enemy. Bond’s sight is a small dot, which the player can move. But it can only be moved in a small area around the targeted enemy. A guard might be standing next to an explosive tank, and the obvious solution is to focus and shoot the tank. But the tank might not be targetable (the system is finicky) and if the guard is more than a foot away, players can’t aim far enough off the body to shoot the tank. It’s silly and frustrating.

    Full Review – Yahoo

    One of the most endearing qualities of the game that ardent fans are sure to love is the addition of what is practically the original article, the man that made the role of Mr. Bond so coveted in the first place. Of course we’re talking about Sir Sean Connery; the one and only. Mr. Connery is back with all his debonair quips that made the ladies swoon back in the ’70s and while his voice has gotten a bit weathered over the years, he’s still able to bring a smile to a few faces with his trademark Scottish accent. Apart from Mr. Connery and all the changes that he brings to the role that was once Pierce Brosnan’s, there really isn’t all that much that differs from this game to the last, Everything or Nothing. The main differences aren’t actual additions to gameplay but are instead more in the vain of subtle refinements to the classic formula so nothing in From Russia With Love should seem too foreign for veterans of the games.

    Full Review – Team XBox

    The simplicity of this game is as easily recognizable as Sean Connery on the game’s box cover. EA made a daring attempt at trying to portray the 1963 film, which for the most part, reached its goal despite the small lack of fluidity in level selection and plot transitions. However, gamers who enjoyed Everything or Nothing will be extremely disappointed to find out that From Russia With Love doesn’t even come close to its previous predecessor’s gameplay innovation and fast-moving action build-up. The game will prove to be too easy for more established gamers, and does very little to raise the bar further up as EON did. However, if you’re the type that doesn’t mind the absence of mindless but highly-entertaining interactive sequences seen in EON, From Russia With Love is definitely a good enough game to deserve a rental. At the very least, you can pretend to be Bond and defeat those soldiers without having a worry about your gaming experience or skill factor. Just don’t expect that much of a push towards quality gameplay, because EA certainly didn’t push this one.

    Full Review – Gamecube Advanced

    The Ratings On From Russia With Love