Wolfenstein back to champion Xbox 360
Credited as the world's first first-person shooter (try saying that after a few sherry's), Castle Wolfenstein was created by id Software, 3D Realms and Apogee at a time when PC gaming - and videogaming at large - was something of a joke. The game made possible the advent of Doom, and the revolution this brought to the games industry. The game also made a welcome return in 2001, thanks to a collaboration with Gray Matter which delivered the highly-regarded Return to Castle Wolfenstein.
At X05 today, id Software boss Tod Hollenshead revealed that Wolfenstein will again be making a return to our screens, with another hard-boiled WWII adventure this time being developed by Quake 4 crafters Raven. 'Castle Wolfenstein', as the game is simply called at the moment, will like the previous game be overseen by id Software, and will "lead" on the Xbox 360. We think "leading" means that the game will be out on the new console first, with other console formats following later, perhaps in a similar fashion to Raven's Quake 4, which is only scheduled for the Xbox 360 and the PC at the moment.
Microsoft will be hoping that time-limited console exclusivity deals like this will give gamers a reason to buy an Xbox 360, before the PS3 and Revolution even launch. Hollenshead was even on-hand to announce the new Wolfenstein on-stage at X05, whilst a video clip of John Carmack told attendees that the big boffin reckons the Xbox 360 is a better development platform than the PC. Which is quite important, we think. More soon.