If Activision’s domain name registrations are correct then it appears as though the development team behind the well received GoldenEye 007 are currently planning a brand new GoldenEye title. There’s no more information such as platforms, or if the game is a direct sequel to GoldenEye 007, but as soon as I hear anything I’ll make sure to let everyone know.
Martin Hollis, the designer behind the original GoldenEye on the Nintendo 64 has slammed Activison’s decision to remake the classic GoldenEye 64 for the Wii.
In an exclusive interview with the Official Nintendo Magazine ex Rare developer Martin Hollis told the publication that “it’s hard to imagine them wanting to do the original GoldenEye justice.”
“I imagine it is a business decision isn’t it? This name is valuable, let’s use it. I find it hard to picture Activision’s top management being excited about the original and wanting to do it justice. In fact, I find it hard to imagine them being excited about any game. It’s my perception that they are trying to be EA, only more so. I think they are doing a fine job at that.”
- Martin Hollis, ex Rare developer
Activison and Eurocom are evidently feeling rather enthusiastic about the forthcoming GoldenEye 007 with the developer claiming that GoldenEye 007 will “blow away anything you’ve ever seen first-person shooter-wise on the Wii”.
Activison’s associate producer James Lodato has told online gaming publication Gamerzines that Nintendo’s collaboration with Activision on GoldenEye 007 has been “extremely helpful”.
“Everyones a hard sell because quality is number one for this title. Nintendo has been extremely helpful; it’s a title they are very fond of. They’ve worked on site, given us first party feedback and hardware and accessibility and really made themselves available to the project. I’m certain they’re very excited about it as well.”
- James Lodato, Activison
Eurocom, the developers behind Goldeneye 007, have shown off some of the changes between the smash hit GoldenEye 64 and their latest revised offering for the Nintendo Wii.
One of the initial changes that players will experience is that the original Cuban Jungle level that players encountered in GoldenEye 64 has now changed to a Nigerian Jungle to fit in with the revised storyline.
The games multiplayer experience was also shown off along with the special edition Golden Classic Controller Pro. The online aspect will allow eight players to slug it out in classic GoldenEye style but sadly won’t allow for voice chat.
Activison has officially confirmed that the highly anticipated GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo Wii will be available in a special edition bundle which features the rather extravagant looking Golden Classic Controller for $69
Activision’s Dawn Pinkney has explained to online gaming publication NowGamer that their re-imagined version of the classic N64 first person shooter seriously pushes the Wii console to its limits.
“We just had to go about it in a clever way in terms of how we create our levels,” Pinkney explained, “systems that we’ve put in place to keep them varied, all of the different character animations and so on. We had to be very clever to include all of this, but yes this is pushing the limits of the console.”
- Dawn Pinkney, Activison
Activision are planning to release a GoldenEye Golden Controller with a special Gun Shell for the Wii Remote and Nunchuck for $70.
US video gaming emporium Gamestop have listed the Goldeneye 007 peripheral pack on their website and have priced the items up at a rather costly $70, whether this includes the actual Goldeneye 007 game remains to be seen.
Activison have explained the reasoning behind developing GoldenEye 007 exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.
“There are a number of different reasons,” said Activision’s Brian Pass as he explained the decision. “One is we have a partnership with Nintendo. It’s a great opportunity. This game was originally on the N64, so there’s the nostalgia factor for people that are Nintendo fans. So we wanted to partner with Nintendo for this.
“The opportunity on the Nintendo Wii platform is huge. There’s roughly 12 million Wiis in North America. But it’s not really a console that a lot of shooter fans are playing on. So we wanted to offer them their own first-person shooter, that’s unique and exclusive to that console.
“We really want to tap in to the nostalgia for Nintendo fans, and take advantage of the opportunity presented by the platform.”
- Activision’s Brian Pass, GoldenEye 007
