Off the Record 02.25.05
Here are two rumors you haven't heard anywhere else...
by U. R. Agossip

February 25, 2005 - You've dialed Off the Record, the inner workings of IGN Xbox. This is the ongoing and unofficial place to learn what's going on behind the scenes of the videogame industry, specifically for the Xbox. When we learn it, we tell you here. Check back each Friday to find out what else has happened in this fast-paced, ever-changing industry.

In the last few weeks, Mr. Agossip, our new snoop here at IGN Xbox, has gleaned the watercoolers of America looking for good, clean rumors to offer you. These two stories should whet your whistle quite well.

Mercenary Strike
The game you know and love called Mercenaries was not always a LucasArts game. It was once something quite different. Three sources have helped piece together this little story for you, and two of them have died to provide this crucial news. First, Mercenaries was at one time an EA game. And second, it was, at one time, going to be the next iteration in the publisher's long-running, but recently absent, Strike series.

Can you see it? Mercenaries as a Strike game? Totally. This short re-telling of the story goes back a few years. About two years ago, EA contracted Pandemic to make a Strike game, and in the process of about 10 months, it went from being a helicopter game to a third-person action game, back to.... blah blah who cares about this....




Halo 3 In Production
Yes, we have news about Halo 3. IGN learned last week while drinking secretly imported beers with its informants that Microsoft is prepared for the battle of its life in this upcoming console war. From what we understand, Bungie is hard at work on, not so surprisingly, Halo 3, which will be ready day and date with the launch of PlayStation 3.

So, while Bungie said it's working on something else, well, we have different news. Sure, the smart creative guys at Bungie are working on something else, but you had better bet your bottom dollar they're also working on the next Halo. The release of Halo 3 at the precise launch of PS3 is a pure, military tactical move, similar to the PS2's greatest lineup ever launching simultaneously with the launch of the Xbox and GameCube. It's designed to counter Sony's upcoming launch with the best weapon Earth has on its side, Master Chief. Go, John 17, go! Save Earth from Sony!
If they can finish Halo 3 by that time, I'll say this should be very interesting.