Stop shovelling a year's worth of food and booze down your gob! It's time to spare a thought for big games that, for one reason or another, we've not heard anything on for many moons.
There are several major games that have dropped off the radar in recent months - no doubt due to the fact that 2007 has seen so many big releases. Below we pick out our ten that we're itching to find out more on. Dragon Age Developer: BioWare
We were fully expecting - or perhaps hoping is a better word - that BioWare's PC-exclusive RPG Dragon Age would release in 2007. However, we were to be left disappointed and, in fact, the last bit of new information the developer dropped on our heads was right back at the beginning of the year. (Mass Effect, we point our finger of blame at YOU for the Dragon Age drought).
There are many reasons to be excited Dragon Age, not least the fact that it's a BioWare RPG and set in a universe of the developer's own making. On top of that, we're promised the studio's including numerous revolutionary genre features. Normally we might cynically reply, "Yeah, right", to that, but this IS BioWare we're talking about. You just know it's going to be an awesome adventure during an age of dragons.
Alan Wake Developer: Remedy Entertainment
News in late 2006 that Microsoft had signed Alan Wake as a Windows and Xbox 360 exclusive was a nail in the coffin for the Wake information highway. OK, so we had a bit of a new detail blip at the beginning of the year, but then the last we heard was in July when Microsoft simply said the game wouldn't make it for 2007. Bummer.
Remedy's best known for the Max Payne series of games but with suspense-thriller Alan Wake there's genuinely an impression that the developer is about to pull a fresh, innovative and magic experience out of its creative hat. And, let's face it, Alan Wake has a team behind it that knows how to thrill and to entertain. Prepare to be sucked into the nightmare and have your head messed with in Bright Falls.
Alien FPS Developer: Gearbox Software
Alien FPS: it "will retain the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while leveraging next-generation technology to create an entirely new interactive Alien experience", Sega said when it announced the game back in December 2006. After that we had one piffling update from Gearbox - that players will strap on boots as a Colonial Marine, with the storyline playing out from the Colonial Marines' perspective.
We're huge fans of the Alien movies - well Alien and Aliens at least. The property's no stranger to videogames of course, but it's been a mixed bag of quality to date, which is a shame when you consider the quality of a source material that's ideally suited to games. Give us an FPS as good as James Cameron's Aliens and we'll die happy screaming space marines rolling around in vats of alien acid-for-blood.
Hundreds of Aliens on screen at the same running in your direction, with you pointing a massive gun at them? Yes please.
BioWare's top secret MMO Developer: BioWare (obviously. Duh!)
BioWare's top secret MMO is so top secret we actually don't have anything to write about it (hoho). It was announced in March 2006, and understandably it immediately received a shed-load of interest but the developer's pretty much shut up its information shop after that. In fact, the only real subsequent detail meat appeared in November 2006 when BioWare spoke about its high-end goals for the game.
Rumours persist that BioWare's MMO is set in the KOTOR universe. We'd like it to be KOTOR 3! The team is working on a new project in collaboration with LucasArts, however in the "BioWare Games/In Development" section on the developer's website the MMO and LucasArts games are down as separate products.
What in the name of all things zombie and Nazi stomping has happened to the new Wolfenstein game? Remember the furore surrounding Return to Castle Wolfenstein on PC? No? We do, clearly, and if there's one series that excels so well at combining history, nonsense and violence, it's Wolfenstein.
In 2006 id Software promised that the next Wolfenstein game "is really a way of redefining the way first-person games are experienced." Well, as you can imagine after reading that we were saying things like "ooh" and "show us the goddamn game!". We're still waiting.
Duke Nukem Forever Developer: 3D Realms
We had to laugh when poring over our years-spanning coverage of Duke Nukem Forever that back in the mists of time it was confirmed for GameCube. E3 2001 remains the last time the FPS sequel was shown to the public, but it's undergone many revisions since naturally.
It's still in development at 3D Realms - it's actually been in production for around ten years now, infamously - although the studio continues to keep it under wraps. In March this year 3DR even admitted that DNF's development has become an industry joke.
Marvel Universe Online Developer: Cryptic Studios
Rumours have circulated recently that Microsoft's superhero MMO Marvel Universe Online has been given the chop, but such reports remain unconfirmed. Although a superhero MMO already exists in the shape of City of Heroes, obviously the major appeal here is the Marvel license (and the opportunity to shed the chainmail and slip into spandex and shout things like "KAPPOWW!").
Funnily enough, Marvel Universe Online is being developed by Cryptic Studios, which was also behind City of Heroes. But anyway, while we'll never get to slip into Spidey's suit we may at least get to stalk Mary-Jane.
Banjo-Kazooie Developer: Rare
Microsoft, the dirty tease, poked Banjo-Kazooie fans with a trailer of the much-loved series' debut on Xbox 360 at its X06 event. And then it pretty much slammed the vault door shut. It's being developed by Rare obviously and we expect the new adventure to reunite Banjo and Kazooie with their arch-nemesis Gruntilda and a host of other memorable characters.
But that's as far as it goes. "Obviously it was so many years ago that Banjo was around we've got a lot of technology and a lot of new things to try and pour into that world. We're trying to make it a richer place now", Rare said in February, saying nothing at all.
LA Noire Developer: Team Bondi
In September '06, Rockstar announced LA Noire. It's a "crime thriller" being developed in collaboration with Team Bondi, an Australian dev founded by Brendan McNamara, previously of The Getaway.
Attach the name Rockstar to a game and immediately everyone bowls themselves over in excitement. The publisher's announcement on the game was quickly followed by a trailer, but it's dropped off the planet. Well, unless you count the news in September of a slip to 2009 for LA Noire game information.
The Getaway PS3 Developer: Sony
The original cockney gangsta caper on PS2 was billed as the greatest thing since Only Fool sand Horses, but it actually turned out to be a bit short of the mark. Still, that didn't stop Sony announcing a PS3 The Getaway in 2005 and... Well, actually, that's the last we heard.
However, should you wish to look at screenshots that were released around the time of the announcement, you can do so via our game homepage. It could potentially be awesome, but then so could have the first game. Still, we have our fingers crossed in hope.
"But I can't believe you didn't include...!", you cry. Let it out in the comments section below.
It has been way, way too long since we last heard something on this game. If I dont see some sort of new screenshot or video early next year, well Remedy and MS, Im coming afer you.
I have been wanting a good 'Aliens' shooter on console for i dont know how long, after the last couple of Aliens films turned out to be so awful i was a little worried there would never be one..
The 'Aliens' movies universe is such a perfect setting for a strategic shooter or FPS, its such a shame no1 has made a decent Aliens console game
Hah, yeah. I'd forgotten about the new wolfenstein game and the getaway. They should have also includied grand raid offroad in that list though, that game looked pretty cool.
Dragon Age: Bioware's focus was on releasing Mass Effect. This was a casualty. Now that EA's on board perhaps this will end of being multi-format?
Alan Wake: Last time I saw footage of this I was blown away. This is one game I can't wait for. Most likley a casualty of the amazing 360 2007 line-up so is being saved for 2008.
Alien FPS: Alot of expectation around this one. Sega's first chance to really capitalize from using an a movie license. They can't afford to mess this up. Take your time boys...
BioWare's top secret MMO: Not sure what to expect from this. I think the KOTOR battle system is really suited for a MMO so im hoping this will sort of be KOTOR 3.
Wolfenstein 'Next': We've had so many FPS games lately and alot are finding it difficult to set themselves apart. Hopefully this game brings something new to the genre as promised.
Duke Nukem Forever: After seeing the recent teaser from this game I have decided it was a complete waste of time. In an age where we have so many FPS games, you need a combo of amazing graphics and great gameplay to stand out. So far we have seen this game has really average graphics and the Duke games were never known for great gameplay...
Marvel Universe Online: Not really my sort of game but im sure Marvel fans will lap this up.
Banjo-Kazooie: This is really make or break for Rare. They have so far failed to justify their price tag and have only made 2 fairly decent games in the shape of Kameo and Viva Pinata. This could turn out to be a return to form or confirm that Rare aren't the developers we all once loved...
LA Noire: Not sure what to expect from this. Rockstar haven't really made an AAA game outside the GTA series. This game is handled by a new studio so it's a wait and see really.
The Getaway PS3: Yawn... What we don't need is more GTA clones. Please crawl and die in a corner quietly...
Alan Wake is one I've been waiting for too. But then didn't the preview trailers we've already seen say it was due for 2008 release anyway?
Even then, it's been a long time since there were any decent updates. The wesbite has some movies and trailers, but there's been no press releases added since E3 2006. I'm hoping that's just because Remedy are taking their time over it rather than it being dead in the water.
Sadness is another one that looked like it was going to be really cool too, I don't know when its going to out though!
Finally! Someone else that hasn't forgotten about Sadness That's one game I'm really looking forward to. I really hope it doesn't turn out be a dissapointment like Geist did.
With the recent news of abysmal sales of Crysis and UT4 in the U.S., along with poor sales figures (again) for PC games in 2007, I think at least some of these PC games will never see the light of day on PC. On console maybe. But problematic on PC.
2007 saw the fewest number of games released on the PC format. This, along with the poor sales figures, brings an (unwanted) likelihood of fewer still released this year as publishers shy away from a PC format that sells 16 times fewer than a 360 equivalent.
Some of these titles are going to be the victims of this fall of the PC format. I would be surprised if more than one or two ever see the light of day on PC. Sad. Very sad.
The thing is who is going to pay one and half grand for a PC to play games on when you can get a 360 or PS3 that cost a hell of a lot less my PC would just about play crysis with a core 2 duo 2 gigs of ram and an 8600 graphics card on Vista and my PC is above standard for gaming but still I payed £700 for mine a few months ago and if I had one and half grand I would still have enough money for a PS3, Wii and 360 so until High end gaming for PC's becomes more affordable developers are going to have to scale back graphics in order to hit those sales targets or risk alienating PC gamers including me. The last PC game I bought was almost a year ago anyway and I hated it!
I have to concur with those that are touting Sadness as one thet's dropped of the radar. The E3 06 trailer was full of intrigue, and what little details have been revealed made for some spine-tingling reading. Unfortunately, nothing's been heard for nigh on a year, and many are touting the game as vapourware. I have faith in Nibris though, they appear very dedicated to the cause.
Project H.A.M.M.E.R for Wii, it almost disappeared, unless (as usual) i'm misinformed and they've scrapped it, and subsequently i'll be flamed.
I'm 99% certain that Nintendo announced that they cancelled Project H.A.M.M.E.R.
Yea, I'm 99.8% sure they did. But apparently it wasn't a big loss. The game was apparently an insult to everything the human race has acheived over the last 3000 years or so.
I enjoyed the Getaway.. seeing as London is my home time it was brilliant to load it up and know exactly where I was within seconds of playing it
I'd go for another spin...
And I thought I was the only one. I actually loved The Getaway. I could see its flaws, the leaning against walls to heal, the sometimes terrible control, the crap stealth but the London setting made it for me too and when you were speeding through the streets with police on your tail the game did shine imo.
Alan Wake looks promising, it's definetly the most interesting title of that list for me. One i'll be keeping an eye for.
Also Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway has been off the radar for quite some time. There aren't that many squad-based games, a genre which Gearbox is very well known for, there's plenty of room for this one in my wishlist.
The Getaway was brilliant, i actually preferred it to GTA, since I'm not generally a fan of sanbox games.
Aliens - i want this baaaadd!!!!! Not since Alien vs Predator on the Atari Lynx have we seen a decent Aliens game, but I would like to see a whole new story set around the same period as the Aliens film..."it's game over man, game over!"
And yeh I've been looking forward to Hells Highway too.
I remember that!.... yer,.. maybe they woke up & realised they'd made the most generic looking FPS, with the blandest of all the bland..things, that were ever..bland!.....ever to be designed in a game??.
DNF - i remember when that game was initially announced, many many many moons ago lol. i reckon its called Forever cos its taking that long for it to come out lol
Did anyone see that trailer?
i saw a trailer for DNF when it was first announced. came on a demo cd with monthly pc magazine. also came with a virus on the disc thats why it sticks in my memory. caused major havoc on my system, ended with a reformat
I feel sorry most for poor old Duke Nukem. Destined to be lost forever in development
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ay of Crisis' on the Wii. The video of that shown just prior to Wii launch looked awesome. 
p
thats why it sticks in my memory. caused major havoc on my system, ended with a reformat 
