TGS Bigger and Badder; Nintendo MIA
July 31, 2007
The official TGS website has been updated with a full list of details about the coming event in Tokyo. Running a total of four days from Sept 20th-24th (the first two of which are not open to the public), the organizers are expecting to draw a crowd of roughly 200 thousand people and 168 developers.
Basically every major Japanese developer you can think of, including Sony and Microsoft will be in attendance. The real kicker however is that Nintendo will not be participating. But before you get too up in arms, know that Nintendo has never traditionally attended TGS in the past, apart from a keynote speech by Iwata is 2005. Even then Nintendo was not “actually” participating in the event.
Nintendo traditionally prefers to run one of their own events (Space World/Nintendo World) around the same timeframe, so it’s still likely that we’ll hear a splash from Nintendo in some form or another. Very much like the old E3, TGS runs loud and expensive, and also announcements are likely to get overlooked in the big rush. Still, when everyone else is on board, it’s only a matter of time before Nintendo conforms.
Rumor: 360 SKU’s Receive Varying Drops
July 31, 2007
The only thing more certain than the 360 pricedrop right now, was the PS3 pricedrop Sony was denying a month ago. Through several different ads and leaked insider information, we’ve learned a pricedrop is likely going to take effect very soon for the Xbox 360, within the coming weeks it seems.
However, a scan from a Circuit City ad shows something a little unexpected. It seems different models will be receiving different reductions, with the 20Gb model receiving the best deal. So where does this price drop really leave Microsoft? For starters, the Core model meant to appeal to the price weary shopper is now such a bad deal that they’d be better off going with the regular model anyways. Given a difference of only 70 dollars, and all the packed in content including the hard drive, it seems a no-brainer. On the other end of the spectrum the Elite is seemingly too expensive. Things could have been much worse when cut another way. Especially since the 20 Gb model is likely to be the biggest selling for a while to come, the 50 dollars will appeal more to the mass market. Complaints aside, it’s good to see Microsoft finally acting in turn with a price drop, something that has been a long time coming.
Dragon Quest IV, V, VI Remakes For DS
July 30, 2007
Square Enix just loves remaking their classic titles. When it comes to remakes, there is basically no other system to experience them all then on Nintendo DS. Perhaps cashing in on the gigantic success the DS is currently seeing, Sqaure Enix is doing everything in their power to pump out titles in the here and now. Now among those are three more Dragon Quest remakes, to add to the new Dragon Quest game exclusively for the DS.
Of course the exclusive new Dragon Quest title is sure to sell millions, but Dragon Quest remakes will probably sell quite decently nonetheless. Each will very likely crack the million mark, which certainly isn’t bad for remakes of old titles, and a smart move on Square Enix. I’m also starting to see why they aren’t supporting the virtual console. When they can just release a re-done retail game, and charge full price for it, it would be crazy to settle for a mere ten dollars on the Nintendo online service. Expect the new DQ games to shortly, and likely in rapid succession.
Pokemon Breaks The Bank
July 30, 2007
How many copies of Pokemon sold does it take to make Nintendo filthy rich? 10 million is a pretty good start. Today Nintendo announced that they have sold over 10 million copies of their recent DS effort in all territories. No small feat when most software titles are considered highly successful by just breaking the 1 million mark. To add more fuel to the first, Pokemon DS just launched in Europe a few days ago, meaning sales are likely to still skyrocket for some time to come. Of course, 35 million DS units are still out there, still waiting for their owners to snag a copy.
The only confusing point in the entire Pokemon legacy is why after more than a decade, we have yet to receive a proper console iteration. It’s simply baffling why Nintendo has yet to capitalize on one of their biggest franchisees, only giving us a small taste of the epic with titles like Pokemon Battle. Are Pokemon fanatics not interested in catching them all from the couch? Will Wii receive a true Pokemon title, or will console owners be forced to experience lesser Pokemon efforts for all eternity? Maybe the tune of 10 million will change someone’s mind in charge of the decisions.
Retail Week: Mario Just Couldn’t Stay Away
July 30, 2007
I take it back. Mario couldn’t stay out of our lives this week after all. After the Wii has been lying dormant (some might call it a dry spell) over the past few weeks, a first party heavy hitter will mark the end of July, leading into August when the big games will leave us satisfied all the way into Christmas. As such, 360 and PS3 have apparently decided it best to let Mario have the dignity he deserves. All signs point to go as a must buy multiplayer experience, that won’t have you wobbling to the same minigames rehashed over and over again. Continue on for the full list of titles releasing this week:
Nintendo Wii: Mario Strikers Charged
Xbox 360: Nadda
PlayStation 3: *Crickets*Virtual Console Monday: Mario Who?
July 30, 2007
Another virtual console Monday has come and gone, and yet we are left without a single entry from Nintendo this week. Having a stream of first party published titles leading us through the mushroom kingdom, or at least donning a Nintendo character, we are truly left with a few lesser known classics. Perhaps that’s the best thing that these classics don’t have to face the big Nintendo titles, where often times it can be hard to survive. If you need to give Mario a break, try out Star Solider, Dynamite Headdy or Drop Off. Full details and pricing after the jump.Adam Syndrome Announced
July 30, 2007
Israeli indie developer Dark Motif today announced that they have launched their official website and revealed Adam Syndrome, an upcoming adventure game for PC. The game has players donning the role of Professor Adam Reed as the goes on a quest for answers following a strange chain of occurrences that ends with the sudden and mysterious death of his wife. As expected, the game will feature various locations including ancient lost cities, futuristic laboratories, underwater complexes, and various other locations. Here’s a bit on the story:
In a desperate attempt to discover what happened to his beloved wife, Professor Adam Reed becomes entangled in a web of conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the tapestry of his own life. Through a shocking series of revelations, Adam learns that he has unwittingly been playing a major role in a dark and mysterious conspiracy. By following a 400 year old trail left behind by John Dee, the 16th-century occultist and famous advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, he unearths secrets of the biblical giants known as the Nephilim and the ancient myth of the Great Flood, and finds himself facing powerful adversaries - the members of a strange and elusive society - as he uncovers a malevolent plot. With time running out, Adam must stop these men from wreaking monumental catastrophe by unveiling a secret buried thousands of years ago by blood and by time itself - a shocking truth that will shake the very foundations of humanity.
Adam Syndrome, set for release during Q3 2008, will feature an original soundtrack, real-time weather effects, third-person perspective, 150+ pre-rendered 3D backgrounds and over 50 real-time 3D characters.
THEY Making Debut at GC
July 30, 2007
This year’s Leipzig Games Convention will be host to the world premiere of THEY, an upcoming first-person shooter for PC and next-gen consoles. According to the press release, the game will be shown to selected media at the show. It features “next-generation effects”, brand new gameplay elements and a new weapon system.
THEY is set for release sometime in 2008/2009 and will also feature heavy usage of physics, destructible environment, various multiplayer modes and more. No other information was released, though a lone screenshot can be found above this post.
GC Art Exhibition Details
July 30, 2007
Following up on the launch of the GC Art exhibition are last year, the organizers of the event announced that it will be present this year also and will host four separate exhibitions at the show.
First up is public_play, which will see international artists displaying on the theme of “digital play and public places.” The backdrop for this year is Leipzig itself, recreated with the aid of large-format projections and soundstages.
The second exhibition will be Telespiele 1972-2007 which takes a look at the 35 year history of digital games. Content ranges from the first “Pong machine” to the current next-generation consoles. There will also be games magazines, manuals and numerous rarities on display.
The third exhibition will be showing of Machinima films - movies made using game tools and nothing else. There will be daily film shows, information on machinima, as well as a part where visitors will try their hand at making machinima themselves.
Finally, the last exhibition will be Digital Beauty - 3D Character Design, displaying 20 images created on the PC, posing the question to visitors: “virtual or real?” Workshops will also be held and participants will be guided through the various stages.
The exhibitions run from August 23-26 at the show.
PS3 Sells 6 million Worldwide
July 30, 2007
Yes, you read that right. The PS3 has indeed sold 6 million units worldwide, according to GfK anyway. IGN was on hand at Sony Australia’s “Experience More” event where they showed off company products including the PS3 and some of its games - namely Heavenly Sword. Sony had this on display on one of their screens, and according to it, the company has sold 61,000 units in Australia and 6 million units globally as of March 2007.
It is not yet confirmed, as Sony announced just a few months ago that they had sold 1 million units in PAL regions and another million in Japan, but seeing as how they quote another source for the numbers, they have to be taken as real.
Viva Pinata Coming To DS
July 30, 2007
At this year’s Comic-Con, developer Rare announced that their Xbox 360 party/platform/strategy game is coming to the Nintendo DS. During a Viva Pinata discussion panel at Comic-Con, the game was officially announced in front of eager fans. On PinataIsland a developer commented on the DS version, simply saying that it would be the same game, developed by Rare’s dedicated handheld development team.
Tekken 5 Getting Online Play Soon
July 30, 2007
Revealed some time back, Namco Bandai has officially announced that the online add-on pack for Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection on PS3 will be available in North America later this year. Priced at $9.99 for owners of the game, the multiplayer add-on will add online multiplayer to the game, complete with voice chat and four different modes - Opti, Quick, Custom and Friend Match. Additionally, this pack will also add Practice and Survival modes to the game. There will also be an online news ticker that will keep players notified of noteworthy movement in the leaderboards.
Interestingly, those looking to get into the game will not need to pay for the add-on pack. Once the multiplayer pack is released, the current version will be replaced by a new version that includes the aforementioned add-on without any increase in its $20 price tag.
GripShift Update Speeds Up Game
July 30, 2007
A free upgrade for owners of GripShift has hit the PlayStation Network. This update makes it significantly easier and faster for players to get around the game, as game loading has been enhanced. Improvements have also been made to the leaderboards, making the accomplishment of getting high scores more rewarding.
Other updates include the ability to change the vehicle without exiting a game session, change controls from the in-game pause menu, change the current music track, access “level select” menu from pause screen, and more.
GripShift is an action racing game developed by Sony Online Entertainment is available for purchase through the PlayStation Store for $9.99. It is also available on PSP.
Marvel Super-hero Fighting Game In Development
July 30, 2007
EA has announced that is working on creating a brand new super-hero fighting game franchise using the Marvel license, following up on its failure - Marvel Nemesis. It has assigned EA Chicago, the studio behind Def Jam: Icon and the Fight Night series, to develop the game on PS3 and Xbox 360 for release in 2008.
“We looked at past comic-based games to find out what was missing and what was needed to successfully translate the intensity, excitement and fiction from comics into fighting games,” said Kudo Tsunoda, General Manager and Vice President, EA Chicago. “We’re challenging ourselves to make a game that delivers on the Super Hero promises of past top-tier fighting games.”
The game will feature an all-star lineup of Marvel super heroes and super villains, huge environments and “fresh” gameplay. It will be officially unveiled on Spike TV Game Head’s Friday, August 31 episode at 1am ET/PT. The show will also take a behind-the-scenes look into EA Chicago development.
America’s Army Hitting Arcade Soon
July 30, 2007
America’s Army is coming soon to an arcade near you! GlobalVR, a leading manufacturer of coin-operated video games, has announced that it is working with the US Army to bring the game to the arcades. It will feature eight training mini-games and will also use leaderboards to encourage competition and reward players for teamwork and following the rules of engagement.
“AMERICA’S ARMY is an arcade style training game based on actual Army training exercises designed to challenge Soldiers to hone their skills. Players are rewarded for teamwork, proper use of the Rules of Engagement, accuracy, and target identification,” says Mike Kruse, GLOBAL VR Producer. “The game’s many marksmanship exercises are entirely target shooting challenges which makes this unique product appropriate for many location types that do not desire simulated combat games.” Mike went on to comment, “Being a veteran myself, I can honestly report that AMERICA’S ARMY is a highly authentic depiction of Army training exercises and the Army’s unique organizational culture…down to the drill sergeant who is constantly by your side to bring out the best performance from each player.”
It wasn’t mentioned when the game would be released, though it was disclosed that it is part of GlobalVR’s 2007 lineup. Expect it to be released sometime later this year.
Prototype Unveiled
July 30, 2007
Gamespot cites an article from the August issue of Game Informer, revealing Prototype, an upcoming game from Radical Entertainment, the studio which developed the free-roaming action game Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction.
Prototype is described as a “hyper-violent action game” that follows the story of Alex Mercer, who was acquired superhuman abilities through a science experiment that went wrong. It will follow the same premise as its Hulk predecessor, allowing players to wreak havoc in Manhattan using his gained abilities. Interestingly, when Mercer kills people, he can absorb their memories, abilities and even appearance, adding the aspect of stealth into the game. He can also augment his biomass, making him stronger.
The game is set for release sometime in 2008 on PS3 and Xbox 360. Further information is expected soon as the game is yet to be officially announced.
Metal Gear Anniversary Collection May Hit US
July 30, 2007
Western Metal Gear fans that were looking forward to seeing the Metal Gear 20th Anniversary Collection were disappointed to learn that it was Japan only. However, Konami USA’s Anthony Kraus, VP of Marketing, let slip that the collection could be headed West. He revealed that the publisher is currently in talks with major American retailers to bring a “very similar” package to the country, though he could not provide any further details or a concrete release date.
The Anniversary collection features almost all the Metal Gear games ever released, including the original Metal Gear, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear 2, MGS 2, MGS 3 and MGS Portable Ops (PSP). Additionally, the package also contains the Metal Gear Saga DVD and a documentary on Metal Gear Solid 2.
BioShock Fan Love Expressed Through Woodwork
July 30, 2007
We are all rabid fans of certain games and we express our love for those games through various means - music, movies, parodies, etc. But did you see anyone ever doing woodwork for any game? You can now safely say that you have.
This picture on Flickr shows such love for BioShock through a machine carved plaque. According to the accompanying description, he has almost no experience with “sanding and finishing” but the quality of the product amazes me. Apparently, he made two copies of the thing, one of which is on display at Irrational Games’ office, with the other remaining with him signed by the developer team.
Age of Empires III Gold Edition Announced
July 30, 2007
Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble have announced that they will release Age of Empires III: Gold Edition on September 25. Bundling together the original game and its Warchiefs expansion, the Gold Edition will retail for $39.99. It will feature no other extra content.
Age of Empires III, the third in the venerable series, places players during the time period of 1500-1850 as they establish their empire, explore, colonize and conquer North and South America. The Warchiefs expansion allows players to lead the native Indians into battle to expand their empire and fight for control of the Americas.
Another expansion dubbed Asian Dynasties is also in the works. It is set for release this Fall and will give players the chance to control Asian civilizations.
Sam & Max Season Two Announced
July 29, 2007
Having finished its first season, Telltale and GameTap didn’t waste any time to announce plans for the second season of Sam & Max, its episodic detective duo. Set for release this Fall, the episodes this time around will be available on Telltale’s website one day after premiering on GameTap.
“Season One was a great success, but it’s just a starting point for us,” says Telltale’s CEO Dan Connors. “The episodic model presents so many opportunities to innovate and engage the audience in brand new ways. Just wait until you see what Telltale and GameTap have in store with Season Two.”
This time around, the creators are hoping to deliver “farther-reaching, crazier stories,” with the game seeing improvements due to player feedback and more.
Those who missed season one can purchase and download it from various sites including Steam, TT Games and GameTap itself. It is also headed to retail next month thanks to The Adventure Company and JoWood.
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