Five new high-resolution screenshots from Street Fighter 4!

There’s more to the story than it seems when it comes to the silent death of the Xbox Live Arcade version of GoldenEye 007, a Nintendo 64 shooter created by Rare. According to 1UP, the XBLA version would feature the same graphics and sound as the original, but would include online multiplayer via Xbox Live. In fact, the game was only two months away from completion, but was killed due to the fact that Nintendo and Microsoft could not make up their minds when it came to financial matters.

The site makes a logical suggestion: if you want to see the game on Xbox Live Arcade, make it known to both Microsoft and Nintendo.

Outspoken God of War designer David Jaffe has expressed his wholehearted support for a ‘one console’ future through a post on his personal blog. “Can anyone explain to me how having one console would be bad for gamers? Or game developers for that matter?,” he wrote, rejecting the often brought up argument that there would be no healthy competition if there was an unified platform. “I don’t understand this in regards to console hardware. One game publisher would be bad. One giant game developer would be bad. I get how those things would hurt gamers. But why would one unified hardware platform?”

He then brings up massive content choice, as opposed to exclusive content on each console, as one of the major benefits of a unified platform. Jaffe also mentions that competition on the software front would lead to better quality products.

There are various other major supporters of this school of thought, including Dennis Dyack and John Romero.

The February 2008 issue of Game Informer is host to the world exclusive unveiling of Resistance 2, the sequel to the best-selling PS3 launch title. Scheduled for release this Fall, the game will continue the story from the original, continuing the exploits of protagonist Nathan Hale as well as following the adventures of a separate squad.

According to the magazine, the game will now support online campaign co-op with up to 8 players, one of the original’s most requested features. Surprisingly, Insomniac Games are hoping to deliver up to 60 player support in online matches, allowing players to split into individual squads. There will be various classes in the game, including a tank-like soldier and the ubiquitous medic.

Further information and online media unveiling is expected soon.

As per a feature in this month’s issue of Games for Windows magazine, Eden Games has delayed Alone in the Dark (PC, PS2, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360). The game, originally expected this March, will now be released in September.

A new Rainbow Six Vegas 2 trailer has been released, showing off about two minutes of cinematic footage. The game is in development for release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this March.

Shacknews reports that Valve will release two new maps for Team Fortress 2 within the next two months. One of them is a remake of the original’s Badlands map, which places an emphasis on more vertically-oriented gameplay. No information was disclosed on the other map.

The studio will also release a Medic achievement pack, which will add several new achievements for the Medic class as well as make significant gameplay tweaks to that particular class. Apparently, more new content will debut eventually that will make “large scale modifications” to the core of the game.

The site carries clarification that the new maps will be released for the PC version of the game. It is not known if the maps will be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.

Empire Interactive has announced Ford Racing Off Road, an upcoming racing game that features only Ford licensed cars, for the PS2, PSP, PC and Wii. The latest entry in the multi-million selling franchise marks the introduction of the Land Rover brand. There are also various features like real-time, on-the-go vehicle damage repair, faster acceleration and more.

“Ford Racing Off Road is a tremendous expansion of our highly successful Ford franchise,” said Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive. “We introduce some impressive vehicles, stunning environments and great new features. The Land Rover brand brings real excitement and even stronger appeal to the franchise.”

The game hits stores March 2008.

This blog post on the Spacetime Studios website carries word that publisher NCSoft has cancelled the MMOG the studio was working on. According to their projects page, the game, dubbed Blackstar, was a “unique space combat MMO” that featured fast shooting action as well as traditional RPG elements. The cancellation of the game has caused the loss of a dozen jobs, however, they do not have any ill feelings towards the publisher; they are also looking for a way to continue with the IP. Here’s more:

The cancelled game was our primary project and we have a complete MMO engine w/ networking infrastructure, tools suite, and next-gen rendering engine. The company remains extremely committed to the IP and once all mutual obligations have been completed between the publisher and ourselves we intend to explore every possible avenue to see that our team’s collective vision come to fruition.

FiringSquad points out that in addition to the recently revealed Demigod action/strategy game, Rick Goodman, founder of Stainless Steel Studios and cofounder of Ensemble, is working on a new game with a new startup developer. However, they do not offer details on the project itself.

Hoping to cater to battle strategy gamers, Ascaron Entertainment sent out word that it will release a Blitzkrieg 2 Anthology next month. The set includes Blitzkrieg 2 and its two expansions - Liberation and Fall of the Reich.

The original game let players command German, American and Russian WW2 armies, taking charge of more than 250 types of historically accurate units, including 60 types of ground infantry. There are over 80 missions and 15 multiplayer maps. The add-ons expand on this by offering two more campaigns, three major offensives and more.

All all-new courtroom adventure is headed our way in the form of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, an upcoming entry in the popular courtroom drama series. The game will be released in North America for the DS on February 12.

Being the fourth title in the series, the game will feature Apollo Justice as the lead character; he will be helped by Trucy the magician. A flash demo of the game will be made available on the series’ website later this month, with a full DS demo to be released via Nintendo Stations starting next month.

Sega Europe sent out word that Football Manager 2008 will be released for the Xbox 360 this Spring. The upcoming installment in the renowned sports simulation series has been developed by Sports Interactive and is fully updated for the new season, including transfers being made in the mid-season stransfer window, allowing players to select their favorite club or international team and guide them to the title.

The game, as expected, will feature online play via Xbox Live, allowing players to challenge friends to one-on-one matches and even host tournaments. Football Manager 2008 will kick in to stores on March 28.

The official Brutal Legend website is up, offering heavy metal music, details on the upcoming game and downloadable media. The game stars Jack Black of Tenacious D and features a world of heavy metal and its various subgenres.

Following up on the previous announcement, here’s a CES 2008 trailer for Soul Calibur IV, showing off the inclusion of Yoda and Vader from the Star Wars series.