Round-Up: Destroy!, F.E.A.R, Chance's Half-Dome

Today's round-up includes news on a sequel to THQ's popular alien destruction sim, news on an Xbox 360 version of a popular horror FPS from last year, and new information on game composer Chance Thomas' hike up a particular California landmark, alongside recent posts on Gamasutra sister sites GameSetWatch and Serious Games Source, plus the latest Gamasutra jobs. - THQ has announced Destroy All Humans! 2, a PS2 and Xbox sequel to the popular Pandemic-developed console action title "takes the... gaming experience into the swinging sixties with all new game features, expanded open-world gameplay and co-op multiplayer." Assuming the role of the Furon Scout -- Crypto 137 -- players will embark on another mission to earth to take on the world of free love, the Cold War and other 60's era icons. In Destroy All Humans! 2, due out later this year, according to the company, players will have access to an upgraded arsenal of weapons and enhanced mental abilities, while they battle a variety of new enemies, from secret agents and giant creatures to Soviet Forces and ninja warriors. - According to online reports, the latest issue of the U.S. Official Xbox Magazine has confirmed that Monolith's horror-oriented first-person shooter F.E.A.R, released for the PC in 2005, will be making an appearance on the Xbox 360 later this year. The game's developers have already completed another first-person Xbox 360 title, Condemned: Criminal Origins, for Sega, and thus, it appears natural that its previous PC FPS might make an appearance on Microsoft's next-gen console. Original F.E.A.R publisher Vivendi Universal has yet to make official online confirmation of the announcement, however. - Veteran game music composer Chance Thomas (X-Men, King Kong, Lord of the Rings) announces the 6th Annual HUGEsound Half-Dome Conquest. The event will be held on Friday June 16, 2006 with participants ascending to the top of Half-Dome peak, a nearly 9,000 foot sheer granite monolith rising in the heart of Yosemite National Park. The HUGEsound Half-Dome Conquest is open to anyone willing to test their mettle against the mountain, with a special invitation/challenge extended to the game development community. The HUGEsound route ascends the mountain from its sloping side rather than straight up the North face. “It’s not a technical climb at all,” says Thomas. “...Any healthy person with good arm and leg strength can do it.” Those wishing to participate can send an email request for information or RSVP to [email protected]. Please type “Half-Dome” in the subject heading. - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister weblog GameSetWatch include information on libraries shifting to in-game worlds, an appreciation of Sony's Wario Ware-esque Baito Hell 200, and new information on Sony's Bit Generations series of mini Game Boy Advance titles. In addition, recent updates on new site Serious Games Source include news on a new Information Week feature that profiles serious games in some significant detail. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, featuring openings from Activision / Infinity Ward, Blizzard Entertainment, DeVry University, Factor 5, HumaNature Studios, LucasArts, RealNetworks, Sessions.edu School of Design, and Webzen America.