Microsoft announced today that Crackdown, the much anticipated sandbox action game (and golden ticket to the Halo 3 beta) has gone gold. In other words, Crackdown has been certified and is ready for production. Microsoft notes that interest in the game is high, citing the game's significant number of pre-orders. While we don't doubt that the game will be a lot of fun, we imagine the high number of pre-orders has something to do with the Halo 3 beta invite. Maybe just a little. Still we're excited to get our hands on the demo, which 360 Fanboy readers will know is not certified yet, and should arrive some time this month. Crackdown is scheduled to hit shelves February 20.
Full press release after the break.
Jan. 19, 2007
Pacific City notes a dramatic increase in crime as the city's gangs prepare for the ultimate "Crackdown," exploding onto store shelves and Xbox Live on Feb. 20.
Microsoft Game Studios today announced that the highly anticipated action title "Crackdown™" has gone gold. From developer Realtime Worlds and the mind of acclaimed creator Dave Jones, "Crackdown" is poised to raid retail throughout North America on Feb. 20.
Boasting an immersive - and highly explosive - three-dimensional world in which players can rain down justice from rooftop to road, "Crackdown" offers gamers the opportunity to take down the gangs of Pacific City in a massive, single-player campaign or with a friend over the title's cooperative mode via Xbox Live®.
"The excitement for 'Crackdown' is evident through the significant number of pre-orders and affirms the continued Xbox 360™ momentum in 2007," said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing in the Interactive Entertainment Business Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp.
Those gamers anxious to get an early glimpse at the title will be able to enjoy the "Crackdown" demo available through Xbox Live Marketplace this month. And, as previously announced, "Crackdown" fans will be offered a special bonus with the purchase of each specially marked copy: access to the coveted "Halo® 3" multiplayer beta program.*
From Realtime Worlds, "Crackdown" pushes the action-driving hybrid genre into the next generation with the first ever truly 3-D playground. Gamers will level up their Agent's strength, agility, firearms, explosives and driving skills while scaling the fully vertical world of "Crackdown." This M-rated game incorporates revolutionary co-op gameplay throughout the entire freeform campaign. Creating a volatile cocktail of judicial oppression, players will clean up the streets of a truly interactive world when "Crackdown" hits store shelves at an estimated retail price of $59.99.
1. Can't wait for Crackdown, Halo 3 beta be damned. Sounds like my kinda game, especially with the *completely* open gameplay.
Posted at 2:18PM on Jan 19th 2007 by Jonah Falcon