At Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops preview event in LA, the publisher revealed a few new surprises the game has in store for us, including a new mode that allows players to bet on the outcome of a match.
Of course, no real money changes hands. You'll wager with CoD points, the in-game currency you'll use to buy new weapons and gear.
I very seldom finish in the top three of a CoD match (which is what's required to walk away with any point in this mode), so initially I didn't think this mode would be for me. But then I watched the trailer below, which lays out the four Wager Mode game types and their rules. And they look damn fun.
Owls are kinda scary. Oh crap, did we say that out loud?
By Ryan Winslett
I know what you're thinking: Who are these "guardians" and
what the heck is a "Ga'Hoole." Is it a German delicacy? Because it sounds
delicious.
Believe it or not, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of
Ga'Hoole is a game, based on an upcoming movie, based on a beloved
children's book. With me so far? Good.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Krome Studios
recently announced the demo for this new title will be hitting Xbox 360 Sept. 6
and the PlayStation 3 Sept. 8.
The Resident Evil series is one of our absolute favorites here at Joystick Division. You can always expect for us to make a big deal out of little news whenever the two words are mentioned together.
And this is no exception. Kotaku has reported that some information on Resident Evil 6 may be coming quite soon.
No one has any idea if it concerns release dates, consoles, characters, or development personnel, but it doesn't really matter. Just as long as they don't say it is going to take eight fucking years to make a new one, I'll be happy.
More on what we know at this point after the break.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 8:30 AM Sep 02, 2010
We reviewed Puzzle Bots last week and said it was both cute and adorable. Now, the PAX 10 candidate is celebrating its success with a sale this weekend.
The game will be 50% ($4.99) off from now until next Monday. Think of Puzzle Bots as a way to enjoy one of the many treasures the convention holds without actually being there.
Puzzle Bots was created by indie developer Erin Robinson. It tells a story about little robots and their human creators in a way similar to Toy Story. The game is available here. A trailer is available after the jump if you aren't yet sold on the point-and-click adventure game.
Valve is a great resource when it comes to newsworthy stories. They are perpetually putting out strong titles, or bombarding the public with advertisements, or being generally awesome badasses.
And this time they're making headlines by just saying stuff. Valve co-founder Gabe Newell told PC Gamer that Valve has some surprises for the world over the next 12 months. Three of them, to be precise. And they are going to be "big."
And that's it. No more than that. What's on my wishlist for those? Click link to find out.
Or, I guess, more accurately, this is what it could look like. USA Today has the first public concept art and some minor details of Telltale's previously announced Back to the Future episodic adventure game. The biggest reveal is that Christopher Lloyd will be providing the voice of Emmett "Doc" Brown in the game, which kind of implies by omission that Michael J. Fox has not yet signed on to voice the in-game Marty McFly.
Other than that, we've apparently got a plot that's being "worked on" by Bob Gale (who wrote all three original BttF movies), a story that takes place at least partly in 1985 Hill Valley, and the Earth-shattering fact that "additional characters from the movies will crop up in the game."
That's fine as long as there aren't multiple copies of any of these additional characters. If two copies of the same character ran into each other in the game, "the encounter could create a time paradox, the result of which could cause a chain reaction that would unravel the very fabric of the space-time continuum and destroy the entire universe!" But you knew that.
Get a closer look at Marty's rosy cheeks and Doc's zombie-like pallor after the break.
Yesterday, Square Enix announced that the Final Fantasy XIV open beta test for PC would
be postponed due to "critical issues," much to the moaning and groaning of
Chocobo riders world-wide. No estimate was given as to how long correcting said
bugs might take.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Sep 01, 2010
The team behind last years popular Shadow Complex are currently working on a new game for the iPhone. Announced at the latest Apple press conference, Project Swords will be developed on Epic's Unreal 3 Engine for the portable device. It will be the first portable game every made with the engine.
For those unsure of how the game will look on the iPhone, Cliff Bleszinski tweeted that the castle from the preview is already on the iTunes store ready for people to download and check it out.
Projects Swords will be both single and multiplayer, and will coincide with the launch of Apple's Game Center. The game will come out in time for this year's holiday season.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NetherRealm Studios today revealed this new look at the upcoming Mortal Kombat re-launch, slated for a 2011 release for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Set to rock band Disturbed's "Another Way to Die," this latest bit of killer kontent (you have to spell it that way. I checked.) showcases MK mainstays like Scorpion and Raiden brutalizing their opponents while cloaked in, you guessed it, shadows.
We haven't heard much about Apple's promised iOS social gaming app Game Center since it was first announced back in April. That is, until today, when Apple's Steve Jobs announced the long-awaited service would be coming to the iPhone and iPod Tocuh next week (and to the iPad in November).
At the event, Jobs reminded us that Game Center will let players challenge friends (or auto-matched strangers), discover new games that match with your current tastes, and provide Xbox Live-style Achievements and leaderboards for games that support it.
Jobs also used to opportunity to remind the audience that the iPod touch is "the No. 1 portable game player in the world" with over 1.5 billion game and entertainment titles downloaded. A new version of what is now the most popular iPod will be coming out next week, complete with front and rear facing cameras and a higher definition "retina display."
Epic's Marc Rein was on hand at the event to do a quick demonstration of an upcoming first-person game called Project Sword. The game is powered by the Unreal Engine 3, a first for iOS devices.
See more pictures of Project Sword of the Game Center re-unveiling (courtesy of Gizmodo) after the break.
Ryan Winslett here, reporting from the future. I was
watching some of you with my Time-TV and couldn't help but laugh at how you
were playing the game of chess.
Here in late September of 2010, around Sept. 28 to be exact,
we've taken your "game of kings" up a notch or two thanks to the newly released
Battle vs. Chess, developed by TopWare Interactive and Gaijin
Entertainment. Want the details? Read on!
If you've yet to pick up Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition
from Xbox LIVE, your stubbornness is being rewarded in the form of cold, hard
savings.
The much-loved PC game turned downloadable title has been
named as the Microsoft deal of the week, earning it a thirty-three percent
reduction in price.
The formerly 1200 Microsoft Point first-person brawler can
be had for a mere 800 MP through Sept. 6.
A few months ago, Gore Verbinski told the world that the estranged BioShock film wasn't so estranged after all. Much to our chagrin.
Well, Ken Levine has now corroborated Verbinski's claim, stating that it is "something [they] are actively talking about and actively working on."
It sounds a little different coming from the man himself, because that means someone who has a legitimately strong track record is involved. How involved? We don't know right now. It might just be an intellectual property thing. But actively working is more than just ironing out the royalties, right?
Mafia II hasn't quite won the hearts of most reviewers, but if you are enjoying it, by all means listen up.
The first piece of DLC, called The Betrayal of Jimmy, will hit the PS3, X360, and PC next week. If you own the game first-hand, you'll be receiving the content for free -- if you've got a used game, it's a $10 investment.
This is excellent news for fans of the game. With downloadable content arriving so quickly after the game's release, it looks like this one will have a mighty long lifespan. Even within the pack, there are 30 new intense missions to sap up your leisure time.
Haven't seen the trailer for th DLC? Fahgetaboutet. I got it for you here.
Shinjy Mikami's new third-person action shooter, Vanquish, is about a futuristic as it gets. Lasers, robots, white body armor, space stations, Ruskies -- it all takes place in science fiction, well ahead of today.
But, that doesn't mean that those of us living in the past can't enjoy it.
Thanks to the game's Standard Definition mode, the script on-screen will appear bigger if the gamer so chooses. For those of us, you know, that are journalists and can't afford HDTVs, this is an excellent and thoughtful feature. For real, did you play Halo: ODST? You couldn't read shit on that game.
Want to see the difference? It's not much, but it's there. After the link.
ZEN Studios is set to strengthen its
stranglehold on the arcade-style pinball market with the release of
Pinball FX 2, available Oct. 13 on Xbox LIVE Arcade as part of the
"Game Feast" promotion presented by Microsoft Game Studios.
For
those readers too young to know what this crazy-sounding "pinball"
business is all about, before computer games could be played in the
home, folks actually had to leave the house and go to something called
an "arcade" to play their games.
One of the most popular styles of
games in these archaic establishments involved whacking a metal ball
with flippers in order to explore themed game boards and wrack up
points. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but people really seemed to enjoy
it.
Harumph. The original Xbox 360 controller has become so depressingly blase, it is indeed time for a tune up.
A sexy tune-up. The new Xbox 360 controller is sleek and monochrome, with a trick D-pad for all you fighting fans out there.
Basically, the D-pad can turn from a disc (like the ones now) to a raised 'plus' with a simple twist. Doesn't make a lot of sense with that description, does it? Well, I've got some pics and a video to explain.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Aug 31, 2010
The Art History of Games Symposium was a three day long event in Georgia last February where a bunch of smart minds in the games industry gathered to talk about the art in their medium. The sessions during the event are now posted online for everyone to see.
Watch them here, and bask in the wonder of games scholars and developers.
Speakers at the event included Jason Rohrer: creator of Passage and Sleep is Death; Brenda Brathwaite: creator of the Wizardry series; and John Romero: creator of Doom, Quake, and Daikatana.
If you've missed out on any of the PSN titles developed by
TikGames and Creat Studios, now is the time get in on all the action.
Both studios today announced an "End of Summer Sale Spectacular"
for North America, beginning when the weekly PSN update goes live this
afternoon and running through Sept. 14.
The DSi is getting cheaper. It's almost as if there's a newer product on the way...
By Ryan Winslett
If you have somehow made it this long without picking up one of the kabillion variations of the Nintendo DS, I have some good news and some bad news for you.
The good new is that Nintendo has announced their popular DSi and DSi XL handheld systems will be seeing a price drop on Sept. 12 with the normal, puny sized DSi now going for $149.99 and the super-huge DSi XL dropping to a mere $169.99. According to Nintendo, the DS Lite model will remain at $129.99.
If you are an RPG fan gaming on the DS and you've never gotten around to playing Golden Sun or its sequel, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, I have two things to say to you.
Firstly, we can no longer be friends.
Now that the un-pleasantries are out of the way, the second thing you need to know is that you have until Nov. 29 to correct your mistake.
Looking for a reason to fire up that copy of ModNation Racers and get back into the race?
Ramone Russell over at the Playstation Blog has announced a double experience week (not weekend, but week!) will kick off this Wednesday, Sept. 1, and run through Sept. 8.
For those seven days, players will receive double experience for creations, XP and XP Series races they take part in. My suggestion? Build as many karts, mods and tracks as you can in the meantime and, once Wednesday rolls around, publish them all at once to see your Creator Score skyrocket.
There have been many awesome video game shirts, hats, and shoes. Even some stylish, hybrid nerd/trendy hoodies. But never has geekdom received such a generous gift. You can look like a true hipster nerd.
Starting now, you can buy a hand-knit Super Mario sweater online (it's in Japanese, good luck).
Prices and details below. (Warning: the price-tag isn't as pretty as the product.)
Tron: Evolution: The Next Evolution in crazy extra stuff.
I'm going to stick with today's theme of release dates and 1980s revival games by telling you that Tron: Evolution will be out December 7th.
That's a full ten days before the movie sequel hits theaters, so you can prime yourself with a few hundred digital hours of gameplay before shelling out the dough to your local cinema.
And to make matters better, there's a sweet Collector's Edition available for mass consumption. And oh boy, you aren't gonna want to miss this. I'll detail it after the jump.
This September, aka as soon as tomorrow, we will see the release of the new downloadable title, Space Invaders: Infinity Gene.
We got a chance to play the seizure-inducing arcade reboot at E3 2010 and were quite impressed with the product.
For those too lazy to read our hands-on impressions, here's the gist: it is a wickedly paced update of the original game with a few new twists, played in front of a wild light-show and thumping bass. Imagine going to a rave and taking a bunch of PCP first.
It's kinda like that, I imagine. Here's a trailer for your enjoyment.
The upcoming PSP title God of War: Ghost of Sparta finally has a ash-covered face to go with the name, as the Playstation Blog today revealed the title's official box art.
Not surprisingly, this latest entry in the Greek-god-murder-simulator series' box will feature Kratos standing in a most menacing fashion with all sorts of anarchy occurring in the background.
This announcement comes with additional details for the full game, as well as info on the limited edition PSP bundle, both set to release Nov. 2.
The bundle will feature a slick black and red PSP-3000 as well as a copy of the first PSP God of War title, Chains of Olympus, your very own copy of God of War: Ghost of Sparta, a copy of the movie Kick Ass on UMD and a 2 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo.
Ghost of Sparta picks up the story shortly following the first God of War Game, released in the mythological PS2 era, and follows Kratos through the early stages of his quest for power as a god of Olympus.
All the DLC can now be yours in one simple package!
Borderlands.
All four DLC packs.
Fold-out map.
October 12.
Boom! Now you know pretty much all you need to know about the Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, which was officially announced today. Okay, you need to know one more thing.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Aug 30, 2010
Starting in November, Xbox Live's Gold Service will cost $60 annually, a $10 increase from the previous $50. The full list of price changes can be found after the jump.
Major Nelson wrote on his blog today stating the change is happening because "we have continually added more content and entertainment for our members." He doesn't say anything about adding anything new to the service to justify the price increase. Nelson also recommends that now would be a good time to renew your Gold subscription.
Xbox Live has regularly added things sense the 360's launch including Netflix Streaming, Last FM, twitter, Facebook, and 1 Vs. 100. It's worth noting that both Netflix and Last FM costs an addition fee, and 1 vs 100 was cancelled earlier this year.
Last week, a story surfaced about a dude who has had enough of all the virtual killing. The player, named Glen McCracken, has maxed out his Prestige on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 five times and wants some change.
So he's decided to get to level 70 by not killing anyone at all. An impossible feat, it seems, but he believes it can be done. He says it will take about two months of intense patience and a stiff work ethic. Lots of tactical insertions, flag captures, and a trusty blast shield.
Well, that was a week ago, and he's still well on his way. Hit the jump for some statistics in what we believe will be a very long on-going story.
Your Wii will look kinda like this Epic Mickey logo
Old white Wii getting you down? New black Wii not tying the room together like you'd hoped? Well fear not, Nintendo faithfuls, for there is good news that will result in rejoicing.
For a cool $70, you can turn your Wii into an ink spattered wonder with Disney Epic Mickey's Collector's Edition.
Compared to other Collector's Editions (a-hem, Halo: Reach), the Epic Mickey package is quite affordable. And compared to the other Collector's Editions (a-hem, Black Ops), it is fairly reasonable.
Curious about the contents, yet? Details just below.
Sony's Playstation Move and Microsoft's Kinect may be a few years late to the motion control party, but that's not stopping either developer from taking their best delayed swing at it.
With the Move's release date just a few weeks away (Sept. 15 in Europe and Sept. 19 in the U.S.), a new tech demo has popped up on the Playstation Blog to highlight Sony's waggle wand and many of its capabilities.
No matter what Sony R&D member Anton Mikhailov does with the controller, the video appears to showcase precise 1:1 movement in activities like swinging swords, throwing fireballs, sculpting in 3D and even building a Minority Report-esque onscreen workstation.
Summer still has some time left, but the "Summer Slump" is fading fast. Each week, big titles are sneaking into the release lineups and making us remember those days, way back, when we actually got excited for the upcoming releases.
This week's big one is Metroid: Other M. It is receiving warm reviews by and large, which should have Wii owners smiling. But that's not all. Oh no.
If you'll just follow me this way, I have full list for you. Yes, just press the link there.
If shooting your friends in the digital wild west of Red Dead Redemption has grown a little stale, Rockstar Games is injecting still more content into the popular posse-driven online component with the recently announced Liars and Cheats Pack.
Know New Austin like the back of your hand? That tomahawk already lost its edge? Wishing for a little more variety in how you dominate your fellow cowpokes? Come Sept. 21, your greatest western-themed fantasies will be realized thanks to this new DLC.
I am as excited as the next guy is for Portal 2. I loved the hell out of the first one. I nearly pooped my pants at the E3 demo, where I was tucked away with about seven others in a small room with a big screen to get the necessary coverage for public consumption.
But it is being demystified in minutia by the incessant onslaught of trailers that leak into the mainstream day after day. Like the one that I have for you here. I mean, it's cool and all, but the advertising campaign in threatening to reveal everything that is so beautifully and intricately discovered within the game. I want to work my ass off to know this stuff, damn it!
If, like me, strapping into the cockpit as Maverick in the recent downloadable version of Top Gun didn't fulfill all your Tom Cruise fantasies, fear not. The folks at Piranha Games have you covered with the upcoming PSN exclusive, Days of Thunder: NASCAR Edition.
Boasting 12 NASCAR-sanctioned tracks, customizable cars, a single player campaign, 12-car online races, leaderboards and more, players will have the opportunity to race against characters from the movie, like Cole Trickle and Rowdy Burns, as well as NASCAR greats like Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. (I'm assuming those names mean something to actual NASCAR fans).
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:30 PM Aug 27, 2010
This years E3 had attendees were surprised to see Nintendo's vast lineup of games, including Kirby: Epic Yarn, Donkey Kong Country Returns, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the 3DS, and much more. Attendees of next week's PAX will be seeing much less.
The company will still be bringing Epic Yarn and Donkey Kong as well as EA Sports' upcoming NBA Jam, but the 3DS and Skyward Sword will be disappointedly absent from the show. That doesn't mean that Nintendo isn't bringing anything new though. Be sure to read up on what Nintendo is bringing to PAX after the jump.
Halo fans are being asked to "remember where it all began" with the help of the "Deliver Hope" live-action trailer. This latest bit of marketing shows off the heroic efforts of Noble Team as they shoot holes in the Covenant and blow stuff up in dramatic fashion in an effort to save the planet Reach.
"Deliver Hope" is set to hit global airwaves in commercial form beginning Sunday, Aug. 29, in preparation for the Sept. 14 release of Halo: Reach.
The clip was once again produced by an all-star team, including director Noam Murro (Smart People), editor Angus Wall (The Social Network) and sound designer Brian Emerich (The Wrestler).
On a side note, the writers of Independence Day would like to have a few words with the fine folks at Microsoft.
Wondering what to expect from SOCOM 4 but, wouldn't you know it, you were unable to attend GamesCom this year? Then click after the break and clamp your peepers on the latest video uploaded to the Playstation blog by Zipper Interactive.
In it, lead designer Travis Steiner walks you through a quarter of an hour's worth of actual gameplay from the upcoming title, which was being demoed last week on the gamescon floor.
Learn the basics of gameplay, get a glimpse of the story and see what you'll actually be playing in 2011 rather than yet another series of clips from cutscenes. Spoiler alert: You command a team of soldiers and shoot terrorists in the face with bullets.
Yesterday, we reported that Target was joining GameStop in the business of used games. Well, it looks like there's another chain joining the party.
It's Best Buy, and it looks like they are making an effort to jumpstart their waning video game sales by joining the parade. They have it online already, but in-store is where it's at nowadays.
Hopefully this will spawn a renaissance in the used games sales department. Maybe some competitive pricing, so that GameSpot doesn't set the bar for the cost of the used titles? More following the jump.
Here at Joystick Division, we try our best to give you all what you want. And we know that what you really want, aside from all the other mumbo jumbo, is cheap video games.
So here's a big, fat present for you. It is a sale that is going on at GameFly, and it has some really amazing deals. Like Bayonetta for $15, New Super Mario Bros. Wii for $30, and BioShock 2 for $17.
My wallet winces at the very mention of those prices. A full list after the break.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Aug 26, 2010
2008's Valkyria Chronicles became a surprise cult hit for Sega. The sequel took many by surprise when it was announced to be coming to the Sony PSP instead of the Playstation 3. The following trailer (found after the jump) also shows that the game hasn't been scaled down narratively onto the portable console.
The trailer tells the story so-far and lays out some exposition for the war in faux-Europe. Valkyria Chronicles has also evolved into an anime, manga and radio drama sense the games release. It's sequel is also due out in North America on August 31.
Look, we're all for massive set lists in our rhythm games. More songs means more time playing the game before you get so tired of playing Radiohead's Creep for the 147th time that you literally throw the Rock Band microphone at the HDTV, and instead of replacing it with an even better set your wife makes you get a cheapo 18" CRT that you can have to squint to see it from the couch. Or so we hear.
But come on, DJ Hero 2... 105 songs on the disc? Don't you know you're supposed to make the initial set list as meager as you can, to force players to download the DLC? With such a massive initial set list, some of those songs have got to be lame-o fillers, right? Like... um... let's see. Well there's... no, that song's pretty cool. And that one. I haven't heard that one... oh, the YouTube sounds pretty cool.
We're gonna keep looking through this after the break. We're sure there's something here that doesn't belong on such an awesome and massive set list...
A very unusual press release just landed in my inbox, one that I really didn't see coming.
Greenpeace has its own video game, and it goes on sale tomorrow.
Greenpeace's Ship Simulator Extremes was announced a while back (it was even show at E3, apparently), but somehow we missed that piece of news. Readers, we let you down.
But we want to make it up to you, so here's all you need to know about the environmental organization's new video game.
We don't often post about religious games on Joystick Division, but we support their existence. Even if there isn't much appeal there for us, the fact that they are available is great for video gaming's reputation and reach. Video games are for everyone yayyyy!
So here's the news: A new MMO, called The Bible Online, will be hitting the webs on September 6th, it will be totally free and the developers, FIAA Gmbh, will be allowing players to play through the book of Genesis, to learn about the Bible.
GameStop is where everyone goes to trade-in their used games. You know that, I know that, it is common knowledge. Admittedly, though, it is easier to find titles at Target sometimes. However due to their vehemently awful extra-curricular activities, I try to shop there only when I have to. But back to the topic.
Target is dipping into the used game money cauldron right now -- starting in northern California, and moving to most of the nation by the end of the year. The move is due to the discrepancies that come from not having a used game policy -- GameStop is thriving, everyone else isn't.
The newest trailer from Activision's James Bond 007: Blood Stone has reignited my love for James Bond video games.
There is a large part of me that knows the track record for Bond games -- I haven't enjoyed one since Nightfire -- but there is too much Craig, too much neck-breaking, and too much Constantinople (now it's Istanbul) for me not to cream my pants when I see the trailers.
I love James Bond more than sparkly vampires -- and that's saying something. The Istanbul trailer will occur just after the link.
For all of you dicks out there that are smart enough to pirate games, Microsoft is suggesting highly that you don't do it with Halo: Reach. Or there will be some really serious blowback.
Like not being able to access Xbox Live for the rest of your natural born lives. If you are playing the game before it is released, you will die.
I say die because, if you are someone who pirates games, Xbox Live is likely your life. And you will be caught and removed from your life, which is the definition of die.
Makes you think, though, if people are ballsy enough to track down a leaked copy and play it, wouldn't they be able to find a way around the ban? Video mixing pirate music and Halo visuals after the jump.
Valve has struck once again with a teaser trailer. This one, which is intended to showcase new voice actor Stephen Merchant, does much more than that. And it is pretty hilarious.
It shows you the Aperture world. There are light mechanics and physics mechanics that are top of the line. Valve games, to me at least, always feel quite a bit smaller than the other AAA titles, but Portal 2 is looking like one of the most polished titles of all time.
Even though multiplayer is easily the way to go with these games, the developer of Worms: Reloaded would like you to know that that it has plenty of single-player content as well.
You know, in case you don't actually have friends.
The Worms team has released a new trailer that runs down all the single-player goodness you can expect in the new game. Check it out below!
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Aug 24, 2010
If any schools are open then close them, for no student will be in attendance. They will be out buying the retail edition of Hello Kitty Online instead.
Hello Kitty Online made its mark on gamers last year. Things like beta access were given to eager players at events like PAX Prime, but not even that could stop their torrent of excitement for this game.
But now, the game is officially out in America and retail stores are selling a premium edition of the game to celebrate.The goodies in the box are listed after the jump.
If you aren't a physical copy kind of person, the game is available free to play right here.
Bethesda has been consistently rolling out new developer diary videos for Brink, the upcoming action-shooter. Most of these videos make some pretty bold claims, including this latest one, which claims that Brink is the end of game genres as we know them.
The developers of Brink make a pretty strong case as to how the game challenges the way we think about topics like single-player, multiplayer and more. Check it out below and let us know your take on Brink's claims.
The famous plumbers have set their sights on eradicating an enemy far more insidious than Bowser: cancer.
Okay, James Johnson and Trystan aren't the REAL Mario Bros, but they did dress as them for a recent charity event in the UK that raised money for Cancer Research, the Joshua Foundation and Touch Trust.
So how did two chaps dressed as game characters raise said funds? By playing video games, of course!
The little Apple devices are stockpiling ammunition for their assault on the video gaming world by getting games from high-end developers more and more frequently.
Yesterday, Take-Two announced that NHL 2K11, the latest entry in their acclaimed hockey series, will be on the iPhone and the iTouch come August 21.
The game is the first licensed NHL game for the platforms. It will be available on the App Store for a cool $1.99 -- not on the iPad, though, weirdly.
Serious Sam is one serious dude. His team of developers at Croteam are serious devs. And they are about to give their serious sequel to Xbox faithfuls, in conjunction with Devolver Digital.
Serious Sam HD: The Second Encounter will hit the Arcade on September 21st, a full five months after the Steam version, with all sorts of boohickeys and thingies to make the Serious Sam experience that much more serious.
Is your interest piqued? Ah, then you'll want to keep reading!
Nintendo has been very kind, very generous with their old Wiis. They've slapped on a new name for them and made sure they've got some place to go home to. The Wii Legacy is the console in its most basic form -- without the MotionPlus or Sports Resort. It has a Wiimote, a nunchuk, and Wii Sports.
But it's only going to be $150 at Target until Saturday. The online advert says "Stores Only" so move that cursor away from the top of the page. You'll have to get in the car for this one.
What you'll find after the link is one of the first Nintendo Wii trailers in the US. Remember this campaign guys?
Mass Effect 2 will be continuing its outpour of downloadable content on September 7, when Lair of the Shadowbroker drops on PC and Xbox Live.
There's not much information about what is going to go on in the dwelling of a dude who brokers shadows, but there are details on a feature that will make the girlfriendless nerds like me weep with happiness: the DLC will allow for the relationship with Liara in Mass Effect to span into the second game. Schwing!
Details on the DLC and some screens after the jump.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Aug 23, 2010
Vanquish is a fast-paced shooter developed by Platinum Games, the team most recently behind last January's Bayonetta. It feels akin to Gears of War, but with a jet-powered boost button to dash for cover; at least it did during last E3. Now, the dash in all of its glory will be in an upcoming playable demo on Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network.
Announced last January, Vanquish takes place in the near-future with a heavily-saturated environment. The demo will serve as a prequel to the full game.
Enjoy the trailer after the jump and the demo will be available on August 31. The full game follows on October 19.
We either have to wait too long or wait forever for sequels, usually. But Hothead, the team behind DeathSpank, has done a bit of preemptive planning and will have the follow-up, entitled DeathSpank: Thongs of Virtue, out for mass consumption on September 21
The two games were developed simultaneously, which explains the quick turnaround. Fans of the first game will no doubt be pleased with more ridiculous action, but there are some questions that are raised. Follow the link.
Yep, we just can't get enough of Plants vs. Zombies
In our effort to post a story about Plants vs. Zombies every damn day, we're proud to report that the smash hit PopCap game has been announced for Nintendo DS.
As is the nature of such news, there's not much in the way of solid information, other than the DS version will feature everything you've experienced in the other versions, plus new stuff.
So now Plants vs. Zombies will be available on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, XBLA, DS and I'm probably missing a couple. Pager? Atari? Board game?
You're running out of excuses if you haven't yet played this excellent casual game. If you need convincing, check out this video.
Portal 2's marketing campaign has been a bit of a blitz since E3 2010 a couple of months ago. First, it was the demo to the media. Then it got released in a number of segments over a week long period.
Then the announcement was made that it will be out in about six months -- on February 9, 2011. Ah. This is all happening so fast. From demo to release in eight months is a pretty good clip.
Now, Valve has prepared a small piece of video for people to salivate over. It is about the highly anticipated co-op story mode that the game will feature. If you want to see it, all you have to do it hit the link and do a bit of reading. Enjoy it.
There's been some controversy over the upcoming Mafia title -- the biggest title of this fresh week. Mostly, some people think that it depicts Italian-Americans in a negative way.
It seems that the title of the game would clear up any problems with the content. Mafia II AKA That Game About The Italian Mafia That Actually Existed and Was Made Up of Largely Italian-Americans. Right?
Though accusations of racism are serious, this will blow over and shouldn't dissuade you from buying the game. Read the reviews and decide if it's good enough. Moving on.
Oh yeah, look out for Shank, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and a few others, too. Canadians: NHL 2011's coming out. Full list after the jump.
Here's every song that will be on the Rock Band 3 disc. Score!
Earlier this week, a few additional songs from the upcoming Rock Band 3 were leaked online, and today developer Harmonix has addressed those leaks in a new video, calling them nothing more than unconfirmed rumors.
However, while denying the leaks, the entire Rock Band 3 set list was revealed in the background of the video.
Of course, the "accidental" leaking of the set list was entirely staged, but handled in a pretty funny way. We've got that video below, as well as the complete track list for ya.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Aug 20, 2010
Gamescom has brought gamers many treats this year, one of which is Capcom's announcement of two new characters who will duke it out in itsupcoming Marvel Vs. Capcom 3.The new characters include Joe from Viewtiful Joe and Dormammu; a enemy of Doctor Strange. Enjoy the videos showcasing both of their fighting talents after the jump.
Joe first arrived on the gaming scene as a mid-lifecycle Gamecube title. The game was a side-scrolling, cell shaded action game about the Joe trying to save his girlfriend from the quirky land called Movie World.Joe was also a playable character in Tatsonoku Vs. Capcom on the Wii.
Dormammu has been in the Marvel comic book universe since the mid-sixties. He is a demon from a dark dimension and can do all sorts of nifty evil things. Considering that he isn't a common character in the Marvel Universe, he's an interesting choice for the game.
Valve wants to make PS3 owners its Companion Cubes with Portal 2. Okay dammit that was lame, too.
Valve had a little talk with CVG, and was contrite about its dealings with the PlayStation 3 community in the past.
For instance, there were a lot of complaints about the quality of The Orange Box, what Valve guys call "The Valve Experience", and the huge delay to get it to the console to start with. With that, Valve big boy Gabe Newell has shrugged off the PS3 in the past, though he has recently expressed some guilt and an apology.
But all that neglect is going to be changing, says Project Manager Erik Johnson. And it will start with Portal 2.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Aug 20, 2010
Catherine was announced a few days ago. It's an upcoming video game made by the team behind the fantastic Shin Megami Tensei: Persona franchise. For those unaware, Persona is sort of like Pokemon-meets-dating sim; except you summon Satan instead of Pikachu.
Catherine will be the team's first game designed for HD consoles and it looks to be one of the most bizarre things to come out of Atlus -a company known for publishing odd games from the Land of the Rising Sun. A trailer is available after the jump and please let us know if you have any idea what's going on in it.
Dinosaurs fighting other dinosaurs. That's all we need to know about Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs Strike.
The dino fighting game brings back fond memories of the old (fairly crappy) fighting game Primal Rage, which was pretty much the exact same idea for a game. Still we don't care, because dinosaurs are badass.
Dinosaurs Strike is coming to Wii and Nintendo 3DS, and honestly it probably won't be very good. But as you can tell, we don't really care.
Check out the absolutely ridiculous trailer below.
GamesCom is place where rumors are stirring up all sorts of buzz in the gaming community. Which is to be expected, because a ton of awesome stuff is premiering there. Trailers, gameplay videos, announcements -- pretty much everything.
So, when word was out that Halo: Reach was supporting 3D, many people bought into it. Which is kind of weird, because there hasn't been any sort of Microsoft 3D talk, at least not for anything in the immediate future.
But then again, the gaming world is a strange parade. Details of the mess-up follow.
The other M stands for "movie." Yeah, that was pretty lame. Sorry.
Many video games have been teased with live-action trailers. FEAR 3 did it poorly, Resistance 3 did it well. Halo: Reach's have been pretty epic.
But they always leave us with almost no information on the actual gameplay, or anything that truly care about when previewing our games -- at least in our humble opinions.
But, surprisingly, Nintendo has stepped up to the plate and delivered an excellent, visually striking trailer for Metroid: Other M. There's some in-game footage, as well as a beautiful Zero Suit Samus model, sashaying through slow-motion enemies and explosions.
I'm sure you'll want to see it for yourself, though. And you can. Right after this.
Xbox Live Arcade's excellent Castle Crashers is making its way to the PlayStation Network on August 31, 2010.
Are you excited? You should be. Castle Crashers is one of the best games on Xbox Live Arcade, chock full of delectable multiplayer action. All for about $15. Save up, because the PlayStation Network just got one awesome title stronger. Which brings the list to about....two.
Just kidding, sort of. Follow this link to see a bit of Castle Crashing action.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Aug 19, 2010
Konami's latest 3D iteration of their classic Castlevania franchise will be released on October 5. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, produced by Kojima production and developed by Mercury Stream, features yet another Belmont whipping his way through hordes of undead enemies like skeletons, werewolves, and other pretty little things.
The upcoming action-adventure is allegedly a callback to the more classic Castlevania style similar to Castlevania IV on Super Nintendo instead of the more-recent Symphony of the Night approach.
Lords of Shadow features the voice talent of both Robert Carlyle as Gabriel Belmont, the game's protagonist and Sir Patrick Stewart as Zebek, Belmont's mentor.
For more information about the game, be sure to check out the trailer after the jump. Also, out E3 impressions of the game are available here if you want to check out how the game was a few months back.
GamesCom is producing some great gameplay footage. Especially for Dead Space 2.
The third-person horror shooter is one of the most anticipated titles of next year, and the exciting trailers are coming out in force.
And what's so incredible about it, other than the great visuals and compelling story, is the insane amount of violence that is showcased in the gameplay.
Here we have a video for you. It is one of the many ways our great protagonist meets his maker. And it is sweetly violent.
Retro City Rampage loves and mocks old-school gaming
If you love old-school gaming, then Retro City Rampage is definitely a game you want to watch.
Originally slated for WiiWare, RCR is now slated for unspecified "consoles" later this year. While it clearly draws a lot of inspiration from classic Nintendo games, I hope this sucker hits as many platforms as possible.
An 8-Bit style open-world action game, RCR's trailer (which you can see below) is rife with references to classic games. Some of the easiest ones to spot are Contra and Bionic Commando, but there are plenty more. How many can you name?
Ratchet and Clank are returning to PlayStation 3.
That's not really a big surprise. After all, it's a pretty successful series, both critically and commercially. But the next game in the series does have a surprise in store: four-player co-op.
Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One features drop-in/drop-out co-op play starring the series' four biggest characters, Ratchet, Clank, Quark and Nefarious. You don't see much of it in the trailer below, but developer Insomniac is also promising plenty wacky firearms, a trademark of the series.
As part of the ongoing GamesCom media blitz, Sony has released new trailers for two of the launch titles for the upcoming PlayStation Move controller. Both The Shoot and Start The Party have received the video treatment, and they lay out pretty clearly what you should expect from Move games.
And that's better-looking Wii games. Shocking, I know. The Move controller may be more technologically advanced than the Wii Remote, but the games look no more original.
Prepare yourself against the charms of Costume Quest!
I am not as big of a fan of Double Fine as some other JD folks. Sure, I loved Psychonauts, but I thought Brutal Legend really underachieved in the gameplay department, despite having a strong story.
That being said, it looks like I'll definitely be checking out Costume Quest. I wasn't quite sold on the initial description, but thanks to this trailer I'm completely on board.
Costume Quest is an all-ages RPG about kids defending Halloween from real monsters. Cute, right? Just wait until you watch the video.
In a little room at E3 2010, I sat with a few other journalists and watched a 15 minute demo of Portal 2. I was thrilled. They were thrilled. Everyone was thrilled.
But it felt so far away -- the thing we all longed so greatly for. Portal 2 was a decade away, I was sure. Maybe longer.
And I've felt that way since. Well, at least until yesterday, when Valve announced the game is coming out February 9, 2011. Which is hella soon. And it'll be featuring the voice of The Office and Extras funnyman Stephen Merchant.
I've got the demo for you here, in two parts, in case you missed it. So follow the link!
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 5:00 PM Aug 18, 2010
In the brilliant trailer after the jump, Samus Aran, the protagonist in the upcoming Metroid: Other M, tells her story about her interactions with the parasitic organisms through clips of past games in the franchise.
Samus talks about her experiences throughout the entire series with exception to Metroid Fusion and the Metroid Prime trilogy. Fusion isn't mentioned because, chronologically, it is the last in the series, but there is no mention about the absence of prime. Regardless, the trailer is a great retrospective of the Metroid series so far and it should get anyone excited for Samus' next adventure on August 31.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is about to get some stiff competition. It scooted over Modern Warfare 2 and made a name for itself on the FPS scene. It will probably meet the same fate in the coming months.
But that doesn't hold back the Battlefield Bad Company 2 team from putting out some more maps! Which are available now!
This time, they've added Panama Canal to Squad Deathmatch and Laguna Presa to Squad Rush. And there's a high-octane trailer to boot!
Normally we don't post many stories about the release of screenshots. After all, every single game out there release batches of new screens at regular intervals.
But this isn't just any game. This is BioShock Infinite.
There's not much happening in these shots, but we don't care. We're big fans of the BioShock franchise, so we're duty-bound to cover every scrap of information about it.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Aug 18, 2010
A few months back, Turbine -the company responsible for Dungeon and Dragons Online- announced that their other online role-playing game would go the path of free-to-play in the fall. Now, the game officially has a free date; September 10.
Lord of the Rings Online has been around since 2007 and was released under a standard (at the time) subscription model of fifteen dollars a month. The game also featured a lifetime subscription with a one-time fee of $200. Going free-to-play is also something Turbine did with DDO, resulting in much greater success than they with a subscription model. Will LOTRO follow suit?
Today at GamesCom, Ubisoft revealed the first set of tracks for the upcoming dance game Micheal Jackson: The Experience. Obviously the seven songs revealed include some of the big hits you'd expect, as well as some deeper tracks.
The Wii version of the game is playable at the show (if you happen to be in Germany), but apparently it's the Xbox 360 version that will be getting the biggest push when it releases this Holiday. With the upcoming Kinect camera, you'll actually be projected onto the stage and graded on how well you can pull off Jacko's moves.
Here's what you'll be shredding in the next Guitar Hero game
The next Guitar Hero game may have crossed the line into ridiculousness, but at least it's got a pretty serious tracklist.
The complete Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock tracklist has been revealed, and as promised by Activision, it's completely focused on hard rock and heavy metal. You know, actual guitar-driven rock.
There are some pretty solid choices on the list, and I applaud Activision for including some great deep cuts from bands like Black Sabbath and Slayer rather than rehashing the same hits. But a metal focused game without Mastodon, Baroness, Kylesa or Opeth? You better have some solid DLC in the works, Activision.
Over in sunny Germany, folks at GamesCom got a live demo of the multiplayer mode of Crytek's upcoming shooter Crysis 2.
It's the first glimpse we've had of the game's multiplayer mode, and as you'd expect it looks very pretty. However, the original Crysis was better-known for its visuals and punishing PC hardware requirements than its actual gameplay, so it's no surprise that while it looks really nice, it doesn't look all that original.
But hey, who are we to judge? You can watch it yourself below. You know what to do.
Dead Space is one of our favorite horror titles for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Creepy, atmospheric, well-written, and beautiful, the game is the standout horror game of the most recent generation.
Dead Space 2 looks like it is doing all the right things to keep the series right on its compelling course, while pushing the physical limits of the fictional universe and enhancing the gameplay to make Isaac Clarke an even more gigantic hardass.
The Zero G effect is something that the first game pioneered, and it's even better in the new one. Or so it seems. Follow the link. Peep for yourself.
...with every minute it seems. The PlayStation 3 Slim has all the bells and whistles of the original PS3, but it is sexier, trimmer, and buffer. Like the Daniel Craig of video game consoles.
And now, it is adding even more to the bundle. The respectable 120GB PS3 is bumping up to 160GB, for the same respectable price of $299. The 250GB system is amping up to be 320GB, with the release of the PlayStation Move. That bundle will include a PS3, the PlayStation Move hardware, a PlayStation Eye, and Sports Champions for about $400.
Pretty sweet, right? I bet the 320GB system is the most technologically advanced video game console of all time. It's got the highest number. And that's pretty badical.
Having a relationship with GameStop is sometimes like hitting up a sadomasochistic booty call. Now bear with me as I construct this raucous simile.
It's like, they take a cat-o-ninetails and chains to your wallet, and because of it, you achieve a level of immense satisfaction that can only be attributed to the fiscal suffering you endure: the buy two used games, get one free deal. It doesn't happen often, but you just need it right now. Right now, when the thick of the summer slump is upon us, and when Kane & Lynch 2 is getting shitty reviews. And you promise not to go back, but that only lasts as long as human will does.
Ooh it is so wrong, but it feels so right. And it's only online. And only for used games. But still, it's really awesome. There is one game I love that's a mere $5.99. To find out, watch the provided trailer.
The FEAR 3 marketing team could learn a lesson about live-action trailers from the Resistance 3 trailer I have for you here. It is actually pretty cool -- not too gimmicky, with awesome visuals and a high production value.
The game, just announced at GamesCom in Cologne, Germany, will coming out in 2011. Other than that, there isn't too much information available.
It will likely be the biggest one yet, since Resistance 2 was exponentially larger than the first one. Though the games aren't really horrorish, the trailer is. And that is cool. Follow the link.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Aug 17, 2010
Earlier today, Nintendo of America announced on their Twitter the release dates of several of their upcoming games. The highlights of these were the dates for both Kirby's Epic Yarn and Donkey Kong Country Returns.
Epic Yarn is due for release October 17 and Donkey Kong on November 21. These two games add to the list of Nintendo's upcoming games alongside Metroid: Other M (due August 31). Look for the full list of upcoming Wii and DS games after the jump.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Aug 17, 2010
As Disney's Epic Mickey draws closer to its holiday release date, information and content slowly trickles out of the drainpipe that is trade show season. This treat from Warren Spector's latest game comes from Gamescom and it shows off how the upcoming Wii game will begin.
The opening cinematic (available after the jump) shows the famous Mouse walking through a mirror and fiddling around with some of Yen Sid's (the sorcerer from Fantasia) work. The trailer shows that this doesn't quite lead to short-term problems, but after many calendar pages fly off, it looks like danger is lurking.
Sony players who've pined for the acclaimed BioWare franchise Mass Effect are in luck. EA has announced that Mass Effect 2 is making the leap to PlayStation 3.
Sure, it's the middle of a trilogy, but Mass Effect 2 does a pretty good job of letting new players in on the ground floor. If you like sci-fi, action, or RPGS, I suggest you pick it up when it hits in January.
New peripherals for the Wii are fairly common, but this one made us pay attention. Not only is it actually pretty interesting, but it's coming from publisher THQ and not Nintendo. Most third-party Wii add-ons are just crappy pieces of plastic shaped like tennis rackets.
THQ's new device is a uDraw Game Tablet, an electronic drawing pad that connects to the Wii via a Wii Remote and allows kids to draw on its surface with a stylus. Similar to a WACOM tablet used by many professional artists, the uDraw tablet will allow kids to create digital works of art.
Red Faction: Battleground wagers that you like blowing shit up.
After being announced yesterday, THQ Digital has unleashed the first trailer for Red Faction: Battlegrounds.
It's a pretty short little video, which is fairly common for a first game trailer. But unlike many game teasers, it's not short because it lacks content - it just gets straight to the point. And that point is "blow shit up."
Check out the trailer below. It's chock full of actual gameplay and gives you a pretty clear idea what to expect from the final game.
Cheap Ass Gamer, a truly shining light in the video game blogosphere, has turned our sights to Best Buy this week, with some really sweet deals that are totally unadvertised on the Best Buy site.
Most impressively, Bayonetta is a measly $20. And though big discounts are oft for games that don't do so hot on a commercial and critical level, Bayonetta has scored high in both.
But wait, there's more. Follow the link for some Best Buy deals you should be pretty excited about.
The underachieving sequel to Capcom's Lost Planet will make its way from the consoles to the PCs on October 15 -- barring any sort of move for unspecified reasons to early 2011, which is what pretty much every other game is doing.
The game has left critics largely nonplussed, though many people I know swear by the persistent unlockables and leveling up system that it employs. And the huge amount of alien-exploding that you get to do.
And there are some cool new features that weren't in the console versions. Mainly, they deal with graphics card compatibility, which will allow the game to be seen with a lushness totally unexperienced before. And in 3D.
For a list of the specifications, please continue. I've got them detailed for you.
I have been following a story for the last few weeks that may have slid under a lot of radars, but I tell you, it's there. It's a mass exodus of video games. Into the future.
Pretty close to a dozen games now have been shifted from this fall to 2011, making the first half of next year look a lot more appealing than this year, even with the releases of Halo: Reach, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Medal of Honor. Crazy, I know, but next year is serving up a hot plate.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Aug 16, 2010
Last Year's Tony Hawk: Ride may have been a disappointment both critically and financially, but that isn't slowing down the sequel. This time, the game is being market towards children. You know, because kids will buy anything!
Tony Hawk: SHRED will feature a more extreme-looking skateboard peripheral which will let players both skate and snowboard down the French Alps, a mountain in Beijing, China and more to be announced.
Tony Hawk expressed his excitement for the new game in the announcement press release: "SHRED is all about experiencing over-the-top, almost unbelievable GO BIG moments throughout the game". What "GO BIG" moments, you say? Well, check out the trailer after the jump and see for yourself.
Whenever we hear the words "Red Faction," we stand at attention like a dog called by its master. At the GDC Europe conference in Germany, THQ Digital has announced the first downloadable entry in the series, a vehicular combat game called Red Faction: Battlegrounds.
Battlegrounds is the first game announced by THQ Digital, the download-focused division of publisher THQ. No solid details of the game were divulged, other than that it's a top-down multiplayer-focused car combat game with traditional Red Faction elements. And that means destruction. Lots of destruction. If you're not aware of Red Faction's particular brand of mayhem, check out the goofy video below.
Red Faction: Battlegrounds is expected to hit XBLA and PSN this winter.
Should you be able to play as the Taliban in Medal of Honor?
The fact that you can play as the Taliban in the upcoming Medal of Honor isn't sitting well with some military families.
Over the weekend, Fox and Friends aired a segment about that game with Gold Star mother Karen Meridith, who lost her son in the war. Obviously, she's less than thrilled with the war being used as entertainment.
Obviously, this is territory that's been covered before, such as when Atomic Games' Six Days in Fallujah made headlines for the very same reason.
In a bit of news that made me surprisingly sad, Harvest Moon 64 likely won't be coming out on Nintendo's Virtual Console.
I love Harvest Moon 64 -- I usually play it once every couple of years to purify my life, and recently, my Nintendo 64 has been crapping out. This story hits pretty close to home. And I don't care at all about Farmville, so leave that out of the conversation.
The news was broken in a NerdMentality interview with Natsume's VP of Operations, Graham Markay. Apparently, the game's code doesn't translate well to the Virtual Console, and so the chances of a transfer are highly unlikely.
Of all the games coming out at the beginning of next year, Deus Ex: Human Revolution shines.
Mostly because it is all gold. But also because it looks pretty badass, full of double-elbow takedowns and dimly lit alleyways.
But up until now, it has stood out from the rest because, frankly, we still don't have much information on it. The release is only a few months away, and the first gameplay trailer has just been premiered. And, it's not even a gameplay trailer. It contains a precious little, but we'll take what we can get.
It looks nice and polished. Hit the link to see for yourself!
Activision's release of Call of Duty: Black Ops Prestige Edition has pushed the limits for mind-boggling goodies included in video game packages.
This one doesn't have a price yet. It is listed on GameStop as $149.99. Damn, that's a lot! Why? Because it is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
What's so ridiculous about it, you ask? Well, let's just say it includes a glorified kid's toy. One that is typically quite expensive. And unless you have a kid who wants one of these, I have no idea what purpose will will serve. Well, other than making your daily stalking easier.
Oh, and the lesser-equipped, cheaper limited edition, called the Hardened Edition ($79.99) also premiered. Let's take a look, shall we?
Deadly Premonition is an extremely divisive piece of work. IGN hated it. It changed my life. Destructoid deemed it brilliant. Everyone who knows me is annoyed by my incessant blabbing about it.
Since I'm always right, it is best to get it if you don't have it. And if you are in Europe or parts of the Middle East, put it on your wish list.
Ignition's weird, remarkable tale will be seeing foreign lands this upcoming fall. Those gamers in the PAL district will be able to experience what the rest of the world has been talking about, thanks to a deal between Rising Star Games and Marvelous Entertainment. Follow the link for a little bit more info and the trailer.
The next generation of next generation consoles is on its way into our lives, and that means deals.
The Big 3 console companies are all competing with the diminishing portion of the population that is holding out on this console or that, so expect to see many good prices and bundles.
Like this one: buy a new Playstation 3 Slim 120GB from Sony Style and get one of six select first-party titles for free. And the list to select from is no joke -- these aren't games that have seen their final production run, just trying to make it off the shelves. They are hot commodities.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Aug 12, 2010
Worms Reloaded, the latest game in the successful Worms franchise is right around the corner. The Steam exclusive is a mere two weeks away (being released on August 26); Or, if you want it sooner, you can pre-order the game and get it a whole day early along with other goodies.
Pre-ordering the game will let players pick up the title for 10% off of its $20 cover charge. It will also grant players exclusive items for their team. It's not a bad deal for people who appreciate the little animals blowing each other up.
The Worms franchise is fifteen games and just as many years old. According the the press release, the games have sold twenty-five million copies in that time. If you've never played one, check out the trailer after the jump and see what you've been missing.
Will the BioShock Infinite sequel take place in space?
Ken Levine has been quiet for three years. Even through a sequel to his darling BioShock, only a few quotes of his were leaked. That 2k had decided to move on. That he lost the series because of his drive to go way outside the realm that he had created in the first game.
But, obviously that hasn't been the case. Irrational Games looks to be hard at work on a new BioShock game. It was strongly hinted that Levine wouldn't helm another one, at least not yet, but that was a marketing ploy pulled off brilliantly.
This one, unlike the others, is set in a floating city called Columbia, in 1912. More on it below.
If you're like most gamers, you have a closet somewhere in your house full of fake plastic instruments. One day, you will likely have to clean out that closet. Maybe you'll donate the plastic instruments to charity. Maybe you'll arrange them into tasteful modern art objects. Maybe you'll simply throw them out.
Whatever method of plastic instrument disposal you choose, though, I can almost guarantee it will not be nearly as cool as this one.
This over-the-top volcanic desctruction has been brought to us by Seven45 Studios, makers of Power Gig: Rise of the Six String, a.k.a. "that game that lets you play with a real six string guitar," a.k.a. "that game that sounded a lot more appealing before Rock Band 3 promised to do the exact same thing." Regardless, if they keep pulling off PR stunts like this, we'll be happy to give more attention to their upstart rhythm game.
Madden 11: Sure, you can make that play, but can you MAKE that play?
The recently released Madden NFL 11 featured a new member of its design team: Minnesota Viking Ryan Moats.
While the long-running EA Sports franchise has always had a close relationship with the NFL, this marks the first time an active player served on the design team.
"It's a second passion of mine, after football," Moats said."Hopefully one day once I get old and gray in football, I'll have an opportunity to do something in the field."
First-person shooters using the Wiimote have been largely bad. To have a strong and enjoyable FPS, it is imperative that the gamer is able to shoot accurately. And that is rarely done by shaking a wand at a screen.
So it is with great relief that I break this news to you: GoldenEye 007 will be compatible with a dual-stick controller. And you can get one that is gaudy gold.
The controller will be part of a GoldenEye 007 bundle, priced at $69.99. This is $20 more than the regular price of $49.99 (yay, math!). So, if you want to get the best experience possible with the new James Bond shooter, put down the extra clams and pick the bundle up. It comes out in November.
Man, these music simulator games are relentless. It seems like a new one is coming out every month, and they are always in the headlines.
Well, obviously, right now is no different. Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock has some more bands that will be making their music game debuts upon its release. And they are shred-erific.
There are some that stand out -- like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Neil Young -- for being either too heavy or too light compared to the rest of the line-up. But you be the judge. We've got all eleven bands and their respective songs on the next page. Hit the link to find out!
Clearly, three DLC add-ons for 2K's hit Borderlands was not enough. After some leaks suggested that more content was on the way, the publisher has confirmed a fourth DLC pack for the popular Gearbox shooter.
The fan-favorite Claptrap robots take center stage in "Claptrap's New Robot Revolution," which deals with a war between the Hyperion Corporation and an army of Claptraps lead by one machine known only as "Ninja Assassin." Awesome.
The new DLC will set you back $10 when it releases next month, and will feature new missions, new skills and new loot, although it sadly won't raise the level cap. More info and screens below!
Costume Quest is headed for XBLA and PSN this Halloween
We already knew that Brutal Legend developer Double Fine was working on four new games, and today the developer has revealed that at least two have found a home with publisher THQ.
The second game is still a mystery, but we've now got a few details on the first title, Costume Quest. The downloadable game is an adventure/role-playing game set on Halloween in which kids do battle by transforming into larger-than-life versions of their costumes. Definitely sounds like a Double Fine game to us!
So if you spent money on Naughty Bear, you might've already returned it. If not, it is a good day for you.
The game had a brilliant viral campaign, with new, fucked-up videos coming out weekly, it seemed. But as it was released, reviews started flooding the waves stating that, though it looked cool, the final product was pretty awful.
Like, if they had spent as much time on the actual game as they did on the campaign, it would've been beautiful. That kind of thing.
Well, it is time to dust off the old green box, because there's a free piece of DLC for you to (possibly) enjoy. More on the features of said DLC after the break.
To the average gamer, Madden NFL '11 is an annoying blip on the radar that happens around the same time every year, that floods the airways, and lengthens the lines at their local game stores.
To most sports fans, it's an obligatory $60 crapshoot -- the improvements to the package are rarely worth the full price, though the new rosters are always enticing.
But this year's title means more to New Orleans Saints fans: it reignites the passion for football that the town thrives on.
I put "play" in quotes up there because the new "iTrailer" (a word so new it practically demands scare quotes) includes the barest amount of interaction. Basically, you repeatedly click anywhere on the screen as the video plays to unlock everything from behind-the-scenes footage and explanatory text notes to music downloads and even audio commentary from the director. Even if you miss a click, you can simply unlock everything using a button at the trailer's end. I've seen YouTube videos with more interactivity.
Still, I figured it was worth a link here for two few reasons. 1) The i-Trailer actually includes quite a few tidbits not available in previous trailers; and 2) It's actually an interesting concept that we hope gets expanded with more robust interactivity in future i-Trailers.
We're not sure what's spurned therecentdeluge of pixelated, retro-inspired "demakes" of modern games, but hey, we're not complaining, especially when it results in projects as cool as the NES-ified Pixelforce: DJ Hero.
Even though the game is being developed as a PC download, the feel is pure NES, from the limited color palette and resolution to the surprisingly identifiable bleeps and bloops that make up the remix. The turntable moves and buttons of the original DJ Hero are replaced with NES pad-style input, as well.
Surprisingly, this project is not from the same people that brought us playable Guitar Hero demake D-Pad Hero last year. Instead, it comes from self-taught bedroom programmer Eric Ruth, who you might remember from the his previous demakes, including Pixelforce: Left 4 Dead and Mega Man Rocks!
While the below trailer is all we've got for now, Ruth promises the full game will be available for free download "within the next five weeks," possibly even as soon as next weekend.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 1:00 PM Aug 10, 2010
Moral Kombat is a documentary about violence in the video game industry. The film interviews people such as Lorne Lanning, Jack Thompson, and other prolific people in the game industry's past and present. It provides a surprisingly-balanced an enlightening look at an issue that has affecting gaming almost sense its inception.
As of today, Spencer Halpin's Moral Kombat is available for free on Hulu. It is also available on PSN, Xbox Live, iTunes, Amazon OnDemand, and Netflix On Demand (including streaming on PS3, XBL, and Wii).
Bethesda had a pretty good showing at E3, but its upcoming shooter Brink was pretty solidly overshadowed by Fallout: New Vegas and id's award-winning Rage. In an attempt to get some of the focus back on Brink, Bethesda has released a new video diary that focuses on the world of the game and its story.
It's ultimately a game about a lot of dudes shooting each other, so you can imagine that its no character-driven drama or anything. But the video below does actually mention An Inconvenient Truth as an inspiration. Seriously.
John St. John, the redundantly named voice actor of Duke Nukem, had an interesting tweet recently.
Apparently, he's been over near Seattle, recording some vocs with the Valve folks, and having a genuinely swell experience.
His tweet, which went up this weekend, stated that last sentence thusly: "Had a great time in Seattle recording for DotA. The guys at ValveSoftware are awesome!"
Now, we could assume that DOTA stands for Dogs Observe the Airplane or Dorks Oozing Tiny Abscesses. But that would be foolish. Everyone knows there is only one DotA.
If you want to pick the game up, but your local video game store is sold out, allow us to let you in on an alternative mode of acquisition.
Sports Illustrated is bundling a copy of Madden NFL 11 for anyone who'll purchase the subscription on this Time webpage. It costs the same as the regular game -- $59.95 -- but you get 28 weekly magazines of SI, and a 'making-of' bonus DVD. For you sports fans out there, it is a pretty good deal.
Folks around the internet have been tipping off major news sites this week with little pieces of info found in their inboxes.
They claim that Microsoft Connect -- a division of Microsoft that gathers customer feedback and product reception -- has sent out some images that look very much like Kinect beta invites.
There has been no official word from Microsoft on this, though the evidence is fairly indicative of their plans. What are the plans, you ask?
Here at Joystick Division, we are absolutely thrilled about the new Assassin's Creed game. Every since we got a hands-on at E3 2010, it has been at the top of our Most-Wanted list.
But are we thrilled enough to spend $40 extra on the Collector's Edition? In this case, maybe. That sounds so crazy, it might just be true.
The CE is a $100 package that includes the usual special edition suspects: artbook, soundtrack, bonus disk, and some trailers. It also has a few special maps and a hard-cover map of Rome. Pretty cool, but worth the extra coin? Maybe not...but there's more...
A totally freaky, creepy Jack-in-the-box comes with it. Yep, that's right, a weird kid's toy. And that might just seal the deal.
I've got some glamor shots of the whole package. There are two different Jack-in-the-box characters to choose from: Harlequin and Doctor. How will you ever decide?! Hit the link for the shots.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Aug 09, 2010
Quake Live, id Softwares' free-to-play browser-based recreation of the first-person-shooter classic has just released a new subscription-based pricing model. The two new packages, Pro and Premium, expand the game in several ways for a modest fee.
The Premium plan includes 20 exclusive maps featuring new ones and fan favorites for previous Quake games including Aerowalk and Theater of Pain; an all new "Freeze Tag" game mode; new Premium level awards, match statistics, and the ability to both create your own clan. Players will also be able to join five other clans and create custom wallpaper for their profiles. The Premium plan is available for $1.99 a month.
Treyarch has always played second fiddle to Infinity Ward when it comes to Call of Duty games. They've been, for the most part, pretty lackluster in comparison.
But now that Infinity Ward has been decapitated and thrown in a river, the responsibility lies on Treyarch to keep the franchise going.
Luckily, Black Ops appears to have all the bases covered -- especially now that the new multiplayer trailer has been released.
Even more luckily, for you readers out there, the trailer is found just after the jump. It features a ton if action, lots of killstreaks, and a fucking crossbow thatblows things up. Touche Treyarch, touche.
Bit Gen Fest features one of the biggest lineups of video game bands ever
On August 14, Baltimore will rock video-game style.
The fifth annual "Bit Gen Fest" is being held at Sonar, one of Baltimore's biggest rock clubs. Along with pixel art, game consoles and arcade machines, the event will feature some of the biggest names in the video game music genre.
The bands include The Protomen, Powerglove, The OneUps, Entertainment System and more.
Baltimore gamers, go and have fun. We'd see you there, but none of us live even remotely close. Oh well. Tickets cost $18 and the show is open to all ages.
In case you need any more info, we've provided the complete press release below.
Critically acclaimed adventure game Machinarium was released last year for a $20 price point and no annoying copy protection. That's a big plus for gamers who hate all the nonsense copy protection brings with it, but obviously it also made pirating the game no hassle at all.
Despite its awards and favorable critical reception, developer Amanita Design estimates that only 5-15% of Machinarium players actually bought the game. But they're not bitter. In fact, they're offering amnesty.
During Amanita's "Pirate Amnesty" sale, anyone (pirate or otherwise) who wants a legal copy of the game can grab one for a measly five bucks. Not only do get the full game for that price, you also get the soundtrack, and it's available on PC, Mac or Linux. So what are you waiting for? Grab this acclaimed indie game here!
I hadn't played Machinarium yet, so I put my money where my mouth is and bought a copy this morning. If you don't know what the fuss is about, check out the stunning trailer below. Thanks to Cheap Ass Gamer for the link.
Split/Second DLC is vrrrrooooming to your console.
According to Facebook, the arcade/destructo-derby racer Split/Second is due for some downloadable content.
In August, Black Rock Studios will release a trio of DLC. The first two will cost some dollars, while the third will be gratis.
Pack one will add some elite whips to the line-up, making your souped-up cars "really stand out from the rest of the crowd!" The rest of the crowd being the people that didn't download the content, we must presume. The second pack will feature a standard array of super-charged cars to add, while the third one will provide a limited edition version of the crowd favorite Ryback Cyclone RS. And that one will be totally free.
Though the details have been rather vague -- the DLC is due out sometime in "a few weeks" -- you have to hand it to Black Rock Studios for flooding their fans with some pretty timely DLC. Next month, there will be even more. Word on the street is that it will feature new cars and new environments. We'll keep you posted though.
A trailer, for those that missed the initial hype? Follow the link.
It's out with the old and in with the new at Kmart this week.
The retail superchain is clearing space on the shelves for the new generation of this generation's consoles. They are slicing and dicing the prices of the leftover stock -- and not little rinky-dink, 10%-off deals. These are deals with substance.
If you don't have a Wii, an Xbox 360, and a PSP, now would be the perfect time to hop into the mix and fill out your console supply. Because you, my friends, are missing out.
There are only specific versions seeing the awesome discounts, and if you look below, I will detail them for you!
Video game releases have been pretty light lately, especially for the console gamers. The PC community had StarCraft 2, yes. But it has certainly been a while since a big-budget, AAA title has made an appearance on store shelves for those who prefer controllers.
That all will change, for a few days, as Madden NFL 11 drops for almost everyone with a video game device this week. I'm a little biased when I say it looks particularly darling, but then again, I like sports and I don't care who knows it.
For the geekier gamers out there, the video game version of Bryan Lee O'Malley's comic book nerd anthem Scott Pilgrim is gonna be out. It is called Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. It will be released in conjunction with Edgar Wright's movie adaptation. Oh, and it is a PlayStation 3 exclusive.
For the creepier gamers out there, Enjoy Your Massage! will be out for the Nintendo Wii. Okay, so it isn't actually that creepy in practice, but the concept and the title have weird Japanese sex sim game written all over them.
Okay enough of my rambling. The full list of games released this week is down there. So hit the link!
There's a hilarious new trailer out today for the upcoming XBLA version of Plants vs. Zombies, and we're totally serious when we say that we plan to pick up this third version of the game. It's a simply great game as is, and the new additions of features like multiplayer make us helpless to resist its charms. See you next month, PvsZ XBLA.
The Heavy Rain Chronicles, the DLC expansion that would have continued the story of Heavy Rain, was scrapped so developer Quantic Dream could add PlayStation Move support to the original game. Now we've got our first shots of what the new version of the game will look like.
And it's pretty much the same.
Seriously, this is it? Replacing the Quick Time Event gameplay of the game with Move gestures won't change much, other than making you feel a little goofier while playing it. I think it goes without saying that we here at JD would have much rather had the additional DLC.
But hey, we don't get to decide such things. All we can do is post the screens, which you can see below.
If you are the kind of person who poops your pants any time the new Deus Ex game is mentioned, then get on your diaper, because there are some new screenshots that are beautiful and intriguing.
All right, mine's on and ready to go.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is still in development, slated for release February 2011. It was first announced all the way back in 2007, so it had better be damned good, or else.
Creative mastermind Warren Spector, the brains behind the first two games, is not attached to the title in any way, but that shouldn't raise too much concern. The second entry in the trilogy wasn't worth much, even with his guidance.
But it's on to the screenshots now. Follow the link to find 'em.
Kaka, AKA Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, has earned the distinguished honor of being the Fifa 11 cover athlete.
Why? Because he's a good-looking badass Brazilian super-athlete. And good-looking badass Brazilian super-athletes move a lot of product.
Also, because "with Kaka's visionary style of soccer he's always one step ahead of the opposition, " says EA Sports VP of football, Matt Bilbey.
Which translates to: "He's real good and people like him and recognize him."
He will be a unifying figure on all seventeen different box-arts for Fifa 11. EA Sports tries to feature other stars alongside the main cover athlete, depending on where, region-wise, the game is going to be released. Maybe Landon Donovan for the folks in the US, maybe Torres in Spain. That sort of thing.
Outside of Halo: Reach, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Medal of Honor, it is pretty much impossible now to predict which titles will stay put in their Fall slots, or which will move to 2011.
The beginning of next year was originally bringing the strong line-up of Bulletstorm, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Dead Space 2, and Gears of War 3. But no longer is that the case.
A few days ago, Crysis 2 got moved to Spring 2011, joining Rage, Breach, SOCOM 4, and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier -- all titles that got a push from the fall. Now you can add True Crime: Hong Kong to that list.
Activision has reported that True Crime: Hong Kong is going to be moved to some time in 2011. No official reason as to why, but a spokesperson has mentioned that the delay was "in order to give the development team more time to deliver the high-quality entertainment experience they envision for the game."
Hopefully they make the absolute most of it. Though these kinds of delays don't bother me too much, because my wallet will be given a chance to reload.
As one of the most excellent comic-book based games of all time, Batman: Arkham Asylum had fans shouting for more as soon as it came to a close.
Shout no more, folks. A tentative release season has been announced for the sequel, which is titled Batman: Arkham City. It won't be out this upcoming fall, but the next one.
It promises a return of the Joker, as well as a whole slew of new villains that need their necks broken. Almost no details have been revealed about the game, except that the new setting, Arkham City, is a stronghold for the most evil, most capricious, most horrifying villains in the land. And I'm guessing there's some trouble in there that needs to be rectified with pain.
I've got an amazing little trailer for you. Press the link for it!
BioShock 2 has seen very good reviews in general. There are many people that wanted it to be much more than it is, but the gaming world has been, in large part, satisfied with the final product.
And much of the excitement surrounding the game was the future entries of downloadable content that were promised with the release. Until now, however, those extra bits have been fairly lackluster.
Mainly additions have been exclusively for the multiplayer part of the game -- maps, weapons, etc. The only single player DLC was a gametype that focused on protecting a Little Sister from waves of pissy Splicers.
But there is good news for all you Rapture fans out there. 2k Marin has just announced a piece of single-player narrative content that will be released in the near future. that is focused entirely on furthering the main title's story.
Check out some exclusive Halo: Reach footage in person tomorrow night!
Are you so excited about Halo: Reach that you can't wait until next month? Then GameStop has a treat for you!
Tomorrow night, 1,100 GameStop locations will be holding a special "after hours" event with a video presentation by professional gamer Tom "Tsqaured" Taylor. Said presentation will boast exclusive video footage of the upcoming game, as well as game tips and other exclusive info.
And if the thrill of hanging out at a video game store after hours and watching videos wasn't enough, of course you'll have the chance to win some special Halo prizes. Check them out below:
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 11:00 AM Aug 05, 2010
It's hard not to see that the video games industry is changing at an incredible rate. In a very short amount of time, we have adopted many new ways to play games. From browser-based gaming to digital distribution, there are an astonishing amount of ways to play games. It's hard to follow what's going on.
Industry veteran Scott Steinberg has made a video interviewing key industry figures like Peter Molyneux, Lorne Lanning, and Michael Pachter to talk about these changes. This video marks the debut of Game Theory; a series that will coincide with Steinberg's new site. The following is an exerpt from the video's commentary, and the video is available after the jump.
The irony of discussing and debating issues of relevance to gaming these days is that there is no one single "video game industry" to speak of; you're actually talking about dozens of individual and equally diverse businesses. Likewise, endlessly opining about when retail software revenues will cease slumping is all but irrelevant, as outside of specific tentpole AAA releases, the field's mot promising growth areas (social, mobile, free-to-play, etc.) are all digital. But don't take it from us: Just ask today's most accomplished business leaders and game designers, who feel it's high time that we finally woke up and realized that both the field, and fundamental playing habits, have permanently changed.
Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel gets an official title and the GI cover treatment
As one of the greatest superhero games of all time, it's no surprise that Batman: Arkham Asylum was getting a sequel. Warner Bros Interactive previously announced the development of a second game, but what they didn't share was a name.
Well, now the Arkham Asylum sequel has a name. It has been officially unveiled as Batman: Arkham City on the cover of the next issue of Game Informer (which also featured the first game on its cover).
We don't know many other details about the game just yet, although we've long suspected what the title pretty much confirms: the madness of Arkham Asylum will spill over into Gotham City at large. Additional details will certainly hit the web as soon as the issue releases.
Game Informer has two pretty spectacular covers to the issue, both of which you can see below. In the interest of full disclosure, I was a staff writer at GI for over three years.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 8:30 AM Aug 05, 2010
The third of this month market the debut of Keiji Inafune's (the man best known for creating Mega Man) first bout at directing living actors. The short film, entitled Zombrex Dead Rising Sun is a live action film based on the Dead Rising franchise.
Three episodes of the show are currently available on Xbox Live and will be until the eleventh of this month. The rest of the series will be available on Dead Rising Sun's website.
Dead Rising was an Xbox 360 that met with critical acclaim. It was loved for its vast amount of zombies on the game's screen, and for its cornucopia of ways to pluck the remaining shreds of life out of them. The game was later ported onto Wii and the game has both a retail sequel and an Xbox Live game bridging the first and second game, which is coming out later this year.
The trailer for Zombrex Dead Rising Sun is available after the jump.
It doesn't matter if you are Pokemon Black or White
You beat it, of course!
In the past Pokemon games -- just in case you have lived under a rock for the past ten years -- you start with a single Pokemon, and you run into faces familiar and new in the wild.
Well, that is changing, obviously.
Reports are coming in from GameFreak that this latest Pokemon game is striving to freshen the franchise by adding a level of discovery into the gameplay that hasn't been seen in quite some time.
The Pokemon will be entirely new until the main story is done. Then, Pokemon from the older versions can be transferred in and will be playable. The games will be out September 18, on the Nintendo DS.
I haven't actually played a Pokemon game in quite a while. Do they still have Scyther and Kabutops? Those were my favorites. A quick gameplay clip from a silly Japanese TV show? I'll take it!
Even though most Americans haven't been to a real arcade since 1994 (no, Dave & Busters doesn't count), the coin-op gaming industry continues to trudge along in a sort of seemingly perpetual zombie state. And now it seems this shambling corpse is getting ready to unleash some new games in three of arcade gaming's major food groups
The first category: Retro remakes. Here we have a multiplayer revamp of Sega's little-remembered Pengo and a new hi-def entry in Taito's Darius shoot-'em-up series entitled Darius Burst: Another Chronicle. Both games sport innovative cabinet designs -- the former allowing for eight player simultaneous play across four connected cabinets, and the latter an ultra-widescreen display with an odd 21:9 ratio.
The second category, pinball, is represented by Avatar Pinball, which will actually the second pinball game to be released this year (after little-noticed Iron Man Pinball). The first video of the game's still-in-progress cabinet show off a cheesy 3D backglass and a playfield that looks like an epileptic's worst nightmare.
And then there's the third pillar: Weird crap. That one's covered by World's Fastest Drummer, a game built around the simple concept of tapping drumsticks on a practice pad as many times as possible as quickly as possible. Rock Band it ain't, but if you're really curious you can try this web version.
Check out screens and videos from these upcoming arcade releases after the break.
Fable III's opener showcases the world where the game is set. It looks like a pre-revolution French ghetto -- populated with the poor and grimy.
The emphasis is on the downtrodden right before a gigantic uprising -- a call to arms of sorts. And a white chicken personifies it. Or, chickenifies it. However you like.
It is a fucked-up and sad, though kind of hilarious, introduction to the game. Really, like nothing I've ever seen before.
So to share it with you, I've provided it after the jump. It is pretty long, but you get a good sense of where the series is going to go. And it looks beautiful.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Aug 04, 2010
Torchlight was a little engine that could. The game came out of a little Seattle-based studio in a brief amount of time. The game was initially created to showcase the universe for an upcoming MMO, but the fans have spoken and Torchlight II is in the works.
The first major addition announced to the Diablo-style MMO is multiplayer. The press release announces that the game will have a free networking service for peer-to-peer multiplayer. "We still are going to make the MMO" said Runic Games' CEO, Max Schaefer, "but it became apparent that Torchlight II was the logical step for us given the phenomenal enthusiasm of gamers petitioning us for multiplayer."
Since it's release a few weeks ago, Christopher Nolan's Inception seems to be all any self-respecting nerd can talk about. So it's a bit surprising that the movie's promotional web game, Mind Crime, has gotten next to no attention from the gaming press. Especially since the game is actually kind of good.
The game is based around the movie's idea of building maze-like dream worlds to hide your deepest secrets and, alternatively, avoiding murderous sub-conscious projections as you invade that dream world. A simple 2D grid lets you easily build mazes that then sprout into skyscraper-filled 3D cities, which are then traversed the maze from a claustrophobic over-the-shoulder perspective. A simple Facebook connection lets you share your mazes with friends and strangers, or race through countless mazes created by others.
Given the movie's immense popularity, it's a bit surprising that this well-made game has only attracted a few thousand fans on Facebook since its release last year. Still, those diehard fans have come up with some excellent maze designs in that time. See some examples after the break.
DJ Caruso, director of films like Disturbia and the upcoming I Am Number Four recently gave an interview to MTV about a project he's really excited about: the movie adaptation of the EA horror game Dead Space.
"Playing that game was one of the scariest gaming experiences I've had in my entire life," he told MTV during an interview on the Number Four set. "So I think the nuances of that and trying to capture that in the movie [are intriguing]."
A Dead Space movie is far from a sure thing, although Caruso is hot to get the project started. "The cool thing about Dead Space is we've had a few offers to set it up. Once I started [I AmNumber Four] and [producer] Wyck Godfrey and all those other guys got really busy on the Twilight movies because they're kicking butt over there, so we're gonna get back and talk about it [once everyone's time frees up]."
Want The Sims with a Chaucerian twist? Do you find your virtual communities lack the proper chivalrous activity? Do you prefer traditional courtly love to hitting on your neighbor until you've worn her down to the point that she'll hop in the sack with you?
Well, you're weird. And lucky. The Sims is going medieval next year. It is a spin-off series -- a huge one, at that.
I've got a lot more information for you. I don't think you have any idea how hard it is to hold back from writing this in Middle English. Yeah, I took a class that taught it and was taught, in large part, in Middle English. Jealous?
I knew you would be. Now hit the link for the full story. And don't make fun of me.
Crysis 2 is one more title in a fairly long list that is moving to the beginning of next year. No reason has been made public just yet.
Breach, Portal 2, SOCOM 4, and Rage all got bumped earlier this summer to 2011. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier got moved to join Dead Space 2, who was the initial king of Early 2011.
All these games are staying away from the gigantic Call of Duty: Black Ops, Medal of Honor, and Halo: Reach trifecta of FPS mayhem that will take control of the fall. Or, at least, it looks that way.
But if that's the case, the games are starting to pile up in a way that looks even more daunting than the original time frame.
I'm just speculating. It may be something else. But the bottom line is this: you have to wait. Sorry.
Yesterday, veteran quarterback and frequent retiree Brett Favre reportedly announced his retirement via text to some choice Minnesota Vikings teammates. As the day drew to a close, the claim was refused, refuted, supported, and corroborated by a dozen or so people, leaving the football world all googly-eyed and confused.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the very few times that real sports news and video game news parallel. So snap a picture or something. The real impact it has on the video game world lies in the heart of the Minnesota Vikings' roster in Madden NFL '11 -- where Brett Favre will be hanging out on release day, regardless of his status in the days to come.
EA Sports told Kotaku that they would be keeping a close watch on the whole thing as it unfolds. If he decides to forgo his slated $13 million season and finally retire, a roster patch will be issued pretty quickly, rendering him unplayable. Which is nice for all of you offline players.
But Favre has vacillated about retiring each off-season since about 2002, so there's no definite way to predict this. On the one hand, he had a fabulous season last year and the Vikings have a legitimate shot at going to the Super Bowl. On the other, a nagging ankle injury that was sustained in the NFC Championship won't go away.
Keep an eye out, we'll let you know. A Madden NFL '11 trailer, then?
Legends and Killers: Riding to a console near you!
On August 10, you can purchase a shiny new piece of Red Dead Redemption DLC glory, courtesy of Rockstar Games.
It goes by the name of Legends and Killers, and it is a big throwback to the first game, Red Dead Revolver. That game, which wasn't as widely praised as its successor, had some great heroes and villains. And eight of them will be making an appearance in the Red Dead Redemption multiplayer arena -- for the fee of $9.99.
In addition to the new characters, the pack includes nine new multiplayer locations and a brutal-ass looking tomahawk.
No specific news on new achievements or awards, but it is likely that the content will have some unique unlockables to boost the ole gamerscore, if you so care about that.
Look for the DLC to hit the internet next week. Look to the other side of this link for a horrifying video of a glitch in the game. Why? Just because there is no Legends and Killers trailer.
The International Video Game Hall of Fame holds its "Big Bang" event this week
Want to plan a last-minute summer vacation? Maybe you should consider Ottuma, Iowa.
No, seriously.
The town is home to the International Video Game Hall of Fame, the young organization devoted to recognizing the achievements of champion video game players, legendary game creators and classic game characters.
This Thursday, the IVGHOF (doesn't really roll of the tongue, does it?) will hold its "Big Bang" event, featuring beer, music, video game tournaments, and more. As part of the festivities, the IVGHOF will induct its first class of Hall of Famers, including several names you'll probably recognize, as well as several you don't.
That was one of the first headline puns I've ever used. How do you like it?
Anyway, on to the real news. The $1 sensation called Angry Birds will be released in the near future for consoles and heldhelds. No exact date, but expect it sometime this year.
Angry Birds has sold over 5 million copies in its first six months, spanning all three mobile devices from Apple. Prepare for it on Sony's handheld and home console, as well as the Nintendo DS.
I haven't played the game, but Jeremy Zoss, the guy who runs this place, gave it an enthusiastic thumbs up. And he has forced me to plug him in each of my articles. So there you have it. Happy now, Boss?
To heighten the enthusiasm to an even greater level, I have provided a fun trailer for you. Spank that link with your cursor!
Summer sales are on fire right now. It seems everywhere you look, outlets of all sorts are featuring some kind of deal on video games.
Probably because video games are hot right now.
Well, a few video game soundtracks have made their way into the $5 deal rotation on Amazon MP3.
The list includes Red Dead Redemption, which is made up mostly of twangy guitar and sleepy harmonica (and the Jose Gonzalez song, called "Far Away" is worth $5 on its own). There's also music from The Orange Box, which is a nice surprise, because the release was so long ago, and the music is so techno-y radical.
There are others, too. But it is your job to find them. To tempt you, I give you the Jose Gonzalez track, recorded by Rockstar.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the stereotype-busting power of the below local news video, in which a group of gamers at a Hawaiin LAN center band together and defend themselves against two violent masked thugs. I love the way the newscaster almost seems impressed when he notes that the gamers' unexpected resistance, and the sense of camarederie and bravery these players display in "defending their home," as the report puts it.
But then I came to this quote from one Dylan Hays:
"I mean we're gamers, we've been immersed in that culture where like we all want to Superman, you know we're missing something partial in our brain that says, 'Yeah this might be dangerous.'"
Oh Dylan. Dylan Dylan Dylan. Are you familiar with the phrase, "One step forward, two steps back?"
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Aug 02, 2010
The sequel to God of War: Chains of Olympus will be released on November 2. God of War: Ghost of Sparta will once again feature the series' main character Kratos mad at something. Sources say he will want to kill whatever made him mad.
The PSP game will be released with a coronocopia of pre-order bonuses, as well as a special edition PSP Bundle. Sony's Playstation Blog announces that the pre-order bonuses includes:
The Ghost of Sparta Soundtrack
Ghost of Sparta PSP Theme
PS3 Dynamic Theme
Kratos Avatar for Playstation Home
Legionare Skin for Kratos in game
Ghost of Sparta Documentary
The Ghost of Sparta Documentary will feature a roundtable in front of a live audience by the franchise's past directors including: David Jaffe, Cory Barlog, Stig Asmussen, Dana Jan, and Ru Weerasuiya.
Be sure to check out the PSPs bundle's content after the jump.
Gamestop is having quite the summer when it comes to deals, and this week is no exception.
Until August 8, you will be able to trade-in two select titles and get $40 off either Madden 11 or Crackdown 2. They are among the most-hyped games of the year, though Crackdown 2 has seen very mixed reviews.
But that doesn't mean it wouldn't be worth a $20 price tag. This may be the prime time to get in on some pretty sweet multiplayer action, which is one of the best parts of the game. As for Madden, the games rarely justify full-price, feeling more like an update of last year's game. Might not secretly hate yourself for spending the extra dough.
See? Things are lookin' pretty good.
The tough part, though, is the selection of games that are eligible for trade in. They are all pretty recent releases -- Red Dead Redemption, Singularity, NCAA Football 2011, for example -- games that I would assume might sell for pretty close to $20 a pop anyway. You can find the full list on the Gamestop website.
You can find a Madden trailer if you hit the link!
The Halo series has always been on the cutting edge of video game console technology.
Until now.
The Halo francise has taken a significant step backwards in time with Halo 2600, a new flash game that recreates Halo as an Atari 2600 game.
And, believe it or not, it was created by Ed Fries, former VP of Publishing at Microsoft. Back in the day, he was one of the top guys in Microsoft's Xbox Division.
Halo 2600 made its public debut at the Classic Gaming Expo, where it was sold in authentic Atari 2600 cart form. If you weren't there (or weren't lucky enough to grab one of the 500 limited edition carts), then you can play the game online here.
Create brings user-created content to all platforms.
You must really want to make games.
That's what everyone seems to think, anyway. First there was LittleBigPlanet. Then there was ModNation Racers. Now EA has announced Create, a new game for consoles and computers that lets players design their own content as they play.
"Create uses families' imaginations to develop new ways to play together that are both fun and challenging," said Harvey Elliott, VP and General Manager at Create's developer, EA Bright Light. "We wanted to design a game where the entire family can explore, decorate, and solve challenges where no solution is wrong and the only limit is the imagination."
Scheduled for 360, PS3, Wii, PC and Mac, Create looks more level-based and less freeform than LittleBigPlanet, but we're pretty much basing that on the first trailer, which you can see below.
Everyone hates being on a losing team. In video games though, losing is a part of the experience.
Some people can handle it. Some people lose their shit, but continue on trying for the good of the team. Some people quit to the dashboard like weenies.
Those quitters, widely referred to as ragequitters, won't make it far in Halo: Reach's multiplayer realm. Bungie is going enact some fairly serious penalties on ragequitters who rage-quit too often. The goal is to separate the rage-quitters from the legitimate players, so that games will be positive places for healthy competition.
Bungie hasn't specified yet exactly what they plan to do to the rage-quitters yet, but I speculate they will ban them from matches, at least temporarily. Bungie assures the world that they have the technology to make it happen -- and not to ban people who lose their internet connection mid game.
Here's a video of the Reach firefight mode. This is for you rage-quitters that won't be able to multiplay after you get banned from the internetz. Haha!
EA is including another freebie to the Medal of Honor Limited Edition package.
The limited edition already boasts some special features: a few shotguns and pistols here and there. For PS3 owners, a polished version of Medal of Honor: Frontline will be included.
Now, if you purchase the Limited Edition, you'll get access to the Battlefield 3 beta.
There's almost no information about the next entry in the Battlefield series, but rumors have been circulating that the game will come out within a year of the beta drop. DICE, the multiplayer whiz-kids, are helming that effort.
The Limited Edition is the same price as the regular edition and will run for only a short time after the release of the game. The game releases for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 12.
Now, to satiate our wild hunger for realistic shooter betas, here's a Medal of Honor beta video. In case you missed it.
You can practically hear the crickets chirping this week. The dog days of summer mixed with the release of StarCraft 2 last week have given this one a very...empty feeling.
But that's only on the surface. The big, AAA titles may be taking a rest from release, but the little guys of the industry are taking this opportunity to drop in droves.
The biggest of the bunch hitting the virtual shelves this week is Castlevania: Harmony of Despair for Xbox Live Arcade. It is another side-scroller, but there is SIX PLAYER MULTIPLAYER available. Yep, you heard me right -- it's like regular Castlevania, but up to six times as awesome.
In addition to that, there are a dozen or so games that I know nothing about. But I'm a pretty ignorant dude in general, so there may be a (few) diamond(s) in the rough here. Like the compilation release called Mumbo Jumbo 6 Pack 2nd Edition.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Jul 30, 2010
R.U.S.E. is an RTS that has its mechanics focused on deception, decoys, and traps instead of military strategy. The Ubisoft published game has lived up to its name with it being delayed several times for the last year and a half.
Today, Aymeric Evennou, Ubisoft's Senior Community Developer, posted on his twitter that the game will be released on September 7 in the US and two days later in Europe. R.U.S.E. will be released on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.
The game recently went out of free multiplayer Beta on Steam nine days ago. Eugen Systems, the game's developer undoubtedly learned much from player feedback. Look for an introductory video on how to play R.U.S.E. after the jump.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jul 30, 2010
F Scott. Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is a timeless novel critiquing the American dream during the 1920s. The book has been adapted into films, plays, operas, and is even getting a Bollywood adaptation. A video game based off of the novel also was released two weeks ago by I-play.
I-play's Classic Adventures is the name of the companies series of novels adapted into hidden object-styled games. The company has also made games based off of Agatha Christie novels and Nora Robert's Bride Quartet series.
The hidden-picture games developed by I-play have allegedly been downloaded sixty-million times and more Classic Adventures are currently in development.
So, after trashing Guitar Hero in the last post, let's see what next week has in store for new Rock Band tracks.
Hey, it's a slow news day.
Next week sees the release of a pretty disparate bunch of singles, including a few returning artists like Blondie and several first-timers, such as The Decemberists. Check out the full list below for an unexpected mix of music. It may be the first time ever KMFDM and dc Talk were ever mentioned in the same breath.
I have never been prouder to have been raised in The Old Line State than I am today. That's because today is when I found out that Maryland has officially declared Sept. 21, 2010 "Sid Meier's Civilization V Day" throughout the state.
The official proclamation doesn't make any mention of state employees being allowed to take the day off to play Civilization games all day. It does, however, make note of Meier's working in Maryland for his entire professional life, and his having "a tremendous impact on the development and growth of Maryland's $5.6 billion digital media industry." It must be true, you guys. IT'S IN A PROCLAMATION!
The experience of NCAA Football 2011 has been mostly fantastic. The stadiums are loud with applause, the only piercing sound being the clacking of the helmets as they crash together.
That and the smack of your hand as it hits your forehead when a huge glitch threatens to blow your set of downs apart.
The bugs are noticeable and sometimes devastating. Many hamper only certain plays -- so they can be avoided. But some just show a lack of polish on the games' behalf.
This is where EA is stepping in. A monster patch will be arriving very soon to fix many of the games problems. The flagship facet of the patch will be the balancing of the Dynasty Recruiting AI, focusing on a more realistic approach to the recruiting arm of the game.
But that isn't all. The who thing will get a facelift. You can find the summary of the patch at the official EA NCAA Football Sports Blog. For now, I present you with the game's 120 Ways to Win. I know not many of you are football fans, but this really gets me amped. Click link, receive football.
A few days ago we posted an article about a dispute over Michael Jackson's likeness in PopCap's blockbuster tower defense game Plants vs. Zombies.
To recap -- the developer added a Thriller-influenced zombie to the lineup of braindead attackers, and the estate of Michael Jackson got mad pissed and flipped out. So, to preempt a lawsuit, the folks at PopCap decided to withdraw the character.
It is a bummer, but PopCap has rebutted. While the psychical specimen may have left, the feeling will never leave. They are bringing another lord of the dance to the ball.
This undead minion is hip, stylish, and incredibly disco. Would you care to take a gander? A full picture is just past this link.
BioShock 2 is finally coming out with some of the promised single-player downloadable content. Though there are grumbles left and right from fans of the original game, the new DLC is going full steam ahead.
And I won't lie -- I'm excited for it.
We've reported a bit about this before, back when it was first mentioned by 2k, but there is some new footage that has been released. Two videos, in fact, that are meant to fire people up.
If you haven't heard, the single player DLC has almost nothing to do with the story. It is like an arena survival round. You play as the familiar Big Daddy, and your quest is to fend off loads of splicers that are trying to attack a little sister as she harvests Adam.
It isn't the most exciting DLC that could come out, but hey... it is what it is.
Have you ever tried shopping for games at Target? Unless you know exactly what you want, it can be a maddening experience. That's because, until recently, Target kept its games kept behind glass in a locked display case. That helped prevent shoplifting, but it also prevented curious shoppers from casually picking up the cases and looking at the back -- a key component of any good video game browsing experience.
Thankfully, that dark era is now over. As Game|Life reports, all 1740 Target stores now present their video games out in the open, each in their own tethered shoplifting prevention cases. Never again will you have to sheepishly call that beleaguered Target electronics clerk over just so you can look at the back of the box to see if Bayonetta's boobs actually pop out in the screenshots.
Target has reportedly implemented other game browsing improvements too, including 30% more space, better organization by system and genre, and touch screen "learning centers" with game information. But the best new feature for value-conscious gamers might be the new reservation system, which offers a $5 gift card if you put just $1 down on an upcoming release. Your move, Gamestop.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jul 29, 2010
Director Guillermo del Toro recently told MTV News that he will be working on multiple games for a "big company". Although not many details were given, he did say that the games would be "technically and narratively very interesting".
Del Toro has often spoken about the artistic merits of video games. Last year he told MTV that ThatVideoGameCompany's Flower is "like Haiku poetry". He also spoke to Wired last year that "in the next 10 years, there will be an earthshaking Citizen Kane of games."
The movies that del Toro have worked on feature a distinct style to his CGI. The director of both Hellboy films and the oscar-winning Pan's Labyrinth recently backed out of directing an adaptation of The Hobbit.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, New Characters Ahoy!
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated titles of the year. And it just got a whole lot more anticipateder.
That's right, I'm writing this post -- this is my world. I make up the words. Don't like it? Screw!
Anyway, back to what I was saying. Kotaku has reported today that two new characters are going to be included in the game. The Soldier, at tall, striking swordsman with goofy pants, and the Blacksmith, a beer-gut toting, beard-wearing, hammer-holding badass.
They will be featured in the brilliant-looking multiplayer that the game so elegantly boasts. Note that they are not available in the beta. Oh, that means there's gonna be a beta, too.
The Soldier will be yours if you pre-order the game at Best Buy. It is unknown how exactly one is to acquire the Blacksmith, but as soon as it the news is released, you'll get it from us.
Now, how about a little video to get the blood pumping? If you haven't seen it yet, this is the kind of stuff that gets us gaming folks extremely excited. Click the link.
The folks behind the marketing for Halo: Reach have been spending a lot of time promoting the multiplayer, but now they'd like you to remember that this game has a campaign mode as well.
The new story-focused trailer for Reach has arrived, and wouldn't you know it, it's pretty epic. Prepare for lots of pretty shots of big battles, lots of vehicles, and the like.
We've got the video for you below, because above all else, we're here for you. Consider us your humble servants.
NBC Late Night Host Jimmy Fallon is nostranger to video games, or to setting world records via "open" record site The Universal Record Database (URDB). But when he combined both loves during last night's show, I'm afraid all he did was highlight the pointlessness of a lot of modern video game records.
Fallon tasked himself with the almost ridiculously stupid task of playing ten distinct video game systems in 60 seconds. I say "ridiculously stupid" because there doesn't seem to be any quantifiable way to define "playing" a game, despite URDB's requirement that all records must be quantifiable.
Watch the video below the break, and you'll see Fallon barely "plays" most of the games he touches. In Halo, he simply spins around and shoots the wall a few times. In Crazy Taxi, he drives in reverse for a few seconds. In Tomb Raider, he does a couple of sidesteps. One wonders why he couldn't have simply tapped a button on all ten controllers in 15 seconds or so and broken the record with time to spare (as it stands, problems with the Wii remote left him with an official count of nine).
These days, the lead up to a major gaming hardware launch tends to drag out ponderously over a matter of months. To track the progress of these slow information roll-outs, I've begun classifying their status using a military-style ranking I call the LAUNCHCON system. Here's how it works:
LAUNCHCON Level 5: The hardware is first announced.
LAUNCHCON Level 4: The hardware is publicly demonstrated for the first time.
LAUNCHCON Level 3: The date for the hardware's launch detail announcement is announced.
LAUNCHCON Level 2: The hardware launch details are announced.
LAUNCHCON Level 1: The hardware is launched.
For the Nintendo 3DS, we started at LAUNCHCON-5 back in March, then upgraded to LAUNCHCON-4 when the system was demonstrated at E3 in June. Well today we've finally been upgraded to LAUNCHCON-3, as a Nintendo spokesman told Bloomberg Japan that the company will reveal the launch date and price for the system on Sept. 29.
We already know LAUNCHCON-1 will come sometime before the end of March 2011, but we won't be able to start a precise countdown until we reach LAUNCHCON-2 status in T-minus-62 days. Until then, men, AT EASE!
We're not completely sure what MyWorld is, but it looks interesting
Real Time Worlds, creators of the original Crackdown and the recently released APB, have unveiled their next project, and it's not what you'd expect.
While both of the aforementioned titles feature lots of shooting, Project: MyWorld is a social gaming experiment that combines services like Facebook and Twitter with a program that looks a lot like Google Earth.
Oh yeah, and there's some gaming stuff in there, too.
Honestly, we're not very clear on what Project MyWorld is, exactly. But it looks interesting. Check out the teaser below and see what we mean. If nothing else, MyWorld will at least borrow from other games, as the trailer below is a pretty direct ripoff of LittleBigPlanet.
Call of Duty: Black Ops just got a little bit smaller
The next entry in gaming's biggest military shooter franchise is coming to Nintendo DS.
Call of Duty: Black Ops has been announced for Nintendo's portable system, and development is being handled by n-Space, the company responsible for previous handheld COD games. Betcha didn't even know there were other COD DS games. Well there are, smart guy.
"Call of Duty: Black Ops for the Nintendo DS is going to take the handheld Call of Duty experience to a new level," said Dan O'Leary, n-Space Studio Head. "From taking the controls of an attack helicopter to flying an experimental stealth fighter jet, players will have a wealth of new features to utilize."
According to the press release, the game will feature "six-player online multiplayer mode with a new Perks System, as well as a unique two-player Co-Op mode and Arcade and Challenge Modes that allow gamers to replay the single-player missions to earn extra points to unlock additional achievements."
Sounds like a pretty solid little port, although we've yet to be convinced by shooters on the DS. Check out some screenshots below.
They were so close, too. Playable at all sorts of recent conventions, primed to show off the PlayStation Move compatibility to the world.
But, alas, SOCOM 4 isn't ready. And it won't be until 2011. The folks at Zipper Interactive haven't given any reason behind the delay, but they have explained that they don't want to take "any shortcuts" in the creation of the game.
Well, that's good news, at least. I don't want any half-assed SOCOM games coming my way.
The game will be pushed to a time when things aren't quite so shooter-heavy. Just speculation, but SOCOM 4 was going to have to compete with a half dozen major shooters that are dropping this fall, and it may just be safer to wait it out.
I did not know that Linkin Park was still a band. But apparently they are, and apparently they are kicking off a new single that will be featured on the new Medal of Honor trailer that will debut on August 1st, called "The Catalyst". You can find that trailer on the official Medal of Honor site.
The trailer sounds more like a music video than a trailer, with a mixture of live-action and gameplay -- but then again, most game trailers are essentially music videos without footage of the band playing.
So, if you like that bit of news, then you will be thrilled at this next bit.
Linkin Park will also be providing music for the game's soundtrack. The grammy-winning troupe will perform an unknown number of songs, but I would speculate that it will only be a few. Maybe one for the end credits, and one that will play as you pull away from a burning countryside in your Apache. The game is set to release October 12 on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.
PlayStation 3 owners, it is time to deal with another update.
This one comes from Naughty Dog for Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.
The game, which is about as close to perfect as an adventure game can get, has a few noticeable issues that Naughty Dog hopes to resolve.
The update, called Title Update 1.09, will fix a number of bugs in the game, some skin issues in multiplayer, as well as a reorganization of the monetary payouts for certain gametypes.
For a full list of the update's changes, follow the link. For Uncharted 2 fans, it looks like it'll streamline the multiplayer experience.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jul 28, 2010
A Trading Card Game based on the upcoming MMO LEGO Universe is currently in development by Dire Wolf Digital. In an agreement made between the two companies, Dire Wolf has obtained the rights to use the LEGO licence for both a physical trading card game and digital products.
Although nothing is currently released about the mechanics behind the card game, the game's intent is to be very similar to the LEGO Blocks. "We're obviously very excited about LEGO Universe", said the game's Senior Director, Mark William Hansen. "adding a TCG provides additional content as well as a brand new customizable play experience."
LEGO Universe is currently under development by NetDevil. It is currently scheduled to be released on October 26 in North America for both PC and MAC. Please enjoy the trailer from E3 after the jump.
My absolute favorite fleece jacket has a tiny Playstation logo on it, just between the shoulder blades. I got this jacket as a door prize for attending one of Sony's E3 parties, and I still wear it regularly when it's too cold for short sleeves but too warm for a full winter coat. I've gotten a few appreciative comments on it over the years, including a couple of people who asked me if I work for Sony. No, I just shill for them, apparently...
Anyway, I feel like going back in time and telling those people they'll soon be able to be as cool as me. That's because Sony has announced an expansion of their PlayStation licensing program that will allow the PlayStation logo to appear on a "variety of lifestyle products from apparel to everyday items" as the press release puts it.
Being the first black president? Not a big deal. Being the first president in a Madden game? HUGE HONKING DEAL!
IGN seems to be the first ones to report that EA Sports' Madden 11 will feature President Barack Obama in an expanded cut scene celebrating the game's Super Bowl champions. The commander-in-chief will greet the triumphant team in a virtual White House ceremony, accepting a customized jersey as commentator Gus Johnson lays some team-specific commentary over the scene.
Check out a video of Obama's own digital starring role video after the break. For comparison, we've also included the official White House video of Obama meeting the Steelers after their Super Bowl victory. Looks kind of similar, except for the community service.
Cuddly versions of Marvel heroes get not one new game, but two
This one goes out to the nerd parents out there.
The Marvel Super Hero Squad, the cute, all-ages versions of your favorite Marvel characters are getting a couple new games. That's right, games plural.
First up, there's Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet, a new action game for consoles and handheld devices. Next up is Marvel Super Hero Squad Online, a PC-only online game. Between the two, you and your kids can play with an adorable version of Spider-Man no matter what electronic device you have. Unless it's a Mac. Mac users get squat.
We've got the latest trailers for both new games below. I especially appreciate how the first one mocks the Hulk for being an idiot the entire time.
Disney isn't just putting its fingers in the social networking games' pie.
In fact, it's eating a social networking game developer and using the nutrients to grow a huge new arm -- an arm it will use to stamp the Disney logo on everything that is made by the hand.
Okay, so I don't actually think Disney is an evil corporation bent on the destruction of the little guys. I just needed desperately to use that picture.
After the figures in the Playdom deal, it is hard to say anyone got a bad bargain.
Yesterday, Disney inked a deal with casual online game giant Playdom for over $500 million. Playdom, who is a conglomerate of little tech devs, is the fourth-largest of the online gaming makers -- their most popular being Mobsters.
Details for you will be provided upon the clicking of the link.
Sony Online Entertainment's EverQuest II is one of the most popular MMORPGs on the webs, so there's no way the original game is going to be purely free-to-play.
But a compromise has been made for those of you who don't like paying for fun.
A release of the game, called EverQuest II: Extended, has been created that will give you a large portion of the EverQuest II experience -- with a few caveats.
Items like upgraded weapons or powerful magic or specific levels can be bought through microtransactions. It will also run in a parallel stratosphere to EverQuest II, so the free users will play over here, and the payers over there.
The game will release mid-August -- likely August 17. For free, it is a pretty good deal. I mean, how can one complain about free?
For answers to your burning questions, SOE has provided a FAQ page. Peep it. And this expansion trailer.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 5:00 PM Jul 27, 2010
This happens a lot in the 40k universe...
The Warhammer 40,000 universe has seen its share of video game content over the years; with THQ's Dawn of War franchise being it's greatest success. This well-captured version of the grim darkness of the far future has led the company to work on other games in the franchise. There's both an MMO in the works and a third-person action game making its way onto 360, PS3 and - most recently - onto PC.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine takes place on a vitally important Forge World (essentially a planet covered in factories) under siege by Orks. Players will don the role of an Ultramarine and will defend the planet with the standard issue Holy Bolter and Chainsword.
Enjoy the trailer after the jump to see what opportunities for chaos the game has in store for players.
Another example of plain and simple no-fun-ery happened this week as the estate of Michael Jackson put pressure on Plants vs. Zombies developer PopCap to remove the Jacko-esque character from the game.
The character, who was included as a shout-out to the Michael Jackson hit Thriller, will be nixed via an update for iPhone 4 users.
Though no legal action has been taken as of yet, PopCap is preempting a lawsuit. Copyright infringement is no joke, especially for a developer that has only just pushed past the indie stratosphere. The big money will always win that battle.
The bad news doesn't stop there, though. The initial patch released successfully took away the Michael Jackson zombie, replacing it with another dancer, but it also caused a crash of the game. Expect another update soon.
For your entertainment, I've included the Plants vs. Zombies Thriller video after the jump. Don't sue us, please!
Jersey Shore: The Video Game is definitive proof that there is no God.
Ugh.
For some unholy reason, MTV's abysmal Jersey Shore is getting a video game. In fact, it's getting two. Fortunately, one of them is just a Facebook game, which nobody takes seriously anyway. In it, the various member of the cast fight each other and probably do other stupid things. The Facebook game is actually live now, but we just refuse to check it out.
The show is also infecting iTunes, with a classy game/app called "Spread Snooki." With it, you can paste Snooki's face over pictures of other people, presumably people you don't like very much.
In a last-ditch attempt at making this post somehow entertaining, you might as well watch the infamous video of Snooki getting punched in the face. And since we're revisiting old internet memes, might as well make it the Keyboard Cat version. Check it out below.
A lot is choppin' at the old rumor mill these days. Most recently, and most mysteriously, surrounding the next Grand Theft Auto.
And despite the misleading header, none of it has to do with a movie.
With the success of Red Dead Redemption, open-world developer Rockstar is moving full-tilt toward the next game in their hit series Grand Theft Auto.
A few anonymous sources have claimed that Rockstar is researching Hollywood as the backdrop for their upcoming title -- and though neither clandestine claim is substantiated, they come from very different places, which is pretty odd.
Starcraft II could sell 7 million units its first year. Damn.
Starcraft II has finally launched today after literally years of anticipation, and industry analysts are wasting no time chiming in on its potential fortunes.
According to analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners, sales are expected to top seven million units sold by the end of the year alone. That would generate $350 million in sales for Activision Blizzard. Hickey assumes an operating cost of 45%, meaning that Starcraft II would generate $171 million in pure profit by the end of the year.
Damn.
Unlike most video games, the bulk of sales aren't expected in the US or Europe - rather, the bulk of units are expected to sell in Korea, where Starcraft is a televised sport.
Despite the huge sales predictions, one external factor may hold Starcraft II back and make it slightly less wildly successful. And that's the fact that some players just don't seem to like the game very much.
New song announcements for music games are kind of like the weather report on a cloudy day: you pretty much know what's coming, but you pay attention anyway.
Harmonix has lifted the veil on a few more tracks that will ship on the Rock Band 3 disc, and it's a fun selection. The song selection is definitely shaping up to look like it's got something for everyone. I know for a fact that my wife will demand Rock Band 3 just so she can sing the B-52s' "Rock Lobster."
In addition to the new Rock Band 3 tracks, Harmonix also shared a few new tracks that we can expect to see in their upcoming Dance Central, which already looks like it'll be the biggest game of the Kinect launch.
In some alternate universe, the Nintendo 3DS isn't the hot 3D portable of the moment. In that universe, right now the Nintendo Virtual Boy is celebrating its 15th anniversary not as Nintendo's greatest hardware failure, but as the successful portable system that first brought stereoscopic 3D gaming to the masses. In that universe, countless web sites are right now working on fond reminiscences of their favorite red-and-black entries in franchises like Metroid, Mega Man, Monkey Island and even others that don't start with M.
Unfortunately, we don't live in that universe. But we can get a brief glimpse into what it must be like via Pixel Joint's latest artwork challenge, which asked entrants to create game-ish scenes using the Virtual Boy's limited palette and resolution. The 16 entries run the gamut from bland to brilliant, but our absolute favorite just might be this animated Aliens 3D re-imagining that actually shows up in stereoscopic 3D if you cross your eyes just right. Makes you wish the system had held out just a bit longer, doesn't it?
Bonk! A little technical issue stirred the masses on Steam this weekend.
The anti-cheating bot that safeguards the site mistakenly blocked thousands of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 players, leading to tons of confusion, some excellent PR wizardry, and a whole boatload of free games.
Soon after the complaints starting flooding into the Valve HQ, the president of the company, Gabe Newell, issued a formal apology and conciliatory gesture.
Free Left 4 Dead 2 for everyone that got banned who doesn't already have it! And one to gift to a friend!
Ludicrous, if you ask me. Ludicrous only because I don't play much on my Steam account, let alone any Call of Duty on there, so I am sans free game.
Follow the link for the public letter from Newell, who has been exalted to a God-like status with how he handled the situation. There's information if it happened to you, with links and instructions on how to access your free game.
And here's to a future Valve/Steam screw-up on a game that I actually play on Steam!
As if you needed any incentive to buy the game, right?
If you happen to own a computer with internet hook-up, which obviously you do, you know that StarCraft II drops today, after a full decade of delays, scraps, and starts-from scratch.
Blizzard's StarCraft II will be available for purchase at your local Kmart, and I suggest you take a peak at the offer they have.
Buy the game this week, get $20 credit. Take that credit, put it towards another game at Kmart.
Sounds easy enough. If I knew where a Kmart was in my area, I would buy it there -- and put the $20 toward the next entry in the StarCraft 2 campaign. Genius, right? The offer is good through Friday.
Since there is literally nothing to show you about StarCraft 2 that you haven't already seen, I'll give you my favorite trailer.
As a regular user of Netflix on my Xbox 360, I am constantly bewildered by the un-searchability of the interface.
I'm sure every other console Netflixer feels the same way. The recommendations can be pretty good, but looking for a specific movie is inconvenient, if not impossible.
But times they are a-changing. The PlayStayion 3 is getting a patch that will add a search function to the program. You'll still need the Netflix disc, but the full library will be available, searchable in alphabetical order. The update is available for Sony's console today.
Sometimes the world of web-based casual games can seem downright depressing. For every truly original, well-made game there are at least a hundred others that are just horrible Mario clones, horrible Bejeweled clones, horrible Farmville clones or... basically clones of any game that has been proven successful.
So we were very happy to stumble across KB's Game Toilet, a collection of over 100 amazingly twisted Flash game ideas. From lavatory-management sim Piss Palace to livestock-barcode scanner Code Z to the adventures of a hermaphroditic space worm, the last thing you could call these games is derivative. And the first thing you could call them might not be suitable for mixed company.
The only problem with the site is that all these games are just ideas and not fully playable games; the author says he's too busy "making delicious SANDWICHES" to actually bring his ideas to life. That said, we're sure there are hundreds of aspiring web developers out there looking for inspiration. Well, you've found it. Now get to work!
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Jul 26, 2010
The fan-favorite Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike is getting the online treatment. Although not much else is known about the project, it's exciting news for fighting game fans. This news, which was announced at Comic Con, coincides with other fighting game announcements like the previously-reported Street Fighter X Tekken and the addition of six new playable-characters in Marvel Vs. Capcom 3.
Kotaku reports that Capcom's Producer Yoshinori Ono stated "We're just starting to work on it," and that "It won't be out in the immediate future."
After seeing Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix and Marvel Vs. Capcom 2's online face-lift on XBLA and PSN last year, it's safe to say that the update will be worth the wait.
It's finally happened: A new game is coming to Wii that lets you rub sexy ladies. That's right, it's a massage game, and it's coming August 9 from developer Microforum Ltd.
The WiiWare downloadable Enjoy Your Massage might sound like a sexy adventure at first, but once you see it in action, you realize that it's a tame, all-ages title that prepares you for life in the service industry. You could replace the naked backs of women in this game with bread dough and it would play exactly the same. Somehow, we don't think we'll ever see Enjoy Making Bread, though.
Doesn't sound very exciting, does it? And yet, you still want to watch the trailer, don't you? We thought so. That's why you can see it below.
Comic Book publisher Top Cow has confirmed that its book The Darkness is returning to gaming
The first game based on the comic book The Darkness was an interesting shooter, but far from perfect. Created by Chronicles of Riddick developers Starbreeze, The Darkness featured a strong story and some cool powers, but other elements of the game were a little shaky. Still, there's a lot of promise in the series, so we're excited to hear that comic book publisher Top Cow has officially announced The Darkness 2.
Starbreeze is not working on the sequel and no developer has been announced. However, Dark Sector developer is rumored to be working on the project.
Check out some footage of the first game below and see if you'd like to check out a sequel. Thanks to Superannuation via ScrawlFX for the rumor tip.
Man, watching videos on Youtube is soooo boring. Wouldn't you rather be playing a game? Wait a minute... why not do both at the same time!
The internet was ablaze this weekend with word of a Youtube Easter Egg that lets you play a simple version of the classic game Snake over top of the site's videos. It's not even tough to activate -- just load up any (non-embedded) Youtube video that uses the "new" style player (the one where the progress bar expands when you hover over the video), press play, then hold the left key on your keyboard for a second or two.
Voila: The video will rewind a bit then resume playing with a controllable line of translucent grey dots (your snake) slithering over the top. While the game doesn't keep score, your snake does get longer (and harder to avoid running into) as you eat more and more dots. One note: The game is kind of hard to see, so you should pick a video with a dark background (like this one)
Is it just us, or is anyone else having flashbacks to those great gaming Easter Eggs that they used to hide in Microsoft Office back in the day?
The revived sequel looks like its coming to more than just Wii
An ESRB listing for an upcoming game isn't necessarily a 100% confirmation of it's existence. However, these leaks from the video games ratings board have spoiled the announcements of upcoming game, oh, about ten thousand times. So even though we can't say this is definitive proof, it looks like NBA Jam is coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The revived franchise was announced for Wii last month at E3 - after similar rumors announced that version. Since the original NBA Jam is such a well-liked franchise and nothing about the update screams "Wii exclusive," we're counting this rumor as very, very likely true.
Check out the footage of the Wii version of NBA Jam below and tell me if you couldn't see playing this on your PS3.
In an unleashing of the proverbial Kraken, Street Fighter X Tekken was announced over the weekend at Comic-Con.
The two biggest fighting franchises of all time will be stepping in the ring together -- in one corner, Capcom. In the other, Namco.
There have been rumors circulating for a little while that there would be something like this coming out, though this announcement isn't exactly what everyone expected.
It will be exclusively Street Fighter characters fighting exclusively Tekken characters. The speculation was that the two companies would be coming together to make a fighting game that spans both developers' catalogs. So you were half-right, all you guessers.
In an even more awesome bit of news, it isn't just one game that's coming out. To appease both rabid fan bases equally, there will be a Street Fighter X Tekken game that fights like a Street Fighter game, and one that fights like a Tekken game, aptly named Tekken X Street Fighter.
I've always loved both franchises, so I'm torn.
Oh, and I have videos for you. An announcement trailer and some gameplay. And since you probably weren't there, you missed them. Well, catch up after the jump.
But no one else does. The news is that he has news. That's how big a badass the guy is.
It has been three years since we've heard anything about a new game under development, and believe me, our ears have been wide open. BioShock was the last we heard from him -- a hell of an act to follow.
Irrational Games, the developer under Levine's command, sent out a 'save-the-date' to media outlets for August 11 in New York City. No more information than that -- simply a date and a massive city.
I'm about 99% sure it is to announce the next title. Why else would a developer that has been quiet for so long come out with something so dramatic?
Also, Irrational has asked fans to call a phone number and leave a message with a guess as to what the next title will be. And it won't be a sequel.
So sadly, I doubt it'll be BioShock 3 -- not because I think there needs to be another sequel, but because Levine might be the only guy in the world that could do it right.
When the news hits August 11, we will be rapidly typing away at our computers to bring it to you.
Now how about a video, huh? Here's a great little look at Rapture that got me amped for whatever comes next.
Last week, we had the brilliant Limbo. That was the biggest small game of the year.
This week, we have the biggest big one: StarCraft 2 is finally going to be released.
After a decade of waiting, the time is finally here. Blizzard's hugely anticipated title will be dropping in just hours. South Korea will be shutting down for the next six months. Maybe longer.
But that isn't all we have on deck for this week's releases. There's also Namco Bandai's Clash of the Titans and EA's Need for Speed World. And an Alan Wake DLC called The Signal will arrive Tuesday.
Hit the link for all the titles you can sink your teeth into this week.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Jul 23, 2010
Steve Taylor is the president of Ninja Bee. His company is a branch of Wahoo Studios, where they create products based on their own unique IPs.
Some of the games he has worked on include Kingdom of Keflings, Cloning Clyde, and Outpost Kaloki. At Seattle's Casual Connect, he hosted a lecture talking about what he learned working with Microsoft to get his games published on Xbox Live Arcade.
The first game he worked on for Live Arcade was Outpost Kaloki. The game was a Tycoon game set in the far reaches of space. Ninja Bee was initially turned down when they pitched the game to Microsoft. The company then started to redesign the game for PCs when Microsoft changed their minds and wanted Kaloki as one of the first games on XBLA. Outpost Kaloki went into its second redesign. "Everything was retouched for the 360," Taylor Says.
Green Lantern game will arrive alongside next summer's movie
After decades of comics, Green Lantern is finally getting a movie.
That means Green Lantern is also getting a game.
Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters was announced today at Comic Con and is scheduled to release alongside the movie next summer.
Not much is known about the game right now, other than that it's being developed by Double Helix (who created Silent Hill: Homecoming, as well as one of the worst things I've ever played, G.I. JOE: Rise of Cobra). It looks like Griptonite Games is also working on a version of the game, which is coming to pretty much every gaming console there is.
The upcoming movie is (naturally) an origin story, and the game's subtitle suggests that the game is a prequel (The Manhunters proceeded the Green Lantern Corp in comic book lore). However, actor Ryan Reynolds will almost certainly lend his voice and likeness to the game, so chances are that the continuity of the game and movie will be very, very different than the comic.
Since I've got no other game info for you, why not check out this swanky piece of art from current Green Lantern artist (and fellow Minnesotan) Doug Mahnke?
Like all big upcoming games, Halo: Reach is at Comic Con this weekend, and Bungie's showing off some pretty cool new stuff.
The Firefight mode from ODST is returning, but with some big new options, such as Versus Firefight. In this variant, a pair of two-man teams work cooperatively with their partner while simultaneously competing against the other team.
But even bigger changes are in store for Reach's version of Halo 3's Forge. Now called Forge World, the level editor is bigger and more versatile than ever before. Rather than try to explain all the new features, I'll simply direct you to the video below, which lays it all out.
Halo fans will obviously be excited. But like I said, this post is for the haters. I challenge you to watch the video below with an open mind. You may not like the franchise for whatever reason, but I think you'll find it impossible not to be impressed by what Bungie is doing with their final Halo game.
Sega is at it again. They're expanding their classic re-release set-list to include about a dozen more games.
Sega Genesis games went live online for PC almost two months ago, and they've become quite a success.
Selling at around three bucks a pop, elderly gamers can rekindle their love for the games, while the younger generation can see what they missed.
I'm kind of in between -- some I remember vividly, others I didn't really know existed.
They will be available on Steam, GameStreamer, and other digital distribution sources after this weekend. But if you want to hop on them now, just go to sega.com.
What's that? You love spending money frivolously? Me too. We're gamers. It's what we do best.
So, in the continuing assault on our wallets, Microsoft has revealed the new Halo: Reach Bundle. It costs $399 and comes out September 14 -- the release date of the game.
What do you get for this hefty sum? Well, there are two controllers -- which is perfect for all the Halo multiplaying you'll be doing. In addition to that, you get the latest Xbox 360 Slim. Oh, and a copy of the game.
In pieces, this would cost just over $400, so you don't save much. The real big deal of it is the UNSC-emblazoned silver casing that houses the sacred machine. And it makes specialized sounds.
There is a distinctive Halo noise that plays when the system is booted-up. And a 'shield recharge' sound emits when the disc drive kicks out. That's cool and all, but how about turning the focus on the nigh-100% failure rate of the consoles? Fixing that would practically force the money from my wallet into Microsoft's hands.
After a decade-long wait, Starcraft II is almost here! The hugely anticipated sequel arrives next Tuesday, and to get you pumped up for the release, Blizzard has released one last trailer that focuses on some of the story elements you can expect to see.
As if you needed more reasons to be excited.
Whether you're planning on picking the game up right away or not, you should give the trailer a look. After all, it's pretty badass. And you like things that are badass, right?
In what has to be considered a completely unsurprising bit of news, Sega used the start of Comic Con to announce a video game based on the upcoming Thor movie.
There is very little information on the game so far, other than that it will be released next summer alongside the movie, and it will be available for pretty much much every platform you can think of. We've contacted Sega to see if we can at least find out who is developing the damn thing.
Acclaimed comic book writer Matt Fraction is consulting on the story for the game, which seems like good news on paper. Then again, he also consulted on the last Iron Man game, and we all know how that turned out.
Once again, there's not much else to say here, so we've got some video of a Thor movie prop at Comic Con below. At least this video is related, unlike the last one!
The PS3 Netflix discs are soon to be a thing of the past.
"Before our next call in October, we expect to be launching a major new version of our Sony PS3 user interface which doesn't require a disc, and is dynamically updated continuously with the latest Netflix UI improvements."
That's the word from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, delivering the news that watching Netflix on your PS3 will get simpler and better in the next few months. Sure, the fact that Netflix currently requires a streaming disc on the PS3 (and Wii) isn't a huge deal, but we Americans hate minor inconveniences, so I'm sure no one will be sad to see the PS3 streaming discs go.
That's really all there is to this story, but we don't want this post to be a waste of your time, so we've embedded a video of a pug singing the 1960s Batman TV show theme song below. Enjoy!
Front Mission Evolved is Evolving to a later date, haha!
Mech games aren't saturating the market like they used to. Realistic shooters have taken over that role.
But Front Mission Evolved is dropping, and it shows some promise. It has fantastic graphics, mayhem, and an ever-distant release date. Sounds like the makings of a great game to me!
After the initial release date bump, Square Enix has delayed the launch once again. Instead of arriving in the middle of September, you will see this game on store shelves on September 28th, 2010.
No reason has been given for the change, but the wait shouldn't kill you. Especially considering what developer Double Helix has done with the time.
Two new mechs will appear in the game. There is the Rexon, a sniping-type, and the Calm. Both are available to those who pre-order the game at GameStop, Amazon, or Best Buy. So if you haven't done it yet, you have two extra weeks to figure it out!
I have prepared a trailer for you. I hope you enjoy it. Click the link.
Company of Heroes Online is a a hot plate of freeness. The beta's free, registration to the Company of Heroes website to get the beta is free, and the game itself is free.
So to make sure this free thing is the best it can be, it is imperative that you get the beta and give THQ feedback, if you intend to play the full thing.
Registration is fairly painless -- just be sure to that you click the buttons to receive emails and offers -- that's how the beta key will find its way into your inbox.
The first round of beta keys will be very limited so you may have to wait. But there will be plenty to go around once it gets going. Company of Heroes has been out for a while now, so this beta is just to test and showcase some new features that will be included in the online multiplayer arenas.
Borderlands is one of the best new franchises in the last few years, and we're thrilled with how much support Gearbox and 2K Games have given it since its release. We're even more thrilled that all three DLC packs are going to be on sale next week on Xbox Live Marketplace, because just because we love the game doesn't mean we aren't cheap.
According to Major Nelson, all three DLC packs will be on sale next week for a totally reasonable $5 a pop. The week after that, a bunch of cars for Forza 3 are getting temporary price drops. Deals abound!
Of course, there's plenty of other content being added to the Xbox Live Marketplace over the next few weeks. Hit the break for a rundown.
Gears of War 3: Your purchases decide whether the rookie lives or dies
The first two Gears of War games both featured a rookie with the last name of Carmine. Both unfortunately suffered terrible fates. Well, it turns out that there's a third Carmine brother. But this time, his fate is up to you.
Starting July 29th, two new shirts will be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. One reads "Save Carmine", while the other says "Carmine Must Die". Whichever shirt sells more will decide the fate of the character.
If you're at Comic-Con this week, you can even buy real Pro-Carmine or Anti-Carmine shirts, and the sales of the physical shirts also count towards the rookie's fate. All proceeds generated by the contest go to Child's Play, one of the most worthy gaming-based charities around.
More information about the Gears-related Comic-Con events and Child's Play below.
Over at Kotaku, a reader sent in a tip about Geek Chic Cosmetics, a new line of makeup specifically aimed at gamer girls.
Geek Chic offers up several lines of cosmetics based on popular gaming franchises like Mario, Zelda and Portal.
We're going to have to assume that their use of these symbols and characters is totally unauthorized, so if you're interested in grabbing some Mushroom Kingdom-inspired eye shadow, you may want to move fast.
Colors include "Green 'Stache", "Its-a Me", "Princess in Distress" and more. Prices range from $5 to $15 bucks, and you can see some of the available products below.
Phoenix Wright for iPhone has experienced The Cheapening!
In honor of Comic-Con, Capcom is slashing the prices on their iPhone/iPod/iPad games.
This is a limited time offer, but the only game with an explicitly stated expiration date is the Apple version of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, which goes back up to normal price on the 25th. Check out the rest of the price cuts below. There are plenty of good titles on sale, and some not so good ones. Specifically the bottom two on the list.
Speaking of Comic-Con, the JD crew is unfortunately sitting this year out. If you're going and you see something cool we need to cover, send your news to joystickdivision@gmail.com!
Medal of Honor: Where beards and hipster scarves unite!
Man, Xbox 360 users almost never get screwed over, it seems. Well, outside of the infamous Red Ring of Death.
The Medal of Honor beta has been live for weeks now for PS3 and PC owners, but the multiplayer arena has remained fugitive for the poor, sad 360 owners.
But worry not gamers. The wait is finally up. The beta hath gone live.
And though EA promised an extension for those without, it may not be necessary -- the beta is sticking around until July 31. That's a week and a half of realistic shooter headshots and fragging.
If you don't have a beta code, you can get them at the Medal of Honor beta page of the EA site. If you fill out some stuff, you can get a sweet XBLA voucher. I'm going to try and get one. They'll be shipping out quick, and its first come, first serve.
You aren't interested? Well, have you seen this? Press link.
Alice in Wonderland retellings need to be nightmarish mindfucks to be worth anything nowadays. If they aren't, it's likely they don't bring anything new to the table.
American McGee's Alice proved to be a startling entry aesthetically, but the story didn't have the twists and weirdness that are necessary for making an Alice game worth its salt.
The sequel, which was just announced, looks like it has the premise to blow the first one out of the water. Dealing with flashbacks and twisted surreality, there's a lot of promise in the little information we've seen.
It takes place 11 years after Alice's return from Wonderland, and her mind has been corrupted and corroded by the evils of the fairytale land. She has finally been released from an asylum; deemed as healed, even though hallucinations and visions still wrack her brain and she is struggling to cope.
Awesome, right?
It looks perverted. It looks scary. Alice looks kinda hot. My kind of story. Hit the link for an information-less video. And some screens.
Clear your calendars for the end of February. Deus Ex: Human Revolution has a possible release date.
Steam has just begun accepting pre-orders for the game, with February 28, 2011 being the tentative release date. Not exactly definitive evidence, but there's no big leap of logic, either.
No word from Square Enix on this one, but it fits the time frame. Amazon and GameStop have the game's release for February 2011, whereas other online retailers are saying early 2011.
But a video game release on a Monday? Who knows.
As soon as the confirmation is out, we'll be sure to post it.
If you haven't seen the remarkably hardass trailer, I implore you to click this link -- if you're like me, you'll love it.
Fight Night Champion steps into the ring next year
Other than James Hawkins, most of the JD crew are indoor kids with little use for sports or sports games. I definitely consider myself part of that non-sports camp (I went to a Twins game this year, the first time I'd watched baseball since 1987), but there's one exception to that rule: Boxing. I love boxing, and honestly I came to love it because of the Fight Night games.
The Fight Night series is inarguably the best boxing series of all time, although I'd argue that the last game in the series, Fight Night Round 4, was a bit of a misstep. While the first three games focused on easily understandable analog controls, the fourth game was a little too realistic and complex for more casual gamers.
That's why I'm so excited for Fight Night Champion. The next game will reportedly return the series to its more accessible roots.
High-end PC graphics cards can lead to reduced radiation for cancer patients
he debate about the merits or issues video games may cause your health is ongoing, but apparently a piece of video game hardware has definite health benefits.
According to a report on Tech News Daily, a new study has shown that high-end PC graphics cards can be used to lower the amount of X-Rays cancer patients are exposed to during radiation treatment, lessening the damage caused to healthy tissue.
It's all tied to a treatment technique called image-guided radiation therapy, or IGRT. IGRT locates cancerous cells in the body by performing computer tomography, or CT. That's where graphics cards come in.
The Kinect gets priced and bundled up all snug with a console.
Confirming what we pretty much already knew, Microsoft has officially priced the Kinect camera accessory at $150.
The bundle will include the camera and a copy of Kinect Adventures, the Wii Sports-esque compilation title from Microsoft's Good Science Studio.
In addition to the Kinect pricing, Microsoft also announced a new console bundle which features the Kinect, the game, and a new version of the updated Xbox 360 console. This console features 4GB of internal memory and is the new replacement for the 360's baseline unit, the Arcade. The bundle will retail for $300.
There's more about the new console and game pricing, so read on.
It used to be that pre-ordering a game would get you the same bonus no matter which retailer you ordered it from, but those days are long gone. Now every merchant is offering up their own pre-order incentives, and Harmonix's Rock Band 3 is no different. But in this case, there's a clear winner in the pre-order battle: GameStop.
The game retailer is offering up three free songs for download (good ones, too), while pre-ordering from Amazon gets you an in-game guitar. Pick the game up from Wal-Mart and you'll get a $10 gift card. Useful, but not exciting.
But perhaps you'd rather have that than three additional tracks. We've got the complete details of all three offers below, so you can decide for yourself.
If you've ever talked to me about video games, you know that I will unabashedly plug Deadly Premonition every chance I get. So rather than talk about my undying love for the game, I have some excellent news about its publisher, Ignition Entertainment.
And there has been a restructuring at Ignition HQ, and it looks like the company will be focusing exclusively on digital entertainment.
Rather than go for boxed games that can suffer quietly on store shelves, Ignition will be working on publishing downloadable games. El Shaddai, which is slated for release in 2011, will be among the last games released by Ignition Entertainment on a disc.
They will also be operating under a new name. The Ignition parent company, UTV Group, has decided to stick their name in there. The company will now be called UTV Ignition Entertainment. Clever, huh?
It is your job to make sure this GameStop is empty by August 8
All of us at Joystick Division want our dear readers to be happy. And what makes gamers happier than a big-ass sale?!
Nothing in the world. We, of course, have nothing to sell you, but we do have information for you about some grand hook-ups at GameStop.
The sale features some big name games, new and used -- many of which are on discount for around half off. The sale, inexplicably called The Power Saver, will be going on until August 8th, both in-store and online.
There is a fear among online console gamers that they are going to have to start subscribing to their favorite games to play them.
Blizzard's World of Warcraft has done it since its inception and millions are playing it each month. EA Sports has made a change recently that allows only one player per account to game online, to the chagrin of fans all over.
There just isn't a lot of confidence in the video game community that the developers and publishers won't take money when and where they can. And most obviously, money can be made in the multiplayer arenas, particularly in the first-person shooter genre. Millions of players still log into Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 every day, and they only had to pay for it once.
And it looks like things are going to stay that way -- at least for now. For the Call of Duty games, anyway.
Centipede? Star Raiders? Can someone please remake BattleZone?
Reports have been surfacing recently about some hot remakes, namely Centipede and Star Raiders.
These two Atari classics are getting some attention now that Atari has given the go-ahead to refurbish Haunted House.
The gaming world is flush with retro-redux makeovers, so the rumor isn't surprising, but at this stage, it is still just a rumor.
GameFly, the popular Netflix of video games, has entries for these two titles added to their line-up. As many GameFly users know, the rental company only deals with discs -- not downloadables.
Everyone's favorite PopCap tower defense game is on its way to Xbox Live Arcade in early September. It'll cost about $15 (or 1200 MS points). Shortly after that, the game will hit retail shelves with even more goodies for $20. You pay for what you get.
Yeah. it seems a little pricey for a game that went hot about six months ago, but there's a ton of new features to play around with.
If you haven't played it, it is fairly simple: zombies are attacking your house, and you employ plants to hold them off. If there's ever a zombie apocalypse, you'll know exactly what to do.
Like any game show, Xbox Live's 1 vs. 100 had a live host. And like the rest of us, its host Chris Cashman learned about the cancellation of Season 3 via press release.
You may think that such an impersonal move would make Cashman bitter about the end of his show, but in a brief interview with Giant Bomb, he seems to take the whole thing in stride. While he calls the death of 1 vs. 100 a "bummer,", he also says "I certainly hope to get a chance to play with Xbox again, but I have no idea what its up to next."
Click the link to read Giant Bomb's post about its talk with Cashman, or head below the jump to see the video goodbye he recorded for fans of the game show.
The NPD numbers for June are out, and overall the bean-counters in the video game industry are sad. Total sales in June of 2010 is down from the year ago, with revenues dipping $1.17 billion to $1.10 billion. Must be rough.
However, there was a small flicker of hope amongst all the sagging sales figures: the Xbox 360. Bolstered by the launch of the newly redesigned console, sales of the Xbox 360 shot up by 88% percent over June 2009. For the first time in months, the Xbox 360 beat the mighty Wii as the number one console of the month.
Of course, even the redesign couldn't help the 360 top the juggernaut that is the Nintendo DS, which remained the top selling piece of hardware.
It probably won't come as a surprise that the middle of summer is a slow time for games. But although there isn't a lot on tap for new releases, there are a couple of titles that are worth paying attention to.
Tuesday's big release is Trackmania for Wii. This racing franchise has been a pretty big hit on the PC, largely because it's basically Hot Wheels the game. Impossible jumps, huge loops and ridiculous stunts are what it's all about.
Wednesday sees the release of Limbo, the gorgeous black and white side-scrolling platformer that's kicking off the summer's big Xbox Live Arcade offerings. We're definitely excited about that one. Check out the rest of the list below.
Dragon Age fans, there is a mammoth patch coming your way today that will clean the game up like Clearasil on a 13-year old nerd's face.
Seriously, the list of improvements is about as long as War and Peace. But that's the beauty of the technology nowadays -- developers will fix what they botched in development, assuaging the collective rage over buggy, glitchy games.
It will release for PC gamers first, but PS3 and Xbox 360 owners will receive the patch once it clears certification.
The list is after the link. If you found a problem, it'll probably be on there.
Valve has a sweet little goodie for the PC community. And it's arriving today.
Alien Swarm, a squad-based shooter, has been released on Steam today -- completely free of charge. The game supports both single player and multiplayer, with up to four players playing at once.
There are four classes and eight skins to choose from, as well as a slew of unique guns and items that are best utilized in the annihilation of aliens. In the fashion of most of today's games, there is a persistent character evolution system, which rewards players as they gain experience and level up.
It's an isometric third-person shooter -- like a close bird's eye view in full 3D (not that kind) -- where characters work together to blow up enemy aliens in a variety of different settings -- an ice level, lava mines, space station, you name it.
Really, it looks incredibly awesome. Hit the link for some more info and a badass video!
Download-only shooters are slowly becoming a new fad. And now, they are releasing slowly-er than ever before.
Breach is getting nudged back from this summer to January 2011. Atomic Games, who are still tripping and stumbling to get Six Days in Fallujah out, know a thing or two about beshitted release dates. But they also know a lot about war games, so we'll try and forgive them.
The game is fully online, with only multiplayer gametypes. In the meantime, while everyone is awaiting the release date, the devs are putting together a hardcore mode based on a game mode of the same name from other shooters.
The reasoning behind the delay is that XBLA's release schedule is overbooked for this summer. The games typically release on Wednesdays, and there isn't a free Wednesday for Breach. Sad, I know.
But what's really happy is this in-depth preview video of it I have for you. It's full of explosions, nice scenery, and a guy who thinks he's super tight. Click the link.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jul 16, 2010
The Medal of Honor multiplayer beta has been making its rounds for the better part of a month now. Playstation codes were given out, and Xbox codes were given out later; but what about the poor PC gamer who wants to check out DICE's latest multiplayer adventure?
Now, people who purchased Bad Company 2 on Steam have access to Medal of Honor's multiplayer beta.
Medal of Honor's single player is being developed by EA LA. Not much have been seen of their ventures. DICE is working on the multiplayer component. They are the company behind the successful Battlefield series as well as Mirror's Edge; a personal favorite. The multiplayer in Medal of Honor is allegedly very similar to Bad Company 2's, just with a slight Call of Duty twist. Enjoy the trailer after the jump.
Mega Man Universe: It's a game, but that's about all we can say so far.
Mega Man fans should be thrilled to hear that Capcom has announced a new Mega Man game, but they'd probably be a little more thrilled if we had any idea what it was.
Mega Man Universe is coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, but that's all we really know for sure. Based on the trailer (which you can see below), it looks like the game will star characters from other popular Capcom franchises, such as Street Fighter and Ghosts n' Goblins.
"This game will break the mold and challenge the conventional wisdom of what a Mega Man game can be," producer Keiji Inafune said in the announcement. "When fans finally get to see it, I believe they'll envision their most far-out Mega Man dreams coming true."
We've had some pretty weird dreams about Mega Man, so I guess we'll see.
James Bond: Super spy, super driver, spotty video game star
Spies are supposed to be good at keeping secrets, but the Internet discovered the existence of James Bond 007: Blood Stone a long, long, long, long, long time ago.
Developed by the racing experts at Bizarre Creations, Blood Stone will feature a mix of driving sections with third-person shooting and melee combat.
While Bizarre is best known as a racing game developer, they do have a bit of experience in the shooter genre - they released The Club, which unfortunately wasn't very good. But hey, at least this isn't their first time at bat.
Blood Stone will also feature the voices and likenesses of Bond stars Daniel Craig and Judi Dench. The financial problems of movie studio MGM have effectively killed any more Bond films for the time being, so they're probably happy for the work.
The Penny Arcade Expo has revealed its selection for the best indie games of the year. The Pax 10, as they're called, will be showcased at the PAX Prime event in Seattle, and each developer will get free floor space to flaunt their product.
The free floor space incentive is a testament to how awesome the Penny Arcade folks are. The convention is not targeted toward the media in the same way the Electronic Entertainment Expo is -- the focus is on the people that play the games. It is still a media circus, but their hearts are in the right place.
For a full list of the awesomely cheap indie games, press the link! This year's is the strongest ever!
For about a decade, Oddworld Inhabitants was putting out some of the goofiest and most fascinating titles around. Then, after the Oddworld Pentalogy came out, they abruptly stopped. For five long years.
Well good news, fans. The folks at Oddworld Inhabitants are not just working on a single new Oddworld title. They are working on a bunch of them. With all your favorite characters included.
News came from the Just Add Water blog. Just Add Water, or JAW, is a video game development company that has teamed up with Oddworld Inhabitants and seems to have resurrected the whole brand.
Follow the blog for Just Add Water if you want to keep up to date on these things.
I don't know about y'all, but the Oddworld games were some of my favorites. I've provided an educational video for you people that haven't played it. I think it pretty much sums it all up in under 30 seconds. Hit link.
In November, Microsoft will be launching the Xbox Live family plan. For $100 a year, a household can have four separate XBL gold accounts -- all with parental controls so parents can monitor what they're kids are playing.
Hopefully your parents' rules aren't too draconian, or you'll be banished to years of Viva Pinata and Thrillville: Off the Rails, never able to venture into the realm of zombie massacres and f-bombs again.
Along with the launch, it looks like there will be a revamped dashboards. No confirmation yet, but Microsoft has only just released the photos.
If you ask me, it looks like even the hardcore gamer console of choice is moving towards the quirky, pastel painted, family-oriented layout of the Nintendo Wii.
Will you still feel like a badass with those little avatars sashaying all over the place as you load up the latest M-rated game?
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jul 15, 2010
This Double Fine mascot will be on the cover of four new games.
Double fine, the company behind the comically enjoyable Psychonauts and Brutal Legend are allegedly working on four small-scale video games. Tim Schafer spoke during the keynote at Develop Conference about who would be leading the productions on each team. Joystiq reports that the four leads are:
Lee Petty, Brutal Legend's art director. The game will be "sort of retro but also really new" according to Schafer
Nathan Marts, Brutal Legend's lead programmer. The game is allegedly "quite cutting edge"
Brad Muir, designer of a lot of the combat and multiplayer in Brutal Legend. This is supposedly "focuses on gameplay and mechanics"
Tasha Harris, Brutal Legend's lead animator. Harris also used to work as the senior animator at Pixar. Not much is known about her game.
Due to the smaller scale of these games, it can be assumed that they won't take as long as Brutal Legend to be released. Some of these games will be coming out via download and others will be released at retail.
Red Dead Redemptions: Employees walk out into the sunset
Despite sales in excess of 1.5 million units and amazing critical reviews, Red Dead Redemption's developer has been hit with layoffs.
Rockstar San Diego has cut about 40 positions, which given the rumored size of the development team is probably a pretty small percentage. There's no word what types of positions were cut.
We've had a lot to say about RDR since it was released (find out where it falls on our list of the best games of the year so far in the list below) and we're sorry to hear this news.
We've got the statement from studio manager Steve Martin below. We remember him being funnier.
The Battle for Hoth: Because you're a nerd and a sucker.
We're not sure how we missed this for so long. THQ Wireless released a new Star Wars game for iPhone/iPod/iEtc a few days ago, but we just heard about it now. While is like million years late in Internet time.
Anyway, Star Wars: Battle for Hoth is available now, and it's a simple, brilliant idea - a tower defense game set on Hoth (duh). Tower Defense games may be a dime a dozen on the iPhone, but this is the only one that lets you fight AT-ATs. So yeah, we're sold.
Check out the game page here, or head on below for some screenshots.
Wall Street Whitman: The Game makes an issue of all the people Meg Whitman has fired.
If you follow politics at all, you know that the upcoming elections this year are going to be ugly. If you haven't seen any attack ads yet, you will. But this is the first political attack video game we've seen so far this election season.
In "Wall Street Whitman" you play as California Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman. If you're not aware, Whitman comes from a business background, and in the game you fire pink slips at workers to fire them. At the end of each level, you're rewarded with stats on how many jobs Whitman actually cut at the various companies she's worked at over the years.
Obviously, this is a heavily partisan game, and we're not posting it to take political sides (we're headquartered in Minnesota and have no stake in California politics). We're posting it to illustrate the continued importance of video games - obviously "Wall Street Whitman's" creators at the California Labor Foundation think that interactive media is an effective way to get their message across.
According to a report by Kotaku this morning, Xbox Live's innovative online game show 1 vs.100 has been canceled.
After two seasons of live gameplay in which players answered trivia questions for a chance to win real prizes, Microsoft has confirmed that there will be no third season.
"When we started on this journey, we knew we were creating an entirely new genre of entertainment that would be a continually evolving concept," said Dave McCarthy, General Manager, Microsoft Game Studios. "We're very proud of the '1 vs 100' team and their accomplishments, and are excited to apply what we've learned to future programming."
Despite this year's dysfunctional E3 demonstration, The Skyward Sword is still captivating the masses.
And why shouldn't it? When was the last time you played a Legend of Zelda game that sucked? That's right, you haven't. Ever.
And as we grow more and more excited for the game, the question of the release date comes to mind.
Here's the good news. Eiji Aonuma, one of the game's producers, told Official Nintendo Magazine that the projected release date is 'early 2011'.
The bad news is that he doesn't go into any more detail than that. But it is coming relatively soon, folks. To release a game this big after premiering it only eight months before is pretty good. I just hope they wait until it's perfect to put it on shelves.
Have you seen the trailer for it? Because I have. Actually, I've played a full boss battle, and won. Jealous? You should be. But here's the trailer, to satiate your vicious appetites.
One of the first horror games ever is about to return after a long, long, looooong absence.
The Atari 2600 game Haunted House first appeared in 1981 and hasn't been heard from since.
Until now.
Haunted House has returned from beyond the grave to haunt the Wii, PC and Xbox Live Arcade. In an interesting twist, the updated game puts you in the role of the original protagonists' grandchildren, who revisit the same haunted house as their Grandpappy in an attempt to restore an ancient urn.
Check out a visual comparison of the two games below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Jul 14, 2010
Note: Fan games don't always look this good.
Kings Quest - the classic Sierra adventure game - has been on hiatus for roughly twelve years. Fortunately, a fan made sequel was released last Saturday. The Silver Lining: Episode One has been released for free and is available on the game's website.
The Silver Lining was released by the fan studio Phoenix Online. Production of this game has been hit for the last five years with cease-and-desist letters from the companies holding the King's Quest IP. Phoenix Online have had to deal with legal issues from both Vivendi and Activision to keep developing this game. In June, Activision allowed Phoenix Online to release the game episodically.
Phoenix Online will release the rest of The Silver Lining's episodes throughout the year. The game is set to finish the King's Quest story. Check out the trailer below.
Everything we see about DJ Hero 2 convinces us that it'll be a significant improvement over the original game.
The final list of artists in the game has arrived, and it's pretty impressive. Not only are there 108 different artists, but there's a much wider variety than in the first game.
Of course, how impressed we are with the final music in the game will depend on how the songs are mixed together, but with so many talented musicians included there are bound to be some real winners on the soundtrack.
Last we heard from David Cage, he was bummed because the PlayStation Move was killing the remaining Heavy Rain DLC. Well there's some good news finally, and it's something we all can be very happy about.
Quantic Dream, the developers of Heavy Rain, are now working on two new titles. There's no news as to what they are about, though there is a rumor out there that one of them is a science-fiction thriller -- a claim that has yet to be substantiated. In an interview with Examiner.com, Cage answered, at length, questions about the game and the future.
Regardless of what the next games have in store for us, Cage has some bold statements about both projects.
Big brand video games are often pushed back months or even years before they finally get a solid release date. We, as gamers, have gotten used to it.
But that isn't the case for the next Kane & Lynch game. Dog Days will be released a week ahead of the original launch date. You're welcome, fans.
The official release date for North America is August 17th, while Europe will be seeing it on August 20th. The date-switch is probably linked with the release of Mafia II -- another potential blockbuster slated for the same time-frame.
Even though the first Kane & Lynch was essentially ass, the sequel has a lot of promise. We're pretty excited for the multiplayer possibilities. After the video you are about to see, you will be too! Make the jump.
We've covered at lot of Halo: Reach on Joystick Division lately. Why? Because it looks to be one of the biggest Halo releases ever. Which is saying a whole lot.
A few months back, the contents of the Legendary Edition of the game were premiered to the public. That one is priced at a cool $150 -- and is full of a ton of goodies.
Now, I love Halo as much as the next fanboy, but that's a buttload of money to shell out for a game -- and whenever I spend extra on a certain special edition, most of the stuff usually ends up sitting on a shelf forever.
Well, the Halo: Reach Limited Edition has been revealed, and the $80 package looks like it has a decent list of extra goodies. And if you actually use the stuff you pay extra for, I think you'll like it quite a bit.
Now, it doesn't have a flaming helmet to download, but that's just life. Details after the jump.
Though it hasn't been confirmed yet, the Microsoft Kinect will probably cost $150. How did we figure that out, you ask?
Speculation based on simple mathematics is how. Wal-Mart has priced a Kinect bundle for $200. It will include a $30 gift card to Wal-Mart, and a Microsoft Kinect game for the Xbox 360.
This adds some credibility to the original rumored price of $150. That and the fact that Wal-Mart has the Kinect's standalone price at $149.54. That number will probably be the final price on release.
It is pretty neat that purchasers of the bundle get to choose whatever Kinect game they want, but the peripheral itself is going to cost two-thirds as much as the console itself -- a high pricetag considering the fairly limited setlist of games on the horizon.
But it does have some pretty fantastic technology, and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved was one of our favorites at E3 2010. To see how it works, I've provided an educational video after the link.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:30 PM Jul 13, 2010
The latest games in the Pokemon franchise will have exclusive video content for the Nintendo DSi and 3DS. This feature, as revealed in the latest CoroCoro magazine, will allow players to video chat with up to four friends locally or two friend via Wi-fi.
Also, CoroCoro talks about a new Tag Mode using the previously announced C-Gear (the C stands for connect). Tag mode is speculated to work similarly to the pass-by mode in Dragon Quest IX.
Pokemon Black and White will also feature exclusive cities. Black City will only be available to people playing Pokemon Black, and White City will only be available playing the White version.
The Nintendo 3DS premiered at this year's E3, stunning the video game world. While the other guys are fiddling with their 3D glasses, Nintendo is out creating a hand held system with glasses-less 3D technology. To a remarkable effect, I might add.
It will definitely be a hit on the small screen, but will it ever make the jump to televisions? How exactly do they do that? Will there be motion sensor technology?
In an interview with Wired.com, veteran producer Hideki Konno unveiled some of the technology behind the Nintendo 3DS, answering many pressing questions about the capabilities of the pocket console.
As a video game developer working for Nintendo since 1988, the dude knows his stuff. He started with Super Mario Bros. 2, helping develop seminal classics during the greatest generation of Nintendo games. The 3DS is the latest in his innovative achievements for the company.
It's summer time, so that means it's time for all kinds of crazy crap, such as competing in Red Bull's ridiculous flying machine contest, the Red Bull Flugtag.
A group of college students in the Miami area are about to give their local Flugtag event of video game awesomeness. Team Shell Shocked will take to the skies in a working glider inspired my the Mushroom Kingdom's iconic flying turtles, the Koopa Troopas.
We've got a picture of their actual ride below, as well as a link to the a profile on these nerds done good. You know what to do.
TwistDock: Proud sponsor of the non-stop gaming challenge
On Friday the 16th, six gamers will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for non-stop continuous gaming.
The current record stands at 40 hours.
The six gamers will attempt to play Red Dead Redemption straight through an entire weekend, both day and night, to complete the challenge. The winner will walk away with a new Guinness World Record and a prize of 1,000 Euros and a TwistDock docking station for PS3.
What's a TwistDock docking station, you ask? It's a stand for the PS3 that keeps controllers charged, hides cables, and adds additional USB ports. As you may have guessed, TwistDock is the official sponsor of this event. Each player will be keeping his PS3 controller charged over the duration of the event with the TwistDock.
Normally, we don't cover events designed to promote a particular piece of hardware such as these. But we do support the inclusion of gaming records into the Guinness Book, and hope that one or more of the players in the challenge can take home a new record. We could care less if they take home a new docking station or not. Plus, we're kind of jealous that they get to spend an entire weekend playing Red Dead.
Big changes are in store for Dragon Age II. Not only is the sequel getting an all-new visual style, it will be borrowing features from BioWare's other original RPG franchise, Mass Effect.
Like Mass Effect 2, Dragon Age II will allow you to import your save from the first game. Although you'll star as new protagonist Hawke in the second game, you can be sure that you'll be meeting some of the characters from the original game.
Secondly, the sequel will be incorporating Mass Effect's trademark dialog system, which allows you to quickly choose a mood for your response and listen to your character reply in that way. That's a major improvement from the fairly static and un-engaging dialog of the first game.
Finally, like Mass Effect, Dragon Age II will feature redesigned combat that's "optimized" for console play." Never fear, PC gamers. Your version will remain the same.
Madden '11 will be out in a little less than a month. It is one of the most hotly anticipated Madden titles in years, and will feature New Orleans Saints QB virtuoso Drew Brees on the cover.
So to get your appetites whet, EA has released the full achievement list. Besides the typical offensive and defensive feats, there are some difficult ones that will require a lot of attention and expertise.
So, it is imperative that you dust off your copy of Madden '10 right now and get practicing, because you're going to knock out some of these doozies.
Versus Mode will PIT you against your friends, get it.
A report coming from Official Nintendo Magazine UK has some potentially awesome news. Kid Icarus: Uprising, the launch title for the Nintendo 3DS, might just feature some online versus play.
The news from the UK comes from an interview with the head of Project Sora, who claims that some 'online capabilities are being tested', and that they are delving into the world of online versus mode. No official confirmation, yet. With the 3DS's beefy online capabilities, this is certainly the right move.
Nintendo looks to be going all-out with the release game. The winged boy named Pit has been on a twenty-year hiatus, and his return looks to be triumphant, though quite different.
What was originally a 2D platformer has been ramped up to a 3D fly-n-shoot action game. I guess that's what 23 years of advancing technology can do. Here's the trailer -- single player only, for now.
For a moment yesterday, the whole world held its collective breath. Across the internet, a rumor was quckly circulated that the voice actress that squeaked as Pikachu, Ikue Otani, had died suddenly in her sleep.
But before you go outside and start lowering your flags to half-mast, or strap that black band to your arm, there's good news. The rumor isn't true. She's alive and well and still capable of making Pikachu sing.
A spokesperson from her agency, called Mausu Promotion, said that the rumors were totally untrue and that she is doing fine. No information on why this rumor was started is available.
Otani's resume is denser than just a little shrill Pokemon. She's also done work for Kingdom Hearts and Shinmue II, to name just a couple.
I know this isn't the biggest news item of the year, but I am using it as an excuse to show you one of the most disturbing videos I've ever seen. Otami in action after the link. (Not that kind of action.)
This year's EVO Championship Series was the biggest of all time. Over 3,000 fighter enthusiasts signed up to participate, and there was a ton of press coverage. The tournament featured a half-dozen or so games, including Super Street Fighter 4, which headlined.
Now that it's over, the world champion of the main event has been crowned.
Daigo Umehara won the EVO 2009 Super Street Fighter 4 championship, and repeated that feat again this year. He is, hands down, the best Super Street Fighter 4 player in the whole world.
If you want to see how the best of the best plays, I have a video for you. This is the grand final, pitting the two best in the world against one another. Warning: Video contains severe ass pummeling.
I guess I shouldn't be overly surprised that Dragon Quest IX is sitting in the mid-eighties over at metecritic. It's true that the Famitsu review was glowing, but it was after all a Japanese review of a Japanese-style RPG. However, considering that American gamers in general have grown tired of the J-RPG formula, I suppose a mid-eighties average is pretty damn good. I know I won't hesitate to pick it up -- those slimes are just too damn cute to pass up.
Check after the break for a full list of this week's new releases.
Super Mario Crossover was a great idea, I'll admit it. You got to play as different characters in a Mario flash game. Yes, that's great.
But who gets to decide which character is worthy? Why should one character earn the honor and another be sidelined?
There were a lot of characters that got left out, and that rightly deserve their time to shine. Here is a little video that resurrects some video game legends, showcasing their skills in the wonderful land of Super Mario.
Over the years, Sam Fisher has had many cool toys. Now he is one.
Based on the strangely de-aged Sam from the latest game Splinter Cell: Conviction, Ubisoft's master spy is coming to store shelves in October, courtesy of video game toy experts NECA.
The figure will come with several weapons from the game, a removable flak jacket and, of course, the latest version of his trademark goggles.
If you're as crafty as Sam, you might notice an early version of said goggles somewhere on this page.
Obviously, the head sculpt at right isn't final, but the master craftsmen at NECA are closing in on a final look for the figure. Surprise! We've got a pic of the full figure below. All you gotta do is click the link.
But be warned: This blog post will self-destruct in five minutes.
Recently, Bungie published a few of the Halo: Reach achievements on their 'weekly updates' page. The samples they provided aren't anything you wouldn't expect, but the info-leak marketing campaign sure has peaked our interest.
In addition to the achievements, Bungie has detailed a breakdown of how the achievements will be dispersed -- how many for campaign, for multiplayer, for whatever.
Expect this to be the first of many achievement announcements in the near future. But for now, I have the information, and you will too if you follow the link!
Valve has all the right ideas. The Week 12 Mutation of Left 4 Dead 2 will feature an arsenal of swords only.
It will also go by the ingenious moniker 'Four Swordsman of the Apocalypse'.
This looks to be one of the best Mutations yet -- you and your still-living homies will fight 'near continuous streams' of special Infected. Horde with a sword? Good lord! I'll take it.
If you aren't hip to what a Mutation is, I'll enlighten you. They are special game modes that are available for only a week. Each week will feature something new and unique. To get access to the Mutations, you must download the Left 4 Dead 2 DLC pack called The Passing.
Does it look fun? Let me answer your question with a video.
Rest easy people. Reports of PAX Prime's three-day passes being sold out are false.
The original news came from a glitch on the official PAX site, which claimed that the $55 weekend passes were all gone, but that the $35 single-day passes were still widely available.
Turns out that there are still passes of all kinds. But that doesn't mean you should sit around, clasping your brow in relief, wiping the streaming tears of joy from your eyes. There's work to be done! You've got to buy your pass now!
Time to rejoice: the CEO of Level-5, the developers behind the beautifully lookingNi no Kuni (The Another World), has all but stated that both titles will be seeing a stateside release!
While this certainly warms my heart and soul, it also means that I won't import it so that I can play it in English -- which ultimately translates to a longer wait. I have little doubt that it will indeed be worth it, but that sure as hell doesn't make the waiting any easier.
Trainer Owen sends out Dragon Quest IX as a current engrossment. Dragon Quest IX used "distract". It's super effective.
Oh so many great memories playing CTF matches on Blood Gulch. The testicle-ascending near flag captures thwarted at the last moment, the perfectly timed warthog pickups, and the epic sniper duels have solidified this as one of my favorite CTF maps of all time.
All of the above is why this Red vs. Blue video for Bungie Day (7th day of the 7th month) has made me a very, very happy man. As seen after the break, Sarge and the peanut gallery have gotten upgraded gear, and offers us a glimpse at the newly renovated Blood Gulch. It essentially has all of the elements that you loved in the original, but has added a whole new "outside the canyon" area.
Other than having a few laughs and seeing the renovated map, there is also a new armor ability on display. No word on whether or not this is an actual ability that will be present in Reach, but that won't stop me from dreaming of the possibilities nonetheless.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Jul 09, 2010
Today marks the fifteenth anniversary of the WipEout franchise. To celebrate this, Sony has created a room in Playstation Home dedication to trivia, models, and two free new mini-games.
The first game, WipEout 2D, is a top-down racing game. The second, WipEout Shooter, is an arcade shooter -odd because WipEout has no history of being a franchise with shooting of any kind.
Other things to do in WipEout Museum includes hanging out in WipEout-themed sitting areas and listening to classic songs from the franchise. Players can also be a part of the Team Logo Hunt where they can win exciting digital merchandise for their Home Avatar.
On July 6th, Blizzard announced that they would be implementing some new features to their Battle.net users' accounts. Their plan was to make the online social realm a safe and positive place by forcing gamers to use their real names when posting.
Real names means accountability. But it also means no first line of defense.
In the last few days, comment boards have been ablaze with heated discussion about Blizzard's plan. People claim to be scared for their lives, sharing war stories about how they've been stalked, or verbally assaulted, or had their computers hacked. To many, this was the end of the line.
Today, Blizzard spoke once again -- they've heard the blasts and concerns of users. After much deliberation, the World of Warcraft creators have decided to make Real ID optional, not mandatory.
The upcoming action film The Expendables might just be the manliest movie ever. If you're not aware, it's the Sylvester Stallone flick that also stars more tough guys than you can handle: Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, just to name a few.
Naturally, such a tough guy movie needs a tough guy video game. Now The Expendables 8-Bit game has arrived, in a not-so-tough-guy place: Facebook.
Insomniac had always been a one platform kind of developer. Partnered with Sony, they produced hit exclusive franchises like Ratchet and Clank, Spyro the Dragon, and Resistance. But, as times got rough economically and exclusives became few and far between, they decided to expand.
Now, as we've reported before, Insomniac Games will wade into the international waters of game development. There's a bounty there, and new freedoms that can take a lauded developer to new heights.
The news hit home for Shuhei Yoshida, the head honcho at Sony Worldwide Studios. He is sad to see the special relationship go.
The Penny Arcade Expo, or PAX, expanded to the East coast this past year. It was an enormous success. Actually, it was too enormous -- the crowd was way too large for Boston's Hynes Convention Center, and many a complaint was made.
So, rather than threaten to leave to New York or Philly, the folks at Reed Entertainment (who organizes it all) signed a deal with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority to move to the considerably more accommodating Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The expo will stay at that location for at least three more years.
LL Cool J's mother has requested that he render you unconscious.
Def Jam Rapstar is bringing out the big guns with the newest additions to its already impressive set list. It looks like someone at 4mm Games has been digging through their old vinyl collection, because there are some classics about to hit the airwaves. And you'll look mildly awkward rapping along with them.
The game, set to release October 5th, is hip-hop's inevitable answer to the music game craze that has swept the gaming world. And they don't seem to be watering it down. They're going to include some of the most toe-tappin' tracks of the last twenty years.
So make the jump and find out what all the fuss is about.
Vanquish, the upcoming sci-fi shooter from Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, looks like one of the most action-packed, highly stylized shooters to come out in a long time. Mikami, who is known for creating works of brilliance like Viewtiful Joe and Devil May Cry, is a true auteur and virtuoso. Excited? Why yes I am.
So now that I'm done with that enthusiastic back-patting, it's time for business. World, you will see this game on store shelves in late October. It will be released for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 only. North America gets it October 19th. Japan will see it October 21st. Europe, there's no set date yet, but you'll get your turn.
Oh, and there are some rewards you will get for pre-ordering the game at your local GameStop. Want to find out what you get? Well follow me this way.
There have been some reports over the past few days that Vice City is going to be re-released for the next gen consoles. This is all due to a listing by the Australian Classification Board stating that the game has been submitted recently for appraisal.
Some sources are claiming that the game is going to be re-released, but it looks like Rockstar has voided that theory. Apparently it's just a back catalogue. Maybe they're just behind on their bookkeeping.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jul 08, 2010
The Last Story is the latest game from the creator of Final Fantasy, Hironobu Sakaguchi. The game is an action RPG on the Wii. Until recently, all that we've known about the game is based on a few pieces of concept art of ships (not airships, but boats) and the stunning logo.
This all changed last night when Nintendo released a trailer for the upcoming Mistwalker-developed title. The trailer boasts graphics that are hard to find on the Nintendo Wii.
The trailer also shows real-time combat and the presence of a cover mechanic. There is also the semblence of what appears to be character-development and and epic storyline traditionally found in other JRPGs. That could be false though as I don't speak Japanese. The dialog in the trailer could be the main characters discussion what they had for lunch.
Find the trailer after the jump and please leave a please comment about what you think their mid-time meal was.
The folks behind Assassin's Creed are smart people. They are making the Ezio trilogy an actual trilogy -- not a long series of worn out sequels and spin offs.
But that thought process comes with a caveat. Ubisoft says the series is going to be taking a break to let the franchise "breathe a bit." How long is a bit? Probably until 2012.
This will, hopefully, give them ample time to come up with fresh and innovative ideas for the future titles.
No one wants to go forever without the next entry in one of their favorite franchises, but rest assured, this is for the best.
Ubisoft also feels confident that this won't turn into a lost series. They're already aware of the worry.
Ubisoft announced the news of a Michael Jackson game a while ago, but didn't provide any concrete information about the game at the time. Now MJ's biggest fans will be happy to know that the game has got a name, a release date and game details.
Michael Jackson: The Experience is coming this November to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PSP and Nintendo DS. Although there will be differences in each version of the game, your basic goal will be the same in all of them: to sing and dance like MJ.
Yes, you heard that right. Zombies are being added to Red Dead Redemption.
It's part of the massive wave of downloadable content that's been announced for the game today. Four new DLC packs are on the way, with the zombies showing up in the final DLC set, the "Undead Nightmare" pack.
The first of the four new DLC additions will hit in August, and each will set you back about 10 bucks. Find the first details of all four offerings below.
Dragon Age developer BioWare has never been shy about talking up a second game in the series, and now that sequel has been made official.
Dragon Age II has been revealed on the cover of the latest issue of Game Informer Magazine, and promises big changes, such as a new protagonist, new areas of the world, and more.
We'll find out more once the new GI hits stands, but until then we've got the first details on gameplay and story right below.
You're justified in being confused if that headline throws you off.
"Umm, isn't Dead Space the prequel to Dead Space 2?" You might ask.
Well, yes it is, but there's another one on the way, smart guy. Dead Space 2 is getting a downloadable prequel that bridges the gap between the first and second game. So there.
Entitled Dead Space: Ignition, the game will hit this Fall in order to get you pumped up for the next console game, which hits in early 2011.
Since I guess it's World Cup season, here's a bit of good news for you fans of soccer. Fifa 11, the next entry in the highly-regarded series, will be seeing Xbox 360s and PlayStation 3s September 28, 2010. The Wii version will arrive a week later.
The latest in the annual blockbuster series boasts some neat new features this year, including the 'Personality+'. The feature, which tries to emulate real players nuances and personalities, will be the main selling point.
I don't know how intense the personality emulator will be, as details haven't been particularly illuminating. Sure, it'll have David Villa's excellent shot placement and Samuel Eto'o's elusiveness, but I want to know about their real personalities. Can you buy a prostitute with Franck Ribery? Can you knock up your teammate's wife with John Terry? Real life is a funny thing.
For those who haven't seen the trailer, I have included it for you. It will appear after you touch this link with your mouse.
Blizzard has blitzed the airwaves with the Real ID decision, but don't let that news drown out the important gaming stuff. StarCraft 2 may be resuming its beta as soon as today.
The news of this comes after a patch for the Beta was released in Europe, prompting the media to jump to conclusions. And as wrong as it seems, the media is almost always right when it comes to predictions.
There's that journalistic intuition that all of us in the industry have. Oh, and the confirmation by Blizzard that was released in May that the second phase of the beta would commence a few weeks before the release date of July 27th. There is that, too.
Check back for updates on the beta. It should be happening any time now. As usual, I am providing a trailer to try and buy your love.
Greetings compatriots, I write to you today with the intent of saving you money! There is a game called Halo: Reach coming this Fall that you might be familiar with. It is a game many of you will probably buy -- and if you don't intend on buying either of the special editions, this will probably interest you.
If you head on over to newegg sometime soon, you can find the much desired Halo: Reach for the lowish price of $49.99. I've seen this to be true with my own eyes, so you can place your trust in me with confidence.
Excellent. Now that I have it, I'm also starting a charity in which you can give me your monies and I will totally do something non-selfish, 100% legal, and completely philanthropic -- I promise.
Science has once again tackled video games and their lasting effects to see what they can find. And once again, they have come up with a common sense answer to common sense questions.
Iowa State's department of psychology head Edward Swing, who led the study, says that they have found video games to be equally as detrimental to a kid's attention span as television.
The study refutes the popular myth that video games are a better for kids than other forms of entertainment. Apparently, parents often think that handing their snot-nosed little whelps a controller and some excitement is going to make them more likely to do their homework.
For those of you console gamers that entered your VIP code upon getting the game, you are now greeted with the fourth Battlefield: Bad Company 2 map pack. For all PC users, a patch will be out today to give you the maps, too.
They are Port Valdez for Conquest mode and Atacama Desert for Rush. So, they aren't actually new, per se, just updated for the different game types. But that's often what you get when things are free, so don't complain.
Hopefully they will provide the gaming world with some more Onslaught maps with the next pack, though it hasn't been announced. I don't know about you, but I played the crap out of those and am ready for more.
In case you missed it from a while back, there has been an expansion announced for this winter. It's going to be in Vietnam, and if you hit the link, you'll find the trailer.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Jul 07, 2010
A recent study done by the good people at EEDAR and GuildHall at SMU has showed the correlation between critical reviews and a player's opinion of a game.
The study exposed two groups players to either positive or negative reviews for PopCap's Plants Vs. Zombies.
After playing the game for twenty minutes, players were asked to evaluate the game. They were then offered a copy of Plants Vs. Zombies or $10 for helping in the study. Their findings are below.
Split/Second was only a modest success on consoles, but that doesn't mean Disney Interactive is giving up on the franchise. The explosive racer is coming to PSP this holiday season.
The PSP version of the game will of course be getting some exclusive content, including a new track and new modes and a redesigned control scheme. Four-player local multiplayer is also in the works. There's not much more info on the game out there just yet, but you can check out some additional screenshots below.
In a news announcement that's not very surprising to anyone who was at E3, the Nintendo 3DS hardware has taken the "Best in Show" award from the annual Game Critics E3 awards.
The 3DS was far and away the most talked-about topic at the show, so it's no wonder that it took the award. Also singled out for special praise were id's Rage with three awards and Harmonix's Dance Central with two.
In perhaps a slight blow to Nintendo, not a single piece of software for any of its consoles took home any awards. Oh well. I guess they'll have to cry themselves to sleep on their huge bags of money.
If you need any proof that online console gaming is critical in this day and age, you need look no further than Microsoft's Xbox Live service. According to the money wizards at Bloomberg, Xbox Live likely topped a billion dollars in revenue for the fiscal year ending June 30.
Xbox Live's revenues are up considerably from last year. In the same period last year, Xbox Live's take was estimated at $800 million. A huge part in the jump in revenues is attributed to the sale of downloadable items. Check out the math below.
Trolling has become a big problem on public forums across the net -- especially within the gaming community. Blizzard, who I'm sure has seen some of the worst the internet has to offer, has decided to put some rules in place to combat it.
All users who want to contribute to the forums will now be required to post using their real first and last names. This will take effect soon on the World of Warcraft forums, while the StarCraft 2 forum will see the changes immediately upon release of the game.
This move is intended to keep the communities surrounding Blizzard abuzz with positive, friendly chatter. Time will tell how it works, but it is a smart play by the makers of World of Warcraft, because anonymity allows people to say whatever they want to whomever they want.
Now, if you want to speak cruelly to another player, you'll have to consider the consequences.
Fans of Alpha Protocol, bow your heads in silence to commemorate the death of a series. The boldly conceived, though lukewarmly received, title from Obsidian will never see a sequel, says Sega West president Mike Hayes.
Hayes says that though the game is conceptually 'brilliant', sales numbers haven't held up to expectation. The culprit here is a familiar one -- poor commercial success has closed the door on future titles.
In the video game world, reviews are the difference between a sputtering collapse and a staggering success. This brilliant concept simply couldn't cut it in the hearts of mainstream RPG fans and critics.
This is real football, not that silly checkered ball wanna-be.
This is the time of year when I feel extremely spoiled. Not only is college football season a mere 60-odd days away, both Madden '11 and NCAA Football '11 are being released very, very soon. The annual announcement of the pre-season top 25 teams is out, and fans all over are assessing, praising, and complaining about how their favorite teams were treated.
The look of the list is not unlike what fans might expect. There have been some gambles made -- a few teams in the top 15 are blatantly picked on favoritism, but overall it looks pretty nice. More and more, this entry in the series is looking to be the most polished and well-presented.
Follow the link for the complete list, team breakdowns, and my two cents.
EVO 2010, for you uninformed, is a championship featuring the best and most skilled fighting game players in the world. Held annually, it is set up to exhibit the biggest upcoming titles in the fighting genre, as well as the titles that have solidified themselves as classics. And it will be broadcast in its entirety this year.
The event will be televised -- a scheduled 45 full hours -- on G4TV, with special coverage on X-Play. EVO 2010 will be running live, and can be streamed online at g4tv.com/EVO. Further details below.
The Xbox Live Arcade-exclusive entry in the Castlevania series has finally gotten a release date.
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair will be released on August 4 as the third game in Microsoft's "Summer of Arcade" Program.
Harmony of Despair continues the classic side-scrolling action of the last several Castlevania games, which has found new life on the Nintendo DS. If you haven't checked out any of the DS entries in the series, you're really missing out on some of the finest old-school gaming around. But with the latest entry in the series coming to Xbox 360, even non-portable gamers will be able to get in on the fun. Check out the game in action below.
One of the biggest games of the summer is here: Crackdown 2 has been released today.
Unfortunately, the reviews aren't as kind to the sequel as they were to the original game. As of this writing, Crackdown 2 has a Metacritic Score of 73. That's not bad, but it's certainly not great for a big-budget sequel to a hit exclusive game.
I received my review copy of Crackdown 2 late last week, and I've put a fair amount of time into it, but am not ready to declare my official verdict on the game. I will say that I agree with many of the complaints being leveled at the game by other reviewers - namely that it can be pretty repetitive.
While the game has some defenders, others are downright disdainful of the game. We've got some quotes from both camps below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Jul 06, 2010
Microsoft's Major Nelson recently posted on his blog screenshots of the newest iteration of Xbox 360's dashboard. This dashboard, called Destination Arcade, is designed to "allow you to discover new games and content you enjoy through an easy-to-use visual browser" according to Major Nelson.
The new browser will allegedly allow users to search for products according to price, community ratings, and more.
Destination Arcade will be available on the 14th in Xbox Live's Dashboard. It will currently only be available to U.S. Xbox Live users.
The newest PlayStation 3 is a very sexy video game console. Not only does it now offer "Classic White" as an alternative to its typical black carapace, it is much thinner than the original and has a bigger hard disk drive.
We've seen the Xbox 360 Slim, now jet black, with an internal wireless card, and a new design. This is PlayStation's rebuttal, and it looks damn good. Neither are as small as the Wii, but at least they're trying.
Japan will be seeing it before the US, but we can expect it pretty quickly after its initial release. There are two new sizes so hit the link for additional info!
StarCraft 2 has to be one of the most anticipated sequels of all time. It's been about a decade since we wasted our lives away on the first one, and after a number of dead-end attempts at follow-ups, Blizzard Entertainment has something they can call real.
And if you have a badass enough computer -- specifically one with a Nvidia graphics card -- you will be getting a healthy dose of 3D shortly after the release. The new graphics will come in the form of a downloadable patch. It is unknown at this point if the patch will cost anything, or if it will come as part of a free update, but the reality of 3D in video games has arrived very quickly.
There's a bit of good news for the po' folks out here that can't quite afford state of the art technology: graphical patches will be frequent for everyone, so that the game will persistently look clean and polished.
Here's the trailer, in regular D. Since I can't show you the 3D version, you'll just have to use your imagination. Releases July 27, 2010.
I must say that I'm more than a little disappointed that the boys over at Ruffian Games took out the vehicle morphing that was present in the original Crackdown. However, I suppose the addition of flight is close to fair compensation. Oh hell who am I kidding, flying around the city is going to be totally badass.
Check after the break to see what else other than Crackdown 2 and Monkey Island 2 that you can sink your teeth into this week.
Sony has been sluggishly trying to put out older titles with better graphics for a while now. First of these was in the God of War collection, which re-released the whole trilogy in one boxed-set, and with the first two entries toting sleek new graphics. It was a success, so Sony has planned a number of other titles to be released in similar fashion.
The fans have voice their opinions about what comes next. With both ICO and Shadow of the Colossus being regarded as two of the most beautiful video game experiences in recent memory, people want now more than ever to see them released in high definition.
Sony has heard the masses, and has issued the typical noncommittal response. But we can speculate, can't we?
It's been a while since we've reported on new tracks coming to Rock Band, but that's because it's been a while since there's been any new additions to the library that we're excited about. Thankfully, that's changed with the announcement of the Creedence Clearwater Revival pack, which rights a long-standing wrong with the game.
The 12-song collection of master tracks will be available on July 6, just in time for our annual post-Fourth of July Rock Band party. What, doesn't everyone do that?
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Jul 02, 2010
It seems 'Splosion Man creators Twisted Pixel have been busy lately.
First, they've been working on the upcoming Comic Jumper for Xbox Live Arcade. Then they did some work for an unannounced Turbine (creators of Lord of the Rings Online) console MMO. The team is also working on new free 'Splosion Man levels to coincide with Comic Jumper's release.
How exactly is the indie devlopment studio going to get so many ambitious projects done? Easy! they need the help from Rock Band 3's lead designer, Dan Teasdale.
Nintendo has Mario and Donkey Kong, Samus Aran's and Link -- but that's not enough, says Nintendo mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto. He wants more characters, and he wants them soon.
After a magnificent showing at this year's E3, Nintendo has set out to create some new faces to add to the Nintendo canon.
It has been a while since a great character has stuck around like Donkey Kong has, but Miyamoto is intent on making this dream of his a reality.
And who better than the guy who made, I'd say irrefutably, the best set of characters ever?
Medal of Honor, the franchise reboot from Electronic Arts, is being enjoyed by PC players and PS3 owners all over the world. But those with Xbox 360s are still sitting around waiting, controllers in hand.
The hyper-realistic first-person shooter was quite polished at E3, so what's that hold-up? EA only speaks of vague 'issues', but the beta is apparently not up to snuff. The developers are hopeful it will be released soon, though.
The good news, for you X360 players, is that the good people at EA are going to extend your playing time to ensure that you can get a good sense of the game and can provide feedback. If you haven't seen the trailers for the game, its about time you did. The game releases October 12th across all three platforms, and if you're lucky, the 360 beta will be up even before then. But at this rate, it doesn't look promising. Anyway, catch the trailer here. It isn't what you would expect. Hit the link.
Heavy Rain's developers had planned on three more hour-long episodes to supplement the original story line. That, however, is no longer going to be possible, says creator David Cage.
Instead of adding the promised downloadable content, Cage says that Sony has put pressure on Heavy Rain developer Quantic Dream to focus on PlayStation Move support.
The inclusion of PlayStation's motion-sensor technology will provide a totally different experience for players of the game, but it will also destroy the deadlines put in place to keep the content moving. And that spells doom for all previous plans. Mr. Cage feels your pain, though.
You may or may not know this, but Ryota Niitsuma is a bit of a badass. He was the producer of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, arguably one of the finest fighting games on the Wii, and is the current producer and director of Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Yeah, he's got his work cut out for him.
If you didn't know already, MvC3 was playable for the first time at this year's E3 -- and it was very well received. However those who still have concerns about the new visuals or the character count, or just simply desire more knowledge, should check out this GameSpot interview after the break. Niitsuma-san shares his insight about the character selection, controls, and stages -- not something you get everyday from the director/producer of a game.
So go indulge my friends, it will certainly take you for a ride.
To conclude their strenuous viral campaign this week, Valve has finally released the last two parts of their seven part Portal 2 demo. The videos premiere the "Gel" technology -- two brand new physics manipulators that are sure to drop the jaws of gamers to the ground all around.
The first gel is called "Repulsion", which gives the player a bit more bounce in their step. The second, from part 7, is called "Propulsion", and it speeds things up. But you're gonna have to watch to find out how they are applied, and how they work with all the other physics tools.
For those of you who haven't seen the other bits, we've been releasing them all week. Here's Part 1, 2 and 3, and finally 4 and 5. Hit the link, there's more!
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:14 PM Jul 01, 2010
Club Nintendo, Nintendo's version of frequent flier miles, gives out annual awards to people who spent a lot of money on products made by the beloved Japanese company. In previous years, they have given away things like hats in the style of Super Mario's and exclusive version of Punch Out where you fight Little Mac's traner, Doc Louis.
This year's prize to those who have accumulated 600 coins over the year will be rewarded with a statue of classic characters from the Mario franchise. It is listed as "The ultimate collector's item for Mario fans". These fans are all hopefully platinum status Club Nintendo member because that's what it takes to get their hands on this object. In other words, it's slightly easier to get than the idol in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The world's most famous video game character is selling pizza in New York.
No, Nintendo hasn't gotten into the restaurant business.
Mario's Pizza is completely unrelated to Nintendo's character, and its use of Mario in the logo is completely unauthorized.
But apparently, the restaurant has been getting away with it for over seven months. And according to one reviewer, the pizza isn't even very good.
It's really surprising that a small restaurant can blatantly steal a hugely recognizable image like Mario and get away with it for so long, especially in a place like New York. So while it's still there, we advise you to go in and start asking ludicrous game-related questions, such as:
"Can I get the mushrooms that make me grow big on my pizza?"
"Can I get half Koopa meat on that?"
"What pizza would you recommend for a seven-foot tall gorilla wearing a tie?"
Anyway, enough of that. There are a couple more pics below.
The E3 demo of upcoming shooter Bulletstorm is now online, complete with "director commentary" from Epic Games' Design Director Cliff Bleszinski. The unabashedly arcade-style gameplay of Bulletstorm was a big hit at E3, and the game is definitely on our list of upcoming shooters to watch.
In Bulletstorm, players vie for "skill shots" by dispatching enemies in clever ways, and you'll have more than guns at your disposal. You can pull enemies with your "energy leash" and give bad guys a well-placed kick in the ass. Oh, and there are plenty of guns, too. Using the three elements together leads to a bunch of fun combat combinations, and that's what the game is all about.
But rather than listen to us prattle on about it, why don't you watch the Bulletstorm demo below? Go on, we'll wait.
If you wanted more single-player content for BioShock 2, then you're in luck. 2K Games announced the "Protector Trials" DLC for the game, the first DLC pack that isn't for the multiplayer mode.
Available on August 3 for $5, The Protector Trials brings an-all new single-player mode in which you play as a Big Daddy and protect a Little Sister from waves of Splicers. So basically, it's like single-player Horde Mode. Whee. But if you're into that sort of thing, the Protector Trials will include six maps and new unlockables and Achievements/Trophies.
There's a trailer for the DLC out there, and wouldn't you know it, we have it for you below.
In his column this morning for the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert has admitted that he was in the wrong about the "games as art" debate.
After stating on multiple occasions that games aren't art and can never be art, the famed film critic walked back from that statement.
As pointed out by the swarms of gamers who commented on his posts, he admits that he should not have made an authoritative claim about the artistic merits of gaming without being more informed about the medium.
While he still does not recognize games as art, he concedes that he should have never mentioned video games in the first place, and that perhaps the medium could one day evolve into legitimate art.
Ebert also acknowledges that he knows little about games and that his knowledge on the subject is unlikely to change.
Ebert's article is a well-reasoned and thoughtful admission of his own mistakes, although not without a clever bit of subtle mockery. To back up his original point without saying a word, the article is peppered with violent images from games like Clive Barker's Jericho.
If you're going to do this, would you kindly not fuck it up?
It looks like BioShock: The Movie hasn't been totally forgotten about. Gore Verbinski, the director-turned-producer of the thing, has some good news for weary fans out there -- it looks like there is still a lot of backing to have the movie made. As usual, it's a money thing -- apparently the budgets are just too high right now.
The movie idea has been passed around for a while now, and with the poor reception of Prince of Persia, a lot of speculation has said the movie version of Ken Levine's masterpiece will never see the light of day. Though I am still skeptical that it is going to fly, there is something to be said for the fact that it hasn't been dropped entirely.
With 28 Weeks Later director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo now in control, the only thing keeping the movie from being made is the huge cost it is going to take to make it. I guess it begs the question, though, do we really want (or need) a BioShock movie?
And now, the moment you've all been waiting for: 8-Bit Girlfriend has finally been released on the Xbox 360. And for a measly 80 MS points.
For those not in the know, 8-Bit Girlfriend is a dating-sim based on the web comic of the same name. It takes place in a totally 8-Bit world -- everything in the game, it seems, is a throwback to the 1980s games of old.
Well, everything except for the actual content of the game. The main character, a 'retro knight', is a foul-mouthed braggadocio who wants to 'court' some scantily-clad ladies that are taking up residence in his kingdom. And luckily for him (and for you), he can 'court' up to four fair lasses at a time. Hit the link for some screen shots.
This is the story of two hilarious and funny looking men in jumpsuits named Tim Rodgers and Robert Pelloni. They showed up a couple weeks ago at E3 and proceeded to infiltrate the system and have what appears to be a gay old time. I think my use of "gay" is meant to refer to "happy", but I'm not 100% on that.
Their movie GET BONUS: THE MOVIE (redundant, I know) is 90 minutes long and up on YouTube in 10 minute segments. It's filled with their E3 experience and is guaranteed to make you laugh. If you have the time you should totally check it out. If not, well someone will probably put together a highlight video sometime soon.
Because I care deeply for all of you, I've taken the liberty of embedding all nine videos after the break -- go indulge! Oh, and there are lots of booth babes if you needed any more incentive.
The next bits of the Portal 3 E3 demo are here, for your viewing pleasure. Like the last entries in the set, these videos feature sweet new gameplay elements. In case you are way behind, here are the links for Part 1 and 2 and 3!
We find our protagonist Chell still trying to get out of the facility, as the demo moves on. Yet now, there are some hostile elements trying to cripple the attempts of escape. The first one, in Part 4, is called the Thermal Discouragement Beam. The second, in Part 5, the Pneumatic Diversity Vent. And yes, they are as awesome as they sound.
Hit the jump, 'cause I've got the videos. You're welcome very much.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jun 30, 2010
Sucker Punch's PS3 game inFamous is now available on Playstation Network. The game will cost $29.99 - the same price as a retail copy.
A demo version is also available for the game, which allows you play the retail version for an hour. You can then choose to purchase the unlocked game and keep playing.
inFamous is the story of Cole, a bike messenger who accidentally delivers a bomb. This bomb destroys his native Empire City and gives him the power to conduct electricity. This open world game is about restoring electricity to the damaged city while maintaining your own karmic standing.
Need for Speed is getting a reinvention this year, thanks to Burnout developers Criterion. The game is scheduled to release this fall, but you won't have to wait until then if you live in one of the lucky cities getting visited by the Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit tour.
The tour is bringing the playable game and other entertainment to seven cities, starting with New York on July 14. Held at the Manhattan Classic Car Club, the inaugural stop will also include performance by DJ Z-Trip.
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit returns the series to its "cops vs. racers" root by allowing players to chase or be chased online. The game stunned the audiences at E3, and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Check out tour dates and a trailer below.
After nearly four years of chasing that fugitive profit, Sony has finally recorded the first generation of profitability from its PlayStation 3 console.
Until now, the PS3 has been a monetary black hole for the company -- the high production cost, disappointing sales, and heated industry competition have kept it from seeing the kind of success that was once projected.
At the beginning of the PS3 sales campaign, the inflated manufacturing costs made the console an expensive piece of machinery to create, which resulted in the $600 pricetag. But there have been innovations in technology and production capabilities that have allowed for the reduction in that retail price, bringing the PS3 down closer to the affordability of the competition.
The big change began with last year's shake-up at Sony HQ. A new management team was employed to take over the sleepy sales, and it has made a big difference. Like half a billion dollars worth.
Contra has long been known as one of the toughest games of all time. Since 1987, it has frustrated and enthralled gamers of all generations -- a rare feat for consoles, though arcade games (as it was originally) were often unbeatable.
It becomes a viral hit any time someone can prove to everyone that he or she beat it without dying. And we've found a monster badass who recorded his whole unblemished experience, unedited, for the masses to ooh and aaah at.
I most certainly oohed and aaahed, but mostly I just bobbed my head to the awesome music. I watched it three or four times just to boogie to the crack-fueled 80s arcade music.
This is a tight little video of a person managing the near-impossible, dumping on everything in sight -- it's worth the time to check it out. And you can do just that by hitting the link!
Think you're amazing at Wii Sports Resort Basketball or Mario Kart Wii? Think your hips can move a virtual hula better than anyone else? Well, you will soon have the chance to take your skills to the proving grounds at a Six Flags theme park or a shopping mall near you.
And all of those kids that made fun of you for opting out of real sports may be silenced once and for all.
Okay, so probably not, but it'll still be fun.
On July 16, Nintendo's Wii Games: Summer 2010 will debut at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Don't live near there? No big deal -- they're taking on the road. Check below for some more details on the games and locations of the big touring tournament!
Yesterday, we were given the first piece of the Portal 2 demo. Today, parts two and three were released for the visual consumption of anyone who wants them.
They feature two new gameplay elements: the Excursion Funnels and the Faith Plates. The mechanics show off the brilliance of innovation that make the puzzles unique and intriguing.
The game is still a far ways off, but this should get the giant hype
beast to start stirring. Keep checking back every day for the next parts in the series. But for now, click that link to make the jump. There you will find the videos.
Amazon is doing something quite clever. They understand that gamers are addicted to deals, and that they are taking advantage of that. If you pre-order Metroid: Other M, they'll give you a $20 credit toward a future game purchase of your choice.
The newest Metroid title, which we got to preview at E3, looks to be one of the best upcoming Wii games, so if you are planning on purchasing it when it comes out on August 31, I'd nip that in the bud and pre-order it. With all the exciting releases like Kirby's Epic Yarn and Disney Epic Mickey coming out in the near future, that money will definitely have a home.
Click the link below to watch the trailer. It features an incredibly hot Zero Suit Samus.
Streaming TV service Hulu officially announced it's paid premium service Hulu Plus today, and along with that news came confirmation that the long-rumored Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the service are a reality.
Hulu Plus will be available on PS3s in July - the same time that the service is also coming to PC, iPhone and other devices.
Xbox 360 Users won't get the service until sometime in 2011, but will receive bonus features like hands-free navigation via the Kinect camera.
For $9.99 a month, users will gain access to complete seasons of popular shows, while those who stick with the free service will only have Hulu's standard limited selection of episodes. More information on the new service is below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM Jun 29, 2010
PAX, Seattle's premier video game expo has two nights dedicated to nerd-centric musical performances. Previous performers one these nights include MC Chris, the Neskimos, and Optimus Rhyme.
Now, for your amusement, the Protomen will play in Seattle for PAX attendee's viewing and listening pleasure. Their Megaman-themed rock opera will fit in with the PAX vibe like a fish fits in a pond.
Of course, there are plenty of other fun, nerdy bands coming to the show. Look for the full band list after the jump.
Every year, the Game Critics Awards organization nominates several games from the annual E3 event as their top picks of the show, and the games being recognized have been announced today.
The awards are divided into categories like "Best in Show", "Best Console Game", "Best Hardware" and more.
You can check out the complete list of nominees below. As you can see, several games were nominated in multiple categories, and the Nintendo 3DS was nominated both for Best Hardware and Best in Show.
Both Microsoft's Kinect or Sony's Move controllers were nominated for Best Hardware, but neither made it into the Best in Show category. That should tell you something.
The Game Critics Awards are voted on by many of the biggest names in video game journalism, including Game Informer, Kotaku, IGN and more, as well as more mainstream outlets like MTV, Yahoo and USA TODAY.
Joystick Division is not a voting member of the Game Critics organization. Their loss.
The new "premium" service for PlayStation 3 users has arrived. Later today, the paid PlayStation Plus service will go live. While said service was long-rumored, it was only officially announced about a week ago at E3, and even then the launch details were fuzzy. So here are the basics of the service as of launch day, straight from the PlayStation Blog.
For $50 a year (or $18 for three months), you'll get access to a new downloadable game, which is yours to keep for as long as your membership is active.
You'll also get preferred access to certain betas, demos and early purchase opportunities, as well as the ability to download "Trial versions" of full games - you can play them for a set amount of time and immediately unlock the full game if you like what you've seen by shelling out some money.
Unlike everyone else 'round these parts, I am always ready for some football. While the pro sports aren't really my cup o' tea, each year the new Madden game gets mad hype, and I get very excited.
Last year, the playable demo released before the full game was pretty stupid -- one minute quarters. With four minutes of total play, wtf could you actually accomplish? In this one, you get to mash on the gridiron for the default 5-minute quarters.
Sorry to get your hopes up, but it isn't a playable demo. It is just the demo video that Valve showed us in a tiny little room at E3, and only the first part of it. But your hopes shan't be broken, oh no. The demo video is just fantastic, and you'll be salivating.
In part 1, you meet a new character named Wheatley -- a smart-taking, British Personality Sphere. That's all I'll spoil for you now. Keep checking as parts 2-7 will be released throughout the week. And yes, we do have the video right here. Watch the first piece after the jump!
I have some good news for you, and I have some bad news for you. The bad first: Dead Rising 2, after all these years in production, is going to be pushed back a full month. Expect it in North America on September 28, with Japan getting it on the 30th and Europe on the first of October. I don't know what could possibly take so long, but I played it at E3 for a few minutes, and it looks to be worth the wait. And for some of you, the wait will be easier than for others.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:02 PM Jun 28, 2010
Fans of MDK Rejoice! Interplay, is creating a High Definition version of their PC classic MDK2. Also, the original version of the game will be ported onto WiiWare this holiday season. The HD version will be released some time after. MDK2 HD will be released via the downloadable service Beamdog.
There aren't very man big names this week (although there are a ton), which is just as well for me considering all the time I've been spending watching the World Cup. That being said, I will definitely try and find some time to explore Super Meat Boy, which taken out of context is a very odd thing to be saying. Oh, and apologies on the Puzzle Quest 2 front -- I missed the fact that it was pushed to this week, so I had it in last week's new releases. I advise using caution before diving into that one, it has incredible potential of becoming a real time suck.
Announced at Konami's E3 press conference, the first trailer for the next chapter in the Silent Hill saga is here. Silent Hill 8 (working title) is the story of convict Murphy Pendleton, an escaped convict who finds himself trapped in gaming's creepiest town. Not much else is known about the game, other than that it's a third-person survival horror game in the tradition of the series, and not an FPS as had been rumored.
Silent Hill 8 is scheduled for 2011 on Xbox 360 and PS3. Check out the trailer below, which boasts some impressive lighting effects and strange, creepy townspeople.
After experiencing a few delays, Activision's sci-fi shooter Singularity finally hits tomorrow. In the wake of its impending release, the publisher released this new trailer for the game's multiplayer mode, which looks like a pretty standard affair in terms of the basics. While it looks like Singularity's online gameplay is most built around the familiar deathmatch model, it carves out its own identity with a little bit of weird, creepy, grossness. Time-warping vomiting zombies, human-possessing wall crabs and temporal distortion warping give the game a little bit of a distinct flavor. Check out the trailer, and let us know if we should look for you online in Singularity.
Ni No Kuni (The Another World) is a title that, whether you like RPGs or not, you should be aware of. I'll admit I have a personal bias in this due to my love for all things Studio Ghibli and admiration of the developer Level 5, but this world they've created is a sight to see even for the naysayers of the genre.
The general public has been aware that the two studios have been collaborating on a project for the DS, but only recently was it revealed that there will be a PS3 game as well. Not simply a port of the DS version mind you, but a new adventure subtitled Queen of the Holy White Ash.
The DS game is slated for a December 2010 release in Japan, with QotHWA getting a tentative 2011. No word yet on whether or not the rest of the world will be getting either of the titles, but in the interest of world peace, we damn well better! Be sure to catch the trailer after the break -- it's not one that you want to miss.
Drop everything. I have some awesome news for everyone. It looks like my favorite fat-bottom-girl(?)-loving, bicycle-riding band will be cashing in on the music game trend that's happening right now in our humble little video game world. In an chat with a Swedish news site, Queen guitarist Brian May let slip plans for a Queen-exclusive music game from Activision in 2011.
Zombies and low-budget movies go together like beer and burgers, which it seems like a natural idea to promote Capcom's Dead Rising 2 with a low-budget zombie flick. This summer, Capcom will be serializing the Dead Rising spin-off movie Zombrex Dead Rising Sun for free online. Directed by Dead Rising creator Keji Inafune, the film will be released online in eight separate chapters with an English dub. Several subtitled versions will be available as well.
So, who's hungry for the trailer? Sink your teeth into it below.
What's that, you say? You can now watch TV on your TV...via your PS3? Is there anything these consoles can't do? Well, yes: they can't break the mold and provide anything for free anymore. Bloomberg, the business and financial news giant, reported yesterday that things are getting real sexy between NBC Universal's video aggregator and Sony's console -- and it'll come at a price. This news comes a while after the projected marriage of Hulu content on Xbox Live, showing us that third-party exclusivity and competition do not go hand-in-hand.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 9:00 AM Jun 25, 2010
LucasArts' The Secret of Monkey Island is a classic adventure game. It only took LucasArts almost a decade to realize it and modernize the franchise. Last year saw the release of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition. This updated version is just as amazing and magical as it was when the game originally came out.
On July 7, the remastered sequel is due for release. Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge: Special Edition will be available on Steam (both PC and Mac), iPhone, iPad, PSN, and XBLA. Preordering this classic today on Steam will get you a free version of the first game. This is a deal that's worth taking up -especially if you're a little kid and weren't old enough to play them when they were first released.
I realize that to many this may be common knowledge. I also am fully aware that I've talked about this before. However, with all the news and hands-on previews that are flooding the interwebs these days from E3, I want to make sure that no one misses out on this spectacular free DLC.
For those of you too lazy to click on the link above, the co-op DLC mission pack for Red Dead Redemption includes six new missions, and for identification purposes is called "Outlaws to the End". It's already live, so go get it now if you haven't already!
Steam is putting on a huge sale starting today, called "Perils of Summer." Until July 4, there will be big discounts on new games, classic titles, and publisher packages. That means a lot of money for developers and a lot of cheap games for the masses. In addition to the array of discounted titles, there will be special 1-day offers that will feature games at 90% off the retail price. I'll give you an example of the awesomeness of this promotion if you click the link.
There are about a million reasons to love Plants vs. Zombies (if you haven't played it yet, you're seriously missing out). Amongst the many is the hilarious and adorable theme song at the end of the game, which is great when you hear it at the end of the game. It's even better live - at least when its performed by original artist Laura Shigihara with "backup vocals" from Plants vs. Zombies designer George Fan. Try to get through this video with a straight face. I dare you.
When Nintendo revealed the Nintendo 3DS handheld last week at E3, the company obviously had many demo reels of new games on display. But included in with all the new software was one video that should excite retro gamers: a loop of several old NES and SNES games with new 3D effects. The titles included in the demo reel were a mix of old favorites and lesser-known titles: Mega Man 2, Castlevania, Urban Champion, Super Mario Bros, Smash Ping Pong, Kid Icarus, Yoshi's Island, Tennis, Metroid, The Legend of Zelda and The Mystery of Murasame Castle.
Getting an accurate picture of how these games look with added 3D effects is tricky, but we've got some descriptions below, as well as a video that should give you a rough idea of what to expect.
Square Enix has always focused on epic narratives, never straying very deeply into the multiplayer or social realm. But things are going to change very rapidly. There are plans about to be set in motion to totally revolutionize the company's distribution of video games, as well as the content in their upcoming titles. We will see a different kind of Square Enix in the near future, one that will push other major manufacturers to follow suit. More on this after the jump.
If for some strange reason you own a Mac, and for some even stranger reason you want to play Counter-Strike: Source, you are now, strangely enough, going to be able to do it. Valve released today that CS:S will be playable on Macs of all shapes and sizes immediately. And to celebrate, the game will be available for 66% off the regular price.
Good news! My battered and barely cognizant brain can still compose a rhyme! However in more interesting and relevant news, it looks like Battlefield: Bad Company 2's Onslaught mode PSN exclusivity is a very short lived affair. I certainly won't say that the FPS PS3 fans don't deserve extended exclusive content -- because we all know it's usually the 360 owners who get first dibs -- but seeing that we were ambushed with the exclusivity it seems only fair.
Starting tomorrow (June 24th) those of us who've been enjoying BC2 on the 360 for the past few months will have the chance to team-up and gun down legions of AI enemies with friends. The price of admission is still $10, which is of course the easy part. The hard part being convincing those friends who've already retired the game to dust it off again, pay more money, and dive back in.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jun 23, 2010
Nineteen years ago, Sega graced the United States with a speedy blue hedgehog. This hedgehog was skilled at collecting rings and (most importantly) staring at you when he wasn't moving. That was a big deal back in the day that he tapped his foot waiting for you to play the game! The character freaking moved when players weren't controlling him! Sonic the Hedgehog was a symbol for the future.
Now in 2010, people are currently waiting for the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4. As Sega wishes to commemorate this momentous holiday, they have marked down the prices on most games featuring the blue hedgehog. Look for a list of what's cheap after the jump.
Being a gamer doesn't necessarily mean that you're into things like comic books, but you have to admit there's a correlation. While Marvel Comics has had a digital comic service for some time now, DC Comics is just now getting into the game. The publisher has announced that it will be making select titles available for PSP, iPhone/iPod and iPad. Some titles will be available for free, although most will cost between 99 cents to $2.99.
I know we talked about this before, but things have since changed a bit. Battlefield: Bad Company 2's Onslaught Mode is available right now via PSN -- only via PSN. It will still cost you the same $10, but now 360 owners will have to wait indefinitely to team-up and take down waves of AI enemies.
As someone who owns BC2 on the 360 this saddens and enrages me all at the same time. I want to say that I will boycott Onsalught Mode once it releases on XBLA, but the truth of the matter is that I'm a sucker for getting together with friends and mowing down armies of drones. So yes I will still fork over $10 to download Onslaught whenever we're deemed worthy, but I'll be damned if I do it happily.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 6:00 PM Jun 22, 2010
With a few playable games and several more trailers for the Nintendo 3DS viewable at this year's E3, an impressive line up of games is already in store for the handheld console. Both James Hawkins and I managed to get some viewing time in of the device and our impressions are already online. On top of the games we both saw, Namco Bandai have recently released a list of 3DS titles they are currently developing. Among the list are new Dragon Ball and Ridge Racer games. Look for the full list after the jump.
Whoa. We cover a fair amount of iPhone/iPod games on JD, but have run far, far less coverage of games for Android-based phones. Frankly, that's because there's simply much, much less gaming-related Android news out there. But when news of an Android game bubbles to the surface, it's usually pretty cool. Case in point: Androideroids. The concept is simple - it's an eight-player version of Asteroids, played in first-person on Android phones, with the complete game broadcast to a monitor. It's pretty slick when you see it in motion - which you do below!
If you have multiple gamers in your house, you know that it can be a pain to manage multiple Xbox profiles. And I don't know a single person who's happy to pay for multiple Xbox Live Gold accounts for the various gamers in their home. Fortunately, Microsoft announced a step in the right direction today with the Xbox Live Gold Family Plan, which essentially gives you four Gold accounts for the price of two.
For $99, you get four Live-enabled accounts, a master "Family Center" where you can set all your user content permissions, the ability to purchase and divide Microsoft points as you see fit, and more. This new program isn't something that's relevant to my household personally, but definitely a step in the right direction. More details on the new plan can be found below.
At this point, most of know that virtual goods have become a serious part of the gaming world. From MMOs to FarmVille, players are paying real money from virtual items, and it's a business model that's exploded in the last several years. It's fairly well-documented that web-based games are using this model to rake in the cash, and now the first-ever study of mobile virtual goods has unsurprisingly revealed that virtual goods are becoming big business for smartphone game developers. Based on the study by Frank N. Magid Associates and mobile gaming network OpenFeint, American smartphone users are poised to spend $168 million dollars on virtual goods by the end of the year.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 5:00 PM Jun 21, 2010
Crackdown 2 is (obviously) the sequel to the first Crackdown. The franchise is about characters called agents roaming through an open world defeating gangs and collecting stat-boosting orbs. The sequel raises the franchise's stake by adding mutants and rebellious civilians to the agent's kill-list.
If this game sounds like it may be your cup of tea, the Crackdown 2 demo is now available on Xbox live.
At E3 last week, I had a chance to get my hands on the MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic. However, I'm not too well-versed in the MMO genre, so it's hard for me to write about what I saw in an informed way. But it doesn't take any special knowledge to appreciate this bad-ass trailer for the game, which is easily one of the coolest things with the Star Wars name I've seen in a long time.
The trailer has been out there for a few days, so my apologies for just getting around to it now. This video was created by the ultra-talented folks at Blur Studio, who have done trailers and cinematics for more games than I can possibly list here. This is actually the second trailer Blur has created for The Old Republic, and if you haven't seen the first one (which is just as cool if not moreso), you can check it out below.
After last weeks E3 draught, it's good to see things picking up again. Ever since I first learned about Naughty Bears the game has intrigued me conceptually. However, I doubt it will be able to pry my Puzzle Quest 2-equipped 360 controller out of my hands long enough to scratch at that itch.
With all the focus on getting hands-on coverage of games up as quickly as possible, we've admittedly been a little slow on getting some recent news items up. As a token of apology, please accept this new trailer for Metal Gear Solid: Rising, the new action spin-off that may appeal to fans who don't care for the MGS series' stealth gameplay. Rising looks fast-paced and brutal, with gamplay built around the concept of "Zan-Datsu" - "cut and take" in English. You can see it in action below, and it looks pretty slick.
Another press conference, another failed attempt to live-blog. Next year, I won't even bother to try live-blogging these events without a portable wireless hotspot device. Anyway, much like the EA conference yesterday, Sony tipped at least part of its hand by handing us a pair of 3D glasses on our way in the door. Of course, the publisher had a lot of other surprises in store, so read on.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 8:48 PM Jun 14, 2010
E3 hasn't officially begun, but the press conferences have. Microsoft's conference was dedicated to Kinect, the motion-based interface controller for the Xbox 360. The conference ended with the whole audience getting a new 360 Slim, but Microsoft stated nothing about the price.
Gamestop seems to have a clue about the cost of Microsoft's new Minority Report wannabe...
According to Gamestop's Kinect page, they are offering preorders for $150. A Kinect bundle is also available with the 360 Slim for $399.
What do you think? Does Kinect cost too much for what may merely be a fancy camera? Does Kinect have a killer app yet to justify the price?
EA's press conference this afternoon was shockingly impressive. It's not that we weren't expecting EA to have a good lineup, it's that they delivered a very well-rounded roster of games that covered a very broad range of products. EA looks like it has something for just about everyone in the next year or so.
First off, let me apologize for the lack of live blogs on the site today. Both events I attended today proved to have Wi-fi networks that were completely inadequate for the crowds in attendence. I couldn't load a webpage, much less run a live web event. I'll try again for the events I'm attending tomorrow, but obviously I can't make any promises. That said, on with the recap of this morning's Microsoft event. As expected, it combined some high-profile games with casual-focused content for the newly renamed Kinect.
night Microsoft officially revealed "Kinect," the motion-sensing camera previously known as Project Natal. The official reveal was held at an event featuring Cirque Du Soleil that required the attendees to wear "interactive LED ponchos." I wasn't (fortunately? unfortunately?) there, but from what I hear, the casual-focused event went over like a lead balloon with the core gaming audience in attendance.
We'll have more news on the Kinect shortly. After being wishy washy on it, we'll be trying to big you a Microsoft press conference live blog after all, which starts at 10:30 Pacific. Until then, check out the list of the first Kinect games below.
No, Dead Week is not the name of an upcoming new release, just an adequate description of the launch schedule for the week of E3. There's no joke or anything here, just a pretty sad looking list after the break. This doesn't mean however, that these next few days are sad times for the industry -- in fact it's quite the opposite. One could even go so far as to say that these are happytimes. Well no matter how you view E3, be sure to stay tuned for the flood of news and updates coming at you from our dashingly handsome ground team.
As you might have guessed, much of the JD staff will be in LA this upcoming week for the annual E3 convention this week. The actual convention itself runs the 15-17, but there are several big press conferences happening in the lead up to the show. We'll be live-blogging these event to bring you our take on the news as it happens.
LIVE BLOG SCHEDULE (Pacific Time):
MONDAY
Microsoft Press Conference: 10 AM
EA Press Conference: 2PM
TUESDAY
Nintendo Press Conference: 9 AM
Sony Press Conference: Noon
[UPDATE: Due to some last minute unforeseen issues, the MS live blog is canceled]
I must say that I highly approve of the latest additions to the ever-growing Marvel vs. Capcom 3 roster. Deadpool is one hilarious, fourth wall breaking, gun-toting, sword-wielding motherfucker -- and considering the love he's been getting among comic fans, it's not much of a surprise that he made the cut. Although the lack of surprise takes nothing away from how excited I am to get some game-time with him this E3.
Now all things considered, who on Capcom's side would match up nicely against Deadpool? Personally I think there's no one better than Dante the dual-pistol wielding, broadsword swinging, demon slayer from the Devil May Cry franchise. You can catch a glimpse of them squaring off (not in-game unfortunately) in the teaser after the break -- from the look of it that building won't be standing by the time a victor's crowned.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 6:00 PM Jun 11, 2010
Final Fantasy IX was the end of an era in the franchise. It was the last game in the single-digit Final Fantasies and served as a callback to many of the great things the series was known for. The game brings combat back to four playable-characters and had a main cast totaling eight. Final Fantasy IX is absolutely fantastic. It's also a personal favorite of mine.
The game is available for download on PSN next Tuesday and it's more than worth picking up if you haven't played it. It's also worth picking up if you lost the PS1 discs. Or, if you just want another copy. Trust me on this.
Maybe I'm a sucker, but this trailer for DJ Hero 2 worked on me. Maybe it's because I played the original game all by myself, and it got a little lonely. I like the idea of interacting with other humans.
There's a good chance that you're either up in arms about the new XCOM game because of how different it is from the original series, or completely unaware of said series. If you're not opposed to the new game on principle, then you might want to check out the first trailer for the game, which touts the fact that it was made by the BioShock 2 team. I can see the resemblance, and if you're a fan of the BioShock series, you probably will too.
In the wake of yesterday's announcement of Rock Band 3, there's a ton of new information about the game today. First off, we've gotten the first details of the new guitar controller, which was designed in partnership with Fender and is the first major change in the game's controller design. While old guitar controllers will work, Rock Band 3's "Pro Mode" guitar will actually teach you how to play:
"This groundbreaking partnership with Fender ushers in a new era in rhythm gaming, providing countless music fans their first opportunity to enter the world of real musicianship," said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and Co-Founder, Harmonix Music Systems. "The Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster will allow players to enjoy the addictive fun of the rhythm gaming with Rock Band while simultaneously developing skills on a real musical instrument, helping to close the gap between simulation and reality."
That alone is big news, but there's much more info on the game, so read on.
You heard about it a while ago, but now you can mark your calendar and make it a date night -- Bad Company 2's Onslaught Mode DLC hits Tuesday, June 22nd on PSN and XBLA.
It looks like VIP members are no longer all that important, as they can expect to pay the $10 price tag just like everyone else. Due to some back-end fuck up I'm no longer a VIP member, but if I were I would be fucking lividslightly perturbed. I mean, all things considered, VIPs really didn't get much in the end. If this is how EA treats it's very important people, then I don't see much incentive to become one again in the future.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 6:00 PM Jun 10, 2010
Dungeon Fighter is a Massively Multiplayer Online Beat-em-up (or a MMOBEU) It's sort of like Diablo meets Final Fight meets World of Warcraft. The game is published by Nexon and is available for free today.
If this game sounds like your cup of tee, the game can be downloaded here.
The release of Transformers: War for Cybertron is just around the corner, but Xbox owners can get a small taste of the game now. A single-stage multiplayer demo is online now (sorry, PS3 gamers, not for you), and it gives you a small taste of the online experience. I spent a little bit of time with it this afternoon, and it's solid - much better than the tacked-on multiplayer modes of many licensed games. There are a couple different classes available in the demo, and some unlockable perks, a la Call of Duty. I'll need to check out the single-player mode before I'm completely sold on the game, though.
Sega fans, rejoice! The publisher has announced today that games from its last console, the Dreamcast, will be made available for download via Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. The first two downloadable Dreamcast games will be available this Fall, starting with Sonic Adventure and followed by fan-favorite Crazy Taxi.
While the downloadable versions will be faithful to the original releases, each game will be updated with high-resolution graphics, leaderboards and Achievements/Trophies. Nothing has been revealed about which other Dreamcast games will be made available, so this news could prove to be amazing or disappointing, depending on the level of support the new "Dreamcast on Demand" service receives.
Linden Lab, developers of the virtual world Second Life, have announced today that it is reducing its work force by 30%. The virtual world has been declining in relevance for some time now, and that's taken its toll on its parent company. Of course, to hear Linden Labs take on it, this is all part of a strategic restructuring that will lead to a more user-friendly, browser-based version of Second Life:
"We've emerged from a two-year investment period during which, among other things, we've spent a considerable amount of time improving reliability and the overall user experience. Today's announcement about our reorganization will help us makeSecond Life® even simpler, more enjoyable, relevant and engaging for consumers starting with their first experience. It will also enable us to invest in bringing 3D to the web and will strengthen our profitability," said Mark Kingdon, chief executive officer of Linden Lab.
Best of luck to those affected by the staffing cuts. Full press release below.
The rumors about Rock Band 3 have been flying around for some time. First, there was word that the game would teach you how to play real instruments. Then came the rumors that the game would add a keyboard peripheral. Both rumors, as evidenced by USA TODAY's first look at the game, are true. Not only does Rock Band 3 add a new "Pro Mode" to help you learn how to play music for real and a keyboard controller, it also boasts several new refinements like the ability to drop in our out at will and to change difficulty levels in the middle of a song.
There's tons of new info on the game in the video below, as well as a partial song list. All we can say is that we're pumped. "Bohemian Rhapsody"? HELL YES.
It was probably a good time for new franchise owners Warner Bros. Interactive to announce a new Mortal Kombat game, given how much the attention the once-stagnant franchise has received thanks to the Hollywood concept video that came out the other day. And while the gameplay seen in the video above looks solid enough, it's a far cry from the total reinvention the other trailer was pitching.
The big change for the series is that its returning to the classic "2D" fighting of the original games, rather than the 3D arena fighting of the later games. There's also a new "co-op arcade mode" and other new features, although it's mostly pretty vague at this point.
The new Mortal Kombat game is coming next year from WBI and NetherRealm Studios (previously known as Midway Chicago). MK co-creator Ed Boon is heading up the project, which is scheduled for Xbox 360 and PS3 next year. Full press release below.
BIG things are happening over at the TF2 Official Blog, and the only clues provided are that they involve fruit and some complex rhyming. At the end of an incredibly mentally taxing process, I was able to deduce that Team Fortress 2 will be available on the Mac tomorrow via Steam. After such extreme use my oxygen deprived brain decided to enter hibernation for a spell, and when I awoke I knew that TF2 would cost the very low price of $19.99 -- and those who already purchased The Orange Box on PC or Mac would have the download available for free.
I know, I know, pretty amazing. Well, now that that's all wrapped up, it's time to crack another one of the world's unsolvables -- oil spill, consider yourself warned.
2K Games has unveiled its full lineup for next week's E3 conference, and it looks like the publisher has its bases pretty well covered. With open-world games like Mafia II, shooters like Spec Ops and XCOM, strategy games like Civilization V and more, it looks like there's something for everyone. I'm obviously not excited by kids' games, but they've got those two. Check out the full list below, which doesn't include titles from the 2K-owned Rockstar, which exists as its own separate animal.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jun 09, 2010
TellTale Games is one of the leading development studios in creating episodic games. With successful reboots of the Sam and Max and Monkey Island franchises, the company has proven their skill in releasing shorter games with regular release dates.
Earlier today, TellTale announced a multi-year contract with Universal Partnerships to make games based upon the Back to the Future and Jurassic Park franchises. Hopefully, this means a Jurassic Park/ Back to the Future Crossover game will happen and my fan fiction will finally become real.
Yesterday I received a press release for upcoming shooter Blacklight: Tango Down that highlights the game's "Hyper Reality Visor" gameplay feature, which helps the player identify threats in the environment. Apparently, the HRV is based on legitimate military technology:
The HRV is an advanced imaging system in the player's Heads up Display that detects nearby enemy and friendly forces and relays the information back to players, giving them immediate battlefield intelligence. Based on real-life applications, the HRV uses cell phone towers and satellites to detect nearby enemy and friendly forces and identifies nearby objectives including health and ammo stations.
Neat. But I'm perhaps more impressed by the fact that Blacklight: Tango Down is a downloadable game that will available shortly for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade. Creating a fancy-schmancy military visor is cool and all, but creating a decent-looking downloadable FPS is perhaps even tougher. Check out the trailer below.
Tuscon-area musician Loren Dircks became a minor YouTube sensation late last year with his song "Guitar Hero Gone," which gently mocks music games for distracting kids from playing real instruments. Now his track has been made available for Rock Band via the Rock Band Network service.
This story came my way via Village Voice Media's Phoenix New Times web page, and I feel that I must gently correct a couple points made in the original article. First, the song (which you can hear in the video below) is clearly poking fun at music games in general, not just Guitar Hero. Second, based on my reading of the interview, Dircks was NOT contacted by Harmonix to add his song to the game, but rather by a third-party who coded the track for Rock Band Network, the service that allows any musician to make his or her music available for the game.
Points of contention aside, it's a fun little song and an interesting interview with a musician who's clearly frustrated with the effect music games are having on his craft. Check out both below (I've cropped the interview to omit a few questions that aren't about the song, but you can read the full piece at the link above).
Yesterday's awesome Mortal Kombat trailer sure got the internet in a tizzy. There was plenty of speculation that the badass trailer was promoting a new game or a new movie, but the truth has been revealed, thanks to actress Jeri Ryan's Twitter:
It's not a game
trailer. Actually was made for the director to sell WB on his vision
for a reimagined MK film.
There we have it, folks. It's neither a game trailer or a movie trailer, it's an expensive "proof of concept" video from director Kevin Tancharoen, who hoped to get a new film off the ground.
Thanks to Topless Robot, Kotaku, commenter Dread and everyone else who reported this story. The trailer is below in case you missed it, and it's totally worth your time.
If you were to ask Japan, Dragon Quest IX is a completely awesome game. It was received exceptionally well both critically and commercially, and it seems everyone over there was excited about it at one point or another. Well my friends, now it's our turn. For those of you who haven't seen any of the Japanese footage, this new E3 trailer shows off the amazing cinematic visuals, as well as a taste of gameplay. For those who have, well, here's a reason to get excited all over again.
Although I didn't much care for the original game, I have to admit that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is looking much better than the original game. We've posted a few promotional videos before, and this latest trailer continues the trend of making me believe that I might not hate this game. The stylish editing certainly helps, but there's some solid gameplay footage in here, and it's looking sharp.
Check it out below. As with all Kane & Lynch 2 trailers, there's some cussing in it.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM Jun 08, 2010
Sega's Yakuza 3 wasn't expected to make a vast amount of money. It was heavily focused on Japanese mafia culture and was released in the United States around the same time the vastly popular Final Fantasy XIII. Around the time Yakuza 3 came out back in spring 2010, Yakuza 4 was released in the Land of the Rising Sun. There was very little hope of the game coming to the U.S, due to the franchise's third game not selling particularly well. However, hell freezes over today, as Sega has announced that Yakuza 4 is coming stateside in Spring 2011.
The trailer above was posted yesterday by YouTube user "MortalKombatRebirth," and it's much too professional and big-budget to be a fan-made video. Unless, of course, Michael Jai White is a huge Mortal Kombat fan who paid for it himself.
Most likely, Mortal Kombat: Rebirth is the name of the next game in the series, although it's also possible that it might be a new movie. Either way, it's clearly a dark new take on the series (which was pretty dark to begin with). More grounded in the real world, Rebirth re-imagines characters like Baraka and Reptile as serial killers, apparently does away with the "Outworld" concept and rubs the entire franchise in a coat of dirt and grime. Check it out.
Is it just me, or is this one of the brightest, most colorful post-apocalyptic worlds you've ever seen? I can't say that this trailer for the new Namco Bandai action title Enslaved: Odyssey to the West does much for me, but then again I still haven't played developer Ninja Theory's previous game, Heavenly Sword. I've heard good things, so maybe if I check it out I'll get excited for their upcoming title.
Like pretty much everything else we're covering right now, Enslaved: Odyssey to the West will be on display next week at E3.
The closer we draw to E3, the more of these little videos we see to get us hyped for the games that will be on display at the show. This morning's teaser video is courtesy of PC shooter Crysis 2, inviting us to fear its robotic enemy "The Pinger."
To most of you, the video below is your standard-issue video game teaser. For those who know me personally or know my family, it's freaking hilarious, thanks to an in-joke that's been going on for about, oh, twenty-odd years.
Although the original wasn't a huge hit, a sequel to DJ Hero has long been expected and today been confirmed. DJ Hero 2 will be hitting store shelves this fall, and the second game in the series will feature "integrated on-screen singing and rapping" and "freestyle gameplay giving
virtual DJ's the ability to crossfade, scratch and sample in over 70
speaker-blowing mashups." In other words, DJ Hero 2 will support two turntables and a microphone.
Confirmed artists include Lady Gaga, Metallica, Kanye West, Dr. Dre and many others. To celebrate the news of the release, owners of the original DJ Hero can download a free preview mix that will be available until the 14th. The mashup blends Lady Gaga's "Just Dance" and Deadmau5's "Ghosts 'n' Stuff," which essentially means nothing to me.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker drops tomorrow, which is looking like reason enough to go out and buy a PSP if you aren't already equipped to play. Green Day: Rock Band will also be available, giving people who aren't partial to fun a less enjoyable alternative -- what'll it be?
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 5:00 PM Jun 07, 2010
Square Enix has just announced that Dungeon Siege 3 is in the works and is being developed of Obsidian Entertainment. This will be the first Dungeon Siege on high definition consoles.
The Dungeon Siege franchise has been around for ten years. Originally developed by Gas Powered Games and published by Microsoft Games Studios, the franchise had one sequel and several expansions to its name. The game provided players with traditional RPG content and titular dungeon sieging.
The announcement trailer for FEAR 3 was bad. Really bad. This new trailer isn't as terrible. It's not great, but at least it shows some gameplay footage and some creepy monsters. Why am I posting a new trailer that I'm online luke-warm on? Call me an optimist, but I'm not yet willing to write off a game just because the marketing material has failed to impress.
By the time you read this, chances are you'll already have heard that the iPhone 4 was officially announced today at WWDC in San Francisco. The event is ongoing as we write this, but clearly games will continue to be a big part of the platform, as evidenced by the news of casual game juggernaut FarmVille arriving on the platform. The game will be out by the end of the month, in time for the one-year anniversary of the game.
Wait, one year anniversary? I'm not sure I can remember a time when FarmVille wasn't cluttering up my Facebook news feed.
We've already covered the next Guitar Hero's goofy descent into the Brutal Legend territory,* so it's only fitting that we cover the game's equally hammy instruments. According to a story on GameAxis, you'll be able to customize the body of GH: Warriors of Rock's guitars with thing like axe blades, so you can feel like you're a member of W.A.S.P.
In all seriousness, the new Guitar Hero guitars could be cool. The electronics are all in the neck, so the decorative body can be swapped out and outfitted with the add-on of your choice. I think I'll play mine with no body at all and pretend it's a "futuristic" 80's guitar. Check out a shot of an alternate guitar body render below.
*That's not to say that Brutal Legend's metal-based fiction is worthy of mockery. No, it's only ridiculous how much Guitar Hero seems to be "borrowing" from it.
Over the weekend, a few new game trailers made their way out there in an attempt to make some noise ahead of the impending E3 conference. One such title is Vanquish from Platinum Games and Sega. I've enjoyed every one of Platinum's titles so far on some level, so their take on a Western shooter is something I've been pretty curious about. Looks like I won't be disappointed, as Vanquish appears to be nuts. A very Japanese take on a Gears of War-style game, Vanquish could be one worth watching. Speaking of watching, there's some actual in-game footage below.
Hell yes. I was a huge fan of the last Red Faction game, so I'm thrilled to hear the news about Red Faction: Armageddon, the new entry in the series that takes place 50 years after the events of Red Faction: Guerrilla. You'll play as Darius Mason, grandson of Guerrilla's Alex Mason, and inheritor for that game's "Nano Forge" weapon. The Mars of Armageddon is a much darker place than the last game, thanks to the awakening of an ancient alien race. Mankind has been driven underground, and naturally chaos ensues. But don't take my word for it - check out the first trailer and the feature list below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 6:00 PM Jun 04, 2010
Those who were hoping that Sucker Punch was working on a new Sly Cooper may be depressed after looking at the cover of the next issue of Game Informer, but everyone else will be pleased to hear that InFamous 2 is not only in the works, but is also Game Informer's cover story.
Although very little of the game has been fleshed out and revealed, the cover reveals Cole McGrath in what appears to be a new city.
For many years, the dominant model in online role-playing games was to sell the player a copy of the game, then charge a monthly fee to keep playing. That model isn't likely to disappear anytime soon, but more and more games are opting instead for the "free-to-play" model that gives you the game for free and with no monthly charge. Of course, there are always things you can choose to spend your money on in these games, such as in-game items, new expansions, account services, etc. The latest game to make the switch is Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online.
Sometime this fall, LoTRO will be available for free, following in the footsteps of Turbine's other free MMO, Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited. A closed beta for the new version of the game begins on June 16.
There are plenty of party games on the Wii. In fact, the genre comprises a sizable chunk of the software for the platform. And although Nintendo has released several "compilation" games (Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Play, etc.), they have yet to join party game craze. Until now. Nintendo will be releasing a game called "Wii Party" in Japan on July 8, and while no US date has been announced, it can't be too far off.
There still aren't many details of Wii Party out there, but according to a translation of the Japanese posting about the game at retailer HMV, the game will feature 80 minigames and three game modes, including one called "Living Party." Games like Bingo and roulette are expected to be in the mix. We'll share more details as they come in.
One of the features of Alpha Protocol that got a lot of coverage early on is the fact that you can seduce several of the ladies you meet throughout the game. In my playthrough, I did hook up with one character, and it happened pretty organically. It never felt forced, and the actual sex was implied (heavily) and never shown. But now there's a more graphic "love scene" video online, and Agent Thornton isn't the one doing the seducing. There's no seduction at all. In fact, you could argue that the video below veers dangerously close to rape.
In the video below, Russian agent SIE takes advantage of a restrained Michael Thornton. It has no nudity and isn't overly graphic, but the scene is still pretty uncomfortable because of the dialogue between the characters. Had the roles been reversed, this scene never would have made it through the ESRB ratings board. And yet there's an Achievement for it!
I understand that a lot of people aren't particularly fond of GameStop, and for some very legitimate reasons. I also understand that, setting aside the horror stories and distaste, GameStop is the leading retailer in video game sales -- which means that despite what people say, they still go there. So operating under that logic, I thought you may find it relevant that starting today and running through at least next weekend, GameStop is offering you 50% more on trade-ins.
Sure you could gripe about how 50% more of jack-shit still isn't worth it, or you could go off-load some of those old games you never play -- the choice is yours.
When Rock Band 3 is (probably) revealed in a couple week, I think it will be clear that the Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises have gone very, very different directions. Rock Band tends to focus on the experience of playing music, while Guitar Hero centers on... other things. The first details have been revealed about Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, and it is more centered on the story mode than ever before. You must assemble an army of Rock Warriors to defeat an evil music demon - which sounds a lot like Brutal Legend.
The game will boast all the features of the last game, center on guitar-focused rock like Black Sabbath, Queen and Kiss, and be narrated by Gene Simmons. And according to the trailer, you'll get to shred as some sort of pig-man. Yay?
[Update]: Video fixed and first tracks added below.
Hey remember Contra? It was a game, many games in fact. It was also incredibly awesome and frustrating all at the same time, instilling a precarious balance of love and hate within its many fans. Well there's good news out there today for those who wish to renew their love/hate relationship with the franchise -- she's changed her name and look, but your baby's back.
Earlier today Konami gave IGN a glimpse of the upcoming title dubbed Hard Corps: Uprising, and from the sound of things they left with big, dopey grins pasted on their faces. When you consider that Hard Corps is under development from the fine gentlemen who brought us BlazBlue and Guilty Gear -- ArcSystem Works -- the beautiful new visual style makes perfect sense. In terms of gameplay, it's said to be just as one would expect -- 2D side scrolling, big-ass gun shooting, giant alien killing bliss.
Hard Corps: Uprising is to be 1-2 player and downloadable via both PSN and XBLA, with no current price-range or release date to mark on the calendar. However as with almost all gaming news around this time, I'm sure more will be revealed at this years upcoming E3.
I'll admit it, I love Achievements. I especially love Achievements that encourage me to do things that are ridiculous. Joystiq posted a link to MyGamerCard.net's list of the Achievements for Crackdown 2, and while some of them are pretty bland and predictable, others have got me absolutely thrilled to play it. How can you not want to play a game that encourages you to do things like these?
It seems like one of the features Sony will be pushing for the upcoming Killzone 3 is its new melee combat, which allows you to get right in your enemy's face to take him out. The video above seems to be pushing that aspect, although it's definitely a teaser that doesn't show anything too solid.
If you want to want to check out some ACTUAL gameplay footage, we've got it below. But be warned: it's off-screen footage from a recent Killzone 3 event, it has no sound and it's partially obscured by a man in a douchey hat who appears to be talking on his cell phone. You've been warned!
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM Jun 03, 2010
Rap isn't something I am well acquainted with. But, after a quarter of college spent on the poetics of hip-hop (Parappa the Rapper didn't teach me much beforehand), I can't say I'm not curious about Def Jam Rapstar. If anyone else is curious about the game, it will be available at retail in the US on October 5.
Def Jam Rapstar also recently revealed five new songs to its impressive repertoire. A total of fifteen out of forty songs are known. See the full list of new tracks after the jump.
I'm sure that somewhere along the line I heard the news that Ninety Nine Nights II exists. That info is probably somewhere deep in my brain, but God help me, I just can't access it. So when I received the press release that N3II: Ninety Nine Nights II is being released on June 29, I was obviously a bit surprised. Konami has taken over publishing duties from Microsoft, and you can get a little more info about the 360-exclusive game in the video below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 11:00 AM Jun 03, 2010
When looking for music to just dance to, I often find myself entrenched in the wonders of musical theater. Ubisoft apparently agrees with my sentiments as their sequel to the immensely successful Just Dance happens to be Broadway-themed. The game will be perfect for those young starlets who aren't good enough to be in community theater.
With 20 songs from many successful musicals, Dance on Broadway will let players party all night to songs like "Time Warp" and "You Can't Stop the Beat". Now, I'm not necessarily in Dance of Broadway's demographic, but my musical theater know-how tells me that "Lullaby on Broadway" and "Let the Sunshine In" would not be compelling dance tunes at all (although they are both very important songs in musical theater's repertoire).
The list of songs revealed so far is available after the jump.
The rumors have been confirmed: His Airness will be appearing on the cover of the upcoming NBA 2K11 title. Does that mean he will be a playable character? He damn well better be! When asked how Jordan will appear in the game, 2K cryptically replied "there will be some really good surprises".
However before anyone gets too upset, Michael Jordan said in an interview that he is excited to get back on the court virtually -- apparently caring little for 2K's attempted ambiguity. Either that or he's going to be a referee or something, which would be the epitome of lame. NBA 2K11 is scheduled to release October 5th, a day that will hopefully be spent showing LeBron James who owns those numbers.
As much as I wanted to, I couldn't bring myself to love Brutal Legend. The gameplay just didn't click with me. That's unfortunate, because I loved the idea and the aesthetics of the game, which kicks off with a funny video of Jack Black that seamlessly transitions into a slick menu screen that looks just like a classic gatefold vinyl album. Now the story of how that menu screen was made has been told, and it's a pretty interesting look at a rarely-seen element of game development.
Boing Boing posted the video above, which was created by Double Fine Interface Designer Joe "codeloss" Kowalski. Check it out.
BioShock is one of my favorite shooters of all time. While the sequel didn't quite work for me as well as I would have liked, I still thought it was an admirable attempt to continue the story of the game. If you haven't played it yet, you don't really need to hear my thoughts on the game - you can play it yourself after you grab it from Amazon for cheap. BioShock 2 is the site's Deal of the Day, and you can grab it for either PS3 or Xbox 360 for a mere $30. The PC version will set you back a paltry $26. So what are you waiting for? You can grab it here.
Fitness games are a major part of the video game landscape these days, especially on the Wii. However, until now there's been little evidence that these games actually offer an effective workout. But now a study at the University of Wisconsin has determined that EA Sports Active and its sequel both meet the standards of an effective workout, as set by the American College of Sports Medicine.
"ACSM sets key guidelines on what constitutes a healthy, active lifestyle, recommending that individuals perform 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise five days per week, or 20 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise three days per week, as determined by specific heart rate and oxygen consumption criteria" said Dr. John Porcari, Ph.D, the Executive Director of the La Crosse Exercise and Health Program at the University of Wisconsin who led the study. "In terms of the intensity criteria, both workouts tested from EA SPORTS Active were sufficiently intense to be within ACSM guidelines."
There you have it: not all video games make you fat. For the complete press release, which describes the details of how the study was conducted, see below.
If I were going to play an MMO, it would probably be DC Universe Online. As a DC Comics nerd, I'd love the chance to exist in the same world as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and Ragman. Yes, Ragman. He's real. I totally didn't make him up.
Anyway, those comic nerds who are so inclined to create their own DC hero will be able to do so in November, when the PS3/PC titles opens its pan-dimensional doors and lets nerds cross over. More information on the title is expected at E3.
There's been a lot of talk lately about how Nintendo has to worry about Apple as a legitimate competitor in the handheld gaming market. Even though the discussion has been leaning towards those two companies, Sony isn't ready to give up on the category just yet. The publisher has announced some aggressive moves to lure players back to the PSP. For the original disc-based unit, many titles will now be available at the rock-bottom price of $9.99 each. See the list of titles below.
As for the download-only PSPGo, the unit will now come with a voucher for three free games: LittleBigPlanet, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters and SOCOM: Fireteam
Bravo 3. Those are some big-name titles, and Sony pegs their value at $80, so that's definitely a decent chunk of free stuff. But is it enough to convince you to buy a PSPGo?
It's been noted that the mutants in Crackdown 2 are far crazier and uglier than the first title, which pops the question "whence did these abominations come?" As of today we will wonder no more, for the question has been answered in the second episode of the Pacific City Archives prequel -- an animated series designed to promote and inform gamers about the new Crackdown. If you haven't seen the first episode I've kindly linked it above, but the mutant origins can be found after the break. All I'm going to say is that Catalina Thorne is one (kinda hot) evil bitch.
How often do you see a poster for a zombie movie without a single zombie on it? Not often, because normally zombies are the star of the show. Clearly, that's not the case with Resident Evil: Afterlife. The movie studio is selling the movie on a very simple concept: "Hot Chick in 3D."
I guess I can't fault their logic. They could put all the zombies in the world on this poster and I probably wouldn't see it. I gave up on the Resident Evil movie series after the second one. But I have to admit that the concept of Milla in all her multi-dimensional glory might get me out to the theater.
I have more or less zero interest in post-prequel Star Wars or MMOs, so clearly Star Wars: The Clone Wars Adventures is not for me. The free-to-play online role-playing game looks pretty squarely aimed at younger players, but I have to admit that it appears to have a lot of things to do in it. The Sony Online Entertainment game boasts all kinds of things to do, such as "exciting minigames, dynamic activities, [and] lively social events."
Even though I know this product is not for me, I'm happy to see it out there. There's plenty of mischief that kids can get up to on the internet, so I'd rather see them playing a game like this than ruining my enjoyment of my favorite porn sites surfing pages that they shouldn't be.
The big publishers aren't the only ones rolling out the announcements in the wake of this month's E3 conference. Smaller publishers are also rolling out their wares, and from one such company comes The First Templar, a co-op action/adventure title from Kalypso Media and developer Haemimont Games. The announcement release didn't include a ton of info, other than that the game is in development for Xbox 360 and PC, feature two-player co-op and RPG-inspired character development. The story centers around the unlikely pair of a Templar and a Heretic. In single-player mode you'll swap between the two, and in co-op each player will obviously handle one.
More shots of the game are below. Some look nice, some not as much. We'll see how this game turns out in early 2011.
The videos for Monkey Island 2: Special Edition have been great, and they've been getting me jazzed for the game. I appreciate all the fun behind the scenes stuff that's being offered up for the game, and this concept art for baddie LeChuck continues that trend. Check out more pics of the character's evolution below.
We aren't big sports guys around these parts, but we're huge boosters of chutzpah. NaturalMotion's Backbreaker is definitely an audacious title - it takes guts to enter into direct competition with EA's monolithic Madden NFL series, especially when you don't have the rights to actual teams. But what Backbreaker does have is the Euphoria engine, which makes every tackle bone-crackingly unique. So what say you, football fans? Will you be giving Backbreaker a shot today?
I'm not normally one for "all ages" games, but the trailer that IGN posted today for Batman: The Brave and The Bold convinced me that it's a title that should be on my radar. While Arkham Asylum proved that Batman can be a great game character for adults, The Brave and The Bold may make Batman a hit with the kids as well.
All of the credit I'm giving this game is thanks to its developer, WayForward. You might not know the name, but they're just an excellent studio, having produced titles like Contra 4 and the recent remake of A Boy and His Blob. The crisp art style of TBATB reminds me of that game, which you should really check out if you want a quality Wii game. For now, check out the Batman trailer below.
Earthworm Jim is one of those games that I simply adored when I was younger, and I feel like it's held up pretty well over the years. Of course, even a great game like Earthworm Jim could use a fresh coat of paint after a while, and if Earthworm Jim HD had stopped there I still would have been happy. But the XBLA/PSN game has gone even further, adding new levels, enemies (Keyboard Cat!) and even four-player co-op! You can see all of the new features in the trailer below. It's not the fanciest video I've ever seen, but it sure got me excited.
If I had any money left to bet If I were a betting man, I would plunk a big stack of chips down on the Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Map Pack as the money maker this week. I don't really see it doing anything ground-breaking in terms of sales -- it will certainly sell well, no doubt -- but when you look at the competition this week, it boils down to simply betting on the tallest midget. Check after the break for the full list of this week's new releases.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM May 28, 2010
The movie Top Gun was a big deal back in 1986. There are still many Maverick fans to this day. Apparently many of these people have been demanding a new game based on the franchise. Lucky for them because a Top Gun video game is on the way and new information has just been flown in about the contents of the upcoming PSN release.
This pisses me off a bit, but only because I thought of a similar multiplayer mode years ago. Alas, I'm not a game developer, so someone beat me to it. Upcoming shooter Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will feature a "Cops and Robbers" multiplayer mode in which one player is undercover and secretly working against the others. Good idea, right? Of course it is. I thought of it. Grumble grumble. Anyway, check out the trailer below for a breakdown on how the mode works.
Some shocking news for you all today: There's a new video game movie out today, and it's not getting too many favorable reviews. Shocking! The consensus on Prince of Persia: Sands of Time seems to be that it's not an outright terrible movie, but a shallow, forgettable one. Sadly, that still puts it in contention for "Best Video Game Movie of All Time."
Today marks the day that Ubisoft finally dishes up some substantial additions to Conviction in the form of Deniable Ops Insurgency DLC. The free weekly weapon was a nice idea, but it just wasn't enough to pull me back into the shadows post game-completion. This on the other hand has some real substance to it, and I fully expect to be crouched with a buddy in a bush in t minus 15. It's true that the new DLC will run you 800 MS points ($10.00), but your getting what you pay for with some solid gameplay and 250 additional achievement points. More specifically you'll be getting four brand-new co-op maps/missions for Archer and Kestrel to bring death from the shadows on -- a great deal if you enjoyed Deniable-Ops as much as I did.
Said DLC is now available on both the 360 and the PC, and can be sampled in video form after the break.
When I was young, I learned to play chess (badly) from a game called Battle Chess, in which taking another piece resulted in battle animations. SouthPeak's upcoming Battle Vs. Chess has nothing to do with that game, although the basic idea is the same - it's chess, but violenter!* Not only will you watch chess pieces kick the crap out of each other, but you can even play in the optional "Action Mode" that allows you to take control of the battles and unleash brutal combos against poor sucker pawns.
This is either ridiculous or brilliant. I'm not sure which. Full press release below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM May 27, 2010
Final Fantasy: 4 Heroes of Light is Square Enix's latest Nintendo DS game, designed with an emphasis on bringing the franchise back to its roots. Instead of the modern cyber-punk world of Final Fantasy XIII, players will once again traverse the world map the way they did back in the day. Square Enix is rocking it old-school, yo. The game is slated for an autumn release in the good ol' North America and Europe.
I don't know about you, but every time I see the name Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light, I see Final Fantasy 4: Heroes of Light. With a mere mis-read of the colon, I think that Square Enix is making something new and exciting in the world of Final Fantasy IV.
As far as I know, Square Enix isn't working on anything in the Final Fatnasy IV universe, and that's probably a good thing.
Project Natal -- Microsoft's attempt to snag some of the Wii's casual gamers -- is not looking like it will be a cheap date. Not only will you lose some of your dignity in its use, but the rumors are out in force insisting that it's going to run you $150 large. That in itself is a hefty sum if you ask me, but consider this: statistically speaking most Wii owners don't own 360s, so the barrier to entry for these folk in terms of cost will be $300 -- the rumored price point for the Arcade/Natal bundle. Maybe I'm being overly negative and this years E3 will show us that Microsoft does additionally have the hardcore gamer in mind regarding Natal. But the fact remains that as of now, all publicly known current games in development utilizing the Natal technology are painfully casual. The good news is that we won't have to wait long to find out.
Fans of Mafia have been waiting ages for the sequel, and the release of the game is finally right around the corner - if you consider August 24 "right around the corner." If you've been waiting all these years for Mafia II, then you'll probably want to spring for the Collector's Edition, which 2K kindly unveiled today.
The Collector's Edition includes a fancy Steelbook case, the game's soundtrack, the downloadable "Made Man" pack (which will be available as DLC for those who pick up the regular edition), a 100-page art book, and a map of Empire City printed on "tear-resistant" paper. That's a good amount of stuff, but GameStop lists this version at $79.99, so whether it's worth the extra $20 bucks is up to you.
2K also unveiled the retailer-specific pre-order bonuses today, which you can see below.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM May 26, 2010
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has made its way onto almost every modern portable gaming device. After it's initial release on Nintendo DS, the Rockstar game has moved onto PSP and also the iPhone. Now, on Apple's magical telephone, the game can now be played for free in a smaller, "lite" version. Players will be able to steal cars, sell drugs, and have sex with virtual hookers for no cost to them.
We're pleased to announce a brand new enterprise today - work has begun on an extraordinary amusement park that now orbits our world where you will find the most out of this world action this side of the Milky Way. Book now to be the first to experience accelerating to adrenaline-pumping super speeds and blasting through obstacles in ways never before experienced and be overcome by the awe and majesty of Dr. Eggman's glorious devices.
Meet with the multi-coloured and multi-talented Wisps, who will provide you with thrills and spills as you travel through the park and the more you meet the more crazy and memorable the experience will be!
Please note: these Wisps are well cared for and are in no way being held against their will for nefarious purposes.
That's the official word on Sonic Colors, the new Sonic the Hedgehog game coming to Wii and DS from Sega. Not a lot of solid info, is it? There's an equally uninformative launch video below.
Remember Splatterhouse? The violent TurboGrafx-16 series is being revived by Namco Bandai, but there's a good chance you've forgotten about this upcoming revival. The game's development has been plagued with problems and delays, including the closure of the original developer midway through the project. Well, it looks like this troubled project is getting finished up, because the publisher has announced that the new Splatterhouse game will arrive this Halloween. That's an approximate date - Halloween is on a Sunday this year, so I'm guessing it will actually hit shelves the Tuesday before.
There's a new trailer for the game below, but no one in the world seems to like it.
Okay Mac owners, it's time to celebrate. Recently, your computer of choice got the Steam download service. Now you can use said service to download one of the greatest games of all time, Half-Life 2. If you haven't yet played it on PC or console, you no longer have an excuse. Half-Life 2 is available to download via Steam today, so get on that and find out why we here at JD are always talking about the damn game.
Below is the announcement trailer for Half-Life 2 on Mac, which cleverly parodies Apple's most famous TV commercial. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check the original out below. It's only considered the greatest TV commercial of all time.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 6:00 PM May 25, 2010
Front Mission, a series known for its mech-based tactical role-playing, will get another entry in the saga on September 17. Front Mission Evolved takes the franchise out of its tactical roots and places the combat mechs (called Wanzers) in a third-person shooter's paradise. This may be the only recent game (other than the games in the Gundam franchise) where players can play a game focused on mechs shooting mechs. And, if that isn't enough to sell the game, the PC version is also capable of being played in 3D!
To the sorrow of Halo fans everywhere, Bungie has powered down the Reach beta -- leaving many a gamer trying to recall what they used to do with their evenings. However Bungie didn't kick us out of their servers empty handed; we've been left with a wrap-up video consisting of the highs and lows from the beta, as well as some incentive to purchase the game on release day this September. Check after the break to catch the video and a shot of what you could look like come launch.
I'm not really sure who needs to play a demo of Green Day: Rock Band to determine whether or not they want to buy the game. After all, you can play a different Rock Band title and get the idea - if you plan to download the demo, you obviously already have the instruments. But just in case you were waiting for the demo to make your decision, it's up today. There are two playable tracks to choose from: "Welcome to Paradise" and "Boulevard of
Broken
Dreams." But what might be most interesting about the demo is that there seems to be a little teaser for Rock Band 3, which you can see above. Yep, seems pretty likely that Rock Band 3 will have keyboards, as well as The Beatles: Rock Band's vocal harmonies.
After many, many, maaaaaaany delays, Splinter Cell: Conviction was finally released a few weeks back. Part of the reason the game took so long to release was that it was scrapped in mid-development and picked up again from scratch with a new core concept and engine. Well, it won't be happening again. There's another Splinter Cell game already in the works, and it's based off the Conviction engine.
Development is being handled by Ubisoft Toronto, Ubi's year-old studio that's helmed by Assassin's Creed producer and geek-lust fantasy Jade Raymond. Despite the young age of the studio, it also has a second "triple-A" game in development, thanks to significant investments by both Ubisoft and the Canadian government.
The footage below isn't from a real game. It's a tech demo for software called 3DMark 11, a benchmarking application for measuring the graphical performance of gaming PCs. The "11" part comes from DirectX 11, the upcoming new standard for PC game graphics cards. Basically, all that means is "here's how good games could someday look, maybe."
Check out the trailer below. It's pretty. It's even prettier in HD.
After 13 games and nearly 15 years as a Sony-exclusive studio, Ratchet & Clank, Spyro* and Resistance: Fall of Man creators Insomniac Games are going multiplatform. The studio announced today that it has signed a publishing deal with EA Partners for a new franchise that will release for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
"There have been a lot of great reasons to make games for the
Playstation," Ted Price, founder and CEO of Insomniac Games told Kotaku. "We
have a wonderful relationship with Sony and will continue to work with
them on Playstation titles."
Under the new deal, Insomniac will retain the intellectual property rights to their new franchise, which is being produced out of its Burbank studio.
Insomniac will continue to work on both Resistance and Ratchet & Clank. Details on the new game may emerge next month at E3.
*A clarification based on a reader comment: While the Spyro series has appeared on multiple platforms, only the original trilogy of Sony-exclusive games were developed by Insomniac. The upcoming game will be the first the company creates that it not exclusive to a Sony platform.
Being a gamer doesn't necessarily mean that you're a geek, but you at least need to admit that there's a strong overlap. So, even though we know not all of you out there are geeks, we'd like to take a moment to recognize that today is Geek Pride Day, so don't be ashamed if you do count yourself in that category.
Geek Pride Day is pretty new, having been celebrated since 2006. Not surprisingly, the day was chosen to coincide with the release of the original Star Wars in 1977.
Be proud today. Do something geeky. Play a video game. And make sure to read the Geek Manifesto below!
Video games are accused of many things both good and bad. One of the most frequent accusations is that games may make players more violent and cause an increase in violent crime. Of course, that claim is one of the most frequently debunked. In fact, a researcher at Harvard now suggests the exact opposite: video games may actually reduce crime.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 4:00 PM May 24, 2010
It seems that people have questions about what happens between Crackdown and Crackdown 2. These people must not have realized the point of the game is to jump around and collect Agility Orbs. If anyone wants to know the story events leading to the sequel to Crackdown - a game some say most people purchased to get access to Halo 3's beta - a miniseries started on youtube last Friday. The first video is available after the jump.
The announcement of a sequel to a big game is simultaneously big news and no news at all - we all knew Killzone 3 was coming, and yet it's exciting to hear the word officially. The PS3 shooter franchise is getting another entry, and it's promising bigger levels, more visceral combat, melee combat and even support for those new-fangled 3D televisions.
We'll have to wait a while for more concrete details, but for now we've got a few screens and the full press release below.
That's the day that Halo: Reach will be released across the entire world. Like most Halo games, it's a global launch, so everyone around the world will be able to grab it the same day. The only exception is Japan, who will get the game a day later.
It comes as no surprise that Bungie's final Halo game is looking like it'll be huge - 2.7 million players participated in the multiplayer beta. For comparison's sake, only 800,000 played the Halo 3 beta, and that game sold over 8 million copies by the end of 2008.
What did you think of the Lost finale? My wife and I talked it over for quite a while after it was over, and I'm not sure either of us is completely settled on how we felt. I definitely feel like it left a lot of important stuff unanswered, but I guess the creators felt that it was more important to have a grand thematic resolution than one that tied up the loose ends.
However, just because the show is over doesn't mean that Lost doesn't live on. Two tracks from the show are about to show up in Rock Band 2, courtesy of the Rock Band Network. Driveshaft's "You All Everybody" and Geronimo Jackon's "Dharma Lady" will be available for all Losties to rock out with in the next few days. If you're a fan, you'll probably recognize Driveshaft as Charlie's band, and Geronimo Jackson is one of those "easter egg" in-jokes that appears throughout the show.
The Rock Band Network, for those who haven't checked it out, is the service that allows anyone to upload their own music to the Rock Band game. Since these tracks aren't be released as "official" Rock Band DLC, don't expect them to get much further promotion.
There's a new fighting game on the way to PC called Warriors of Elysia. That's a pretty boring title, one that doesn't tell you much about the game itself. The original name for the game was much more descriptive: Bikini Karate Babes 2.
Recalling the glory days of games with digitized actors, Warriors of Elysia stars a bunch of pretty young women in bikinis pounding on each other. Yep, it's pretty ridiculous. But we've got a trailer for it, in case you're interested in it. Watch it and judge it below!
There's
little argument that the brightest star this week is the return of our favorite
portly plumber in Super Mario Galaxy 2. However, those of you out there who've always
wondered what it would be like to be a flight attendant, ballerina, or a
gardener will be happy to get your hands on the new Let's Play games. As for myself, I am more
interested in Shadows of Twilight,but that's just because I dream of Edward's pale, sparkly skin pressed
up against mine in an eternal embrace...
If you're into technology at all, you're probably aware that Google held its huge Google IO conference this week, and that the mega tech company announced a bunch of new goodies. The big news for gamers is that Google is adding a web store to its Google Chrome browser that essentially brings iPhone/Android-style App shopping to the web. It's kind of an obvious idea but a good one - the video demo above points out that it's much easier to search for a good mobile App than it is to find an App on a computer.
The Google Chrome Web Store includes much more than games, but that's going to be a big part of it. In the demo above, you'll see Plants vs. Zombies and Lego Star Wars running within the Chrome browser. Personally, I'm pretty excited. I've gotten really used to the ease of finding Apps for my iPod and Droid and hadn't really realized until now that I just don't search for programs the same way on my PC. But I probably will now!
Activision's upcoming racer Blur has often been described as "Mario Kart meets Project Gotham Racing," but clearly the marketing department thinks the first half of that equation is a bit.. juvenile. The ad above takes a pretty direct shot at Mario Kart, and while I think it's funny enough, it's a risky move. When your game borrows directly from another game, you probably shouldn't accuse that game of sucking.
As we mentioned before, No More Heroes 2 -- an under appreciated game with an absolutely hilarious online marketing campaign -- has invaded your bedroom with a sexy lingerie line by Bedtime Flirt. Designed with a loving attention to detail, you can now check out full, individual pictures of the line modeled by real women compared to their in-game counterparts. Take a look after the break and tell me they didn't do a fine job.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 2:00 PM May 21, 2010
This is a news post for those of you who love spending money on Collector's editions, and for those of you that also are eagerly awaiting Lionhead Studio's Fable III. The latest game in the franchise now not only has a collector's edition, but it coming out before Christmas and is also going to be available on Windows.
We could really say enough about how much we lovedSpace Miner: Space Ore Bust, so naturally any other games by its developer Venan Arcade were bound to get our attention. The company quickly followed up Space Miner with Ninjatown: Trees of Doom and not surprisingly it was another great little title.
Ninjatown climbed straight up the charts at the Apple App store, although it hasn't quite hit the number one spot - yet. In hopes of climbing those Trees of Doom all the way to the top, Venan Arcade has slashed the price by 50 percent, so you can now pick it up for a mere 99 cents.
"While the game has been amidst the Top 25 Paid
Apps for
almost a week, Ol' Master Ninja is not yet satisified with our
progress,"
said Brandon Curiel, CEO of Venan Entertainment. "After a conference
call
with Ninja Consultant, Business Ninja, and Shawn Smith, creator of
Shawnimals,
we've decided to unleash our most devastating power up yet - a 50%
discount!"
What are you waiting for? Head over to the App Store and grab this game now while it's dirt cheap!
Kotaku has discovered what might be the strangest game in development anywhere on the planet right now. According to their discussions with Simon Peter, the man behind this insane undertaking, Centaurian is a real game, one which I will definitely be checking out once it releases. In this flash game, you'll use your axe-a-rang to fight evil centaurs who throw their severed genitals at you. Seriously. Look, just watch the trailer.
Google has a fun habit of switching up its logo for special events, and for the first time ever today's special logo is interactive. The occasion? The 30th anniversary of Pac-Man's Japanese release, of course! Just like in the original game, there are 255 levels with a "kill screen" on stage 256, and you can even play it cooperatively by hitting "Insert Coin" twice.
Hell yeah. It's been a while since I've covered any Rock Band DLC news, but then again it's been a while since anything truly exciting has been announced. That all changed today Harmonix announced that a great "I can't believe they weren't already in the game" band is being added next week. Pantera's complete album The Great Southern Trendkill will add some great guitar-driven rock to the Rock Band library. It's not the album that would have been my first pick (that would be Vulgar Display of Power), but hey, I'll take it.
The wonderfully addictive flash game Robot Unicorn Attack that has killed productivity at many a work place is bounding its way to the iPhone. It has very simple Canabalt-esque controls (two buttons however, instead of one) and in my honest opinion will be right at home on Apple's little touch phone. The App is scheduled to be available June 1st for the very affordable price of $2.99. That however, is only the price you pay monetarily -- the real price is your social life.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM May 20, 2010
Valve Software's Portal was released to vast critical acclaim back in 2007. With Valve's downloadable service, Steam, being released on Apple computers, Portal has been available to download for free for a limited time. The game has since been downloaded 1.1 million times, meaning that many more folks now understand what all the fuss is about.
The new F.E.A.R 3, or F.3.A.R. if you want to look like an idiot, is disappointing at best. It's got live-action sequences cut into it that are pretty laughable in terms of quality, especially when compared to other recents that have done it brilliantly. Occasionally I will offer a free bit of advice here or there, depending on my current level of generosity. Seeing that it's at a rather high level today, I present you with this -- if your trailer leaves the viewer wondering how this game could've been greenlit, you need to re-evaluate your current profession. Check the trailer after the break and tell me you don't agree.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM May 19, 2010
Playstation 3 is a little bit behind in the race to get jetpack-equipped possums on their console. Both PC and XBLA have enjoyed a week of Rocket Knight's Sparkster on their platform. Even the Steam version of Rocket Knight appeared before it did on PSN. The Steam version even came equipped achievements! Come on PSN, people want to play as a possum on your console!
It may not be a game by problem-plagued Call of Duty creators Infinity War, but something tells me that the upcoming Treyarch-developed Call of Duty: Black Ops will keep fans plenty happy. The first in-game trailer has arrived, and it delivers a lot of the same type of action as the promos for Modern Warfare 2 did. The footage in this clip is supposedly all in-game, but much of it looks like scripted events to me. Regardless, it's pretty slick and you can check it out below.
Today's shirt on Woot.com features the world-famous gorilla taking a much-needed break. You can buy it here today for a mere ten bucks! Get it while it lasts.
A fresh batch of Dead Space 2 screens hit the interwebs today, and goddamn do they look good. Scary as all hell, but good. Based on the screen above it appears that these mutated beings may have been mistaken all along -- maybe all they ever wanted from Issac was a hug. Peep the rest of the screens after the break to see if any hugging takes place.
Spoiler: there is no hugging, but you should check them out anyway.
Posted by Alexander Bevier at 3:00 PM May 18, 2010
It was only a simple matter of time before 5th Cell announced a sequel to their uniquely innovative Scribblenauts. It was up to speculation how 5th Cell would make the game better. How exactly would a clever game built around noun-generated characters be improved? The answer is superbly spectacular; add adjectives to Scribblenauts.
The game was only released today, but we've already got news on how Alan Wake will expand. The first downloadable chapter of the game, titled The Signal, has been confirmed for July 27. To sweeten the deal, it'll be free to all you fine folks who purchased the game, thanks to a coupon code in the box.
We're not sure where the new material falls in Alan Wake's story - it could easily be a prequel, sequel or "lost chapter." The story of the game felt pretty complete to me, so I'm curious how developer Remedy has chosen to expand it.
If you don't have a Wii and want to play a new Mario game, there's an option for you on the web today. Super Mario Star Scramble 2 is online, playable with a keyboard, and totally unlicensed by Nintendo. Nonetheless, it's a pretty impressive recreation of classic side-scrolling Mario action, so check it out here while you can. I would be surprised if Nintendo doesn't shut it down quickly. Check out the gameplay image below.
LucasArts has been doing some great work lately by reaching into their back catalog of classic adventure games and revamping them for a new audience. The excellent high-def remake of The Secret of Monkey Island will be receiving a sequel this summer, but if you haven't yet picked it up, now's the perfect time. The game will be on sale this week for a mere $5. There are also a few Monkey Island-themed Avatar clothing items on sale, but even at 50 cents a pop, those are still a rip-off.
There's a new trailer out today for Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, the upcoming downloadable adventure for Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC. I've never been a huge Tomb Raider fan, so I'll admit that I wasn't following this title too closely, so this first glimpse of gameplay was pretty surprising. I'd heard that the game would be pretty different from past Tomb Raider games and was co-op, but that was about all I knew. The video below clears up a lot of additional details.
Seeing that this map pack follows the exact same equation as the first, I will spare you my rant on what I would rather spend $15 on. That being said, many people will probably rejoice upon hearing the news that Activision is recycling two old and bringing three new Modern Warfare 2 maps to the table. You can expect the old stages from Modern Warfare to be Vacant and Strike, and the completely new ones to be named Trailer Park, Carnival, and Fuel. These five maps will be released first June 3rd on Xbox Live, with the PS3 and the PC presumably getting it a month or two later.
While I'm not entirely sure if this second pack will shatter Xbox Live records like the first one did -- 2.5 million downloads in the first week -- there's no doubt that Activision will be bathing in MS points come early June.
The PS2 has held the title of the world's best-selling console for some time now, with total worldwide sales at roughly 140 million. However, it looks like that title will be taken away sometime before the end of the year by the Nintendo DS. Nintendo's handheld, which has sold over 129 million units already, is expected to overtake the PS2 by the end of the year.
"The NDS is approaching the PS2 as the best-selling hardware system of
all time", says The NPD Group's Anita Frazier, "and by October or
November of this year, it should meet or exceed the install base of the
PS2."
Congrats to Nintendo for creating a juggernaut that apparently can't be stopped.
I always thought that Red Dead Redemption was going to be a big game. But now, only a few days away from its launch, I'm starting to get the feeling that it might be a HUGE game. The few early reviews out there suggest that it's a nearly perfect game, a now GameStop is holding midnight launch events for the title at over 3,000 stores. Most GameStops will open at 10PM this Monday for the event, and fans are encouraged to wear their best Western gear for a chance to earn some RDR swag.
If you're in New York, check out the exclusive launch event at the Union Square flagship store for a chance to earn more goodies. To see if you local GameStop is participating in the launch, head over to the official GameStop site.
Shank is another title we haven't spoken much about here at JD, but one that definitely deserves your attention -- especially in light of recent news. Electronic Arts announced that the award winning writer from God of War, Marianne Krawczyk, will be contributing to the upcoming action title. So now we have wonderfully brutal action and a potentially awesome storyline -- keep your finger on the pulse of this one.
The game is set for a Summer 2010 release on XBLA, PSN, and PC. Oh, and if you haven't seen it in action I strongly recommend checking out the five minutes or so of gameplay after the break.
This very well may be the game that makes the nerd universe explode. Castlevania Puzzle: Encore of the Night is being touted as a combination of Castlevania, Puzzle Quest and Super
Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. I don't know how any self-respecting gamer can hear that description and not have their head explode.
We don't know too much else about the game yet, other than that it's scheduled to hit all of Apple's core mobile devices "very soon" and forces Alucard to venture through Dracula's castle and defeat foes with falling "match-three" puzzles. I'm completely sold on that info alone.
About a month ago, "Pixels," the video above became an internet smash, with good reason. This simple movie about video game characters invading New York is brilliant, engaging and expertly done. Now there's word that the short film may be coming to the big screen, thanks to Adam Sandler's Happy Madison production company.
Now, I hate pretty much everything that Adam Sandler has ever done, but I'd have to give him some credit if this movie actually comes to pass. We'll see if the Pixels movie ever makes it beyond the concept phase - these things have a tendency to fall apart.
I wasn't a huge fan of the original Kane & Lynch, but everything about the sequel looks like it's an improvement over the original. I'm digging the Cloverfield-esque cinematography in the trailers, which highlight a couple of the game's multiplayer modes. Check out the overview of "Fragile Alliance" mode above and take a look at the "Arcade Mode" trailer below. It's not quite as "arcade-y" as I'd hoped, but still looks interesting. Be warned: both trailers contain both violence and naughty language.
Smile, because it's a great day to be a Bad Company 2 fan. Earlier today DICE announced a new game mode, entitled Onslaught, which will be available as DLC for both the PS3 and the 360 "soon". This new mode is essentially a "Horde" or "Firefight" mode -- if you're familiar with Gears of War 2 and/or Halo 3:ODST -- in which you and up to three others team-up against waves of A.I. enemies. The maps Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Isla Inocentes, and Nelson Bay have all been redesigned with different times of day, new effects, and added vehicles to help enhance the new experience. There's been no comment on price, if it's a VIP only deal, or if the PC will be getting the mode -- although we suspect they will, just later than the console users per the current trend. I've included the official press release and the teaser video after the break for those with inquisitive minds.
Gaming on the Mac isn't one of its major selling points, but that may be about to change. Steam, the downloadable game service from Valve that's been a huge force on the PC for years, has officially launched on Mac. To celebrate, Valve is giving away Portal for free to both PC and Mac gamers. If you haven't played Portal, it's one of the most critically acclaimed games of all time, and you should totally grab it. Do it now, because it's only available for free until May 24.
Head to the Steam store here, which is getting hammered right now for obvious reasons.
I haven't played a Pokemon game since the original GBA release, but just because I've gotten old doesn't mean that the franchise has. Japanese kid's magazine has unveiled three new Pokemon creatures from Pokemon: Black and White, which surely sent the entire country into a tizzy. See below for the looks and names of these adorable little monsters!
Behold, the Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Walkman MP3 player. A joint project of Sony and MGS publisher Konami, this special edition of the waterproof NWD-W253Z Walkman sports a custom camo design based on the game and is pre-loaded with six tracks from the Peace Walker soundtrack. The MP3 player will also ship with vouchers for in-game characters who will be sporting Walkman gear. Sporty!
A 4GB version of the device hits Japan in mid-May ¥11,800
($128). However, the US is only getting a 2GB version, and no release date has yet been set.
I would like to apologize in advance for the brevity of this post -- I've been working for almost thirteen hours here and am very near to collapsing on my computer. However I couldn't allow myself that luxury without having at least given you all something recent to keep you updated. With that in mind I present you with the newly released teaser for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood -- Ubisoft's next installment in the franchise due out late 2010. The website complete with teaser went live yesterday, but to make everything easier on you I've embedded the teaser as well as the weapons video striped from the site (courtesy of GameTrailers) after the break.
I got an email today from Chuck Bittner, the quadriplegic gamer and comedian who can be seen playing Modern Warfare 2 in the video above. Chuck runs the website "AskACapper.com," in which he answers questions about the life of a handicapped individual. Chuck's trying to garner support for custom button mapping in video games, something that would allow anyone (including those with disabilities) to rearrange the button layout on the controller. It's a great cause that would allow for greater accessibility in games, something that we fully support.
You can sign Chuck's petition here. You can also visit his website here, which is home to some pretty funny stand-up material. Check it out.
A new video game being created by the University of Central Florida and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center has an unusual goal - you're not attempting to win World War II or repel space aliens, but to fight off the temptations of alcohol abuse.
Called Guardian Angel, the game requires players to work through a series of mini-games that echo the choices that substance abusers face during their rehabilitation process. Players begin the game with out a job or a driver's license and must plan routes around the city that don't take them past the temptations of bars or liquor stores. Other mini-games include disposing of all the alcohol or other substances in a home, as well as monitoring a "craving meter" that tracks the player's urges and state of mind.
UCF professor Dr. Marcia Verduin hopes the game can teach addicts how to cope with the challenges that will confront them in the rehab process. We here at Joystick Division fully support the use of games to promote positive behaviors.
The existence of a Kane and Lynch movie is something that I really wasn't prepared to believe, despite the rumors that have been circulating for years. I really just couldn't accept the idea that two big-name stars would sign up for an adaptation of a B-grade game. Well, it looks like the movie is actually happening. This shot was Twittered by Empire Magazine at Cannes - remember when that film festival was about small, arty movies?
One thing you can say about Bethesda is that they really know how to do collector's editions right. Today the publisher announced the goodies that you'll receive in the premium edition of Fallout: New Vegas, and they're pretty swanky. It includes a deck of New Vegas playing cards, poker chips from the various casinos in the game (including the platinum "Lucky 38" chip, a graphic novel and a making-of DVD. No word on the pricing yet, but I think it's fair to say it will set you back a pretty penny. More details on the extras are below.
The initial charm of LittleBigPlanet wore off quickly for me, but obviously many other gamers out there really connected to the game and it's "build your own level" mentality. Today, Sony and Media Molecule have released the first trailer for LittleBigPlanet 2, which you can see below. Unlike most announcement videos, this teaser is chock with both gameplay footage and sold information. For example, the trailer boasts that you can now create AI characters, link levels together into complete games and make non-platforming games like racers and shooters. Every user-created level from the original game will be playable in the sequel, and based on these tidbits of info alone, LIttleBigPlanet 2 sounds like a massive upgrade from the first game. Well played, Sony.
Apparently concerned that Super Mario Galaxy 2 won't be as accessible to gamers as, say, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Nintendo is bundling the game with an instructional DVD that shows consumers how to play it. The DVD is only for the European and Japanese markets - apparently we Americans are all so fat and lazy that video games are natural to all of us.
Of course, we need to take this opportunity to point out that the Wii is the only console that can't play DVDs. Check out footage of the Japanese video instructions below.
If you threw all of these titles in a sifter and shook it like British nanny, I think you'd be pleasantly surprised to find a gold nugget or two winking up at you. Certainly not large ones mind you, but gold nonetheless.
Monday, May 10th: -Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations (Wii)
In what I'm calling a brilliant tactic to minimize trade-ins and therefore maximize profits, Rockstar is producing free multiplayer content for Red Dead Redemption. In the month of June the first of three packs titled Outlaws to the End will be released as DLC, offereing six co-op missions for 2-4 players. Only three of the six have been detailed as of now, but here's what we have so far:
-Walton's Gold:
Walton and his gang have planted explosives all around a gold mine they've taken into possession. Your goal is to get in there, load up a mine cart with as much gold as possible, and GTFO before the whole place blows to hell.
-The River
There's a rebel settlement along a river that just so happens to have a massive armory. So the natural thing to do is get your crew together and ride the river armed to the teeth, taking out literal boatloads of enemies as you go. Upon reaching the settlement you can expect a massive firefight, and if you're victorious, the armory is all yours.
-Ammunition
That cursed Mexican Army has taken control of a town named Tesoro Azul, and it's up to you to storm the gates of the make-shift fortress and take-out their artillery. Are you up to the challenge?
On the off chance that you don't know yet, Red Dead Redemption is set to drop in just over a week now -- so make sure you check out the various pre-order bonuses if you're interested!
Game Crazy (the games stores found connected to Hollywood Videos) are soon to completely disappear. The final 250 stores are set to close along with their symbiotic Hollywood Videos. The bad news is that there are now fewer alternatives to shopping at Gamestop. The good news is that Game Crazy's remaining inventory will be crazy cheap.
Game Crazy made their mark in the game-retail industry for selling used games at incredibly low prices as well as selling games from consoles that Gamestop abandoned, such as the NES and Genesis. At their height, there were 634 locations. From September to October, 272 stores closed.
We at Joystick Division pour one out for Game Crazy and their recently unemployed employees.
I was actually in the middle of writing a news post that had absolutely nothing to do with Marvel vs. Capcom 3 or Mega64. But then I randomly came across this gem while traversing the interwebs and couldn't resist the urge to share it with you all. While it isn't gaming news per se, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if you missed out on this hilarity -- especially if I had once held the power to prevent it. Enjoy.
After a long development cycle, a long beta cycle and long-standing demand, Starcraft II finally has a release date. I'm sure all of South Korea is partying in anticipation for July 27 when Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty will be available for purchase.
The game will be available for $60, and a collector's edition of the game will be sold for one hundred big ones. And, knowing Blizzard collector's editions, these won't be found for half price a week after the game came out (I'm looking at you, Halo 3).
Once Starcraft II ships, Blizzard will have plenty of free time to work on Diablo III, and the twelve-year wait for StarCraft III can begin.
With all the shooters out there and their action-packed teasers, it's a refreshing change of pace to see one that plays more on the emotional side of war. The new Medal of Honor teaser does just that, and damn well in this journalists opinion. As of today, the refresher of the franchise -- simply titled Medal of Honor -- is set to release October 12th in North America, and the 15th in Europe. It's still too early to tell, but with Infinity Ward now just a "shell of its former self" as one reader put it, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see EA take back the 'realistic shooter' crown.
Ubisoft is losing one of its biggest stars. Game designer and creative director Clint Hocking has announced his resignation. Hocking is best known for being the creative designer for the Splinter Cell franchise and the lead designer on Far Cry 2 and served as the public face for several projects from the Ubisoft Montreal studio.
Hocking's split with Ubisoft appears to be amiable. In his blog, he writes about his entry into Ubisoft and the opportunities given to him. His nine years with the company have been great, but he feels that it's his time to leave from the group that bore him. Hocking writes that "I am too comfortable. I am too content. And I know where that can lead for me."
Good luck to you, Mr. Hocking, we look forward to hearing about your next game.
I don't think we've talked at all yet aboutthe upcoming Splash Damage developed, Bethesda produced, shooter known as Brink -- which in itself is a great disservice to you. I first saw this game at last years Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) West, and I was quite taken in by it. It is essentially an FPS, but with integrated parkour elements, and if you know nothing about it you should check out the trailer from GDC after the break. But I'm getting ahead of myself here -- the subject of this post is that a new batch of screens were recently released. Said screens have only furthered my beliefs that if nothing else, Brink will prove to be an absolutely gorgeous game. Go see for yourself, and watch that badass trailer again, if not for the first time.
Not many people expected Street Fighter IV would be as popular as it was. Even fewer people expected the updated Super Street Fighter IV to be released so soon after its predecessor. With a $40 price tag, new characters, and other awesome things, however, everybody knew the game was going to sell very well. It's this very reason that Capcom's initial shipment of SSF4 consisted of one-million units worldwide.
Capcom's servers have been abuzz over the course of the game's release week, and there aren't any signs of the traffic slowing down. Now is one of the best times to start playing Street Fighter 4 if you're not already. So, pick up a tournament edition fight stick, a copy of the game, and practice your Hadokens today!
It may be intended specifically for game designers, but I can see a lot of average gamers wanting to check out Game Seeds, the game design card game created by a group of students at the Utrecht School of the Arts. Game Seeds gives you a bunch of characters, actions and situations to stimulate concepts for your game design. It's a brainstorming tool, a game and an art project all in one. Check out the official statement about Game Seeds from designer Liselore Goedhart as well as a bunch of the card art below.
Do you have a Wii? You do, huh? Well, do you have a black one? No?
Better get on that. Nintendo's living room-dominating Wii will be
available in slimming black starting May 9.
The new bundle will be priced at
$200, the same price as the current white Wii. However, the new edition
will come with both Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, as well as a Wii
Remote with the Wii Motion Plus add-on and Nunchuck. If you're one of the nine people
who doesn't yet have a Wii, this is the bundle we'd recommend. Like the OG white Wii, it looks like this bundle doesn't come with a second controller set. Fortunately, black controllers are already available so you can stay color-coordinated.
MechWarrior 4: Vengeance was released a decade ago. In that time, gaming has changed a little. And by little, I mean a lot! Consoles are now regularly connected to the internet, games are played in high definition, and you go play games on your console without discs! It's a wonderful time we live in. Oh yeah! MechWarrior 4 is now available for free.
An updated version of MechWarrior 4 is available here, but their site has been consistently crashing due to heavy traffic. If, by some chance, the site goes back up you can enjoy the deep mech simulator. Or, you can be awesome and own the discs (like me) and not have to deal with the website.
Inspired by the work of Team Teamwork and their Vinyl Fantasy project, hip hop-based music producer Alex Kresovich has combined the music of the N64 classic GoldenEye with vocals from current rappers like T.I. and Tech N9ne. The "Gold N' Fly" project is available in its entirety on his website Goldnfly.com, or you can just check out one of the first two singles below. It's pretty fun stuff, so I suggest you give it a listen.
This week continues the trend of an increased quantity of releases, including the sequel to one of my favorite DS titles -- Picross. However Picross 3D aside, I'll be dedicating most my time to the Reach beta, and my funds to the upcoming Red Dead Redemption. What games are you playing in the month of May?
Monday, May 3rd: -Zombie Panic in Wonderland (Wii)
-Kung Fu Funk (Wii)
-1001 Crystal Mazes Collection (DS)
-Picross 3D (DS)
Tuesday, May 4th:
-Iron Man 2 (360, DS, PC, PS3, PSP, Wii)
-Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Stimulus Package (PC, PS3)
It has been widely reported by the general gaming media that the next Call of Duty installment -- currently under development by Treyarch -- would be set in Vietnam; as of this morning we can't be so sure. Earlier today Activision jumped the gun on allowing public access to their newest CoDwebsite, giving us a look at the game title and release date. Somewhat mysteriously dubbed Call of Duty Black Ops, we can't be sure of the games location, as it could still very well take place in Vietnam -- just a little more behind the scenes.
To inject my opinion into the news, something I tend to do all too frequently, I'm really hoping for a modern setting for this title -- because as it stands, I'm a pretty lousy shot with iron-sights. At any rate, we won't have to wait long to find out, as the game is scheduled to be unveiled later this evening. Check back at the end of the day to find out all the juicy details!
UPDATE: Okay so the kind of details I was hoping for definitely didn't surface, but it is set in Nam, and it will have a licensed soundtrack, which is pretty awesome in itself (the soundtrack that is, I wouldn't refer to Nam as overly awesome). If you head on over to the website linked above the only update you'll find is a "Watch the teaser here 5.1.10" or something along those lines. Nothing too exciting, and don't worry about setting any reminders or anything, because we will be sure to post it up here at JD. Have a great weekend loving readers, and get hyped for Reach!
Valve Software characters are some of the most adored in the industry. From the silent Gordon Freeman and the always-talking Glados, to the Heavy Weapons Guy from Team Fortress 2, these character define modern PC gaming. Now, thanks to the good people at Gaming Heads, you can have Valve toys to play with.
The Heavy is the first character in a line of figures based off of Valve's games. Characters from Half Life 2 and Left 4 Dead are soon to follow, as well as life-sized weapons. That's right, you read that correctly. People may soon be able to buy an actual-sized Portal or Gravity gun.
Pre-orders for The Heavy will be available on May 3rd. So hold on to your wallets, because these toys look nice enough to show off to your mom.
One year ago, Zeno Clash was released upon the world to wondrous-yet-confused acclaim. The game took place in the world of Zenozoik and featured some of the most bizarre character designs gaming has seen on modern technology. The Chilean first-person brawler will be making its debut on Xbox Live Arcade next week under the name Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition.
The Ultimate edition, published by Atlus, will feature a completely overhauled combat system, a new Co-op mode, and a character gallery (so you can see the bizarre characters up close).
Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition will be available on Wednesday, May 5 for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).
It was previously stated that Steam for the Mac would be coming sometime in April. This is a statement that can now be seen as a malicious and contemptible lie! With only two days left in the month of that godless egg-laying rabbit, Valve has informed us that the Mac release of Steam will be an entire thirteen days late. Okay so maybe it was less of a malicious lie and more of a slightly overly optimistic estimate, but that doesn't sound nearly as good.
May 12th is the new release date, and come that day Apple users everywhere will be able to rock the Half-Life series, Left 4 Dead 2, Counter-Strike, Portal, and of course Team-Fortress 2. Let the new countdown begin!
I'd just like to take a moment here to shill for a game that I really enjoyed and think that everyone with an iPhone or an iTouch should check out. Space MIner: Space Ore Bust isnow will be on sale on the App Store for the bargain-basement price of $0.99 starting Saturday. You can check out my review of the game here, although much has changed since I first covered it - a recent update has improved the graphics and added new modes and items. If you don't already have it, you now have no excuse not to pick up this excellent little game.
[UPDATE]: I jumped the gun a bit. The sale doesn't start until Saturday.
There's long been speculation about who Bungie would team up with for its first post-Halo game, and now we know. The developer announced today that it has signed a 10-year exclusive partnership with Activision. The full press release is below, but here's the key language about the deal:
"Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will have exclusive,
worldwide rights to publish and distribute all future Bungie games based
on the new intellectual property on multiple platforms and devices.
Bungie remains an independent company and will continue to own their
intellectual property."
In short, Bungie remains independent and owns the rights to all their games. The first game that will be produced under the deal is apparently well under way and is multiplatform (which probably means 360, PS3 and PC but not Wii).
Finally, a prediction before moving on to the full press release: Based on the speed at which Bungie has typically worked, I predict that the developer will produce three Activision-published games over the course of the next ten years. I guess we'll see.
The official release of the first Dead Space 2 trailer is here,and along with lots of quick shots of drippy Necromorph monsters, it gives us our first-ever look at protagonist Isaac without his mask on. It's definitely a teaser so there's not a lot of solid info there, but give EA a pass for that, primarily because Dead Space was great and I can't wait to play the sequel.
Just in case you weren't tired of hearing about the Call of Duty franchise and the going-ons about the company behind it, Activision announced that a new Call of Duty -developed by Treyarch- will be announced at Gametrailers this Friday. A teaser trailer will most likely be available then.
Through all the hustle and bustle around Infinity Ward, Respawn Entertainment, and the people leaving Infinity Ward to join Respawn Entertainment, it seems like odd timing to announce a new game in the franchise (although two are currently known to be in development). The game is speculated to take place during the Vietnam War. The other game in the works is an adventure title made by Sledgehammer games; a company forged by the former heads of Visceral Games.
Treyarch's new Call of Duty game will most likely come out in November.
We're not big sports gamers 'round these parts, but there are some sports games that appeal to even non-sports guys like us. One of those games was the original Tecmo Bowl. The long-awaited update to said classic arrives on Xbox Live Arcade, and if you're like us you might wanna check it out. Go local sports squadron!
Well, this is just awesome. Indie game developer "Exploding Rabbit" has recreated Super Mario Bros with one important twist - you can play through it with characters from The Legend of Zelda, Contra, Castlevania, and Metroid. In Super Mario Crossover, each character controls just like they do in their own game, so Bill from Contra can shoot in multiple directions, Link has both his sword and boomerang, etc. Each character feels pretty distinct - for example, Simon's double jump is helpful, yet tricky to master. In other words, you should totally check it out. It's available to play here.
If anyone said that THQ's Red Faction was getting a television movie a year ago, I would have said "What's Red Faction?"* All of a sudden,Red Faction: Guerrilla is released in building-demolishing goodness and a TV movie makes perfect sense. The movie is intended to be a backdoor pilot (a stand-alone film that will hopefully turn into a full series) for Syfy.
Broadcasting & Cable spoke with Syfy's senior VP, Alan Seiffert who said that Red Faction "It is the kind of content that fits our genre". Considering that Red Faction takes place on Mars, and Syfy likes shows that take place in space, it seems that the two will work well together.
Syfy and THQ announced their partnership back in February, and a television version of de Blobwill be made for the little nerdlings too young for Syfy's other programs.
*Editor's note: I, on the other hand, have very fond memories of the original Red Faction. Then again, I'm old.
I attempt in no way to hide my excitement for the Halo: Reach beta, so when Bungie rolls out one of their gorgeous live-action TV ads, you won't see me complaining. I will however question the necessity of it. Rarely do you ever see big money spent on promoting a betabuild of a game -- and with the vast amount of mindshare that Reach already commands -- well, it seems unnecessary.
I suppose the bottom-line is that it's not yours or my money being spent (discounting of course what we paid for their products over the years), so to hell with necessity -- keep those beauties coming!
I'd never willingly watch Top Gun, but if I ever get an iPad I'll definitely be playing the game. Paramount Digital Entertainment and Freeverse have released this new video highlighting some of the very silly features in the iPad version of the Top Gun game, including 100% genuine Kenny Loggins music. If that doesn't sell you on the game, I don't know what will. Maybe the fact that you can play as the race car from Days of Thunder. How about a volleyball mini-game? Seriously, I'm not kidding about either of those.
I've been hearing good things about the Iron Man 2 video game (the developer of which Sega just shuttered), even thought the first movie game was enjoyed by exactly no one. I'd happily play a good Iron Man game, and I'd love to support a new Sega title - in addition to closing the developer, the publisher recently laid off much of its US staff, including some folks I know.
To get us ready for the launch of the game and the movie, Sega released this clip, which shows off the opening cutscene of the game. It looks pretty good, even if the RDJ voice stand-in isn't quite doing it for me.
In other Iron Man news, the complete 1994 animated series is coming to DVD on 5/4, the same day as the game. Just for funsies, I've included a few clips of the show below.
If you own an iPhone or iPod Touch, there's a good chance you've played Doodle Jump. The developer, Lima Sky, has announced that the $0.99 game has now sold four million copies. Only a month ago, Lima Sky announced that the game had sold three million copies, which means the game is officially selling like hotcakes.
Doodle Jump is a simple game: the player uses the touch sensor to steer the auto-jumping Doodle creature to the left of right. The higher you jump, the higher your score, and the game continues until you die. Tapping the screen shoots at the rare enemies, and a handful of power-ups help you gain extra height. It's a game that you can play with one hand and the average game only lasts a minute or two, making it a perfect fit for the pick-up-and-play library of games on the Apple App store.
A new version of Doodle Jump is apparently under development for the iPad. We predict that, like the original, it'll do pretty well.
From today until May 11, Xbox Live users have exclusive access to the first demo for arcade racer Split/Second. The demo features the "airport terminal" level and will be available to PS3 players after the Xbox exclusivity period winds down.
I plan on checking out the demo tonight and should have some impressions for you tomorrow. See you online!
The video above is far from the most exciting clip I've ever seen, but it's promoting a game feature that I think is just brilliant: an audio commentary track. The Monkey Island 2 Special Edition will feature a commentary with some of the creators, which is a great excuse if you were looking for a reason to replay the game. If you don't know who to expect on said track, this little clip will fill you in.
The hideous amalgamation you see above is an indication that we are headed back towards more robust launch weeks! Although this is inherently good, I now need to convince my ladyfriend that the purchasing and playing of many of these titles is a necessary part of my journalistic research...I'm going to have to think on this one.
Monday, April 26th: -Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley (PSP)
-Vampireville (PC)
-DodoGo! (DS)
-The Whispered World (PC)
Tuesday, April 27th:
-2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (360, PS3, PSP, Wii)
Okay so my math skills are about as sharp as the blade on a windshield wiper, so to put it in a not-stupid equation format, Metroid: Other M and Sin & Punishment: Star Successor have been delayed here in North America.
Metroid took the brunt of the delay, getting pushed all the way back to August 31st, where as S&P received only a twenty day bump to June 27th. My heart goes out to those Wii-only owners who were looking to get some good game time in this summer -- fortunately you at least have another alternative.
Sega released a new trailer today for Alpha Protocol that highlights its Mass Effect-esque dialogue system. It takes a while to get there, but after watching the whole thing you'll have a pretty good idea of how the system works. The timer adds a nice urgency to the dialogue, but I have to admit the pretty boy good looks of the main character and the woman apparently wearing only ammo belts makes me wonder if there's an unlockable "porn" choice not on display here. Maybe that's just me.
Contrary to what countless anti-gaming nutjobs have claimed, a new study has shown that playing violent video games is good for your brain. A group of researchers in the Netherlands has found that shooter video games enhances your brain's quick thinking ability and reflexes, something that's especially helpful in today's multitasking-focused world.
"Playing
video games helps the natural reflexes, it makes players more responsive
and
able to switch between different tasks," said Dr. Lorenza Colzato, Assistant Professor of Leiden University's
Psychology Department. ""This type of thinking is very practical for the modern
lifestyle where people are doing so many things at the one time.
"They may be checking their email, then
taking a phone call. They need to
be flexible. If someone likes violent video games it does not mean they
will
engage in anti-social behaviour. Parents should not be scared to let
their
children play video games."
Dr. even added that playing video games could help the elderly fight the mental deterioration that's a natural part of aging. "This could become a common
nursing home activity, it would be a successful strategy," she said.
The study was published in the journal
Frontiers
in Cognition. The finding were first reported in The Sun and further covered by The Times of India and Fox News.
I apologize if all this Halo: Reach news doesn't excite you, but before you write it off completely, I implore you to watch this one last bit of content. After you've viewed this multiplayer ViDoc without any stirring of emotion whatsoever, then you are either a zombie or you truly exist beyond Reach's appeal; either way it's an important thing to know about one's self. For those of you who are excited for the upcoming beta, well, this is just another piece of media to take it to the next level.
Techland, the creators of the Call of Juarez series, have a new game coming out at the end of this year. Called nail'd, it's an ATV racer that will be published by Deep Silver- which is not what I would have predicted from a company best-known for a pair of shooters.
My favorite part of the announcement press release is when it says "nail'd eschews
boring realism for over the top arcade fun." Suck it, realism! But seriously, I enjoy arcade-syle racers much, much more than realistic ones, so I'm curious to learn more about this game. Press release below:
The long-awaited Left 4 Dead 2 expansion The Passing is finally here, and Valve has released a humorous little video to go along with it. The developer has also shared some details on the new "Mutation" events - every Thursday, owners of The Passing will be able to play in special one-off game types with unique rules, including one in which all players get chainsaws. Sold.
A while ago I told myself that I would stop buying the over-priced, over-rated collector's and llimited editions of games. The reason being that no matter how cool I thought the super limited tin case for the game was at the time, the reality is that once that excitement wears off (and it quickly does for me), I now have a game case that doesn't get along with the others on my shelf. That is to say, the looks that once made it special now mark it as an outcast. Additionally, the extra stuff contained within usually ends up in the trash within the week -- with only a few exceptions. So, how this all relates to gaming news (there is actually some news here) is that the Halo: Reach Legendary Edition, priced at $149.99, IS one of those few exceptions. Check after the break to find out what exactly is contained within both the Legendary and Limited Edition -- Halo fans, this won't disappoint.
I can't get excited about the "are games art?" debate. I try to, I really do. As a gamer who is passionate about gaming, I sometimes feel like I should care when someone like Roger Ebert (someone I respect a great deal) weighs in on the subject. But it just ain't happening.
Part of it is my lack of a clear, defensible opinion on the matter: I honestly don't know if games are art or not, mostly because I get stuck on the more difficult question you have to answer before everything else:
"What is art?"
On that one alone, any two people can go round and round for days. Just try it.
Those of you still offering sexual favors hunting for a beta key for Star Craft II can finally lay your efforts to rest, as there is now a simple solution. Word has it that if you reserve your copy of SCII -- standard edition or fully loaded $100 collector's edition -- from GameStop you will be handed a golden ticket to the beta. For all those opportunists out there it should be noted that once reserved, you cannot cancel your order. That being said, in the name of science I put in a phone call to my local GameStop and made an inquiry -- you do not need to pay off the entire game to receive the beta key. So what that means is that you can pay $5 today, have access to the beta, and just never pick up your SCII copy. Now I don't know why you would want to do that exactly, but the choice is yours my friend -- I just deliver the news.
Capcom has proven itself to be a publisher with a sense of humor, as evidenced in this trailer for the upcoming Bionic Commando Rearmed 2. The sequel is coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PSN next year from new studio Fatshark - a team made up of former members of GRIN, who handled the first BCR. Speculation was that the other ex-GRIN studio, Might and Delight, would be handling the game, but now we know better. And knowing is half the battle!
Before you let the rejoicing commence I must let you know that this isn't the type of DLC that you or I are craving for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 -- such as a map pack. This is a cross-promotional Dr. Pepper deal where you use bottle caps to access what is being referred to as the Kit Upgrade.
So what exactly does this Kit Upgrade give you in exchange for swigging copious amounts of Dr. Pepper? It gives you the chance to pick out an outfit and accessorize! No military man should be caught dead or alive without a gun that properly compliments his uniform! Seriously, that's what you get -- new uniforms and camouflaged weaponry.
In Europe -- where they either don't have Dr. Pepper or the faith that this promotion will be beneficial -- the DLC is being sold a la carte for 160 Microsoft Points, or 440 for the whole wardrobe. Heh, get it, wardrobe? Man I don't know how I come up with these things.
Those of you with 360s can kill in style starting April 21st (tomorrow). Unfortunately the PS3 and PC users will have to put their vanity on hold indefinitely, as there has been no confirmed release date for other platforms.
Activision's BioShock-esque* shooter Singularity has fallen off the radar a bit since it was originally announced, so the publisher would like to remind you that this game indeed exists. The game has been announced for a June 29 release date and lets you manipulate time in some hopefully fun ways - you can age stuff until it corrodes, revert broken objects to their complete state and otherwise mess with the timestream.
*I played Singularity waay back at last year's Comic-Con, and while the story or powers aren't at all like BioShock, there was a distinct vibe of inspiration. Maybe that's changed as a result of the delay.
The team behind GRIN's Bionic
Commando Rearmed have recently gotten the band back together under the
name "Might and Delight". According to their website, Might and
Delights goal is to "bring charming new games to life" and
to create experiences that looks to the simplicity of retro games while
providing something fresh and accessible.
Bionic Commando Rearmed was
the 2008 remake of the original Bionic Commando on the NES. The game
received positive reviews overall and sold 130,000 copies in its first
week.
As a fan of both Bionic
Commando
Rearmed and people having jobs, I am happy to hear about Might and
Delight
forged from a bunch of developers from a defunct studio. It will be
really exciting to hear what projects they will be working on. Their
website is also really pretty-looking.
Only a day after stating that Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was "pretty much confirmed," the first trailer for the game has hit the web. It's only a teaser, but it's definitely enough to get any Capcom or Marvel fan plenty excited. Look for more details soon when Capcom officially announces the game this week.
UPDATE: Here's a little more on the game from the official fact sheet.
• Innovative graphics and gameplay bring the Marvel and Capcom
Universes to life: Powered by an advanced version of MT Framework, the
engine used in Resident Evil 5 and Lost Planet 2, now comes to Marvel
vs. Capcom 3, bringing beautiful backgrounds and character animations to
the forefront. • Evolved VS. Fighting System: Wild over-the-top
gameplay complete with signature aerial combos, hyper combos and other
original systems. The evolved battle system takes the exciting
mind-reading game to a whole new level! • 3-on-3 Tag Team
Fighting: Players build their own perfect team and use Assist Attacks
and each character's special moves to create their own unique fighting
style. • Living Comic Book Art Style: See the most adored
characters from the Capcom and Marvel universes brought to life in a
"moving comic" style, blurring the boundaries between 2D and 3D
graphics.Of course we'll have more coming soon, and here are a few
places you'll be able to find the good stuff:
The debate over whether
videogames
are art is one that almost every gamer is willing to argue about. Like
most debates on the internet, however, most people leave with their
convictions as polarized as they already were. Roger Ebert is one of
the strongest advocates against games as art and has recently restated
his opinions as such.
"I remain
convinced that in principle, video games cannot be art," Ebert writes on his blog on
the Chicago Sun-Times. He goes on to talk about a lecture on the topic
at USC given by Kellee Santiago. Ebert ends his post stating "The
three games (Braid, Flower, and WACO: The Video Game) she chooses as
examples do not raise my hopes for a video game that will deserve my
attention long enough to play it. They are, I regret to say, pathetic."
While I wholeheartedly
disagree,
Ebert is an old man judging a craft he doesn't know a thing about. We,
as gamers, should leave him out of our debates and wait for a game
critic
comparable to Ebert in film to rise up. Although, we shouldn't be
surprised
when that guy abhors the next cultural medium.
Another pretty slow week on the release front, but for once it looks like the Wii owners will be the ones rejoicing. Drink it in my friends, you deserve it.
There's good news for parents who are worried that gaming before bedtime may keep their kids awake. A new study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has found no evidence that video games before bed affect the player's sleep habits in any significant way. It did taking the gaming participants in the study slightly longer to fall asleep than a second group who watched a documentary, but only a few minutes:
Australian researchers found that it took teens a median of 7.5 minutes
to fall asleep after playing the video game, only slightly longer than
the three minutes it took them to nod off after watching the Academy
Award-winning March of the Penguins on DVD.
The researchers allowed the gaming group to play Call of Duty 4 for 50 minutes before bedtime and used group of boys between the ages of 14 and 18. While I'm glad the study eliminated yet another reason for parents to be against games, I'd be lying if I didn't say that gaming before bed has lead to many nights of dreaming about Tetris blocks and Fieldrunners soldiers.
You may not have heard much about Sniper: Ghost Warrior. After all, the game doesn't have the marketing budget of some mega-brand shooters out there. Developer/Publisher City Interactive doesn't have the name recognition of big shooter studios. Generally, we gamers tend to dismiss titles by smaller companies, especially when they choose to compete in mainstream genres like shooters. But I gotta say, these screens from Sniper: Ghost Warrior are looking pretty dang good. I haven't had a chance to get my hands on the game, but these shots certainly make me interested in seeing more. See additional screens below.
It's probably apparent at this point that we here at JD are very excited for the Halo: Reach beta. If you're not on board yet then I strongly suggest reading the most recent 'Fisted Reasoning' column in combination with this here news post -- you may just yet find yourself aboard the wagon.
Yes, the modes that you know and love such as CTF, King of the Hill, and Slayer will still be present, so you can relax and focus on these new ones.
You can say what you will about Ubisoft and their delays, but you have to give them credit for copying their competition adaptability. Starting today, a new weapon or item will be released indefinitely every week as DLC completely free of charge. This week brings us the beautiful MP7A1 (pictured above) and is available via the Extras menu in-game. Now if only it would come with an ever-so-desirable silenced version...
There's good news and bad news for fans of the classic X-COM series. First, the good news: it's coming back! Now the bad news: It's not the game you remember. The famed tactics series has been reborn as an FPS, which is being developed by BioShock 2 developers 2K Marin.
I actually never played the original X-COM games, so I have no strong feelings about the genre switch one way or the other. But I do know a bunch of X-COM fans, and they're gonna be pissed. Full press release below.
The internet has been abuzz regarding the departure -- or rather, the termination -- of Vince Zampella and Jason West from Infinity Ward. Then the suing and counter-suing has been stirring up so much dust that nobody knows who will end up on top when it all settles. There is one thing that is certain regardless of what Activision claims -- Infinity Ward is looking more and more like a decaying corpse. As of today, not only have West and Zampella gone on to start the EA backed studio Respawn Entertainment, but lead artists, designers, and programmers are jumping ship as fast as they can. The roster so far is lead designer Todd Alderman, lead software engineer Francesco Gilgiotti, programmer Jon Shiring, senior animator Bruce Ferriz, lead designer Mackey McCandish, senior developers Steve Fukuda and Zied Reike, programmer Rayme Vinson, and finally (for now) lead artist Chris Cherubin. That's eleven rather important sounding people (four of which left today), so I don't care what Activision says, that's some demoralizing shit and I doubt IW can pull through. Any thoughts?
I loved Dead Space, although I never bothered to play the Dead Space: Extraction prequel. I will, however, be reading the prequel novel Dead Space: Martyr. I'm not much for licensed books, but I'm a huge fan of author B.K. Evenson, author of literary thrillers like Last Days and The Open Curtain. He's also no stranger to sci-fi or game books, having written about both Halo and Aliens.
According to the description, Martyr explores the story of geophysicist Michael Altman, a name that should sound familiar to Evenson's fans. It is the story of how Altman discovers the Black Marker and sets in motions the events that lead to Isaac Clarke's adventure aboard the Ishimura 200 years later.
I've got to admit my biases here: I've B.K. (Brian) Evenson is one of my favorite authors. I had three of his books signed when I had the opportunity to meet him last winter. He's a great writer, a class act, and believe it or not, an avid gamer. When he found out what I did for a living he asked me for recommendations on what he should play next, as he was just about finished playing Dragon Age: Origins. He also told me that there was a point when he'd be commissioned to write a novel set in the BioShock universe, although that unfortunately fell apart. Dead Space: Martyr will be released in July and is available for pre-order here.
After a delay and a leak, Gears of War 3 has been officially announced. Gears creator Cliff Bleszinski appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show last night and dropped the first trailer as well as the April 2011 release date. There aren't a ton of new gameplay details available, although it's confirmed that the Locust offshoot the Lambent. There's also word that you'll encounter creatures that can yank you out of cover. Gears of War 3 is supposedly the end of the trilogy. Honestly, I don't expect it will contain any huge surprises, but I still be playing it the first chance I get.
This is a Public Service Announcement from the Joystick Division Department of Getting the Most of your Console: The Wii's new Netflix "Watch It Now" feature is live and ready to use! Like the PS3, the Wii requires a special disc to use the Netflix streaming service. Those of you waiting for said discs will be happy to know that they're available now at Netflix.com, and the service is available starting today. If you've already signed up for your streaming disc, you could be receiving it in the mail any day now.
As with all Netflix-to-console streaming services, you'll need a Netflix account and an internet connection. And if you don't have an internet connection, then I'm really not sure how you're reading this story.
It was really only a matter of time. Jason West and Vince Zampella, the fired former heads of Infinity Ward, have formed a new development studio. The new company, Respawn Entertainment, is backed by EA (the owner of West and Zampella's pre-Infinity Ward home, 2015).
Unlike 2015, Respawn Entertainment is an independent studio, and its upcoming project(s) will be distributed by EA Partners, the publishing label behind games like the Left 4 Dead series and Brutal Legend.
"Respawn Entertainment marks a fresh start for Jason and me," Zampella
said in a statement. "For the past decade we led a great development
team and poured our hearts into creating an epic game franchise. We're
very proud of what we built - and proud that so many millions of fans
enjoyed those games. Today we hope to do it all over again -- open a new
studio, hire a great team, and create brand new games with a new
partner, EA."
There's no word on what the first game from Respawn will be or if it will be another military shooter, but it's safe to guess that it will be the same type of big-budget action game that both Infinity Ward and 2015 are known for.
If you follow the video game industry at all, you're doubtless aware of the situation between Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella and Modern Warfare 2 publisher Activision. In short, Activision fired the developers, which promoted the departure of other key Infinity Ward staffers as well as a lawsuit from Mr. West and Mr. Zampella. Not surprisingly, Activision is counter-suing the duo, claiming that the firings were the result of wrong-doing by the pair. In a statement to Kotaku, Activision said:
"Activision's cross-complaint filed today against Jason West and Vince
Zampella makes clear that the company did not arrive at its decision to
fire them lightly or without good reason. It further shows Activision
was forced to sever the relationship when it became apparent that
long-standing attempts failed to convince West and Zampella to conform
their conduct to what was required of them by their contracts, company
policies and as fiduciaries."
As it concerns the biggest publisher in the industry taking on the former heads of one of the most acclaimed studios, we're sure to learn more as the story continues to unfold.
We all knew it was going to happen. However considering that Cliffy's appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon was pushed till Monday, it looks like Microsoft got a little too excited and prematurely discharged onto the dashboard. Either that, or nobody decided to inform them of the push. But there you have it folks, Gears of War 3 will be invading your home screens come April 2011. Fuck yes.
Although not literal, it certainly is the equivalent of. As you may know Apple has unveiled their new iPhone OS 4.0 today, announcing several new and wonderful functions such as mulitasking (finally), although some will only work with 3GS and up. Another brilliant move was the invention of Game Center, which as I alluded to in the title is the equivalent of Xbox Live for your iPhone. Theoretically, developers who updated today will be integrating it into their pre-existing games and incorporating it into future titles, allowing matchmaking, leaderboards, and a friends list that extend across the platform. I'm not sure if Apple will be requiring all new games to use this, or how they will handle the pre-existing networks such as OpenFeint and Plus+, but honestly I don't see how they can subsist harmoniously together. Regardless, from a consumer standpoint I'm very excited about the potential -- can't wait to see how it all pans out.
That headline is slightly misleading - legendary horror director John Carpenter isn't entirely in charge of the latest entry in the F.E.A.R. series, but he is consulting on the game to make the scary bits extra scary. Comic book scribe and 30 Days of Night creator Steve Niles is also co-writing the script, and MechAssault developer Day 1 Studios is taking over development from F.E.A.R. creators Monolith. Day 1 has handled the console port of the original game, so they've got some experience with the series.
The freshly announced F.E.A.R. 3 features the return of characters Paxton Fettel, the Point Man and of course creepy little girl Alma. The third game features a new co-op mode, will be out this fall, and reminds me that I still need to play F.E.A.R. 2.
Remember Dark Void? Think hard - it only came out a few months ago. Nobody seemed to much like the actual console game, but plenty of folks loved the old-school promotional game created to help sell it. Dark Void Zero appeared on Nintendo' DSiWare service, and generally received much, much better reviews that the game that inspired it. Fortunately for those of us who have older DS models, Dark Void Zero is coming to iPhone/iPod and PC in just a few short days. Hitting on April 12, Dark Void Zero is coming out at just the right time - I've finished up most of the games in my backlog and I'm looking for something new to play.
No word on pricing, but the new version of Dark Void Zero will have an all-new ending. Rejoice!
Over the last few months, Transformers: War for Cybertron has gone from a game that I was mildly curious about to a game that I'm really looking forward to. This new trailer highlights the online character customization, although most of the footage actually shows in-game fightin' - not that I'm complaining. Only time will tell if anyone will actually support an online Transformers community, but based on what I've seen I'm willing to give it a shot.
Earlier today I sat through a presentation in which I saw that Halo: Reach is at the top of the awareness charts -- or rather, millions of people are aware that Halo: Reach is a game. You are probably one of those people, and as such you will most likely find this bit of news not only relevant, but even pleasing.
In Bungie's weekly update they released a slew of hi-res images depicting gorgeous weaponry, heavy-duty vehicles, and some strapping spartans. Above is one of the more peculiar looking weapons called the focus rifle, which looks like it could provide some devastating melee damage -- perhaps even more so than with it's projectiles. After the break you can find a few more of my favorites, but head over to Bungie to check them out in all their hi-res glory.
After doling out several pieces of free downloadable content through the in-game Cerberus Network, Mass Effect 2 is now getting its first piece of "premium DLC" - that's a nice way of saying that you have to pay for it. For $7, you can now grab the "Kasumi" content, which adds a new quest and the titular new crew member. It promises to be a lengthy quest, but I'm undecided on whether or not I'll be grabbing this content - I'm torn between my love of Mass Effect and my hatred of paying for stuff.
Okay so there's a little more than that, but honestly, not much. It would appear that the industry is taking a much needed breather; take a look for yourself.
Despite the fact that I'm now reminded of Jake Gyllenhaal every time I see the Prince, I really enjoyed the new The Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands trailer. The looks of our supposedly Persian Prince aside, I love that the gameplay appears to be headed back in the direction of The Sands of Time; an incredibly enjoyable platformer if I've ever played one.
It's certainly not going to be a dry next couple months on the game-front, and it's looking like you can add the new PoP title to your ever-growing list of purchases. Look for it May 18th on the 360, PS3, PSP, DS, Wii -- pretty much everything but the PC -- which is becoming the popular thing to do.
You should rightfully take everything you see online today with a grain of salt, but this one is no joke. From today until April 7, several XBLA games are on sale for up to 50% off. There are a couple titles that I might pick up, but nothing I'm absolutely dying to play - I'd definitely grab Lumines Live if I didn't already own it. Here's the complete list of discounted titles:
Age of Booty: Sale price: 400 [original price: 800]
Defense Grid: Sale price: 400 [original price: 800]
Lumines LIVE: Sale price: 400 [original price: 800]
Mad Tracks: Sale price: 400 [original price: 800]
Rocket Riot: Sale price: 400[original price: 800]
Schizoid: Sale price: 400[original price: 800]
South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!: Sale price:
400 [original price: 800]
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix: Sale price:
560[original price: 1200]
Track & Field: Sale price: 240[original price: 400]
Seeing that this is a video game site we normally don't stray from talking about, well video games.There is always the occasional exception where something like music crosses into the video game territory, and thus becomes fair game -- much like that one time the neighbor's dog crossed onto my property...but I digress.
On this day a fine resident of the Great White North, Brad Smith, released Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon as if it were intended for the NES. Not only is it incredibly well done, but it also successfully merges two independent nostalgic memories into one modern-day marvel; truly a wondrous accomplishment. You can head over to Brad's site for the album, titled MOON8, and download it absolutely free of charge; something I highly recommend doing.
This trailer for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions came out yesterday, so it's already 40 years old in internet terms. But you know what? It's cool so I'm posting it anyway. The Spider-Man game series has been a little stagnant lately, so it's nice to see this new game take a different direction. Based on what we know so far, Shattered Dimensions takes place across at least four parallel realities, one being the standard Marvel Universe and another a "Noir" dimension that looks pretty slick. Check out the trailer and let us know what you think.
I will admit to you that until this newest trailer aired I wasn't all that excited about Metroid: Other M -- in fact, it had damn near completely fallen off my radar. Now that may be partially due to all the great games that have been released as of late -- or the many hyped-up, AAA titles that are dropping prior tothe newest Metroid iteration -- but it is a sad truth nonetheless.
However, post-trailer viewing I can now happily report that MOM (heh) is back on my radar and flashing brighter than ever. Perhaps still not as bright as some of the others, but it sure is a vast improvement. Between this, Monster Hunter Tri, and NBA Jam it's looking like I'll have some good reasons to dust my Wii off this year (insert penis joke).
As I've mentioned before, we like to give a little Indie love every now and again, and Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet is as deserving a title as it gets. Maybe you've heard of it before, maybe you've already seen the trailer I've included below, but maybe you haven't, and that is not a risk I'm willing to take.
Due to the amazing visual style of ITSP it's hard to do the game any justice with words, so I'll just give you a few important details and send you on your way to watch the trailer. According to Michael Gagne's blog (the artist) ITSP will be finding it's way to XBLA sometime in the future, but currently has no set date. Other than that all you need to know is that this trailer is a visual orgasm; a vorgasm if you will.
As much as I'd love to shove the new Battlefield: Bad Company 2 "Map Pack 2" in the face of all those paying $15 for the Modern Warfare 2 maps this week, I really can't. It's not because I'll be paying for them -- because as a new game purchaser and therefore a VIP I won't have to -- it's because there aren't actually any new maps in this deceptively titled DLC. You might be asking at this point, and rightly so, "what the fuck?". My response would be, although there aren't any new maps per se, there will be pre-existing game modes available for pre-existing maps that previously weren't available. Or in other words you'll now be able to play Conquest Mode in Arica Harbor, and Rush Mode in Laguna Presa.
Definitely not as cool as all new maps, but one can hardly argue with new content offered up fo free. Check out the trailer below for a preview of things to come.
Some of the younger PSP owners out there will be learning the ways of one-handed gaming this week with the release of Dead or Alive Paradise. Fortunately for me, I mastered that shit years ago I am no longer susceptible to temptations of the virtual flesh.
Sunday, March 28th:
-America's Test Kitchen: Let's Get Cooking (DS)
-WarioWare: D.I.Y. (DS)
Monday, March 29th: -Save the Turtles (DS)
-WarioWare D.I.Y. Showcase (Wii)
Tuesday, March 30th:
-Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - Stimulus Package (360)
-Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition (360)
-Mimana Iyar Chronicles (PSP)
-Again (DS)
-Cabela's Monster Buck Hunter (Wii)
-The Secret Files: Tunguska (DS, Wii)
-Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and the Damned (PS3, PC)
Wait really, there's going to be a multiplayer mode in Red Dead Redemption? It appears so my friends and fellow skeptics, although no details have been revealed as of yet -- those are set to come to light the week of April 5th.
April 5th...so at least we know that this isn't some bullshit April fools prank. No, it looks like what we have here is a very interesting marketing tactic. Rockstar hid a pretty significant game feature, only to reveal it a few weeks prior to launch in order to generate some quick, last minute buzz. I must admit that I'm very interested to see these details, especially considering the potential a multiplayer mode has in a game such as this; so I guess it's working? Dammit, playing right into their hands!
What do you guys think? Will it be another typical, Rockstar multiplayer addition flop like GTA IV, or will we be roving the plains with our friends like groups of bandits having a smashing good time?
I had heard of Hydrophobia before this morning, but I have to confess that I hadn't paid any attention to it. But after I watched the trailer above, it's definitely on my radar now. The survival-adventure game has been announced as exclusive to Xbox Live Arcade, and will be playable at this weekend's PAX East.
Hydrophobia was announced as a three-part episodic game and takes place in the near future on a giant boat that's clearly run into some flooding issues. It seems to have some interesting political statements to make in the plot, and the graphics are definitely impressive for a downloadable game. Could Hydrophobia be the next Shadow Complex?
You know, I really love it when a game allows you to truly invest in your player, perhaps even implementing a system of some kind. What's this, Bungie has created a Player Investment System for Halo: Reach? Most interesting...
After countless hours of research involving schematics, lab coats, and small animal dissection, I've concluded this to be true. Check it out in the first look handled by G4 in the video below.
It's been a while since I felt like any of Rock Band's DLC announcements were worth covering. Sure, a lot o people like Lady Gaga. I'm not one of them. But today's announcement is undeniably big - Rolling Stone has revealed that Jimi Hendrix is coming to Rock Band.
Hendrix's album Axis: Bold As Love will be available to download on the 30th of this month. The DLC pack also includes a track called "Valleys of Neptune," which was previously unreleased until it was included on the new Hendrix rarities album of the same name. This news may only be the beginning of the Hendrix/Rock Band partnership:
Rock Band has also worked out an agreement with Experience
Hendrix for the possible inclusion of a Hendrix avatar, replica
instruments -- imagine a miniaturized version of Jimi's famed white Strat
-- and perhaps even a Rock Band: Jimi Hendrix game styled after The
Beatles: Rock Band and Green Day's upcoming title. But right now
Harmonix and MTV Games are just concentrating on releasing the music as
downloadable content before moving forward with additional plans.
We're happy to announce that one of our favorite fan-wielding risque ninjas, Mai Shiranui, will be returning in the new King of Fighters XIII. She was on hiatus or something during KOFXII, so it's good to see her as their poster-child over at the teaser site.
Also announced was a summer arcade release, which I always like to hear for a game of the fighting genre. In my opinion, the arcade is the best place to play said genre because it's much more fun battling people face-to-face with a crowd of shit-talking spectators behind you. I'm not very good at the actual combat, but I've been known to hurl words like hadoukens!
Let me kick this post off with a disclaimer: I am not the right person to get you jacked about paying $15 bucks for two old and three new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 maps. So if you're looking for someone to slit the throat of your nagging conscience -- allowing you to peacefully purchase this alleged stimulus package -- then you came to the wrong place because I will not wield that blade.
This could be due in part to the fact that I've been playing a whole lot of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. A great game in it's own right, but more relevant to our conversation at hand is the fact that you get a metric fuckton of DLC absolutely free as a VIP member (purchased the game new).
Or it could be because there are a million other things I would rather download for $15 or less. I have prepared a short list that can be found after the break, along with a detailed walkthrough of the new MW2 maps as promised in the post title.
The sequel to one of the first truly large scale iPhone/iTouch games, Zenonia, is making it's way to Apple for publishing by the end of this week. From what I know, that approval process takes around two to three weeks, so expect Zenonia 2: The Lost Memories to hit the App store mid April. More than just a continuation of the first title, Zenonia 2 boasts vast improvements over it's predecessor, and it is within my skillset to list them for you here. However I will not, as it is far more entertaining to hear it from a cosplaying asian girl.
Today is a good day if you love video games and money. I for one loathe the filthy green stuff and will be rueing this day for weeks to come -- but I recognize that I could be alone in this. For those that do, you will be happy to know that Fisher is selling himself for the low price of $46.99 to those that head over to Amazon. However, he won't sell himself to just anyone -- you need to know his safety word, which is bald-wookie. No wait...that was mine back before that accident in '78 with Peter Mayhew, a toaster-sized pile of cocaine, and a rusty pair of sheep shears. Now let me see...ah here it is, it's splinter...just splinter. So when you add Sam and his latest escapade to your cart (standard edition only), be sure to enter splinter in under promotional codes to receive your discount.This works for the Xbox 360 as well as the Windows version if our PC brethren haven't forsaken it completely since the last delay.
Now you can't say I've only given you video game news and that ever-present rash on your inner thigh; enjoy!
Before you go rushing out to buy Just Cause 2 today, or if you were on the fence about dropping $60 for it, you should take a look at one of Kmart's weekly deals. According to the ad, from today through the 27th of March, JC2 will only cost you a hair under $45.
Now I'm not legally permitted to pay women to sleep with me offer you financial advice, but a savings of $15 is better than your mom sleeping with the pool boy. What do you mean that's not an expression, my dad use to tell me that one all the...ohhhhhh I get it now.
In a surprising move, Nintendo announced today that the company will be releasing a new handheld platform sometime before the end of March 2011. More information will be revealed in a few months at E3, but we know one big feature already: The games on this system will be in 3D.
Currently called the "Nintendo 3DS" the new platform is an entirely new hardware line, although it will be backwards compatible with DS and DSi games. Nintendo claims that 3D glasses will not be required to experience 3D on the device. That's all that's known about the handheld for sure, although tech site Gizmodo has a list of predictions about the device, which you can see here.
I'm very curious to learn more about this upcoming device and its 3d capabilities. After the success of the DS and the Wii, I've learned not to discount anything Nintendo does, no matter how strange it initially seems.
You probably noticed (because JD readers are smart motherfuckers) that the word 'premium' is stuck in-front of DLC up there in the title. It's true that it could be an indication that this particular DLC is superior to the those already released -- that's an unknown. But what we know for certain is that -- even if you purchased a brand-new copy of Mass Effect 2 and are a proud member of the Cerberus Network -- you have to pay for this.
The DLC titled "Kasumi -- Stolen Memory" gives you the chance to team-up with master thief Kasumi for a 90 minute mission that probably involves some thieving. However the real crime here my friends is that it'll cost you $7 USD to play come early April. Now who's the real thief in this equation?
Bad news if you're both a Splinter Cell: Conviction fan and a PC gamer: you're going to have to wait two weeks longer than everyone else to play. Previously "set in stone", the release date across all major platforms for Conviction was April 13th, now our PC bretheren must suffer till April 27th. Hey but at least you have the demo right? Wrong, no demo will be released for the PC. Ever.
I'm trying real hard to come up with other ideas of how Ubisoft could further fuck over the mouse and keyboard community, but I'm having a hard time. Any ideas?
It's Friday, there's not much going on and we're all ready for the weekend. So let's watch a parody of Alien starring animate teddy bears!
The trailer above is for the upcoming action game Naughty Bear, created by Wet developers Artificial Mind and Movement and published by 505 Games. Goofy action games are tough to pull off (anyone remember Raze's Hell? Didn't think so), so I'm really curious to see how this one turns out. We'll find out later this summer when Naughty Bear hits retail for Xbox 360 and PS3.
When the original Puzzle Quest came out I was unprepared for how thoroughly it would grip me. We're not talking about a gentle grab followed by a half-hearted lift and a loving embrace -- we're talking about an aggressive seize immediately proceeded by a powerful hoist and a violent kiss on the mouth. That game opened my eyes to the latent potential of "gem-matching" as a core game mechanic in a relatively hardcore RPG title; something I would've once believed never possible.
A few sources have sited different release dates, but all of them agree that this Spring will provide you access to the virtual heroin. Check out the trailer after the break to see the interesting new changes in non-combat based gameplay, as well as the more subtly altered combat gameplay.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment officially announced the existence of Lord of the Rings: War in the North from developer Snowblind Studios, and I find myself unreasonable excited by the news. There are a few reasons I'm so pumped by the news. First, a love a good "dungeon crawler" RPG, something Snowblind has done really, really well with games like Champions of Norrath (and less well with games like Justice League Heroes, but oh well). Second, it's promising online co-op, which is always welcome. Third, it's being published by WBIE - a publisher I've long believed could be a major force in gaming once it started reclaiming the licenses it granted to other publishers. The next Batman game will be published by WBIE, and now so will the next LoTR game. Could Harry Potter be the next series it takes back? WBIE could be a very strong publisher, and the more strong publishers we have, the better.
LoTR: War in the North is coming to PC, PS3 and 360 next year. Look for more info in the next issue of Official PlayStation Magazine.
It's old news that the infamous duo are returning in a sequel taking place in Shanghai. What's new here is that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days just received an official launch date of August 24th here in North America, and August 27th in Europe. Well that, and this new trailer in which many bullets are fired, explosions...explode, and a naked woman is chased down the street. These gentleman have never been known for their subtleties -- check it out after the break.
If you don't know already, last week at GDC Sony finally got around to officially announcing the name of their motion controller: the PlayStation Move. I'm not even going to get started because much like Apple going with the name "iPad", the jokes just write themselves. Except this time around they're not funny...just sad.
As previously mentioned I'm a skeptic by nature, so name aside I'm far from sold on the Move as a device as well. The technofile in me appreciates the more advanced technology, but I don't think I have any interest in standing in front of my TV and playing a finely tuned shooter. However, I've always been amused by Mr. K. Butler, and the face he makes while panning Wii boxing reminds me why. If you don't have the interest or attention span to watch the whole thing, at least do yourself the favor of jumping to 0:40.
Now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go get balls-out drunk and piss green into the community swimming pool from the top of my apartment complex; Happy St. Patty's Day my friends.
Consider this an effort at console diplomacy. It's been a while since we covered anything for the DS, and the only Nintendo-related thing we've covered recent is how their stock prices have fallen. So to make it up to Nintendo, here's a trailer for an upcoming DS game. Granted, it's not published by Nintendo. But hey, the Shin Megami Tensai franchise has some hardcore fans, and Shin Megami Tensai: Strange Journey is sure to be interesting, so there you go. It's not the world's most exciting trailer, but it's definitely for one of the more interesting upcoming DS games.
In yesterday's edition of investing website The Motley Fool's weekly "Throw This Stock Away" column, analyst Rick Aristotle Munarriz recommended that investors dump shares of Nintendo. Munarriz cites several reasons for his recommendation: Microsoft and Sony are both getting into the gesture-based gaming space, mobile gaming cutting into Nintendo's portable market, and most importantly, the publisher's slumping sales:
Nintendo's fundamentals are already cracking. Through the first nine
months of fiscal 2010, net sales have fallen by 23%. Operating profits
have taken a crueler 41% haircut.
Things haven't gotten any better since those nine months ended in
December. All three consoles introduced margin-denting price cuts
heading into the holidays, hoping to make it up in software sales. It
hasn't worked, as industry sales have fallen through most of the past
year.
Not long ago, Nintendo was a champion of both the gaming industry and the stock market. Nintendo fans shouldn't worry that the company is in real trouble - Nintendo and its investors will be fine - but this may be a signal that the competition between the three hardware manufacturers is starting to tighten up. Last month, the Xbox 360 actually outsold the Wii, which hasn't happened since the launch of Halo 3 in September of 2007.
I don't know about you fine ladies and gentlemen, but I can't imagine wanting anything more than to don a pair of cardboard cutouts -- sporting the green and red plastic sheet lenses of course -- and to replay Batman: Arkham Asylum in "3D". Don't get me wrong, I loved Rocksteady's Arkham Asylum, but to merit purchasing a Game of The Year Edition re-release I would need a little more than six new challenges and a cash-in on what has been the buzz word of 2010.
Maybe I'm just a bitter skeptic who's hard to please -- and maybe I'll be forced to eat my own words if this 3D experience ends up blowing people away. Either way we won't know until Eidos releases the game on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC in Europe and Australia on March 26th. Those of us here in North America will have to wait till May 11th to experience it first-hand.
We don't normally post here at Joystick Division on unconfirmed news and rumors -- there's far too many of them, and quite honestly I don't like to build false hope. However just like the inebriated state required for someone to sleep with me, given the right conditions even the extremely rare can occur.
This particularly juicy rumor originating from Edge states that Gears of War 3 will not only have a teaser out early next month (April 8th), but the game itself will be complete by the end of 2010. That being said, the game wouldn't hit shelves until April 2011 because logically they wouldn't want to compete with Halo: Reach -- which is rumored to launch sometime this September -- or Natal with it's Holiday 2010 release.
Epic Games and Microsoft have refused to confirm any of this (which of course is what makes it a rumor), but if a Gears teaser lands next month, I'm reserving the entirety of April 2011 for vacation.
I'm willing to bet that by this point you've all heardjustaboutenough pertaining to Splinter Cell: Conviction and are ready to make your own impression. Well come the 18th of March you finally can; the demo will surface for the public featuring two full levels from the game. In the interest of remaining spoiler-free, said levels have been plucked out of succession from the full game, so you should really have no hesitation to download come this Thursday.
With all the delays that Conviction has endured, it's great to see the demo finally hitting the scene. Obvious benefits aside, it also provides some degree of confirmation that Ubisoft intends to stick to the launch date this time. I for one will still keeping my fingers crossed just in case.
It's been an unexpectedly busy day for me, so I've had my jellylike form away from the computer for most of the afternoon. I apologize - I should have been here telling you what's going on in the world of video games. Here's a small consolation gift for you: a bunch of release dates for upcoming games.
Modnation Racers, the game that combines LittleBigPlanet with Mario Kart, will be racing onto PS3 and PSP on May 25
Green Day: Rock Band is scheduled for June 8. It's the first Rock Band game I'm completely disinterested in, but apparently all the tracks will be importable into Rock Band 3, which is confirmed for Fall of this year.
Crackdown 2 hits on July 6, so when no one hears from me on July 7, you'll know why.
Okay, this one isn't a release date, it's an announcement. Bethesda Softworks revealed today that it will be publishing the dungeon crawler Hunted: The Devil's Forge. The game is being developed by InXile Entertainment, a company founded by Brian Fargo. Fargo worked on games like Baldur's Gate and the original Fallout. That right there is enough to get me excited.
This week is going to be a strange mix of brutally slaughtering legions of the undead, and peacefully capturing and training little creatures. What's on your agenda?
I was recently turned on
to an indie flash title that has sucked up more time than I should've
permitted. It's not that the game itself didn't merit the time investment, but
rather I had a lot to accomplish that ended up remaining...well unaccomplished. The game I'm referring to is called SteamBirds, and if you're a regular Penny Arcade reader
you're probably already aware of it. If not, well now we have two things to
correct.
Steam Birds is a turn-based, strategic, aerial combat game
viewed from the birds-eye perspective. You issue commands to your planes
primarily by directing their flight paths (they auto-attack when in range), as
well as selecting between a couple special abilities inherent to each plane.
For example, a given plane may be able to perform an immediate U-turn, deploy a
shield, or move a greater distance. This special ability only lasts for the
duration of the current turn and then is not available until the following turn
has passed.
Throughout this game you'll battle many
different foes that attack with a range of different weapons and methods. And although this only represents the "first wobbly steps" of the concept, I'm already sold. However seeing that this is a free flash game on the web you needn't take my word for it, go check it out for yourself; just make sure you don't have any pressing matters to attend to.
After years of rumors, the return of legendary Deus Ex franchise is finally official. Announced last night at GDC Independent Games Festival, Deus: Ex: Human Revolution will be at E3 this summer, but that's about all we know right now. The teaser trailer above is pretty stylish, though!
Fact: we here at Joystick Division love us some NBA Jam. Given the former, when footage of the game hits the interwebs -- no matter how short -- you better believe we're going to post about it. So instead of complaining about the length, just hit it again for another play-through until the only thing you hear during the quiet moments of your day is "boom shakalaka" rattling around in your head.*
At E3, both Sony and Microsoft announced motion-sensing peripherals to as direct responses to the popularity of the Wii. Microsoft has
been hyping Project Natal ever since. On the
other hand, Sony has been a lot quieter about it's device - until now.
Revealed yesterday at the Game Developer's Conference, the device once rumored to be called "Arc" has been officially named the PlayStation Move, Sony's new motion-sensing
controller looks a lot like the Nintendo Wii Remote, but with some key
differences. The ball you see on the end of the device is tracked
by the PlayStation Eye camera. Camera tracking eliminates the problem of a "lost" signal - even when the
camera loses the Move, it's programmed to extrapolate its position.
That also means that someone walking between you and the camera won't
disrupt your game.
Just like
the Wii Remote, the Move controller also has an internal gyroscope. The combination of gyro and camera tracking reportedly makes the Move much more accurate than the Wii Remote, even when compared to the Wii Motion Plus add-on.
The Move also features a "subcontroller" similar to the Wii Remote
Nunchuk. However, the subcontroller is wireless and (currently)
doesn't feature any motion detection features - it's purely to add more
traditional game controls like a d-pad. Both the
subcontroller and the Move itself are powered by the same long-lasting lithium
ion batteries found in the PS3 DualShock controller.
The Move will be available this Fall in several different retail
packages. Pricing details are scarce, but a kit containing the Move,
the PlayStation Eye camera and an unnamed game will be available for
under $100. A list of Move games and developers is after the break.
My friends, I attended a LucasArts press event last evening, and although I was somewhat anticipating it, the announcement was no less spectacular; Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck's Revenge is coming this summer. Not only will it be released, but it will grace the Xbox 360, PS3, iPhone/iPod Touch, and the PC with its presence.
For the PS3 owners out there who actually use Home, there will be Monkey Island avatars, furniture, as well as a virtual pirate ship available soon. It will be great, all five of you can meet aboard and...ya know, do whatever it is people do while using Home.
In all seriousness the new features are amazing and the screen shot comparisons are simply jaw dropping. So do yourself a favor and check out the list of new features and screens after the break -- I promise you it's worth your time.
Chances are you've probably heard of OnLive -- an online, subscription based, game-streaming service where all the processing is done server-side. The PC beta has been ongoing for sometime now, but today at GDC it was announced that the service will be available to the public beginning June 17th for both PC and Mac. At $14.99 USD/month for a subscription, the details are still lacking when it comes to trying to break down the actual cost of playing a game.
The company's COO Mike McGarvey said that:
"[The subscription price] provides access to an ever-increasing library of high-end, new release game content and a host of exclusive community features such as Brag Clips and massive spectating."
"Individual titles will be available for purchase or rental on an a la carte basis. Specific game pricing, including rentals, purchases, and loyalty programs, will be announced prior to the consumer launch event at E3. We'll also be announcing additional loyalty discount programs for consumers in the coming months."
It was also said that the planned micro-console could potentially be released later this year. As for the June launch, those interested will be happy to know that OnLive has received support from major publishers such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, THQ, and Warner Bros. Launch titles are to include Assassin's Creed 2, Metro 2033, and Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands.
Joystick Division (and just about every other gaming news outlet) was buzzing about the firing of Infinity Ward executives Jason West and Vince Zampella last week, especially Activision's mysterious charge of "insubordination". We had to wonder: What is insubordination at Activision, and how often are people fired for it?
Intrepid reporter Gary Hodges asked the hard questions, but what were the answers? I'll bet they're surprising! (Click to embiggen.)
Mapathy (n.) [map-uh-thee] (often expressed as, "How the hell did you know I was there?!") is a state of indifference to the same old maps one has been playing for the last several months. The Mapathetic individual no longer derives pleasure from blowing up people hiding in the cockpit or on the top of the crane. More than 20 million people may be at risk for Mapathy.
Those of you gripped in fear over their risk of "Mapathy" need worry not, because as the teaser site indicates, the new Modern Warfare 2 maps will be available March 30. If you haven't checked out the site yet, there's not a whole lot there other than the definition and picture above. In fact there's so little -- and that which is there is lacking -- that I feel compelled to write a letter:
Dear Activision,
Your teaser site for the new Modern Warfare 2 maps has left me feeling somewhat hollow. This is not due to any fear that I will sink into some 'mapathetic' state, but rather due to your lack of creativity and the absence of lawls. You guys have a lot of money, go hire some funny and creative motherfuckers similar to the fine gentlemen at Team Fortress.
Perhaps the updates you provide at the site will be awesome and cause me to eat my words, however it's difficult to build a beautiful mansion atop a rickety foundation -- best of luck to you.
Love,
Owen
P.S. - I will still most likely download your maps despite the sad teaser; it is for this reason that I hate you.
One of the most interesting moments of Sunday's Academy Awards presentation was the clip of the short animated film Logorama, a film comprised mainly of brand icons and logos. I had never heard of it, but even the short clip shown made me interested in checking it out, especially after it won the Oscar for its category. Now the next assignment for filmmakers Francois Alaux and Herve de Crecy has been revealed, and it's video game-related: the duo will be shooting a 20-minute promotional video for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Written by Children of Men writer Tom Sexton, the live-action short is budgeted between $8-10 million dollars. Ubisoft also produced a live-action film to promote Assassin's Creed 2, so I'm curious if the publisher thinks the next Ghost Recon game will be as big as ACII.
Back in February we reported that Stuart Black -- the senior designer on Black -- is working on a new FPS for developer Codemasters. Today they officially unveiled the game as Bodycount along with a tentative release window of first quarter 2011 for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
Bodycount is being built on Codemasters' proprietary engine dubbed Ego, and is "ripping apart the FPS in an orgy of bullets and destruction". Now there's a solid blurb if I've ever seen one!
On their homepage the only details released so far are as follows:
In Bodycount you become ensnared in a clandestine global power struggle as a powerful combat asset with a green-light to eliminate enemies known only as 'Targets' on behalf of the 'Network'. Equipped with a mouth-watering selection of contemporary weapons, you and opponents tear through destructible cover to execute explosive kills in a shreddable world where operatives are encouraged to leave no witnesses. Complimented by online multiplayer and co-operative game modes, Bodycount will blast outrageous action and spectacular fire-fights from both barrels.
That all looks great to me but as was true with Black, what's promised and what's delivered can be two entirely different products. I'm not holding my breath, but then again I won't deny my excitement at wanting to see the game in action either.
According to Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling's Twitter, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has just hit 25 million unique online players. That's across all three platforms, but no matter how you break it down, that's a huge number. I doubt this means that the game has sold 25 million copies (players who borrow copies from friends and go online would still be counted as unique players), but it's a hugely impressive feat regardless. I've completely given up on the buggy, exploit-filled online game, but clearly I'm in the minority.
I'm sure this is really good news for a company that could definitelyuse some right about now.
Sorry about the tardiness of my post, I just finished my first move of two in the next month here (don't ask) and finally got internet setup. Some of the best news I saw today was the announcement that a Scribblenauts sequel is slated to hit later this Fall. I don't know about you, but that's some pretty damn good news, especially considering that they've claimed the controls will be "way fucking better". Okay they didn't actually say that verbatim, but that's essentially the intended message. Here's all the additional details thus far:
-10,000 more words with a focus on the importance of adjectives
-120 new levels
-Level editor
-New Hint System
-Improved controls (see, almost the same right?)
Seeing that two of my main problems with the first Scribblenauts are being addressed -- controls and adjectives -- there appears to be legitimate cause for excitement.
Feeling like battling fantastical creatures in a mythical realm while at the same time yearning to smash faces and imagine what it's like to have your sweet 16th again? Well then you my friend have a helluva week ahead, and are rather strange.
Monday, March 8th: -50 Classic Games (DS)
-Max & The Magic Marker (Wii)
Tuesday, March 9th:
-Assassin's Creed 2 (PC)
-Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (PS3, 360)
-Calling (Wii)
-Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360)
-Yakuza 3 (PS3, 360)
-Prince of Prussia (PC)
-BlazBlue Portable (PSP)
-Foto Showdown (DS)
-Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space (Wii)
-Racquet Sports (Wii)
-Imagine: Sweet 16 (DS)
Wednesday, March 10th:
-Battle of the Immortals (PC)
-Scrap Metal (360)
Thursday, March 11th:
-Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Gold Edition (PC)
-Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Chaos Rising (PC)
-Spectral Force Genesis (DS)
-BioShock 2: Sinclair Solutions Test Pack (PS3, 360)
Not too long ago I got the chance to sit down with Kalypso Media and get a look at a couple of games. One of them, as you may have seen was M.U.D. TV, and the other was an early version of the DarkStar One port for the Xbox 360. There haven't been a whole lot of space combat simulators in the past decade, so fans of the genre are probably already familiar with DarkStar One - Broken Alliance on the PC. But for those of you who aren't, or if you interested in the port details, read on!
For those of you still gripped in rapture (hah!) over the BioShock 2 multiplayer, you'll be happy to know that 2K Games has got you covered with a series of DLC. The first installment titled "Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack" will be available for download March 11 for a reasonable $4.99, and offer you the following:
-Rank increase to level 50 with Rank Rewards
-Two new playable characters: Louie McGraff (pictured above) and Oscar Calraca (pictured after the break)
-20 new trials*
-A third weapon upgrade for each weapon
-Five additional masks*
*Some items are only available after a player achieves a rank of 41 or higher.
Hit the jump for a screen of Oscar Calraca both in character selection and in-game.
If I didn't know before I loaded it up, I might not have known that this was a trailer for SOCOM 4 until the logo at the end. The announcement trailer is the typical gameplay-free pre-rendered teaser, and the SOCOM games have never really had much of a distinct look. But hey, that's not the point. The point is that SOCOM 4 has been announced, and it's a big franchise for Sony. Not one that I personally enjoy, but I figured many of you would still like to know.
Round 1 of what will undoubtedly be an extensive battle took place earlier this morning when Zampella and West filed a lawsuit against Activision. The two Infinity Ward heads were fired for 'insubordination' and 'breach of fiduciary duty', and responded with a lawsuit seeking to be awarded their unpaid royalties (about 36 million).
Activision's retort expressed their disappointment in a statement emailed to Kotaku:
"Activision is disappointed that Mr. Zampella and Mr. West
have chosen to file a lawsuit, and believes their claims are meritless. Over eight years, Activision shareholders provided these executives with
the capital they needed to start Infinity Ward, as well as the financial
support, resources and creative independence that helped them flourish and
achieve enormous professional success and personal wealth."
"In return, Activision legitimately expected them to honor
their obligations to Activision, just like any other executives who hold
positions of trust in the company. While the company showed enormous patience,
it firmly believes that its decision was justified based on their course of
conduct and actions. Activision remains committed to the Call of Duty
franchise, which it owns, and will continue to produce exciting and innovative
games for its millions of fans."
Nothing is confirmed yet, but allegedly both Zampella and West were in communications with other companies prior to their termination -- falling in line with the accusation of 'insubordination'. If you're interested in looking over the official court documents, head over to here to check it out.
With all this talk of Blur multiplayer Beta keys, now seems like a good time to check out the trailer for said beta. Looks pretty cool, and if the actual gameplay matches the craziness of this trailer then I can see having a lot of fun with this game.
I've got another batch of multiplayer keys to give away. You can find them here.
Lara Croft is returning, but not to stores. Square Enix announced today that the Tomb Raider star will be back in 2010 in Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, which will be available for unspecified platforms via digital distribution.
"This is a
really exciting project for Crystal Dynamics, we have created something
completely new and very different to what people might be expecting,"
said Darrell Gallagher, General Manager of Crystal Dynamics. "Lara Croft
is such an iconic character in videogames, with Lara Croft and the Guardian
of Light we have created what we believe is a truly original digital
experience."
This isn't the first time Lara has starred in a downloadable game; the Tomb Raider: Anniversary content was originally DLC for Tomb Raider: Legend. I find it interesting that this new game doesn't bear the Tomb Raider brand at all. There was some discussion that Lara Croft needed a reboot last year - maybe this game will be the first step in a new direction.
As the headline suggests Red Dead Redemption has been violently shoved from its April release date to that of May 18th. Okay so maybe it was more of a strategic push than a violent shove, BUT I FEEL PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY HURT BY IT!
According to Ben Feder -- developer Take-Two's CEO -- this delay puts the game's release in the third-quarter, which apparently is "the optimal time frame to release what is being hailed as the next generation of sandbox games".
It's the ones that you care for the most that can cause you the greatest amount of pain...you are so right Oprah, you are so right.
Regrettably, we here at Joystick Division don't normally cover many Indie titles. I'd like to say that that's going to change, but considering I have absolutely nothing to base it on, I won't. However, just because we don't always have time to write about them doesn't mean we have no love for them. In fact, when I was looking over the finalists for the upcoming Independent Games Festival, I was so drawn in by a certain title's visuals, that it compelled me to ignore all other gaming news and present you with this post. The title I'm referring to is Limbo, and can be found under the "Excellence in Visual Art", as well as the "Technical Excellence" categories for the upcoming IGF.
If the screen above effected you as it did me, you'll be happy to know that Playdead -- the developers behind Limbo -- just announced an XBLA exclusive summer release, followed by a multi-platform release at a later date. You can find a few more screen shots after the break, but for a video teaser and concept art, head over to its home page.
Seriously, what's going on here? Buying the Heavy Rain movie rights I understand. The Prince of Persia movie could actually be good. But Space Invaders? Why? Just why? A completely plotless video game with enemy designs that flat-out won't
work on screen doesn't seem like a natural fit for a movie adaptation,
but apparently it's happening. Here's a snippet of the Variety article
that broke the news:
Warner Bros. is negotiating to acquire feature rights to the landmark
shooter from Taito, the Japanese company that originally manufactured
the game. If the rights issues all work out, the project would bring on
Hollywood fixtures Mark Gordon, Jason Blum and Guymon Casady as
producers.
I suppose if Warner Bros. took the name and grafted it onto a generic alien invasion script no one would get too upset. After all, there aren't exactly a ton of Space Invaders purists out there. But seriously, I can't think of any outcome in which a Space Invaders movie is anything other than completely unnecessary.
Early this morning, a version of the Halo: Reach multiplayer Beta trailer leaked online. Bungie moved quickly to deal with the situation, officially releasing the trailer you see above. If you're a Halo fan, it will be hard not to get excited by what you see in this video: assassinations, jetpacks (no, really!), large-scale battles and more. It looks like the Halo series you know, but definitely kicked up a notch.
And if you're not a Halo fan, please keep your comments to yourself. We already know what you think.
There's been a lot of buzz recently regarding Activision, and more specifically the future of the Call of Duty franchise. Recently there was talk of Infinity Ward losing some key players, as well as CoD testing some new waters. Today Activision confirmed the loss of Vince Zampella and Jason West -- two heavy hitters from IW -- announced a 2011 CoD game from a yet-to-be-specified developer, AND told us that Sledgehammer Games will be creating a separate CoD game that breaks into the action/adventure genre. Phew, that is a lot to take in.
Just as suspected, the Call of Duty game to be released this holiday season is being developed by Treyarch -- no surprise there. As for this "unannounced developer", I would guess that they are the ones who will handle taking CoD in a subscription-based direction. I still don't know what to think about that, but I can't help but wonder if Blizzard would step-up and take those reins; crazy I know, but certainly worth considering.
In case you hadn't heard, Sledgehammer games is a developer founded very recently by two creative leads -- Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey -- who previously worked over at EA and brought us Dead Space. I'm very curious to see what direction they take this new action/adventure CoD game in, but based on their track record I will certainly reserve my judgement.
This will probably take a little while to digest, but I'd love to know what your thoughts are. Who do you think this unannounced developer is? What does Sledgehammer Games have in-store?What do you think of a subscription based CoD?
Back in November 2009, a couple of cool things happened: while currently enjoying my new position as Editor-in-Chief at GirlGamer, I was fortunate enough to be selected to join the fraternity known as Xbox Gamer Spotlight.
And as per tradition since 2003, I was interviewed by the one and only Trixie360.
After a couple of months, a 24 hour Xbox suspension (yep. the week after I was in Gamer Spotlight, I got a 24 suspension for having the word "S**t" in my bio. LOLZ), and about 250 requests for my 'autograph' (because she told the kids to ask me for one) it's time for me to interro- I mean, "interview" my dear friend for some revenge...did I say 'revenge'? I mean, 'catch up'. Heh heh.
Considering some of the more recentacquisitions, Sony's purchase of Media Molecule -- the company behind the much acclaimed LittleBigPlanet -- appears to me to be a very sound decision. Now it's true that MM has only one game under their belt, but that one game won numerous awards, and will charm you to no end. Yes they've made some mistakes in handling player created content issues, but overall I believe that Media Molecule has a tremendous amount of potential and learns well from their past errors.
The amount Sony paid for MM was not disclosed, but as with the Rocksteady Studios acquisition (a great snag by WB), I'm sure it was no small number. I hope this works out well for both parties, and I can't wait to see what they're working on next!
A bug affecting the pre-PlayStation 3 Slim models (commonly referred to as PS3 Phat) has been giving gamers a lot of trouble as of late. Not quite the same type of failure as our all-too-friendly neighborhood Spider-Man up there, this one "is being caused by a bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system" instead of "adult in superhero costume aroused by children".
According to the official PlayStation blog, all the errors that can be attributed to this bug are as follows:
-The date of the PS3 system may be reset to Jan 1, 2000.
-When the user tries to sign in to the PlayStation Network, the following message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F).
-When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; "Failed to install trophies. Please exit your game."
-When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the Internet, the following message appears on the screen; "The current date and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)
-Users are not able to playback certain rental video downloaded from the PlayStation Store before the expiration date.
Sony hopes to have the problem resolved in the next 24 hours, but in the meantime they advise PS3 Phat owners to keep their consoles powered down. What does that mean for you? Well, I suppose you could simply play a different console, or if you don't have one...read a book?
*Update - Looks like the bug has been fixed and you're now free to fire up that fatty. Oh and you can also turn your PS3 on now too.
I can't say that I'm going to be rushing out to buy anything this week, but it has nothing to do with the quality of these new games, I just happen to be moving soon. The act of moving is like introducing a black hole into your life -- nothing will escape it, it will consume your everything. So I implore you all as you sit back with a cold beverage -- controller nestled oh so comfortably in your hands -- line up a head-shot, and just before you pull the trigger, whisper my name; this will give me strength I need to carry on.
On a side-note my oatmeal fought valiantly to return from whence it came upon writing "Build-a-Bear Workshop: Welcome to Hugsville".
Sunday, February 28: -Ella's Hope (PC)
-Halfbrick Rocket Racing (PSP)
-Dust Devils (360)
-Royal Envoy (PC)
-Crazy Garage (PC, DS, Wii)
-House M.D. (PC, Mac)
-Hunted (PC)
-City Builder (Wii)
-Theatre of War II - Kursk 1943 (PC)
-Aztec Treasure Hunt (DS)
-Gunbird 2 Remix (PSP)
-Zooloretto (Wii)
-Party Designer (DS)
Monday, March 1st:
-VT Tennis (DS)
-Alganon (PC)
-Build-a-Bear Workshop: Friendship Valley (Wii)
-Mega Man 10 (Wii)
-Dante's Inferno (PSP)
-Build-a-Bear Workshop: Welcome to Hugsville
Tuesday, March 2nd:
-Silent Hunter V: Battle of the Atlantic (PC)
-Major League Baseball 2K10 (Wii, PS3, 360, DS, PSP, PC)
All signs are pointing to a strong debut for Heavy Rain. According to video game sales numbers site VG Chartz, Sony's interactive thriller moved around 500,000 units worldwide in its first week. The site breaks the numbers down by region, with 200k sold in the US, 100k in the UK, 50k in France, 25k in Japan and the rest in unspecified markets.
I've never been completely convinced of the accuracy of VG Chartz stats, but other indicators suggest that the game is selling quite well. The game debuted at #1 on the weekly UK game sales charts, and there are reports that the game is in short supply throughout the region.
Heavy Rain is a game that I enjoyed quite a bit, but I have to admit that I wasn't sure how well the game would sell. I'm happy to report that gamers seem to be embracing this atypical gaming experience.
Let's see, what do we have next on the agenda here...ah yes, more Fisher love. Yeah I know, we got a lot it here at JD, but this is some damn interesting stuff! Today we've been graced with a look at how the co-op game mode of Splinter Cell: Conviction fits into the story, as well as a look at the four other multiplayer modes -- see, interesting!
Below you'll see the first of three videos, kicking it off with co-op. The next two can be found lurking in the shadows after the break.
We haven't talked a lot about Just Cause 2 here at Joystick Division, and I honestly can't say why. There's more than a few of us who enthusiastically converse about it behind the scenes, so upon reviewing the archives I was surprised to see it basically MIA. In hopes of rectifying the situation I present you with this tasty morsel: the JC2 demo will be available for consumption March 4 on Xbox Live, PSN, and Steam.
Said demo includes a 35 square mile island of a promised 400 sq mi -- and much like the transient hooker I just spent the evening with -- it's there to do with as you please. The full game drops March 23, and I don't know about you, but I'm stock-piling cocaine energy drinks in preparation for this adrenaline packed extravaganza.
The UK city of Derby asked its citizens to vote on a name for a new road, and the voters chose by an overwhelming margin to name that road "Lara Croft Way."
Created by the now-defunct Derby-based developer Core Design, "Lara Croft Way" was chosen by a whopping 89% of the 27,000 voters. The Tomb Raider star beat out well-know locals like an astronaut, soccer player and an engineer for the honor.
Councillor Lucy Care, cabinet member for planning and transportation,
said: "The vote really captured the imagination of people from across
the world and, despite my lack of gaming knowledge, I accept that a
majority of 89% for Lara Croft is too overwhelming to ignore."
EA has been betting heavily on "free" day one downloadable content for its recent games as a way to discourage the purchasing of a used copy. Like Mass Effect 2 and Dragon Age, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will include a code for "free" additional game content. In this case it's two additional multiplayer maps, which you can see in the trailer above.
Anyone who purchases the game used will still be able to obtain the maps, but not for free. This strategy is all part of what EA calls "Project Ten Dollar," an effort to force buyers of used games to shell out an additional ten bucks if they want the same content as players who purchased the game new. And since the additional content is obtained via direct download, EA isn't splitting that additional revenue with a retailer.
It's certainly news to me that Final Fantasy I & II are currently available for download in the App store, despite the fact that they both have a post date of February 11th. They're available for $9.00 each, and are relatively large files -- FF I is about 75 MB and FF II is about 143 MB -- so make sure you're connected to WiFi or download via your computer.
For those interested in the details, both FF I & FF II include all the bonuses of the most recent re-makes (about 5 additional dungeons each). I'm currently downloading FF I, and will let you know my thoughts on the port and how the controls feel later today.
Is bigger always better? Your sister thinks so I suppose that depends on who you're talking to. Size preferences and sexual innuendos aside, Nintendo announced today that the DSi XL will be available in the US March 28 -- all for a somewhat reasonable price of $189.99.
I myself have had a DSi XL for a few months now, and in all honesty it's great for playing around the house or lengthy car/plane trips. However if you enjoy shorter, more frequent gaming sessions -- many of which occur on the go -- then the XL just becomes cumbersome.
There's a good chance you've never heard of either company, but Left Behind Games and Digital Praise have decided to work together on a common mission. The two publishers are the industry's biggest Christian-focused gaming companies, and now the two are merging into one.
Left Behind Games is best known for the strategy games based on the best-selling Christian novel series, while Digitial Praise's biggest hit is its Christian Rock spin on Guitar Hero called Guitar Praise. Both companies also publish software aimed at very young gamers, and the merged company's goal is to bring Christian games to the "next level."
Michael Patcher, gaming's most high-profile industry analyst said, "I think that the Christian video game
market is a significant market currently underserved by traditional
publishers. This merger will allow Left Behind Games to be well
positioned to serve the millions of people of faith that enjoy
Christian entertainment."
Although I am definitely not the target audience for either company's software, I still find this news item very interesting. I'm a big believer that we're living in the age of "niche market entertainment," in which movies, music and television can be successful if targeted at a small but dedicated audience. While mainstream games still try to capture as large of an audience as possible, indie games, iPhone games and online games are often going the niche route. Here we have a game publisher pursuing another niche market, and I have a feeling that they'll be pretty successful doing it.
My friends, we find ourselves clutching at the gates of something monumentally glorious. If you gaze at its shrouded wonder long enough, you may catch a glimpse of the gilded door and what lies beyond. What could this wonderment possibly be, what could bring about this feeling of euphoria? Well its the Xbox Block Party of course!
Here marks the end of all pretenses of actual excitement, and I will now fill you in on what you can expect if this Block Party has somehow managed to capture your interest.
-Xbox Live Silver members who purchase Toy Soldiers, Perfect Dark, and Scrap Metal -- all three Block Party titles releasing in March -- and then download the free Game Room will receive a five dollar credit.
-Xbox Live Gold members who do the same will get, in addition to the five dollar credit, a free month tacked onto their Xbox Live subscription.
-A free Gold Membership weekend is also scheduled in which Silver Members will be upgraded to Gold status. To my knowledge this is only for the duration of the weekend, and is limited to the three Block Party titles.
Now before you accuse me of being an unexcitable asshole, know that I don't think poorly of the Block Party XBLA games; in fact I'm looking forward to them. I just think the idea behind Block Party itself is unfathomably stupid.
I loved Arkham Asylum, and apparently so did Warner Bros. -- at least the sales figures anyways. Not content with simply publishing the sequel, WB just purchased a majority stake in the London based Rocksteady Studios. No details on the percentage acquired or price were revealed, but given the success of Arkham Asylum I'm sure it's no small number.
It's good to see that Warner Bros. and its game publishing subsidiary Warner Bros. Interactive still have faith in the video game industry, despite a prettyrough2009. I wonder if any of the other big film studios will follow suit?
Which is not to say that a multitude of great titles are dropping this week, just that Heavy Rain is coming to town and deserves your attention. That and Pony Fetishes 2.
Wait, no I mis-read it, it's Pony Friends 2 -- scratch that. Stupid eyes always seeing what they want to see...
Monday, February 22nd: -Flight Control (DS)
-Mouse House (Wii)
-Flipper (DS)
-Endless Ocean: Blue World
Tuesday, February 23rd:
-Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (PS3, Wii, DS)
-Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing with Banjo Kazooie (360)
-Arsenal of Democracy (PC)
-Heavy Rain (PS3)
-Napoleon: Total War (PC)
-Last Rebellion (PS3)
-Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010 Reverse of Arcadia (DS)
It's been known for a while now that Lost Planet 2's campaign offers a 4 player co-op. More recently we found out about some pretty epic (pardon the pun) cameos. Now after X10, I'm happy to report that I got to spend some quality time hands-on and am here to give you my firsthand impression.
I don't think I've ever spoken with anyone who hated GoldenEye 007 on the Nintendo 64. Sure there were certain things that rubbed people the wrong way, but to dislike the game in its entirety: humanly impossible. Additionally there's been a significant fan-base that's been hoping for a re-make of the game, and although this news isn't quite that good, it's still puts a smile on my face.
As you may know, a re-made, HD version of Perfect Dark (originally on the N64) will be released in March over Xbox Live Arcade. But the good news for GoldenEye fans is that Rare -- the developer behind both games -- will include the GE weapons andmaps from the original in the new re-make.
Confirmed this morning at DICE 2010 were multiplayer maps Temple, Complex, and Felicity. If you plan on hopping online come March to play a little deathmatch, I will only warn you once: I'm a laptop sentry-gun whore.
If you've seen the ultimate gamer documentary The King of Kong, then you should know who Steve Wiebe is and why you should root for him. The soft-spoken math teacher battled against brash, unlikable Donkey Kong champ Billy Mitchell for the highest score in the game. Wiebe did in fact beat Mitchell's score in the movie, although the former champ reclaimed the title shortly afterwards.
However, Wiebe is once again back on top, this time as the new champion of Donkey Kong Junior. Twin
Galaxies, the official scorekeeper for video game records,
announced on Wednesday that Wiebe
reached a new high score of
1,190,400. And because he's such a romantic guy, Wiebe set the record on Valentine's Day.
Congrats to Steve Wiebe for his new record. Enjoy it while you can - I'm sure Billy Mitchell will be coming after you again soon.
I have conflicting emotions after viewing the trailer above, and if you've read my hands-on impression you may understand. Essentially my two main fears for SCC were that too frequently the player would be forced to step out of the shadows into action, and that Fisher wouldn't have access to his usual array of gadgets. My first fear was mostly alleviated after X10, but Sam's lack of gadgets was still a concern. Post action packed trailer my initial fear is surfacing again, but the second has now submerged; you see my confliction? Now there's solid evidence that Fisher -- either through an alliance or less reputable methods -- has procured gadgets, wonderful! But he also comes across as some Hollywood bad-ass hero, not a phantom who strikes from the shadows.
It looks like there will be only one way to tell for certain: wait till the full game releases in April. Who knows, maybe they're purposefully screwing with our emotions to keep the pre-game buzz up.
Ladies and gentlemen, not much more needs to be said other than make sure you've checked your Battle.net accounts. Yesterday Blizzard sent out thousands of invitations to lucky gamers, but if you weren't among the chosen don't get overly distraught. On their website Blizzard has said that the test process occurs in phases, so before you go all stabbity on your parents or something know that you're still in the running.
On the off chance that you didn't know about the beta but are interested in receiving an invite, make sure you opt-in via your Battle.net account. If you were among those lucky enough to be selected, share in the love and let us know what you're first impressions are!
The Trauma Center series is one of my favorite oddball game franchises. I'm a couple games behind in the series, but the upcoming Trauma Team looks like one of those games that may actually get me to turn on a Wii. The #1 medical thriller series is more grounded in reality than previous entries, but not so much that it's lost its goofy charm. The newly revealed forensic investigation gameplay looks like a great addition to the formula, as you can see in the video above. I wonder if the forensics aspect will help the game appeal to the millions who watch those ridiculous medical investigation dramas.
Throughout my life there's been a certain something that ever since the first time, I can't get enough of. I like to do it frequently, violently, and above all else I like to do it creatively. Considering that I have a long-term girlfriend who doesn't enjoy violence, it isn't sex -- it's killing zombies. So getting my hands on Dead Rising 2 at X10 last week was a real treat, especially because I got to explore the creative side of zombie slaughter with the item creation.
Who is CrowdStar you ask? How could you not know? I mean they make the incredibly deep and involving Happy Aquarium game on Facebook! With it's rich gameplay and well developed characters it's no wonder that they've seen such success!
I can't keep this up anymore. You already know what I think about most social games on acebook, so I won't drag it out. The real news here is that there are actual companies, one of which rumored to be Microsoft, in a bidding war over CrowdStar. The current estimated price is at $200 million, which may seem ridiculous but is only half of what EA paid for PlayFish in 2009. As crazy as this seems, it could lead to some big payoffs as the market for these applications has been estimated by some analysts to be worth $2 billion by 2012.
Purely by chance I had the opportunity to chat with CrowdStar's CEO about a month ago; let me tell you that he wasn't in the least bit surprised to hear about my views on social gaming. He told me that the population of social gamers are mainly female, which I suppose makes sense considering that they were a largely untapped demographic in terms of video games.
Regardless of what you or I think, it doesn't appear that social gaming is going to disappear anytime soon, and most likely will only get bigger. My only hope here is that Microsoft doesn't win the bid, because I'd really like to keep that shit off of my 360's dash for as long as possible.
On March 9, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition will hit retail and add two expansions to the core game, but if you can't wait until then the first new episode is available now. "Lost in Nightmares," the first of the two campaign expansions is available now on Xbox Live and will hit PSN tomorrow. The $5 expansion explains how Chris and Jill were separated during a mission at the Spencer estate and also features playable characters Barry Burton and Excella Gionne.
A new $2 costume pack is also available today, joining a free DLC pack of collectible figurines that hit Xbox Live on Monday.
I remember when Criterion's Black was first demoed to the gaming press many years ago. It was supposed to be a very, very big deal - a game that would redefine the very concept of FPS games. Obviously that didn't happen, although Black did turn out to be a completely solid shooter. Even though it never received a sequel and didn't change the genre in any notable way, the game was still good enough that when one of its creators returns to the genre, we pay attention.
Stuart Black, the Senior Designer on Black,* is working on a new FPS for Codemasters, which may be unveiled in next month's UK version of Official Xbox Magazine. The shooter will be a new IP, but that's about all we know right now. Codemasters is a publisher that's done a lot of quality work in the racing genre, but is far less known for shooters (although it published games like Operation Flashpoint). I'm curious to learn more about this mysterious new shooter project.
*Yes, a man named Stuart Black worked on the game Black. He's said to have a rivalry with David HaloReach and Ian CallofDuty.
I haven't yet played Darksiders. That's not because of a lack of interest, but because it came out during a crowded time of year and I simply didn't have the time. The early word on Darksiders' sales numbers is that it was a slight disappointment, so I'm apparently not the only one that couldn't fit it in to the gaming schedule. THQ has already committed to a sequel, and is apparently working hard to buff up the sales of the original. The publisher announced today that it will be releasing a beefy 90 minute demo of the game for both PS3 and Xbox 360. The demo will be out on the 25th and contain the entire "Twilight Cathedral" stage, the first level of the game.
The Darksiders demo will easily be one of the most substantial demos ever released, so check it out if you're curious about the game, or just want a sizable chunk of free game.
Most people knew that eventually Xbox Live would make it onto Windows Mobile devices, although I was expecting it to occur quite some time ago (my senior thesis in marketing actually addressed it a few years back). Additionally, with all the time that Microsoft took in making this happen, you'd think that they would've managed to achieve more. Anyway, enough of my bitching and on to the facts.
Microsoft announced at this year's Mobile World Congress that the upcoming Windows Phone 7 series would incorporate Xbox Live. According to the official press release users will be able to build their gamerscore on the go by collecting achievement points, access leaderboards, and manage their friends list. There will be some turn-based games to play against others, but not in real-time. This means that you would make a move, then go have a wank do something productive until your opponent realizes it's his/her turn to play. You can also check out your avatar! Like on your phone, right there!
Perhaps the most important thing to note here is that the general manager of Xbox Live Mobile, Ron Pessner, said that:
"It has always been our vision to expand the Xbox Live service to connect people to their games, entertainment and friends wherever they go, and the launch of Windows Phone 7 series is an important step toward that goal."
I agree that this is a step in the right direction, but here's to their next move being a leap.
The other day we reported that THQ had planned sequels for Darksiders, Red Faction, de Blob and a few other franchises. Today there is news that the publisher has plans for a few other ways to make money. THQ is teaming up with the SyFy Network to produce a cartoon series based on de Blob, the colorful Wii game that was itself originally an indie PC game.
de Blob is about a blob creature that must bring color back to a worth that's gone monochrome, and the cartoon will kick off the network's new SyFy Kids label. Even though I'm clearly not the target audience for this show, I'm quite happy about this news. Anything that keeps THQ financially healthy keeps another game publisher in the business and encourages more creative competition in the industry.
Many negative things have been said about Microsoft as a corporation, an employer, and a competitor, but I'll be damned if anyone says they don't throw one hell of a party. Yes, I'm classifying X10 as a party, and before you disagree I refer you to my criteria: booze (preferably free), delicious treats, naked ladies friendly attendees, and video games. I know, I'm a geek, I have video games as part of my 'good party' criteria, shut up.
As you may or may not know, X, or Xbox show, first started as an annual major trade event to showcase games in Europe. It was MIA in 04' and seemed to climax in 06' in Barcelona Spain. The past three, X07-X09, were greatly scaled down and took place in The Great White North (or Canada if you don't like nicknames). Now in the year 2010, X took place for the very first time on American soil in the great city of San Francisco. End history lesson.
This has been declared "the biggest year in Xbox history" by Microsoft itself, so needless to say I had the chance to play some pretty awesome titles. Starting next week I'll go into more detail on a few of them individually, but for today I'll report on the interesting and relevant news bits, lovingly condensed for you into a manageable serving size. Hit the jump to take it all in.
As reported by the ruggedly handsome J-to-the-M Zoss, I was at X10 yesterday into what Sinatra refers to as the wee small hours of the morning. I had a great time and got a chance to play what appears to be some pretty awesome games. I'll be reporting on that a little later today, but in the meantime I have some catch-up work to do, so check out some sweet-ass weaponry and epic battle scenes in this new God of War III trailer.
Yesterday Microsoft held an event called X10 in San Francisco, during which the publisher shared a lot of details about several high-profile upcoming games like Halo: Reach, Alan Wake, Fable III and many more. Our intrepid Owen Johnson was on the scene and will be bringing you coverage of the event later in the day.
One piece of media released during X10 was this lengthy Halo: Reach video documentary, which I recommend watching even if you're not one of Halo's devoted fans. Not only does it demonstrate that Halo: Reach looks like a major evolution in the Halo franchise, it's also a fascinating look into big-budget game development.
After a fourth-quarter loss of $286 million, game publisher Activision has enacted some major cost-cutting measures. Hundreds of employees have been cut from Activision-owned developer and a few studios have been closed completely. According to reports in the LA Times and other outlets, about 50 people were let go from Guitar Hero developer/former Tony Hawk developer Neversoft, and more than half of Prototype developer's 180 employees were let go.
Also affected were RedOctane, the original publisher of Guitar Hero. Purchased by Activision after the success of the first game, the company has now been closed along with Guitar Hero: Van Halen developer Underground Development. Finally Luxoflux, creators of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen game, was closed, with a handful of employees being offered jobs at other Activision studios.
Best wishes to everyone affected and to their families.
With Modern Warfare 2 still looking like the hot and sexy thing that it is, you probably haven't yet begun to think about the next one. But like all young beauties, time will take it's toll, and you'll gradually lose interest. Then one day as you sit at a coffee shop -- newspaper in hand with a latte perched atop it's ceramic counterpart -- the fresh new Call of Duty 7 will strut by, prying your eyes from the funnies and stirring emotions you believed to be long dead...
Then again maybe you won't give a shit about the yet-to-be-named CoD 7, as many people were still playing Modern Warfare when World at War came out. However, that's neither here nor there as it's 2010 holiday release has been confirmed yesterday by Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. He said that they will continue to release an annual installment of the Call of Duty franchise, but did not announce the developer. Due to what Infinity Ward had said about wanting to work on a new title, in combination with Treyarch's David Kim's LinkedIn profile, we can safely assume that Treyarch is the developer holding the reins here.
Another interesting bit from Kotick was that the company intends to take the CoD franchise in the direction of subscriptions, saying:
"If you think about the success we have had in other categories on subscriptions, you can get a sense of the direction we want to take the franchise."
I don't know exactly how they plan on making that work, but considering Kotick's keen business sense, I don't doubt that they will.
I'll admit that it takes a lot for me to get excited about a Wii game, especially a third-party Wii game. However, new game Rock of the Dead has pushed just the right buttons for me - IGN recently got a demo of the game by developer Epicenter, who described the game as Typing of the Dead meets Guitar Hero. Awesome. In Rock of the Dead, you defeat zombies by wailing on your guitar, a gameplay formula that's so simple and badass that I'm already sold. But it keeps getting better! Neil Patrick Harris and Felicia Day are doing the voices, and the soundtrack will include tracks by White Zombie. What else can I say? I'm sold.
If you thought Assassin's Creed 2 was a prodigious title of Herculean proportions (or if you simply liked it), then you may be interested to know that the next installment will find the dashing Renaissance assassin -- Ezio Aduitore de Firenze -- back in Rome.
During Ubisoft's third quarter financial call, they stated that Ezio would be returning to Rome to "strike directly at the heart of the Templar Order." Other than that, they did mention multiplayer again, but not much other than the fact of its existence.
When asked if this quick follow up to AC2 implied that the franchise is going annual, CEO Yves Guillemot replied that he can't comment yet, but it is a franchise they will frequently turn to.
Normally Joystick Division stays focused the "core" gaming audience, with stories about Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony products. However, sometimes some element of the casual gaming industry grabs our attention and simply has to acknowledged. Casual game juggernaut PopCap has announced today the 10th anniversary of Bejeweled, a game that's appeared on pretty much every electronic device every created and been ripped off more often than than possibly any other game. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the phrase "Bejewled clone" to describe some cell phone game, DS game, iPhone game, downloadable game or even Wii game.
PopCap is kicking off a ten-month long celebration of Bejeweled today, and has announced that the franchise has sold more than 50 million copies, making it one of the 10 best-selling games of all time. Congrats to PopCap for causing literally hundreds of millions of wasted man hours around the world.
Yesterday the French arm of Ubisoft hit us with some terrific news: the announcment of a new Ghost Recon title. Said announcement provided such sparse detail, that our imaginations were free to conjure up any type of futuristic setting that our hearts desired. This morning we find an official teaser, which on one hand kills some of the romance of dreaming without parameters, but on the other hand shows us that you can use a motherfucking invisibility cloak.
However I could be a terrible liar, so you should probably hit the jump to check it out first-hand.
According to a new study by the ESPN Sports Poll and EA Sports, placing advertisements in sports games is one of the most effective ways to reach the sports fan audience. According to the results of the poll, 38% of sports gamers spend as much time or more playing games as they do watching the sport. When engaged in the game, players spend no time channel surfing or distracted - the more time players spend focused on the game, the more time they spend exposes to the advertisements.
"Fans consume sports in multidimensional ways," said Robert Fox,
Senior Vice President at TNS and Executive Director of the ESPN Sports
Poll. "Today's interactive entertainment enables fans to engage with
their favorite sports on a platform that looks incredibly close to the
real thing. When a person is engaged in the video game, there is no
channel surfing, and the game is paused only for necessity. This is a
terrific way for real-world advertisers and sponsors to develop
incremental affinity for their brands."
The average sports gamer, according to the study, is a single male between the ages of 18-34 with disposable income. That the advertising industry's dream demographic, so it's no wonder that studies are trying to determine the best ways to reach them.
Not so long ago in the year of our lord two-thousand and nine, Ubisoft filed a trademark for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Now, just over two months later, Ubisoft Paris has officially announced the title.
Very few details were given about the game proper, but we were told that it would sport both single and multiplayer, with a 2010 holiday release date on a whole mess of consoles, including the Wii. Other than that all we know is that there is a beta scheduled for this summer, with access granted to those who purchase Splinter Cell: Conviction on the Xbox 360 this April.
Now as for me, I would rather see a far-off future setting that breaches the Sci-Fi genre rather than simply a ten-years from now kind of thing. What do you guys think?
To all you registered Cerberus Network members out there, I have a special announcement for you: as of now you are the proud new owner of the Cerberus Assault Armor and an M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun, congratulations!
Well, almost. All you need to do to obtain your new goodies is fire up Mass Effect 2, log into the Cerberus Network, and begin the download. Here's a brief description of what you can expect:
Cerberus Assault Armor:
Designed for shock troops to turn the tide of battle against creatures or forces that would decimate normal soldiers.
-Increases Heavy Weapon ammo capacity by +10%
-Increases shields by +10%
-Increases health by +10%
M-22a Eviscerator Shotgun:
A longer range shotgun with armor piercing loads. This design violates several intergalactic weapons treaties, so it is not distributed to military forces.
I can tell you right now that downloading these will be the first thing I do upon returning home. Okay second thing. First I have to get out of these ass-less chaps.
Whenever I got out in public, which is something I avoid doing at all costs, I'm always struck by how many little kids are wearing Star Wars: The Clone Wars shirts. What really amazes me is that "The Clone Wars" branding is so much more prominent than the "Star Wars" branding. I guess to the youngest generation, The Clone Wars is Star Wars. It's not surprising then that the next LEGO Star Wars game is based on the series. LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars has been announced for pretty much every console you can think of, and will be arriving this holiday season. I'm sure all those kids at the grocery store will go nuts about this one.
The Japanese video game industry has been in a slump for years, but Final Fantasy XIII producer Yoshinori Kitase and director Motomu Toriyama think that their game can bring it back from the brink of death. In interview with the European PlayStation Blog, one of the two said:
"Some people have been saying that the Japanese game industry is dead,
and all that... I dunno," the creative lead said. "I will say that Final Fantasy XIII
is one really epic title for high definition consoles. With this game,
we are going to resurrect the whole thing." And then they immediately
moved from boastful to confusing: "As for Western games that have influenced us - FPSs mostly. The Call of Duty series, for example."
Final Fantasy XIII sold over a million copies the first day it was available in Japan, so clearly Japanese gamers still care about the franchise. But is one game enough to revive a slumping industry? Only time will tell.
This is looking like it's going to be another rough week on my bank account, but BioShock 2 has promised me that it'll be worth it. That and Scene It? Twilight on the DS. What are you planning on picking up?
Monday, February 8th: -Star Ocean The Last Hope: International (PS3)
Strictly for health reasons, until the release of Red Dead Redemption, I need to every so often be revitalized by fresh screens or new clips. Fortunately enough I came across these enticing new shots in which our hero is performing some good old-fashioned cowboy rope work. It would seem that both humans and animals alike will feel John's wrath come April 27th; he doesn't like to discriminate. Hit the jump to see a few more of these beauties.
You may already know that my excitement for Splinter Cell: Conviction is off the goddamn charts. So consequently upon receiving news that Ubisoft announced a release date that is quite literally, "set in stone", I immediately started drinking dancing in celebration. I say literally because they sent an actual stone to IGN with the date 4.13.10 inscribed on it, I kid you not.
So there you have it folks, Sam Fisher's next endeavor in bad-assery slated for April 13th, 2010. Hit the jump if you care to see a picture of the actual laser etched rock.
I have to admit that I have very little love for social gaming. I don't care if you saved a sick cow in Farmville, I shed no tears if your mafia is under attack and needs assistance in Mafia Wars, nor do I give two shits about how you and your pet have beautifully decorated your house in Pet Society. Now having said that this new 3D first-person "social shooter" by 3G Studios has piqued my curiosity.
Their CEO, James Kosta, has boldly declared that their new title will "bring First Person Shooter games to the masses." going on to say that "it's about fast-paced action and either competing against or forming teams with your friends. We want people to feel empowered and to share in a real video game experience."
I whole-heartedly endorse their efforts to produce a social game that steers the stereotypical casual gamer in a more hardcore direction, but I'm not too sure that it will capture the appeal of the Farmville and Mafia Wars addicts out there. I wish them the best of luck in this endeavor, and I myself have already reserved a handle for the upcoming public beta. Hit the jump if you have any interest in doing the same, and to check out a couple additional screens.
Next week Microsoft is holding an event called X10 in San Francisco, where games journalists will be able to play some of biggest upcoming games for the Xbox 360. Games like Halo: Reach, Fable III and Alan Wake will be there, as will some Xbox Live Arcade Games. One XBLA game in particular should get a fair amount of attention: the new 60 frames per second port of Perfect Dark. It's not as exciting as getting the long-rumored XBLA version of GoldenEye, but it's a close second.
Our Bay Area correspondent Owen Johnson will be heading to X10 to play all the games on display, and if he knows what's good for him he'll bring back hands-on preview coverage of Perfect Dark. Do you hear me, Owen? Come back with preview coverage or don't come back at all!
Despite word that the recent action title Darksiders was a sales disappointment, THQ is pressing on with a sequel, according to the latest investor earning call. The call also revealed that a new Red Faction game is also in the works, as is a sequel to the Wii title de Blob. The Red Faction and de Blob sequels are due in the fiscal 2011 year, while Darksiders 2 and a new Saints Row game are due in fiscal 2012.
I haven't yet played Darksiders, but I'm excited about this news. In the last few years, THQ has really transformed into an exciting company with a lot of interesting original franchises. I know a lot of gamers who love the Saints Row games and I ADORED Red Faction: Guerrilla so I happy to see that THQ will continue to fund exciting core games as part of its catalog.
"...e's got an attitude! Soooooniiiic, HE'S THE FASTEST THING A-LIIIIII-IIIIIVE!" Oh, sorry, didn't see you there. I was just singing the theme song from the Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon series in celebration of the announcement. You didn't hear? Well, according to Sega's Ken Balough, the new Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 will offer old-school 2D gameplay with modern 3D visuals, in addition to classic favorites like spin-dash and power sneakers! Now when asked about the episode 1 tacked on at the end there, Balough told GameSpot in an interview that:
"I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure. When Sega released Sonic 3, ultimately it was the part 1 of a story that saw its conclusion in Sonic & Knuckles. In that same spirit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a bigger story, and this is that first chapter. I think it's also safe to say that by the end of the episode one, fans will be very excited to see what's in store for episode two!"
Although
he didn't outright deny or confirm it, considering that S4E1 will be
delivered to the PS3, 360, and Wii via download -- combined with the glaring fact that it
says "Episode 1" in the title -- I'm going to use my investigatory
journalism skills to infer that it will in fact be episodic in nature. Now
whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is probably in the eye of the
beholder. But I for one couldn't be more excited to see Sonic going back to his 2D roots, episodic or not. Especially when you take into account that on the 360
and PS3 the beloved needlemouse will be tearing it up in full HD.
Dust off your red sneakers and
thigh-high running shorts, because Sonic's (hopefully) glorious summer release is just around the
corner.
Oh Vegas, what hasn't happened there? Answer: nuclear fallout...until now that is! Bethesda graced us today with a teaser for their newest addition to the series titled Fallout: New Vegas, in which Sin City can be seen covered in ash and littered with the dead. It's definitely a teaser in the sense that we don't see any gameplay or learn much of anything about the game, but it certainly succeeds in setting the mood and whetting the appetite as we wait for Fall to come.
The development of New Vegas is not being handled by the in-house team that developed Fallout 3, and is instead being created by Obsidian Entertainment. Obsidian consists of many who've worked on past Fallout titles, and have previously gifted us with epic RPGs such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II and Neverwinter Nights 2. One last note before checking out the teaser: according to Pete Hines -- Bethesda's head of marketing and communications -- New Vegas should not be viewed as a sequel to Fallout 3, as it is an independent story simply occurring in the same universe. Now armed with that knowledge, hit the jump to see post-apocalyptic Vegas in all it's glory.
You probably already know what the best-selling game of 2009 is. Heck, you can probably guess the top five. But in case you couldn't, here they are. In the blurry, enlarged graph above, you'll see that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a clear number one, with nearly 12 million units sold worldwide. Nintendo held the next four slots with Wii Sport s Resort, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Fit Plus and the original Wii Fit.
The worldwide sales data is from the combined findings of the US's The NPD group, the UK's MCV and Japan's Enterbrain. Keep in mind that this "worldwide" data only includes the top three game markets, so in reality worldwide sales are even higher.
A couple observations based on this data: Modern Warfare 2's sales were great, but will it hit Activision's goal of becoming the "biggest game of all time?" I really doubt it. Call of Duty 4 sold for a long, long time and I'm sure MW2 will as well, but there seems to be a lot of disenchantment with the multiplayer's consistent bug issues and we're going into a really strong year for games. Even if MW2 doesn't hit the publisher's lofty goal, it's still clearly one of the biggest games of all time.
Second observation: Nintendo's sales figures are great news for the company and potentially bad news for core gamers. NSMBW is the only core game of Nintendo's four on the list. Yes, it sold the best. But with Nintendo doing so well with fitness games and minigame compilations, what's the incentive to develop costly core games? Of course Mario's not going anywhere. But don't be surprised to see him show up in Mario's Wii Workout Challenge.
According to members of the toy industry who met this week at the Nuremberg Toy Fair in Germany, the global decline in video game sales is permanent, while the popularity of traditional toys like board games is on the rise.
Richard Gottlieb, a US consultant who chaired the Building Our Future conference at the gathering, said that board games would rise to fill in the gap left by declining video game sales because "Board games are cross-generational. They bring the family together. Children get a tremendous sense of self-satisfaction from being able to beat their parents in a game."
Gottlieb pointed to the rise in popularity in the US of more complex board games like Settlers of Catan (which also has a video game adaptation) as evidence that board games are coming back into vogue. He also cited games like Farmville as driving down interest in retail games - the logic being that as free games gain popularity, consumers will be less willing to pay for digital game content.
Gottlieb and the other experts at the Nuremberg Toy Fair offered no hard numbers to back up their claims that traditional board games will take up the market segment lost by video games, but I can see the thought behind it. Unlike video games, physical board games can't be made available for free or pirated. But the decline in sales of video games is widely attributed to the economy, not a lack of interest in digital games. For the decline in game sales to become permanent, they will have to stay down after the economy rebounds, something that no analyst is willing to predict when video games are more a part of daily life than ever before.
Despite what you may have experienced over Xbox Live, gamers can be a caring bunch as proven by charities such as Child's Play, Desert Bus, and Extra Life for Kids. Further proof is the production company OneBigGame, who raise funds to help children all over the world, and have on this very day released Chime over Xbox Live Arcade. Developed by Zoë Mode, Chime is an original and innovative music puzzle game available for 400 Microsoft Points (or $5 USD if you don't drink that corporate kool-aid).
The gameplay consists of working with irregular shapes, each connected to a sound from the background music track, to form blocks called quads. These quads unlock more elements of the underlying song, allowing for a different experience each time it's played.
Hit the jump to check out some screens and a tutorial video to give you a better idea of what exactly expect. However with the net proceeds going to charity partners Save the Children and Starlight Children's Foundation, you really can't lose with this purchase.
I don't know about you, but I have some fond memories of slapping my cousins around with the Chicago Bulls in the SNES NBA Jam. So what if they were my little cousins and could barely hold the controller, I WAS A GOD!
Ahem...in case you didn't know, the new NBA Jam is scheduled to be released by EA exclusively on the Wii later in 2010. The couple screens after the jump were snagged from the latest episode of GameTrailers TV, and just like a certain channel 4 news anchor, everyone should see how good they look.
BioShock 2's publisher 2K Games certainly seems to be throwing a lot of weight behind the launch of the game. Last night, the publisher bought the entire first block of commercials to debut the new launch trailer for the game. Clocking in at over three minutes, this BioShock 2 trailer is pretty awesome, but doesn't contain a single second of gameplay footage. If you've got any familiarity with the series at all, it spells out the set-up of the game pretty clearly. But imagine that you're a non-gaming Fallon-watcher. I'd have to imagine that this video creeped you out to no end.
In other BioShock 2 news, GameStop and Best Buy will be holding midnight launches for the game next Monday. In even more BioShock 2 news, I really can't wait to play it.
Capcom doesn't seem too pleased with only 27,000 units of the 2009 Bionic Commando sold, and honestly, who could blame them? The title was co-developed by recently deceased Swedish studio GRIN, and the less-than-stellar results have brought about some significant changes to Capcom's business strategy; no more foreign developers to work on new IPs.
Okay well not entirely. Overseas developers will still be contracted to work on very specific portions of new IPs, but primarily development will be done in Japan. They also note that in the future only titles "with well-established characters and universal themes" will be outsourced to western developers.
This seems like a bizarre conclusion to me, because as you probably know, Bionic Commando is a well established IP. Therefore how the lacking sales of an overseas, co-developed sequel, results in the decision to have them do only sequels (or spin-offs) doesn't really make sense.
Logic (or lack thereof) aside, if this results in Capcom releasing higher quality IPs with greater innovation, then quite honestly I don't care what their reasoning is.
Many people have criticized Dante's Inferno for being too similar to God of War. Agree or disagree, it appears that EA is doing everything it can to distinguish its new IP by adding some very interesting downloadable content. Dubbed Trials of St. Lucia and available for download April 29, it offer players the chance to slaughter denizens of hell along with a partner. That's right my friends, co-op.
As of now it appears that the only cooperative gameplay mode is fighting waves of foes in what is called trials. However an interesting bit is that users will be able to generate and submit their own original trials for other gamers to play and rate, much like that of LittleBigPlanet. For more information straight from the senior and executive producers, check out the the youtube video after the jump.
Just like Rick in Namco Bandai's upcoming Splatterhouse game, Namco Bandai is about to suffer from some deep cuts. Yes, that was pretty forced, but it's hard to be really funny when people are losing their jobs. The company has announced that it will be recording a ¥31 billion ($342 million) loss this March. As a result, the publisher will be restructuring at the end of the fiscal year, planning to trim 630 employees from its staff of 7,000. No word on whether those cuts will concentrate on Namco Bandai's Japanese headquarters or its US office. The decline has been blamed on the poor performance of key titles. In the past year, Namco Bandai has released several Dragon Ball Z games, many casual Wii titles and a few high-profile titles like Tekken 6.
I've been a big fan of The Behemoth since the first time I played one of their games, an early version of Alien Hominid. I'm happy to see the amount of success the company has had with both that game and Castle Crashers, and that track record has got me pretty excited for their third game, which has been officially titled BattleBlock Theater. The concept of this game still isn't as clear as their earlier games, but the new trailer above does clear things up a little bit. Looks like it's a collection of game types in which the players perform for a cruel audience that views combat as entertainment. A cartoony version of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, if you will.
No release date has been given for BattleBlock Theater. "When it's done" is what I'll assume.
We haven't done a lot for the PC gamer here as of late, and that's something I'm looking to amend. Today has seen the release of some new screens for Diablo III, the other much anticipated Blizzard title. It's true that the game won't see retail shelves till 2011, but that won't stop me from fantasizing after visually consuming your sister them. Hit the jump to see a gallery of the rest, as well as a link to the high-res shots.
I'm fairly certain that you will never again see a news post here that contains 'Reality TV' in the title. At least, I hope not. However as it stands, this is ripe material for you to casually mention to your friends mid-conversation and have a good chortle over. Or perhaps an ice-breaker at the bar. On second thought, no, don't mention this to anybody you're trying sleep with befriend. But don't worry, we've got you covered there too. Try this one, "my love for you is like diarrhea, I just can't hold it in." Works every time. Except for the last time. And the one before that. And the one before that. Okay, it never worked; don't try it.
Moving on...Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) is launching a "competition reality" series available over the PSN for the PS3 and the PSP, starting February 18, 2010. The series will be called The Tester, and revolve around eleven gamers ranging in age and occupation: 22 - 36 and used-car salesman to paramedic. Upon reading the title you probably had a good idea as to what they would be competing for, then you thought to yourself, "why would anyone compete to be a QA tester?" and decided it has to be something else. But no, you were right, these people (yes, even a paramedic) will compete in "grueling physical and mental challenges" to win a QA tester position at SCEA along with a $5,000 signing bonus.
Having been a tester myself I can't endorse the kind of enthusiasm necessary to compete over such a position. For those of us who aren't competing, seeing David Jaffe or one of their other weekly guests tear into some of those poor saps could potentially be legitimate entertainment. Either way we'll find out soon enough with only 17 days to go -- let the countdown begin!
Or just purge your memory of ever having read this, whatever you prefer.
On Saturday, something deep and culturally important happened. I probably don't need to tell you, as I'm sure you were glued to the coverage just like everyone else in the world. But in case you missed it by some strange fluke, I'll fill you in: the new Miss America was crowned. Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron was awarded the crown at Planet Hollywood, and she promptly used her new fame to decry video games.
"Take away the TV, take away the video games, set some standards for our children!" she said in her winner's interview. Okay, that's a pretty gentle slam and it also addresses TV as well as games, but regardless are we going to let her judge our hobby because she's got a crown? I think not. That's not what this country is about, people!
Aside from slamming video games, Miss America will be as the spokesperson for IHOP's National Pancake Day. Seriously.
I have a confession to make: I'm a big fan of Pokemon. No not of the anime series (at least not anymore), or the spin-off games, but the long running video game series developed by Game Freaks. So upon hearing that a brand new Pokemon series was in development for the DS, I squealed with elated delight cracked a manly smile.
According to a Google translation of the official Pokemon website, you can expect the game to be released (probably only in Japan) in late 2010, and to be "reborn in all innovative". I don't know exactly what that means, but it sure sounds wonderful. Oh, and I don't think Jessica Nigri (pictured above) will be appearing in it.
I love a good western complete with guns, horses, saloons, shootouts, and hats. So naturally I was a big supporter of Rockstar's original Red Dead Revolver on the PS2 as it included all of the aforementioned ingredients. Following that logic there's no surprise that Red Dead Redemption is one of my most anticipated games of 2010. I even have a shirt that I lovingly made with a BeDazzler and paint markers! Okay I actually got it at PAX and it hasn't been BeDazzled...yet. Fortunately it wasn't the one stolen from me yesterday.
Attention to detail, like in that of Uncharted 2, allows me to take a step further into the game's world and become more immersed. So reading that every person you shoot falls differently, and that enemies will be knocked back according to the "true momentum" of your gunshot has got me...aroused. Check out the following clip to see for yourself.
Borderlands is the type of game that's found some rabidly devoted fans, but by this point, they may have done everything there is to do in the main game and the first two DLC packs. Given the success of both Borderlands and its DLC expansions, it's no surprise that a third pack is on the way. A new expansion called "The Secret Armory of General Knoxx" will be released sometime soon and raise the level cap from 50 to... something higher than that. According to developer Gearbox, the third DLC will feature "never-before-seen enemies in a huge new environment complete with tons of brand new missions." You can see one of the new enemies in the shot above. A second screen is after the jump.
Here's some more news that paints gamers in a good light. The Xbox-exclusive track "All You Need is Love" for The Beatles: Rock Band has raised $217,780 for Doctors Without Borders. As announced at last year's E3, all proceeds from the track were donated to the charitable organization, which will use the fund to help with the relief efforts in Haiti. Gamers who haven't yet downloaded the track have until January 31 to download the track and have the price donated towards the organization.
Congratulations to Microsoft, Apple Corps, Harmonix, MTV Games and all gamers who downloaded the track for participating in a program that will bring some relief to a country that desperately needs it. More information about Doctors Without Borders can be found here.
Okay so it's not actually called "Triangles Ahoy!", that's just a really, really stupid name I inexplicably came up with on the spot. The real news here is that Steve Demeter, of Trism 1 fame, just announced that he's bringing Trism 2 to the iPhone, iPod Touch, and -- you guessed it folks -- the iPad.
In case you didn't know, within two months of the original Trism's release, Demeter pulled in over $250k in profit from his app alone. That's a pretty big deal, and hopefully sends a message of hope to all you indie developers out there.
As for Trism 2, I'm curious to see what changes will be made to the original winning formula. For the life of me all I can imagine are new puzzles and modes of play, which I wouldn't see as a good reason to drop another (presumably) $5 on. I may very well be alone in this, but here's to me being wrong anyway.
Just like many others out there, I'm sure you're wondering how and why Marcus and Dom popped up in that Lost Planet 2 video earlier this week. There's probably a multitude of complex theories and explanations, but as Kotaku found out upon contacting Cliff Bleszinski of Epic Games, the simplest explanation is often the correct one.
"They [Capcom] contacted us about the cameo, and we said 'heck yeah'. We're mutual fans of each other's work and cross-overs are darn cool so we sent over the Marcus and Dom models for implementation."
Being a big fan of both Gears of War and Lost Planet, I couldn't be happier to see Capcom and Epic playing together so nicely. However it's important to note that although the presence of their character models have been confirmed, Bleszinski was sure to point out that he can't speak on the game's controls; that he will leave in Capcom's capable hands.
I have a feeling that a few of you out there are playing Mass Effect 2 this week. If you're not, you should be (review coming soon). Like Dragon Age a few months ago, Mass Effect 2 shipped with a code for "launch day" DLC that included a new party member, Zaeed. Except that launch day DLC wasn't actually available on launch day due to some mysterious last-minute issues. Fortunately, Zaeed is now available through the in-game Cerberus Network, the pipeline that delivers free new content to anyone that bought the game new. Only a day late - that's not so bad, right? I know, I know. A day is like a week in internet time.
Bayonetta is a fine game with a fine protagonist. Unfortunately, it's a little less fine on the PS3. That's not console bias, it's just a fact - the PS3 version has longer load times and lots of graphical glitches that make it clearly less polished than the 360 version. Fortunately, it looks like a new patch is coming tomorrow that will help clean up some of the issues. The new patch will allow players to install the game to their PS3 hard drives, which should lessen loading times. Sadly, it won't do anything to address visual shortcomings, but a second later patch may help with that.
The patch has only been officially announced for Japan, but it's coming out tomorrow - the day when new PSN content is made available. I'd expect to see it then. I played the game on 360 so I won't know for sure. PS3 homies, please let me know if it goes up tomorrow - or doesn't!
In case you were on the fence about picking up Dead Rising 2 upon its release, prepare to be swayed; you can now duct tape shit together and kill zombies with it. If you're a fan of zombie games and that alone doesn't sell you on it, well then I don't know what drugs your mother did while pregnant with you what will. I mean look at that picture...that's a chainsaw, two of them in fact, duct taped to both ends of a fucking paddle. You can be the MacGyving Darth Maul of zombie killers! Without the lightsaber stabbity from Obi-Wan of course.
Shit...I just referenced Episode 1. Check out the other screen after the jump while I go get a cat o' nine tails and a hooker to beat me with it.
Much like a princess eating cake, the Xbox Live Games On Demand library is constantly expanding. Today finds Dead Rising and Halo Wars added to the arsenal, ready and willing to be downloaded at your earliest convenience. Now I can't recommend Halo Wars because I'm not a big RTS fan...well and the fact that I haven't played it, but Dead Rising I can vouch for. You can trust him, he's a cool guy. Maybe he'll even smoke you out sometime, or buy you a beer; that's just the kind of dude he is.
If I'm not making any sense (which is known to occur), what I'm trying to say is that if you haven't spent any time with Dead Rising, the $19.99 price tag is well worth it. If you've had your eye on Halo Wars, it can now be yours for $30.
In the US, Monster Hunter is one of Capcom's lesser series. In Japan, it's a juggernaut that can't be stopped. Microsoft landing a new Monster Hunter title as a presumed exclusive should be a huge boost to the company's Japanese fortunes, right? Maybe, maybe not. Monster Hunter Frontier is actually a port of a PC MMO from 2007, and from the trailer above it doesn't look like they've put any effort into improving the original graphics.
Playing the game will require the player to purchase a "Hunter Life Course Coupon" for 1,400 yen ($15), which will give them 30 days of access to the game as well as a one-month Xbox Live Gold subscription. I'm going to guess that this game won't be coming to the US, and that most of you really won't care.
Crossover time! I Have to admit that I didn't see this coming, although it does make a certain degree of sense: Gears of War's signature gorilla-esque COG soldiers will be appearing in Capcom's upcoming Lost Planet 2. There's not much we know about this crossover yet, although you can see Marcus and Dom in action in the YouTube trailer above (until it's taken down). We can fairly assume a couple things though: the Gears characters will be exclusive to the Xbox 360 version of the game, and will probably be simply skins for the co-op modes. We'll find out for sure on May 18th.
Bungie is offering you a chance to immortalize your personal artwork by submitting an emblem design for their contest. What? You're not an artist? No worries. To put it in their own words, "If it's not pixel-perfect, it's won't be a problem. We're willing to look past your lack of artistic skills and see the awesome idea underneath."
All the specifics are here, but generally speaking this is what you can expect:
-Your emblem must consist of only 2 colors.
-Your emblem must look good when it's tiny.
-Must be original -- no National flags either.
-Must be submitted between now and 11:59PM PST on February 5th, 2010.
-Nothing offensive, rude, icky, racist, or otherwise "stupidly ridonkulous.".
Good luck all ye who choose to partake, may your designs be dong-free and have nothing to do with Rick Astley.
Curious about how the upcoming Aliens vs. Predator compares to the original Aliens vs. Predator? This dev diary has got you covered. Okay, so there's not a ton of really substantive information in this video, but it's still pretty cool to look back and see shots of the original game paired with the remake. The new version of AvP is looking pretty solid, but I'm almost more impressed by how well the original has held up.
We're starting to do a "new release" post each Monday because...well, this shit be relevant! In addition it always brightens my day when I see exciting titles in the week's line up, and I'm hoping it does the same for yours.
Nintendo DS:
-Legend of Kay (Mon - Jan. 25)
-Number Battle (Mon - Jan. 25)
-Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans (Tues - Jan 26)
-Imagine: Party Planner (Tues - Jan 26)
-Playmobil Knights (Fri - Jan. 29)
PC:
-Blood Bowl (Tues - Jan 26)
-Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans (Tues - Jan 26)
-Mass Effect 2 (Tues - Jan 26)
-Hotel Giant (Wed - Jan 27)
-Legend of Vraz (Thurs - Jan 28)
-The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes, Vol. 2 (Fri - Jan 29)
-Mole Control (Fri - Jan 29)
-Simplz: Zoo (Fri - Jan 29)
PSP:
-Shadow of Destiny (Tues - Jan 26)
PS3:
-MAG (Tues - Jan 26)
Xbox 360:
-Blood Bowl (Tues - Jan 26)
-Mass Effect 2 (Tues - Jan 26)
Wii:
-"Aha, I found it!" Hidden Object Game (Mon - Jan 25)
-Horrible Histories: Ruthless Romans (Tues - Jan 26)
-No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (Tues - Jan 26)
-Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All (Tues - Jan 26)
-Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Tues - Jan 26)
In a recent interview for the March issue of Game Informer, the director of Platinum Games, Hideki Kamiya, dropped a hint about a possible Bayonetta 2. Now this probably comes as no surprise to you considering both the overseas and domestic success of Bayonetta the First. However, the interesting bit comes when Kamiya says that "Personally, I'd like to approach the world of Bayonetta from a different angle, in the form of a spin-off."
Now I don't know about you, but that excites me. Perhaps it's because I support the unconventional, or because the unknown allows the imagination to run wild, but I too would like to see a spin-off. Despite my initial doubts, the first Bayonetta proved to be truly kick-ass. So if Platinum Games decides to do a spin-off, I for one will support their decision.
Did you play Tony Hawk: RIDE? No, I didn't either. The latest entry in the long-running Tony Hawk series was met with both poor reviews and poor sales, but that doesn't mean the series is dead. Tony Hawk himself confirmed that the next game is in the works via his Twitter account:
Just met with @robomodo about our next project and it's already much better than I expected. Details soon. Chicago is not warm.
I'm absolutely not surprised that there's another Tony Hawk game in the works. It's a long-running annual franchise that's made Activision billions of bucks over the years. The series has been in a slump for a long, long time, hitting its lowest point yet with RIDE. But Activision spent a lot of money on developing the board peripheral and Tony Hawk's not a cheap man to keep under contract, so expect them to keep pressing forward with the games for several more years.
Apparently one of the biggest criticisms of digital content distribution portals, such as Steam, is that it leaves no room for a used games market.* Enter Green Man Gaming, a soon to launch PC portal where gamers will be able to trade-in their pre-played games, and receive credit to be used for future downloads. The catch? There will still be no "used games" market for DLC -- just a digital graveyard where the traded-in key codes go to be buried.
How exactly will all this work? Hit the jump to read on.
Let no one say that the gaming community isn't a caring bunch. A few days ago, Bungie announced that they would be giving money to Haiti based on how many players used a pro-Haiti logo in Halo 3. But it's not just the big guys that are trying to help. For the next four days, The Behemoth, the tiny indie developer behind Castle Crashers and Alien Hominid, will be giving 100% of the proceeds of all DLC sold for either game to the Haitian relief efforts. What's more, the studio's employees will match the money raised dollar for dollar. This is in win-win-win in my mind. Haiti gets help, you get great game content, and The Behemoth comes out looking like the classy folks they are. So what are you waiting for? Go grab some great game content for a good cause.
That headline is a pun, because in the in one of the downloadable expansions for Heavy Rain, you'll play as the villainous Origami Killer. Get it? Comedy gold! I'll be taking over for whichever late-night talk show host gets fired next. Anyway,the Heavy Rain Chronicles will be DLC prequels to the game that will explain the motivations of some of the central characters. One, as we so hilariously already mentioned, will be the Origami Killer. Another will center on FBI profiler Norman Jayden and explain how he developed his drug addiction and received a nasty scar. The third will explain why photographer Madison Paige can't sleep. Two final Chronicles will focus on the characters Ethan Mars and Scott Shelby, but nothing has been revealed about the contents of their episodes yet.
According to Eurogamer, which translated this info from French gaming site Gameblog.fr, the Heavy Rain Chronicles will be about an hour long. I'm unclear if that's an hour per episode or total.
To all you skeptics out there, I sympathize with you. Emulators on the iPhone have a history of getting the cane as soon as they take center stage in the App store. However you can allow yourself some excitement because this time around it's an official, full virtual console, slated for an early February release.
Dubbed the "Ultimate Genesis", it will come with Space Harrier II, with other games available for purchase through the App. Here's the line-up and pricing thus far:
Sonic the Hedgehog: $5.99
Golden Axe: $4.99
Ecco the Dolphin: $2.99
Shining Force: $2.99
According to Gizmodo the emulator is a little slow on non-3GS iPhones, but that won't stop me and my 3G from kicking the shit out of Death Adder come this February.
Oh, and if anyone from Sega is reading this, Road Rash please!
Microsoft's Project Natal has received much more press coverage than Sony's PS3 wand thingie (which may be called Arc), but one thing it had going for it was that it was supposed to hit months earlier. That ain't happening. Sony has announced that its new motion wand is being pushed back to the Fall to allow developers more time to create games for the device's launch.
Expect to hear an announcement from Capcom about the delay of the motion-controlled Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition any day now.
The Rock Band Network, announced back in July, goes into public beta today. As music game fans probably know, the Rock Band Network will allow bands and individuals to convert their music into playable Rock Band tracks that will be available to anyone.*
A Rock Band Network membership is free, but a $99/year XNA Creator's Club membership is also required. Participants will receive 30% of the proceeds of all tracks sold. Submitted songs will be vetted through the RBN community by undergoing both "Playtest" and "Peer Review" processes before being made available to the public.
I'm unsure how popular the program will be, especially given the decline in popularity of the music game genre. Regardless, I think the RBN is a major moment in video game history - there's never been such a high-profile effort to involve the public in creating content for a major mainstream game.** Whether the public takes advantage of this opportunity remains to be seen.
*Anyone playing on an Xbox 360 console, at least. Certain tracks may be made available for the PS3 and Wii, but only Xbox 360 players will have access to every published song.
**RBN appears to be casting a wider net than anything I'm aware of in the modding community. If I'm wrong on that, please let me know.
In what seems to be degenerating into schoolyard name calling, Electronic Arts has publicly responded to former executive Mitch Lasky's earlier criticism. Lasky had slammed EA and it's current management in his blog immediately after the company announced that it would be off-target for it's fiscal year, and that the packaged goods business would be either flat or down in 2011. Armed with some very good points, Lasky tore into EA saying that it is "in the wrong business, with the wrong cost structure, and the wrong team, but somehow they think that it's going to be a smooth two-year transition from packaged goods to digital. Think again."
Hit the jump to read EA's response, in which they essentially call Lasky a little bitch.
The year is now 2010 and Activision Blizzard is without-a-doubt the leading power in the videogame industry. With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 racking in over $1 billion in sales and World of Warcraft consistently earning hundreds of millions each month, the company is showing no sign of slowing down. And the man at the head of this multi-billion dollar company, Bobby Kotick, could not be more happy.
His happiness is apparent in an interview with Game Informer where he laughs about a missed opportunity to acquire Blizzard in 1995. The asking price back then? Seven million dollars. Twelve years later in 2007, Blizzard was worth $7 billion.
The lucky company to snatch Blizzard up for the seven million was Davidson & Associates, who later went to Vivendi. In the interview, Kotick talks of a dinner with Davidson and mentions his now hilarious comment about their acquisition of Blizzard.
2009 was tough. We all know that. It wasn't just tough on you and me and Charlie Sheen, it was tough on the big three console manufacturers as well. Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all saw revenue drops in 2009, although perhaps not for the reasons you'd expect. According to Gamasutra, Microsoft and Nintendo actually sold more hardware and software in 2009 than 2008, so the drop in revenue is likely caused by price drops.
Sony, on the other hand, saw a revenue decline of over 1 billion dollars, thanks primarily to the steep decline in PS2 sales - $700 million less than in 2008. Considering how long the PS2 has been on the market, I find it pretty impressive that it's still so key to Sony. However, given its decline, 2010 will probably be the last year the PS2 has any significant presence in the market.
I can appreciate why an organization such as the ESRB exists, which is to say, I see it's purpose. However, whether or not it succeeds in said purpose is not what currently concerns me. My concern lies in the amount of plot related details divulged to the public in the name of...what? Allowing us to make informed decisions? Why is it important to explain the context of the scene, give us the name of the character present, and then follow it up with a goddamnplay-by-play? Is this the kind of knowledge people are asking for these days to make purchasing decisions?
I understand that the ESRB wants to equip parents with the proper knowledge of what their offspring could encounter while playing a game; I'm not unsympathetic to this. Just do us gamers a favor and keep all the potentially plot related details out of it. Or perhaps at the very least, how about a spoiler warning? Hit the jump to read the ESRB rating summary of Heavy Rain (SPOILER ALERT!).
According to this GameStop listing, Borderlands is getting a retail add-on pack that's coming on February 23. The disc would include the two Borderlands DLC packs that have been released so far: "The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned" and "Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot." The disc will set you back $20. I'm curious who this disc is for, as anyone who's playing Borderlands without an online connection is straight-up nuts. And if you have an internet connection, why not just buy the DLC from the online stores? Regardless, I see this as good news. 2K is supporting the game, which is a good sign for the continued life of the franchise. And I do loves me this franchise!
You may remember the news from last year that Bionic Commando/Wanted: Weapons of Fate developer GRIN was working on a Final Fantasy game before the company shut down. Supervised by Square Enix, GRIN's fate was sealed in part by the fact that Sqeenix was reportedly unhappy with the studio's work and pulled them off the project. Now some supposed footage of the game, codenamed "Fortress" has found its way online.
Honestly, it's pretty unexciting stuff, and I can see why Squeenix wasn't jazzed about it. But looks into early game development are rare, so I thought I'd share. Fortress is reportedly still under development, although it probably won't look much like what you see here.
[Update: The video above has been taken down, but you can still find it online at various sites. Thanks to Spartacus for the tip.]
I love the Resident Evil games. So few franchises have been so successful at combining legitimate scares with clunky dialogue, ridiculous extras and nonsensical plots into a cohesive whole that somehow works. This new trailer for Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition has got it all: Spooky mansions, awkward dialogue, silly alternate costumes, gloppy monsters and tons of explosions. So in other words, I'm completely sold.
In case you haven't been following this title, RE5: Gold Edition is the re-released version of RE5 with new costumes, new enemies and most importantly, two new gameplay scenarios. The PS3 version will also support the Sony motion wand. The disc-based versions of the game will be out in March, but you'll be able to download the first new game episode in February and the second one in March.
The Writer's Guild of America is once again giving out an
award for "best qualifying script" in video games from 2009. The
nominees this year are:
Assassin's Creed 2 - Story by Corey May,
Script Writers Corey May, Joshua Rubin, Jeffrey Yohalem; Ubisoft
Entertainment
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 -Written
by Jesse Stern, Additional Writing Steve Fukuda, Story by Todd
Alderman, Steve Fukuda, Mackey McCandlish, Zied Rieke, Jesse Stern, Jason West,
Battlechatter Dialogue, Sean Slayback; Activision
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Written by Amy Hennig; Sony Computer Entertainment
Wet - Written by Duppy Demetrius; Bethesda Softworks
X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Script Writer Marc Guggenheim; Activision
I will withhold my comments for now because I'd like to hear what you think, rather than poison your minds with what I think (there will be enough of that to come). Do any of those nominees deserve the award? Is there a game that they didn't nominate that should get it? What are your thoughts?
I know what you're thinking: have the masterminds at Atari created a video game capable of achieving levels of awesome never before dreamed of by mortal man? Indeed they have my friends, especially if you're a long time fan of the Project Runway TV series.
Have you dreamed of designing your own dress? Creating a standard-definition virtual avatar of yourself to deck out, then show off said dress to a bunch of NPDs who won't heckle or judge you (unless of course you want them to)?
Well dust off your balance board and begin your squat-thrusts, because come March 2 everyone can be pretty and under-fed! Go strut your stuff gentlemen...and ladies? There have to be some ladies who read this right?
You have got to be kidding me. Every time the release date for the new Splinter Cell game rolls around, Ubisoft delays it again. After a completely retooling the project, Splinter Cell: Conviction was supposed to come out in 2009. Then February 23. Now it's being held until sometime in April, according to Ubisoft's latest financial performance update. That same update also had some news about a new Raving Rabbids game, a new Assassin's Creed thingy with multiplayer (no platform given) and the delay of RUSE to 2011. But I don't care about any of that right now. I feel like Charlie Brown after Lucy pulls away the football.
That concept seems to be the selling point for Metal Slug XX, the new Metal Slug game releasing late next month for PSP. A revamped version of Metal Slug 7 for DS, this trailer makes me want to pull my PSP out of cold storage and start shooting.
One of my most anticipated (and most delayed) games of 2010 finally has a release date. Heavy Rain, the gorgeous pseudo-sequel to cult adventure game Indigo Prophecy, will be hitting stores on February 23. The PS3-exclusive title has the potential to be the best-looking game to date as well as an entirely unique gameplay experience, so you'd better believe I'll be checking it out.
Microsoft's recently announced Game Room lets you play classic arcade games in a virtual arcade space. The Xbox 360 already has another feature that lets you play classic arcade games. You may have heard of it. It's called Xbox Live Arcade. XBLA has seen several classic arcade games in the past, but according to Microsoft, those previously released classics won't be compatible with Game Room. I reached out to Microsoft on the subject, and a PR contact explained that the Game Room games are 100% arcade accurate, while the XBLA games typically feature exclusive enhancements like improved graphics.
I've checked the list of Game Room titles against the list of retro games released for XBLA, and fortunately there isn't a lot of overlap. Centipede is available on XBLA and has been announced for Game Room, so if you have it for XBLA and want it in your Game Room, you'll have to buy it twice. Maybe you really, really love Centipede.
At CES this week, Microsoft released the video above, which tags their motion-sensing camera code-named Project Natal as a "Holiday 2010" release. That release window should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone who follows the game industry, but it's nice to see it nailed down regardless. The video also gets a little deeper into how Natal actually works, and I stress the word little. Most of this is fluff, but some concrete tech info is still better than none.
The Consumer Electronics Show is taking place this week in Las Vegas, and there are always a few bits of interesting gaming news that come out of that show. One such tidbit is the announcement of Game Room, a new virtual arcade for Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live. In this virtual game space, you'll be able to play some of your favorite classic arcade games and customize your space, as well as give your Avatar another meager reason to exist.
Developed by Krome Studios, Game Room itself will be free, although the games in it will not be. You can buy individual plays for 40 ($0.50), 240 ($3) to own the game on either XBL or Windows Live, or 400 ($5) to unlock the game for both your Xbox and PC. No word yet if your previously purchased retro arcade games will work in Game Room, but I'll reach out to Microsoft to see what I can find out.
Well, this is... unexpected. Sony is going to be releasing a Michael Jackson "This Is It" PS3 bundle in Japan on January 27. Basically, the bundle includes a PS3 Slim and a copy of the concert film on Blu-ray. Has the moratorium on tasteless Michael Jackson jokes been lifted yet? Good. Here are a couple, but feel free to add more in the comments.
1). He's still finding a way to get into young boy's bedrooms. 2). Shouldn't that console be white?
Here's the first trailer for Dragon Age: Awakening, which will be released March 16 for $39.99 on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. A copy of the original Dragon Age: Origins is required to play. Sold.
Man, just when I thought I'd escaped from the grasp of Dragon Age, it pulls me back in! Rumors of this DA retail expansion started flying a couple days ago, but now it's official. Even though the original game is ridiculously large and has already been expanded by DLC, it's getting even more content in the form of this disc-based expansion. Dragon Age: Awakening takes place years after the ending of the original game, raises the level cap (which I didn't manage to hit by the end of the game) and allows you to "re-spec" your attributes. Of course, the expansion features new areas, spells, enemies and party members. Thanks, BioWare. My spring was already super-crowded, and now there's another game I absolutely must play. If my wife leaves me, I blame you. Well, you and the drinking.
Here's the blurb from Gamestop:
For centuries, the Grey Wardens-the ancient order of guardians, sworn
to unite and defend the lands-have been battling the darkspawn forces.
Legend spoke that slaying the Archdemon would have put an end to the
darkspawn threat for centuries to come, but somehow they remain. You
are the Grey Warden Commander and have been entrusted with the duty of
rebuilding the order of Grey Wardens and uncovering the secrets of the
darkspawn and how they managed to remain. How you choose to rebuild
your order, how you resolve the conflict with "The Architect", and how
you determine the fate of the darkspawn will be but some of the many
complex choices that await and shape your journey as you venture to the
new land of Amaranthine.
According to The Sun, a high security insane asylum in the UK called Broadmoor Hospital has been lavished with 22 Wii systems, valued at 5,000 Euros, thanks to the good British taxpayers. The "hospital" is home to the criminally insane and the video game systems are being supposedly part of the patients' "treatment".
The Sun's source had this to say:
"When you think of their crimes and the misery they have caused, you have to ask if it's right for society to pay to entertain them. This cash could have been spent improving care in the wider NHS. In the meantime all we hear is laughter as patients play with their new toys."
Considering the hospital is already equipped with plasma televisions, Xbox and PlayStation systems, the addition of the Wii had to be made -- if only to give patients a proper choice for their gaming entertainment!
A spokesperson from Broadmoor claimed the Wii systems are meant to increase exercise (while using Wii Fit). But I think we can all call bull on that statement. If I were a British taxpayer, I would be calling up someone in power and demanding some answers!
I'm sure there is some orphanage in the UK that could use those systems for a better cause. Heck, if every orphanage in the UK have proper entertainment, I'm sure there's an old folk's home that could use them (see picture of happy old people playing Wii above).
Okay, this isn't a trailer for the actual game, which we all know is never happening. It's a trailer for a live action Duke Nukem film from Finnish production company HMCindie. Enjoy the trailer - it's probably the most you'll ever see of either the game or the film.
I write about sports games about as often as I actually watch sports. But this little news item may affect... someone... out there, so it's my duty to share. As of February 2, EA is closing down the online server for many of its online sports games. The most significant is Madden 09, so if you preferred it to Madden 10, too bad. Also getting cut are games like the boxing dud Facebreaker and NBA Street. Full list after the jump.
Even a non-sporty guy like me knows that Farve's no longer a Packer. That's probably why they're pulling the servers, right?
I'm sitting here bemoaning the fact that there's absolutely nothing happening in the world of games right now when it hit me that I should be cherishing this time off. After all, the way it used to work was that the Christmas season was nuts, and then things were slow until at least March, but possibly even longer. How long until the craziness starts up again? Two more freakin' days. This Tuesday, Bayonetta and Darksiders release, and these two big-budget action games are just the start. Also coming up this month: Dark Void, MAG, Mass Effect 2 and No More Heroes 2, just to name a few. February looks just as packed, too.
So, which of these January releases are you looking to play? I'm focused on Bayonetta, Dark Void and Mass Effect. Hope you saved your gift cards, kids!
As seen on GeekWeek, this controller pic was snapped in Japan, where the replacement for the Wii's terrible classic controller has hit the market. This best be coming here, Nintendo.
UPDATE: So this is apparently the Classic Controller Pro, and it's been available in Japan for months now. Thanks to Dread fro pointing this out. As for me, Ball = Dropped. Sorry guys.
One of my favorite Futurama episodes is the "Anthology of Interest II" episode that includes a pretty awesome parody of some classic video games. The climactic final battle of that story has been recreated by a bunch of German indie developers who apparently like that episode as much as I do. Considering that the game copies Space Invaders, uses art, characters and voices from Futurama and stays true to Fry's "All Rush mixtape" for the soundtrack, I have a feeling that this thing will be online for oh, about ten more seconds.
Xbox has been running an excellent series of deals leading up to the New Year. I grabbed the final two Fallout 3 DLC packs I hadn't purchased the other day, so it looks like I'll be returning to that dark place in my life where nothing outside the Capital Wasteland matters to me. But for you fine folks who will be carrying on without me, today has a great deal for you: Castle Crashers for $6. Marked down from $15, you'll never have a better time to buy this excellent co-op brawler if you don't already have it. I'd join you online to play, but... you know where I'll be.
I have a lot of memories of Blood Bowl from when I was a kid - at least, memories of its box. Like lot of people who grew up to be totally awesome, popular adults, I spent a lot of time in hobby shops, browsing the RPG books and miniatures. I remember seeing the Blood Bowl game and thinking it seemed like a great idea: a violent fantasy version of football.* I never actually played the game, but now that might actually change. SouthPeak is bringing Blood Bowl to the 360 next month and the PSP sometime in the Spring. The game's been out for some time on PC, but I'm far more likely to check out random games on my console. Anyway, this tangent-filled post also has a trailer, so I'll shut up now while you watch it.
*Which is already a violent fantasy, if you think about it.
EA and Dante's Inferno want to put you into the holiday spirit, and have released their festive, violent take on The Twelve Days of Christmas. But this video isn't only a clever way to get a little bit attention on the holiday - it's a reminder that the Dante's Inferno demo is available now. Check it out and play it over your vacation if you get a chance - I've played it, but I'm curious to get our readers' take on the game.
If you're a Command and Conquer fan concerned that C&C4 wouldn't have enough of the Tiberium harvesting that you just can't live without, this new trailer should soothe your fears. It explains how gathering the trademark mineral works in the rejiggered multiplayer mode, as well as how it fits into the fiction of the series. Basically, I'm just posting it because I found it supremely silly that EA felt the need to create a lengthy trailer about resource gathering. It doesn't get more exciting!
If you've played Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer in the last week or so, you've probably noticed that it's been... less polished than usual. Fortunately, a new patch is live today that should solve issues on all platforms. On 360, the patch is supposed to address issues like the infinite ammo glitch, "Public-Private" match exploits and balancing the 1887 gun. The issues I've experienced online lately include much more lag than normal and getting thrown into playlists that I didn't expect, such as choosing Team Deathmatch and getting placed into a Domination game. Hopefully issues such as these will be repaired as well. And would it kill you to change the map rotation mix, Infinity Ward? We're all sick of playing Karachi over and over.
Coming towards the end of the year, everyone is giving their opinions on this and that. Even here at Joystick Division, we have tons of lists and features planned for the next month looking back at not only 2009, but the past decade in gaming. Until we get all our lists up, I'll be using the Daily Noon Reading Extravaganza to give props to others. Not mention whatever random stuff I read throughout the day. And I read a lot, so enjoy the list today.
The Daily Noon Reading Extravaganza will be on hiatus until Monday, the 28th.
Either Gabe Newell has gone mad after being bitten by a rabid prostitute or Valve is really feeling really generous during these terrible economic times. It was probably those darn rabid prostitutes.
Either way, the latest holiday sale to hit digital game distribution platform, Steam, is one any PC gamer can appreciate. Literally every game seems to be discounted to some degree, except for Modern Warfare 2. But that doesn't matter, I would buy a second copy of bug-ridden Mirror's Edge at full price over a multiplayer PC game that lacks dedicated server support.
Enough of my political ranting, everyone hates Activision and everyone loves Steam (not counting Randy Pitchford). So this holiday season let's show it by spending our long-awaited seasonal allowances on games. Only good games though -- if I catch anyone trying to buy the new Wolfenstein, I'm going to ban you from the internet. Just play it safe and get GTA4 for $7.50. My copy is 80% downloaded already. Merry shopping, readers!
*UPDATE: Brave New Gamer has an awesome breakdown of what you should buy.
Commander Shepard and his crew are kicking ass while I sit back and chew my bubblegum. That's the way I like it and that's the way it's gonna be. Well I guess before I can play this, I should probably finish the original. And I've only got a month to do that. Alright readers, I'm going to go play Mass Effect, you guys hold down the fort and enjoy this video.
I'm trying my best to get with the festivities readers, so bear with me on my last work day before my vacation.
Starting today, Quake Live will allow players to skin their characters as "Festive Santa" or "Vixen" and access to a holiday themed map called Silent Night. Despite the fact that I suck terrible reindeer balls at Quake Live, I might have to sign onto my cobweb-ridden account to play as Santa and reign terror on the Vixens of id's free-to-play FPS.
The festive features will be available for the next two weeks, so get your Santa on as long as you can.
I'm not sure how many gamers need to learn about the plot of the new
Aliens vs. Predator game in order to win their interest, but the new
AVP story trailer is here regardless. I can't say that there are any
surprises in there (no Alien/Predator/Human love triangle or
anything),but if the plot's not your thing, there is still plenty of
bloody action spectacle on display.
Joystick Division can't always be your main source for the greatest original video game content on the web. Anton and I try our bests, but the man keeps us down. Therefore, we will show some love to our fellow gaming publications and link out to what we're reading throughout the day. The content you'll find in this post will mostly be features, interviews, exclusives, etc. Hope you enjoy and spread the love this holiday season, gamers!
Either Cliffy B is working overtime or Epic Games is sneaking their way into the iPhone market. The video below shows a writer from AnandTech playing a modified version of Unreal Tournament on an iPod Touch. The game runs on their latest engine, Unreal Engine 3, which was used to make Gears of War 2.
That's pretty crazy. While Unreal Engine 3 will only run on 3rd generation iPod Touch and iPhone 3GS devices, it's amazing to see the power Apple's gadgets can put out. The company has yet to announce any official plans to license the engine or create a game for the platform, but says licensing will be available "at some point in the near future".
Check out the full details on AnandTech's hands-on with the engine over at their site.
Amazon is quickly becoming my favorite place to order games; and deals like this prove why. Besides offering release-day deliver for free, you can easily get the latest games discounted for pre-order. At this point, anything that saves a gamer a trip to GameStop on release day is a good thing. After my latest experience of waiting in line for Halo 3: ODST with sweaty 14-year-olds and their mothers, I'm done with GameStop (unless I need a used game quick).
But enough of me convincing you of GameStop's flaws and Amazon's perks, you all are smart readers and probably know that already. I'm just reinforcing that by constantly drilling it into your impressionable heads at any opportunity.
The video game world wept when UGO killed EGM after acquiring the 1UP network back in January of this year. The new independent EGM is being head up by Steve Harris, one the magazine's original founders. Sales and marketing will be handled by Time-Warner.
The relaunch will incorporate the web in the form of an "interactive version" called EGM[i]: The Digital Magazine. Buyers of the print copy will receive a code that gives them special access to online exclusives including "article extensions and original content."
More information from the official press release below:
This first issue of the new print edition of
Electronic Gaming Monthly will carry an April cover and include a
special cover story continuing the EGM tradition of highlighting the
best games of the year. The premier issue of the re-launch will also
boast game previews, a new Review Crew featuring the return of Sushi-X,
and commentary from a host of columnists including EGM personalities
such as Quartermann, Dan "Shoe" Hsu, Sean "Seanbaby" Reiley, and many
others.
You watched the teaser trailer for the Batman: Arkham Asylum sequel, right? Wasn't much there - or was there? GameTrailers' Pop-Block has dissected the video, adding in a bunch of comments on the little things they noticed. Apparently, there's much more to it than you might expect, with hints about the appears of Batman characters like The Penguin, Black Mask, Catwoman and more. It's an interesting video to check out on a slow news day.
- The band, that is. Psyche. Acclaimed musician Owen Pallett, better known by his game-inspired stage name Final Fantasy. He's released a statement about the change below, in which he clearly states that this move is to avoid any legal or trademark issues. With his latest album his first to find distribution in Japan, he was clearly concerned that a lawsuit may have been coming his way in the future. The move was probably a smart one for Pallett, as well as a relief for Square Enix, who probably would have sued eventually, but now won't have to endure the bad PR.
Pallett's statement is below.
Friends,
I began playing solo violin shows in 2004. Although
it was essentially a solo project, I named the band Final Fantasy, as
the experience-- and the tone of the material-- was reminiscent of the
hours and hours I had spent as an adolescent playing those epic JRPGs.
But the laws of trademark infringement exist for good reason, and so I
am voluntarily retiring my band name. In the new year, my record
Heartland is coming out, and it is my first to be released in many
territories, including Japan. With this in mind, I feel it is in my own
best interests to definitively distinguish my music from Square/Enix's
games.
So, I am no longer playing shows as Final Fantasy.
Subsequent releases, including Heartland, will be issued under my own
name, Owen Pallett. Prior releases will sometime soon be re-packaged
and re-issued.
I thank Square/Enix their kindness and support, and I thank you all for your understanding.
Square-Enix's latest epic in the Final Fantasy series has been on every RPGers mind since it first came onto the scene at E3 2006. Now, as the rest of the world waits until March to play it, Japan and people who can understand Japanese and read Japan's crazy written language are able to enjoy the game now. And boy are they.
In the game's first day, it sold one million copies. Yeah, in Japan alone. Okay, games are pretty big there so it's not that big of a deal. However, there have only been four million PS3s sold in the country to date. Now that's a big deal.
That number makes Final Fantasy XIII the best and fastest selling PS3 title of all time in Japan -- all in one day.
After the success of retro throwback Mega Man 9, its no surprise that Capcom would keep the revitalized series going. Mega Man 10 will be every bit as old school as the last game, but this time around its coming to all three platforms. The XBLA, PSN and WiiWare game is rumored to arrive in March, but the first trailer hit the interwebs today.
The trailer shows off the outlines of some of the game's robot bosses, as well as a brief glimpse of Easy Mode, which should be of help to gamers put off by this franchise's punishing difficulty. Like me. I don't think I ever finished one of the original NES games.
In hopes of one day turning the world into a giant Final Fantasy side-story, Square-Enix has unveiled their own currency. Dubbed "Crysta", the currency is currently only virtual and is only available for use in certain online games and to purchase soundtracks in the Square-Enix store.
No doubt the Crysta will take off in Japan (the only country it's currently available) and will launch in other countries. Eventually, we will all abandon our established and boring currency for Square-Enix's brilliant Crysta.
Will wallets become obsolete in a Crysta future and will we use pouches in their place? Give me your opinions in the comments.
Call me a sucker for post-apocalyptic games, but I'm definitely looking forward to id's Rage. The Road Warrior-esque shooter from the creators of Doom was announced as a project to be published by EA, but this morning the news went out that the game will now be published by Bethesda. If you'll recall, Bethesda's parent company purchased id a few months back, and EA announced recently that it was cutting several projects in a bid to save money. There was no reason explicitly stated for the publisher transition, but we can put two and two together.
Left 4 Dead 2's first bit of downloadable campaign has been revealed in the form of a new episode called The Passing. The story will take place after the Dead Center episode of the sequel and will include some kind of "meet-up" between the survivors of the original Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2.
No other specific details on the the "meet-up" have been announced, but I'm sure the scene will include them all pointing guns at each other and yelling "Are you a zombie?" while a few sane survivors tell everyone to calm down and work together.
Did you watch Spike TV's Video Game Awards this weekend? If not, you missed a heck of a lot of new trailers. Some were no surprise, others were a little more shocking. Most were pretty good, overall. There were far too many trailers to post all of them here: Batman Arkham Asylum 2, Crackdown 2, Halo: Reach, Rock Band: Green Day, Medal of Honor, Spec Ops: The Line, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, UFC Undisputed 2010, Deadliest Warrior, Tron Evolution, and True Crime. Gametrailers has them all collected in one spot, so I'll just direct you their way.
Oh, they gave out some awards too, but fewer people seem to care about that. In case you're interested, here are your winners:
Best Voice Actor - Jack Black, Brutal Legend Best Action Adventure Game - Assassins Creed 2 Studio of the Year - Rocksteady Studios Best Team Sports Game - NHL 10 from EA Sports Best Performance By A Human Male - Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in X-Men Origins Best Cast - X-Men Origins: Wolverine Best Independent Game - Flower Best Individual Sports Game - UFC 2009 Undisputed Best Role Playing Game - Dragon Age: Origins Best PC Game - Dragon Age: Origins Best Performance By A Human Female - Megan Fox in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Best Downloadable Game - Shadow Complex Best Downloadable Content - The Ballad of Gay Tony Best Wii Game - New Super Mario Bros. Wii Most Anticipated Title 2010 - God Of War 3 Best Shooter - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Best Multiplayer - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Best Fighting Game - Street Fighter IV Best Handheld Game - Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Best Driving Game - Forza Motorsport 3 Best Soundtrack - DJ Hero Best Xbox 360 - Left 4 Dead 2 Best Original Score - Halo 3: ODST Best Game Based On Movie/TV Show - South Park Lets Go Tower Defense Play! Best Music Game - The Beatles Rock Band Best PlayStation 3 Game - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Best Graphics - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Game of the Year - Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
The new issue of Game Informer has the details on Transformers: The War for Cybertron, and now we've got the debut video courtesy of GameTrailers. There's nothing in the way of gameplay footage here, but this does tell you a lot about the context of the game. Set before the Transformers come to Earth, War for Cybertron is said to be a Gears of War-style third-person shooter in which you play as both Autobots and Decepticons.
The Transformers movie games were horrible, but I'm optimistic that this one actually has a chance to be good. Development is being handled by High Moon Studios, and I've enjoyed their games in the past (Darkwatch, The Bourne Conspiracy). Here's hoping their Transformers game continues that trend.
Interesting. It seems that EA will be offering Dante's Inferno: The Divine edition exclusively to PS3 gamers. The Divine edition will cost a standard $59.99, and includes developer commentaries, a Wayne Barlow digital art book, the game's
soundtrack, and a digital copy of the complete Longfellow translation
of Dante Alighieri's Inferno.
"We are thrilled to offer an exclusive game pack for PlayStation 3
gamers," said Jonathan Knight, Executive Producer for Dante's Inferno.
"The PlayStation platform has a long history of delivering AAA
action/adventure games. Adding Dante's Inferno to that rich catalogue
is very exciting for the team. And with the demo now available on the
PlayStation Network, players can finally get a taste of what awaits
them in the full game on Feb 9th."
It definitely seems like the "exclusive content" route is the one Sony is sticking with for its battle with Microsoft. It worked with Arkham Asylum, and offering Brutal Legends DLC cheaper (or temporarily free) on PS3 seems to suggest that Sony is doing what it can to make gamers buy multiplatform games on their platform. But who is going to pick up a PS3 action game in the spring and choose this over God of War III?
Both Fable and Fable II are good games. I don't know many people who would call them more or less than that. Even Peter Molyneux, the father of Fable, agrees with me on that.
In an interview with Retro Gamer magazine, Molyneux claims that his Fable games were over-hyped by poor games journalists who took his words and ran with them (quote after the jump):
This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, but I thought it was interesting anyway. Joystiq's stat-culling from GamerDNA is showing that Modern Warfare 2 crushed all contenders in terms of Xbox Live usage in a major, major way. For most of the month, the game commanded anywhere between 17% to 23% of online Xbox gamers were playing it at any given time. For comparison, look at Left 4 Dead 2 and ODST - major franchises that can't even dent MW2's dominance.
I've been following Alan Wake with great anticipation ever since I first saw it at E3 way back in 2005, and new promo material like this rekindles that excitement (even if it is super-short). 1up.com is running a week of coverage on the game, including this new teaser that shows off some of the game's focus on light. The clip is barely 30 seconds long after you remove the bumpers, but it's got some very cool stuff in it that's both visually impressive and shows off some gameplay features.
This is one of those news items that has little information beyond the headline, but needs to be shared regardless. After slipping out a couple of teases in recent days, EA announced today that Dead Space 2 will be released for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC... sometime (probably Fall 2010). You'll still be playing Isaac Clark and fighting Necromorphs, and that's about all we know. Here's a chunk of the press release:
Visceral Games, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) studio announced
today that the award-winning Dead Space™ franchise will continue
to frighten gamers with its stunning sequel, Dead Space 2. Hero
Isaac Clarke returns for another heart-pounding adventure, taking the
fight to the Necromorphs in this thrilling action-horror experience. New
tools to gruesomely slice and dismember the Necromorphs complement
Isaac's signature Plasma Cutter, empowering him as he meets new
characters, explores epic Zero-G environments, and fights against a
relentless necromorph onslaught. Survival isn't the only thing on
Isaac's mind in Dead Space 2 - this time, he calls the shots.
Excellent. Dead Space 2 was one of the biggest successes in EA's (possibly short-lived) focus on original IP. Official PlayStation Magazine seems to have the game on its next cover, so hopefully we'll find out more details soon.
Japan's day one numbers are in for Mario [and Luigi's] newest console side-scrolling adventure. According to Japanese blog, Sinobi, the plumbers were able to move 422,000 copies of New Super Mario Bros. Wii; a respectable number.
For any normal game release, that would make both the developer and publisher jump out of their office chairs in joy. But for a Mario game -- it's just okay. Total sales since launch, however, have exceeded five million. Would have sold ten million if it was in 1080p.
That's much better than Super Mario Galaxy, which only sold 256,000 in its first week.
I have to admit that I'm getting more and more interested in playing the Xbox 360/PS3 version of No More Heroes. The original Wii version is one of the few games on that system I've been told I'd really enjoy. Fortunately, now I'll be able to find out without ever "waggling." Whew.
Marvelous Entertainment has just released the first trailer for No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise, and it looks pretty good. But for some reason, I don't expect most Wii-to-HD ports to look this good. Call me a pessimist.
Google launched their Public DNS today. DNS is the service that turns domain names, such as joystickdivision.com, into IP addresses that computers can use.
Most ISPs use their own DNS servers, but performance can be flaky sometimes. Google claims that their service is faster than other servers, and after switching to it, Web pages do load somewhat faster.
So what does this mean for gaming? Multiplayer games make a lot of DNS requests. If your DNS is slow, it can translate into lag. So thanks to Google you may have less of a chance of getting fragged in the heat of battle.
If you want to try Google Public DNS, it requires some mild geekery. Just put in the IP addresses 8.8.8.8
and 8.8.4.4 into the DNS part of your network settings or on your router if you're using one.
Oh look, they put a little suit on it! Why does he look so serious? I'm a little scared now.
You can freak people out just like that if you purchase the Assassin's Creed II Ezio costume for your sackboy in LittleBigPlanet. After all, it's way better than purchasing a pet for your Xbox avatar. More intimidating too. There's nothing intimidating about a dog in a purse. Your friends will just think you're weird.
Available for $1.99 at a LittleBigPlanet near you.
If you've followed Pandemic's final project at all, you probably know that The Saboteur features brothels. I assumed that this areas featured nudity, and I was right - sorta. The Saboteur will ship with a free DLC code that unlocks new areas in the game, and also allows you enable nudity in the game.
The code is a one-time use deal, so if you buy The Saboteur used in hopes of seeing digital boobies, you're going to be out of luck. If you were one the fence before, does this push you over the edge?
EDIT: The DLC will be available for purchase for $5, so if you buy the game used you can still unlock the "content." Sigh.
If you're just buying an Xbox 360 now, I can understand wanting the latest Halo games with your new console. After all, it is the series the system is known for.* Offering up an Xbox console with both Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST seems like a good move, and the fact that this bundle comes with an Elite and two controllers makes it even better. But the fact that it's exclusive to Canada confuses me. Don't American gamers deserve a Halo bundle?
The bundle will be available for a limited time for $400 Canuck Bucks ($380 US). Copies of the sadly ignored Halo Wars not included.
*Shut up, Halo haters. I already know you don't like it.
Words cannot describe my utter confusion around the existence of this game. And normally I wouldn't have to be confused because it's Japanese and I would never hear about it due it having no appeal here in the west. Namco Bandai must have not understood that after playing the game and has decided to bring the WiiWare game Muscle March to the states.
And our buddy Rob Bricken over at Topless Robot predicts Namco Bandai is "just setting itself up to become a Fox News special report on how videogames are giving American children 'teh gay.'" Well, I guess that's better than them thinking that video games make children killers.
Oh and I'm sorry if this gives you nightmares (after the jump):
It feels like just yesterday I was getting PlayStation Underground demo CDs in the mail and playing my favorite Medal of Honor levels over and over in an attempt to perfect my speed and accuracy.
Those days may be gone, but no gamer has forgotten the original PlayStation and all it stands for. December 3, 1994 will always be remembered as one of the key moments in video game history. I'm about to tear up here.
Joystick Division will have a lengthy feature tomorrow, celebrating the greatest titles to come out of Sony's first gaming machines. And don't forget PlayStation fans, we have a certain company to thank for all our wonderful memories: Nintendo.
Also, check out SCE Japan's special anniversary site if you have the itch for a stroll down memory lane.
Family animation film powerhouse, DreamWorks Animation, has signed a lengthy contract with THQ to take the control of the company's video games development.
DreamWorks' Head of Worldwide Consumer Products, Kerry Phelan, had this to say about the deal:
"We are pleased to expand our relationship with THQ and continue to be impressed by their focus on the kids and family videogame business. We look forward to extending the reach of our feature films and The Penguins of Madagascar TV series into a broad line of games and believe THQ will do a great job of maximizing our properties for family audiences."
The developer most commonly known for their pro wrestling focus looks to be broadening their horizons as they set their sights on a kid/family oriented demographic. Soon enough the video games version of TV show Penguins of Madagascar, the Kung Fu Panda sequel, and the Puss in Boots film will be under development.
Parents can look forward to nagging children and THQ's take on DreamWorks in conjunction with releases on the big screen.
There's been a lot of talk lately about how the Mirror's Edge franchise may be dead (and I wouldn't be too sad if it was). It seems that those fears may be unfounded, as EA announced today that the series will live on - on the iPhone. The side-scrolling iPhone version of the game will be released next month, and this might be one of those rare ports I might enjoy more than the original. Mirror's Edge has a great free-running mechanic, but got incredibly frustrating when you couldn't figure out where to go or how to get there. I have to assume that this particular frustration will be much less frequent because of the more linear nature, leaving you free to have fun with your parkour moves.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over, but the post-Thanksgiving shopping deals keep on coming. Today's Amazon Gold Box deals are all about Wii software, and based on the hints, it looks like Guitar Hero World Tour, Little King's Story, Wii Sports Resort and Drawn to Life will be deal-itized before the end of the day. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Republic Heroes is up now, and EA's Active Life bundle is still available at $0% off. None of these titles may be real hardcore games, but we've all got shopping to do for friends and family, right?
It's becoming the norm for former-WWII franchises to make the jump to modern day settings. First with Battlefield, then Call of Duty. And despite EA already controlling the Battlefield franchise, they will be reviving Medal of Honor and giving it the good ole' modern treatment.
I'm a little skeptical of this reboot. On the one hand, Medal of Honor was the first FPS I ever played. On the other hand, EA knows Call of Duty is the undisputed champion of modern war games. I guess that won't stop them from trying to turn a profit from an established franchise.
Honestly, what will it be next? Tattoos? Cell phones? Food? Homes? Cars? Thinking about the future is scary. For now, it's just pets. Virtual pets. Virtual pets you have to pay for. Fucking ridiculous. I've never had a greater desire to cancel my Xbox Live account than now.
If this is the kind of trash features Microsoft is feeding us and charging for it, why am I even paying them in the first place? I'm gettting a PS3.
In the meantime (if you care), the pets will be available for 240 MS points and will include various types of dogs, cats, snakes, birds, fish, guinea pigs, and even monkeys. I'm gonna go drown myself in my sink, readers. It's been fun.
My desire to play Final Fantasy XIII grows with each day that I have to write news about it. Today, I've got the box art for the European version of the game. It's pretty simple, but just viewing the Xbox 360 version of the box art gives one an immediate reminder of the time we live in. A time in which Final Fantasy is no longer Sony's exclusive prize.
You can view both platforms' box arts below (after the jump):
Even if I may still have a few fears about this game, I'm so sold its ridiculous. Check out the latest trailer for what's quickly becoming one of my most anticipated games of next year. This time we get a little bit of a glimpse at our new main character, John Marsten. Apparently, the entire trailer is made from in-game graphics.
Beware parents! You think your child is just a lonely computer nerd who spends his spare time playing MMORPGs like World of Warcraft. But in reality they are apart of an organized, armed, fearless group of killers in the virtual world. They fight for territory and respect, having no mercy on the weak. Your child -- is a member of WoW guild.
And according to a paper published by a bunch of super smart people, their guild can be compared to a modern LA street gang. It's 11:00 PM parents, do you know where your children are raiding?
In all seriousness, they really did spend time to come up with this theory. I wonder if when this group was in school and were studying really hard for degrees, did they see themselves one day pointing out the obvious? I'll let you guys be the judge.
Here's an excerpt from the paper: (viewable after the jump)
Raise your hand if you like deals! You can't see it, but my hand is totally raised. I love a good cheap game, but Black Friday was pretty much a bust for me. Fortunately, Cyber Monday is here to make life worth living again. Here's a list of some of the best Cyber Monday deals we've found.
- Amazon has a ton of deals that start under $10. Get Metal Gear Solid 4 for $15 or $20 in PSN credit with certain PS3 games.
- GameStop has all kinds of deals, from $25 gift cards with purchase of certain games to $20 Game of the Year editions of titles like LittleBigPlanet. Downloadable PC games are also on sale.
- Speaking of downloadable PC games, Gamersgate has a mess of titles on sale.
- Walmart has bundles on Wii consoles and more, but this link also includes toys. Lame toys.
- Best Buy's deals are mostly lackluster, but you can get Tekken 6 for half off.
- Toys R US has DJ Hero for $30 off, amongst other band game bundles.
Jackson-George Regional Library System has used their grants from the Library Services and Technology Act to buy $13,000 worth of video games. The library hopes that offering videos games will help them draw in "teens and young adults" according to Southern Mississippi's Sun Herald.
Library Director Carol Hewlett says:
"To enhance the new teen gaming programs, the library system will soon have more than 50 different video-game titles available for circulation at all eight branch libraries. Games can provide learning and enrichment in the medium most attractive to today's children and teens. It's a natural step forward for public libraries."
Of all the games that were delayed out of 2009, Red Dead Redemption is one that hurt me the most. I'm really looking forward to this game, or more accurately I'm really dreading the arrival of this game. On one hand, I love a good western game, and absolutely adored Red Dead Revolver. On the other hand, I really don't care for the over-rated Grand Theft Auto franchise, and RDR looks like it may very well just be GTA with horses. We'll find out for sure on April 27.
Ready for some adorableness? Capcom's DS-exclusive sequel to Okami has it in spades. Check out the new Okamiden trailer above and see if you can resist its fluffy little charms.
Activision/Blizzard announced today that the Call of Duty franchise has sold over three billion dollars worth of games worldwide. The company claims that $3 billion was made through over 55 million copies of games in the series sold. Fifteen percent of that being made by Modern Warfare 2 in its first five days.
Bobby Kotik, CEO of Activision/Blizzard had this to say: (Imagine him saying it with while smiling and holding those bags of money. That'll give you a realistic view of him speaking at an Activision investor meeting.)
"Call of Duty has become one of the greatest entertainment franchises of all time. If you consider the number of hours our audiences are engaged in playing Call of Duty games, it is likely to be one of the most viewed of all entertainment experiences in
modern history."
Call of Duty is now worth more as a brand than the New York Yankees. Fuckin' eh.
I feel like I'm constantly at Valve's mercy. Whether I'm writing about them, buying and playing their games, or listening to Randy Pitchford complain about them. They rule my life and I want to desperately do something about it.
Perhaps if I get a real job and contribute to society like my mother wants, I won't have to listen to Randy Pitchford anymore.
I'll think about it, but only after I buy more games off Steam and play them until I pass out after my caffeine high I get off drinking 10 Chetty Coke Zero wears off. Damn you, Gabe Newell!
This week's deals highlights include (after the jump):
There are several reveals scheduled for the December 12 VGA awards on Spike, but I figured this one might appeal most to our audience. Apparently, a new Star Wars game will be unveiled at the show, although that's pretty much all we know about it.
Here's a teaser for the announcement, which probably won't have much more info than this video does:
A couple pieces of Rock Band DLC news appeared in my inbox this morning. First, Harmonix is pleased to announce that the Rock Band DLC library has hit the 1,000 song mark. Released weekly for 105 consecutive weeks, the DLC features over 390 different bands, and over 60 million tracks have been downloaded from the Rock Band store.
One of the bands that's been involved with Rock Band throughout the series is Nirvana. Several songs have been released for Rock Band, but there's been one very notable omission until now. "Smells Like Teen Spirit," which is both Nirvana's best-known track and probably the defining song of the 1990s, will finally be available for download next week as part of a new three-song Nirvana pack. The pack also includes "Lithium" (Live at Reading) and the version of "Come As You Are" from the legendary MTV Unplugged special.
Three Night Ranger tracks will also be available next week, but that's hardly on the same level as grunge's best-known song.
Valve is partnering with Dell to have their digital distribution platform, Steam, pre-installed on all Alienware PCs. Not only is this a huge step in a very right direction for Steam, but it gives Alienware some much needed press. No seriously, I don't think people realize they're still around.
Alienware may not be near the name their parent company Dell is in the computer world, but this is still a great move by Valve. It would be incredible to see this partnership work out and Dell include Steam in all their computers.
That sort of deal could bring PC gaming into an entirely new demographic, perhaps allowing Dell and Valve to target casual gamers by including some easy-to-play, addictive games on Steam.
Square-Enix released the final Japanese trailer for Final Fantasy XIII last night through the game's official site. Once again, it is filled with emotional and exciting visual cinematic sequences with a little gameplay mixed in. More on the emotional side this time around than the infamous seven-minute long trailer we featured. I was so overwhelmed at one point, I thought tears were inevitable. Luckily, some action scenes saved me from embarrassment.
Oh and thanks to Kotaku for saving me the time of having to screencap that hilarious little chocobo moment near the end of the trailer.
CNBC recently talked with Playfish COO and Co-Founder, Sebastien de Halleux and Major League Gaming's Sundance DiGiovanni on the topic of social gaming. Specifically Playfish's social gaming model and EA's recent acquisition of the company.
The discussion was going well until Sebastien mentioned Playfish's business model of charging players for virtual items in the game that enhance their experience. One of the hosts, Dennis Kneale, was scoffing while Sebastien was speaking and said "Wow..." in shock.
After he finished his explanation, Kneale said "you guys got quite a racket going on", practically inferring that Playfish has something shady going on behind their business. I can only assume Sebastien was fuming after that degrading statement towards his incredibly successful company. (rant and video after the jump)
The United States Air Force is planning to purchase 2200 PlayStation 3 systems to aid them in conducting supercomputing research. The 2200 consoles will be added to cluster of 336 PS3s that already exist in the system.
The research is built around the PS3's Cell Broadband Engine processor and whether or not the Air Force can use its hardware and software in military systems.
The existing supercomputer cluster has been used to test the "processing multiple radar images into higher resolution composite images (known as synthetic aperture radar image formation), high-def video processing, and 'neuromorphic computing,' or building computers with brain-like properties".
Whoa now; hold up! So PS3s when clustered together can potentially have brain-like properties? I'm getting a bad feeling about this.
There's nothing wrong with fooling your parents into thinking you're sick so you can improve your Modern Warfare skills. I'd even go so far to say there's nothing wrong with calling in sick to your crappy retail or IT job when you get the unbearable itch for an all-day marathon of virtual deathmatch. The world will go on around you and nothing bad could possibly come from your choice to play hooky.
However, it's a totally different story when you're a public servant.
Now, as the story has it, a county judge in Britain with 15 years of service (who will remain anonymous) went out and waited an hour in-line for the midnight launch of Modern Warfare 2. The 48-year-old said he was "like Charlie waiting outside the chocolate factory". That's a pretty intense statement from a district county judge with a wife and two kids at home.
Want a Back to the Future video game? I can't say that I really do, but someone out there has been dreaming one up. Nothing's official, of course. This video started circling the movie websites this morning, and it's actually a Crysis mod that you can download here.
I think there's plenty of great potential in a cool time travel game, but let's leave the BTTF series alone. It's a great trilogy that would only be diminished by new projects, and we don't want another Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls on our hands, do we?
An independent anti-violence group in Denmark called "Children Exposed to Violence at Home" was founded on the principles of helping "children living in families exposed to domestic violence". That's a cause we can all rally behind if I ever saw one!
Unfortunately their latest marketing tactic is a rather tasteless flash game that allows the player to beat up a virtual women.
Appropriately Inappropriately named "Hit The Bitch!", the game not only allows you to beat the girl up with your mouse and keyboard, but gives the user an option to beat the girl Wii style by connecting a webcam and emulating a real scenario.
British government intelligence agency, GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters), has plans to run an ad campaign on Xbox Live to help find potential recruits. The campaign will attempt to target "quick-thinking 18 to 34-year-olds" into applying to the organization.
The recruitment will run for six weeks on the Xbox Live dashboard and within games through "streamed video banners". The criteria for applicants are "reflected in game-play experiences on Xbox, such as quick thinking, problem solving and team work".
Basically, if you think your Call of Duty and/or Halo 3 skills are above average and you're in the UK, watch out for these ads in the near future; you could very well be the next James Bond.
Well not really, but GCHQ works with MI5 and MI6. A spokeswomen for the agency gave the Guardian some additional information (after the jump):
Here's a story about the bad economy that I actually feel somewhat good about. The National Institute on Media and the Family has decided to close its door, according to Star Tribune. You've probably heard of the foundation; it was best known for the annual "MediaWise Video Game Report Card," a list of the most inappropriate games of the year.
NIMF founder David Walsh cited "the current challenging economic environment" as the reason behind his decision to shutter the foundation as of December 31st. He hopes that another non-profit will carry on his work after the shutdown.
I'd like to make it clear that I have no problem with the concept of parental advisories about video game content - I'm a firm supporter of ESRB ratings (although don't get me started on my issues with its governing body the ESA).
However, I've heard Walsh speak, and when you listen to the man, it's clear that he's on a witchhunt. He has no interest in understanding games, only vilifying them. For example, he claimed that Stubbs the Zombie was a game about cannibalism.
For that reason, I won't be sad to see his organization go away.
After recently announcing the US release of 3D Dot Game Heroes, Atlus has now blessed us with the first trailer for the title. If you don't love this video, then you don't love games. It's as simple as that.
The PS3 exclusive is scheduled for May 11 of next year.
Is anyone out there thinking that Dragon Age: Origins just isn't big enough? Apparently BioWare thinks so, as the company has announced the first DLC for the game, "Return to Ostagar."
We are very proud of the phenomenal launch of Dragon Age: Origins
and we're pleased to announce the next installment of downloadable
content that will be available to fans of the game," said Ray Muzyka,
Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA, and Co-Founder, BioWare.
"The Return to Ostagar DLC pack is a prime example of BioWare's
commitment to give fans a game that continuously offers new experiences
and further enriches a storyline that has already received critical
acclaim and positive feedback from the players."
Return to Ostagar will be released for Xboc 360, PS3 and PC this holiday season for $5 (or the equivalent points). If you've played through even the opening hours of Dragon Age, you probably know the significance of Ostagar. If you haven't, we won't spoil it.
Kotaku has taken a look at what the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott group was playing yesterday morning, just after the game's release.
I never cared to support the recent boycotts of Modern Warfare 2 or Left 4 Dead 2. The issues did not personal effect me and those who were complaining could simply continue playing the original. Instead they made the developers out to be terrible people.
As you can see in the image there's a nice mixture of Left 4 Dead 2, Modern Warfare 2, Team Fortress 2, and Counter-Strike Source being played by the first page result of boycotters.
Thank goodness they didn't capture me online. I would have caught some shit from my modder buddies.
We've known it was coming for a while thanks to a long list of leaks, but now it's official: Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days has been announced for 2010. Eidos (and new parent company Square Enix) will release the game on Xbox, PS3 and PC sometime next year, and according to developer IO Interactive, the game will attempt to "deliver a fresh perspective to the words 'intensity' and 'realism' in video games."
IO Interactive is reportedly interested in focusing on the world of documentary films and user-generated video that we live in today with the game, which may explain the creepy, grainy teaser above. That could be an interesting concept - the action game via Cloverfield. But as with any game IO Interactive does, I'll remain skeptical until I get my hands on the game. As far as I'm concerned, there's no developer that ruins interesting concepts with bad gameplay more consistently than IO.
One of the Wii's true cult titles is coming to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, according to Japan's gaming authority Famitsu. No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise is believed to be a port of the original game with updated graphics and a new "Very Sweet" mode that features female characters in skimpier clothing. The new version is scheduled to hit Japan in February, and the rumor is that publisher Marvelous Entertainment is looking to bring the game out in the US.
I've never gotten around to playing the original No More Heroes, although I once owned it. I've heard mixed things, but clearly someone out there thinks that more gamers would play it given the chance.
Consider this a public service announcement. Today is a very big day for video game new releases. It would be a big week if Assassin's Creed II was the only big game coming out today. It's not. There are one or two more heavy-hitters out today that you've probably heard of, including.
Left 4 Dead 2
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
God of War Collection
LittleBigPlanet PSP
Tony Hawk RIDE
Lego Indiana Jones 2
The Beatles: Rock Band - Sgt. Pepper's Album DLC
So what will you be picking up this week? I've got Sgt. Pepper's downloading, but I was planning on passing on the rest of it. The reviews of ACII are starting to change my mind, though.
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