Ubisoft
www.ubi.com

Not only did Ubisoft have one of the best designed booths at this year's show (thus the award for Best Booth of Show), they also were showing some of the best games of the show. More than a dozen hot new titles were on display including four new Tom Clancy games, sequels to Myst, Rocky, Prince of Persia, and Dukes of Hazard, plus some new releases like Notorious Die to Drive and the highly anticipated Far Cry Instincts for the Xbox.

Brothers in Arms (Xbox/PS2/PC)
Best of Show Nominee
Based on a true story and set during the famous airdrop before the invasion at Normandy, Sgt. Matt Baker and his squad of 101st Airborne paratroopers were scattered over the French countryside. As the story unfolds, the player (Baker) must choose between the success of his mission and the lives of his men – his brothers in arms.

Brothers in Arms will immerse players in the historic eight-day invasion of Normandy – with unparalleled imagery, authenticity, sound and gameplay.

Key Features:

  • One of a Kind: Brothers in Arms is the only first-person tactical shooter set in WWII.
  • Real Military Tactics: Intuitive and easy-to-use squad controls appeal to both the hardcore and mainstream gaming audience.
  • Real Soldiers: Featuring a cast of more than 20 characters, each having a distinctly unique personality, appearance and style.
  • Revolutionary AI System: Allies and enemies use the standard operating procedures of fire and maneuver to flank and kill their foes.
  • Unprecedented Authenticity: Historically accurate and detailed battlefields, events and equipment recreated from Army Signal Corps photos, Aerial Reconnaissance Imagery and eyewitness accounts.
  • Innovative Multiplayer: Players command three-man AI teams in a battle of wits and skill to accomplish exciting objectives.
This game is simply amazing, one of those demos that you would wait in line to see twice (like I did). Each of the men under your command is a real-life soldier that you can look up on the Internet and get their history and war records. Even the locations have been researched, visited, photographed and modeled right down to the last farm house.

While the title and even some of the events in the game mirror HBO's Band of Brothers, this is a unique group of men who played their own significant part of the war and now you get to relive their tale. Prepare to enlist this holiday season.

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Prince of Persia 2 (Working Title) (All Formats)
Best of Show Winner
The Old Man said to the Prince, “Your fate has been written. You will die.”

Enter the dark underworld of Prince of Persia 2, the sword-slashing sequel to the critically acclaimed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time™.

Hunted by Dahaka, an immortal incarnation of Fate seeking divine retribution, the Prince embarks upon a path of both carnage and mystery to defy his preordained death. His journey leads to the infernal core of a cursed island stronghold harboring mankind’s greatest fears.

Only through grim resolve, bitter defiance and the mastery of deadly new combat arts can the Prince rise to a new level of warriorship – and emerge from this ultimate trial with his life.

Key Features:

  • The Game of the Year Returns: Prince of Persia 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the universally acclaimed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the undisputed Console Game of the Year for 2003.
  • A Warrior Reborn: The Prince has matured immeasurably since his courageous fight in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. He returns here with deadlier skills, a darker heart and a craving for battle.
  • Free-Form Fighting System: An intricate new combat system lets you wage battles with no boundaries. Manipulate the environment and the enemies themselves to develop your own unique fighting style. Plus, an all-new projectile attack system allows for a variety of ranged combat tactics.
  • A Violent Underworld Revealed: Explore and conquer a cursed island underworld, breeding ground for the most brutal, unrelenting monsters to torment mankind.
  • Control the Ravages of Time: Ravage enemies with the devastating new combative powers of the Sands of Time, opening up astounding variations in fighting gameplay.
  • Fight Harder, Play Longer: Hours upon hours of action await in your fight for survival, including various bonus incentives for those who finish the game.
This was easily the hottest action title of the show (which explains our award). Building on the solid gameplay of last year's smash hit, the designers have gone back and added dozens of new features and fancy moves for our prince. They've even listened to the suggestions of fans and put some of those ideas into this game - like being able to use your sword to slice and slide down banners and curtains.. The ability to disarm your opponent and use two weapons at the same time allows for some incredible fighting action.

Prepare to "be the prince" once again when this mega-hit releases later this year.

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Myst IV: Revelation (PC/Mac DVD)
Within the visually awe-inspiring world of Myst®, a gripping family drama will slowly unfold. In Myst IV Revelation, players finally learn the fate of Sirrus and Achenar, two villains first introduced in the original Myst. The brothers have remained trapped in separate prison worlds, abandoned by their father for crimes they had committed. Players are engaged in uncovering the mystery surrounding a little girl's disappearance, daring to venture deep inside the intense worlds of the villainous brothers. Understanding their motives is key to the success of the investigation and will be a true “revelation.”

Key Features:

  • Escapist Adventure
    Escape to discover surreal and riveting Ages of Myst IV Revelation in a quest to save a little girl and uncover the truth.
  • Dramatic Storyline Leads the Way
    The suspense returns to the forefront of the gameplay experience and answers questions left hanging since both the original Myst® and Myst® III: Exile.
  • Decisions Directly Affect Gameplay and Outcomes
    Decisions will dramatically affect the various storyline options along the way…including the ending!
  • Mind-Bending Puzzles
    Understand the twisted minds of the two evil brothers and uncover crucial clues in this captivating story.
  • Photo-Realistic Graphics
    Compelling and pristine graphics “come to life” through cutting-edge animation programming.
  • Live Action
    High-quality video with real-life actors is integrated directly into the storyline and gameplay, which only adds to the emotional suspense of the plot.
  • Take Pictures
    The ability to take pictures and record your findings in a journal will ensure that you don’t miss anything along the way.
  • Interact with NPCs
    Interacting with characters will help reveal secrets from the past that might lead to the truth you seek.
  • Star-Studded Soundtrack
    Peter Gabriel and Jack Wall provide an engaging, ambient, and immersive soundtrack that dynamically adds to the gameplay experience.

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Notorious: Die to Drive (Xbox/PS2)
The blacktop’s about to blaze with the most dangerous, ludicrous, and notorious combat racing to erupt on the urban streets.

Fully strapped with a gang-load of firepower and fearless driving skills, players make a mad dash for power by racing against ruthless street crews, murdering their opponents and building an empire of cash money.

High-priced honeys, the finest bling and millionaire cribs are just some of the rewards for the notorious few who can survive this most dangerous game. Once you go Notorious, there’s no going back.

Key Features:

  • Gangsta-style car combat: Select from more than 30 unique vehicles ranging from the vintage roadsters to the modern models in your quest to rule the streets of four West Coast neighborhoods.
  • Grab a piece: Load up with more than 20 weapons, including an array of pistols, machine guns, shotguns and Molotov Cocktails.
  • Play your way: Blaze through more than 45 stages and seven game modes in your quest to become notorious.
  • School your friends: Battle with your friends in merciless Deathmatch, Duel, Elimination and Zulu King multiplayer modes.
  • Protect your hood: Battle players across the country on PlayStation 2 and Xbox Live™ online modes.
Combat racing has been in a slumber ever since Twisted Metal Black entertained us several years ago. You can exploit your road rage in 2005 when Die to Drive races into software stores.

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