'Def Jam: Fight for New York' wins critics award at E3

Though the days of dumping quarters into arcade fighting games may be over for most of us, the surging popularity of online-enabled video games means there's a renewed demand for titles in which two (or more) players can beat each other up. A number of noteworthy games in this category were on display at E3 2004, and the one that impressed the judges most of all was Def Jam: Fight for NY, EA's upcoming sequel to 2003's Def Jam Vendetta. This visually impressive game promises to deliver an even more action-packed combat system, borderline-ridiculous numbers of new characters and customization options, and a grittier style than its predecessor. The promise of being able to fight online using your favorite muscle-bound hip-hop artist or even your own creation is one reason why we can’t wait for this fight to get underway.

Read the article: www.gamecriticsawards.com


Cocojambo Comment:

Building games experiences around brands has aroused some concern about potential "betrayal" or "dilution" of the entertainment aims of games. The success of 'Def Jam: Fight for New York' in winning the award for "Best Fighting Game" at E3 (voted for by journalists from publications including Time, Newsweek and Rolling Stone) illustrates brilliantly how brands can enrich a game by proving a context and a backstory for the action.

It has been argued that if an advertiser's wishes are accomodated in the development of a game then it will produce a less enjoyable experience. This argument ignores the reason why the advertiser chose to become involved in the game - because it provides an experience that the audience enjoys. No-one, not the brand, the publisher nor the player, will benefit from a game that the audience doesn't enjoy, and this unity will ensure that games and advertisers can work together to produce great games.