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Sony to show off Motion Controller further next month

Jeff Baker — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:01:40 +0000

Sure, Sony gave us a pretty good glimpse of what to expect when the Playstation Motion Controller inevitably drops back at E3 but was it enough information? I didn’t think so.

Luckily, Sony has announced that they will again put the new motion controller on display neext month during the Develop Conference which runs from July 14-16 and takes place in Brighton, UK.

Don’t fret, we’ll keep you posted.

Read (Kotaku)

Microsoft CEO apologizes for misleading Natal statement

Jeff Baker — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:06:34 +0000

Earlier this month Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer was caught stating that a new Xbox 360 console will be released in 2010 sporting a built-in camera and a new interface. Shortly after, Microsoft proceeded to say that the executive was mistaken and that there will be no new console in 2010.

Well, it looks like Ballmer is back this time apologizing for his “misleading” statement saying, “I confused the issue with my poorly chosen words. There is no news in my comments. Things are as reported after E3. Sorry”.

Natal hopefuls need not be discouraged as the motion-sensing camera is still (presumably) slated for a release sometime in 2010. As for a new Xbox console? Probably not.

Read (Joystiq)

Microsoft confirms “new Xbox console in 2010″

James Hyde — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:48:07 +0000

So much for the denials Microsoft’s PR folks have been doing the last few days, as Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer confirmed that a new Xbox 360 will be released in 2010. Ballmer revealed the news during a speech at The Executive Club in Chicago. Ballmer stated that the new console will have built in camera and a revolutionary new interface.

It’s almost certain that he’s talking about “Project Natal”, which was revealed at E3. As for the “new console”, it most likely means a new version of the Xbox 360, with some updated internal hardware (like 45nm parts of the CPU and GPU).

E3 Award nominees announced

James Hyde — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:53:38 +0000

The gaming press has voted and the list of nominees for best of E3 2009 has been released. Full list after the jump.

Best Of Show:
Brütal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/Electronic Arts for Xbox 360, PC)
Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Splinter Cell Conviction (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for Xbox 360)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Best Original Game
Alan Wake (Remedy/MGS for Xbox 360)
Bayonetta (Platinum Games/Sega for PS3, Xbox 360)
Brütal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
Heavy Rain (Quantic Dream/SCEE for PS3)
Scribblenauts (5TH Cell/WBIE for Nintendo DS)

Best Console Game:
Brütal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
God of War 3 (Sony Santa Monica/SCEA for PS3)
Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/Electronic Arts for Xbox 360)
Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Best Handheld Game:
Gran Turismo (Polyphony Digital/SCEJ for PSP)
LittleBigPlanet (SCE Studio Cambridge/Media Molecule/SCEE for PSP)
Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (Alphadream/Nintendo for Nintendo DS)
Scribblenauts (5TH Cell/WBIE for Nintendo DS)
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo for Nintendo DS)

Best PC Game:
DC Universe Online (Sony Online Austin/SOE)
Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare/EA)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts)
Supreme Commander 2 (Gas Powered Games/Square Enix)

Best Hardware:
DJ Hero Controller (Freestyle Games/Red Octane/Activision)
“Project Natal” (Microsoft)
PSP Go (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Tony Hawk Ride Skateboard (Robomodo/Activision)
Wii MotionPlus (Nintendo)

Best Action Game:
BioShock 2 (2K Marin/2K Games for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Halo 3 ODST (Bungie/MGS for Xbox 360)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP for Xbox 360, PC)
Modern Warfare 2 (Infinity Ward/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Singularity (Raven/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Best Action-Adventure Game:
Bayonetta (Platinum Games/Sega for PS3, Xbox 360)
Brütal Legend (Double Fine Productions/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360)
God of War 3 (Sony Santa Monica/SCEA for PS3)
Splinter Cell Conviction (Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft for Xbox 360)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Best Role Playing Game:
Alpha Protocol (Obsidian/Sega for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Dragon Age: Origins (BioWare/EA for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (Alphadream/Nintendo for Nintendo DS)
Mass Effect 2 (BioWare/EA for Xbox 360, PC)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts for PC)

Best Racing Game:
Blur (Bizzare Creations/Activision for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC)
Forza Motorsport 3 (Turn 10/MGS for Xbox 360)
ModNation Racers (United Front/SCEA for PS3)
Need for Speed Shift (Slightly Mad/EA Games for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Split/Second (Black Rock/Disney Interactive for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

Best Fighting Game:
Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Foundation 9/Capcom for PS3, Xbox 360)
Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny (Project Soul/Namco-Bandai Games for PSP)
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars (Eighting/Capcom for Wii)
Tekken 6 (Namco Bandai for PS3, Xbox 360)
The King of Fighters XII (SNK Playmore for PS3, Xbox 360)

Best Sports Game:
Fight Night Round 4 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
Madden NFL 10 (EA Tiburon/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
NHL 10 (EA Canada/EA Sports for PS3, Xbox 360)
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 (EA Tiburon/EA Sports for Wii)
Tony Hawk Ride (Robomodo/Activision for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Best Strategy Game:
League of Legends: Clash of Fates (Riot Games for PC)
Order of War (Wargaming.net/Square Enix for PC)
R.U.S.E. (Eugen Systems/Ubisoft for PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
Supreme Commander 2 (Gas Powered Games/Square Enix for Xbox 360, PC)

Best Social Or Casual Game:
DJ Hero (Traveler’s Tales/Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)
Guitar Hero 5 (Neversoft/Red Octane/Activision for All Systems)
Scribblenauts (5TH Cell/WBIE for Nintendo DS)
The Beatles Rock Band (Harmonix/MTV Games/EAP for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)
Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo for Wii)

Best Online Multiplayer Game:
Halo 3 ODST (Bungie/MGS for Xbox 360)
Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve/EAP for Xbox 360, PC)
MAG (Zipper Interactive/SCEA for PS3)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (BioWare Austin/LucasArts for PC)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (Naughty Dog/SCEA for PS3)

Sony’s new motion controller compatible with existing PS3 games

Jeff Baker — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:23:44 +0000

Sony’s E3 presention of its new Playstation Motion Control was nothing short of spectacular; being able to track a user’s movement in real-time holds endless possibilites for new games. But waht about existing PS3 games? Will they be left in the dust?

Well according to SCEA President, Jack Tretton, using the new controller with old games is definitly possible:

Personally, it’s very difficult for me to perceive God of War 3 being played with the Wii controller, it’s a different experience that doesn’t lend itself to certain types of games. [But] I think our [motion] controller can be used with every game that’s on the system now – and every game we’re working on.

Well Mr. Tretton, we’ll have to see it before we believe it. Let’s just hope they tweak the look of the controller before it hits the market cause in it’s current state it looks a bit ridiculous.

Read (Joystiq)

E3 ‘09: Project Natal with Milo

Jeff Baker — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:56:13 +0000

You all saw Microsoft’s amazing demonstration with Project Natal, right? Well I don’t think anyone could have predicted the scale of advancement Project Natal was going to bring to the gaming world.

Introducing Milo, a virtual boy who you can literally interact and talk to utilizing Microsoft’s Natal technology. Now let’s pretend for a moment the video isn’t staged and ponder the possibilities of Project Natal coupled with this revolutionary artificial intelligence.

Considering Peter Molyneux is behind Milo just imagine an RPG that uses this same kind of technology with you as the main character, instead of picking from a predetermined list of NPC responses you actually respond with voice. Sure it may be a ways off but just knowing that this technology is coming is very exciting.

Crackdown 2 to feature 4 player co-op

James Hyde — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:41:19 +0000

In a recent update on the official Xbox.com page of Crackdown 2, it was revealed that the game will support 4 player co-op, in addition to 16 player multiplayer. Developed by Ruffian Games, Crackdown 2 was revealed in a teaser trailer form at E3.

The original Crackdown only supported 2 player co-op, which was in itself quite entertaining, taking on the whole city of criminals with a friend. Crackdown 2 is slated for release in the first half of 2010.

Analyst: Project Natal and PS3 motion control won’t topple Wii

James Hyde — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:32:18 +0000

Noted game industry analyst Michael Pachter has given his opinion on the new technologies revealed by Microsoft and Sony, and their possible effect on the Wii. Pachter essentially said that Nintendo has nothing to worry about, and that the Wii’s domination of the current gen wars will continue, despite Natal and the new PS3 motion controller.

However, neither Microsoft’s nor Sony’s controllers won’t be out for at least a year, which will give the Wii even longer time on the market as the only console with motion controls.

11k Steam players plan to boycott Left 4 Dead 2

James Hyde — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:50:52 +0000

As expected, a lot of current Left 4 Dead players were surprised (as were we) that Valve announced the sequel, Left 4 Dead 2, and that it would be released this year — one year after the original hit the store shelves.

This has prompted outrage among some L4D players, who have created a group on the Steam Community boycotting the upcoming sequels. Currently the group has over 11,000 members, you can read more about it, and their reasons for the boycott, here.

Activision CEO expected price drops announcements at E3

James Hyde — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:11:54 +0000

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick expected announcements of price drops at this years E3, and he was, understandably, left disappointed as no price drops were announced by any console maker. He said ot Bloomberg:

Of all the things that the hardware companies need to be doing right now, it’s recognizing the difficulties of the economy and pricing their hardware appropriately.”

The CEO’s and executives of EA and GameStop have said similar things about pricing, and you can understand their wishes to be able to sell more game to more console owners. Although, if anyone can appreciate price drops in consoles, it’s the gamers.

Zelda E3 teaser image released

James Hyde — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:12:39 +0000

Shigeru Miyamoto briefly talked about the upcoming Zelda game for the Wii at E3, and showed a teaser image, which at the time was “secret”. Nintendo has now released the image, which is basically an artwork from the game (which you can indulge yourself in above).

EA confirms E3 protest was fake

James Hyde — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:09:33 +0000

EA has confirmed that the company hired a guerilla marketing agency to promote the new Dante’s Inferno game, which they did by hiring 20 unemployed folks — which there are aplenty of these days — to hold fake signs of protest, in order to generate buzz for a game no one really knows about.

Pathetic.

Xbox Originals to be discontinued

James Hyde — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:26:48 +0000

Microsoft has revealed that Xbox Originals, the download service for original Xbox games on the Xbox 360, would be discontinued after the next game, and replaced by the new “Games on Demand” service, which will offer full Xbox 360 games to be downloaded. Microsoft has yet to announce what final the on the Xbox Originals will be. The new service will launch later this summer.

Original Metal Gear Solid coming to PSN

James Hyde — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:20:50 +0000

There has been a lot of Metal Gear Solid news at this year’s E3, and they seem to keep rolling in. Konami has announced that the original Metal Gear Solid game, which was released on the PlayStation back in 1998, would find its way to the PlayStation Network, and will be offered on June 18 for $10.

This E3 has been busy for Konami, where the publisher has announced several Metal Gear games, inclduing Metal Gear Solid Rising, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, and Metal Gear Solid Arcade.

Huxley to be free to play

James Hyde — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:14:23 +0000

Huxley, the anticipated MMOFPS will be free of monthly subscriptions, according to publisher ijji.com, who revealed that the game will be supported through micro-transactions — and we assume some form of in-game advertising as well. The publisher also revealed that the game would not be cross platform playable with the PC and Xbox 360 versions. The game also received it’s official title, and will henceforth be known as Huxley: The Dystopia.

E3 ‘09: 41,000 attendees, E3 ‘10 confirmed

James Hyde — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:09:36 +0000

As the final day of E3 is underway today, the ESA announced that the event has indeed been a success, with over 41,000 attendees and 216 exhibitors, including developers, publishers, media exhibitors, hardware makers and many other. Although this is still a far cry from the golden days, where over 50,000 people would show up (in 2006 over 60,000 attended), and where the show was open to the general public.

The ESA also announced next year’s E3 would take place from June 15 to 17 at the LA Convention Center.

Kobe Bryant covers NBA 2K10

James Hyde — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:01:42 +0000

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant has come a long way since his first cover on NBA Courtside on the N64, and now 2K Sports has announced that Bryant will be the cover athlete on the upcoming NBA 2K10.

Bryant, a three time NBA champion and last season’s MVP, will be playing for another championship trophy today, as the first game of the NBA finals between the Lakers and the Orlando Magic tips off.

Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine Announced

Will Prusik — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:33:01 +0000

Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 are two of the most popular tabletop games in existence. Both involve large scale battles between armies at the beck and call of the armchair generals. Several video games have been based on these two series, but they have mostly been RTS games, simply a digitized version of the game. There is still so much potential left untapped however within the framework of these universes for many kinds of games.

That’s why THQ and Relic Entertainment are unveiling Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. Amongst the various forces and factions of the futuristic universe are the human forces of the Ultramarines, foremost amongst their ranks are the Space Marines, the blue armor clad elite of their army. The action RPG game will have players controlling individual units in a ‘narrative-driven story campaign’ and of course in large scale online battles. Relic Entertainment is bringing years of experience developing games under the Warhammer licenses to the table along with THQ’s own history of success. The title is being developed for both the Xbox 360 and the PS3

New Dead Space: Extraction trailer at E3

Jeff Baker — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:32:58 +0000

Dead Space: Extraction is sure to be one of the hottest games this year released for Nintendo’s Wii. Luckily, Visceral Games and EA took the stage at E3 to show off the above trailer showcasing said game.

Unfortunately, it’s under a minute long but it does show off the beautiful visuals of Dead Space: Extraction that are sure to push the Wii’s graphical capabilities.

However, it does show some gameplay which, from the brief looks of it, looks to be pretty damn fun. Dead Space: Extraction will be out for the Nintendo Wii on September 29th of this year.

Pop’n Music for Wii announced, doesn’t stay true to arcade version

Jeff Baker — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:28:02 +0000

If you’ve ever played the arcade game Pop’n Music you’ll know that more than half the fun is smacking the different colored buttons in conjunction with the on screen happenings.

Well, Konami has just announced a Wii version Pop’n Music and unfortunately, it’s nothing like its arcade counterpart. Instead of smacking multi colored buttons you will be moving the Nunchuk and Wii Mote “up, down, left and right”.

Yup, the game’s been childified. If you still want to get your hands on this sure-to-be dissapointing version of Pop’n Music you can do so this fall.

Read (Joystiq)