 |
|
|
 |
Halo 3: Recon Gets A Name Change
11/26/2008 1:44:00 PM
Bungie.net just shared that Halo 3: Recon has undergone a name change. Now, the stand-alone expansion to the Halo 3 universe will be known as Halo 3: ODST. Bungie staff explained the name change, saying that it is a more straightforward representation of what to expect come release day.
|
|
|
|
Square Enix Details Last Remnant DLC
11/26/2008 1:43:00 PM
Only a week after The Last Remnant’s release, Square Enix is already announcing DLC for Xbox 360 owners. The DLC comes in the form of four packs, each free of charge. The packs will be staggered throughout the month of December.
|
|
|
|
|
Nintendo Announces Two DS “Black Friday” Bundles
11/26/2008 1:39:00 PM
If you have no option but to be dragged from shop to shop this Friday, at least take the time pick up a little reward. Nintendo announced two new Nintendo DS bundles today, both in limited colors and packaged with best-selling titles. The first bundle available on November 28 runs in “Mario red” and is branded with the plumber’s famous initial. This limited color comes packaged with a copy of New Super Mario Brothers. The second kit comes in Ice Blue, is packaged with a custom carrying case, and includes Brain Age. Both bundles will retail for $149.99
|
|
|
|
|
Mystery Case Files Evolving Out Of The Core Spotlight
11/26/2008 7:17:00 AM
Since 2005, Big Fish Games has forged a lucrative niche in the casual-games marketplace with a series of successful hidden-object games. In the beginning, with Mystery Case Files: Huntsville, players were tasked with finding lists of doodads tucked away in a crammed scene. There were a few puzzle elements back then, but the games were essentially computerized versions of the I Spy books.
|
|
|
|
|
Teamwork: Top Teams In Gaming History
11/25/2008 4:06:00 PM
Mario and Luigi are so cliché, although we admit that when you think of the top teams in gaming history, the plumber partners pop up first. But trust us, when it comes to the most dynamic, engaging, humorous or bizarre teams in gaming history, we hold high standards. Whether the teams below are bonded by a joint goal, for tactical purposes or in friendship, the games they inhabit wouldn’t be the same without the pairing or group of individuals.
|
|
|
|
|
Media Watchdog Lauds ESRB, Focuses On Parents
11/25/2008 11:20:00 AM
The National Institute on Media and the Family had released its annual Video Game Report Card, and the gaming industry has received its highest marks yet. Citing ESRB ratings policies (and enforcement), Dr. David Walsh, the president and founder of the organization, was positively gushing over the progress that’s been made over the past few years. As part of that success, the group is spending more of its attention on parental responsibilities, which it hopes to help with continued education and information on what types of games are available and which are suitable for children.
|
|
|
|
|
PS3 Update Adds Full-Screen Flash Playback
11/25/2008 10:54:00 AM
Sony updates the PlayStation 3 firmware so frequently that it’s tough to keep up—not that we’re complaining, mind you. Today an update to version 2.52 is now available, which adds one little feature that a few users will probably love. Now, the in-game Web browser allows PS3 users to view Flash content in a full-screen mode. Sure, it’s not exactly a groundbreaking update, but 1) full screen is good, especially if you plan on watching a lot of videos and 2) it’s free.
|
|
|
|
|
Fallout 3 Modding Tools, DLC On Horizon (No PS3s Allowed)
11/25/2008 10:29:00 AM
Bethesda Softworks has announced more details about what’s ahead for Fallout 3 in terms of DLC and other tools. If you’re a PS3 users, however, you’re going to have to sit this one out. According to Bethesda, all of the downloads will be available exclusively for Games for Windows and the Xbox 360. First, PC users will be able to download the Garden of Eden Creation Kit in December, which will allow modders to manipulate existing content as well as create all new materials.
|
|
|
|
|
Dead Space Demo Available Tomorrow
11/24/2008 2:52:00 PM
Dead Space developer and publisher Electronic Arts announced today that a demo of their recently released third-person sci-fi shooter would be available for download via Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network Wednesday, November 26. European PS3 owners can expect the demo on Thursday when most of us will be stuffing our faces with turkey.
|
|
|
|
|
Becoming Lara: We Talk To Alison Carroll About Her New Role
11/24/2008 1:10:00 PM
When Alison Carroll was officially introduced as the new face of Lara Croft back in August, her image spread across the Web and mainstream media like wildfire. Now, months after her debut, we had the chance to talk to the former receptionist about her ongoing role as the most iconic female gaming character in history.
|
|
|
|
|
Fable II DLC Brings New Island In December
11/24/2008 12:46:00 PM
After you've finished the main quest in Fable II, what's a hero to do? Actually, quite a bit. But say you've completed all the supplementary quests, killed all the gargoyles and bought enough property to make Donald Trump weep. Now what? Fortunately, Lionhead is releasing the first batch of Fable II DLC, scheduled to hit the Xbox Live Marketplace on Dec. 12.
|
|
|
|
|
Super Hyper Weekly Roundup Turbo Edition HD Megamix 11/24
11/24/2008 10:56:00 AM
One of this week's standout releases is the downloadable HD remake of Street Fighter II Turbo--and not just because the rest of the landscape is a little barren. PlayStation 3 owners even get it a day earlier than their 360-backing counterparts, thanks to the switch from this week's store update to Tuesday rather than the traditional Thursday (thank Thanksgiving!). Another thing worth noting this week is the pair of competing DLC packs featuring the band the Killers. Both Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band have three-track packs available for download, with one song, Mr. Brightside, appearing in both bundles. This kind of overlapping content is only going to force people who have invested in both games into making some tough decisions. Hooray.
|
|
|
|
|
Speedrunning: A Simple Guide To 0:00.001
11/21/2008 5:02:00 PM
Imagine, if you will, that swimming represented a video game. Let’s say if you swam six laps in a pool, you completed the game. When you finish the swim, you feel good about yourself, and you carry on the rest of your life, perhaps swimming every so often for leisure. That’s what most people would do, anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
PS3 Trophy System Mandatory In 2009
11/21/2008 1:07:00 PM
We just got word via videogamer.com that starting in 2009, all titles to grace the PlayStation 3 will be required to support the console’s Trophy system. What started as a rumor was confirmed this week by a Sony Computer Entertainment Europe spokesperson, who relayed the information to videogamer.
|
|
|
|
|
Midway In Danger Of NYSE Delisting
11/21/2008 1:05:00 PM
We’re not cynical. We like to receive news about overall success, good game sales, and company profits. And so far, it’s been a pretty good year. That’s why it is all the more disheartening when we lay eyes on press releases like the one below.
|
|
|
|
|
Ubisoft Confirms Post-Launch PoP DLC, Reveals Altair Skin
11/21/2008 11:11:00 AM
DLC seems to be a requirement for any next-gen game as of late. Taking this into consideration, Ubisoft confirmed yesterday that DLC will be available for Prince of Persia post-launch. No details as to exactly what form the DLC will take have been released, nor when the “post-launch” window signifies.
|
|
|
|
|
The Last Remnant: What Should You Expect Come Launch Day?
11/20/2008 4:00:00 PM
New IPs are always refreshing, especially when they immediately proceed the massive milking of an already established franchise. After Final Fantasy fans everywhere began to vocally express fears that Square Enix was turning a blind eye to anything outside its most lucrative universe, the RPG mega-publisher shifted gears.
|
|
|
|
|
GTA IV DLC Hitting In February
11/20/2008 10:36:00 AM
Pack your bags—we’re going back to Liberty City! USA Today is bringing word that the Grand Theft Auto IV’s first downloadable new episode is coming to the Xbox 360 on Feb. 17. The content will focus on a new character, Johnny Klepitz, who is a member of the notorious biker game the Lost. Niko Bellic will have a cameo in the new episode says Dan Houser, Rockstar Games’ VP of creative development, but the two stories aren’t directly intertwined.
|
|
|
|
|
Our XNA Crash Course
11/19/2008 4:33:00 PM
With the release of the new Xbox 360 dashboard update, users have a hefty dose of new content and features to tinker around with. Avatars are certainly worth a look, and Netflix subscribers are going to want to link their consoles to the video service to enjoy the new video-streaming functionality. Once the newness wears off, however, one feature that we’re confident is going to be attracting a lot of attention is the new Community Games section.
|
|
|
|
|
Around The Web: The New Xbox Experience
11/19/2008 3:04:00 PM
As we all know, the New Xbox Experience (NXE) launched worldwide this morning for 360 owners to download and enjoy. As one would expect from any major overhaul, there have been speed bumps along the way. Some are simply minor annoyances, but others are more notable issues. However, not everything has been negative. Today we have also received promising announcements and releases of downloadable content.
|
|
|
|
|
Activision Schedules World Tour Xbox Live Weekend
11/19/2008 12:30:00 PM
Want to channel your inner rock-god with the talent behind Guitar Hero World Tour? Starting November 27, XBL users will have the chance to do just that. Players over 14 years of age will be able to participate in a variety of World Tour online activities, including an all-night marathon, a sweepstakes, and an opportunity to game with the Neversoft developers themselves.
|
|
|
|
|
Wheelman To Ship February 16
11/19/2008 12:13:00 PM
Midway just marked their 2009 calendar for the Wheelman release, scheduling it to ship February 16 and hit retail shelves February 20.
|
|
|
|
|
Spore Patch Offers Fixes And Extra Appendages
11/18/2008 2:56:00 PM
Just after the release of the Spore Creepy and & Cute Parts Pack, which shipped out this week to retail, new content is being sent our way via Spore Patch 3.
|
|
|
|
|
Clem Burke Drumming Project Announces Guitar Hero Research Initiative
11/18/2008 1:52:00 PM
In humankind’s ever-present pursuit of knowledge, we take the time to study what some may think to be trivial things…such as…the physiology of drumming. While it sure isn’t on par with researching cancer or other life-threatening conditions, according to the Clem Burke Drumming Project the research has merit. After reading their recent findings, we can agree.
|
|
|
|
|
Wii Firmware Update Available Now
11/18/2008 1:22:00 PM
Nintendo has released Wii Menu update version 3.4 available for download right now. In hopes of cracking down on those who modify their Wii to play unauthorized games and save files, the update “will also check for and automatically remove such save files.” The update also changes parental controls, enables USB keyboard support in the Mii Channel, and offers “improved functionality” for the system overall.
|
|
|
|
|
Koei and Tecmo Finalize Merger
11/18/2008 12:45:00 PM
Koei and Tecmo have set the gears in motion, confirming (via Gamasutra) that a merger is imminent. Koei, best known for their work on the Dynasty Warriors series, and Tecmo, the creator of Ninja Gaiden, will be known as Koei Tecmo Holdings once the $207 million dollar merger is executed. The pair are expected to join forces starting April 1, as long as shareholder approval goes through on January 26.
|
|
|
|
|
Casual Collective's Site An Addicting, Free Destination
11/18/2008 12:03:00 PM
The names Paul Preece and David Scott may not be familiar, but their games are titans in the burgeoning tower-defense genre. The pair is responsible for the browser-based games Desktop Tower Defense and Flash Element TD, both of which have been played tens of millions of times online. Now the duo is pooling their skills with a new venture, the indie gaming site Casual Collective, which launches today.
|
|
|
|
|
Stoked Hands-On Preview
11/17/2008 6:07:00 PM
If you haven’t guessed, it’s December and snowboard season is upon us, and the now biggest snow sport in the world will once again dominate our mountains and slopes.
|
|
|
|
|
Hendrix Passes On Guitar Hero Wii Due To Limitations
11/17/2008 2:46:00 PM
If any of you Wii-owning Guitar Hero fans have been itching to rock out to some Jimi Hendrix tunes, you are in for a disappointment. Via the MTV Multiplayer blog we learned that Wii owners won’t be getting the Hendrix tracks promoted earlier this year, due to both licensing and technical restrictions. An Activision Blizzard contact spoke to MTV Multiplayer, confirming the news below.
|
|
|
|
|
New Metal Gear MEME Expansion Details
11/17/2008 1:08:00 PM
Konami just released new details about one of their upcoming Metal Gear Online expansion packs. The MEME expansion is set to release November 25, and will spice up Metal Gear Online with new characters and gameplay elements.
|
|
|
|
|
The Deluge Continues--Weekly Roundup 11/17
11/17/2008 10:55:00 AM
Once again, gamers aren't wanting for new content to devour. The holiday flood continues with this week's releases, and looking ahead it doesn't seem as though there's going to be any chance to come up for air in the near future. You've only got so much time in a day--how are you supposed to wade through the stacks? No problem! Step one: Cut off all ties to friends, family members and associates. Step two: Load up on food supplies. Step three: Call in sick. You can always apologize later, once you've played through 2008's best games. As an added bonus, by keeping out of contact with as many people as possible, you won't have to buy as many presents...
|
|
|
|
|
Games That Aren’t Really Games...Should We Be Concerned?
11/14/2008 5:06:00 PM
Ever since Shigeru Miyamoto admitted that his newest video game Wii Music might in fact not be a game at all, our wheels have been turning. We got to thinking, what constitutes a game? Is Wii Music’s stray from the traditional game formula an isolated incident or part of a growing trend?
|
|
|
|
|
The Killers To Release Three Downloadable Songs For World Tour
11/14/2008 1:43:00 PM
The Killers are releasing three songs available for download for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii owners of Guitar Hero World Tour on November 25. “Human” and “Losing Touch” are two singles off their latest album Day & Age, which will also be released on November 25. The third track is the Grammy nominated hit “Mr. Brightside.”
|
|
|
|
|
Nintendo Dominates October Hardware Sales
11/14/2008 1:41:00 PM
According to the latest data released by the NPD Group, which tracks video game sales in the United States, Nintendo Wii and DS held the number one and two slots in October, with the Wii more than doubling its closest rival, Xbox 360.
|
|
|
|
|
Xbox: The Games That Defined A Generation
11/13/2008 4:24:00 PM
In many ways, the Xbox launch was a series of firsts. Microsoft’s first proper foray into the console space marked the debut of console hard drives, interactive Dolby 5.1 surround sound, built-in Ethernet ports, and a unified online service in Xbox Live. While this wasn’t enough to propel the nascent Xbox to the top of the console leaderboards, the system left behind some amazing games in its wake.
|
|
|
|
|
GTA DS And Xbox 360 Downloadable Content Hijacked
11/13/2008 12:37:00 PM
Gamespot is reporting Take-Two executive chairman Strauss Zelnick announced today that Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars on DS has been delayed from its late January release to the publisher’s second fiscal quarter, which runs from February through April. The first downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV on Xbox 360 might also be delayed alongside Chinatown Wars from its previous December release date.
|
|
|
|
|
EA Announces EA Sports Active
11/13/2008 11:57:00 AM
At this point, it almost seems necessary to concede that exergaming is a genre of its own. With products on the market ranging from all-over body trainers such as Wii Fit, to activity-specific programs like Yoga Training, developers are giving us more ways to get into an active groove at home. EA Sports is jumping on the bandwagon with the newly announced EA Sports Active. The personalized fitness product is in development specifically for the Wii with a worldwide launch pending next spring.
|
|
|
|
|
Wrath Of The Lich King Unleashed
11/13/2008 11:25:00 AM
If you're looking around the office and wondering why so many of your MMO-playing co-workers are "sick" today or why others look as though they've only had a few hours' sleep, blame Blizzard. The company released the long-awaited Wrath of the Lich King expansion to World of Warcraft at midnight release parties nationwide.
The $40 expansion adds a first-ever hero class to the game, the Death Knight, as well as Northrend, an entirely new continent to explore.
|
|
|
|
|
Tecmo’s Rygar Comes To The Wii
11/12/2008 4:53:00 PM
Being that Tecmo’s Rygar: The Battle of Argus is a remake of the moderately-acclaimed Rygar: The Legendary Adventure first seen on PlayStation 2, some might be thinking, “Oh boy, here’s comes another cheap port for the Wii, complete with dated graphics and gimmicky Wii remote swinging!”
|
|
|
|
|
Game Informer December 2008 Cover Revealed!
11/12/2008 4:23:00 PM
So you’ve been wondering what the Halo 3 Recon announcement was all about, huh? We’ve got all the info you can handle! The December issue of Game Informer Magazine has 10 pages packed full of info and screenshots straight from Bungie. We also have another 10 pages of our annual Holiday Buyer’s Guide featuring the coolest gear for all types of gamers. All of this plus much more so don’t miss this issue! Subscribers will also get some added content on Nov 17 when Unlimited hits right here on GI Online.
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time Slated For MMO
11/12/2008 4:00:00 PM
If you are a fantasy fan – or even better – a follower of Robert Jordan’s epic Wheel of Time series, today has you both excited and cautious at once. We just got word that an MMORPG based on Robert Jordan’s high-fantasy world is currently in production. The MMO will feature both themes and characters from the lengthy novels.
|
|
|
|
|
Wii Internet Browser To Receive Upgrade
11/12/2008 2:15:00 PM
GameReactor is reporting Opera, Nintendo’s Internet browser for Wii, will receive an upgrade in December. The upgrade will feature a new onscreen layout with more navigation buttons to help you surf the Web, Wii Speak compatibility, the ability to check Wii Mail, and a tab cube that now holds six open websites.
The browser upgrade will cost 500 Wii Points to those who do not have Opera already downloaded on their Wii. Existing owners can download the upgrade for free.
|
|
|
|
|
Square Enix Counting Down To New Bahamut Lagoon?
11/12/2008 1:00:00 PM
Square Enix has put up another one of their countdown websites. This time it features a very cool looking piece of art with one of our favorite dragons. It also features a mysterious colossus at the bottom (see below). Could this be a new Bahamut Lagoon title? The first was a beloved Super Nintendo Tactical RPG. There’s some speculation on the internet that this is not a new Bahamut game but something Final Fantasy related. But we’re still leaning Bahamut because of a subtle clue on the website. The favicon, the icon used for bookmarks, shows a 16-bit image of what could be Byuu, the original game’s young hero. Since all we have to go on is art, we’ll keep you posted if more details pop-up soon.
Update: According to Japan's Jump Magazine, the game is indeed a new Bahamut. It's a DS game that's being called Blood of Bahamut, and it appears to feature 2D sprite characters in 3D environments.
|
|
|
|
|
Mirror’s Edge PC To Ship In January
11/11/2008 4:33:00 PM
In addition to the news that Mirror’s Edge has shipped to retail, EA and DICE also revealed details about the upcoming PC version of the vertigo-inducing thriller. According to the press release, The PC version is expected to ship in North America in January of 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
Square Enix Updates 2009 Q1 Lineup
11/11/2008 1:48:00 PM
With the New Year already on the horizon, Square Enix is hoping to get us excited about their 2009 titles. Today they shared an updated list of their Q1 lineup, which includes new titles and release information.
|
|
|
|
|
Codemasters Thinks Global With Russian Language Support
11/11/2008 1:43:00 PM
Global Thinking is one of the fastest growing tends in the gaming industry, and Codemasters is well aware of the fact. Already aimed at expanding growth in emerging gaming markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and India, Codemasters has begun to take tangible steps in the right direction.
|
|
|
|
|
Konami Debuts Job Island
11/11/2008 1:41:00 PM
What doesn’t sound fun about a game where you have to work 50 different jobs in order to save the world? Konami Digital Entertainment and Hudson Soft have teamed up for a new Wii title where you get to do just that. Originally called Hard Working People, the title has been changed to fall inline with Hudson Soft’s other successful mini-game title, Sports Island. Using the same concept – fun-oriented mini-games – the team hopes Job Island will also be well received.
|
|
|
|
|
Wii Speak Further Detailed
11/11/2008 1:37:00 PM
After E3, little has been revealed about Wii Speak. However, Nintendo recently detailed more information about the product including pricing details. The in-game voice chat function debuted with Animal Crossing: City Folk will be ready to run when the game launches November 16. The game will include the Wii Speak microphone and will be priced at $69.99.
|
|
|
|
|
MMO Marketplace PlayerAuctions Launches
11/11/2008 1:28:00 PM
MMO fans rejoice, it’s time to leave eBay behind. Today marks the launch of PlayerAuctions.com, a website entirely dedicated to facilitating the trade of MMO goods. These goods include game currency, accounts, items, powerlevleing and guides. Currently PlayerAuctions supports over 40 popular MMO titles, including WoW, Warhammer Online, Age of Conan, EVE Online, EverQuest, EverQuest II, Final Fantasy XI, Guild Wars, Lineage II, The Lord of the Rings Online, and Star Wars Galaxies.
|
|
|
|
|
Ubisoft Acquires Massive Entertainment
11/11/2008 1:25:00 PM
Ubisoft announced today that it has acquired Massive Entertainment – previously owned by Activison Blizzard – and all of its personal, assets and the RTS brand World in Conflict along with it.
|
|
|
|
|
Epic Games China Opens Titan Studios
11/11/2008 1:22:00 PM
What do you get when Epic Games China, a branch of North Carolina based Epic Games, decides to reach back out to the states with their own wholly owned subsidiary? You get Titan Studios, which just opened this week in Seattle, Washington. While the chain of command might be a bit confusing, Epic Games China has good reason for opening a new studio stateside.
|
|
|
|
|
Big Stage Aims To Put Your Face In The Game
11/10/2008 6:07:00 PM
As the success of Nintendo’s Mii’s shows, people love creating digital versions of themselves. Even though such representations are quite crude, they’re generally able to convey a decent-enough likeness of a particular individual to friends and family members.
|
|
|
|
|
Mastiff’s Moon Pushed Back To January
11/10/2008 3:38:00 PM
Mastiff and Renegade Kid, the team behind the upcoming DS thriller Moon, announced today that the title will be pushed back from its original release date until January 13, 2009. Originally slated to release November 18, the team did not cite any specific reason for the delay.
|
|
|
|
|
Libraries Nation Wide Prep For National Gaming Day
11/10/2008 1:59:00 PM
The American Library Association has teamed up with libraries nationwide for the first-ever National Gaming Day @ Your Library. On November 15 hundreds of libraries nationwide will hold festivities aimed to celebrate both the entertainment and educational value of video and board games.
|
|
|
|
|
CCP and Atari Partner For EVE Retail Release
11/10/2008 12:30:00 PM
Hoping to capture the minds (and wallets) of even more sci-fi fans, CCP Games and Atari announced today their plans to bring EVE Online to retail. The MMO PC game, originally released in 2003 via digital distribution, will ship to retail in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific starting March of 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
Activision Picks Up Budcat Creations
11/10/2008 12:27:00 PM
In a bit of industry news, Activision Publishing announced today that they will be once again enlarging their corporate umbrella by absorbing Budcat Creations. While Budcat’s name may not ring a bell to all individuals, they have worked with Activision extensively in the past. Based out of Iowa City, Budcat specializes in developing games for the Nintendo Wii and DS and have worked with Activision on games such as Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith and Guitar Hero World Tour.
|
|
|
|
|
Dead Space DLC All About The Guns
11/10/2008 12:08:00 PM
Dead Space is one scary game. Ammo is scarce, monsters are nasty and the vacuum of space muffles your cries for help. So how would you get en edge over this seemingly impossible situation? To quote another sci-fi property: “Guns. Lot’s of guns.” Players will now have the ability to download premium stuff so protagonist Isaac Clarke can take care of business. The content will hit both Xbox Live Marketplace and the PlayStation Store on November 13. Check out what you’ll get inside.
|
|
|
|
|
AnNoyiNg CaPs: Weekly Roundup 11/10
11/10/2008 11:06:00 AM
As we were typing up this week's Weekly Roundup, we couldn't help but notice a couple of things. First, the gaming world's obsession with subtitles separated by colons is still going strong. Next, we're getting more and more titles that are two perfectly fine words jammed together. FaceBreaker! TrackMania! SmackDown! EnoughAlready! So now you know what goes on in our minds when we're compiling this list each week. We never claimed that it would be educational.
|
|
|
|
|
Changing The Game: How Video Games Are Transforming Business
11/7/2008 5:29:00 PM
From an industry or a player perspective, our minds naturally default to words like fun, leisure and entertainment when chatting about video games. As we attempt to keep up with daily news, hype and the latest releases, it’s not surprising that the merits of games outside the “funscape” stay on the periphery of our radars. But the truth is – whether many of us are aware or not – that games are not only changing the entertainment industry but the business world as well.
|
|
|
|
|
Sega Brings Over Forty Genesis Games In One
11/7/2008 1:45:00 PM
Sega Corporation today announced Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection developed by Backbone Entertainment for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The over-40-game compilation will feature some of the most widely regarded first-party games from Sega’s 16-bit Genesis as well as bonus content from its 8-bit Master System and 1980’s arcade games library, all in 720p for HD televisions.
“Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is a must-have for any diehard Sega fan,” says Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of marketing for Sega of America, Inc. “Fans have been chomping at the bit to get a chance to relive fond memories from these classic games, that time has come and it’s being presented this time in HD.”
Featured games include Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2, and 3, Ecco the Dolphin, Shinobi III, and Streets of Rage.
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is scheduled for release in Spring 2009. But why no release on Wii? Perhaps because some of the more highly acclaimed games already exist on Nintendo’s Virtual Console. Still, over 40 games on one disc in HD is pretty sweet.
|
|
|
|
|
Tiger Woods Invades Mobile Phones In A New Way
11/7/2008 11:23:00 AM
Do you remember Live Anywhere? Well it’s sort of coming via EA’s Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. While this is not actually anything Live Anywhere officially, it does fall within the same idea. Now that the mobile version is available, players will have the ability to use a feature called Console Boost. This will actually boost the stats of their home golfer on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 as they play the mobile version of the game.
|
|
|
|
|
Blue Castle Games Working On Dead Rising 2?
11/7/2008 11:19:00 AM
We haven’t seen the last of Dead Rising, if recent online speculation is to be believed. According to Eurogamer, Dead Rising 2 is currently in development by Blue Castle Games, the folks who brought you the over-the-top baseball game The Bigs. Citing sources “close to the Canadian developer,” Eurogamer is reporting that Capcom has tapped the Vancouver-based company and that “there is something amazing being built here at Blue Castle behind locked doors.”
Capcom isn’t officially commenting on the existence of such a project at this time. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone if it turns out to be true, however, seeing that the first one was one of the earliest hits for the Xbox 360 and Capcom.
|
|
|
|
|
Atari Pulls Ghostbusters Out Of Limbo
11/7/2008 10:42:00 AM
Ghostbusters seemed like a sure thing for Sierra Vivendi when it was announced it last year. Ghostbusters: The Video Game featured the writing and voice talents from most of the original film’s cast, with Dan Akyroyd calling it an unofficial Ghostbusters 3. Unfortunately, it was one of the casualties from the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and its future became hazy.
Well, Atari has come to save the day. The company announced today that it will be publishing Ghostbusters, which is on schedule for a 2009 release. That’s a bit later than its original Halloween 2008 date, but it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the first flick. Has it really been that long? Ouch.
|
|
|
|
|
Foo Fighters Album To Jam On Rock Band
11/6/2008 4:33:00 PM
Harmonix Developer Sean Baptiste reports Foo Fighters’ second album, The Colour and the Shape, will be available for Rock Band owners to download starting November 11 on Xbox 360 and November 13 on PlayStation 3. With “Everlong” already featured in the Rock Band 2 soundtrack, the album will include the remaining tracks:
1. "Doll"
2. "Monkey Wrench"
3. "Hey, Johnny Park!"
4. "My Poor Brain”
5. "Wind Up"
6. "Up in Arms"
7. "My Hero"
8. "See You”
9. "Enough Space"
10. "February Stars”
11. "Walking After You”
12. “New Way Home”
Any Xbox 360 and PS3 owners of Rock Band or Rock Band 2 can purchase the entire album for $19.99 (1600 Microsoft Points) or $1.99 (160 Microsoft Points) per track.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Chain Of Memories: From The GBA to the PS2
11/6/2008 2:01:00 PM
In 2004, Square Enix released Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories for the GBA. The title capitalized on the frenzy surrounding Kingdom Hearts, and was heralded for its innovative battle system and impressive handheld graphics.
|
|
|
|
|
Fallout 3 Ships Nearly 5 Million Units
11/6/2008 10:52:00 AM
It seems even the apocalypse can’t keep people away from gaming. Bethesda Softworks today announced that it’s shipped more than 4.7 million copies of Fallout 3 worldwide since the game launched last week. Of course, there’s a difference between shipping games to retailers and moving those games into customers’ hands, but it’s probably a safe bet to assume that people are buying it, too. We’ll just have to wait a bit to learn exactly how many.
|
|
|
|
|
Vertical Horror - Cursed Mountain
11/5/2008 4:59:00 PM
When you think about it, a lot of the survival horror games are very similar. Guy or girl with pistol fights weird creepy monsters inspired from John Carpenter’s The Thing.
|
|
|
|
|
Scorpion Ready To Uppercut Batman
11/5/2008 3:31:00 PM
Midway Games Inc. today announced that Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe has gone gold and is scheduled to be available in retail stores throughout North America on November 16, 2008 and throughout Europe on November 21, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
Sony Releases Firmware Update 2.52
11/5/2008 12:56:00 PM
Sony has released firmware update 2.52 for Playstation 3 owners. Playstation Network Operations Director Eric Lempel outlines the minor update at Playstation.Blog, stating, “the playback quality of some PS3 format software has been improved.” Also addressed in the firmware is the “text entry issue that occurs when using the on-screen keyboard, USB keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard with some PS3 format software.”
|
|
|
|
|
EA Announces Need For Speed Live
11/5/2008 12:50:00 PM
As if extravagant media events and imposing launch-parties are not enough, EA just announced that they have crafted an open-to-the-public event in the image of one of their biggest titles.
|
|
|
|
|
DSi Sells Over 170K In Two Days
11/5/2008 12:37:00 PM
According to Enterbrain, Nintendo’s latest handheld device, DSi, has sold 170,779 units in its first 48 hours starting November 1 in Japan.
|
|
|
|
|
BattleForge Open Beta Begins November 7
11/4/2008 5:24:00 PM
Electronic Arts announced today that the open beta for the Phenomic developed BattleForge on PC will begin on November 7. Gamers can register for the open beta at www.battleforgecardhunt.com. In North America, those who’ve pre-ordered the real-time strategy game from participating retail partners are guaranteed access into the beta.
In BattleForge, players use virtual trading cards to assemble armies, lay buildings, and cast spells to destroy enemies. The unique card system gameplay enables you to combine and customize army factions to your liking, and gone from most RTS’s is base building and production queues, which is sure to make this one of the faster paced games in its genre.
BattleForge also features a slew of online features, including 12 player wars and cooperative missions. BattleForge will ship in early 2009, and after three years in development, it should be worth a look.
|
|
|
|
|
Microsoft Unveils Boku, A Tool To Create Games
11/4/2008 5:22:00 PM
According to Gamasutra, this week at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles, Microsoft Research revealed Boku, a PC and Xbox 360 tool that lets users create their own games using only an Xbox 360 controller.
The “visual programming language…is designed to be accessible for children and enjoyable for anyone,” Microsoft Research states on its website. “Boku can express advanced game design concepts in a simple, direct, and intuitive manner.”
The tool appears to be even simpler than XNA, a toolset provided by Microsoft that already facilitates computer game development and management. In fact, Boku was created using XNA.
The programming language is entirely icon-based, and programs are expressed in physical terms, such as vision, hearing, and time. It features a terrain editor, path builder, 20 different characters with different abilities, and a built-in user sharing and rating system.
Although it has not been announced how the project will be delivered to users, Microsoft has announced Boku will have some form of trial in 2009. Some already dubbed it the “Little Big Planet Killer.” Until more is known, that may be jumping the gun.
|
|
|
|
|
Shredding With Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades
11/4/2008 4:00:00 PM
Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades picks right up where Guitar Hero On Tour left off in June, adding a new setlist of master tracks arranged by—you guessed it—the decades in which they were released.
|
|
|
|
|
Curt Schilling Calls In A Lefty And A Righty
11/4/2008 3:30:00 PM
Curt Schilling added former Electronic Arts audio composer Aubrey Hodges and Blizzard Entertainment’s user-interface designer Irena Pereira to 38 Studios, a development studio the pitching ace created in 2006.
Aubrey Hodges is credited as among the first to use MIDI in a videogame. His work has spanned a number of games, including Doom, Quake, King’s Quest, NFL Blitz, and Madden NFL. Irena Pereira worked on the interface design and development for World of Warcraft and its expansions The Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King.
38 Studios is currently developing a MMORPG under the name Copernicus. And if Schilling’s studio continues to draft as well as they have so far, the game could be an All Star itself.
|
|
|
|
|
Codemasters Reschedules Damnation To Early 2009
11/4/2008 12:33:00 PM
Euro Gamer is reporting that U.K. publisher Codemasters announced its third-person action-shooter Damnation, developed by Blue Omega, will be released early next year, stating the delay will benefit the final product in more ways than one.
"Damnation is being rescheduled for an early 2009 release...The game will be much stronger and better as a result, and will also give people time to get all the pre-holiday releases out the way - ready for the fresh (and vertical) gaming experience that Damnation offers."
|
|
|
|
|
BioShock (PS3) DLC Detailed And Dated
11/3/2008 3:31:00 PM
2K Games took some time out of their afternoon to detail the brand-new BioShock DLC that will be heading our way November 20. Available exclusively for the PS3, the DLC will consist of three new challenge rooms that occur outside of the main storyline. The content will be downloadable for $9.99 in North America.
|
|
|
|
|
Post Halloween Rush: Weekly Roundup 11/3
11/3/2008 10:57:00 AM
If you haven't already, now's a great time to awake from that Halloween-candy coma. There are a ton of top-notch titles on the docket this week, including the sequels to two of the biggest games around—Resistance and Gears of War. Ubisoft's latest Tom Clancy title, EndWar, also makes its debut, along with Legendary and the latest James Bond game. If you're looking for multiplayer action, it's another great week to be a gamer.
Games
RETAIL GAMES
AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2)
Exit (DS)
Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)
James Bond: Quantum of Solace (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, PS2, DS)
Legendary (Xbox 360)
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS)
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm (PS3)
Resistance 2 (PS3)
Secret Service (Xbox 360, PS2)
Tom Clancy’s EndWar (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, DS)
Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)
DOWNLOADABLE GAMES
PlayStation 3
TBA
Wii
WiiWare:
Alien Crush Returns (800 Wii Points)
Home Sweet Home (1,000 Wii Points)
Virtual Console:
Space Harrier (500 Wii Points)
Xbox 360
Vigilante 8: Arcade (800 Microsoft Points)
DLC
PlayStation 3
Rock Band/2—The Presidents of the United States of America Pack. Includes the songs “Dune Buggy,” “Feather Pluckn,” and “Ladybug,” by the Presidents of the United States of America. Songs are $1.99 individually or $5.49 for all three.
Rock Band/2—“I Don’t Care,” by Fall Out Boy for $0.99.
Rock Band/2—“Use Me,” by Hinder for $0.99.
Xbox 360
Rock Band/2—The Presidents of the United States of America Pack. Includes the songs “Dune Buggy,” “Feather Pluckn,” and “Ladybug,” by the Presidents of the United States of America. Songs are 160 Microsoft Points individually or 440 Microsoft Points for all three.
Rock Band/2—“I Don’t Care,” by Fall Out Boy for 80 Microsoft Points.
Rock Band/2—“Use Me,” by Hinder for 80 Microsoft Points.
Movies
THEATRICAL
House
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Role Models
Soul Men
DVD
Get Smart
Transsiberian
When Did You Last See Your Father?
Blu-Ray
A Christmas Story
Get Smart
Transsiberian
Comics
DARK HORSE
Gigantic #1
Kull #1 (1 of 6)
Kull #1 (1 of 6) (Kubert Variant Cover)
DC
Adventure Comics Special Featuring the Guardian
Booster Gold: Blue and Gold
Diana Prince: Wonder Woman Vol. 3
El Diablo #3 (of 6)
Final Crisis: Resist
Jonah Hex #37
Justice Society of America #20
Looney Tunes #168
The New Teen Titans Archives Vol. 4
Nightwing: Freefall
The Question Vol. 3: Epitaph for a Hero
Secret Six #3
Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion #1 (of 6)
Showcase Presents: Wonder Woman Vol. 2
Superman vs. Brainiac
Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom #1 (of 5)
Teen Titans Year One
Terra #1 (of 4)
Terror Titans #2 (of 6)
Trinity #23
Vixen: Return of the Lion #2 (of 5)
Watchmen
Watchmen: The Absolute Edition
IMAGE
Back to Brooklyn #2 (of 5)
Drain, Vol. 1 TP
Liquid City GN
Lucha Libre #6
The Walking Dead #54
MARVEL
Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1
Amazing Spider-Man #576
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: The Laughing Corpse #2
Avengers: The Initiative Special #1
Cable #8
Civil War: House of M #3
Daredevil & Captain America: Dead On Arrival #1
Franklin Richards: Sons of Genuises #1
Invincible Iron Man #7
Marvel Illustrated: Kidnapped! #1
Marvel Two-In-One #17
Marvel Zombies 3 #2
Ms. Marvel Special: Storyteller #1
Punisher War Journal Annual #1
Sub-Mariner: The Depths #3
Ultimatum #1
Venom: Dark Origin #4
Weapon X: First Class #1
Wolverine and Power Pack #1
Wolverine: Chop Shop #1
X-Men: Manifest Destiny #3
X-Men: Pixies and Demons Director's #1
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|