Round-Up: More Far Cry, Disciples Changes Hands, Vicon MX40 at Square Enix

Today's round-up includes news on some fresh titles in the Far Cry series, a change of developer for the latest in Strategy First's Disciples saga, and a new motion capture dawning for Square Enix, as well as today's GameSetWatch highlights and the latest product news and Gamasutra job postings. - Ubisoft has announced the development of two new entries in the Far Cry franchise, one for Xbox and one for Xbox 360. Far Cry Instincts: Next Chapter, the Xbox game, promises a new story and characters, despite the (working) title, with unspecified new game features. Far Cry Instincts: Predator, the Xbox 360 game, will include both an updated version of the original Far Cry Instincts and Next Chapter in one package, with improved high-definition graphics. "Ubisoft is confident that Far Cry Instincts Predator for Xbox 360 and Far Cry Instincts Next Chapter for Xbox will be among the best games this year," Ubisoft marketing director John Parkes. - Strategy First, a division of Silverstar Holdings Ltd, has announced a change in developer for the upcoming Disciples III. Previously contracted to Mistland South, a division of Game Factory Interactive, the title is now underway at a new developer to be specified soon. The move does not affect the agreement between Strategy First and Mistland South for the latter studio to produce Jagged Alliance 3D. - Square Enix has outfitted its motion capture studios with Vicon's MX40 system for capturing faces, hands, and full-body motion. The 44-camera system was installed in order to take advantage of the greater sensitivity it provides when creating cutscenes for its next-generation console titles. "The Square Enix team tried hard to 'break' the Vicon MX and Vicon iQ software during the evaluation phase with shots that were previously impossible such as a five-man dog-pile and other complex multiple performer moves," said Alexander Muir of Vicon, but "the system was still able to achieve accurate results. With Vicon MX in hand, companies like Square Enix will be able to motion capture multiple performers for their titles with higher detail and fidelity." - Over at Gamasutra's recently launched sister game weblog GameSetWatch, new posts include a detailed discussion of 'the auteur effect' in games, the results of a fascinating Stanford game competition, and the surprising origins of the N64's Tetrisphere. - Also updated today: product news including Kynapse's selection by Infogrames for the next Alone In The Dark title, as well as the latest Gamasutra job postings from companies including Blue Fang Games, Crystal Dynamics, Digital Illusions CE, Electronic Arts, Mind Control Software, and WildTangent.