007: Blood Stone

## North American Release

**Microsoft Windows, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360**
November 2, 2010

**007: Blood Stone** is an action-adventure video game, developed by Bizarre Creations and published by Activision for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, and Microsoft Windows. It is the twenty-third game in the 007 franchise although it is not a direct sequel to any game. The game was confirmed by Activision on July 16, 2010. The game released on November 2, 2010. It features the voices and likenesses of Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and British artist Joss Stone. .

## Gameplay

The game is a third-person shooter with hand-to-hand combat and driving sequences. *007: Blood Stone* features a unique *Focus Aim* system which allows players to lock-on to a target after a melee takedown. There is also a multi-player mode consisting of up to 16 players that will pit spies versus mercenaries.

### Plot

The player assumes the role of the protagonist James Bond (voiced by Daniel Craig) who teams up with wealthy socialite Nicole Hunter (voiced by Joss Stone) to find researcher Dr. Malcolm Tedworth, who is feared dead. Journeying across locations in  Athens,  Istanbul,  Monaco,  Siberia and  Bangkok, James Bond fights the antagonists, a group of terrorists led by a man named Greco.

The story's background revolves around an international conspiracy that's placed a British secret biochemical weapon into the hands of an unknown enemy. From examination of the official website, it is speculated that genetics, globalism, and diamonds are pivotal themes to the story.

## Development

The game was first hinted on April 21, 2010 when British store chain HMV listed *007: Blood Stone* as coming soon. Then on April 23, Activision reserved a web domain name called bloodstonegame.com. The game was officially announced in an Activision press release on July 16, 2010.

Famed *James Bond* film writer Bruce Feirstein was chosen to pen the story for the game.

The game itself is built on developer Bizarre Creations' bespoke engine, which was first created for the game *The Club*.

Ben Cooke, who is Daniel Craig's stunt double in the films, has provided the motion capture choreography for Bond's digital animation. He is credited as the game's stunt co-ordinator.

## Music

The game's soundtrack is composed by British composer Richard Jacques. Joss Stone provides an original musical track to the game titled, *“I’ll Take It All”* written and performed by her and Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. The song will be featured exclusively in the game.

## References

1. ↑ Kris Pigna (2010-07-16). Activision confirms Bizarre's "James Bond Blood Stone". 1UP.com. Retrieved on 2010-07-16
2. ↑ Guy Cocker (2010-07-16). James Bond 007: Blood Stone confirmed. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2010-07-16
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Award Winning Artist Joss Stone Goes Undercover in Activision's James Bond 007: Blood Stone – *Activision Publishing*. July 16, 2010. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Martin Robinson (2010-07-16). James Bond 007: Blood Stone First Look. IGN. Retrieved on 2010-07-16
5. ↑ Andrew Laughlin (2010-07-16). "James Bond 007: Blood Stone" revealed. Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2010-07-16
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Activision confirms Bizarre’s James Bond: Blood Stone. VG247 (2010-07-16). Retrieved on 2010-07-16
7. ↑ Tor Thorsen (2010-04-21). James Bond driving game's cover blown. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2010-07-16
8. ↑ Tor Thorsen (2010-04-23). GoldenEye, Assassin's Creed, Driver, Bloodstone URLs reg'd. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2010-07-16
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 MI6 (2010-07-16). First story, character and gaming tidbits for 'Blood Stone'. MI6.co.uk. Retrieved on 2010-07-16