Newsbriefs: EDF2017, GameTap Debuts Minigolf

Author: by Staff

[UPDATED: 4:06pm PST] Today's regularly updated newsbriefs include news of the Japanese cult hit Earth Defense Force series making its US debut on Xbox 360, and an exclusive premiere of Vivendi's 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures for GameTap. - Officials from D3Publisher of America have announced that company will localize Sandlot's Earth Defense Force 2017 for the Xbox 360 for release in North America in March 2007. The game, the latest in the Japanese cult Earth Defense Force series which previously was only available in the PS2's budget Simple 2000 series, is described as an arcade-style third-person shooter that “equips players with an extensive arsenal of diverse weapons, pilotable vehicles and loyal teammates in order to defeat a wide variety of attackers ranging from gigantic ants and spiders to robots and monsters standing more than 20 stories tall.” Earth Defense Force 2017 marks the series American debut, with previous volumes seeing only European budget translations. Commented Alison Quirion, vice president of marketing at D3PA, “Sandlot has created an explosively fun game in EDF 2017, and we look forward to astounding gamers with the sheer scope and size of the game’s colossal enemies and expansive environments.” - Representatives from subscription-based 'all you can eat' gaming service GameTap have announced an exclusive premiere for the service in the form of Vivendi's 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures. The minigolf game includes 36 holes of golf on 3D courses complete with elevated greens, bunkers, bridges and water hazards, and other 'crazy' obstacles. Players can choose between four different avatars, and multiple environments including Classic Carnival, Old Western Ghost Town, and Outer Space. Vivendi has previously showcased an early version of 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures as an early-2007 Xbox Live Arcade title, with GameTap's PC release serving as an exclusive first taste, much in the same manner that it currently debuts the Sam & Max episodes. "The GameTap Original label is moving fast and becoming an established place to showcase independent and episodic games," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's VP of Content. "We're bringing new content to the table that gamers can't get anywhere else, and we're doing so at prices unparalleled in the industry right now." - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister alt.gaming weblog GameSetWatch include a comedic look at virtual world Second Life through the eyes of humor columnist Joel Stein, the release of a video game-themed issue of the 'Receiver' web magazine, and possible Cthulhu influence on a new Sherlock Holmes PC adventure game. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including openings from Amaze Entertainment, Blue Fang Games, Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Irrational Games, NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences, Relic Entertainment, Specialmove Recruitment, and Vigil.