Where 2009 Will Take Us

will work for food

What’s that question you haven’t asked and probably don’t care about?  So what has been up in the gaming industry?  A lot of doom and gloom is the short answer.  There hasn’t been a month gone by where the headlines haven’t carried word of another studio closure, retailer going under, or publisher falling short on expected sales.  Really nothing too happy to say these days.  As of late, when items like this fall into my inbox I would rather not write about them.  Everyone knows the economy is shit, recession, depression, or what ever you want to call it.  If you need me telling you, than you need to get out more often.  The question that might make a difference to you dear reader is, what will this bring to you, the gamer?

As studios like Free Radical and Ensemble Studios go under there are many skilled programmers, designers, and producers dumped into the job market.  Now try to hold back those tears, a good number of these people have received severance packages.  I’m not trying to trivialize the massive life changing event of someone losing their job, I just want to make sure you are aware some of these people got a paycheck as they were showed the door.  I have heard of some companies, outside of gaming, pay severance of one month of salary for each year of service, which can be a sizable amount of money for some, especially in an industry where contractual and cyclical employment means people need to (or rather should) save for those times they are between jobs.

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Xbox 360 Exclusive Titles for 2009

As the year draws to a close, more and more of the games that we thought would be out by now have been pushed back past the holidays along with the others confirmed for next year. Here is a hearty list of what we can expect next year. Some are not 100%, but is anything really in this industry. Hit the jump for the full list.

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UFC Undisputed: 2009 Developer Interview

If you read our siye regularly, you already know what huge UFC fans we are. You also know how excited we are for thr upcoming title from THQ. Here is an in depth video with the project manager for UFC 2009. Everything you wanted to know and more. The game should be out early 2009. Six months away FTMFL.

Madden 2009 XX Edition Documentary

There will be a bonus feature in the Special Edition for Madden 2009. Its something you have always wanted. Head Coach is included. Sweet. I can call plays and see what happens. I might not buy the Special Edition just so I don’t have Head Coach in my house. Either way, watch the documentary.

UFC 2009: Undisputed – Game play

In MMA you need to have a diverse array of attacks. Each match can end in a flash and the more ways that you can make your opponent tap, pass out, or fail to protect himself beneficial. This video gives you first hand look at the Man Brawl cam. Two grown men rolling around on the canvas never looked so good. Umm…

NCAA Football 2009 Demo Now Live on XBL

TEST NCAA FILE

Its hard to believe that its almost football season, but both college and pros are reporting to camps and starting up again as we speak. NCAA 2009 promises to improve itself on many aspects and distinguish itself as its own franchise instead of the game you play until Madden comes out. The demo is live right now. Check it out.

NCAA Football 2009 – Opening Cinematic

Its almost summer and that means its time for the latest NCAA Football installment. Here is the opening cinematic of the 2009 version. These are always a good warm-up before Madden comes out, but this franchise needs to either improve itself fast or it will forever be just Madden’s little brother.

NCAA Football 2009 Debut Trailer

It’s not too early to think about football and we get a glimpse at the latest release in the NCAA Football library. The games have been good as of late, but it seems as if they have peaked. Graphics are good, gameplay is solid, but it just seems like a roster update and maybe a new mode here or there.