The latest word from Ubisoft is that Prince of Persia has gone gold for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. The game will be available on the 5th of December on consoles while PC gamers will have to wait until the 12th of December.

The latest chapter is set in ancient Persia and introduces a new art style, evolved combat system and open world structure to the series. Ubisoft has also promised to offer DLC post-launch.

To see what’s in store for you check out these screenshots from the game.

Ubisoft has confirmed plans to release downloadable content for the new Prince of Persia game post-launch. The publisher promised further details and release date for the DLC in the near future.

“Our intention is to do downloadable content that really offers a lot of value for the player - another experience,” said Ben Mattes, Producer.

Ubisoft also launched a new Prince of Persia website to kick off the countdown to the release of the game. Prince of Persia will be released for the Xbox 360 and PS3 on the 5th of December.

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The latest chapter in the Prince of Persia universe is scheduled to be released on the Xbox 360 and PS3 this December. The new Prince of Persia uses the engine that powered Assassin’s Creed and introduces a new art style, evolved combat system and open world structure to the series.

The game is set in ancient Persia and challenges players to master the acrobatics, strategy, fighting tactics and new combat system as the Prince. The open world structure is a first for the franchise and gives players the chance to decide how the storyline unfolds depending on the paths they choose.

Players can also look forward to dynamic AI, most notably the Prince’s new ally Elika, who joins the Prince and helps out with acrobatics, performing special duo acrobatic moves and fighting combo attacks.

If you want a closer look at how the game is shaping up, don’t miss some of the latest screenshots. If you are still hungry for more Prince of Persia information, check out the Q & A below with Ubisoft Montreal’s Chris Easton. In it you will find loads of juicy information including the lowdown on why Elika and a new art style were introduced. Thanks to the Xbox Community Team for the interview.

- XCN: How would you summarise the new-look Prince of Persia?

Chris Easton: Visual Poetry!

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The release of Shaun White Snowboarding is just around the corner and Ubisoft has detailed the soundtrack for the game.

The game is built around and in collaboration with Shaun White, Olympic and X-Games gold medalist, and the soundtrack features some of his favourite tunes including Audioslave, Bob Dylan and Kasabian.

The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will allow players to ride in open-world mountains across the world, whether that be conquering extreme peak conditions, creating your own paths in the back country or competing with other riders in terrain parks.

Players will be able to create customizable avatars before performing different tricks and riding styles using the dual analog control, both in single player mode and online. Gamers will also be able to do runs against their friends or other gamers or simply engage in a snowball fight, take a hike or share videos of your friends tricks by uploading your films.

The Wii version sees players traveling the world to participate in various events to become a famous athlete. Two to four players can enjoy the multiplayer aspect of the game with players using the Wii Balance Board to control their rides. You will be able to take on bigger challenges in new events and competitions as your fame grows. However, earning your friends respect by riding in style is also essential to the game as they will help you find hidden areas and share music tracks.

Shaun White Snowboarding will hit South African shelves on the 21st of November. The game will be available on the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, NDS, PSP, PS2 and PC.

Click through for the full track listing below.

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Ubisoft’s latest FPS Far Cry 2 has passed the one million sales mark in less than three weeks.

“The holiday quarter is off to a solid start with the successful launch of Far Cry 2,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “The game is well on track to achieve our expectations for the year.”

Set in the African savannah, Far Cry 2 promises to impress with its open world environment, non-scripted enemy AI, destructible environments, dynamic weather effects and multiplayer game play.

Far Cry 2 is available in stores now on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC

With all of the uncertainty in the games industry of late (and basically every industry, really), a bit of good news, depending on how you slice it, is that two talented development studios have found permanent homes through the wonder of acquisitions.

Ubisoft has made a move for Massive Entertainment after the studio was severed from the Activision Blizzard family. The Swedish developers concentrate their efforts mainly on real-time strategy games, garnering critical success with games such as Ground Control (1 and 2) as well as their most recent title, World in Conflict. Massive Entertainment president and founder Martin Walfisz said in a statement:

“Massive’s development team places great importance on its freedom to innovate and create games of the highest quality. We are fortunate to have found in Ubisoft a publisher who shares the same values and understands our mindset. I have no doubt that our future together will offer significant mutual benefit and synergy.”

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The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced the return of E3 to its previous June timeframe, being held from June 2nd to June 4th at the Los Angeles Convention Centre.

The event will see a new format, which includes a greatly expanded number of invitations to members of the games industry as it welcomes “all qualified computer and video game industry audiences, including international and U.S.-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners to preview the latest in interactive entertainment and technology.” The show will not be open to the public, however, as previous reports may have indicated.

Other changes include ‘increased booth sizes, increased qualified audiences, and an intensified focus on reinforcing the high-octane growth, innovation, and captivating entertainment that are driving the computer and video game industry.’ CEO of the ESA, Michael D. Gallagher commented:

“Video games are the fastest growing and most compelling sector of the entertainment industry. And, this upgraded event will reflect the growth, innovation and excitement of our industry. The breadth, scope and quality of the changes made to the show will make E3 the must-attend event of the year.”

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After £600 000 worth of games were stolen from the truck of a resting driver in Northampton, England, the pilfered goods were located in Leeds when police noticed fake number plates of another truck transporting the ill-gotten loot. That truck was then taken to the police impound, only to be stolen again hours later.

The same truck was then relocated after a few days, only without the prized games it was carrying. 16 000 copies of Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway for PS3, as well as miscellaneous other games, are now missing. The police have begun the search for the pinched games, turning to eBay transactions and postings. Several arrests have already been made in connection with the theft.

Ubisoft, the publishers of Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway, are quick to reveal that replacement copies are already on the way, but Gearbox head, Randy Pitchford, can’t be too happy about all this.

Source: The Sun

The next entry in a long line of officially stamped Tom Clancy games, EndWar, is a real-time strategy game with a feature they’re hoping will set their game apart from the rest - voice control. While other console RTS games rely on the clunky abilities of their accompanying controllers, EndWar will attempt to allow players to control the action with voice commands, enabling you to select units, send them into battle and give them special orders.

If that gives you an excited tingle, then you’ll be pleased to know that Tom Clancy’s EndWar will be releasing on the 7th of November in the UK and Europe, while the US will get their hands (or voices) on it November 4th. November 7th? That date sounds familiar…

Graeme Devine, the lead designer on Halo Wars (in development at Ensemble Studios who, you’ll remember, are set to close on the completion of Halo Wars), another high-profile RTS release, is said to be looking forward to the game, but doesn’t have high hopes for the voice control aspect and prefers the controller, saying, “I think it’s great that [Ubisoft is] trying a new, different approach and it’s always awesome to see that. But I really think the controller is where people will end up.” Fight!

Ubisoft are to include subtitles in all of their internally developed games in order to reaffirm their commitment to deaf and hard-of-hearing gamers. Ubisoft said in a company statement, “This commitment entails modifications to some of our game engines, as well as the inclusion of subtitles in the conception phase of game development.”

Far Cry 2, Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding will be their first releases to include subtitles, while Ubisoft will also include subtitles in other games that are already well into their respective development cycles, where possible.

Ubisoft has announced that Far Cry 2 will be released across Europe on the 24th of October. The game will be available on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Ubisoft also revealed a Far Cry 2 Collector’s Edition for the EMEA territories that will come packed in a wooden box. It will include a copy of the game, a limited edition Far Cry 2 T-shirt as well as an art book, map and making-of DVD. You can pre-order the collector’s edition at Game.

Head over to our previous coverage for screens of the game.

Jake Gyllenhaal is taking his role as the Prince of Persia in Jerry Bruckheimer’s upcoming film adaptation of Ubisoft’s ‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ quite seriously.

Gyllenhaal is currently in Morocco, North Africa shooting the film (along with girlfriend Reese Witherspoon) and judging from these pictures taken yesterday he has beefed up somewhat to portray Dastan.

The film sees the 6th century prince joining forces with Princess Tamina (Gemma Aterton from James Bond Quantum of Solace) to prevent the Sands of Time from falling into hands of villain Nizam (Ben Kingsley).

As previously reported the film is being directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) while Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, Jordan Mechner (Prince of Persia creator) and Boaz Yakin wrote the script. Bruckheimer has previously declined to comment on the budget for the film but did hint that “it’s not one of our smaller productions.”

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is expected to be released on the circuit in 2010.

Source: justjared.buzznet.com

Ubisoft has announced its plans to publish Armored Core for Answer. The thirteenth installment in From Software’s mech-based combat franchise will be released on the Xbox 360 and PS3 this September.

Set in the distant future in a world ravaged by urban development and pollution, Armored Core for Answer sees a military superpower known as The League corporations controlling the planet and forcing people to reside in aerial communities called Cradles. The ORCA are rebel resistance fighters who live on the planet’s surface and plan to attack The League’s bases and free the people.

Players must choose their side as a mercenary and defeat the opposition with military robot technology. Customise your mech with over 400 parts including 130 new parts before defeating 10 mobile battle stations. Battles take place both during the day and night, with weather and time changing the atmosphere of over 40 battlefields including snow field, desert, ocean, underground and city. The environments are fully destructible.

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As the dust settles on another week of E3, some people aren’t too impressed with its new format.

John Riccitiello, EA CEO, said “I hate E3 like this… Either we need to go back to the old E3, or we’ll have to have our own private events.” Ubisoft’s North American president, Laurent Detoc, didn’t have any kinder words, saying “E3 this year is terrible…The world used to come to E3. Now it’s like a pipe-fitters show in the basement.”

Sega of America president Simon Jeffrey agreed with the sentiment that “more flash” is needed, but he does not want to return to spending $5 million on a once-off event every year.

While E3 of the past brought in over 60 000 attendees, publishers began to complain about the cost involved each year for a very little perceivable return, resulting in a downsizing of the event and an estimated 5000 attendees this year. Entertainment Software Association (ESA) president, Mike Gallagher, is open to another change in scale saying, “We just need to decide where the dial needs to go.”

Source: Gamasutra

Ubisoft has taken the wraps off Prince of Persia: The Fallen King which will be available exclusively for the Nintendo DS this holiday season.

Developed by Ubisoft’s Casablanca studio, Prince of Persia: The Fallen King will feature an independent storyline (but it does coincide with the console editions of the game) with players controlling acrobatic combat action with the stylus.

The Fallen King sees the Prince fleeing to a deserted kingdom in search of sanctuary. However, the kingdom has been corrupted already and the Prince must now try to stop the evil force known as the Corruption before it spreads. A partially infected creature promises salvation but can he trust this creature? The Prince has no choice and must ally with it to save the Persian kingdom from corruption.

The game features a new art design and allows gamers to explore over 50 maps including deserted cities, labyrinths and jungles. Players will also be able to step into the shoes of a new character known as the Magus. Switch between the Prince and the Magus to fight, solve puzzles and make use of his magical powers.