Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Crackdown producer on Halo 3 beta

Thursday, February 22, 2007 | 01:08 PM ET

by Saleem Khan, CBC News Online

Crackdown producer Phil Wilson got back to me with his take on the buzz about the Halo 3 beta being bundled with the Realtime Worlds game.

He initially deferred to his publisher, Microsoft:

On issues not directly related to the game I know that MS [Microsoft] PR prefers to handle them themselves, which is understandable.

Then he pointed to his post on his IGN developer blog in which he states:

There are two answers to this. The official Microsoft response is that this third opportunity to access the Halo 3 beta program needed to be tied to an imminent M-rated title, and Crackdown was conveniently appropriate. This is true, but from the developer point of view we were determined to be straight-shooters and add that launching a new franchise, particularly one that eschews so many visual and gameplay conventions, needs as much help to build awareness as possible.

And finally in a follow-up e-mail, wrote:

We expected some people to say, hey wait a minute — what is this? Why does Crackdown need the Halo 3 beta? Honestly, the game has proven that it stands on its own. As the response to the demo has indicated (over 1 million downloads), gamers are having a great time with Crackdown and are now just as excited to play through it as they are to access the Halo 3 beta. It was an obvious thing for Microsoft to do being that we are both M-rated action titles and the release timing of Crackdown fit the need. Crackdown is a completely new franchise and we don't expect everyone to be fully aware of it right out of the box. To include the Halo 3 beta, which we are excited to play as well, is a great way to get Crackdown into more hands.

Given the apparent success of the strategy with all of the attention it has generated, expect to see more scenarios like this in the future.

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

This discussion is now Open. Submit your Comment.

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

Post a Comment

Disclaimer:

Note: By submitting your comments you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that due to the volume of e-mails we receive, not all comments will be published, and those that are published will not be edited. But all will be carefully read, considered and appreciated.

Note: Due to volume there will be a delay before your comment is processed. Your comment will go through even if you leave this page immediately afterwards.

Privacy Policy | Submissions Policy

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Canada to send peacekeeping troops to Haiti
A handful of Canadian troops are about to take part in peacekeeping operation in Haiti, under the command of Brazilian forces, in a long-delayed mission that has been kept inexplicably low on the political radar.
new World's displaced people at 18-year high of 45.2 million
The Syrian civil war contributed to push the numbers of refugees and those displaced by conflict within their own nation to an 18-year high of 45.2 million worldwide by the end of 2012, the UN refugee agency says.
Google asks secret court to lift gag on surveillance
Google is asking the secretive Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to lift its long-standing gag order on how often the company is asked to turn over data about its customers to the U.S. government.
more »

Canada »

2 men jailed in Dominican wedding fight return to Canada
Two Canadian men who were detained in the Dominican Republic for nearly three weeks after a post-wedding fight broke out at a resort have returned to Toronto, the latest step in a drama that the wife of one of the men said was "like a scene from the movies."
MPs and senators' side income provokes ethics debate
The debate over Justin Trudeau's speaking fees has raised questions about what MPs and senators should be allowed to earn on top of their salaries, with some political watchers urging a wider discussion about financial conduct among parliamentarians.
Montreal mayor resigns amid corruption charges video
Montreal Mayor Michael Applebaum has resigned in the wake of corruption charges being laid against him, although he maintains he is innocent.
more »

Politics »

MPs pass NDP motion on expenses, adjourn for summer
One week after defeating Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau's attempt to open MPs' expenses to public scrutiny, the NDP has won approval for a proposal of its own just before MPs voted unanimously to rise for the summer break.
Canada to send peacekeeping troops to Haiti
A handful of Canadian troops are about to take part in peacekeeping operation in Haiti, under the command of Brazilian forces, in a long-delayed mission that has been kept inexplicably low on the political radar.
Most groups don't want return of Trudeau speaking fees video
Most of the 17 charitable and other organizations that have paid speaking fees to Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau during his time as an MP say they aren't interested in having their fees returned, despite Trudeau's offer on the weekend to reimburse any organization unhappy with his services.
more »

Health »

Chronic fatigue may be reversed with exercise
Taking it easy is not the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, rather exercise and behaviour therapy are, a large study finds.
AT&T buys T-Mobile USA for $39B US
AT&T Inc. said Sunday it will buy T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom AG in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $39 billion US, becoming the largest cellphone company in the U.S.
Milky Way home to 50 billion planets: NASA
Scientists have compiled the first cosmic census of planets in our galaxy: at least 50 billion planets are estimated to call the Milky Way home.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Ai Weiwei's zodiac sculpture unveiled in Toronto video audio
A monumental sculpture series by Chinese activist-artist Ai Weiwei was officially unveiled Tuesday outside of Toronto's City Hall.
Stunt woman's phone hacked to overhear Angelina Jolie
A woman who worked as a stunt double for Angelina Jolie sued Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. in Los Angeles on Tuesday, claiming she's a victim of a phone hacking scheme to obtain information about the actress.
video Crazy Rich Asians: an interview with author Kevin Kwan video
In his debut novel, Manhattan-based Kevin Kwan returns to the moneyed Asian enclaves of his youth to satirize an outlandish, fantastical world of wealth.
more »

Technology & Science »

Federal open data portal revamp aims to encourage apps
The federal government has revamped its data portal in an effort to encourage the development of innovative apps that make use of the publicly accessible federal government data on topics ranging from housing to air quality.
Huge ancient city at Angkor Wat revealed by lasers
Airborne laser technology has uncovered a network of roadways and canals, illustrating a bustling ancient city linking Cambodia's famed Angkor Wat temple complex.
Google pledges to rid the web of child pornography
If any one company could conceivably stop the sexual exploitation of children online, Google would be a likely contender - but not even the web's most ubiquitous search engine can tackle such a widespread problem without help.
more »

Money »

Tim Hortons being circled by Wall Street hedge funds
At least two groups of American hedge funds have bought large chunks of Tim Hortons shares recently, a sign the activist investors want to push the company to make major changes to its business, or possibly give up some control over the company.
Chrysler agrees to recall 2.9 million Jeep SUVs in U.S., Canada
Chrysler avoided a showdown with U.S. government safety regulators Tuesday, agreeing to recall 2.7 million older Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs in the U.S. and 256,000 in Canada that could be at risk of a fuel tank fire.
Leaders downplay reports of stalled Canada-EU trade talks video
Both Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his British counterpart, David Cameron, downplayed signs of trouble in the Canada-EU trade negotiations Tuesday, even as the European Union's spokesman suggested Canada hasn't shown enough "pragmatism and flexibility" at the table.
more »

Consumer Life »

Honda recalls Fit subcompacts
Honda Canada says it will recall 14,640 of its 2009 and 2010 Fit subcompact cars to replace lost motion springs.
U.S. travel fee proposal criticized by Harper
Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he doesn't think much of a new border tax that's being proposed by the United States, calling it a cash grab designed to help a budget crisis.
Bell class action suit approved by Que. court
A Quebec Superior Court judge has authorized a class action lawsuit to go ahead against Bell Mobility.
more »

Sports »

Scores: NHL NBA

recap Heat force Game 7 with OT win over Spurs
LeBron James and Ray Allen powered Miami to a frantic fourth-quarter rally and overtime escape as the Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs 103-100 on Tuesday night to extend the NBA Finals to a Game 7.
video Overmatched Tahiti stealing Confed Cup spotlight video
CBC News reporter Nick Purdon examines why the 138th-ranked Tahitians are the talk of the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
blog Wharnsby: Daniel Paille a Bruin favourite
Humble and hard working, Boston forward Daniel Paille earned the respect of his teammates long before scoring a pair of game-winning goals in the Stanley Cup final, writes Tim Wharnsby.
more »

Diversions »

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
more »