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Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S (CE) Review
In the realm of racing games there are few challengers to the top seat of racing wheels; the Fanatec 911 Turbo S is the latest, packing 900 degree turning a 6+1 shifter and a full pedal set.

Mirror's Edge Review
An exclusive in-depth look at DICE's much anticipated first-person parkour action game.

Sony Consoles news

Rock Band updates for the week of 11/10
0 comments Dany Argueta - Nov 6th, 2009 - 06:45 PM (PT) Like

Now with blocky LEGO goodness

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With the recent release of LEGO Rock Band, Harmonix introduces some new methods of keeping your children's virgin ears pure.  Now while searching for downloadable content for LEGO Rock Band, songs considered "inappropriate" will not appear at all in the Music Store.

A rather small update this time as it is domineered by the debut of The White Stripes in the Rock Band series.  Their songs each come from three different albums: "White Blood Cells", "Elephant", and "Icky Thump".  If you'd like an English flair with your songs, rock group Kasabian adds a headbanger to their catalog while The Damned debut with some punk rock.

Here are the five tunes that will be available for download.  Those colored in red will not be available in LEGO Rock Band:

  • The Damned - "Smash It Up (Part II)"
  • Kasabian - "Club Foot"
  • The White Stripes - "Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground"
  • The White Stripes - "Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine"
  • The White Stripes - "Icky Thump"

"The White Stripes Pack 01" lets you bundle their three songs for 440 Microsoft Points, or $5.49 / £2.49 / €3.99 from the PlayStation Store.  All individual downloads go for 160 MS Points, $1.99 / £.99 / €1.49 from the PlayStation Store, or 200 Nintendo Points from the Wii.

Rock Band Unplugged fans continue on from their milestone 55 songs as No Doubt and Dropkick Murphys join the Unplugged catalog:

  • Dropkick Murphys - "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"
  • No Doubt - "Excuse Me Mr."

Downloads cost $1.99, or £.99 / €1.49 for European players.

Xbox 360 and Wii players get their content November 10 while PlayStation 3 and PSP owners get theirs on November 12.

 
 

President Reggie Fils-Aime claims early victory over MW2 on one platform

Well, big shots in the industry tend to talk crap to each other indirectly, mostly using the media.  In most situations, we only hear about the slap fighting between Sony and Microsoft, but Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime wants in on the action.

Seems Fils-Aime was recently quoted during a video interview saying that New Super Mario Bros.Wii will outsell Modern Warfare 2 on one system by January 2010.  "On a single platform...absolutely," said Fils-Aime. "I say that unequivocally." 

Now fanboys are getting all flustered over the statement, claiming the man's full of himself -- among other things.  But Reggie said one platform, not all; with the way Modern Warfare 2 currently looks for PC, it's entirely possible NSMB Wii might outsell MW2 PC before January.

"It's going to be close," said Fils-Aime, expressing his own anticipation for NSMB. "Of course I'll play it...I play all the content out there."

There's no doubt NSMB Wii will do well.  Famed analyst Michael Pachter has already predicted the sales will "shock" most of the industry and community, while GameStop executive Tony Bartel noted it should be a top-seller this holiday.
 

 
 

Guitar Hero 5 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 help give the company a major boost

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In spite of a "challenging overall software market", Activision Blizzard still manages to beat projections to achieve profitability and a slight growth to its U.S. marketshare for its third fiscal quarter ending September 30th.

The company's revenues during the third quarter slid slightly year-on-year to $703 million USD, but beat its own projection of $680 million USD.  Activision Blizzard has also managed to score profit of $15 million USD for the third quarter, a huge improvement from the $108 million USD quarterly loss posted last year.  Spurred by such results, Activision believes it remains on track for revenue of $4.05 billion USD by the end of the 2009 calendar year.

CEO Bobby Kotick attributes this turnaround in profit to the performance of its Guitar Hero, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Call of Duty franchises.  Blizzard's World of Warcraft also managed to deliver the goods during the third quarter.

Activision is certainly not unaware of the concerns raised elsewhere regarding the sustainability of its music game business, especially after the lukewarm reception to DJ Hero at launch.  Sales for music peripheral bundles in North America are also stabilizing, as fans who already have the relevant instrument controllers increasingly opt for software-only packages.  CFO Thomas Tippl not only believes things will be just fine, but in fact predicts even better holiday season sales for its lineup of music games than last year.  The company continues to count on an engaged fanbase on the PS3 and Xbox 360 to help carry its music games through.

 
 
Magneto assets released for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
0 comments Lydia Sung - Nov 5th, 2009 - 01:24 PM (PT) Like

Master of Magnetism trailer and screens

Okay, it's not like no one saw this coming: Magneto has been revealed for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2.  Granted the list was leaked some time ago, but at least now we've got a trailer and some screenshots of the Master of Magnetism in action.

The character model looks a bit odd in combination with his bucket helmet (a bit purple and red gorilla) but at least we've still got the classic costume.  For the most part, Magneto just floats around in the trailer, lifting things in the air around him with the same flare as Jean Grey.  Could have similar attacks, with the exception of fire.

As mentioned before, the DLC is out today and will cost gamers 800 Microsoft Points or $9.99 on PSN.  Juggernaut is also available, sold separately for 160 MS Points or $1.99 USD.  In addition to the new characters, the DLC introduces new challenge missions and boss encounters, as well as new upgrades for your superhuman team.  Now fork over the money -- Activision is waiting.



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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer betas announced
0 comments Sean Ridgeley - Nov 5th, 2009 - 01:19 PM (PT) Like

PS3 players can get started this month, PC gamers in December

Shooter fans hankering for some hands-on time with DICE's upcoming single and multiplayer game Battefield: Bad Company 2, you'll be able to get in on the action with a multiplayer beta in a couple weeks, provided you have a PS3. PC owners will have to wait until December, while Xbox 360 owners will have to wait for the demo (set for each platform) come early next year.

So, how do you get a key? A limited amount will be sent out to Best Buy and GameStop outlets for North Americans. Pre-ordering will nab you one, if you make it in time -- the PS3 beta begins November 19 (PC doesn't have an exact date at the moment). For Europe and Asia, nothing has been announced yet, but check the Battlefield blog (link below) in the coming weeks for an announcement.

As for what you can expect: 24-player battles on the Arica Harbor map in one of the four multiplayer modes, called Rush. Arica should have a healthy balance of vehicle and infantry combat between the American assault unit and Russian army base, all spread out between a desert town and an industrial area.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be released March 2 and 5 in NA and Europe, respectively, on all platforms.

 
 

Madden NFL 2010 is the best-selling North American-produced title, and makes the global list

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Industry sales trackers NPD Group, GfK Chart-Track and Enterbrain collaborate once more to deliver their latest Top Global Markets report covering software sales across three major regions; North America, the United Kingdom, and Japan. According to their findings, all software markets suffered a 6 percent decline in unit sales combined for the three month period from July to September.

Of the three global markets, Japan proved to be the healthiest thanks to a 15 percent year-on-year increase in third quarter software unit sales. Year-to-date sales however dropped around 9 percent compared to the first three quarters of 2008.

North America and the UK suffered year-on-year declines in both quarterly and year-to-date software unit sales. The UK in particular faced the greatest drops, with third quarter sales down 19 percent and year-to-date sales declining 13 percent.

While North America and the UK still enjoyed great software unit sales from high profile releases like Madden NFL 2010 and Halo 3: ODST, it was Japan that produced the single best-selling title across all three regions, Dragon Quest IX. The DS RPG racked up lifetime sales of just under 4 million units since launch at the start of the calendar quarter, further underlining the series' popularity in Japan.

Top Global Market Software Q3 2009

  Game Publisher Platform Unit Sales (Japan) Unit Sales (North America) Unit Sales (Europe) Global Combined Unit Sales
1. Dragon Quest IX Square Enix DS 3,925,000 N/A N/A 3,925,000
2. Wii Sports Resort Nintendo Wii 841,000 1,708,000 465,000 3,014,000
3. Madden NFL 2010 Electronic Arts Multi N/A 2,583,000 30,000 2,612,000
4. Pokemon HeartGold / SoulSilver Nintendo DS 2,068,000 N/A N/A 2,068,000
5. Halo 3: ODST Microsoft Xbox 360 33,000 1,521,000 294,000 1,847,000

 
 
Modern Warfare 2 launch trailer premieres
0 comments Lydia Sung - Nov 4th, 2009 - 10:53 PM (PT) Like

Featuring the explosions, helicopters, and Eminem

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'Cause sometimes you feel tired, feel weak,
and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength

and just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
and not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse.

Who wants more Modern Warfare 2, eh?  Just about everyone, it seems (who doesn't game on PC), and gamers are already planning to ditch work / school / church following November 10. 

As noted earlier today, the launch trailer debuted on Spike TV tonight.  If you don't have cable or TV, or just avoid television as I do, we've got the launch trailer right here.

We're seeing more scenes of the suburbs turned into war zones, and even a sequence in... space?  So anyway, that's Eminem's "Till I Collapse" in the background, and the trailer has drawn some old fans out of the woodworks.  Just browse the song on YouTube, and you'll find a buncha' MW2-related comments.

No doubt this game will be topping the charts for weeks to come following its release -- well, for consoles at least.

 
 
Dark Void dev diary takes a few jabs at Western games
0 comments Lydia Sung - Nov 4th, 2009 - 09:57 PM (PT) Like

President: "American characters tend to be much more shallow..."

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We've got the third Dark Void developer diary from Capcom and developer Airtight games.  The third episode discusses Will, the hero of Dark Void, and the importance of character depth in video games.

Of course, the developers gush over Capcom's wide cast of video game leads, like Ryu and Mega Man, while taking numerous jabs at stereotypical Western games.  Airtight president Jim Deal notes, "I think the American characters tend to be much more shallow.  You know, a big guy who runs out and shoots everything."

He and his team then go on to say that they were striving to emulate Japanese games in creating a very capable but "not somebody who just looked like an impossible caricature."

Now Deal, sir, we think Dark Void looks fantastic, and it was a real pleasure to play at E3 this year, but that was totally uncalled for.  I mean, those giant men with guns are as iconic to Western gaming as girly men with giant swords (and underage female leads) are to Japanese games! 

On top of that, senior producer Morgan Gray seems to imply in a very matter-of-fact manner that "blank slate" characters, commonly found in Western story-driven games, are somehow inferior to actual characters, with established personalities and background stories of their own.  Seriously, isn't it possible to promote games without insulting the competition?  We're gamers, not haters...

So anyway, Will is a pilot who gets stuck in the Void, a pocket universe within the Bermuda Triangle.  According to art director Matt Brunner, the guy might come off as a jerk to start, though that's pretty understandable considering his problems: alone and lost in another dimension, surrounded by hostile robots.  Poor Will; maybe if he'd be less douchey if he were a big dude who runs out and shoots everything.  Then again, the protagonists of Silent Hill are pretty normal yet capable people, and they seem to take the whole "trapped in another dimension" problem very well!

 
 
SEGA launches Bayonetta gameplay episodes
0 comments Lydia Sung - Nov 4th, 2009 - 06:51 PM (PT) Like

First episode "Weapons & Combinations"

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Previously, SEGA and Platinum Games kicked off their episodic developer diaries with "Revelations," which went over the idea of fighting the forces of good as a witch.

This week, they start their little gameplay video series, and we've got episode one, "Weapons & Combinations."  With that same sexy British narrator returning to talk us through the video, we check out some of Bayonetta's kick-ass moves.  Well, what else would you expect from a witch who wears guns on her feet?  It seems our classy beauty never leaves home with less than four guns in hand (and feet).

Not that she relies on them.  She's strong enough to send enemies flying with a well-placed kick.  Still, she's got blades and firepower at her disposal, so there's little chance of enemies getting too close for comfort.  Seriously, look at those legs.

 
 
Infinity Ward says devs should take control of PR
0 comments Sean Ridgeley - Nov 4th, 2009 - 11:35 AM (PT) Like

“[We] don’t think any developer should not have control of how their game is presented or marketed or communicated"

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At the beginning of the week we'd touched on Remedy Entertainment's relationship with the publisher for its game Alan Wake: Microsoft. According to the developer, there's quite a bit of leniency for them in deciding exactly how their game is presented to the media, which was surprising and pleasing to hear.

Developer Infinity Ward (Modern Warfare) is apparently in on this approach, too; designer Robert Bowling says it's "essential" creators take matters into their own hands:

“I don’t think any developer should not have control of how their game is presented or marketed or communicated,” he said, “and they should take control of that a lot, lot more. It is why I started my Twitter account in the first place. I have direct line to our audience and the press."

Bowling doesn't stop there though, going so far as to say one of the benefits of this directness is being able to "call bullshit on the really lame shit", giving an example with IW's publisher Activision:

“Recently we launched our new Infinity Ward website, and we were going to send a mass newsletter out to everybody. And it was suggested that we should send in the newsletter a note to pre-order the strategy guide for Modern Warfare 2. And I said no.

Yeah it would probably sell a few more strategy guides, but we don’t use our newsletter to market to our gamers. We will only e-mail our gamers if it is worth their while. So if a new trailer comes out, they might want to know and we’ll send them that. If they want the strategy guide, it is an awesome guide, and they’ll buy it because they want it. Not because we’re advertising it to them. So we draw lines.”

In another part to the interview, Bowling notes IW rejected Activision's proposal for what he calls a ridiculously high budget for the upcoming shooter, saying they "didn't need that" and "we would only put stuff in the game that is right for the game, and not because we can.”

Though drawing much ire from PC gamers for dropping dedicated server support on Modern Warfare 2, the developer has definitely retained some respect with us following these comments.

 
 
Number None's surreal adventure Braid headed to PSN
0 comments Sean Ridgeley - Nov 4th, 2009 - 10:17 AM (PT) Like

Rip time a new one!

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If you're into surrealist adventures, lovely violin and have a PS3, you'll be pleased to learn Number None's creation Braid will be coming to the NA PlayStation Network next Thursday, November 12 at the low price of $15. Now being on all current platforms (Wii excepted, that is), we expect creator Jonathan Blow's next move will be to open up a Braid Burger franchise. Kidding -- you have our congratulations, fella.

Local talent Hothead Games, who brought the game to Mac as well are in charge of this one. They're happy to say trophy support is included and it runs at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second.

Europe and Asia can expect Braid on the PSN very soon; below are some screenshots from the new version.



Click here to see more images
 
 
TRINE 1.05 PC patch released
0 comments Sean Ridgeley - Nov 3rd, 2009 - 12:23 PM (PT) Like

Difficulty tweaks, bug fixes, and European language support noted

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Frozenbyte's fantasy TRINE sees a new patch for the PC version released, bringing with it various tweaks, fixes, more language support, and more.

The PlayStation Network version has recently launched in North America -- check out our review if you haven't yet. For gamers on this platform, you'll have to wait for the new patch as Frozenbyte's developer Joel tells us:

"As far as I know the patch hasn't been applied to the NA version. The patch has been done for a while and we're trying to make the release happen... We're hoping that it'd be released asap because it adjust the last level difficulty and adds e.g. the Trophy icons, so it'd make a lot of people happy... But as of now we don't have any real information."

Anyhow, below are your release notes; grab the patch via the source.


  •  tweaks the last level, now much easier on Easy/Medium/Hard
  •  adds save support for selected controller type
  •  adds log support for PhysX errors
  •  adds several small technical optimizations
  •  fixes audio that was not stopped when skipping the end cinematic
  •  fixes thin horizontal bar visible during videos on some resolutions
  •  fixes break effect for objects in the last level
  •  fixes two broken checkpoints in levels (4th in Shadowthorn Thicket and 10th in Iron Forge)
  •  fixes some wall collisions in Iron Forge
  •  fixes camera bug when restarting level during a cutscene
  •  fixes bug regarding levers
  •  fixes bug where enemy item drops are considered secrets
  •  fixes Credits section names
 
 
Capcom bets big on Lost Planet 2 & Dark Void
0 comments Leo Chan - Nov 2nd, 2009 - 01:20 PM (PT) Like

Improving international sales is the next big step for Japanese publisher

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Capcom is basking in the 24.5 percent increase in sales and 58.4 percent boost in profit scored during the first six months of its current financial year.  The publisher's revenue of ¥38.9 billion ($426.5 million USD) and profit of  ¥2.97 billion ($32.6 million USD) were attributed to strong Japanese sales of titles like Monster Hunter Tri, Resident Evil 5 and Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth.  On the other hand, Capcom's performance outside of Japan wasn't as telling as it had hoped despite recent efforts.  The publisher pledges to change that, and its game plan for the remaining half of the business year is threefold.

Increasing its hold in markets outside of Japan remains one of Capcom's most important goals.  In fact, the publisher pledges to have "overseas titles" account for up to 75 percent of its upcoming lineup.

The next step to global domination involves expanding its presence in online gaming.  In addition to targetting PC users in the rest of Asia with Monster Hunter Frontier Online, Capcom will also push online multiplayer for upcoming console titles like Monster Hunter Tri and Lost Planet 2.

Finally, Capcom will further leverage digital distrubtion for targeted console software and DLC.

In laying the groundwork for the second half of its financial year, Capcom also forecasts the performance for its biggest releases.  The publisher expects Lost Planet 2 to be its next most important title, predicting sales of 3.7 million units.  Dark Void is next on Capcom's list at 1.3 million units.  Capcom lamented not being able to release the Airtight Games-developed title earlier this year, and even attributed its delay as a key factor for its "soft" overseas sales thus far.

Interestingly, Capcom is playing it safer with its mainstay franchises, namely Street Fighter and Resident Evil.  The publisher is predicting Super Street Fighter IV to score potential sales of 1.1 million units, while Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles for the Wii could reach 800,000 units.

 
 

Fire-fights under the sea

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A new trailer came out today showing off some multi-player action from the upcoming new chapter of Bioshock, due to arrive February 9th.

The trailer concerns the new 'Capture the Sister' MP mode. You and your team has to go about the maps, snatching Little Sisters protected by Big Daddies. Once you snag a Little Sister, you can deposit her into conveniently located shafts in the walls.

The sequel to the hit Bioshock will be set 10 years after the events of the first game. Behind much of the troubles in Bioshock 2 is [small spoiler here] one Little Sister who happened to mechanize herself, transforming into a Big Sister, who became a terrible menace, going around abducting children and stuff, and causing grief. 

And since we are on the topic of Bioshock 2 videos, here is another recent one -- this one came out last week. Entitled the "Alone Among The Dead" trailer, this one deals with a bit of the back-story of the upcoming game, and shows many combat scenes taken from the single player mode.

 
 
Magic: The Gathering - Tactics announced for PC and PS3
0 comments Kevin Spiess - Nov 2nd, 2009 - 11:41 AM (PT) Like

Much easier than carrying around a deck of Magic cards

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Magic: The Gathering - Tactics was announced today, from Sony Online Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast. 

Based on the long-running card game, Magic: The Gathering - Tactics will be an online, 3D turn-based strategy game. The PC version of the game is due to arrive in the first half of 2010. According to the game's new website, beta sign-ups will "be available soon." A PS3 version of the game will follow the PC version, at an unspecified time later on.

“The growing Magic: The Gathering community has an insatiable desire for great strategic game experiences. Sony Online Entertainment is the perfect partner to transform the best of Magic’s story, strategy and competitive play into a fantastic ‘Tactics’ game experience for current and new Magic fans,” Greg Leeds, president of Wizards of the Coast, was quoted as saying.

In both single player and PVP game modes, players will be to draw from a virtual deck of spell cards that'll be used to wage wizard war against their opponents. Regular content expansions (i.e new decks), an achievements and ranking system, and the ability to participate in tournaments is planned for the game.

 
 
New Prince of Persia game will be announced Spring 2010
0 comments Sean Ridgeley - Oct 31st, 2009 - 04:42 PM (PT) Like

Could be a sequel to the 2008 reboot, or Sands of Time

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Our sneak peek at the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time movie saw one particularly interesting bit of news slip from the team behind it: a new game in the series will be announced this spring.

We have no official details (it was noted it's "not their place" to say anything else), but a trademark filed earlier this month by series creator Jordan Mechner (who is overseeing the adaptation) for Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands suggested this would be a sequel to last year's fantastic entry, if not to Sands of Time itself (the film and/or game), what with the "Sands" in the title and all.

We'll have more in the coming months.

 
 
Complete Guitar Hero 5 updates for November
0 comments Dany Argueta - Oct 30th, 2009 - 12:28 PM (PT) Like

More song importing and downloads coming

When Activision released the full list of songs that could be imported from Guitar Hero World Tour into Guitar Hero 5, players were less than thrilled to find out that only 35 of the 85-song tracklist were going to be available for Guitar Hero 5.  Unfortunately, there that hasn't changed; World Tour is keeping most of its songs exclusive.  Enter Band Hero, which will fill that gap.

To celebrate the release of the upcoming Band Hero game, Activision will allow Guitar Hero 5 players to import 61 songs from Band Hero into Guitar Hero 5.  You will also be able to import 69 tracks from from Guitar Hero 5 into Band Hero.

Of course, importing isn't free.  The Band Hero-to-Guitar Hero 5 import costs 420 Microsoft Points, $4.99 USD for PlayStation 3 owners, and 500 Nintendo Points for Wii owners.  The import fee for Guitar Hero 5 to Band Hero is a bit higher at 480 MS Points, $5.99, or 600 Nintendo Points.  Songs eligible for transfer from Band Hero are available here, but there's currently no list for Guitar Hero 5 songs.  You won't to wait long to check out this new feature anyway, with November 5 right around the corner.

Moving on, we have the complete list of November DLC.  Next month's downloadable content features artists Lenny Kravitz, KISS, Metallica, and... the Neversoft team!  Wii owners will be getting content from the highly-requested Death Magnetic album by Metallica that 360 and PS3 players got some time ago; unfortunately, the free Neversoft track pack is exclusive to HD consoles.

The first batch of DLC starts on November 12 with three Lenny Kravitz classics:

  • Let Love Rule
  • Lady
  • Fly Away

November 19 features two old KISS tunes and a new one from their latest Sonic Boom album:

  • Modern Day Delilah
  • I Was Made for Loving You
  • Lick it Up

November 24 updates trade off between the console systems.  Wii owners can catch up on Metallica's Death Magnetic with the following update:

  • All Nightmare Long
  • That Was Just Your Life
  • The Day That Never Comes
  • The Judas Kiss
  • The End Of The Line
  • The Unforgiven III
  • Suicide & Redemption J.H.
  • Suicide & Redemption K.H.

Additionally, Xbox 360 and PS3 owners get the following freebies from Neversoft in the "Neversoft Thanks the Fans" track pack.  Granted these are a bit more obscure, but hey, it's free!  Who knows, you might like what you hear.

  • Lemon Frosting - Bunny Knutson
  • RockNRola - Nancy Fullforce
  • From the Blue/Point of No Return/T.T.R.T.S - An Endless Sporadic
  • Love Holds It Down - Dom Liberati
  • You Really Like Me - Davidicus
  • Guilty Pleasures - Tony Solis

Packs bundling the Lenny Kravitz and KISS content will be available to Xbox 360 and PS3 owners for 440 MS Points or $5.49 from the PlayStation Store.  All individual tracks run for the usual 160 MS Points, $1.99, or 200 Nintendo Points.

 
 
DJ Hero DLC debuts with Queen and Gorillaz mixes
0 comments Lydia Sung - Oct 30th, 2009 - 12:12 PM (PT) Like

Trailers showing off new mixes

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Okay, who saw this coming?  Yeah, if you haven't already heard about it, DJ Hero gets its first downloadable content today.  PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 gamers lookin' for new tunes can purchase the "Extended Mix Pack 01" for $5.00 USD or 480 Microsoft Points.

The pack comes with two mixes:

  • "All of Me" by 50 Cent featuring Mary J. Blige vs. "Radio Ga Ga" by Queen
  • "DARE" by Gorillaz vs. "Can't Truss It" Performed by Public Enemy

Oh, but it doesn't stop there.  On November 24, three more songs will be added as DLC in second Mix Pack, feautring David Guetta.  The upcoming "David Guetta Mix Pack 01" will conta, "On the Dance Floor" featuring will.i.am. and al.de.ap, and "Sexy Chick" featuring Akon.

The Wii will be getting both Mix Packs on November 24 as downloadable singles for 300 Nintendo Points.  For now, check out these gameplay trailers highlighting each new mix from the pack released today, played on "Expert."

 
 
PlayStation business losses continue to grow during Q2
0 comments Leo Chan - Oct 30th, 2009 - 11:12 AM (PT) Like

PS3 sales have grown in light of declining PS2 hardware and software sales

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Sony Corp.'s consolidated financial results for the fiscal quarter ending September 30th saw the company as whole post revenue of ¥1.66 trillion ($18.5 billion USD), and a ¥32.6 billion ($356 million USD) operating loss.  Cost-cutting all around helped Sony weather the storm of a stronger yen and declining television and camera sales, though it couldn't escape loss for the fourth consecutive quarter.

Unfortunately, the company confirmed that its "Networked Products & Services" division covering its PlayStation, VAIO PC, and Walkman businesses also continued to lose money during the second quarter. The Networked Products & Services division reported revenue of ¥352.6 billion ($3.92 million USD) for the six month period, a 24.2 percent year-on-year decrease.  Profitability continues to elude the division, as operating losses grew year-on-year to ¥58.8 billion ($654 million USD).

Currency appreciation of the Japanese Yen plus shrinking PlayStation 2 hardware and software sales both played their part in reducing Sony Computer Entertainment's quarterly revenue and chances at profit.  PS2 hardware sales dropped from 2.5 million units reported during the second quarter of its last financial year to 1.9 million units.  PlayStation Portable sales similarly decreased from 3.2 million to 3 million units.

On the bright side, quarterly PS3 hardware sales jumped from 2.4 million to 3.2 million units.  The launch of newer and cheaper PS3 slim likely helped out quite a bit.  Furthermore, Sony CFO Nobuyuki Oneda confirmed that associated costs for the PS3 are now only around 10 percent higher than its revenue.  This difference could further shrink in the coming months, eventually leading to actual PS3 profitability for SCE.

 
 
Rock Band updates for the week of 11/3
0 comments Dany Argueta - Oct 30th, 2009 - 11:06 AM (PT) Like

Join the Foo Fighters to reach Nirvana

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Next week's Rock Band 2 updates feature three tracks to celebrate the 20th anniversary release of Nirvana's debut album "Bleach", which will be re-released; this special edition release includes an previously unreleased live concert recording from 1990.  

Foo Fighters will do likewise by releasing a "Greatest Hits" album on the same day and give RB2 players a shot at four songs, two of which are new and exclusive to the album.

Rounding up the updates is a song from Joan Jett & The Blackhearts' 1984 album "Fake Friends".  Here's the list:

  • Foo Fighters – “Best of You”
  • Foo Fighters – “The Pretender”
  • Foo Fighters – “Wheels”
  • Foo Fighters – “Word Forward”
  • Nirvana – “About a Girl”
  • Nirvana – “Blew”
  • Nirvana – “School”
  • Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – “Fake Friends”
The Foo Fighters songs can be purchased together in the "Foo Fighters Pack 03" for 560 Microsoft Points or $6.99 USD / £3.49 UK / €5.29 EU from the PlayStation Store.  The "Nirvana Bleach Pack" lets you bundle up this week's songs for 440 MS Points, or $5.49 / £2.49 / €3.99 from the PlayStation Store.  All individual purchases go for the usual 160 MS Points, $1.99 / £.99 / €1.49 from the PlayStation Store, or 200 Nintendo Points.
 
The Rock Band Unplugged store reaches 55 songs this week with the help of two additions, each going for the usual $1.99, or £.99 / €1.49 if you're up in Europe.
  • Bullet For My Valentine – “Waking the Demon”
  • System of a Down – “Toxicity”

Xbox 360 and Wii owners get their content November 3 while PlayStation 3 and PSP owners get theirs on November 5, which is also when the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 DLC is added -- unrelated, but still interesting!

 
 
Demon's Souls gets even harder this Halloween weekend
0 comments Sean Ridgeley - Oct 30th, 2009 - 10:23 AM (PT) Like

You up for the challenge?

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You may have heard the PS3 RPG Demon's Souls is a pretty hard game. If you can test with the best though, publisher Atlus has a challenge for you this Halloween weekend, whereby it will be made even more difficult, but with even better loot to be had:

"Early reports from the Kingdom of Boletaria indicate that the Old One's power grows," announced Aram Jabbari, Manager of PR and Sales for Atlus, shuffling awkwardly under the weight of his full set of fluted armor. "We've discovered that the nefarious Demon will seek to descend the land in pure blackness on All Hallow's Eve. His minions will be more powerful, but the rewards for those who seek to challenge them will be greater as well. We don't know how long this dark tendency will last, but we do advise those prone to controller-into-LCD syndrome to proceed carefully." Jabbari then cackled as he quickly put a Thief's ring on his finger and disappeared.

"Whyyy?" you may be screaming to yourself. Jabbari adds on his Twitter account, "Because your tears are delicious."

Pillage heureux!

 
 

Date, pricing, and new trailer featuring Storm's hubby

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 fans have long been speculating who the new characters will be.  The rumors surrounding that screenshot of an updated character roster has so far been accurate too.

Today Activision officially announces Black Panther, real name T'Challa.  Ruler of Wakanda and leader of the Panther Clan, T'Challa also snagged Storm and put a ring on her finger -- or however they signify marriage in his nation.  Either way, the husband and wife duo are in open opposition of the Registration Act at this point, but you can probably play Black Panther no matter which side you choose in MUA2.  Too bad Vicarious never included special dialogue for him and Storm in the game. 

Based on the character vignette, it appears T'Challa might play like Deadpool, with daggers instead of guns.

In addition to a new trailer and screenshots, which you will find below, Activision has also announced that the DLC will be out November 5, on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network.  The paid update will add new upgrades, missions, and cast of characters: Cable, Carnage, Psylocke, Black Panther, and a mystery character.  Yeah, real mystery; that screenshot has been accurate before, so we've got our money on Magneto.

If you want the DLC, prepare to dish out 800 Microsoft Points, or $9.99 USD if you've got a PlayStation 3.  Juggernaut, formerly a GameStop exclusive, will also be added for a separate price of 160 MS Points / $1.99 USD.



Click here to see more images
 
 
Patch rolls out for console versions of Borderlands
0 comments Kevin Spiess - Oct 30th, 2009 - 09:52 AM (PT) Like

Apparently the PC version has no problems

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Gearbox Software has put out the first patch for their new titles, Borderlands. You can find the change log below.

The patch is only for the Xbox and PS3 versions of the game though -- in the community forums, a spokesperson stated that they are "continuing [to] work on support updates for all platforms, and will deploy fixes for every version as soon as possible."

Unfortunately for PC gamers, Gearbox certainly seems to have prioritized the console version of this ARPG. The PC version was not very tailored to the PC -- the version seems like an afterthought:  the menus and GUI were not altered in the PC version at all,  and are much better suited to console gamers. Furthermore, the PC version has poor voice chat implementation, weak matchmaking services, and it's super-easy to cheat by altering save files -- all stuff that is also somewhat some what disappointing for a PC game. Not that we can blame Gearbox too much though for focusing on the Xbox 360 and PS3; after all, the console version of the game will undoubtedly sell far more copies than the oft-pirated PC version. And as far as bugs go, while the PC version has some bugs here and there, for the the most part, as PC games go, the game is arguably in pretty good shape. 

If you somehow missed hearing about it this week, Borderlands is a stylish MP-friendly FPS-ARPG hybrid, set in a post-apocalyptic world, and featuring a randomized Diablo-style loot system. The game seemed to have come in below many gamers' radar, and is currently enjoying a good buzz, and (we presume) great sales.

Here is the stuff fixed by the first patch:

    Xbox 360 Fixes
    • Fixed a bug which caused players and other things in the world to appear incorrectly on clients in networked games
    • fixed a bug in which players gibbed in arena combat disappeared
    • fixed a bug which caused the dollars counter to spin continuously
    • fixed a bug that caused the digger elevator to be unusable after completing the Find Tannis mission
    • Weapon mapping to the D-pad should no longer reverse left and right
    • various localization and other text and tooltip corrections
    • The introductory quests with CL4P-TP should now always progress properly all the time
    • Lilith's Phase Strike ability now works as intended
    • Load times have been improved

    PlayStation 3 Fixes
    • Load times have been improved
    • Lilith's Phase Strike ability now works as intended
    • The introductory quests with CL4P-TP should now always progress properly
    • fixed a bug that caused the digger elevator to be unusable after completing the Find Tannis mission
    • Weapon mapping to the D-pad should no longer reverse left and right
    • fixed a crash when ejecting the disc during the autosave warning splash screen
    • Players in a lobby should no longer experience long loading when starting a game after one player leaves
    • A bug which caused players and other things in the world to appear incorrectly on clients in networked games has been fixed
    • fixed a bug in which players gibbed in arena combat disappeared
    • Changed how space required for saves is calculated
    • fixed a bug which caused the dollars counter to spin continuously
    • various localization and other text and tooltip corrections
 
 

Siding with the forces of darkness, fighting the imbalance between good & evil

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SEGA and Platinum Games have released a new Bayonetta trailer, the first of numerous dev diaries.  Titled "Revelations," Chapter 1 features commentary from director Hideki Kamiya and producer Yusuke Hashimoto.

In the video, Kamiya and Hashimoto discuss the idea behind playing on the side of evil, fighting a force that is conventionally viewed as good.  Witches are creatures of darkness, and Bayonetta is the last known witch.  She must restore the balance between light and dark, as the forces of light have become drunk with power.  As such, all your enemies will be angels, albeit hideously deformed angels that would make children cry with a mere glance.

Also, Kamiya seems quite pleased with Bayonetta's feet pistols.  Yeah, those are pretty original, even though many of the enemies look they were borrowed from Devil May Cry 4.  Anyway, forget all the naysayers and enjoy the trailer -- give in to the ridiculous shininess!

 
 
Guitar Hero 5 update for the week of 10/29
0 comments Dany Argueta - Oct 29th, 2009 - 02:36 PM (PT) Like

The obligatory Halloween-themed pack

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This week's Guitar Hero 5 downloads feature the necessary tracks to help you celebrate Halloween by blasting some music for party-goers come this Saturday, or simply turning up the volume so you don't hear any pesky doorbell rings from trick-or-treaters.

Your three artists this week feature Gwar, Marilyn Manson, and The Misfits, all named appropriately for the holiday.  Rouse fellow zombies with a deep tune from Manson and proceed to lurch forward with some thrash metal from Gwar and the horror punk of The Misfits.

Here are the three new songs available right now:

All Hallows' Eve Track Pack

  • Gor Gor - Gwar
  • Beautiful People - Marilyn Manson
  • Astro Zombies - The Misfits

The "All Hallows' Eve Track Pack" is worth 440 Microsoft Points, $5.49 USD from the PlayStation Store, or 550 Nintendo Points.  Individual downloads cost 160 MS Points, $1.99 USD, or 200 Nintendo Points.  These are also the last tracks for October; Activision should be posting the full set of updates for the month of November some time next week.

 
 
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