It seems this heyday of film-based games might be in its twilight hours as EA has suggested they’re shifting their focus away from licensed properties when planning for their future. “The bloom is really off the rose for licensed games,” said Games boss Frank Gibeau in an interview to the LA times. In the same interview he also confirmed that they’re not planning to release another Godfather game, although later an offical spokesperson came forth saying that nothing has been decided as far as the Godfather license.

This can only come as good news since along with some quality gems EA has mixed in a fair amount of generally terrible garbage. Devoting their resources towards their original properties means we’ll see more and better of those. Though the claim that something in the general mentality about licensed games has changed doesn’t hold much water.

If you have been playing EA’s The Godfather, then you are sure to love this news that new premium upgrade packs have been released for use. The Godfather II videogame will be releasing premium upgrade packs to provide players with level-four weapons, an additional crew member equipped with four unique specialties, and two new multiplayer maps that will make their family stronger as they fight to become the most powerful mob syndicate in America.

In addition, these upgrades will help as players take their advanced crew members online and compete to be the Don of Dons on the leader boards. Players can experience all the premium upgrades for The Godfather II two weeks after launch worldwide on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PLAYSTATION Store on April 23, 2009.

The complete list of upgrade packs includes:

• The Pentangeli Map Pack: Download for the all-new Cuba multiplayer map and the Junkyard multiplayer map. $6.75 / 540 points
• Level 4 Weapons Bundle: Download this collection to receive the Modern Dillinger, the .700 Magnum Impact, the Herzstopper, the MG-S1 Sniper Wolfe, and the Street Sweeper. $4.00 / 320 points
• Jack of All Trades: Download Jimmy Lira – the Jack of All Trades to have this character in your family. Jimmy Lira starts out with the arsonist, engineer, medic, and safecracker specialties and comes equipped with a level 2 machine gun – the MP38. $4.00 / 320 points
• The Corleone Bundle (All of the above): Download the multiplayer map pack, the level 4 Weapons Bundle, and the Jack of All Trades (Jimmy Lira) crew member. $10.00 / 800 points

(Source) Press

Electronic Arts has given the word that The Godfather II will be hitting shelves in North America on February 24, and in Europe on February 27. The sequel, based on the movie of the same name,  will be released for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Players who pre-order the game will be able to play with an exclusive crew member, Tommy Cipolla. Tommy will be the only crew member to possess two specialties – arsonist and medic – as well as carry a level-two double-barreled shotgun.

I hope they don’t get any ideas about making a movie based The Godfather Part III; let’s just say it’s my least favorite of the series.

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He stated that the game would be arriving at retailers “a few months” after the November release of Left 4 Dead, though he wouldn’t offer any particular dates.

The series is inspired and based upon the celebrated film trilogy by Francis Ford Coppola, who expertly converted the book into movies. The original game allows players to build up their crime empire and come in contact with characters from the films.

No platforms have been announced for the sequel yet, though PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii are a must.