Archive for July 6th, 2007
You Fancy Brute: McFarlane Halo 3 Figure Prototypes
Some prototype shots of McFarlane’s Halo 3 line just surfaced. Being prototypes, they’re not painted and are technically subject to change, but you get the gist. There’s no Master Chief on show just yet, but there is a Brute Chieftain, a Jackal sniper and a Warthog. Interestingly, the Brute and Jackal look fully poseable, just like a proper action figure. Sexy poses ahoy.
McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Product Sneek Peek [Toy News International]
Misnomer: Dance Dance Un-Revolution
Exercise trends or not, Dance Dance Revolution is still a game made by a game company. Then, there’s Dance Dance Revolution DVD Game. Boasting 30 dance sessions and featuring the tag “Where exercise gets fun,” this is an exercise video, which includes mats that don’t hook up to anything. They are just placed on the floor! In other words, NOT A GAME.
Dance Dance Revolution [Amazon via GameSetWatch]
Ah, Mr. Hyde: UK Market Embiggens Itself
The UK games market? Experiencing growth. Data announced by top-secret British chart-keepers ChartTrack shows that total sales for the industry, which is games, hardware and accessories combined, are up 42%. That’s a lot! So much so, in fact, that ChartTrack’s Director, Dorian Bloch, is all giddy:
We are on track for the biggest year ever in the UK. I didn’t forecast at the beginning of the year that we would be seeing growth like this and there is no reason to think that the rest of the year won’t continue this upwards trend.
You didn’t forecast it? Someone get Pachter on the phone, tell him his services are required urgently across the pond.
UK market rockets by over 40 per cent [MCV]
Giant Gooch Face: Sakaguchi Working on New RPG MMO
Hironobu Sakaguchi is hard at work on a new game for the Xbox 360 — a MMO, actually! The Final Fantasy creator states it’s not Blue Dragon 2 or weep fest Cry On. Details are scant, but Sakaguchi says it’s “fifty percent MMO and fifty percent RPG.” Doesn’t offer much there, so we’ll have to do our own math. This game will be 80 percent Gooch and 20 percent mustache!
New MMO [Total Video Games via Game|Life]
Clips: Fall Of Liberty
Here’s a trailer for Fall of Liberty, of which we’ve spoken before. And I know it’s technically another WWII FPS, but come on. It’s like Red Dawn. With Nazis. If you’re unmoved by that prospect, you’re too tough a nut for my soft hands to crack.
A Vengeful God: 4 Ways To Avoid Shitting Off The Church Of England
For all Sony’s grovelling and bowing and further grovelling, the Church of England can’t seem to turn the other cheek. Indeed, they’re still so upset about the whole church/Resistance/gunplay fiasco that they’ve clambered up on their pulpit and issued the following four commandments, designed to ensure the developers of tomorrow avoid the mistakes made by Insomniac, developers of the present.
1. Respect our sacred spaces as places of prayer, worship, peace, learning and heritage.
2. Do not assume that sacred space interiors are copyright free.
3. Get permission from the faith leaders who are responsible for the building interiors you want to clone.
4. Support the work of those engaged in resisting the culture of gun crime and those involved in promoting the work of conflict resolution.
Oh Church of England. Just relax. Come on, breathe with me. In. And out. When I need to let go, I like to think of a wave, breaking upon the sand before sliding gently back into the embrace of mother ocean. See if that works for you.
Manchester Cathedral says Sony apology not enough and issues new digital rules [The Times]
Fifty-one: Suda on Western, Japanese Gamers
Some Japanese game developers and publishers really don’t care about the international market. As long as the domestic customers are happy, then that’s all that matters! And hey, if foreign players buy the games, that’s just an added bonus. So old fashioned! But some devs are open minded, forward thinking even. Take No More Heroes creator and Grasshopper Manufacturer bossman Goichi Suda. He wears cowboy boots! Here’s his two cents on reaching an international market:
…more than anything we felt that Grasshopper’s style is more suited to the foreign than the local Japanese market…
The Japanese fans are very important to me too, but we want to make a big breakthrough with the Grasshopper name someday, and to that end it’s not enough for us to just focus on the Japanese market. I can’t give you an exact percentage, but the Western market is extremely important.
When I make games, I always put in a lot of effort toward making them with an image of the Western audience in mind. The Western market is that important to me. I don’t make games with only the Japanese in mind, I treat it as though people from all around the world are going to play my games.
Is there a difference between Western and Japanese gamers?
…the American and European audiences are more receptive to new games. They welcome change. The Japanese are more close minded and the market is showing signs of rejection towards new games. I think that’s the main reason.
Did I ever tell you I think Suda is cool? Well, I think Suda is cool.
Grasshopper Interview [Gamasutra]
Clips: Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
While I remain largely unconvinced that Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles will ultimately result in an enjoyable product, I’m definitely in the minority. Wii owners seem to love this game like a zombie loves raw brain matter, but something about this light gun-esque shooter just doesn’t sit right with me. However, this new look at the game’s two-player mode, showing off a number of environments from multiple Resident Evil games at least helps to break up the mansion monotony.
Gallery: More No More Heroes Screens
Apologies for the quality, but hey, I didn’t take ‘em. They look like they’re stills from a video. But they’re up on the official site, and show a girl with a rocket-launcher leg giving hero Travis a good kicking, so I’m OK with that. Being stills, most are kinda boring: here’s a highlights package, hit up the official site if you want to see the remainder.
No More Heroes Screenshots - Official Site
Day Note: Pirates’ Cove!
To: Ash
From: Crecente
I spent the morning blogging and hosting a garage sale. We sold an old refrigerator, my original Xbox (for $35) and a lawnmower, among other things. Then in the afternoon my wife and I took Tristan and the rest of the neighborhood kids to the local pirate-themed city pool. Walking to the van I overheard the three girls deep in a discussion about Pokemon and gym locations… Fahey would have fit right in.. Yes, I wrote this whole thing to make fun of Fahey, but it’s a true story.
What you missed:
I love this new Bioshock trailer
People keep emailing us “proof” that the PS3 price is dropping, still on the fence on this one
ROCK!
I love, LOVE Maggie’s first-ever feature for us
Like Fahey’s E3 art for us
E3…Next Week…I think I just wet myself a little.
Early Release: Some Target Stores Put PS3 Price Drop Into Effect
We’ve received reports from a number of readers that some Target retail stores have already instituted the $100 price drop on the PLAYSTATION 3, breaking the July 12 price break and selling the 60 GB model at the new, rumored price of $499. We confirmed with Target locations in Bend, Oregon and Beavercreek, Ohio that the stores are now selling the PS3 at the new lower price. However, when we phoned eight additional Targets in Los Angeles and West Hollywood, CA, Dayton, OH, Orlando, FL, and Littleton, CO, staffers reported back that the original $599 price tag was still in effect at those stores.
Clearly, this is not a Target-wide pricing change and more indicative of a handful of stores adjusting their prices ahead of the street date. It’s highly recommended that, if you’re interested, you call ahead to confirm with your neighborhood Target store before making the journey.
Thanks for the heads up, Nathans.
Bob-omb: Get Your Bomberman Bombs Here
National Console Support is now carrying a pair of plush Bomberman bombs that not only look cool, they make game accurate explosion sounds as well. Who could ask for anything more? I suppose you could ask for details. At 8″ in diameter, in red or black, the Banpresto manufactured, squeezably soft plush explosives (with Bomberman branding, natch) will only set you back $20. Think of the possibilities! Think of the impromptu hilarity resulting from whipping soft bombs at siblings and loved ones! Think of the constant squeezing and sound effect triggering! Good times…
Bomberman Bakuhatsu Plush [NCSX]
PS3: Heaveny Sword Hits Bravo
Three Speech has word that UK-ers will be getting some heavy duty Heavenly Sword action over the weekend. British channel Bravo (I’m pretty sure it’s not the same as the U.S. Bravo) will be airing a half-hour special on the game during a special edition of Gamer TV. The show will look at the making of the game as well as showing off some new levels, characters and story elements.
If you catch the show, you’ll also be able to see interview with some of the cast for the game, including Andy Serkis (the guy who did the work for Gollum). I sure hope this game can pull together the play elements enough to match what appears to be a very impressive visual and story-driven game.
GAMER TV “HEAVENLY SWORD” SPECIAL AIRS ON BRAVO THIS WEEKEND [ThreeSpeech]
Rumor: Gears of War For PC To Be Announced At E3
A gameplay montage video of Epic Games‘ Gears Of War—specifically listed as PC footage—found its way to the internet earlier today, confirming the long-running rumors of a PC port of the million-selling Xbox 360 third-person shooter. That video was quickly pulled, with copies of the clip making their way to YouTube, Google Video and the other usual suspects.
The clip showed some of the PC port’s visual improvements and additional content, including new boss fights and new maps. In addition, achievements for the PC version made an appearance, indicating that the game will take advantage of Games For Windows Live service.
Gears of War for the PC was one of Microsoft’s worst-kept secrets, with Epic staffer Mark Rein admitting that a Windows port was coming “eventually.” That “eventually” looks like it might happening, I’m guessing, next Tuesday night, when Microsoft’s E3 press conference goes down.
Let’s all hope that Rein stands behind his commitment to keep supporting Windows XP users and that this doesn’t become one of those Windows Vista exclusives. Oh, and let’s also hope that Xbox 360 owners will see these PC-only additions offered as downloadable content in the near future.
Extreme Survival: Left 4 Dead Gameplay On PC Gamer
PC Gamer has the first gameplay video of Turtle Rock Studios’ Left 4 Dead, the four-player co-op survival horror game built on Valve’s Source engine. Their video podcast shows the editorial team taking on some Valve staffers in a humans versus infected match. The first-person team shooter looks like a more frenzied take on the Resident Evil: Outbreak series or, if you prefer, Counter-Strike with zombies. Left 4 Dead looks to add some interesting elements to the genre—like the ability to rescue your fallen teammates—and looks extremely intense. Like surfing down a lava flow from a pack of rabid lava wolves while “Doing The Dew” intense.
PC Gamer Video Podcast #36 [PC Gamer]
Clips: De Blob
It looks like that German mag had it right, THQ is bringing student Indie game project De Blob to the Wii. As you can see from this gameplay video, you move around a blob of paint absorbing colors and then smacking against buildings (likely with the remote) to change the structure into the building you currently are. Looks like it has potential, but its success is really going to depend on its delivery and level design. Right now I’m just seeing a really cool idea.
De Blob [Jeux France]
WoW: 2 People, 47 PCs, 46 WoW Accounts, No Life
You’ve surely heard of World of Warcraft players shunning work, family, responsibility, and drinking water for the love of the game, but if you’re not up on your “dual-boxing” as I was, keep reading. Dual-boxing is act of controlling two characters in an MMO simultaneously. Of course, there’s multi-boxing, when just two won’t do. As seen above, a pair of triple-boxers working in tandem can yield efficient raiding results. Therefore, why not take it to the next level? And then a dozen levels higher? How about simultaneously controlling 23-characters while your girlfriend also manages 23?
Right now you’re probably asking yourself “Girlfriend?” That or, “WTF?!” According to a poster on the Dual-Boxing.com forums, he and his partner are running a 47 computer set up when they get their WoW on, including one server to control the madness.
He writes:
I started boxing in 2001 in EverQuest. At first it was dual boxing, then triple, then quad, then I 6 boxed for a long time. My girlfriend began boxing and I decided to “kick it up a notch” and we began doing our own raids. In 2005 we started playing WoW.
[...]
I went through alot of hardware along the way. At first it was X-Keys and KVMs, then I went with Cherry programmable keyboards and KVMs. I never felt the urge to go monitor crazy — like many boxers I focused my attention on a single screen, had another monitor locked onto another character, and finally the 3rd monitor cycled through the KVM.
If you count the number of PCs, you’ll get 47. My girlfriend controls 23 and I control 23. The other one is a server. All but 2 of those pcs are diskless. It got to the point that updating 46 pcs just took too long, the hard drives added to the electric bill and generated heat, so I found a good PXE solution that works great.
More shots of the MMO madness at the link below.
Gameslah’s 50 Boxing Setup [Dual-Boxing Forums, thanks Nathan!]
Clips: Everybody’s Golf 5 TV Spot
Minna no Golf 5—aka Everybody’s Golf 5 or Hot Shots Golf 5 to us English speakers—is sure to move some PLAYSTATION 3 hardware. Hell, it has its own hardware bundle so it’s a safe bet. But that perception that the Japanese fear the PS3 because of its size? Well, this TV spot ain’t gonna help. The follow up is just as fantastically bizarre.
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune: Game Head Gets Naughty
If you’re psyched about Naughty Dog’s upcoming fun-to-play shooter, Uncharted Drake’s Fortune, then you better catch tonight’s Game Head, which will be hosted at the developer’s studio and focus on the game itself. I’m also told that the Call of Duty 4 E3 trailer will get an airing (which is an absolute must see) and a preview of the new, bloodier Turok. Finally, they will be airing in-game footage of The Bourne Conspiracy.
Yep, Jenga: Jenga! Confirmed For Wii And DS
That Jenga retailer listing uncovered by a NeoGAFer a few weeks back has now been confirmed by Atari, as the company has announced that the block tower building game is coming to the Wii and Nintendo DS. Wii-remote and nunchuk controls for the console version and careful stylus touchscreen controls for the handheld will simulate the excitement of removing single wooden blocks from a stack of lots of wooden blocks when the games are released this November. Press release, in which everyone is “thrilled” and “pleased” about the whole thing follows.
Atari Announces Jenga
Edge-of-your-seat Video Gaming Fun
LYON, FRANCE - 6 July 2007 - Atari today announced that it will publish Jenga, based on the world famous wooden block tower building game. Designed to make the most of the innovative control systems on Wii and DS, the game will offer unpredictable, quick-paced, tactical play that combines suspense and risk-taking, where mounting anticipation comes to a crashing climax. Licensed by Pokonobe Associates and developed by Atomic Planet, Jenga for the Nintendo DS and Wii will ship in November 2007.
“Fans of the Jenga family of games will fall in love with this exciting brand all over again,” said Jeremiah Cohn, senior product manager, Atari, Inc. “We are thrilled to deliver this timeless and renowned game with new variations and surprises for the Nintendo DS and Wii.”
“We are very pleased that Atari is now bringing Jenga’s universal entertainment appeal to video gamers worldwide,” added Paul Eveloff of Pokonobe Associates. “This new platform will extend the opportunity to play Jenga to video gamers and generate exceptional new play experiences. Atari’s Jenga for the Nintendo DS and Wii takes the Edge-of-Your-Seat Fun and party game style brilliantly to video game players of all skill levels!”
Players of the Wii version can get physical with the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers as they battle to keep the Jenga tower from falling, while on the DS the touch screen provides equally intuitive control of the fast-paced action. Players will experience sophisticated physics, and a multitude of game-play options (single and multiplayer). The game will contain all the fun, intensity and challenge of the original boxed game with a wealth of exciting new enhancements, power-ups and twists that are possible only in the videogame world. Simple to learn and fun to play, Jenga promises great entertainment for all ages.
For more information on Atari and its entire product line-up please visit www.atari.com.
The licensor, Pokonobe Associates, is exclusively represented for interactive gaming by Dimensional Branding Group and the leading interactive representation firm Fog Studios.
About Infogrames Entertainment and Atari:
Infogrames Entertainment (IESA), the parent company of the Atari Group, is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (ISIN code: FR-0000052573) and has two principal subsidiaries: Atari Europe, a privately-held company, and Atari, Inc., a United States corporation listed on NASDAQ (ATAR).
The Atari Group is a major international producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and in all existing game formats (Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony) and on CD-ROM for PC. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries.
The Atari Group’s extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Alone in the Dark, V-Rally, Test Drive, Roller Coaster Tycoon, etc.) and international licenses (Dragon Ball Z, Dungeons and Dragons, etc.).
For more information: http://www.atari.com
About Atomic Planet
Atomic Planet Entertainment Ltd. (APE) is a video game development studio, based in the North East of England, which was formed in August 2000 by industry veterans Darren and Jason Falcus, both have been developing published games for over 23 years.
About FOG Studios
FOG Studios has been responsible for the creation of over $3 Billion dollars of revenues for its clients and customers via the placement of over 5,600 interactive titles into the international marketplace since 1979. The world’s first and most successful interactive representation agency, FOG exclusively represents independent videogame development studios, brands and intellectual property owners, and service providers to the interactive entertainment industry from around the world. FOG creates opportunity for its exclusive list of clients on all platforms from cellular phones to next generation console games by packaging intellectual property rights with the developers and resources necessary to bring them to market, helping publishers and other potential distributors of the products to make fully informed decisions expeditiously and with confidence based on the longstanding proven track record of success FOG has uniquely achieved. Noteworthy gaming franchises created in FOG’s history include but are not limited to; ESPN, Command and Conquer, Test Drive, Kings Quest, Advanced Dungeons and Dragons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Castlevania and Warlords. FOG has placed titles with all of the Top 10 publishers and countless other smaller publishers as well. FOG’s roster of over 550 clients have included, among others: United Media, BMI, Ubisoft, Atari, Sierra, Westwood Studios, Sega, Paramount, Viacom, Robert Maxwell, Koei, FROM Software, Platinum Studios, ESPN, CBS Sportsline, the US Army Rangers, the Foreign Legion, Jenga, Arthur C. Clark, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, The Three Stooges (Estate), Paramount, Warner Brothers, Wham-O, Marvel, America On-Line, Yahoo, Ebay, Ringling Brothers Barnum and Baily Circus, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
