Archive for February 3rd, 2007
Today’s hottest game video: GRAW 2
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, First Person Shooters
A Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 preview nabs today’s pick off GameTrailers. This video showcases the multiplayer modes and scenarios, including mentioning of one of our favorites, co-op play against the computer. (An Xbox Live demo was released earlier in the week, but alas, it was single-player only.)
Is GRAW 2 going to be your new favorite team-based shooter? PS3 fans will have to wait a little bit longer, while Xbox 360 players should get the first chance to evaluate the game in March.
Watch the video after the break.
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Epic wants 40 UT3 maps, ponders platform-exclusive content
Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, First Person Shooters, Online
Speaking with CVG, Unreal Tournament 3 producer Jeff Morris detailed Epic’s goal to ship its forthcoming shooter with 30 to 40 multiplayer maps. “[That's] substantially more than other games in the genre,” observed Morris; indeed, but not necessarily enough to make UT3 a genre standout. The franchise has yet to take hold on console platforms.
Perhaps, as Morris suggests, Epic would boost UT3’s console presence by offering exclusive content for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 through post-release updates. While certainly a bonus, offering platform-exclusive content is becoming standard practice. Where UT3 could really shine is through user mod support. If epic could coerce Sony and particularly Microsoft into opening their consoles up to user-created content it would put UT3 into a unique class of console FPS unto itself.
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Weekly Webcomic Wrapup: Bleach edition
Filed under: Culture, Online, Polls
Take a look at our profile on Dueling Analogs’ Steve Napierski and sift through our picks this week’s gaming comics. Be sure to vote for your favorite!
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Search for Game Deals On Amazon.com
The generically named Brand Name Coupons has put together a great little page with links to items on sale on Amazon.com. It’s divided into categories and then each category has links for items ranging anywhere from 10% to 90% off. Quickly scrolling through I found deals on Psychonauts, New Super Mario Brothers, Lost Planet and others. While every entry may not be that special low, low price you were wanting, there’s enough there that you’ll probably find something you’re looking for, even if you didn’t know you were looking for it. if you want to scroll though everything on sale, click the 10% link and it will take you to a page with everything that 10% off or more. Also included is a link to the Amazon UK version of the same page. Good luck and happy clicking!
How to search Amazon for Deals [Brand Name Coupons - Thanks, Nick]
Path to PSP, PS2 now clear for ‘Free Running’
Filed under: Culture, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Action, Sports
Free Running (the game) has seemingly overcome the obstacles, finding a publisher in Ubisoft and enough mainstream attention to warrant a UK release in mid-March. We first spotted Free Running in June 2005 when then publisher Eidos was showing off some footage of the Core Designs PSP title, which was also being called Parkour Freerun (note: parkour and free running are two distinct disciplines).
Since that time, Core Designs was acquired by Rebellion, which eventually passed Free Running off to Reef Entertainment. Reef, now teamed with Ubisoft, has found an opportunity to finally turn out Free Running, which will also be released on PlayStation 2 (in addition to its original PSP format).
The game release is timed with building commercialization of the ‘free running’ discipline, whose founder — and star of the upcoming game — Sebastien Foucan showed off some moves in the latest Bond flick Casino Royale. Ubisoft is a fitting publisher as both its Prince of Persia series and upcoming title Assassin’s Creed feature elements inspired by free running. The publisher has no apparent plans to distribute Free Running outside of the UK.
[Via PSP Fanboy]
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Clip: Spectrobe Trailer
After Ashcraft filled us all with breathless anticipation for Disney and Jupiter’s upcoming Spectrobes, I decided to take a look around and see what else I could find on the Pokemon-esque game for the DS. While I couldn’t find out much more info that wasn’t included in Ashcraft’s feature on the game, I did manage to turn up this new trailer on Gametrailers.com. While it’s not quite my style of game, it certainly looks very well put together. Now if I can just get the sound of that shaggy ragamuffin saying “Wake up!” over and over out of my head…
Sonic the Vacuum Cleaner
This Amazon mistake (or perhaps it was on purpose) is very silly, true, but it still cracked me up. Sonic the upright vacuum indeed.
Jack Thompson faces disciplinary action
Filed under: Culture
Karma is making her rounds and Jack Thompson is looking to be on top of that list. As GamePolitics reports, Thompson was recommended for review following five counts of professional misconduct (three related to his video game violence campaign). If the charges hold up in front of the Florida Supreme Court, Thompson faces disciplinary action and possible disbarment.
Of course, Thompson isn’t taking this laying down. In a statement to GamePolitics he said, “A referee is appointed and we have a trial. The Supreme Court reviews it later. The trial isn’t going to happen, however. I have sued The Bar in Circuit Court. It’s in far more trouble than I am.” That’s right! He sued the Florida bar!
There is no word yet on when the referee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court will rule on Thompson’s alleged misconduct. Just remember, when the world ends there will be three things left: Cockroaches, Cher and Jack Thompson.
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Rumor: DS Lites Landing in Best Buy Tomorrow
A Best Buy employee insider has sent word that Best Buy has received shipments of DS Lites to coincide with it’s Sunday Feb. 4 ad. All colors will be available and according to the source, each Best Buy should receive between 20-50 of the little dual screened portable. All colors, in the case of the US, being Polar White, Onyx Black and Coral Pink.
With more and more great games coming out for the DS, you may want to consider heading out and picking one of those bad boys up. But, if you want to be part of the “in” crowd, remember, three out of six Kotaku editors have Pink DS Lites. So, be man, think pink!
Kotaku Originals: From Tetris Vandalism to Club Nintendo
We all made it safely back from NYC just in time to give you a week filled with Kotaku originals. Disney makes Spectrobes, Link gets icy and Crecente exposes the scandal that was the Tetris Vandalism Building.
- Feature: Disney Finds Tradition With Spectrobes
- Japan Still Lining Up For DS Lites (Yes, STILL.)
- Wii Weight Loss Not Typical
- Denver’s Gathering
- Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters Impressions
- Frankenreview: Hotel Dusk 215
- Ashcraft’s Kid Joins Club Nintendo
- Unlockable Costumes of God of War II
- Link Ice, Ice Baby
- Westword On the Tetris Building
- God of War 2: Colossus Battle Hands-On
- A Public Commentor Execution
- Screens: The New Live Arcade Games
- Real Photos Of the Tetris Vandalism Building
- Hands-on: Casual Games on Vista
- NYC Video Game Ads
- Microsoft Continues Assault On PS3 Gamers
- This Day in Gaming
Clip: Secrets of Twilight Princess
Wii drought, what Wii drought, we’ve got secret dammit! Mmmmmm, secrety.
WoW: Burning Crusade digital distribution
Filed under: PC, RPGs, MMO, Business
Well, this explains why Blizzard kept stalling on answering our distribution questions. Blizzard began very quietly offering World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade through digital distribution this week.
The offer is made every time you start up WoW, so it’s not like players who decided to ignore the launch have that option anymore. The expansion costs $39.99 online, the same as in the the stores, preventing the need for pesky poisonous outdoor air to enter one’s lungs.
The digital distribution question about WoW has been floating around since The Burning Crusade was announced. Guess it was nice for Blizzard to give the brick and mortar stores a chance before they totally cut them off and made their use in Burning Crusade distribution obsolete. Other than those who need the box to feel complete, what’s the point of getting the Burning Crusade in a store now? Not to mention that this shows Blizzard will use a similar tactic in future expansions.
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Lost Planet lost $40 million to find success
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, Adventure, Business
A Forbes report states that Capcom spent $40 million on Lost Planet. That may seem like a nice chunk of change, but it’s not the kicker. The thing is that Lost Planet, the actual game, cost $20 million. Another $20 million was spent on the advertising, marketing, parties and promotions. Spending as much on marketing as the cost of developing the game, now that is hardcore and it was all worth it.
Capcom already shipped 1 million units of Lost Planet before the game’s Jan. 12 launch, probably feeling confident following Dead Rising’s success, which was based far more on old-school buzz post-E3 (may she rest in peace). The new-school approach by Capcom, according to Forbes, is the work of Mark Beaumont.
Beaumont, 51, has been around the ad biz for a bit. He changed the way Capcom marketed in the West, Beaumont says, “They advertised like it was 1985 … It was all very formulaic.” According to Forbes, gaming magazines have lost relevance and MTV isn’t hitting the right demographic. Beaumont wanted the Lost Planet demo on Xbox Live, commercials in movie theaters showing Casino Royale and other places of relevance. That Beaumont may be a sneaky fellow, but he’s getting sales results out of a pretty unremarkable game.
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Ten concept cars enter, only one races in PGR4
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Driving
While these flashy Peugeot concepts won’t buck the trend of sports cars resembling electric shavers, one of them will be coming to a Xbox 360 near you via Project Gotham Racing 4.
You may recall this contest from last September when it served as the unofficial announcement of PGR4. Not that anyone thought Microsoft’s flagship racer wasn’t getting another sequel, but hey, it was nice to know.
The winning entry itself will be chosen by Peugeot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t choose the winner … of your heart. Not all the vehicles look better suited for proper grooming as there’s even a three-wheeler amongst the like of off-road warriors and tricked out 360 logos running on marbles.
So which are you dying to take for a test drive? Do you think J Allard partakes in ghost riding his whip? Discuss.
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GalCiv II: Dark Avatar goes gold, refines tech tree
Galactic Civilizations II is all set for its first expansion pack, Dark Avatar, releasing Feb. 14. The expansion will be available through digital distribution at TotalGaming.net and in retail stores as part of a Gold Edition bundle including the regular game.
GalCiv II was an amazing achievement for Stardock, a relatively small company. If it hadn’t been for the incredible design overhaul in Civilization IV, by the über well-funded Firaxis, which evolved the strategy game, GalCiv II’s shortcomings would not have been so obvious. Despite all that the game sold very well. Thankfully, Stardock has been one company that has been incredibly straight in what they do well and where they falter. Their media kits are some of the most humorous and honest in the industry, this is why we like them and give more space after the break to GalCiv II.
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Dan Aykroyd busts out Ghostbusters info
Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Business
The Ghostbusters drama just keeps on coming as Dan Aykroyd himself (who starred in and wrote the original film) has revealed just what is going on with our favorite revived franchise. From Dr. Raymond Stantz himself: “Universal purchased the rights from Sony for a game. I’m actually going to have to perform and do some motion capture for them. That will be next year.”
So now we know exactly why Sony had to drop the hammer on ZootFly and their Ghostbusters prototype. But why the sudden amount of interest in such an obscure property? It should be obvious by now that this is no mere coincidence. The moment the theme song itself resurfaced in a soon to be released Beatmania title, we knew something had to be up.
And that something is a new feature film. In yet another interview, Aykroyd reveals that not only is Ghostbusters III in production, but it’s a computer animated film in which he lends his voice.
All that’s left for this resurrection is some new toys and Ecto Cooler, because in 2007 Ghostbusters is all up in our grills, and we’re loving it.
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