Speedball II Brutal Deluxe is easily among the most anticipated releases over the European Xbox Live service, and it's set to launch very soon to the delight of Microsoft Xbox 360 players. Hints, however, suggest that a Sony PlayStation 3 version via the PlayStation Network could be in the works.

"That could be on the cards," answers John Phillips of Bitmap Brothers as gaming site CVG inquired about a PSN version for Speedball II. "I think [services like XBLA and PSN are] great."

Phillips adds that these services show that great games can be developed and published without having a full team. "As the cost of development is lower we will over the next few years see a great many fantastic games on these formats," he concludes.

This week on Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade are two new games to keep you busy for the next couple of days. Or weeks. Or months. For one, Q Entertainment's smash hit shooter Every Extend Extra (E3) on the PSP is finally getting released as an XBLA "continuation" with Every Extend Extra Extreme (E4). Also, high-octane contact sport title Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe is going live as schedule this week.

Clocking in at 800 Microsoft Points, Every Extend Extra Extreme on EXBLA XBLA boasts an insane number of enemies and chain reactions compared to its previous installment. You can get yourself addicted on the psychedelic lights in five different game modes - one of which is Wiz Ur Muzik mode, where you can customize the settings to play your favorite music. You can also choose to go head to head with other players on Xbox Live.

Meanwhile, Bitmap Brothers and Empire Interactive's Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe (also for 800 MS Points) pits players against each other in a, well, brutal display of futuristic contact football. This XBLA incarnation allows you to play the game in its classic 2D graphics or in full blown high-definition 3D visuals. There are 32 teams to choose from and various kinds of matches to play: from ranked games to knock out competitions.

Both XBLA titles are to roll out this Wednesday, October 17, 9:00 a.m. GMT (2:00 a.m. PDT).

Goal! CVG just scored a rootin'-tootin' batch of Speedball 2 pics, and it's looking like everything what a reincarnation of a classic game should be. Frogster Interactive was able to bag the rights to Bitmap Brothers' title and no one's complaining now. A lot of people have previously criticized that trying to revive such a smash-hit from before would be a Herculean task. Judging from these screens though, the devs seem to have managed to pull through.

Operative word: "seem." Of course, graphics don't necessarily spell out a win in some people's books. And we can't quite say much unless the game gets released later this year. The online multiplayer is one of the major features a lot of people are looking forward to though. But meanwhile, let the pics ensue... Oh, and just so you know, none of the screens here are from cinematics. They're rendered in-game.

  

More screens behind the Full Article below!

In an interview with one of the founding members of the Bitmap Brothers, Mike Montgomery has unveiled new features that not even Speedball 2100 was able to take advantage of: online multiplayer. Speedball 2 may be a graphically ramped up, realistic port of the original title, but now it has an extended online and multiplayer repertoire.

 

Montgomery has revealed to German publisher Frogster that the game will allow players to compete online for a virtual world cup. He boasts about an "advanced online community" and ranking system, all that will be accessible over the game's official online portal Speedball2.com. There are hopes the Kylotonn will be able to negotiate a possibility for the game to enter the pro-gaming scene, also.

Speedball.com will also provide instant messaging for gamers connected to it, including the ability to participate in the online community message boards and even access an online marketplace within the portal. Players may purchase additional special items, armor and weaponry, including additional merchandising and fan content.

The game isn't completely isolated for online play, as cromix of fansite SpeedballHQ points out. It will also offer LAN play for localized tournament action. And if that's not enough, Kylotonn also claims that online friends will be able to take the roles of your teammates, and play against the A.I. or another team of players.

Click on Full Article for the rest of the updates, including porting to consoles and screenshots!

If you've ever wanted to look over the shoulders of a development studio and see how a game gets made, keep reading. We recently found a video from Frogster Interactive showing off part of its development process for the Speedball 2.

In the video, you'll get to see bosses looking over the shoulders of their subordinates as they create works of art for the Bitmap Brothers original video game. You'll also get to see stills and additional concept art for the game, including guys and gals in nice body armor. It's short, it's sweet, and if you've ever dreamt of going behind the scenes to see artists hard at work on turning an idea into something real, then you'll definitely be impressed. Enjoy!

While Speedball II for the PC is slowly (but steadily) picking up its pace, guess what's sneaking up from behind and onto the Xbox Live Marketplace? The classic Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe will be dribbling in, with high-def support under its belt, as well as more teams to choose from and downloadable content.

The specific date for its release still hasn't been confirmed, but with the announcement of bringing this brutal sports title also comes another XBL reincarnation, Double Dragon. While we've seen all sorts of media for the XBL release already, we haven't heard much on its actual roll out. Now we do: it's next Wednesday, May 9.

Keep check for more updates about the XBL version of Speedball 2, but in the mean time, keep yourself on your feet: Double Dragon's just a few days away.

It seems that game publisher Frogster Interactive has a lot to be proud of.It hasrecruited some top names to join the developing team of Speedball 2.

Frogster Interactive was able to secure the Bitmap Brothers (founder and owner of the Speedball license) and Kylotonn Entertainment as developer and co-producer. The Artificial Intelligence of the game will be spearheaded by SpirOps while Motion Capturing will be handled by ATOPOS. Finally, for multiplayer connectivity, the RakNet Network (created by Rakkarsoft) will be used.

The said companies have contributed a lot to this venture, with Mike Montgomery (founder of Bitmap Brothers) supervising all the steps in the development of this game. Kylotonn has already assembled a team of programmers and game designers to produce the game. Klyotonn also helped in securing the rights to use Raknet as the middlewear for multiplayer connectivity.

ATOPOS, which has worked on big titles such as GRAW, GRAW2, and Rainbow Six: Vegas will be making sure that the movement for Speedball 2 will be as fluid as possible. SpirOps which handled the middlewear for the A.I. in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent will assure that the A.I. for this game is up to par.

So there's a topnotch developing team, the question most would be asking is "what's it about?" Set in 2326, a violent streetsport known as Speedball has become a popular method for handling disputes. Speedball involves two teams of nine players, the goal of each team is to bring the steel ball to their opponents goal. It's pretty much a free for all as almost any move is permitted in the game. The winners of the Speedball league claims dominance over the city.

Speedball 2 is slated to be released Q3 this year. While it's too early to say if the game will be good, the star power behind its production will hopefully be indicative of the final product.

We have recently reported about Frogster Interactive's plans on bringing the classic game, Speedball 2, to the PC this summer. But its original developers, Bitmap Brothers, is thinking bigger things for the 90's video game series. According to Bitmap Brothers' managing director, Mike Montgomery, now is the right time for a Speedball 2 remake, one that could give today's best games a run for their money. He also said that:

No one has yet made a clone of Speedball 2 that works, I have been asked so many times to bring back Speedball 2 and now the time is right. With all the enhancements we're adding, it will appeal to old and new players...The key to Speedball 2 is that it's quick to learn and immediately fun to play. Get a few beers, pizza, and some friends, then you can have a great competition all night.

Although the remake would only be available on the PC, Montgomery said that he has designs for each console and that it won't be long until we hear something about them. For now, they are working on the game's online aspect - speedball2.com. This aspect will act as a communication and information platform, and as a marketplace wherein players could buy a new armor and equipment for your team.

Who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks? We'll be keeping a close eye on Speedball 2 for us to give you more developments about it.