Tomorrow Never Dies Game Walkthrough – CMGN Tower, Saigon (8)

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Mission 8: CMGN Tower, Saigon

As a general note, this level contains a fair amount of enemies, so depending on your level of expertise, slow and steady may be the best course of action…

As soon as you begin the mission, turn around and quickly eliminate the two guards positioned off to one side. Once they are out of the way, grab the Med Kits and gear and then take out the guard atop the ramp with your assault rifle in sniper mode. Head up and then take out the enemies just around the corner in the same fashion. Head further up the ramp, eliminating the guard on your left, until you reach a large metal crate—take out the unwary sniper here too.

Head down the other ramp and then take a right. After continuing along this path, you’ll eventually come to a Med Kit and key lying on the ground—grab these and proceed towards the other path at the bottom of the ramp. You’ll eventually make your way to an elevator box on the wall, for which you must press CIRCLE to activate the elevator. Objective 1 complete.

Head back to the elevator and press the button to descend one floor. Once you arrive, take a left (if you prefer, you can go forward first instead) and eliminate the enemies ahead of you. You’ll soon make your way to a weapons storage room, so gear up and then head back towards the main hallway. Take out what guards you encounter and be sure to grab the gold 007 logo lying in your path.

Proceed through the doorway to your left and take out the two guards in the media room. Head towards the part of the wall where a stereo system is and press CIRCLE to push it out of the way and reveal a hidden area. Eliminate the guard in here and grab the elevator card. Then back to the elevator to drop down one more floor. Objective 2 complete.

Eliminate the two guards outside the elevator. After the cut-sequence that follows, exit via the door in the new room you’re placed in. Continue along the hallway, taking out approaching guards. At the end is an opened door to a room containing the weapons crates you must fire at to destroy. Objective 3 complete.

Pass through another hallway and into a computer room, take out the guards posted here and then proceed forward to the next room where you pick up a data disk. Objective 4 complete.

Head back to the first computer room and then over to the area with a window. Shoot out the window to escape. Objective 5 complete.

MISSION COMPLETE.

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Mendes' publicist comments on 007 reports

Sam Mendes’ British publicist Sara Keene has confirmed to guardian.co.uk that the director is indeed in talks to helm the 23rd James Bond film.

Keene told the website, “I can confirm that he has had a meeting, but Sam always has lots of projects on the table that he might direct next. Sam’s method is to have a number of projects as possible next films and at some point to confirm which film he’s going to do.”

The news comes after Hollywood blogger Nikki Fenke reported on the curious negotiations owing to the imminent sale of MGM. Fenke claims Mendes is soon to be brought on board the film as a “consultant with an eye to direct”.

Mendes is the Oscar-winning director behind such films as American Beauty, Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road.

MGM has refused to confirm the reports to trade paper Variety. The studio also denied reports that pre-production on Bond 23 is on hold.

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MGM likely to draw bids as 15 January deadline looms

The Hollywood Reporter – A week before a Jan. 15 deadline on offers to buy MGM, two things are clear: The Lion will attract some bids, but debt holders will need to OK another extension on scheduled debt payments beyond Jan. 31.

More than a dozen suitors have signed confidentiality agreements and are culling through financial information about the studio in an online “data room” set up by MGM consultant Moelis & Co. Those include other studios such as Warner Bros. and Lionsgate and nontraditional entertainment players including AT&T and hedge fund Elliott Management.

Elliott had to pledge that its interest is unrelated to the firm’s stake in Hollywood producer Relativity Media. Strict confidentiality terms prohibit suitors from sharing data with other companies, a provision prompting Fox to refuse to participate in the MGM due diligence.

Fox may have hoped to partner on a bid with former News Corp. exec Peter Chernin, who’s been thought to hold some interest in the proceedings. Chernin was a consultant to Comcast in its recently announced deal with GE for a controlling stake in NBC Universal.

Comcast is a current MGM stakeholder, along with Sony, Providence Equity and TPG Capital. Providence holds a 29% stake and TPG 21%, while Comcast and Sony each has a 20% interest following the group’s $5 billion MGM purchase in 2005. DLJ Merchant has 7% and Quadrangle has 3%.

Few in Hollywood believe bids for the studio will exceed $2 billion this time around. MGM remains in active development with a series of films—including the next James Bond pic—and has three films set for theatrical release this year.

Almost 150 companies share in MGM’s $3.7 billion in debt. A third debt forbearance approval is likely in the next couple of weeks.

“The debt will have to be extended, and they will have to extend the forbearance,” a lenders-group source said. “There isn’t time to get anything done by Jan. 31 at this point.”

Since October, MGM chief Stephen Cooper has asked for a series of extensions on the studio’s next big debt payments. Lenders agreed to the debt forbearance in exchange for an agreement to seek offers of interest from companies willing to buy the studio in whole or in part.

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Muddy MGM situation behind Mendes negotiations

Trusted Hollywood blogger Nikki Fenke of Deadline.com is exclusively reporting that Sam Mendes has not signed on to direct the 23rd James Bond film… yet.

Instead, Fenke claims the Oscar-winning helmer of American Beauty and Road to Perdition is in final negotiations to initially board Bond 23 as a “consultant”.

The curious negotiations reportedly stem from the increasingly muddied behind-the-scenes situation at the beleaguered studio home of the 007 films, MGM.

According to the blogger’s sources, Eon Productions requires a first payment from MGM once the company hires a director. Accordingly, Mendes is in final negotiations to come on board the project “as a consultant with an eye to direct”.

Fenke’s source said, “Once they put [Mendes] on as the director, something happens to the contract in terms of ownership. But let me emphasize there’s not any deal done.”

Fenke writes, “Given that MGM is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and Eon may have the right to take Bond elsewhere, it stands to reason that the producers wouldn’t want to do anything right away that further complicates ownership of Bond #23.”

Also of interest is Fenke’s claim that Daniel Craig “insisted” upon Mendes’ involvement in the film following the mixed critical reaction to Quantum of Solace.

MGM has refused to confirm the reports to trade paper Variety. The studio also denied reports that pre-production on Bond 23 is on hold.

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Tomorrow Never Dies Game Walkthrough – Ski Ridge, Hokkaido (7)

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Mission 7: Ski Ridge, Hokkaido

You begin this mission skiing downhill. While there are numerous recommendations that can be made on precisely how to complete this first section of the mission, the key thing is to constantly be moving as quickly as possible in order to avoid enemy confrontations. Be especially careful of the numerous obstacles such as trees and boulders (you’ll want to weave in and out of these to evade your attackers) as well as the different points where you can accidentally ski off the cliffside.

As you proceed forward, veer left towards the wooded area and continue along. There are various Med Kits lying along your path, so grab the easy ones and keep moving. You’ll eventually head through a tunnel and then make a jump at the end of it. Further on, head to the right of the trees positioned ahead to avoid falling off the cliff. After a split in the path ahead, you’ll eventually reach a wooden archway, which marks an end to the skiing portion of this level. Objective 1 complete.

From your position by the large boulder, head towards the guard building, taking out the patrolling guard and others that eventually appear from around the building. Once they are all eliminated, head inside and load up on the armor and ammunition located inside. Exit the building, take out any guards that may have shown up and then grab the gold 007 logo lying beside the nearby truck.

Enter the second nearby building after eliminating the nearby enemies and press CIRCLE at the computer to disable the security system. Objective 2 complete.

Exit the building and make your way to the locked gate on which you must use your fingerprint scanner. Using the crates as cover, take out the patrolling guards in this new area and then head up the large tower to collect a security pass. Objective 3 complete.

Head back down the tower and over to the partially snow-covered building. Head inside and down the hallway to prepare for the final boss fight of the mission—Isagura. Dealing with this enemy requires a fair amount of patience, accuracy and evasiveness. Watch out for the gas bombs he throws at you in addition to the gunfire. The trick is to use the two pillars in the room as cover for brief moments, while firing at him in short, succinct bursts. Eventually he’ll be taken down and a secret passageway will open, allowing you to complete the mission. Objective 4 complete.

MISSION COMPLETE.

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Director Sam Mendes rumoured for Bond 23

British director Sam Mendes is reportedly in talks to direct the 23rd James Bond film, says The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision blog.

The blog states that the Road to Perdition and Revolutionary Road helmer is currently in negotiations with Eon Productions’ Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to take on what will be Daniel Craig’s third 007 outing.

‘Plans for the film are moving forward despite a possible sale of MGM.’

While it has been recently reported that work on Bond 23 is on hold due to the impending MGM sale, Heat Vision reports that production on the film is being fast-tracked and could begin as early as June with an eye toward the 2011 release.

No official statement has been made, so we’ll have to watch and see.

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Tomorrow Never Dies Game Walkthrough – Convoy, Swiss Alps (6)

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Mission 6: Convoy, Swiss Alps

Start the mission off by grabbing the heavy armor located to your left and then use the sniper rife to take out an enemy located ahead a bit on your side of the road. Then head to the other side of the road and head up the hill to eliminate another enemy waiting here. Using the trees for cover, aim over at the other side of the road and take out the two guards positioned there. Carefully move forward and take out the final guard positioned by a series of roadblocks and then move towards the building past the roadblocks to rendezvous with Q. Objective 1 complete.

After Q leaves you with BMW the second half of the mission commences, this time with you behind the wheel. You have to destroy the eight convoy vehicles before they reach the tunnel ahead to escape. You shouldn’t find this section of the mission too difficult to deal with: just concentrate on avoiding the mines the enemy vehicles drop to try and trip you up.

Once the eighth and final vehicle is destroyed, you win the mission. Objective 2 complete.

MISSION COMPLETE.

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Charlie Higson's SilverFin released as unabridged MP3 audiobook

An unabridged MP3 CD audiobook of Charlie Higson’s debut Young James Bond adventure, SilverFin, has been released in the UK by Chivers Children’s Audiobooks.

The Young Bond Dossier alerts us to this new release, which can currently be ordered from BBC Audiobooks, where it retails for £36.50.

This audiobook version of SilverFin is read by Nathaniel Parker, who has previously lent his voice to the previous Young Bond audiobook releases.

• Order the MP3 CD audiobook edition of SilverFin from BBC Audiobooks

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Daniel Craig lands on GQ's 2010 Best Dressed list

Daniel Craig has landed in the top ten of GQ Magazine‘s Best Dressed list for the fourth straight year in a row.

As reported on the official website, the James Bond star came in at #6 overall this year, down two spots from his 2009 position. Says GQ:

‘His Alfred Dunhill suits and formal approach to dressing are inherently British and he should be revered for his celebration of classic, rigorous British tailoring.’ – Hywel Davies, fashion author.

Favouring all the great British brands, from Sunspel to Turnbull & Asser, this Bond certainly dresses to kill.

Topping the list was Twilight superstar Robert Pattinson, followed closely by Take That, Alex Turner and Tom Ford, among others.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was named the worst dressed man of the year, alongside stars including Russell Brand, Piers Morgan and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The top 50 best dressed will be included in the February 2010 issue of GQ, due out on 7 January.

Keep turning to the CommanderBond.net main page and our Discussion Forums for all the latest James Bond news and coverage.

Tomorrow Never Dies Game Walkthrough – Hotel Atlantic, Hamburg (5)

Tomorrow Never Dies (1999)

Mission 5: Hotel Atlantic, Hamburg

You begin the mission in a parking garage near your car. Immediately equip your PK7 and take out the two guards stationed ahead of you. Make your way across the garage to a wooden door and proceed through it to enter the Hotel Atlantic. Move through the hallway towards the reception area, taking out the two guards that you pass along the way.

Go through the unlocked door to enter the bar area, taking out the guards and the one attacking bartender. Once these enemies are eliminated, speak with the remaining bartender. Objective 1 complete. After the conversation is over, grab the key chain the bartender drops and exit via the door behind the bar.

Eliminate the enemies stationed in this room, grab the Med Kits and then exit via the door that takes you back to the hallway leading to the parking garage where you started the mission. Once you’re back by your car, head through the large door behind it and stock up on the numerous supplies in the small room there. Be sure to also activate the service elevator switch. Objective 2 complete.

Head back to the room you originally entered via the doorway behind the bar area and make your way to the service elevator. Head up one floor and then take a left upon exiting. Head through the door right next to the elevator, taking out the guard positioned ahead as you move forward. You’ll eventually make your way to a large room furnished with a grand piano. It is here where you must fight against boss Dr. Kaufman. Use the piano as cover, rushing out to fire at him as needed and you shouldn’t have too much trouble at all. Just be sure to keep an eye on the approaching enemies that also periodically show up during this boss fight.

Once Kaufman is out of the way, head upstairs via the staircase and talk to Paris in the nearby room. Objective 3 complete. She will follow you, so grab the gas bombs in the bathroom next door and then head back downstairs, exiting through a pair of double doors. Take a left and follow the hallway, eliminating approaching guards and grabbing the gold 007 life logo on the floor. Make your way back to the grand piano room and then head through the doorway at the base of the staircase. Proceed forward and head into the service elevator to descend one floor.

Exit the elevator and run towards your car, dodging enemy fire. Once you make it the mission is completed. Objective 4 complete.

MISSION COMPLETE.

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