Rumor Mill: Christmas Edition
	Another edition of our popular article, the Rumor Mill.  This time around, we focus on our success in the past, and look at what's in store in the future of the Xbox and Xbox 2.
05.09.05 - 2:26 pm

For those of you, who haven't yet read any of our rumor mill features, this is an article detailing the current whispering around the gaming industry.  Due to working in the game industry for over 5 years, we have gained a reputable list of insiders from many of the worlds leading companies and establishments who are keen to slip us a few details now and then, so long as we don't blast their name up on every billboard across the planet.

Don't believe us?  Check out our track record:

Rumor Mill - April 2003:

More StarWars for Xbox Live

"Insiders tell us that LucasArts sees potential in this revolutionary online service and they should already be working on another Xbox Live game.  Get ready for some huge Jedi battles against your friends."

What were we talking about: Star Wars Battlefront, Republic Commando.

Rumor Mill – May 2003:

Activision

"While Activision will be demonstrating the delights of True Crime and Return To Castle Wolfenstein, word from our insiders is that they could also be announcing an X-Men RPG and fighting game for the big ole box."

What were we talking about: X-Men Legends.

Criterion

"These guys, (Creators of the fantastic Burnout series) are working on a huge project that should be revealed during the show by a big publisher."

What were we talking about: Burnout 3 being published by EA.

Namco

"While they will be demonstrating the NSTC versions of Soul Calibur 2 filled with extras, rumor has it that this will be the event where Ridge Racer 6 is finally revealed."

What were we talking about: R: Racing Evolution.

UbiSoft

"An Xbox version of a new Charlies Angel's game is expected to pop up but that pales in comparison to what we think could be the game of the show.  Yes, our industry insiders told us on Friday that we could be getting our first glimpse at Splinter Cell 2 in May in Los Angeles!"

What were we talking about: Both Charlies Angels and Splinter Cell Pandora Tommorrow at the show!

Rumor Mill September 2003

Rockstar Breaks Free From Sony!

'After the contract ended between Rockstar and Sony it seems that Rockstars true thoughts are beginning to show.  With the recent announcement of not only GTA III but GTA Vice City as well coming to Xbox it seems this wont be the end of their Xbox love.  The extremely controversial Manhunt title currently in development for the PS2 is touted to be making its way to the Xbox.'

What were we talking about: Soon after this story, Rockstar announced ManHunt for the Xbox.

Rumor Mill February 2004

Xbox 2 Tech Demo

"Microsoft is hotly tipped to be revealing the specs and raw power of its next console at the Games Developers Conference in March, where the Xbox was first officially displayed 3 years ago.  Keeping with tradition, Microsoft are putting together a technical demo featuring a woman.  While the details are scarce, we wonder if this is a female we already know or a brand new character?"

What we were talking about: Microsoft did indeed reveal details of next generation in the form of an XNA tech demo, indeed featuring a woman.

Multi-Racing

"Empire Interactive, a small collective in the UK, developers of Ford Racing 2 are putting together a new comedy-esque racing title.  It seems to be very multi-player heavy and should be very enjoyable. Empires first runaway hit?  Could be!"

What we were talking about: Empire soon revealed after this story that they were indeed developing a racing game heavily influenced by multiplayer, titled 'Mashed'.

Rumor Mill: April 2004

Xbox Goes To San Andreas!

"It has been debated for months now but the truth is, its converting to X!  Our industry insiders spotted running code of the game displaying online capabilities unusually friendly to the Xbox LIVE layout."

What we were talking about: GTA San Andreas has been announced for the Xbox, LIVE functions are uncertain at the minute.

Now on to our new rumors!

Burnt Out In 05

The best racing game of 2004 was without a doubt Burnout 3.  Combining the fastest action ever seen in a game with the most addictive races and beautiful crashes, Burnout 3 was a true marvel of a title.  We have received word that work on the next in the series has already begun and will be revealed within the first two months of 2005.

2nd Time At The Front Of The Battle

Pandemic studios brought us the excellent Star Wars: Battlefront in 2004, and one of our insiders at the studio says that he and a major group of others have already begun work on a 2nd game in the series.  He says that work has begun on levels in the Trench run and inside the death star.  More on this soon.

Resurrection Of Doomed Xbox

One of the biggest games in 2005, is indeed the Xbox version of Doom 3, and while we do know that we will see a co-op mode and more in the game, many of you were wondering if the recently announced expansion pack of the game will be in the Xbox version.  Well, the answer is a resounding Yes, a female employee at Vicarious Visions told us the good news last week.  Looks like the Xbox version of Doom 3 will be the greatest version of the best seller.

2005 Gets Dark, Perfectly Dark

Rare has yet to prove themselves to Xbox owners.  With the delays of Conker and Kameo, and the dismal affair that was Grabbed by the Ghoulies, lets just say that Xbox gamers across the world havn't been terribly impressed with their performance so far.  However, in 2005, that will all change.  With the release of both Kameo and Conkers, two exceedingly strong titles, and one small time bomb, Perfect Dark Zero.

Perfect Dark Zero has been in development for over 3 years now, is a prequel to the first N64 game and, will without a doubt be an Xbox 2 title.  In its life so far, it started development on the Gamecube, then moved onto Xbox and now, has switched again to Xbox 2.  Whats more, there are whispers that it has changed its art style from what was previously revealed (cartoon-like) to a super-realistic world to take advantage of the new hardware and it looks highly possible that Microsoft will be using this game in some of their demo's when they reveal the new system next year.

Dead Or Alive Steps Up

When the first Xbox was released, a big earner was Dead Or Alive 3, which soon spawned 3 other dead or alive themed games on the Xbox system.  It looks that way with the Xbox 2.  Team Ninja received the first set of development systems back in Spring 04 and have since then, balanced time between Ultimate and their next title, Dead Or Alive 4.  Yes, expect another big launch title for the NEXT Xbox to be Dead or Alive 4 and, if the rumors are true, the game is so far ahead graphically that it is better than most CGI sequences in the current-gen games.

Microsoft Is Ready – Are You?

We all know that 2005 will be the year of Xbox 2 but it seems that Microsoft have their year planned out as far as trade shows go.

On the 6 th January at CES in Las Vegas, Bill Gates is expected to announce the very first official details of the Xbox 2 to the public.  It is likely to be relatively short and sweet but will outline the current state of the platform.

The next big date in the Xbox 2 Calender is expected to be on March 7 at the Games Developers Conference in San Fransisco where Microsoft will debut its first demos of what the next generation console will be able to produce graphically.

Following GDC, the next big date will be the 17 th May at E3 2005.  This is where all of the games will be debuted and shown to the public.  Expect DOA4 and Perfect Dark Zero to be shown here.

After this, 1st of September will be the date where the European details of the Xbox 2 launch will be revealed at the U.K's biggest videogame trade-show, ECTS.

Tokyo Games Show 2005 will be the next stop for Xbox 2 at the end of September where Japanese support for the console will be revealed and Japanese launch details are revealed.

Following this will be the launch of the new console which is believed to happen sometime between October 2005 and December 2005.  It is believed that it will only be launched in the U.S at this time, with Euro and Japanese launches to follow in Spring 2006.

Shenmue Rips Up Next-Gen

Shenmue is, in our minds, one of the greatest game series of all time, in fact we could go all out and say it is the best, however that isn't what this is about.  After much deliberation, word has reached us that work on the third game in the series has already started and will be arriving on one of the next gen systems.  While we don't know which of the systems will get the game, we do know that it will be an amazing title.

EA Shows Xbox 2 Some Major Lovin!

EA have reportedly went mad with next-gen development!  It seems that the monopolising company are the biggest supporter of next years Xbox 2 launch and rightly so, have started work on more than 5 Xbox 2 titles.  All of the big titles will be arriving in style next year on Xbox 2 as well as the original Xbox along with other big franchises.  Word has it that an Xbox 2 Bond game may be in the works.