Late Night Consoling

This week, the internets came upon the official site for a game called Eternity's Child, which claims to be "coming [to Xbox 360] this year for Xbox Live Arcade." The game appears to be a 2D platformer with an outlined 2D style, set in a fantasy world. Further investigation turns up a post on Gamertag Radio, where site co-founder Godfree claims to have spoken with developer Luc Bernard. Apparently, Bernard is creating the game using Microsoft's recently released XNA Game Studio Express environment, which would make Eternity's Child one of the first--if not the first--XNA-created games to be commercially released. Bernard noted to GTR that "Eternity's Child" is a working title; the game, a "fairy tale for adults," is hand animated, with standard 2D platforming gameplay. Several screenshots were also released.

Shacknews has contacted Microsoft for further information, but has not yet received an official response.

Publisher Namco Bandai Games has revealed that a sequel to its anime-based Naruto: Ultimate Ninja (PS2) will be released this year. Fittigly entitled Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2, the game will again be developed by CyberConnect2. The upcoming head to head fighting game will feature over 30 playable characters in 16 stages, with a full story mode spanning 60 missions. Ultimate Ninja 2 also features various mini-games, a practice mode, and unlockable content. "'NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 2' delivers exactly what fans are craving, intense head-to-head ninjutsu battles and story driven gameplay" said Namco Bandai localization VP Naruo Uchida. "The first title was a monstrous success and the bar has been raised even higher for the second game."

CyberConnect2's Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2 is expected to ship for PlayStation 2 in summer 2007.

Traveller's Tales, the UK-based studio best known for its well received and bestselling LEGO Star Wars series, has acquired independent developer Embryonic Studios. Embryonic was founded in 2005 by Nick Elms, former founder of Digital Anvil and Warthog Games, now Gizmondo Europe. Elms has also worked for now defunct Origin Systems on games such as Times of Lore and Privateer 2: The Darkening. Embryonic employs 20 people at its Bollington, Cheshire UK offices. The recently formed company has yet to release a full game, but did work on the Xbox port of 2K Sports' 49Games-developed Torino 2006.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We are delighted to have completed the acquisition," said Traveller's Tales' Jon Burton. "Embryonic possess a very talented workforce that will help drive TravellerÂ’s Tales on to further success."

After being the subject of months of intense controversy, Rockstar Vancouver's schoolyard action/adventure game Bully (PS2) was released last October to exceptionally strong critical reception. It seems to have sold well, though perhaps not well enough to justify another game in the franchise. Speaking to GamePolitics, noted Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter estimates that based on its performance so far, the game will end up with sales around 800,000, which while strong are likely not enough to provide a significant return on the development investment. "My guess is that the company did no better than to break even," said Pachter. "I would NOT expect a sequel."

Publisher Rockstar Games has declined to comment on the matter.