Archive for June, 2006:
Crysis Artwork
The amazingly looking Crysis has equally stunning artwork, just posted on the official site. It’s a number of high-res concept art, showing off landscapes and level design. More shots after the jump.
Huxley To Have In-Game Advertising
Developer Webzen has announced that their upcoming MMOFPS Huxley will feature in-game advertising, brought by Massive Incorporated.
“As a premier global online games company, Webzen is dedicated to providing a realistic experience for our gamers,” said Nam Ju Kim, CEO, Webzen. “The combination of Webzen’s global marketing know-how and Massive’s unprecedented in-game advertising experience ensures we are delivering the highest level of quality to gamers.”
So now we’re paying a monthly fee and getting ads in our face everywhere? I doubt in-game advertising will deliver “the highest quality” for gamers. For advertising companies, perhaps.
Independent Games Festival 2007
The official rules and guidelines for the next Independent Games Festival have been announced. The IGF was established in 1998, to encourage innovation and recognize new independent developers, much like the Sundance Film Festival did for independent film-makers.
“We’re delighted to announce this year’s competition, and are really looking forward to seeing the innovative titles submitted this year,” said Simon Carless, Chairman of the Independent Games Festival. “With the vastly expanded modding competition, the Innovation Award in the main IGF competition, and the new Best Student Game prize, we’re looking forward to another set of great indie titles.”
The 9th annual Independent Games Festival takes place Monday – Friday, March 5-9 in San Francisco. The best games will be playable the last two days of the festival. If you’re interested in submitting a game can visit www.igf.com for official rules and entry forms.
GT’s Top Ten Video Game Weapons
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If you haven’t got enough of top 10s the last few weeks, GameTrailers gives their take on the top ten weapons used in video games.
Super Mario Hat Carrying Case
Isn’t it just cute? You can get one from Club Nintendo Japan and use it to carry your new DS Lite. It’s one of the recent DS accessories only available for Japanese Club Nintendo members. You can also get multi colored stylus and a bunch of other useless Nintendo merchandise.
Super Mario Hat Carrying Case (club.nintendo.jp)
Via Aeropause
DS Lite Sells Only 35,000 In The UK
The DS Lite has had a rather disappointing launch in the UK last week, selling only 35,000 units since last Friday. The DS Lite managed to sell 135,000 units in the first two days in the US, and an impressive 2.2 million since March in Japan. The most remarkable thing though, is that the sales of the original DS didn’t decline in the UK. The DS Lite costs £99 while the original is £10 cheaper, at £89.
Sin Episodes Update
Ritual has updated the Steam powered SiN Episodes: Emergence today. The update brings along a number of fixes and graphical tweaks plus a new single player mode “Arena
Hot Coffee Still Hot
Just when we thought the GTA: San Andreas – Hot Coffee incident was over, Take Two has now revealed that on June 19, 2006, the publisher received grand jury subpoenas issued by the District Attorney of the County of New York requesting production of documents, covering various periods beginning on October 1, 2001. “Hot Coffee” was small sex scenes in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, only accessible with cheat software. The recent Sex In Videogames conference focused on the Hot Coffee issue, among other things.
Take Two said that neither the company, nor any specific individual has been targeted by the investigation. “The Company is fully cooperating and providing the requested documents”.
After the announcement, the company’s stock fell over 19% to $10.44, a 52-week low.
PS3: You’re Paying For Potential, Not Games
Sony boss Howard Stringer acknowledged that the PlayStation 3 is expensive, but you’re paying for the “potential” of the PS3. You’re paying for what the PS3 “might” turn out to be. Like when you buy a lottery ticket. Well, maybe not, but stringer is confident that the PS3 will be a top seller, mostly because of the Blu-ray drive. Stringer says:
“Obviously, it’s a higher-risk strategy, as all new inventions are, but if the PS3 lives up to its total potential, then I don’t think anyone will be worried about Nintendo or Xbox’s cheaper price.”
I wouldn’t exactly call the PS3 an “invention”, unless he’s talking about the Blu-ray player, of course. Sony is delaying the launch of regular Blu-ray players so when the PS3 is out, people will notice that it’s quite cheap. For a Blu-ray player. Sony is looking at the PS3 as a way of winning the format wars now, as there aren’t many great (launch) games yet. Still, they count on selling 100 million units.
Xbox360 Water-cooling Kit
Is your Xbox360 running too hot these summer days? Interested in a water-cooling kit from Koolance, only $349.99? It features cooling blocks for the CPU and GPU.
The reseller claims that while it’s easy to mount the actual cooling, it shouldn’t be done unless you’re an experienced hardware modder/installer. You warranty expires if you install or use the kit, and should you choose to buy the product, don’t expect any help from Koolance on how to install the kit. Although they provide images for a “recommended product configuration
World of Warcraft Expansion Release Date
EB Games has listed the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion The Burning Crusade for release October 2. You can pre-order the game for £39.99. Blizzard hasn’t made any official announcements regarding the release date.
The Burning Crusade adds new races, lands, Battlegrounds, professions and items to the World of Warcraft universe.
World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack (EB Games).
[Thanks, Jim ]
New Super Mario 64 DS?
Nintendo’s Takashi Tezuka said during an interview with GameIndustry.biz that Super Mario 64 DS could have a 3D follow up. He said “I’d love to [do another 3D Mario on DS]! I can’t say anything more than that.”. Tezuka is general manager of Nintendo’s Entertainment Analysis and Development department, and has been with Nintendo since the original Super Mario Bros. on NES. The DS version of Super Mario 64 didn’t do we’ll with the fans. It was basically a N64 port with some tricky controls.
No Pridedrop On Xbox360
A few days ago, we reported that a source close to Microsoft said there were plans of a $100 price cut later this year. Now Microsoft has said they have no intentions of lowering the Xbox360 price at all. The New Xbox360 hardware will be manufactured cheaper, but apperantly that won’t result into a cheaper price for the consumer.
Wii To Get Episodic Content
Speaking to Game Informer, Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime said that Wii Connect 24 would be able to deliver new content to players.
“(…) You’ve gotten to a particular part in a game, we could push content out to you, so you get to battle a new boss. Maybe you get a new artifact; Maybe you get a new weapon…“
Could this be the next big Wii secret? Downloadable content for games like Zelda: Twilight Princess. Imagine getting a new weapon, or even small expansion pack with a single dungeon.
Assassin’s Creed Coming To Xbox360, PC
1up.com got their hands on a leaked document from Ubisoft with upcoming titles that show Assassin’s Creed is coming to the Xbox360, PC and even Wii. The title was previously a PlayStation 3 exclusive. However, many things have been pointing in the direction of a multi-platform release. The document showed that the game would be out on popular platforms, including the PSP, PC and Wii.
Tom Clancy’s Firehawk (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 5 (PS3, Xbox 360, Rev, PC, PSP)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 4 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Xbox, PS2)
Assassin (PS3, Xbox 360, Rev, PC, PSP)
Lumines 2 (PS2, PSP)
Haze (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Alive (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Naruto (Xbox 360)
Rayman 4 (PS3, Xbox 360, Rev, PC, PS2, handheld)
Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
1UP asked Ubisoft if it was an exclusive PS3 title and got the standard reply: “Assassin’s Creed is coming to the PS3. No other announcements have been made.”