GoldenEye 007 Classic Edition bundle announced

Nintendo Wii gold Classic Controller Pro for GoldenEye 007

Activision announced today the GoldenEye 007 Classic Edition bundle that includes an exclusive gold Classic Controller Pro. Inspired by the golden gun the gold controller gives gamers an additional control scheme option, allowing them to play with added accessibility. GoldenEye 007 is currently in development at Eurocom and is expected to be released on November 2nd in the United States. The bundle will be priced at $69.99. A Nintendo DS version is also in development separately by n-Space.

“In addition to the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, GoldenEye will also support the Wii Zapper for ‘point and shoot’ gamers, giving players several ways to experience GoldenEye on Wii,” said David Pokress, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties, Activision Publishing. “We also couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pay homage to the golden gun with the gold Classic Controller Pro, which looks cool and also gives shooter fans a familiar control scheme to use as they blast their way through the game.”

Developed exclusively for Wii and based on the GoldenEye film, the new GoldenEye 007 has been updated to give players a more modern experience by integrating the story into the Daniel Craig series of films alongside Blood Stone due out this November as well for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PC from developer Bizarre Creations. GoldenEye 007 features a four-player split-screen multiplayer as well as an online mode for up to eight players with a robust XP system for unlockables and achievements. The game also includes 40 total characters, eight classic Bond characters, ten maps, three standard modes and 18 special modifiers that according to Activision allow gamers to create hundreds of game combinations.

GoldenEye 007 was recently rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB in the United States.

Feirstein talks Blood Stone and GoldenEye

Den of Geek posted a short interview with Bruce Feirstein, the screenwriter of such Bond films as GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough as well as the video games Everything or Nothing, From Russia with Love, and the upcoming Activision games Blood Stone and GoldenEye 007 (2010).

“In the case of Blood Stone, the producers, EON, Michael Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, David Wilson and Gregg Wilson, had an idea for a story, and had a lot of it done. And I came in, worked with them, fleshed it out. – Bruce Feirstein“

In the interview Feirstein briefly talks about how he transitioned from being a New York journalist for magazines such as The Sunday New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, and The New Yorker to a screenwriter and then again to the video game world. “At heart, in games, you’re talking about a narrative, and a narrative that involves the player over ten or twelve hours”.

A helicopter chases Bond in James Bond 007: Blood Stone

Feirstein also talks about how he came on board with Blood Stone and states that the idea of the story came from the Bond producers themselves, “In the case of Blood Stone, the producers, EON, Michael Wilson, Barbara Broccoli, David Wilson and Gregg Wilson, had an idea for a story, and had a lot of it done. And I came in, worked with them, fleshed it out.” Feirstein also worked closely with Activision kicking back and forth ideas on just about everything from locations to the action sequences. “Two weeks ago, we were still working on lines of dialogue, the multiplayer elements of the game.”

For GoldenEye 007, Feirstein mainly talked about how they went about updating the game while still staying true to the general story. It’s not said specifically, but Alec Trevelyan is clearly no longer the son of a Lienz Cossack, which was his motivation for turning on the British government. “One of the central plot-points in the movie was that the character of Trevelyan, his father was a Lienz Cossack, who was massacred in World War II. Again, that character would be 80 years old today. So, why should Trevelyan turn against the UK?” Another character getting a face lift is Valentin Zukovsky who appears to be nothing like his former ex-KGB self. “That character now owns a nightclub in Barcelona and would actually like to own a British soccer team,” Feirstein stated.

Facility level from GoldenEye 007 (2010)

Feirstein also discusses his thoughts on the booming video game industry and what Ian Fleming himself may have thought of the medium. You can check out the full interview at Den of Geek.

GoldenEye to come bundled with golden controller

It was rumoured back when Activision’s GoldenEye was itself a rumour, but online listings now confirm that Nintendo will release a special Classic Controller Pro for the Wii alongside the anticipated James Bond shooter.

Destructoid reports that GoldenEye will be available bundled with the controller, rumoured to be a special golden edition of the Classic Controller Pro.

The controller/game bundle will retail in North America for US$69.99. No word yet on whether the bundle will be available outside of North America.

Gamers will be able to play GoldenEye with either the Wii’s trademark Wiimote/nunchuk setup or with the Classic Controller Pro.

Meanwhile, a new variation on the trailer for GoldenEye has been released, showcasing a few extra sequences from the game, including what appears to be footage from the revamped Jungle level.

Be sure to check out our exclusive report on GoldenEye and Blood Stone and keep watching CommanderBond.net for the latest James Bond gaming news.

007 in San Diego: Inside Blood Stone and GoldenEye

Written by: Dave Pinto & Chris Wright

CommanderBond.net recently sent two of its best field agents on an assignment in San Diego, California to investigate the two upcoming Bond video games produced by Activision. When they weren’t utilizing the open bar or sampling the fancy hors d’oeuvres, they were interviewing members of the creative team behind Activision’s highly anticipated holiday releases, GoldenEye 007 and Blood Stone. Here is their report.

James Bond may have been absent from the Activision booth during the four-day-long San Diego Comic-Con (22-25 July) but he was certainly not forgotten. On Wednesday evening (21 July), CommanderBond.net had the opportunity to attend an exclusive hands-on preview event in San Diego, California hosted by Activision. Despite featuring Stan Lee as the event’s special guest, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions was not the night’s focal point. Instead, Stingaree, the posh Bond-esque nightclub at which the event was held was adorned with GoldenEye 007 and Blood Stone imagery. While James Bond’s return to the silver screen may be in limbo, the event reassured us that Daniel Craig’s 007 is alive and well. Many online news outlets were invited to this event but we were there exclusively for the two Bond titles and therefore the details outlined in this report are intended to be more thorough than any other report you may find online.

Dave Pinto with Activision senior producer Brian Pass

First off, we would like to say how thoroughly impressed we are with Activision’s handling of the Bond franchise. After talking with several members of the creative team involved in the production of these games, it became quite clear that all of them are truly passionate about giving fans quality James Bond video games. This passion is evident in the fact that they have been working very closely with cast and crew from the film series to ensure that the games have a cinematic feel to them. By now it’s no secret that veteran Bond film and video game scribe, Bruce Feirstein, has penned both GoldenEye 007 and Blood Stone. Both feature the voice and likeness of Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Dench. GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo Wii and DS also features Rory Kinnear reprising his role as Chief of Staff Bill Tanner (we’re not sure if he also did voice work for Blood Stone). Blood Stone sees Joss Stone doubling as both the Bond girl (a wealthy socialite named Nicole Hunter) and the game’s title song singer (“I’ll Take It All”). Other Bond crewmembers involved in the games include composer David Arnold (GoldenEye 007 only), Daniel Craig’s stunt double, Ben Cooke, as the games’ stunt coordinator, and Lindsay Pugh, a costume supervisor that worked on the film, Quantum of Solace. Because Activision is trying to capture the essence and tone of the Daniel Craig era, Q will be absent from both games as will the presence of his trademark gadgets. By the looks of this impressive cast and crew, it appears that Activision is determined to make these two video game experiences as cinematic in quality as possible, which is fantastic news considering the current opaque state of the Bond 23 production.

As you’re probably aware, rights issues have prevented a remake of the Nintendo 64 version of GoldenEye 007 for many years since various parties (Nintendo, Rareware/Microsoft, Activision, and EON Productions/Danjaq) would have had to be involved. When asked how these issues were resolved, Senior Producer Brian Pass explained to us that the upcoming GoldenEye 007 is not a remake of the Nintendo game but an adaptation of the 1995 film, GoldenEye, for which Activision currently has the license. When asked why they chose to re-imagine a game based on a fifteen year-old film, the producer answered that GoldenEye 007 is by far the most recognizable first-person shooter of all time, evident by countless focus groups which all but unanimously concluded that the game was their favorite. “GoldenEye hit that moment when video games and movies collided,” said Brand Manager Eric Spielman. However, the game’s namesake isn’t a guaranteed goldmine. The 2004 Electronic Arts-produced GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, which bore little to no similarity to the Nintendo 64 original was largely rejected by fans and widely considered a cheap attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the GoldenEye brand. Senior Producer Brian Pass told us that the game’s creative team was aware of the potential stigma associated with the GoldenEye name post-Rogue Agent and assured us that the new game will not be “gimmicky” in the slightest.

Chris Wright at Comic-Con

We can confirm that Quantum, the mysterious criminal organization featured in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace will NOT be appearing in this year’s GoldenEye re-imagining. However, Lead Designer Brendan McLeod of n-Space, the company responsible for the game’s Nintendo DS incarnation, assured us that the GoldenEye storyline has been updated to the Daniel Craig era’s 21st century setting, showing how the world has progressed during the fifteen year interim since the release of the 1995 film. The game’s display menus all feature design cues based on MK12’s computer/cell phone graphics and M’s revolutionary “Smart Wall” introduced in Quantum of Solace. In-game mission briefings, narrated by Bill Tanner, display enemy dossiers on the “Smart Wall.” In the Nintendo 64 version, players could access the main menu and complete tasks via Bond’s wristwatch. In Activision’s version, the antiquated wristwatch will be replaced with Bond’s sleek and modern smartphone, which can be used to take critical reconnaissance photos during missions and to perform other important functions.

Although the pre-title sequence of the original film occurred in 1986, the entirety of this new game will take place in the present day. Since the only Bond-related voice talents brought on for this game are Craig, Dench, and Kinnear, the supporting cast of characters from GoldenEye (including Alec Trevelyan, Natalya Simonova, Xenia Onatopp, General Ourumov and even Valentin Zukovsky) have all been re-imagined both visually as well as with regard to their roles in the story. For instance, 006 now looks more like Carter from the pre-title sequence in Casino Royale than Sean Bean. Some hardcore fans of the film may be put off by these slight differences in appearance and role, but just remember that James Bond looked nothing like Pierce Brosnan in the Nintendo 64 original!

Much of the gameplay throughout the game’s pre-title sequence/first level finds Bond and 006 negotiating their way from a Russian base while under heavy gunfire amidst a torrential storm, a moody new touch. The climax of the sequence has Bond at the precipice of the dam where we first see him in the film, this time surrounded by a detachment of gun-wielding Russian soldiers. Thinking fast, Bond unstraps his parachute pack and deploys it toward the Russians thus causing a distraction that allows him to escape into the murky abyss at the base of the dam. The demo ends there so it is unclear how Bond survives the freefall without a parachute (Moonraker, anyone?). We were told that the bungee sequence from the original film was eschewed because it was more or less a product of its time when bungee jumping was still a popular sport. The restructured pre-title sequence called for a more swift and practical stunt, which will segue into a brand new main title sequence, although everyone was tight-lipped when asked if Tina Turner will return or whether there will be an entirely new song for the game.

Once the opening presentation (which included trailers for the two Bond titles as well as three other forthcoming Activision titles) concluded, we were allowed to walk around and interact with the demos playing on various television monitors throughout the nightclub. The Blood Stone demo featured most of the cut scenes during the pre-title sequence. Set in Athens, Greece, we first see M discussing a man named Greco (the pre-title sequence’s villain, not the game’s main villain) with a Greek general. She claims he’s an international arms dealer hell-bent on disrupting a G-20 Summit by murdering world leaders whereas the general claims Greco is a man of good intentions. In a moment reminiscent of the pre-titles sequence to 1987’s The Living Daylights, Bond parachutes onto Greco’s yacht to foil his plans before they are put into motion. What ensues is a non-stop, wall-to-wall action sequence that follows Bond from air, to sea and finally, to land. A split-second glimpse of the scene immediately following the main title sequence showed what appeared to be an envoy from the G-20 Summit clad in sexy lingerie and writhing in delight after what was certainly an unforgettable roll in bed with 007.

In conclusion, GoldenEye 007 and Blood Stone are “fully loaded,” as Q would say. We had a blast getting a sneak peak at these two new video games and we hope that you found this report enjoyable. We were told that Daniel Craig enjoys doing these games and that recently while in the studio recording voice work, he mentioned that these products are important because they are essentially the Bond film for this year. When asked whether Activision has any plans to adapt any other past Bond films into video games, Senior Producer Brian Pass told us to stay tuned because the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series is right around the corner in 2012…

We would like to thank Activision very much for the invitation to this exclusive hands-on preview event as well as the GoldenEye 007 and Blood Stone creative teams for taking the time to show us the games and answer our questions.

First Nintendo DS GoldenEye details emerge

GoldenEye on Nintendo DS

Video game developers n-Space have revealed the first details of the Nintendo DS version of the upcoming GoldenEye remake.

The first snippets of information were released to coincide with Activision exhibiting 2010’s two new James Bond games – GoldenEye and Blood Stone – at San Diego Comic-Con.

Courtesy of n-Space’s blog, here’s what gamers can expect from the DS version of the anticipated 007 remake…

GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo DS is an all new first-person action game developed by n-Space in conjunction with the Wii title. GoldenEye 007 for the DS offers all of the epic action of James Bond’s greatest adventure, built from day one to push the capabilities of the Nintendo DS to its absolute limits. In both single and multiplayer, GoldenEye 007 delivers covert action on a handheld like you’ve never seen it before.

What makes GoldenEye 007 so special?

James Bond in GoldenEye in 2010

GoldenEye 007 is a re-envisioning of the film’s original story. Rather than a one for one remake of the original game, GoldenEye 007 takes the undeniable finesse of James Bond and the incredible events of the 1995 film and delivers them in a handheld game that incorporates all of the elements that made the classic game great, all with the quality and style of a modern day shooter.

GoldenEye 007 delivers the complete saga of GoldenEye re-envisioned by famed Bond author Bruce Feirstein for 2010 starring Daniel Craig as the world’s greatest secret agent. The game features the same full voice cast as the Wii title – Dame Judi Dench, Rory Kinnear, a cast of new talents as the classic GoldenEye lineup, and of course Daniel Craig as James Bond.

Travel the world as James Bond, through locations both vintage and new, taken from both the original film and the zeitgeist of the modern era. Tear through the dam at Arkhangelsk, snake through the snowy surface of Severnaya, and rampage through St Petersburg in a tank – all with the skill and style of 007.

Covert Action on the DS

GoldenEye 007 is a covert action game, using a combination of tactical shooting encounters and stealth ops situations to let the player experience what it truly feels like to execute a mission as James Bond 007.

GoldenEye 007 is a “thinking man’s shooter,” rewarding brains over bullets. Bond’s greatest weapon is his mind, and the player is rewarded for making tactical decisions rather than charging in and spraying gunfire. Environmental kills, unconventional routes, distractions, and silent takedowns are the norm in GoldenEye 007.

GoldenEye 007 is built from the ground up to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS’s special features. The player also uses the Touch Screen for feats of both strength and skill – smashing through barricades, escaping a doomed helicopter, and leaping from the Arkhangelsk dam!

Unparalleled Handheld Multiplayer

GoldenEye 007 recreates the classic fun of the original title with a focus on multiplayer first-person gaming never before seen on the DS.

GoldenEye 007 supports 6 players in both wireless and Wi-Fi connections across the globe. A full suite of game modes are available, with vintage modes like Golden Gun and Flag Tag making a return alongside some new game types.

A full spread of modifiers allows players to change the state of the game to create a whole new experience in an all-new way.

An enormous number of multiplayer awards are available for players to unlock; guaranteeing hours of both cooperative and competitive play online.

We look forward to sharing more about this great new DS title in the coming months!

Screenshots from the DS version of GoldenEye remain forthcoming.

n-Space are also developing the DS version of Blood Stone.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for our full report direct from San Diego Comic-Con.

Blood Stone theme now online

The theme to the upcoming James Bond adventure Blood Stone has found its way online courtesy of IGN and Activision. Titled “I’ll Take It All”, it was written by Joss Stone and by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart, and performed by Joss Stone who is pulling double duty as Bond girl Nicole Hunter as well.

Although not much about the story is known, the game obviously has something to do with diamonds as confirmed in the title credits video above. The video also seems to be clearly inspired by Casino Royale. Daniel Craig’s silhouette is back taking on foes that instead of breaking apart into suits from a deck of cards, explode into diamonds. Locations for the story include Istanbul, Siberia, Bangkok, Athens, and the South of France.

More information on the game can be gleaned from Activision’s Blood Stone website at http://www.bloodstonegame.com

Blood Stone is official

After a series of delays and rumours Activision has finally announced James Bond: Blood Stone, a third-person shooter (with cover system and hand-to-hand combat). Coming from developer Bizarre Creations this holiday season the game will be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the PC. Developer N-Space is creating a game of the same name for the Nintendo DS.

Blood Stone is an original story by Bond screenwriter Bruce Feirstein, best known for his involvement in the Bond films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is Not Enough. He also wrote scripts for the video games Everything or Nothing, From Russia with Love and recently was announced to have rewritten GoldenEye 007 for Activision.

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond in both likeness and voice with additional voice work supplied by Judi Dench and Joss Stone who not only has a role in the game, but will also provide an original music track titled “I’ll Take It All,” along with Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics.

Check out the trailer above. We’ll have further news including screenshots on Blood Stone soon.

AWARD WINNING ARTIST JOSS STONE GOES UNDERCOVER IN ACTIVISION’S JAMES BOND 007™: BLOOD STONE

James Bond 007: Blood Stone Delivers Intrigue and Explosive Third-Person Action for the Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 system, Windows PC and Nintendo DS™ This Holiday Season

Santa Monica, CA – July 16, 2010 – Award winning artist Joss Stone is set to debut as the newest Bond girl in Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) James Bond 007: Blood Stone, an original Bond experience from legendary screenwriter Bruce Feirstein. In addition to stepping into a leading role, Grammy and BRIT Award winner Joss Stone will create original music for the game, luring players into an explosive third-person action adventure where they will unravel an international conspiracy across exotic locales. Players will experience full-throttle, behind-the-wheel action on land and sea while using the most high tech gadgetry known to James Bond 007, the world’s most skilled secret agent.

“James Bond 007: Blood Stone captures the cinematic intensity of a Bond film by immersing players in an intriguing conspiracy that will require them to think and act like James Bond,” said David Pokress, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties, Activision Publishing. “In addition, the game will feature a diverse array of multi-player modes and debut strategic objective-based gameplay that will allow Xbox 360, PS3™ and PC players to battle as teams of spies and mercenaries through authentic Bond locales.”

James Bond 007: Blood Stone features the likeness and voice talent of Daniel Craig, Joss Stone and Judi Dench and features an epic, original story developed by legendary screenwriter Bruce Feirstein. Players can engage in cover-based firefights, lethal hand-to-hand combat and speed their way through explosive adrenaline-fueled driving sequences as they embark on a global chase leading to action on land and sea through Athens, Istanbul, Monaco and Bangkok. Gamers can also feel what it is like to be a 00 agent, as they take the battle online in several robust 16-person multi-player modes that require skill, teamwork and strategy as players compete in matches that will have spies battling mercenaries.

Joss Stone provides an original musical track to the game titled, “I’ll Take it All” written and performed by her and Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics. The song will be featured exclusively in James Bond 007: Blood Stone.

The James Bond 007: Blood Stone video game is being developed by critically acclaimed developer Bizarre Creations for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC under license from EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Additionally, an original Nintendo DS™ game is being developed from the ground up by n-Space. For more information about the game, visit www.007.com.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About EON Productions/Danjaq, LLC

EON Productions have produced twenty two James Bond films since 1962. In 1995, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took over the 007 franchise from Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and are responsible for producing some of the most successful James Bond films ever, including CASINO ROYALE and more recently QUANTUM OF SOLACE. The James Bond franchise is the longest running in film history. EON Productions and Danjaq LLC are affiliate companies and control all worldwide merchandising for James Bond.

About Bizarre Creations

Bizarre Creations is a video game developer based in Liverpool, England. Established in 1994, the company is famed for such high profile franchises as Blur, Formula 1, Fur Fighters, Geometry Wars, The Club, and the Metropolis Street Racer and Project Gotham Racing series. With 200+ staff working out of a custom-built development studio, the company now simultaneously develops several next-gen projects across various platforms. They can be found online at www.bizarrecreations.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing’s products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, litigation risks and associated costs, rapid changes in technology, industry standards, business models including online and used games, and consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as music, first-person action and massively multiplayer online games, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality “hit” titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, and the other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Blood Stone © 2010 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. 007 and related James Bond trademarks © 1962-2010 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. 007 TM and related James Bond trademarks are trademarks of Danjaq, LLC licensed by EON. All Rights Reserved. Game Code © 2010 Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing, Inc.

Rumour: Joss Stone and Dave Stewart on Blood Stone title track

Unofficially, we know there’s a video game by Bizarre Creations currently in development that may or may not have something to do with racing or have a major focus on driving. It’s also believed to be titled “Blood Stone” – or is it “Bloodstone”? Hard to say because officially we know nothing. Not a peep has been made about the game despite knowing of the game’s existence since 2007.

Regardless, a new rumor just landed on CommanderBond.net’s desk about the game. The title track is supposedly being performed by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart. Further whispers say an official announcement could be coming Friday.

Earlier this year, Activision stated that their follow-up to 2008’s Quantum of Solace was still on track for a release in the second half of 2010 though this (supposed) racing-oriented Bond title was missing entirely from E3. Originally due out in September 2009, the company elected to delay the release.

Be sure to keep checking the CBn main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest news as it becomes available.

Activision reveals reasoning behind GoldenEye's Nintendo exclusivity

While reaction to last week’s E3 announcement of Activision’s GoldenEye remake has been mostly positive, one of the few thumbs-down given to the James Bond revival is its exclusivity to Nintendo’s Wii and DS platforms.

GoldenEye on Nintendo Wii

It didn’t taken long for VideoGamer.com to take the question to Brian Pass, one of Activision’s senior producers.

“There are a number of different reasons,” Pass explained. “One’s we have a partnership with Nintendo. It’s a great opportunity. This game was originally on the N64, so there’s the nostalgia factor for people that are Nintendo fans. So we wanted to partner with Nintendo for this.”

Pass continued, “The opportunity on the Nintendo Wii platform is huge. There’s roughly 12 million Wiis in North America. But it’s not really a console that a lot of shooter fans are playing on. So we wanted to offer them their own first-person shooter, that’s unique and exclusive to that console.”

“It belongs to the platform that it should be on, which is Nintendo.” – Eurocom primary producer Dawn Pinkney

The producer explained that the Wii remote and nunchuck controller has left first-person shooter fans cold, which is why GoldenEye will offer support for the Wii’s Classic Pro Controller.

“They don’t like using the pointing device,” Pass said. “Now they’ve got the Classic Pro Controller. This is dual analogue stick. It’s got the exact same layout you find on PS3 or 360.”

“You put this in a shooter fan’s hands and they instantly know how to play. We feel that the opportunity and the time is right. And partnering with Nintendo is a huge opportunity for us. We really want to tap in to the nostalgia for Nintendo fans, and take advantage of the opportunity presented by the platform.”

Eurocom’s Dawn Pinkney described it as unlikely that Activision’s GoldenEye would find its way to other consoles. “It belongs to the platform that it should be on, which is Nintendo.”

Activision’s GoldenEye will be released on Nintendo Wii this November.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest news on Activision’s GoldenEye.

Pre-order GoldenEye for Nintendo Wii and DS

GoldenEye on Nintendo Wii

Eager to get your hands on Activision’s revamped GoldenEye? James Bond fans can now pre-order the Nintendo Wii and DS versions of the game from Amazon.com.

GoldenEye on Nintendo DS

• Order GoldenEye for Nintendo Wii
• Order GoldenEye for Nintendo DS

The Wii version will retail for US$49.99, while the DS edition will sell for US$39.99. Both versions will hit shelves on 2 November 2010.

UK pre-order details are forthcoming.

Speaking of the DS game, while an announcement at E3 was noticeably absent, developers n-Space revealed on their Facebook page that news of the DS version will emerge next week. n-Space worked on a number of Call of Duty games for the DS console.

Eurocom is developing GoldenEye for the Wii.

Meanwhile, Activision has launched an official Facebook page and Twitter feed (@goldeneyegame) for GoldenEye. Both will keep you up-to-date on the latest GoldenEye news.

Stay tuned to CommanderBond.net for all the latest James Bond gaming news.