2012 HIGHLIGHTS 9
2012: Amazon will launch its own PC download store, GAME will be pushing OnLive via its website and stores, while GameStop will better align its digital services. Expect most etailers to launch digital offerings, too.
7 12 11 14 17
PEGI BECOMES LAW (PROBABLY) Yep, the video games ratings system has still not been made law. But don’t worry, it will definitely happen this year. In the first half of this year. Right?
12 7
KINECT CUTS TO THE CORE So far, the majority of Kinect games have been aimed at the family gamer. In 2012 that changes with a string of core brands featuring Kinect support, including Star Wars, Steel Battalion, Fable, Ghost Recon and Mass Effect.
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MORE CALL OF DUTY The Call of Dutyjuggernaut rumbles on into 2012, with the first new releases being Modern Warfare 3 DLC. Activision has also announced a Call of Duty for Vita, while the next blockbuster from studio Treyarch will likely be announced in spring.
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THE NEXT GENERATION IS HERE Nintendo’s Wii U arrives this year. The device (which was only unveiled six months ago) features a tablet controller and runs HD video games, including Batman: Arkham City, LEGO City Stories, Super Smash Bros, Killer Freaks From Out of Space, Pikmin 3 and Tekken. A second reveal is due soon.
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RETAIL COMMITS TO DIGITAL Last year, UK retailers made tentative steps into digital markets with points cards and services. That will be taken to another level in
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO? Ian
Livingstone Life President, Eidos
I’m looking forward to the Education Secretary Michael Gove officially announcing that
computer science will be included in the National Curriculum almost as much as I’m looking forward to the release of Tomb Raider.
18 January 6th 2012
Mike Hayes President and CEO,
Sega West
The Olympics. It’s a proud moment for our country. It should mean continuing great sales of Mario & Sonicand success with our official game on 360, PS3 and PC out in the summer. And it’s a proud moment for me as the sailing is being held in my home town of Weymouth.
BIOSHOCK INFINITE There’s a number of big games from 2K this year, but the next BioShock – by series creator Ken Levine – is by far the biggest. This third title in the series takes place in the sky.
13 MASS EFFECT 3
The acclaimed RPG trilogy reaches its climax this March. Developer BioWare is focusing on large-scale action as giant aliens invade earth.
14 HALO 4
343 Industries is now fully in control of the Haloseries, and its first major task is to develop the true sequel to Bungie’s 2007 epic blockbuster, Halo 3. No pressure.
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DIABLO III Warcraft developer Blizzard’s big game of 2012 is an isometric PC RPG, which arrives early this year.
16 MMORE
2011 ended with one of the most anticipated MMOs ever in Star Wars: The Old Republic. But 2012 has its own array of promising new titles, such as Trion Worlds’ MMORTS End of Nations, PS3 FPS Dust 514(due spring) and PC RPG The Secret Worldby Funcom (set for April). The two biggest releases are the next World of Warcraft expansion Mistsof Pandaria, and NCsoft’s Guild Warssequel.
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BIG YEAR FOR BRAWLERS You can’t beat a good bit of fisticuffs and fighters have never been more popular. This year, there’s one hell of a line-up of brawlers. There’s a slew of portable beat ‘em ups, from Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, Reality Fighters and BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extendon Vita, to Tekken 3D Prime Editionon 3DS. But the biggest titles are due on consoles, namely Soul Calibur V, Street Fighter X Tekken, Tekken Tag Tournament 2and Dead or Alive V. THQ has its usual array of grapplers, including two WWEgames and UFC Undisputed 3.
Rob Salter Entertainment Director, Tesco
Some sustained growth in games. Conditions will remain challenging and it is up to retailers and manufacturers to deliver compelling propositions. The Olympics should provide a boost to the economy and the nation’s mood, but we’ll need to earn our share of the TV.
Kunio Neo President, Konami Europe
I predict 2012 will be the year we will witness the transformation of the way games will be experienced. New
technology and platforms have positively impacted traditional console manufactures as well as publishers by expanding the overall ecosystem.
Robert Nashak EVP, BBC Worldwide
The Vita launch. We’re bringing Doctor Whoto Vita at launch and the feature set for Vita will blow your mind. I also look forward to next-gen console announcements from Sony and Microsoft. Also, Bioshock Infinite, The Last Guardianand Syndicate.
Martin Defries MD
Rising Star Games
Continued sales for 3DS – we have a line-up of great game titles to launch in the year. Also, if dreams could come true, a complete and
boundary-less rise of the UK High Street retailers selling games profitably.
www.mcvuk.com
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