E3 2006: 2K Games' E3 Lineup @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on May 10, 2006

News: Take Two's big publishing label puts out their list.

With E3 already underway, 2K has released their lineup.

The list houses no surprises, but you might want to check it out anway:

BioShock
BioShock is an innovative role-playing shooter from Irrational Games who was named IGN's 2005 Developer of the Year. BioShock immerses players into a war-torn underwater utopia, where mankind has abandoned their humanity in their quest for perfection. Fueled by intense player choices and consequences, BioShock has been already hailed as one of the most anticipated games of 2007.

Developer: Irrational Games, a wholly owned 2K studio
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Available: 2007

CivCity: Rome
Inspired by the world of Sid Meier's Civilization and created through a collaboration between Firefly Studios and Firaxis Games, CivCity: Rome is an innovative city builder that invites players to zoom-in on and create the great cities of the Roman Empire. Through dozens of missions, each offering an array of interesting decisions, players will be charged with building, nurturing and managing one of these great cities as they endeavor to lead the Roman Empire from its humble beginnings to its mighty apogee. Fans of the Civilization series will also recognize features such as research, city happiness, production and culture, which can now be managed actively in the wonderfully immersive world of CivCity: Rome.

Developer: Firefly Studios in collaboration with Firaxis Games (a wholly owned 2K Studio)
Platform: PC
Available: July 2006

Dungeon Siege II: Broken World
Dungeon Siege II: Broken World is an action/role-playing expansion game set in a dark, post-apocalyptic fantasy world that concludes the story of Dungeon Siege II. Players must hunt down the Dark Wizard to exact vengeance and undo the evil brought to the world of Aranna during Dungeon Siege II. New features include new character classes, a new playable character race, updated graphics and the ability to import Dungeon Siege II parties.

Developer: Gas Powered Games
Platform: PC
Available: August 2006

Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony is an all-new adventure, created from the ground-up specifically for the PSP. Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony features all-new playable characters and AI controlled pets and companions, as well as freshly designed non-linear, single player campaigns and support for Ad Hoc co-operative and competitive multiplayer games.

Developer: SuperVillain Studios and Gas Powered Games
Platform: PSP
Available: October 2006

Family Guy
The first video game based on the hugely popular Family Guy TV show, Family Guy features the outrageous humor its millions of fans know and love.

Developer: High Voltage
Platforms: Current generation console and portable systems
Available: Fall 2006

Ghost Rider
Ghost Rider is a new third person action video game based on the well-known Marvel Super Hero and upcoming feature film. Ghost Rider is being developed for current generation systems by Climax Group and is scheduled for simultaneous release with the movie in February 2007. Continuing the storyline from the upcoming Columbia Pictures/Marvel Studio's movie, Ghost Rider drops players into the role of Johnny Blaze, a celebrity motorcycle stunt rider who is transformed into a Super Hero with powers to avenge any evil he encounters. Featuring many of the characters and motorcycles from the comic book and upcoming movie, Ghost Rider will engage gamers in an immersive, supernatural third person world with a seamless blend of hand-to-hand combat and high-speed motorcycle action.

Developer: Climax
Platforms: Current generation console and portable systems
Available: Winter 2007

Prey
Prey is a groundbreaking first-person shooter that raises the bar and turns the genre upside-down with awesome new gameplay features and next generation graphics. Breaking the traditional first-person shooter format, Prey introduces innovative gameplay elements including wall-walking, portals, spirit-walking and gravity flipping, making it one of the most anticipated games of 2006.

Developer: Human Head Studios, produced by 3D Realms; Xbox 360 version by Venom Games, a wholly owned 2K Studio
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360
Available: July 2006

Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords is the first expansion pack for the award-winning game that has become an instant world-wide hit. Paying homage to some of history's greatest military leaders, the expansion delivers six unique and interesting scenarios, giving players the chance to change the course of history with the help of their new powerful "warlord" unit. Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords includes new civilizations, leaders, units and wonders that offer even more fun and exciting ways for players to expand their civilization's military power as they strive for world domination.

Developer: Firaxis Games, a wholly owned 2K Studio
Platform: PC
Available: July 2006

Sid Meier's Railroads!
Sid Meier's Railroads! marks Sid Meier's return to the simulation/strategy gaming that launched the popular "tycoon" genre and inspired a new generation of games. Combining the best of real-world and model railroads, Sid Meier's Railroads! places players in charge of building the greatest railroad empire in the nation - managing trains, cargo and their bottom line - while engaging in all-out corporate warfare against rival tycoons, slick entrepreneurs and robber barons.

Developer: Firaxis Games, a wholly owned 2K Studio
Platform: PC
Available: Fall 2006

Stronghold Legends
Stronghold Legends is an all-new RTS that builds on the fantastic Stronghold heritage. It features a range of new innovations including three unique castle styles to build, three landscapes to fight across and three races to control, from King Arthur and his knights to Vlad the Impaler and his evil army. Spectacular magic, fearsome monsters and a new strategic conquest game are also brand new to the series, along with a range of exciting new multiplayer modes.

Developer: Firefly Studios
Platform: PC
Available: September 2006

The Darkness
Based on the Top Cow comic book The Darkness written by Paul Jenkins and co-created by Marc Silvestri, The Darkness video game is a gritty, first-person, action-adventure game for next generation console systems. On his 21st birthday, the awesome and terrible powers of the Darkness awaken within Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman for the Franchetti crime family. With his new powers, Jackie is able to wreak terrifying havoc on his enemies. In the game, players experience photo-realistic graphics, fully interactive environments and a totally immersive storyline that awaits those that enter The Darkness.

Developer: Starbreeze
Platforms: Next generation console systems
Available: Winter

The Da Vinci Code
Players unlock the code as they experience the mysterious world of The Da Vinci Code. An adventure/puzzle game with action elements, The Da Vinci Code challenges players to solve mysteries and puzzles that go beyond anything they have seen or read. Encountering new plot twists and clues, players must try to stay one step ahead of an enemy formed by an ominous, covert society that will stop at nothing to protect a secret that has been locked away for centuries. Based on the highly anticipated film and the best-selling novel of all time, The Da Vinci Code combines stealth, adventure, combat and puzzle-solving elements to create the ultimate adventure.

Developer: The Collective
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Available: May 2006, coinciding with the film's worldwide May 19 release date

NHL 2K7
NHL 2K7 reigns supreme as the category leader in innovation, design and critical acclaim with four straight years as the #1 rated* NHL video game. 2K7 notches a 2nd year of next-generation domination with a groundbreaking presentation system that will truly engross gamers with cinematic style bringing raw emotion and exciting drama to every hockey game. New additions to ProControl empower players to turn up the defensive pressure on specific opposing players. Combined with high-quality visual details and the most comprehensive franchise options in any hockey game, NHL 2K7 will deliver yet another year of truly immersive and authentic NHL action.

Developer: Visual Concepts/Kush Games, wholly owned 2K studios
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Available: Fall 2006

NBA 2K7
Voted best current and next-generation NBA hoops franchise by both press and gamers, NBA 2K7 will continue its legacy of dominance this year on the hard court. The highly acclaimed Shot Stick - voted one of the best innovations of 2005 Ц returns with more responsive controls and new mechanics to master. Combined with incredible graphics, including new sweat technology details and animating hair, revamped post game, and hundreds of new shooting, passing, and dribbling animations, NBA 2K7 is poised for another run as the #1 rated* NBA simulation.

Developer: Visual Concepts, a wholly owned 2K studio
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Available: Fall 2006

College Hoops 2K7
The #1 rated* college basketball game four years running on both Xbox and PlayStation 2, returns for its sophomore season on the Xbox 360 and is set to make its freshman debut on the PlayStation 3 system. Leadership makes a difference this year as team chemistry plays a vital role in a team's performanceЧespecially come tournament time. The college atmosphere is fully realized with updated mascots, improved crowd interaction and more fight songs. With over 325 NCAA Division 1 schools and the deepest legacy mode around, College Hoops 2K7 defines the college basketball experience.

Developer: Visual Concepts, a wholly owned 2K studio
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Xbox, PlayStation 2
Available: Fall 2006