Eidos will be launching a full-scale assault on 'da streets' in the form of a brand new cops 'n' robbers showdown. Developed by Avalanche software, 25 To Life will embrace 'urban culture' and promises to be as grimy as the rudest ghetto 'yoot' could possibly hope for. Kevin Gill (Global Brand Manager at Eidos) described it as being so street that it actually is the streets.
The most engaging aspect of 25 To Life will be its 16 player online multiplayer mode. Capitalising on the absence of a GTA game at E3, Eidos will be hoping that it can pre-empt the likely direction of the next Rockstar venture. The player will be able to choose between the role of a law enforcement officer or a straight up gangster. Either way, there will be a heavy emphasis on fighting, shooting and casual violence. There will also be plenty of customisable features, allowing you to create a unique style for your character - in UK terms, that will have to include Burberry caps, grey tracksuits and Reebok classics.
This announcement follows a press release earlier this week stating that Eidos will also be releasing a couple of 'urban' hip-hop themed music games: Get On Da Mic - offering 'rap karaoke' (due for release on PS2 by Christmas 2004) and Get On Da Floor - offering 'rap dancing' (due for release on PS2 in Spring 2005). Quite how Eidos' understanding and appreciation of hip-hop culture translates to the finished products will remain to be seen - any large corporation must find it an inherent struggle to accurately portray what is effectively an underground sub-culture. However, as long as the public is happy with the assumption that chart-toppers like P. Diddy and DMX represent 'street culture' - when clearly they are constituents of 'mainstream culture' - then no one should feel too disappointed by the premise.
The most engaging aspect of 25 To Life will be its 16 player online multiplayer mode. Capitalising on the absence of a GTA game at E3, Eidos will be hoping that it can pre-empt the likely direction of the next Rockstar venture. The player will be able to choose between the role of a law enforcement officer or a straight up gangster. Either way, there will be a heavy emphasis on fighting, shooting and casual violence. There will also be plenty of customisable features, allowing you to create a unique style for your character - in UK terms, that will have to include Burberry caps, grey tracksuits and Reebok classics.
This announcement follows a press release earlier this week stating that Eidos will also be releasing a couple of 'urban' hip-hop themed music games: Get On Da Mic - offering 'rap karaoke' (due for release on PS2 by Christmas 2004) and Get On Da Floor - offering 'rap dancing' (due for release on PS2 in Spring 2005). Quite how Eidos' understanding and appreciation of hip-hop culture translates to the finished products will remain to be seen - any large corporation must find it an inherent struggle to accurately portray what is effectively an underground sub-culture. However, as long as the public is happy with the assumption that chart-toppers like P. Diddy and DMX represent 'street culture' - when clearly they are constituents of 'mainstream culture' - then no one should feel too disappointed by the premise.
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