Archive for December 7th, 2006
Japanese People Can Now Find Stuff With the PSP
It’s out! Japan’s PlayStation Portables get their GPS on. The screw-attach peripheral works with Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and has a mini-game in which players can search for real locations. It will also be compatible with the upcoming Hot Shots Golf and will allow players to see how many yards they are from the hole. Standard GPS software forthcoming. I like the idea of this very much, but with GPS systems standard in cars and cell phones, I’m not sure how practical it’ll be as a traditional navigator. Wait and see.
PSP Navi [Thanks Kevin!]
Rumor: Silly Title Central, Sega’s Secret New Horror Game
Those crafty folks at Sega are apparently testing the next-gen waters with a new survey that multiple readers have claimed to receive. This is unconfirmed, but the survey states that the game will be for either the PS3 or the Xbox 360. From the survey, here’s the plot details:
An open free-roaming action horror game where the player undertakes a terrorizing journey of suspense, fear, power, and discovery, And where every decision has multiple consequences… Uncover an ancient chest with unimaginable power that seduces you into evil, sin and corruption.
Uh, okay. And this being a survey asks folks how much they like this concept. Me, I think it sounds like a Choose Your Own Adventure story I read when I was 8. But, the best part is not the description (oh, no), but the proposed titles. They are:
- The Gift
- The Box
- Crucible
- The Sacrament
A game called The Box? I am so there. Not only that, reader Chris claims Sega goes on to provide definitions of what these titles mean! We haven’t been able to confirm this (anyone else out in Kotaku-land?), but he tells us words are defined like this:
• Crucible: “A severe trial or ordeal where people or things are subejcted to forces that test them and often make them change.”
• The Box: “A container meant to hold or protects objects of important significance or value.”
• The Gift: “Something that is given.”
Sega also asks which one of these titles best fits the game’s description. So, we’ve decided to help out and are running a poll, doing our part to make The Box a reality.
Wii launches in Europe, loads of people buy it
Filed under: Nintendo Wii
The demand for the system has been “unprecedented,” according to Nintendo UK’s David Yarnton. He notes that Nintendo is very confident about the Wii’s launch and predicts nothing but a huge success — a prediction very much backed up by the gigantic lines that formed at the UK’s HMV store in Oxford Street yesterday. The crowd even had to be broken up and asked to return at a later stage, though not before being given several (likely sturdy) wristbands.
Speaking to Gamesindustry.biz, Tim Ellis, head of games at HMV, says that demand is most certainly exceeding supply and that the retailer could easily have “sold many more times than we’ve got, to be honest.” Despite the presence of orderly lines and a lack of violent, Wii-related crimes (so far), he goes on to label the launch as “bedlam.” Not to worry, Nintendo promises more stock is on the way and aims to satisfy everyone that wants a Wii this Christmas. That would be everyone, then.
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Alien Crush Hits Wii VC This Monday?
Hudson Entertainment staffer John Master Lee gave salivating Wii games a taste of what to expect with the upcoming weekly Wii Virtual Console update. Calling the release “one of the most requested games” from TG-16 fans, he hinted at Monday’s new release with the following:
Here’s a tip: All brain, no skull. All eyes, no nose.
Gotta be Alien Crush. Gotta be!
While Alien Crush is near the top of my list, as is Devil Crush, games like Legendary Axe, Military Madness, Neutopia, Splatterhouse, and Ninja Spirit trump the video pinball classic easily. Hell, I might even be ready for a little JJ & Jeff just for laughs.
INSIDE SCOOP! Unannouced TurboGrafx game coming to VC!
Sports Illustrated Hops On Wii Love Train
Sports Illustrated blogger Adam Duerson points out a trend I’m sure we’ll see more of over the next year: friendships based on Wii ownership. It’s typical mainstream media reaction to Nintendo’s “new-gen” console, as Duerson appropriately focuses on the sports aspect of the Wii, but is also a good warning sign to Wii console owners. Don’t trust those Wii-hangers on! They just want you for your Wii Sports.
Hands On: Wii [Sports Illustrated]
Gallery: More Virtua Fighter 5 Eye Candy
Alongside launching the official North American Virtua Fighter 5 site, Sega has graced us with more screens of the company’s PlayStation 3 fighter showing off more of the character costumes. I always forget to add this game to my list when I think “What the hell am I going to actually play on this PS3?”
As always, these are now-gen images, meaning these puppies are huge.
Virtua Fighter 5 December Screens
Gifts For The Gaming Elite (And Highly Paid Execs)
CNN Money’s Chris Morris asks himself (and answers) the question: If I were shopping for video gaming execs, what would I buy them for Christmas?
One of the overpriced, luxury items we’ve previously covered, which Morris finds perfect for retro gamer Peter “Petah” Moore, is the DreamArcades 100-inch video arcade center.
I’m sure Pete will adore it, Chris, I know I love mine!
But what to get Nintendo prez Reggie Fils-Aime and recently promoted Sony exec Kaz Hirai? I’ll keep it spoiler free, as you may want to find out what to drop $70,000 on your millionaire loved ones, too.
Gifts for the video game elite [CNN]
The 100-Inch Arcade Set Up [Kotaku]
New EA Cheat Microtransactions For You To Enjoy!
Don’t feel like playing your games to get the unlockable content? Then buy your progress, you lazy, horrible business model supporting prick! Major Nelson updated his corporate blog to send us the good news: 1120 points (or $14 USD) worth of cheats for EA’s Need For Speed Carbon are available for suckers who like to flush cash down the toilet via the Xbox Live Marketplace.
The most exciting news for chumps with poor money management is that you rubes will be getting bonus cars (2006 Shelby GT500, 1987 Corolla GTS and 2006 Pagani Zonda F) exclusive to the Marketplace. The rest of us are so jealous!
Have fun with your microtransactions, losers!
Need for Speed Carbon: Various In Game Content [Major Nelson]
We Three Consoles
Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a Playstation 3 20GB, Wii and Xbox 360 from sponsor Pinger.
The contest requires you to sign up for the free service and leave a message saying why you deserve to win.
The messages will be reviewed by the Pinger people for originality, creativity and persuasiveness. The top messages will then be sent to us for sorting and you, the reader, will vote to decide who wins what.
Top prize all three consoles. Two runners-up will each get a 20GB PS3. Now for the bad news, you have to have a cell phone and live in the US to enter.
Hit the link below to enter the contest and see the full rules.. You have until midnight Dec. 13.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against MS For Bricked 360s
Gamespot did some genuine reporting when they followed up on a Xbox.com forum member’s claims that he (or she) filed a lawsuit against Microsoft for “Breach of Contract, violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act (”CPA”) (RCW 19.86) and, alternatively, Negligence” for “bricking” problems associated with the fall Xbox 360 update issued on October 31. Turns out, that poster, REDRUM6622, did file a suit against the company as a class action.
According to Gamespot, the suit seeks a minimum of $10 million in damages, depending on how MS decides to defend itself. Microsoft issued an official response to Gamespot, with clarification on the company’s policy regarding repairs and shipping.
Should be fun to watch this one play out!
Microsoft sued for 360 update issues [Gamespot]
Theatrical Lost Planet Trailer Hits
A new Lost Planet teaser hit the Marketplace, this time in the form of a “theatrical trailer.” I kinda like these over-the-top takes on the regular old humdrum trailer.
I was already in the can’t-wait-till-it-hits group, so this trailer did nothing more than stoke my enthusiasm, but what about those of you out there who weren’t already jonesing for a hit of Lost Planet, did this do anything for you?
Today’s hottest game video: Halo 3 “Starry Night” ad dissected [update 1]
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, First Person Shooters, Video
Since the Halo 3 ad has been chewing up the online gaming video charts, it’s about time someone took a look at it in ultra-close detail. GameVideos.com has the top-rated video today that dissects things under a microscope, and basically says everything about the ad that you’ve been thinking. You can practically hear the drooling in their voices as they go over the video. Plus it nicely shows off the video playing capability of the Xbox 360 if you haven’t seen it before.
While there is no new information here, it’s totally what we’re all thinking about and anticipating, unless you’re waiting on Hello Kitty Island Adventure to become a reality. It’s a strange day and age when we’re basically getting what amounts to a commentary track on a commercial for a game that won’t be out for many months. Bring it on already.
[Update: due to a technical glitch we like to call "idiocy," the wrong video was uploaded. This has been fixed and all responsible parties sacked.]
Continue reading Today’s hottest game video: Halo 3 “Starry Night” ad dissected [update 1]
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Firefly Continues On As MMO
Joss Whedon’s sci-fi project Firefly was cancelled after just 11 episodes. The Firefly $39 million cinematic spin-off Serenity pulled in just $38.8 million worldwide. So, what’s next for the cowboys in space superflop? Massively multiplayer online gaming, of course.
Wired is reporting that MMO platform developer Multiverse has struck a deal with Fox to throw the Firefly property into the crowded MMO ring, but has yet to put together a development team. They’re hoping they’ll find someone to “not just [do] a re-skin of World of Warcraft or Star Wars Galaxies” but give the itty-bitty Firefly fanbase something “unique and fun and interesting.”
While I agree that the show has a unique aesthetic and sense of humor, is it enough to stand out? Will fans of the show have the fortitude to wait until sometime in 2008 to get their hands on a Firefly based game? Will it be any good? Any Firefly/Kotaku crossover out there?
As a (can’t believe I’m going to publically admit this) huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, I was never drawn in to the Firefly universe, but maybe I ought to crack open my DVD set and try to make it past episode 3.
Firefly Reborn as Online Universe [Wired - thanks nesdude!]
The Celebrity Mii Contest
Kottke is having a little celebrity Mii contest.
To enter just make your Mii with the official Nintendo Wii editor, don’t cheat, and email your little abomination to Jason over on the site by Dec. 11 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
You can enter up to two Miis and the prize has yet to be announced. I’m suspicious it might be one of those take-Jason-out-to-dinner prizes.
Celebrity Mii Contest [Kottke, via Cathode Tan]
Xbox 360 Wireless Headset Conflicts With Older Controllers?
This video illustrates an issue some Xbox 360 owners are experiencing when using their original Xbox 360 wireless controllers alongside the recently released wireless headset. Anyone out there in Kotakuland running into this problem? The official Xbox forums are rife with complaints about buggy behavior with the new accessory, but we’re not sure how widespread this may be. Hopefully MS is working on a solution for those affected.
Thanks for the info, Ben.
Blue Dragon Premium Bundle Porn
1Up’s got their greedy hands on the pretty sweet Japan-only Blue Dragon Core System bundle, which is comprised of a system, a faceplate and the game. They’ve got tons of pics, so stop by and tell ‘em Kotaku sent ya.
Blue Dragon Bundle [1Up]
Nintendo Dominates November Sales, Industry Sees 34% Growth
Remember when Nintendo prez Reggie said that the GBA had “at least one more holiday season left in it”? I’m thinking he was right. NPD Funworld sales data was released today, showing that Nintendo’s grip on the handheld sector is stronger than ever.
Sales estimates put the Game Boy Advance at 641,000 units sold for the month of November, beating out the Xbox 360, with its dual screened brother the DS selling 918,000 units. Figures for Wii sales were just 24,000 shy of half a million, rounding out a very good month for Nintendo.
The industry as a whole performed very well during November, pulling in some 1.7 billion dollars. Hooray for expendable income!
Check out more sales info at GameDaily including meager numbers for the PS3, healthy ones for the PS2 boosted by Guitar Hero II and Final Fantasy XII, as well as some analysis from NPD entertainment industry analyst Anita Frazier.
Breaking: November Game Industry Sales Skyrocket 34%
EA: Burnout Dominator Heading to PSP
Electronic Arts today confirmed that a new Burnout game is headed to both the Playstation 2 and Playstation Portable.
Burnout Dominator is being developed by EA UK.
Burnout Dominator is an all-new installment of the legendary and multi-award winning Burnout series, loaded with intense racing action and dozens of retina-searing World Tour events. Burnout Dominator challenges gamers to face off against a series of hot-blooded rivals in brutal tests of aggressive driving techniques where performing burnouts gives you the advantage and multiplies your score potential. For the ultimate nerve-wracking experience, Burnout Dominator takes you to the very edge of control, punishing the smallest mistakes and rewarding drivers for taking outrageous risks.
“The series was born on the PlayStation 2, and Burnout Dominator is about celebrating the essence of Burnout”, said Nick Channon, senior producer of Burnout Dominator. “Burnout Dominator focuses on the reckless skill-based racing and fear of crashing that fuelled the first games.”
Burnout Dominator Announced for PS2 and PSP [Playfuls]
Today in Joystiq: December 7, 2006
Joystiquery
Blue Dragon sets Japan ablaze
Japanese release day highlights: 12.07.06
Joystiq hands-on: Elebits (Wii)
Metareview - Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Off the Grid: Hacking LCR
Today’s hottest game video: Wiimote controls Half-Life 2
News
Download Tekken 5 on PS3, for PS3
Shadowrun has online party system, further damages Epic’s claim
Left Behind Games ordained with Big Huge Games engine
Clinton and Lieberman make nice with ESRB … why?
British Wii shortages expected into 2007
Ubisoft in red, but going in right direction
Class action lawsuit could be building against Microsoft for 360 fall update woes
Nintendo to investigate Wii strap failure
PS3 harming Blu-ray acceptance
German states mull violent game ban
Resistance multiplayer patch: better balance, more strategy
Mass Effect X06 trailer coming to XBL Friday
Dirty cops exposed: cut to front of PS3 line
Tim Schafer talks new-gen, suggests XBL MySpace features
K4rn4ge to attempt 1 billion-point Geometry Wars high score
Japan gets PSP GPS, others can import
42 Entertainment interviewed, ARG book discussed
Mario ringtone marks over two years on charts. Who knew?
November NPD: big franchises, new consoles drive industry sales up 34%
Burnout Dominator announced, again
Shadowrun forgoes TrueSkill for ‘party’ play, Epic told the truth
Ubisoft to doctor Rainbow Six Vegas
Rumors & Speculation
Culture
DIY Guitar Hero controller
Air drumming with the Wii remote
Illinois students revive the Power Glove
360 “beats down” PS3 on TV
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Order Your Ocarina of Time Adult Link Statues Tomorrow
Continuining the series kicked off by the Fierce Diety Link and Skull Kid collectible statues comes the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time edition of “adult” Link. Sadly, Link is not naked nor involved in adult situations as the characters in adult films and adult books typically are. He’s in the expected elf gear he sported on the Nintendo 64.
Again limited to 2500 pieces, the third statue in First4Figures Legend of Zelda line will be available for pre-order tomorrow, December 8 for a cheap $109.99. More pics are available at the official site.
Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Adult Link Statue From First 4 Figures
