Clish MacLaver��s GOSSIP GOSSIP

Happy New Year, everyone. The next 12 months are going to be some of the busiest we��ve had in a long time. We��ll have a new system to play with, we��ll learn the specs of the next PlayStation, and we get to play some huge new games.

Monthly PS3 Update

Now that it��s 2004, we��re potentially much closer to a formal announcement from Sony on PlayStation 3. If the rumors are to be believed, we��ll probably hear something at the Game Developer��s Conference in March, followed by a more formal announcement at E3 in May. Microsoft is said to be rolling out early demos of Xbox 2 (or Xbox Next, as it��s currently called) at these events as well, and we��ll almost certainly see both machines in stores before the end of 2005. So what can we expect to see in the early demos? Probably lots of stuff that doesn��t really look much like a game. When PS2 was first shown, we got to see lots of fancy effects��and little else. If the rumors as to the system��s power are to be believed, PS3 is capable of generating some pretty startling visuals. Imagine the Nike Gridiron TV ad, only running in real time. Expect to hear a lot from me on this subject throughout the year.

The Next Grand Theft Auto Game Is...

Rumors still persist that it��s set in the ��70s, in a Vegas-style town, and is called Sin City. Rockstar is being incredibly quiet on the subject, and it seems unlikely we��ll hear anything from them before E3. One of two things will subsequently happen. It��ll either astound us all with an amazing list of incredible ideas that push the boundaries of game design even further, or it will be little more than just another version of the same game rehashed for the third time. If it��s the latter, GTA stands to become Rockstar��s Tomb Raider, and just like Eidos, they��ll be accused of being nothing more than a one-trick pony. Fingers crossed that I��m just being a cynical old cow about that.

I Told You So

Remember back in Issue #75 when I told you that EA was working on a new boxing game? Not to toot my own horn, but I told you so. Fight Night 2004 looks awesome.

Battle

Join in on the Battlefield

After thrilling PC gamers with a penchant for shooting at each other, EA is rumored to be looking into a PS2 version of Battlefield 1942. It could even be set in a different time period with different units.

Gladius

Sequel in the Works for This Year

Gladius was excellent, but not many people bought it. The smartest thing LucasArts could have done is treat the first game as a promo for the sequel. And that��s what is happening. Hooray for smart people.

Ssexy

Ssx 4 Set for 2004?

With SSX 3 proving so popular, it��s rumored that the team at EA Canada is already hard at work on a new game with even more online features. Rumor has it that there��s a PSP version in the works too.

Speed

Another Need for Speed Coming

I know there��s another game in the series set for release this year, but our friends at EA are keeping very quiet about what it is. My bet is a speedy sequel to Underground in November.

E-Mail Me!

Got some good gaming gossip? If you hear anything juicy or get your hands on some cool screens or pictures, send me an e-mail at the following address:clish_maclaver@ziffdavis.com

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine.