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Crackdown 2 due in first half of 2010

Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg includes Ruffian Games' open-world sequel in list of Xbox 360 heavy hitters due before July.

It was already clear that the early part of 2010 will have no shortage of big-name releases, and Xbox 360 director of product management Aaron Greenberg just dropped another long-awaited game on the ever-growing pile. In an appearance on Xbox Live, programming director Larry Hryb's Major Nelson podcast, Greenberg included Crackdown 2 on a list of Xbox 360 exclusives due out by July.

Crackdown 2 promises to inflict even more collateral damage on the unfortunate residents of Pacific City.

Crackdown 2 promises to inflict even more collateral damage on the unfortunate residents of Pacific City.

"Starting in January, we have a AAA-exclusive title pretty much every month for the first half of the year," Greenberg said. "You got Mass Effect 2, you got Splinter Cell, you got Alan Wake, you got Crackdown 2."

Previously, Crackdown 2 had only been tagged with a vague 2010 release window. Ruffian Games is creating the open-world sequel, taking over for original developer Realtime Worlds. The team at Ruffian is taking one of the original game's biggest strengths--online cooperative play throughout the campaign--and expanding it to support four players. Crackdown 2 will also feature competitive multiplayer modes for up to 16 gamers.

For more on Crackdown 2, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

159 Comments

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Jan 5, 2010 1:30 am GMT

    Just like Final Fantasy 14 is released on Pc and Ps3 but it's exclusive to Ps3.

    Oh well Ps3 fanb0yz

  • Fandango_Letho

    Posted Jan 4, 2010 6:44 am GMT

    @Bashers79

    Wel, ME2 is being released on the 360 and PC. Console exclusive means its...exclusive to a console.

    But yeah, if you meant it in the way that it's a Microsoft exclusive, then sure, it is.

  • Bashers79

    Posted Jan 4, 2010 3:25 am GMT

    @thekey No one here really cares for your badly worded opinions. Seriously, if you're going to bad mouth a game or other peoples comments, proof read it first and use spell checker. You just end up looking like an idiot otherwise.

  • Bashers79

    Posted Jan 4, 2010 3:15 am GMT

    @Fandango_Letho
    If Mass effect 2 isn't a console exclusive, please enlighten us as to which other console it is being released on. I think you'll find it IS a console exclusive which is also available on PC's running Windows (don't need to tell you Windows is owned by MS).

  • Jak_Napier

    Posted Jan 3, 2010 6:03 pm GMT

    Cool, more Crack....down..haha

  • f4t4lfury

    Posted Jan 3, 2010 3:57 pm GMT

    what about local co-op?

  • NinoSwaG

    Posted Jan 3, 2010 9:08 am GMT

    OH and you gotta love that song!!!

  • NinoSwaG

    Posted Jan 3, 2010 9:06 am GMT

    I hope this game is good. im gonna wait on a review from a few sites before i buy it though. Looks half decent.

  • Trogeton

    Posted Jan 3, 2010 8:38 am GMT

    Crackdown 2 now that is something to be excited for

  • 1425678786655

    Posted Jan 3, 2010 3:32 am GMT

    @Fandango_Letho
    lol always gotta have that douchebag "PC games are the best guy"

    anyways hope htis game is cool

    and @Paragonfury u forgot Final fantasy 13 in ur awesome games list for first half of 2010.. 2010 needs to not have so many good games coming out! hahaha jk. this is gonna be one good year

  • FartMonkey65

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 11:21 pm GMT

    Man, I'm gonna go broke.

  • ParagonFury

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 8:17 pm GMT

    2010 looks to be both a great year for gamers. Hell, the first quarter of 2010 looks to have more awesome releases (Bayonetta, Mass Effect 2, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Bad Company 2, Bioshock 2, etc.) then 2009 had in its entirety.


    And Crackdown 2 sporting 4-player Co-Op, competieve multiplayer and expanded single player? The only question is where are people going to get all the time and money to play these games?

  • CoolKidX

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 5:55 pm GMT

    @Fandango_Letho
    You're kidding right? Okay ME was better qua controls on the PC, but it STILL had alot of frame rate issues and slowdowns, and the graphics were just the same on the 360.

  • Darkmoone1

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 6:25 am GMT

    As much as I look up to playing these games in the future, Greenburg is sure being overconfident of the games coming out, calling them all "AAA" titles.

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 3:52 am GMT

    @SalarianChemist

    There is no confusion.

    A. Greenberg claimed these titles to be exclusive to the Xbox 360 system (as opposed to all Microsoft platforms).
    B. None of these titles are, by any stretch of the imagination, exclusive to the Xbox 360. Save for Crackdown 2...
    C. A title's exclusivity to Microsoft platforms does not, by extension, make said title exclusive to the Xbox 360, as Greenberg claimed.
    D. Greenberg's perspective is irrelevant and does not warrant irregular interpretation of the word "exclusive".

    A+B+C+D = Greenberg's a tool.

  • eliteshadow1980

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 1:30 am GMT

    im pre ordering it asap

  • Gammet25

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 12:03 am GMT

    Yay crackdown's coming

  • buft

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 9:42 pm GMT

    i cannot wait for this now i see it has competitive multiplayer and 4 player co-op , these are my favourite buzzwords plus the original was a blast to play through

  • ha2e04

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 7:23 pm GMT

    this game is going to be fun, love the visual style to.

  • dodger153

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 4:58 pm GMT

    crackdown 2 seems likes its going to be pretty good. Can't wait to get it and play with some friends.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 3:45 pm GMT

    @parrot of adun

    Mass Effect 2 was referred to as an "AAA Exclusive" by Microsoft's employee, Aaron Greenberg, because from Microsoft's point of view Mass Effect 2 is 100% exclusive to Microsoft "platforms."

    I just want to try and eliminate some of the confusion, so I will explain a few things.

    * Mass Effect is classified as a "Console-Exclusive" multiplatform game

    * Xbox 360 is the only "Console" where you can play Mass Effect

    * Games for Windows is an additional "Platform" offered by Microsoft where you can play Mass Effect, but only if you have a PC with the necessary hardware specifications to satisfy Games for Windows minimum hardware requirements

    * The word "Console" refers only to a "Console"

    * The word "Platform" can refer to either a "Console or PC"

    * The word "Multiplatform" can refer to either "PC and/or Console(s)"

    By allowing a game series like Mass Effect to be released for the PC using Games for Windows, Microsoft is exposing millions of additional gamers to this awesome new gaming franchise. This is something Microsoft wants, because Microsoft's Games for Windows receives some revenue while simultaneously helping the Mass Effect game series grow in popularity that will also help the Xbox 360 version receive the hype it deserves.

    This is the whole reason Microsoft allowed the original Halo: Combat Evolved to be released for the PC -- since it helped expose even more people to the awesome series. This strategy paid off, since Halo grew in popularity even more thanks to the PC. Halo 3 was a console exclusive that caused many PC Halo fans to purchase the Xbox 360. If Mass Effect 3 were to be released only for Xbox 360, or if Mass Effect 4 were released only for the next Xbox, it would mean a lot of PC fans would end up buying a console just to play that game.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 3:26 pm GMT

    @Fandango Letho

    Yes, Mass Effect 2 is in fact classified as a "Console-Exclusive" multiplatform game.

    The reason for this is because the Xbox 360 is the only "Console" you can play Mass Effect or Mass Effect 2 on.

    Anyone who played through the first Mass Effect game on the Xbox 360 is obviously going to be inclined to play through Mass Effect 2 on the Xbox 360, as well, since all of your decisions from the first game that are saved to the hard drive will influence the storyline and plot of the second game.

    I agree with you that at this point in time Microsoft's Games for Windows tend to have better graphics than the consoles--if you have a PC with the necessary hardware requirements. Videogames and Computer games usually circle each other in a cycle in terms of which has better graphics. Usually when a console is released, the console has a graphic advantage for a couple years. Then the PC starts to catch up with high-end graphics cards, which become more common as time passes. Eventually the gap is so much in favor of the PC that it is time to release a new group of consoles, which once again tips the balance in favor of the consoles.

    However, this generation adds online play, which is another factor in gaming. This generation we can say that Xbox Live is where the majority of gamers spend most of their time playing games online. It's like Channel G4 pointed out, if you need to decide which platform to buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, you usually tend to make that decision based on which platform you can share that fun with the largest number of friends. There are a lot more people playing Modern Warfare 2 on Xbox 360 than any other platform. This means that although Microsoft's Games for Windows version has the advantage with graphics over the console versions, it is still the Xbox 360 that offers fundamental advantages for online gameplay.

    Similarly, there are always going to be people out there who like to use a Mouse & Keyboard when playing games, which is why they enjoy playing with Microsoft's Games for Windows.

    I think the reason why Aaron Greenberg is so happy with Mass Effect being available as a console-exclusive for Xbox 360, in adition to Games for Windows is because Mass Effect is a relatively new franchise. There is no doubt that the overwhelming majority of people who play Mass Effect love it. And there is no doubt that there are more owners of the PC than any other platform. By allowing PC owners to have access to the Mass Effect games, it greatly increases the popularity of the Mass Effect series.

  • alibabba13

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 9:16 am GMT

    Greenberg meant that it is a console exclusive to xbox360 rather than exclusive to the xbox. Everyone else agreeing with him is just an idiot.

  • Fandango_Letho posted Jan 1, 2010 8:43 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Fandango_Letho

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 8:43 am GMT (hide)

    @SalarianChemist

    No, Mass Effect 2 isnt a console exclusive. Anyone with a decent PC will get it on it for better controls, graphics and framerate.

    Same With Dragon Age ; console versions are bad compared to the AAA PC one.

  • GeigerdolylWodd

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 5:54 am GMT

    @thekey

    Key man what happened. I own a PS3 also but even the other PS3 owners have noticed you making repeat about the failures of 360 is a bit excessive. I own a PS3 too just got Uncharted and also have uncharted2 that being said I still will play my 360.


    There's no need to hate we can coexist can we not? I hated the racing in Crackdown 1 and the occasional jerk who'd come into my game and focus on attacking me and not the bad guys.

    But it was neat being able to aim at the random thugs arms and legs to get them to drop their guns or fall midrun because of a well aimed shot. With the mutants this was harder to do, cause they tend to be on all fours but otherwise.

    Certain aspects of the game were neat and scaling the Agency tower? Cathartic. I just hope that i we owned and finished the first one we won't have to relevel up and that they raise the level cap.

    I want to be able to do le parkour from the get go this time. It made no sense why you could not do le parkour prior to becoming an agent but then all of a sudden you're blessed with instant le parkour knowledge. Let us do it from the get go then super strengthen it. That's my only gripe.

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Jan 1, 2010 1:10 am GMT

    @SalarianChemist

    Greenberg never referred to these titles as "console-exclusives", just "AAA-exclusives".

    Like it or not, the PC is a gaming platform, and no less so than the PS3 or 360. They're not the only one's here.

  • gamecubepad

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 4:35 pm GMT

    Crackdown is sick. Can't wait.

  • Thorpe89

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 2:50 pm GMT

    2010 will sure be sucking money from me it seems and it can't wait to do so!

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 2:38 pm GMT

    Mass Effect 2 "is" definitely an Xbox 360 console-exclusive game.

    The fact of the matter is, the Xbox 360 is the only game console where you can play Mass Effect or Mass Effect 2.

    It's the same thing with other great games for 2010 such as Splinter Cell: Conviction, Mechwarrior, Prey 2, Divinity 2 and many others.

    In the most technical sense, even Gears of War is classified as a "console-exclusive" game.

    In 2010 there are literally dozens of games being released for PC and Xbox 360 where Xbox 360 is the only console you can play the games on.

    Aaron Greenburg definitely knows what he is talking about, and he knows how to classify games in the proper ways.

  • sleepychicken

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 11:54 am GMT

    I love it. They better package it with another beta. Lets not be silly, everyone knows that probably 2/3 of the original games sales were due to the Halo beta being included. The game was alright, there better be massive improvments overall though if they want a legitimate seller.

  • grognard

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 6:19 am GMT

    Interesting that Greenberg considers Mass Effect 2 to be a 360 exclusve.

  • DeadSarow

    Posted Dec 31, 2009 12:55 am GMT

    I dunno about Crackdown 2...

  • Scoot44

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 11:40 pm GMT

    i think I'm with xepherian here, i thought people only bought the game for the demo. Not saying its a bad game, but hell im pretty sure i only got it for the demo. If Crackdown 2 has a halo reach demo then i'll bet it will sell.

  • magicalclick

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 11:15 pm GMT

    Hope it is more story driven like Saint Row 2. But, actually I prefer Saint Row 2 because I can run around half naked

  • SicklySunStorm

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 12:43 pm GMT

    @ SalarianChemist - you speak the truth dude, as usual

    Crackdown 2 is definitely in the right hands - you have a good number of the original Crackdown team working on it, as well as new blood and a larger budget. It's gonna be a great sequel.

  • Ovirew

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 11:55 am GMT

    Even if the zombie thing seems a little out of place, I know this game will be good.

  • jadefury27

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 8:12 am GMT

    While the 1st one was a great suprise the sequel looks like a polished version of prototype w\ co-op. This wont be a first day pick up.

  • germanqr

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 3:46 am GMT

    @SalarianChemist,

    For once, I totally agree with you. What a fantastic game Crackdown is! Not really deep, but FUN, it's a blast! I was this close to buying a 360 solely because of this game (since most other exclusives are also available on PC). Fortunately for me, my friend went abroad for work and lent me his 360 for a few months, so I got that craving out of my system!

    And now back to my business with you. InFAMOUS is quite similar to CD. It's clear Sucker Punch ripped a few pages off Ruffian's book (although SP had their own very good book to rip pages off, too!). It's a game just as good as Crackdown, in my opinion, or better. You should really play it, I'm sure you would revise up your totally fake 7.0 rating for InFAMOUS. There's absolutely no way Crackdown is your favourite game yet you didn't like INF enough to rate it at least a 9. In fact, both the Metacritic and GameRanking averages are slightly higher for INF. That is one more reason for me to be believe you're a paid shill. Are you? If so please give my regards to Microsoft's PR Dept. I'm a loyal customer.

    You will be glad to hear I expect Crackdown 2 to be better than both InFAMOUS and the original. But this is an honest opinion. Unlike you, I don't work on commission.

  • xepherian

    Posted Dec 30, 2009 12:49 am GMT

    I could've swore half the reason people bought Crackdown was for the Halo 3 demo...

    Looks like I was wrong.

  • salvucci91

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 9:09 pm GMT

    looks like funzies!

  • Jim60360

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 4:29 pm GMT

    this game looks awesome, the first one is awesome, i still play it. this is a must buy for me.

  • kickblocker

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 2:32 pm GMT

    why are the people like zombies? never finished the first one

  • JimBurber

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 2:06 pm GMT

    Crackdown 1 might not have been incredibly deep, but it still was one of the most entertaining experiences in gaming for me. I am very excited to see 4 player in crackdown 2.

  • Morphine_OD posted Dec 29, 2009 4:02 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Morphine_OD

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 4:02 am GMT (hide)

    looks dumb and derivative, not to mention dated visiuals and uninspired level design

  • parrot_of_adun

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 1:51 am GMT

    @SalarianChemist

    No offense, and not that I disagree with you at all, but you sound like a shill...

  • bob_geldof221

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 1:15 am GMT

    looks like its made for megadrive avoid this pap

  • jeffv541 posted Dec 29, 2009 12:53 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jeffv541

    Posted Dec 29, 2009 12:53 am GMT (hide)

    I don't like cops, all cops are bad you know. (unless your related to one in which case I'm sure that you think they are good) But no, I think that this game will be decent, unlike cops.

  • uberjannie

    Posted Dec 28, 2009 10:03 pm GMT

    @Killer6b9 : Plus you can be as violent you want with them without the game being banned *cough*Australia*snort*

  • Killer6b9

    Posted Dec 28, 2009 8:34 pm GMT

    To answer the question why zombies..............because zombies sell just like drugs, sex, and rock and roll. It is guaranteed to sell, even if it is mediocre, look at the "B" rated zombie movies....they sell.......

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