Forum Survival Kit: Week of May 27, 2007

Posted: 2007-06-01 14:36:47.04
RECAP: Our weekly rundown is your flame retardant for the flame wars.

Okay, so you love talking about games -- on the forums, with friends, and even in the checkout line at the supermarket. Not a problem. But what if you missed a story or two during the week, and all of the sudden your lack of knowledge comes back to bite you in the ass. If you want to be Mr. Know-It-All, or are just looking to make sure you didn't miss some pertinent details, the Forum Survival Kit is here to help. Strap in, and get ready to relive the week that was in videogames.

<span class="subhead">THESE ARE... SPARTANS</span>
Bungie provided us with more than enough news this week, and the addition of Double Team Training and Ranked Big Team Battle to the Halo 3 beta was only the beginning. Not only did the beta code and magazine scans reveal plenty of previously unannounced details, it was the precursor to fans uncovering a way to unlock custom matches within the beta.

In addition to beta business, Peter Jackson talked some more about what could get him involved with film adaptation again and Marvel discussed the future of the Halo: Uprising comic.

<span class="bold">What You Need To Know</span>: While the custom matches can be a pain to get to, it is doable -- and we've got video to prove it. The new additions highlighted in the scans and code were: a battery powered <span class="bold">Energy Sword</span> (video); a stronger, scope-less <span class="bold">Magnum</span> (video); the addition of a gunner seat to the <span class="bold">Wraith</span> (video); a Covenant motorcycle called the <span class="bold">Brute Chopper</span>; a <span class="bold">Radar Jammer</span>; three new maps -- <span class="bold">Shrine</span>, <span class="bold">Epitaph</span>, <span class="bold">Last Resort</span>; and the addition of further cosmetic armor customizations in multiplayer modes to other Spartan variants.

<span class="subhead">A Terrible Death To Die, Announcements</span>
All right, so summer camp announcements were boring, but videogame announcements -- that's something we can sink our teeth into (and they're strangely more digestible than Camp Rocky Valley's salisbury steak). After an announcement-retraction, the PR overlords gave McGee the OK to officially reveal his new title, American McGee's Grimm. <span class="bold">D3 Publisher</span> brought joy to the hearts of wannabe ninjas by announcing that Naurto: Path of a Ninja would be coming stateside. Those expecting the same treatment for the newly announced <span class="bold">Capcom</span> title, Fate/Tiger Coliseum, might be sorely disappointed when it doesn't make it to America.

<span class="bold">Konami</span> is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the Metal Gear franchise by re-releasing all the Metal Gear Solid titles in the series, though only in Japan at present. Retail listings lead us to believe that Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror is making the shift from PSP to PS2 this fall. A rather odd combonation, game developer Warren Spector and film director John Woo, announced they're working together on a new IP, <span class="bold">Ninja Gold</span>.

If that wasn't enough to digest, <span class="bold">EA</span> shocked us all by announcing Need for Speed: ProStreet. Maybe you'll hear more about this one next week from us.

<span class="bold">What You Need To Know</span>: Woo, a lot here. Let's get busy:

• <span class="bold">American McGee's Grimm</span> is a 24-part, episodic adventure launching in 2008 on <span class="bold">GameTap</span>. No word on yet on whether or not there will be a separate release once all is said and done.
• <span class="bold">Path of a Ninja</span> is the first portable Naruto RPG released in the American market, and is some sort of amalgamation of the three Japanese releases.
• Fate/Tiger Coliseum is a PC game turned PSP fighter releasing this September, and as to why it's not coming to the U.S.? Ask our Man in Japan.
• The Metal Gear Solid re-releases are part of a hallowed, time honored tradition in Japan: re-releasing titles to cash in on anniversaries. However, this isn't big in America, so the possibility of seeing this happen here is less likely.
• Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories are two other games that have made the jump from PSP to PS2. One time is an anomaly, two times is a coincidence, three times... that's a trend, friends.
• This isn't the first time Woo has been involved with a videogame release. He's currently working with
  <span class="bold">Midway</span> on an adaptation of his film Hard Boiled, Stranglehold.
• Seriously, check back next week for a lot of coverage on <span class="bold">ProStreet</span>.

<span class="subhead">The WTF Department</span>
Not every week can be completely sane, which is why there are plenty stories out there that are just that -- "out there." This week we had Drew Carey, yes, that Drew Carey, announce he would play FIFA versus actual soccer players to raise funds for the Mooch Myernick Memorial Fund. Codemasters are taking Baby out of the corner and putting her in Dirty Dancing -- The Video Game. Some people thought it would be a good idea to ask for like, the bajillionth time, when StarCraft 2, and <span class="bold">Blizzard</span> once again told people "when it's done" and "not in 2007." Anyone surprised?

<span class="bold">What You Need To Know</span>: Drew Carey will potentially pay out $100,000 to charity if he lost every match. His show wasn't all that great, but you can't discount this charitable effort.

<span class="subhead">'Cast Cornucopia</span>
Don't touch that dial, 1UP Radio is coming through the speakers. EGM Live*, GFW Radio, Retronauts, and The Sports Game Guy's Sports Anomaly all had new episodes this week, perfect for listening to during an extended gaming session or a cross country drive.

<span class="subhead">We're HIDEOS for VIDEOS</span>
GameVideos had their work cut out for them this week, but isn't that always how it is? Of course, there's a brand new episode of The 1UP Show for you to check out, along with a bunch of new videos. There's a Forza 2/DiRT comparison that'll drive the gear heads wild, two BioShock videos -- the EGM Preview and the 'Levels' trailer -- to make the wait until August that more intolerable. The 'Body' and 'Technology' trailers for Crysis be dropping jaws, so be careful when watching those. If you're looking for a little humor, though, then check out Mega64's 'Sexy64'.

That's all for this week, troops. Good hunting.

The Line To Pre-order

Posted: 2006-10-09 23:48:40.713
Maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age (21) in thinking that it's a little absurd that we have to line up to get a pre-order for a system. A pre-order that doesn't even guarantee an actual system on launch day! Are you kidding me?

However, for you readers (and despite my personal thoughts on the matter), I am braving the harsh Florida evening (it's 58-degrees!) to report on how this works for both employees and consumers. Look for a report later tomorrow when I've recuperated. Until then, to all you going to snag a pre-order -- good hunting.

What Up, From Software?

Posted: 2006-06-30 17:10:46.4
So, the Chromehounds demo is available in all regions except the US and Canada. Okay, that's fine. Now the Theme and Picture Packs are available in both the US and Canada, and not available in some of the countries the demo is downloadable. What's up with that? Who is going to want to buy stuff when they haven't even played the game, guys? I want some answers From Software, Microsoft.

I just don't get what's up with Live recently.