EA plans Xbox 2 versions of Battlefield and Black

By Games Industry.biz Published 17 November, 2004

Microsoft console due for significant support from EA's European studios.

Early details of Electronic Arts' plans for the next generation of consoles have emerged today, with Digital Illusions' Battlefield: Modern Combat confirmed to be on its way to Xbox 2, as is Criterion's Black.

Digital Illusions revealed last week that it is working on two untitled games for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 2, due for release in late 2006 or 2007, but this is the first time that the firm has confirmed that it is planning to launch a Battlefield game on a next-generation platform.

Battlefield: Modern Combat was originally meant to launch in 2004, but has been pushed back to 2005 to incorporate a single-player element, which is currently being developed at EA Studio UK's Warrington offices.

The year's delay will mean that the developers have time to build an Xbox 2 version, and this is not expected to impact the launch of the titles on other platforms, with PS2 and Xbox versions still in the works.

On a related note, sources close to the company have indicated that Criterion's promising first person shooter Black is also to have an Xbox 2 version, along with versions for the current generation consoles.

These two projects are EA's first named forays into next-generation development, and suggest that the firm's European development division - bolstered by the recent acquisition of Criterion and the likely acquisition of Digital Illusions - is leading the way on the next-gen platforms.

However, as yet, only Xbox 2 versions of the titles in question are expected, with development on PlayStation 3 still up in the air, since Sony's console is not expected to launch until at least six months after Microsoft's.

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Comments (10) Latest comment 7 years ago

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  • IronGiant #1 7 years ago

    This black game better be good then..

  • Eighthours #2 7 years ago

    So is Black still due on PS2 and Xbox 1 then?? Or has development been totally shifted to next-gen on this title? Did it prove too over-ambitious?

  • IronGiant #3 7 years ago

    "On a related note, sources close to the company have indicated that Criterion's promising first person shooter Black is also to have an Xbox 2 version, along with versions for the current generation consoles."

    That covers your question..

  • Sid-Nice #4 7 years ago

    The next generation of consoles with old game games, now that's new. :)

  • nick_f Verified Senior Producer, Microsoft #5 7 years ago

    I suspect a lot of Xbox 2 titles will have a "little brother" PS2 and Xbox 1 version. It's the smartest way to develop for the system whilst minimizing financial risk (what if it flops)? The big money is still going to be on the current-gen consoles next year, but diong a super Xbox 2 version gives developers a chance to dip their toe in the water.

  • CrunchinJelly #6 7 years ago

    "EA plans Xbox 2 versions of Battlefield: Modern Combat and Black"

    ...What's that smell?

    It smells like bullshit.

  • Winters #7 7 years ago

    EA are destroying the Battlefield Series. We have already seen this with the stupidly rushed and buggy version of Vietnam. Hopefully the lads in DICE Sweden are giving EA the fingers and will have it done when its done.

    They should really just wait and move BF:MC over to XBox2 insted of releasing a PS2 version and an XBox version then remake the same game with just better graphics.

  • mystic_mick #8 7 years ago

    I think it's Nintendo who want to stop bringing out old games, who would want to play another Mario or Zelda....?

  • towser #9 7 years ago

    The wheels on the machine go round and round, round and round, round and round.

  • Tiger_Walts #10 7 years ago

    I think it's Nintendo who want to stop bringing out old games, who would want to play another Mario or Zelda....?

    Guess what I was playing on the way to work.