It’s time to inspect the latest rumors concerning the Xbox console. From Content
Downloads on Xbox Live to developer acquisitions find out what’s
going around the web and the world in this opinionated editorial from Dakota
Grabowski. Keep in mind however that rumors are exactly as
they are defined, pure speculation! It’s not our goal to keep
the fraudulant rumors flying, but for those of you who can’t spend countless
hours scouring the internet for the latest gossip, we’ve done it all for you.

So read on, and be sure to add a comment to the article or post in our Rumor
Forum if you’d like more in depth discussion on any of the following rumors,
or rumors you may have heard. . .

#10. Content Downloads

Microsoft announced that MechAssault downloads would be in January. Unreal
Championship even went ahead and said their’s would follow soon after. Splinter
Cell would have it’s downloads in early spring, Ghost Recon would be in the
early spring at the latest, and much more titles are announcing their content
downloads. MechAssault looks to have a whole month filled with downloads.
But there is some unconfirmed rumors about having an early surprise in December
with some downloads the week of Christmas. Only time will tell if these sources
are correct.

Rumors: No they aren’t true since it’s from an unknown source
that revealed this info, but the downloads will begin after the new year for
sure.

Opinion: Keep the downloads coming, that’s why I bought Xbox
Live!

#9. Capcom v.s. SNK 2 EO

There have been some non-reliable sites that have been ranting about
Nintendo buying out Capcom as of late. Not many big game web sites have confirmed
the rumor, including XboxSolution, but the rumors keep coming and has Microsoft
fans angry. Capcom is publishing Capcom v.s. SNK 2 and a few other 2D fighters
for the Xbox, along with Steel Battalion, and this acquisition of Nintendo
could ultimately stop the publishing of the future titles. I believe though
that even if this buyout happens, there will still be the release of Capcom
v.s. SNK 2 and Marvel v.s. Capcom 2. Both look to have the Xbox capability
enabled.

Rumors: We’ll have to wait and see due to the fact that they
are supposed to speak about the rumors before the year is up.

Opinion: Lets all pray that this huge teaming of the two doesn’t
become final, because then there wouldn’t be a Steel Battalion 2.

#8. Star Wars Galaxies

Sony Online is in the process of creating and already in beta testing
of Star Wars Galaxies for the PC and Xbox. It has been tossed around that
the Xbox version was thrown out and that they have started on the PS2 version,
since it is being made by Sony Online. The thing is, Microsoft has made a
contract with Lucas Arts for them to recieve the title and since it is a Star
Wars game, it’s up to LucasArts and not the developer in Sony Online. It may
be entirely impossible to create it for the PS2 unless they completely tear
down the engine and make it very simple with limited quality.

Rumors: Yes, they are running across the web about it being
directly ported from the PS2 version to the Xbox but only the Xbox is confirmed.

Opinion: Hey, atleast we already get Star Wars: Knights of
the Old Republic which will allow us to play 4,000 years before. Though Star
Wars Galaxies is played throughout the 5th and 6th episodes, both are on the
same level as anticipated games. One of which I will be paying monthly though,
and that’s a big difference. Can you guess which one?

#7. Jet Set Radio Future

Sega has been contemplating porting this over to the Gamecube to generate
more sales for the company.

Rumors: By February, everything may just be crystal clear.

Opinion: Let them have Jet Set Radio Future, as long as we
get in return either Sonic, Shinobi or Super Monkey Ball 2

#6. Phantasy Star Online I & II

The release date on this title is totally confusing. It’s already on
the Gamecube online service. Phantasy Star Online is destined for the Xbox
next, but when? It will indeed be out by Spring, if not a little after Spring
time.

Rumors: Yeah the release date hasn’t been confirmed totally
yet, but we should all have a little of a clue on when it should be out.

Opinion: As long as I am able to play True Fantasy Online,
it doesn’t matter if we get Phantasy Star Online or not.

#5. Shinobi & Sonic

Just like Jet Set Radio Future having the possibility heading to the
Gamecube, rumor has it that Shinobi and Sonic may just happen to show up on
the Xbox sooner or later. Sega’s struggling for sales outside of their sport
titles and a few hit titles like Sonic on the Gamecube. Their sales were down
even though they are still relatively high for any publisher.

Rumors: By February I believe, I bet we will find out the
future of many of the titles from Sega.

Opinion: We still have Panzer Dragoon Orta. The future may
just be on this title for the Xbox porting. If sales are great, expect some
ports to follow to the Xbox.

#4. Muzzle Flash

It seems this unique shooter is delayed already since it was announced
at TG2 this past year. Muzzle Flash looks to be one of the prominent titles
on the Xbox Live service later next year. If this is indeed true, people will
still be able to play the other great titles over the Live service like Midtown
Madness 3 and Return to Castle Wolfenstein by then. Hold on tight because
next year will be the return of the king! Microsoft will claim victor of 2003.

Rumors: It’s leaking around the net and it has yet to be fully
confirmed.

Opinion: Atleast we still are getting it through Xbox Live.

#3. Developer’s Galore

With the possibility of Nintendo becoming partners with Capcom, Microsoft
may just be searching for the next developer or huge publisher to buy out
or team up with. Here is a list of developers that Microsoft may indeed be
looking into further development or buying them out.

Warthog: Developing Mace Griffen: Bounty Hunter for
the Xbox and PS2, and X-Men: Wolverine’s Revenge for the PS2. They would be
worthy to purchase with these two great titles being released. Of course Microsoft
would have to team publish X-men since Activision holds rights to the Marvel
liscense. They would become the only publisher for Mace Griffen only though.

Namco: I just had to throw their name in the fray. Namco
is creating Soul Calibur 2 for the Xbox currently, along with a few other
house hold titles like Pac-Man and a few classic bundles. Namco also publishes
Tekken 4 and the Ace Combat series. If Microsoft was to purchase them soon
or team with them, they would probably halt the porting of Dead to Rights
to the other consoles even though the game isn’t that worthy of fussing over.

Sierra: They aren’t as well known to many but they are
a good publisher/developer with titles like SWAT series, Malice, Dark Angel
and Jonny Drama all for the Xbox. They are an old company with a lot of history
with game developing and would be a worthy purchase. Microsoft could possibly
recieve the Tribes series, No one lives forever, Half-Life, Team Fortress,
King’s Quest and maybe even attract the Middle Earth Online liscense they
still have. Lastly they probably would give Xbox the game product of ‘The
Hobbit’ that is slated to be published on the Gamecube.

Those are three I looked at purchasing and maybe I will continue more in
my next article.

Rumors: Who knows with Microsoft. None of these are true that
I just spoke about.

Opinion: It would be great for them to get all three but if
I had to pick one it would be Sierra due to Microsoft’s focus on the Xbox Live
service currently to attract more gamers even though Soul Calibur 2 and Tekken
series would be a good investment.

#2. Sega Buyout?

Yes it may seem like I am speaking only about Sega, Sega, Sega, but this
publisher is a key part to some of the success on the Xbox. Microsoft may
indeed buy out them and acquire their key developers. The thing is, they would
have to spend all that money dedicated to the Xbox totally to just buy them
out since Sega holds a hefty price. Hopefully we will get the answer to any
future rumors before E3.

Rumors: If Sega isn’t bought out a little after E3, then maybe
it will never happen.

Opinion: Sega would be a huge acquisition for Microsoft. I
say, if you get them for a bargain price, then go ahead. I will continue to
pledge my money to buy games for the Xbox.

#1. Bad Capcom!

For a couple of weeks Microsoft was rumored to buy Sega, and now it’s
Nintendo’s turn. Nintendo is in the rantings with Capcom though, instead of
Sega. Capcom is supposed to help out Nintendo’s adult audience basis and it
would be a good transaction for Nintendo, though it would hurt both PS2 and
Microsoft if they published exclusively for Nintendo. Next should be PS2 with
a publisher like Konami or something like Namco. Who knows, Nintendo was supposed
to confirm it yesterday (Tuesday 12/17/02), but still no signs of any confirmation.

Rumors: We should find out very soon on this teaming of the
two.

Opinion: As long as Capcom fulfills all duties to publish
Capcom v.s. SNK 2 and Marvel v.s. Capcom 2, then I have no beef against Capcom
if they were to be bought out since most likely it will only make Microsoft
that much hungrier to get more top notch developers under their wing.

Filed under: Editorials

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!