This year’s version of E3 showcased a number of new titles and consoles for X Box, Playstation and Nintendo. There were over 10 titles that were featured at the E3 that merged hip-hop music and various aspects of the culture with hard core gaming.
Highlights include:
Getting Up:
Celebrity New York Fashion designer Marc Ecko is bringing his urban sense of style to a videogame developed by The Collective. The former graffiti tagger has written the story for Getting Up (PS2), which is about a totalitarian world that limits free _expression and the vigilante graffiti artists that challenge the authorities. The game includes authentic tags from more than 50 actual graffiti artists from around the world, with 6 of them appearing as in-game characters that help train the player. Visually the game is stunning with a very dark overtone set in a seedy world.
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50 Cent Bulletproof:
Bulletproof’s script is penned by Emmy award winning The Sopranos executive producer Terry Winter. The premise is what if 50 never got his record deal and had to manage on the streets. 50 gets caught in a web of corruption and takes on one of NY’s most dangerous crime families, uncovering an international conspiracy. In his first foray in the video game realm, 50 is not only providing his likeness, voice and all the tracks from his albums and G unit affiliates for the game (sans The Game), as well as three exclusive music tracks and freestyle rhymes that players can mix with beats provide by Sha Money XL. The game will be dropping later this fall on consoles with a release on the PSP scheduled for first quarter 06′. The PSP release will allow you to play as other G Unit members as well as upload your own tracks.
Scarface:
Scarface allows you to take on the role of Tony Montana in a third-person action title based on the film starring Al Pacino. The game takes place after the movie, with Montana trying to rebuild his criminal empires. Vivendi Universal Games is planning to include a major hip-hop element and has been in talks with rapper turned music exec Jay-Z to produce the soundtracks. Game is scheduled for a 06′ release.
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Saint’s Row:
THQ will release Saint’s Row for X Box 360. Players start out as a low-level member of a gang on the outs. Your job is to climb the ranks of the 3rd Street Saints, eventually leading them on a hostile takeover of rival neighborhoods and gangs. Earning respect- a measure of progress in the game- requires taking on different underworld pastimes such as pimping, armed robbery, and drug trafficking. Besides earning respect, your petty crimes and grand larceny pay in cash. The city, which is completely open from the outset, is full of shops to spend it in. Gold, diamonds, and exclusive fashions keep your respect level rising. Saint’s Row will feature full X Box live support with head to head cooperative modes.
Crime Life: Gang Wars:
While Konami is keeping fans happy with its familiar franchises, the company is taking chances with new properties as well. Crime Life: Gang Wars, a third person action title for X Box and PC, features voices, likenesses, and music from the members of the rap group D12. Crime Life: Gang Wars is a free-roaming, crime-based beat-em-up with an engaging story from start to finish. The game focuses on the writes of passage of Tre, the new pretender to the crown of gang leader. Incorporating traditional beat-em-up action with a gritty, detailed storyline, players delve into modern-day urban gang culture.
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Fear & Respect:
Another renowned filmmaker, John Singleton is stepping in for Fear & Respect. This gritty third person action adventure stars Snoop Dogg as 22 year old OG Goldie, who navigates the sweltering summer streets of South LA following a stay in the pokey. Expect the trappings of gang warfare, with street weapons including semiautomatic assault rifles, automatic assault revolvers, and shotguns in addition to bare-knuckle brawls. As the title implies, players can choose to motivate other characters by instilling fear or respect in them. The game’s reputation system affects how they’ll react. The game is slated to ship for the PS2, X Box, and PC in the first half on 2006.
187 Ride or Die:
187 Ride or Die injects some hip hop influenced street culture in to the UBI Soft lineup. 187 which combines racing and shooting, is set to a hip hop soundtrack and includes LA emcee Guerilla Black as a main character.
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Beatmania:
Konami made known its intent to ship music making title Beatmania for PS2 in 2006. Straight from the arcades, Beatmania is an interactive DJ simulation that puts you at the center of the music. Utilizing a specially designed DJ controller featuring a turntable, players must create and perform the music by hitting the notes that appear on screen and scratching the turntable at the right timing. Beatmania lets you spin the tracks, feel the vibe, drop the beats and create the energy of a club all at your fingertips.
