GAMES TRIBUTE

Need for Speed World First Impressions

2010-07-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

There have been a huge number of free-to-play games released in the last year, from small-time publishers right up to the big boys. The latest in this lineup is NFS World, from EA Black Box and EA Singapore, which aims to take Need for Speed's popular street-racing formula and add in thousands of players who can't wait to call you a noob. Although it was released yesterday, those who bought the starter pack have had access to the streets for an extra week. We took the game for a spin with the rest of the early-starters so that we could give you our thoughts.

First off, we don't normally review free-to-play games. When a game's price is zero, the barrier for entry is simply how much time you are willing to spend downloading and playing. However, NFS World is only free-to-play up to level 10. When you reach that level (which will only take most players a few hours), you stop leveling up and are stuck at level 10 until you purchase the US $20 Starter Pack. That basically means that unless you're satisfied with what ends up being a pretty basic racer, you're going to have to pay to access the great majority of the game. So in a sense, it isn't really free-to-play. That's why we'll be doing a review a little down the track.

I've only reached the level 10 threshold, which is simply not high enough for me to give a definitive judgment. I do have opinions though, and you are just going to have to sit here and read them (or click yourself elsewhere [please don't click yourself elsewhere]).

When players first begin, they've got a little cash (about thirty grand) and about six cars to choose from. Unless you bought the starter pack, you'll spend most or all of your money on a car right here. Once you've got your wheels, you can enter the world -- the NFS world. From here there is very little structure. At the start you'll have about three races you can participate in, and the game suggests you start by running them in single-player. After that, I totally went in the wrong direction and found myself driving around a city with nothing to do. Eventually I found a multiplayer race, represented by a big glowing circle and a squiggly logo floating above it, queued up, and raced against a whopping one other opponent. This was pretty much as busy as it got until launch yesterday, when the free players flooded the game.

The racing mechanics seem to be pretty solid. Cars generally handle well, and the courses are all pretty interesting. However, due to the nature of online gaming, when you collide with the back of an opponent during a race, you slow down far more than you ought to, because in the eyes of the server, the car is moving in small leaps along coordinates rather than the smooth motion you see onscreen. Because of this, there are moments when you should be whizzing past another car, but because you nudge them, are slowed to a crawl as they slingshot ahead of you. Powers are won from races (or Pursuits -- see below) or can be bought for actual cash.

Everyone has access to powers, from boosting, to causing traffic to collide with whoever is in front, to shields and ramming abilities. They can really change the outcome of a race. Traffic Magnet is extremely frustrating, both to use and to have used against you, as the outcome is always inconsistent and depends both on the randomized state of traffic on the course, and the AI that the civilian cars use.

Racing isn't the only major gameplay component, however. Like several games in the Need for Speed series, World comes with a law-evasion mode called Pursuit, instigated by ramming a cop car in the open world. When you do this, your world is instanced and you're the only player in the city, trying to outrun an increasing number of cop cars that also slowly increase in difficulty. This is actually very fun and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the game so far. It's also totally solo, and I haven't found any sort of multiplayer component to it whatsoever.

There are still many more races and cars for me to unlock at this early stage of the game, but as it stands, Need for Speed World strikes me as a pretty decent multiplayer racer -- if lacking in areas that make MMOs desirable.

Commander: Conquest of the Americas

2010-07-30T03:14:00.000-07:00

Combining elements from both trading and strategy games, Commander: Conquest of the Americas requires players to take charge of a European power aiming to conquer the New World. Choosing from 7 different European factions, players get to found new colonies and manage their resources, production, military, and much more as they develop into a full blown empire. Choose to command ships in RTS fashion or take direct control as your fleet engages ships of an enemy nation or blood thirsty pirates at a highly detailed tactical level.

Genre: Strategy
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Developer: Nitro Games

Release Date: July 30, 2010
Exclusively on: PC

Trailer:

Napoleon Total War: The Peninsular Campaign

2010-07-30T03:09:00.000-07:00

The Peninsular Campaign Downloadable Content is a new and independent campaign for Napoleon: Total War based on the conflict in the Spanish Peninsula between 1811 and 1814. It was during this era that the Spanish resistance gave their style of fighting its name: Guerrilla, or the "little war".

Two Worlds 2 2010 TRAILER [games news]

2010-07-29T22:28:00.000-07:00

Two Worlds 2

Two Worlds 2 E3 2010 Trailer [HD]
Developer: TopWare Interactice
Release: 2/2010
Genre: RPG
Platform: PS3/X360
Publisher: SouthPeak Games
Website: www.twoworlds2.com/
Enhanced AI, balancing standards, experienced authors, an active combat system, the innovative DEMONS magic management, and the PAPAK alchemy system guarantee enjoyment for new and experienced gamers. An artistic system of attack and defense moves has been integrated into the game. Parries and changing hit results creates a real opportunity for tactics and excitement, as the AI engage in combat and employ strategy of their own. The game also offers extreme flexibility in the weapon and armament design possibilities. The cornerstone at the heart of this feature is the newly created CRAFT tool. Players can break down items into their basic materials and create new unique items. "Two Worlds II" is also graphically superb. The powerful GRACE engine offers technological highlights such as an unlimited number of dynamic light sources, 24 bit HDR post-processing, and Real Eye Adaptation. It will drastically reduce loading times, improve general game performance, and enable full gameplay with only moderate hardware requirements.

StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty Campaign Impressions

2010-07-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

If you were concerned that Blizzard splitting StarCraft's storyline into three separate parts might diminish the quality and quantity of content, you really shouldn't be worried. I'm still playing through the campaign for review, but based on what I've seen so far it's already one of the best real-time strategy story modes in recent memory. The presentation and production values are absurdly high, the mission designs are wonderfully varied, and there are plenty of upgrade systems and multiple objectives along the way that make it an experience worth replaying.

For those who haven't been following StarCraft II's development since it was first announced, Blizzard eventually revealed that the storylines for Protoss, Zerg, and Terran races would be released as separate products. StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, which was made available earlier this week, would focus only on the Terrans, with Zerg and Protoss campaigns to be finished and released at a later time. This differs from the structure of the first game, where the campaign was split into three parts in the same product, each following a 10 mission arc for each race.

PS3 helps put Sony back in black

2010-07-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Electronics maker posts $295.2 million profit thanks in part to rising demand for console; game division revenue up 32 percent, but exchanges rates keep game unit from profitability.

Once a money-loser for Sony, the PS3 is now helping it shore up its bottom line.

According to the company, the division's improved performance was due to decreased production costs and increased demand for the PlayStation 3, which has seen sales jump since the introduction of the $300 slimline model last fall . Increased sales of VAIO PCs was also a factor in the sector's turnaround.

StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty Review – Collector’s Edition

2010-07-28T23:18:00.000-07:00

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is available for purchase around the globe. Battle.net 2.0 is live, and hundreds of thousands are enjoying war, in all its glory… and all its horror.

Those who have chosen to get Collector’s Editions have received one of the most beautiful gaming artifacts to have ever hit mass production.

The Collector’s Edition comes in a big, beautiful double “sliding door” package, giving it a unique and rugged look that is unlike any other. Due to its size and the distinct pseudo-metallic texture, the box immediately stands out in any store or gamer room.

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Collector’s Edition is packed with features, both tangible and digital.

The Art of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a 176-page book featuring artwork from the game

An exclusive 2GB USB flash drive replica of Jim Raynor’s dog tag, which comes preloaded with the original StarCraft and the StarCraft: Brood War expansion set

A behind-the-scenes DVD containing over an hour of developer interviews, cinematics with director’s commentary, and more

The official StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty soundtrack CD, containing 14 epic tracks from the game along with exclusive bonus tracks

StarCraft comic book issue #0, a prequel to the comic series

A World of Warcraft mini Thor in-game pet that can be applied to all World of Warcraft characters on a single Battle.net account

Exclusive Battle.net downloadable content, including special portraits for your Battle.net profile, decals to customize your units in-game, and a visually unique version of the terran Thor unit

Everything inside the box is of the highest quality, including a functional dog tag 2 GB USB drive. Its rough feel is just what you’d expect from its looks, with a push-and-slide USB connector and a fitting neck chain to hang it on.

The most important “show and tell” item is certainly the 176 page StarCraft 2 art book. For those who have followed SC2′s development, the pages will contain many familiar sketches and 3D renders of units and environments that have been introduced, scrapped or changed along the way.

The behind-the-scenes DVD and the full soundtrack CD has great value for true StarCraft fans, shedding light on StarCraft 2′s development – from its very inception to the delicate gameplay decisions made close to the release to the public. Considering the correlation between StarCraft and the professional Poker world, it wouldn’t be surprising to find the StarCraft 2 soundtrack playing on iPods during long tournament grinding sessions.

For those who won’t have many opportunities to brag about their recent purchase in the real world, one of the nicer perks is without a doubt a special set of Battle.net portraits that are available only to owners of the Collector’s Edition.

With so much awesome in one package, the StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty Collector’s Edition has great sentimental value for those who have been following the StarCraft Universe since it was introduced, over 12 years ago. Even if this is the first StarCraft game you purchase, you will quite likely get to appreciate it as much as we do soon enough.

Download some StarCraft 2 ringtones and SMS alerts:

http://us.media.blizzard.com/starcraft2/dominion/unlockables/guild-tones.zip

http://us.media.blizzard.com/starcraft2/dominion/unlockables/sms-alerts.zip

http://us.media.blizzard.com/starcraft2/dominion/unlockables/children-of-aiur.zip

http://us.media.blizzard.com/starcraft2/dominion/unlockables/preparing-for-the-worst.zip

Lastly, brace yourself for three amazing StarCraft 2 videos. The first two detail the story so far: the Terrans’ arrival at the Koprulu sector, the Protoss’ attempt to eradicate the Zerg, Kerrigan’s transformation into the Queen of Blades, and the events leading up to the beginning of StarCraft 2.

The last video is also the newest trailer for StarCraft 2 we’ve posted recently, combining stunning pre-rendered animation with in-game scenes seamlessly to create one of the best hype trailers ever, just in time for StarCraft 2′s imminent release!

4GB Xbox 360 official, $300 Kinect bundle coming

2010-07-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

Any doubt that Microsoft was going after the mass market Nintendo so successfully exploited with the Wii was eliminated this morning. That's when the software giant confirmed rumors that it will release a 4GB flash-memory-equipped entry-level model of its newly redesigned Xbox 360 packed in with its motion-sensing, camera-based system Kinect. The bundle will also include a copy of Kinect Adventures, the minigame compilation that features the jump-based rafting game River Rush. The entire package will cost $300 and will go on sale when Kinect launches November 4.

The glossy 250GB 360 slim is about to get a 4GB sibling with a matte finish.

However, as former The Price Is Right host Bob Barker might have said, that's not all. The new 4GB 360 will go on sale solo on August 3. It will have a black matte finish to distinguish itself from the glossy 250GB model, will have the same built-in N wireless connectivity, and will sport a hard drive bay. Xbox product director Aaron Greenberg told GameSpot the console has the ability to be upgraded with a hard drive, but Microsoft has not yet announced plans to sell the new, more compact hard drives separately.

Shogun 2 prepares for Total War [news]

2010-06-07T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sega, Creative Assembly returning to franchise's roots with 16th-century feudal Japan redux on PCs in 2011.

The Creative Assembly has been era-agnostic when it comes to releasing new installments in its long-running Total War action/real-time strategy franchise. After launching the franchise in feudal Japan, the series has journeyed to the Middle Ages, Rome, the New World, and then back again to the Old, in no particular chronological order.

In keeping with Creative Assembly's capricious stroll through history, the Sega-owned studio announced that its 7 million-unit-selling strategy franchise will return to its roots with Shogun 2: Total War. Following on from the release of Napoleon: Total War in February, Shogun 2: Total War will be available for the PC in 2011.

The original Shogun set the tone for the Total War franchise in 2000, gaining critical approbation that has largely continued for the past 10 years. For Shogun 2, Creative Assembly will be returning to 16th-century Japan, during the tumultuous Sengoku period. Players assume the role of a Daimyo, or clan leader, who must engage with fellow warlords, be it through conflict or diplomacy, to reunite the sundered island nation.

As for changes under the hood, Creative Assembly noted that it has made substantial refinements to the game's artificial intelligence, "developed according to Sun Tzu's principles in the Art of War." Those who prefer matching their battle acumen against living, breathing opponents will also have a number of new multiplayer modes, which support up to eight in competitive and cooperative engagements.

Infamous 2 confirmed [news]

2010-06-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

July cover for Game Informer teases first details on Sucker Punch-created open-world action game for PS3.

Infamous' strong commercial and critical performance appeared to be enough to assume that Sony would give Sucker Punch a chance to make good on the game's cliff-hanger ending with a sequel. That speculation was lent weight in April, when the publisher registered the telling URL Infamous2TheGame.com, a likely destination for new information on the anticipated open-world action adventure.

Though the magazine offered few specifics on what gamers can expect from the Sly Cooper developer's latest effort, it did offer a few generalizations. Hero (or antihero) Cole MacGrath has apparently been given a makeover, and Infamous 2 will also feature a new city where gamers can wield original powers against a new nemesis. Sony will likely have additional details about the game at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, which kicks off June 14.

The original Infamous told the story of bike messenger Cole MacGrath, who, after a massive explosion, wakes up with electricity-based superpowers. In the game, players make MacGrath either a savior or a scourge as he attempts to break a government-imposed quarantine of his city. Shortly after the game's release, reports emerged that Sony Pictures had entered negotiations with The Longest Yard screenwriter Sheldon Turner to adapt the game for the silver screen.

The Sims 3 'Sex and The City 2' Parody Video

2010-06-01T01:05:00.000-07:00

Borderlands on sale at Amazon.com with two DLC expansions for free [news]

2010-06-01T00:46:00.000-07:00

It may be a holiday here in the US (it's also a bank holiday in the UK) but that doesn't mean you can't save some money while you enjoy your day off. Amazon.com has you covered with a very nice deal for Borderlands, the 2009 released first person shooter-RPG combo game from Gearbox Software.

The game itself is on sale for $27.99 which is $2 off its normal price. So what? So the folks at Amazon.com have sweetened the deal even more with adding the Borderlands Double Game Add-On Pack for free with your order. That's two DLC expansions (The Zombie Island of Doctor Ned and Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot), a $19.95 value, for the cost of nothing. There's no word on how long this deal will last so we suggest jumping on it now if you haven't bought Borderlands or the two DLC expansions before now.

Call of Duty: Black Ops First Look [Preview]

2010-06-01T00:16:00.000-07:00

We travel by SR-71 Blackbird to 1960s-era Russia, then make a brief stop in Vietnam.

The most recent trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops bridges its two halves with a very serious voice uttering the line, "We live in a world where everything you know is wrong." It's a bold but not entirely universal statement--you probably know for a fact that trying to fist fight a shark is an objectively terrible idea--but there's truth in that proclamation when it comes to the military history that the Call of Duty series has long steeped itself in. With Black Ops, Treyarch may not exactly be exposing all the secrets in American military history, but the developer is nonetheless focused on exploring some of the shadowy covert operations that went down during the height of the Cold War, in addition to some of the more famous conflicts of that era, such as Vietnam. The game appears to be a mixture of the frantic run-and-gun action the franchise is known for and a generous sprinkling of new gameplay options. Treyarch has plucked those gameplay options from this period in history to help paint a better picture of what went on both in and out of the public eye.

Outside, the player grabbed a radio from an injured marine and used it to call in a helicopter strike against a series of nearby buildings where enemies were terrorizing the characters from balconies and rooftops. The action moved at a fast clip, with the main character weaving in and out of demolished buildings under that unsettling red sky while occasionally stopping to call in another chopper strike. This outdoor section looked like absolute chaos, with building rubble showering down onto the streets, explosions all around, and an enemy soldier taunting you over a loudspeaker all the while.

'Stronghold 3' Announced

2010-05-31T03:02:00.001-07:00

“Stronghold 3 will be a terrific addition to our line-up as our premier release for Spring 2011,” said Melanie Mroz, SouthPeak’s CEO. “Publishing the newest sequel to the popular Stronghold franchise provides additional visibility to our brand and robust portfolio of games. With a strong built-in user base, we believe the enhancements incorporated into this sequel will drive further growth for the franchise, enhance our revenue stream through traditional retail sales, as well as significantly strengthen our digital offering where there remains tremendous growth opportunity.”

First published in 2001, the Stronghold series is one of the most respected in its genre, with the franchise selling more than five million copies globally.

BioShock 2 Patch 3 [download]

2010-05-31T01:16:00.000-07:00

Download:

http://www.bigdownload.com/games/bioshock-2/pc/bioshock-2-patch-3/

Need for Speed World green-flagged for July 20

2010-05-31T00:09:00.000-07:00

While a closed beta for Electronic Arts' open-world online racer is nearing its third month, those already on the inside, and everyone else with eyes on it, now have a date to circle on their calendars: July 20. That's the day Need for Speed World, developed by EA Black Box, leaves beta on the PC and opens to the public.

On that Tuesday, those interested can log on to the game's Web site and access NFS World's free download client. The free version allows access to the game's open-world races, police pursuits, and character progression, though a cap for the latter is placed at level 10.

For those seeking a deeper experience, EA will also launch the online game alongside the Need for Speed World Starter Pack, which costs $20. Inside the digital wrapping are access to level 50, a Toyota Corolla AE86 vehicle exclusive to the pack, and $20 worth of SpeedBoost (NFS World's in-game currency). Starter Pack purchasers also receive a discount on power-ups, double experience point periods, and rental cars.

Further, EA revealed today that those who preorder the NFS World Starter Pack will have access to the full game on July 13, a week before those who begin playing on its official street date, as well as immediate access to the ongoing beta. Additionally, those who provide a down payment can enjoy increased experience-point generation during the seven-day exclusivity, as well as the right to reserve their desired racer name.

In addition to a day/night cycle, NFS World has 150 miles of in-game road to traverse, including NFS: Most Wanted's Rockport locale and NFS: Carbon's Palmont city streets.

Gearbox counting down to Z-Day

2010-05-31T00:05:00.000-07:00

Borderlands studio files USPTO trademark application for potential title of upcoming project.

Just after the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo, Borderlands creator Gearbox Software filed a host of applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office to secure the rights to possible future game titles. Among these titles were "World War II Hero," "Brothers In Arms War Hero," "Modern War Hero," and "War Hero." Of the last, studio CEO Randy Pitchford confirmed to GameSpot that a game of that name was in development, but well "down the road."

This week, one more of those "down the road" projects may have emerged, courtesy of a new trademark application that Gearbox has filed with the USPTO. The game name in question is "Z-Day," and it carries the customary telltale description of "computer game software for personal computers and home video game consoles; motion picture films about action and adventure."

Gearbox has yet to respond to requests for comment on the project. However, on the studio's Web site, the developer currently has four in-development projects listed. Among these are Aliens: Colonial Marines, as well as three unnamed developments.

One of these untitled works is likely a sequel to its highly stylized double-platinum shooter Borderlands. Though a sequel has not yet been announced, Borderland's critical and commercial success led creative director Mike Neumann to call a follow-up "a no-brainer" in November, and Take-Two has trumpeted the fact that it retains the "long-term publishing rights" to the franchise.

As for the under-the-radar War Hero, it remains to be seen whether the recently filed mark is a rebranding of that project or an entirely new title. Notably, the title also appears to be in use by another game developer: Arrowhead Games. In October 2009, the group announced that it was working on a game titled ZDay, one that sees players fighting zombies in a massively multiplayer first-person shooter environment.

PES 2011 Trailer

2010-05-05T00:42:00.000-07:00

Konami officially announce the first teaser trailer for PES 2011

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II due Oct. 26

2010-05-04T23:56:00.000-07:00

LucasArts confirms fall launch date for the follow-up to its 7-million-unit hit; online retailers list the game as coming to PS3, PSP, 360, DS, and Wii.

In September 2008, the original Star Wars: The Force Unleashed launched to lukewarm reviews. However, the game's so-so critical reception did not impact its commercial success, as the game went on to sell more than 7 million units worldwide.

In December, LucasArts revealed that The Force Unleashed II would ship in 2010. Today via Facebook, the publisher locked down the game's launch date of October 26. Though no platforms have been officially announced, online retailers list the internally developed title as coming to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, DS, and Wii.

Few plot details are known about the game other than those gleaned from its teaser trailer, which features the voices of both the malevolent Sith Lord Darth Vader and the benevolent Jedi Master Yoda. (The game's official Web site also shows Yoda's hut on the swamp world of Dagobah.)

The trailer also confirms that The Force Unleashed II will have players once again don the cowl of Vader's secret apprentice, Galen "Starkiller" Marek. The canon ending of the original Force Unleashed, listed on the official Star Wars site, has Marek turning sides and sacrificing himself to save the Rebel Alliance leadership.

However, it appears that Marek is very much alive, as he appears front and center in the sequel's teaser trailer. In it, the former Sith appears to have become a Jedi, as he wields their distinctive blue lightsabers to slay a towering, Rancor-eating monster. However, Marek also uses Force Lightning--a power favored by the Galactic Emperor, a Sith lord--to help fell the massive beast.

Call of Duty: Black Ops deploying November 9

2010-05-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

Teaser Web site reveals launch date of Treyarch's next installment in series; co-op mode, Vietnamese, Cuban, and Arctic locales confirmed; full trailer inside.

Activision has now officially announced Call of Duty: Black Ops, which it says will "take players behind enemy lines in an entirely new chapter" of the first-person shooter series. The publisher confirmed that the game will have a single-player campaign, competitive multiplayer, and a co-op mode. It is unclear if the co-op mode will be for the entire campaign or will have a more limited scope as in Modern Warfare 2's Special Ops mode.

Today's revelation follows rumors that the next Call of Duty game would focus on either the Vietnam War or, as now appears more likely, various regional and guerrilla conflicts that broke out during the Cold War. Silicon Valley blog VentureBeat went so far in an article yesterday as to say that the game would be titled Call of Duty: Vietnam, which is now obviously not the case.

[UPDATE 2] UK retailer GAME has apparently confirmed the multinational Cold War setting in its product description for the game, which reads: "Call of Duty Black Ops is the next installment in the thrilling Call of Duty franchise. Packing an amazing single-player story that will see you fight across the globe in locations such as Cuba, Vietnam and the Arctic." Since Vince Zampella and Jason Ward's lawsuit against Activision said Infinity Ward had control of all Call of Duty games set after the Vietnam War, a Cold War setting is almost assured.

The Black Ops announcement is a positive piece of news for Activision's Call of Duty series, following weeks of negative press surrounding the franchise. Modern Warfare 2 developer Infinity Ward has been at the center of Activision's problems, with more than 26 key staff members resigning and many joining the studio's fired cofounders Jason West and Vince Zampella at their new startup, Respawn Entertainment. On Tuesday, 38 former and current Infinity Ward employees sued Activision for $150 million to $625 million, claiming nonpayment of Modern Warfare 2 bonuses and royalties.

World of Warcraft shown streaming on iPad

2010-05-04T00:46:00.000-07:00

Developer Dave Perry shows wildly popular MMORPG running on Apple's popular new portable via Gaikai; non-Flash version reportedly had to be built from scratch.
Since being introduced on April 3, Apple's iPad has already sold 1 million units, with the new 3G version reportedly selling out within hours of launching last Friday. Game companies have been quick to jump on the touch-screen tablet's bandwagon, with publishers like Electronic Arts releasing iPad-optimized versions of iPod titles, such as Need for Speed: Shift.

Also on board is Gaikai, the browser-based game-streaming service cofounded by veteran developer Dave Perry. This morning on his personal Web site, Perry showed off how his server-based computing service could use Apple's tablet to stream World of Warcraft, the planet's most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Specifically, the game displayed was the second WOW expansion, Wrath of the Lich King.

Perry joked, "Soon I'll be able to play WOW with my Cornflakes!"

Much like OnLive, which launches next month, Gaikai is taking the cloud computing model and applying it to gaming. The company will host various games on its servers and then let subscribers stream them onto their PCs or various other devices, such as the iPad. Graphics processing is handled by Gaikai's servers, meaning high-resolution games can be played on devices with significantly lower-grade technology.

Gray Matter Coming To Xbox 360

2010-04-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

Did you like games like Syberia and Still Life? Have you ever wondered why games like this don’t show up on the console? Well, according to Joystiq today, it has been confirmed that the much anticipated adventure game Gray Matter will be coming to the Xbox 360 as well as the PC. This game is from the mind of Jane Jensen, the creator of the popular 90’s Gabriel Knight

adventure series.

This is pretty exciting as Gray Matter is one of the most highly anticipated point-and-click adventure games of the year (that’s assuming it is released in 2010) and this is a genre that has gone largely unexplored in the console market. The developer has stated that, other than adjusting the controls, the game is exactly the same as its PC counterpart. It will be very interesting to see how this works on the console. Could this be the beginning of these type of adventure games on the console? I hope so, but would you play them? Let us know below!

Source

Infinity Ward to close, expects analyst

2010-04-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

Janco Partners' Mike Hickey says Modern Warfare 2 developer likely to be closed after next map pack; Modern Warfare 3 duties to be split between two other studios.

Earlier this month, Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter weighed in on the departure of about a dozen employees from Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 developer, Infinity Ward. He said the studio could lose 20 more and the publisher would just replace them and still put out a competitive product. One of Pachter's colleagues today expressed a more dire appraisal of the situation.

In a note to investors, Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey said the Infinity Ward departures "have created meaningful uncertainty around the future of their Call of Duty: Modern Warfare franchise," not to mention the studio itself. Hickey expects that Activision will shutter the studio entirely after the next map pack add-on for Modern Warfare 2 is released.

As for the follow-up, Hickey said development on Modern Warfare 3 would be split between two studios "not historically tied to the franchise." When that game does arrive, Hickey doesn't think it will quite live up to the blockbuster sales of its predecessor. He is expecting a fourth-quarter 2011 release of the game to bring in $738 million by the year's end, where Modern Warfare 2's sales total for roughly the same period was about $1 billion.

Infinity Ward has been the center of turmoil within Activision since last month, when the publisher fired studio cofounders Jason West and Vince Zampella. They sued the company, which sued back, alleging that the pair had been plotting to start a new studio with chief Activision rival Electronic Arts. Within weeks of their termination, West and Zampella started a new studio with chief Activision rival Electronic Arts. A number of Infinity Ward developers jumped ship to join the new studio, dubbed Respawn Entertainment, while others simply resigned. This week, a group of 38 former and current Infinity Ward developers sued Activision for as much as $625 million, alleging the publisher had been withholding royalty and bonus payments due them.

Halo 2 holdouts still playing online MP

2010-04-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

12 players refuse to stop playing sci-fi shooter, keeping consoles online for two weeks straight after original Xbox Live is shut down.

Deserved or not, many gamers like to label themselves as being "hardcore." Few could dispute that label applies to the Halo 2 players who, two weeks after Microsoft pulled the plug on the original Xbox Live, are still playing the sci-fi shooter.

According to a post on the official Bungie forums, the dozen players have not turned off their original Xboxes since Microsoft's official shutdown deadline on April 14. While the game giant extended that deadline to the following day, it apparently cannot kick off the original Halo 2 players as long as they remain online and in a custom game.
Halo 2 holdout Joe Campbell summed it up thusly: "Throughout the past week, a small group of dedicated Halo 2 players kept their Xboxes on so that they could enjoy the game for a while longer. (As long as we don't turn off our Xboxes, or lose connection, we can stay online. Our Xboxes have been on for nearly 14 days straight!) Each day the amount of people decreased, at a rapid rate."

As of 11:46 a.m. PDT on April 28, 12 players remained online: Agent Windex, APACHE N4SIR, sherlok 1 Rob2D, z0mbie stench, Lord Odysseus11, xxMAKDADYxx, H2o Shoagie, xxBooker Dxx, DirtyCajun, AForeignObject, and HiredN00bs.

Two mystery Tom Clancy titles in development

2010-04-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

Ubisoft's brand manager for games inspired by the techno-thriller author says a pair of unnamed projects are in the works. Since the turn of the century, Ubisoft has enjoyed great success with Tom Clancy games. So much success, in fact, that in March 2008, the French publisher bought the rights to use the American techno-thriller author's name in future books, films, and games.
The move came days after the release of the critically acclaimed first-person shooter Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2. Since then, Ubisoft has released three Tom Clancy-branded games: the real-time strategy game EndWar, the air combat sim HAWX, and the just-released--and decently reviewed--Splinter Cell: Conviction. A fourth, the third-person shooter Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, is due out this holiday season.

Now, it appears two more Tom Clancy-branded titles are in the works. Speaking to Dutch gaming site Control-Online.nl, Tom Clancy brand manager Michael Verheijdt revealed that he is working on a pair of untitled games that bear the author's name. "At the moment I'm working on two Tom Clancy games that are in development," he said. "[But] if I say anything about that, I'll have to send Sam Fisher after you."

Verheijdt's duties include writing a style guide for all Tom Clancy games for developers to use as a reference. He is also in charge of keeping the canon's timeline straight, and making sure that events in one game don't contradict those in another.
"I have a notion to update Wikipedia to index everything," he told the site. "It is crucial that we have everything clear and orderly, because in the future, we want the various game series to overlap each other. 'Convergence' is the magic word here."

That convergence may include a Tom Clancy massively multiplayer online game of some sort. When the name buyout was announced, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said that no longer having to pay royalties for the license would allow his company to expand the Tom Clancy brand in many new genres.

"We will be able to adapt the brand to new formats, in particular the MMO format, where the royalties were a big thing holding us back," he explained.

The RZA to be in DJ Hero 2?

2010-04-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Two tweets from Wu-Tang Clan member indicate he is engaged in motion capture for an unnamed Activision game involving hip-hop.

Source: The Twitter feed of Wu-Tang Clan member the RZA.

What we heard: Following the Great Rhythm Game Flood of 2009, Activision decided to trim back its music-game offerings to just two in the back half of 2010. One is DJ Hero 2, the sequel to the critically acclaimed original, which Activision claimed was the highest-grossing new property in the US and Europe last year. The milestone was set in no small part due to Hero's premium price point: The standard turntable-peripheral edition sold for $120, while a Renegade edition bundled with a DJ stand went for $200.
With those kinds of margins, it's little wonder Activision is giving the series a second chance. So far, though, only two artists have indicated that they'll be in the game: French house DJ and producer David Guetta and San Francisco Bay Area downtempo turntablist DJ Shadow. Now, clues are surfacing that a third artist may be on board: Wu-Tang Clan founding member and hip-hop producer the RZA.

In a pair of tweets over the weekend, the RZA, born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, expressed his enthusiasm with a new video game project. "Just finished mocap work at Activision--great team of guys who really appreciate hip-hop. Genuinely effected by the loss of Guru," he twittered early Saturday morning, referring to last week's death of the pioneering Gang Starr frontman.

Shortly thereafter, the RZA twittered the following: "I'm delighted to see that some people in Corp America who are benefittin [sic] $$ from hip-hop are really fans of our work. Big ups Activision!"

The official story: "Activision does not comment on rumor and speculation." - Activision representative.

Bogus or not bogus?: Not bogus. Though the RZA has some acting credits (Repo Men, American Gangster ), it's unlikely that the references to "hip-hop" and "mocap"--that is, motion capture--are for any game other than DJ Hero 2. He'd also be following in the footsteps of many other respected rappers who lent their likenesses to the first DJ Hero, including Grandmaster Flash and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

BioShock 2 DLC delayed

2010-04-27T23:25:00.000-07:00

Launch of Rapture Metro Pack pushed back to undetermined date for Xbox 360, PS3, PC; $10 add-on to include six new maps, new achievements, incentive for maxed-out players to start from scratch.

Last week, Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb said on his blog that BioShock 2 would be receiving a second injection of downloadable content this week. The major apparently received some bad intel, as 2K Games announced today that the content will not be available this week after all. No new release window was given.

When it does see release, the Rapture Metro Pack will include six new multiplayer maps for the game, some of them adapting locations from the single-player mode. It will also include three new achievements (trophies in the PlayStation 3 version of the add-on) and a Rebirth feature, providing players who've maxed out the multiplayer's level 50 character cap a reason to start from scratch. Gamers who hit level 50 can reset their rank to level one and receive a special mask in the process.

The Rapture Metro Pack will sell for $10 or 800 Microsoft points. For more on the game itself, check out GameSpot's review of BioShock 2.

Sims 3 confirmed for PS3, 360, Wii, DS

2010-04-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Two months after EA lists the Sims 3 as coming to consoles and handhelds, the company officially unveils non-PC/Mac versions of ultrasuccessful sim game.

Today, EA officially announced that the Sims 3 will ship for the DS, Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 this fall. Published under the EA Play label, the game will sport many of the same customization and character creation options as the PC edition of the game, as well as some new features. These include karma powers, which players can use to give their in-game incarnations instant luck--be it good or bad.

he PS3 and 360 editions of the game will also feature an online exchange system where players can share content they've created with others. The two versions will feature online integration with Facebook as well, allowing them to broadcast their achievements and trophies on the social networking service.

On the Wii, the Sims 3 will be set in a beach town and will have some adventure elements, including quests. The game will have the requisite traits, careers, and life goals, and players will be able to challenge each other in a new "Life Moments" mode.

Finally, the DS version of the game will let players use the handheld's stylus as a design tool to customize physical objects, such as houses and furniture. The handheld can also be used to tailor sims' clothes and alter their physical features and hairstyles. It will sport a story mode as well, which puts players in charge of various members of a family as they go through life.

SyFy making Red Faction movie, co-producing games

2010-04-27T23:19:00.000-07:00

Two-hour telefilm could be pilot for full-fledged series; future installments in game franchise will be developed in cooperation with television network's game arm.

n February, the publisher THQ and cable channel SyFy announced a deal which would see the latter developer a show on the former's hit platformer de Blob. Today, Broadcasting & Cable reports that the science fiction-focused network is now developing a telefilm on another THQ property--Red Faction.

It is the kind of content that fits our genre," senior VP of Syfy Ventures Alan Seiffert told B&C. "It is a great fit for a big Syfy Saturday movie, and if it really works, it is a great back-door pilot."
The network has also struck a deal with THQ to develop a DS, iPhone, and iPad game based on the upcoming reality show Ghost Hunters Academy. The show will be a spin-off of the current SyFy series Ghost Hunters, which follows two paranormal sleuths trying to capture evidence of supernatural activities.

"Both Ghost Hunters and Red Faction are great examples of how we are absolutely committed to [gaming], and it is going to be more than just taking the name, it is going to really be part of the overall experience," Seiffert said.

Release of week on PC : Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction

2010-04-26T04:08:00.000-07:00

The adventures of Sam Fisher continue in the fifth entry of the stealth-based series. In
this game, all of the rules have changed, as the storyline takes a dramatic turn that will
reinvent the Splinter Cell franchise forever. Fisher can no longer rely on his trusted bag
of tools and iconic goggles.An investigation into his daughter's death unwittingly leads
former agent Sam Fisher to discover he’s been betrayed by his prior agency, the Third
Echelon. Now a renegade, Fisher finds himself in a race against time to thwart a deadly
terrorist plot that threatens millions.

Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high-octane, no-holds-barred
storyline, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction arms you to the teeth with all the
high-tech weaponry and lethal skills of an elite operative and invites you to enter a
dangerous world where justice means making your own rules.

Release on 27.04.2010

R.U.S.E. pushed to late September

2010-04-25T23:35:00.000-07:00

World War II real-time strategy game bumped back several months as Ubisoft incorporates feedback from public beta.
Recent months have shown that that release dates for Ubisoft's deceit-driven real-time strategy game R.U.S.E. are not to be trusted. In January the game was pushed out of its original first quarter release window, and today the publisher confirmed it would not be making its expected June launch date, either.

A new post on the official R.U.S.E. Facebook page states that the game has been postponed yet again, this time to late September. Ubisoft said it needs the extra time in order to incorporate more feedback from the recently concluded public beta session into the final product. Specific parts of the game being changed according to feedback include the multiplayer menus and matchmaking filters, pathfinding and AI behavior, and general game balance.

R.U.S.E. is in development for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC at Eugen Systems, the France-based developer of Atari's Act of War series. The game encourages players to resort to deception, using special cards to fool players with nonexistent units, make weak units look strong, and vice versa.

Xbox 360 sales top 40 million

2010-04-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Microsoft confirms its console crossed another worldwide sales milestone five years into its life cycle.
In its earnings report today, Microsoft conceded that Xbox 360 sales were slowing somewhat, with sales dropping 12 percent to 1.5 million in the January-March quarter. The slowdown came despite Microsoft trying to sweeten the deal with a $300 Xbox 360 Elite bundle that packed in Forza Motorsport 3 and Halo 3: ODST, the latter of which comes with an invite to May 3's Halo: Reach multiplayer beta.

However, the Xbox 360's first-quarter sales were enough to push the platform past 40 million consoles sold worldwide. The figure puts it behind the Wii, which had sold 67 million units as of the end of last year, but still ahead of the 33.5 million PlayStation 3s sold as of December 31, 2009.

Besides the three-month gap--Nintendo and Sony have not yet issued their January-March financial reports--the comparisons are also complicated by the timing of the Xbox 360's launch. With the original Xbox debuting the year after the PlayStation 2, Microsoft executives didn't want to be second out of the gate during the next generation. As a result, the Xbox 360 went on sale in November 2005, a full year before its two competitors, the PS3 and Wii, went to market.

Sega lays off 10% of US, EU staff

2010-04-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

Sonic publisher cuts more than 70 workers from London and San Francisco offices, creates new digital-focused division in latter location.
It's only been a matter of weeks since Sega shuttered the San Francisco studio formerly known as Secret Level, but the publisher is cutting payroll again.

Sega today confirmed for GameSpot that it has laid off 73 employees from its London and San Francisco offices as part of restructuring effort for its Western operations. The cuts represent about 10 percent of Sega West, the company's non-Japanese business. A spokesman for Sega said the reorganization "reflects both the changing face of the global video games market and a need to improve efficiencies within the operation."

The cuts were made primarily from marketing and internal development divisions and were split about evenly between the publisher's London and San Francisco offices. As part of the restructuring, Sega is also setting up a new digital-focused division that will be based out of San Francisco, while the London location "will now act as a hub for the traditional console and PC side of the business." In addition to console downloadable titles, the digital division will be responsible for development on systems like the iPhone and iPad, as well as potentially social media networks.

Brain training games don't improve thinking - Study

2010-04-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Contrary to what marketing campaigns would have people believe, a new scientific study suggests that brain training games only train the brain to get better at brain training games. The study, led by Adrian M. Owen and Adam Hampshire of the UK Medical Research Council's Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit and published yesterday by the journal Nature, found no appreciable cognitive benefits from a six-week stint of brain training programs.

The study was conducted online with 11,430 participants divided into three groups. One group was given brain training tests that focused on problem-solving and reasoning, while another was trained on a wider spectrum of tests focusing on short-term memory, visuospatial processing, and math. A separate control group was asked to comb the Internet in search of answers to general knowledge questions.

All three groups were given the same set of four benchmark tests at the beginning and end of the six-week program. As evidence of the inefficacy of the brain training, the scientists called out results from one benchmark test in particular.

Participants were tested as to how many digits they could remember in sequence before and after the program. The average number of digits recalled by those who had been taking tests purported to improve memory increased by three-hundredths of a digit. Assuming linear returns and a steady rate of training, it would take four years for the average person to remember a single extra digit. By comparison, the group of people who had forgone training in favor of Internet surfing saw their average improve by two-tenths of a digit.

Sid Meier's Pirates! Wii-bound, says ESRB

2010-04-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

In 2008, gamers looking forward to the Wii version of Civilization Revolution were hit with disappointment when the project was put on indefinite hold. Now, it appears fans of Civilization creator Sid Meier may be getting a consolation prize. The Entertainment Software Rating Board has issued an E10+ rating for everyone 10 and over for Sid Meier's Pirates! for the Wii.
The ESRB's description makes it all but certain the game is a port of the 2004 game of the same name--itself a reboot of the 1987 classic game called…Sid Meier's Pirates!

"In this adventure game, players build a fleet of ships, explore the high seas, and engage in sword battles on their way to finding a seafarer's abducted family," reads the description. "Players can shoot cannons at ships and fortresses, and engage in one-on-one sword fighting on the ships."

Though Sid Meier's Pirates! is more of a strategy/adventure hybrid, the ESRB description exactly describes the gameplay and plot of the 2004 remake. That game found commercial success on the PC, Xbox, Mac, and PSP, earning high marks from critics on all platforms.

Whether the Wii Remote will be used in the described swordfights--or Pirates' dancing minigames--has yet to be announced. As of press time, reps for publisher 2K Games, which owns Sid Meier's studio Firaxis Games, had not responded to requests for comment.

To learn more about Sid Meier, creator of Pirates! and the upcoming Civilization V, check out his keynote address from the 2010 Game Developer's Conference.
Source: www.gamespot.com

Road & Track Car Pack for Forza Motorsport 3

2010-04-22T05:32:00.000-07:00

The Road & Track™ Car Pack arrives today, bringing with it 10 new cars that will continue to diversify and beautify every Forza Motorsport® 3 garage. Featuring a wide array of car types, from the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO to the 500 horsepower Holden HSV w427, variety is the name of the game as the editors from Road & Track collaborated with Turn 10’s designers to assemble the car pack roster. The latest car pack is available starting today for 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Available Now

Add the Road & Track Car Pack to your download queue here.

Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO Details Arise

2010-04-22T04:34:00.000-07:00

If you don’t know it already, Capcom is releasing a prequel to Dead Rising 2 exclusively via XBLA prior the sequel’s release on August 31st of this year. Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO is set two years after the events of the first game, but three years before the sequel.

According to a quote posted on ShackNews, the downloadable prequel will consist of “unique content not available in the full retail release of Dead Rising 2 [and] will introduce new protagonist Chuck Greene as he and his daughter find themselves caught in the desert town of Still Creek that has been overrun with zombies.”

Also quoted is that the XBLA title will “help bridge the gap between the two titles and give players a taste of the new gameplay they will experience in Dead Rising 2 as they create combo weapons, rescue survivors and take on a ruthless Psychos before making their escape.”

Neither pricing nor the exact release date yet have been divulged yet, but it will certainly be before the August 31st release date for Dead Rising 2

Source: epicbattleaxe.com

Ace Combat: Joint Assault Exclusive Trailer

2010-04-22T04:25:00.000-07:00

Conflict spreads across the Middle East and beyond in this new trailer for Ace Combat: Joint Assault.

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2010-04-22T04:03:00.001-07:00

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Xbox Live TV channel under consideration

2010-04-22T03:14:00.000-07:00

According to the business newswire's sources, Microsoft has been in discussions with former News Corp. president Peter Chernin to create a channel exclusive to Xbox Live Gold members, who pay an $8 monthly, $20 tri-monthly, or $50 annual fee. To pay for programming and transmission costs, Chernin proposed hiking XBL Gold subscriptions $1-2 a month, or $12-24 more a year.

The Xbox Live TV channel would reportedly be co-owned by Chernin and Microsoft and would feature both reruns and original shows. Both would cater to the tastes of the "online service's young, male target audience," according to Bloomberg's sources. To that end, Chernin apparently approached O'Brien about hosting a show on Xbox Live, although the discussions (obviously) fell through.

Starcraft II beta access included with preorder

2010-04-22T03:08:00.000-07:00

While Starcraft II still doesn't have a hard release date, gamers who simply can't wait to play the real-time strategy game sequel no longer need to. Customers who preorder Starcraft II from specialty retailer GameStop can now get access to the game's closed beta.

The Terran battle armor is actually pretty spacious, sort of like a walk-in closet with heavy artillery.

For instant access, gamers can place their preorders in one of the retailer's brick-and-mortar locations. Those with slightly more patience can order through the GameStop Web site, which promises to e-mail the beta code and instructions on joining to customers within 24 hours of a preorder being placed. (Orders cannot be canceled once the code has been sent out.)

The Starcraft II beta program has been running since February and allows players to play a variety of multiplayer match types. While it doesn't include any of the single-player campaign mode, the beta does allow users to take on computer-controlled opponents in the standard multiplayer modes.

The first installment in the trifurcated Starcraft II series, Wings of Liberty, will focus on the human Terran campaign in single-player mode. However, the multiplayer component will also let gamers wage interstellar real-time strategy warfare as the hivelike Zerg and technologically advanced Protoss factions.

Halo: Reach legendary, limited, and regular editions incoming?

2010-04-22T01:24:00.000-07:00

When Halo 3 was released in 2007, the game came in three versions: A $60 regular edition, a $70 limited edition, and a $130 limited edition. Now, scans posted by Planet Xbox 360 appear to show that a similar trifecta is in effect for Halo: Reach, which will ship this fall. The scans are reportedly of an upcoming retail flyer that shows the three products, albeit without any price points.

For the premium price, the CAG poster says the limited edition will apparently include a "special limited edition case, collectibles and in-game armor" while the legendary edition will include " all limited edition contents, unique packaging, plus 'Legendary Noble 6' sculpture and additional in-game armor." The "'Legendary Noble 6' sculpture" is likely a depiction of the six members of Noble Squad, the group of Spartans aiding in the defense of the titular planet in Halo: Reach from a Covenant armada.

In addition, members of Best Buy's Reward Zone Gamers Club will get "500 bonus points ($10 value) and up to 3 months of Xbox Live FREE with the pre-order of ANY version of Halo: Reach," according to CAG. (Emphasis in the original.)

Source: www.gamespot.com