Videogame News Thread

[Emperor Smeat]

Based on a tease by the Joker character during Spike TV's VGA show, another game in the current Batman Arkham seriescould be in development with Rocksteady as the developer.

The game was teased to be named "Batman: Arkham World" after the Joker character showed off a script he was holding with the same text on it while accepting the award for best Character of the Year. In tune with the Joker's style, he made a joke about spoilers before putting the script away.

Warner Bros also mentioned during an interview with Canadian Business that due to how great Arkham City became from the work by both WB Montreal and Rocksteady, the game will now become the standard Warner Bros will use for future superhero games from the company.

"We realize how good a job Rocksteady did with Arkham Asylum. They changed people's perceptions and that's why we're not satisfied anymore with sub-par superhero games. Now, it's like they should be better than all the other games. So what's their secret recipe?"

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/9/93384/2080924-screen_shot_2011_12_12_at_12.43.16_pm.png
http://www.screwattack.com/news/batman-inspires-warner-brothers-montreal
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/rocksteady-might-be-developing-batman-arkham-world-next/3855/

-------------------------------------------------------
Daily Recap:
1) Eiji Aonuma announces future games in the Zelda series could be keeping some form of motion control with at least the next game guaranteed to be using a control scheme similar to Skyward Sword.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/zelda-series-will-keep-its-motion-controls

2) A new game in the Unreal franchise could be occurring in the future after Cliffy B from Epic Games said he "would love" to make a reboot of the original Unreal game but also mentions it wouldn't be any time soon due to all the projects the company has planned for the near future.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-12-12-cliff-bleszinski-on-gears-of-war-future-would-love-to-reboot-unreal

3) Half-Life 3 might be officially revealed in 60 days based on both Valve's Twitter account and Spike TV's VGA show.
http://vividgamer.com/2011/12/12/half-life-3-arg-may-have-begun/

4) The 2nd class-action lawsuit involving Sony and the removal of "Other OS" from the PS3 has been dismissed as a judge sided with Sony saying their terms of service protect the rights of the company to remove features without the consent or knowledge from PS3 users.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/other-os-class-action-lawsuit-dismissed-judge

[Kane Knight]

4) The 2nd class-action lawsuit involving Sony and the removal of "Other OS" from the PS3 has been dismissed as a judge sided with Sony saying their terms of service protect the rights of the company to remove features without the consent or knowledge from PS3 users.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/other-os-class-action-lawsuit-dismissed-judge

Yay!

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Firmware version 456.1, 1 month after the PS4 launches.

CHANGELOG



General stability and fixes update
Removed ability to play "Playstation 3" game software
Self-destruct countdown started
Fixed bug from beta where attached Vita's would also start destruct sequence

[Kane Knight]

Firmware version 456.1, 1 month after the PS4 launches.

CHANGELOG



General stability and fixes update
Removed ability to play "Playstation 3" game software
Self-destruct countdown started
Fixed bug from beta where attached Vita's would also start destruct sequence



The best part will be where they still advertise the PS3 compatibility on the box.

"But that's totally not false advertising, guys!"

[D Mac]

Youtube is on the 360 now. But some vids take forever to load and some never do. Also, some content doesn't show up as they are deemed "PC only" :n:

[Emperor Smeat]

If Ubisoft was serious about saying the future of Beyond Good & Evil 2 was dependent on Rayman Origins selling well, it doesn't look like it will happen anytime soon.

According to the NPD, only 50,000 copies were sold combined on Wii, PS33, and Xbox 360. PS3 barely edged out the Xbox 360 for most sales while Ubisoft kind of forgot to market the Wii version even though platformers do well on the system.

[Kane Knight]

Youtube is on the 360 now. But some vids take forever to load and some never do. Also, some content doesn't show up as they are deemed "PC only" :n:

Some content can only be browsed directly off the site, so I'm not entirely suprised.

[Kane Knight]

<div style='width:650px;font-size: 12px;'><embed src="http://cdn2.themis-media.com/media/global/movies/player/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.7.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.themis-media.com/videos/config/5087-10f91b07112e7aa00957a73d07411151.js%3Fplayer_version%3D2.5%26embed%3D1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" width="650" height="391" wmode="opaque"></embed><div><a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com'>The Escapist</a> : <a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/the-big-picture'>The Big Picture</a> : <a href='/videos/view/the-big-picture/5087-If-the-Oscars-Were-the-VGAs'>If the Oscars Were the VGAs</a></div></div>

[Emperor Smeat]

Even though it was stated multiple times Hideo Kojima was "done" with the Metal Gear series, he reveals on Twitter a new Metal Gear Solid game is in development but did not actually confirm it will be Metal Gear Solid 5.

The tweet mentioned the series traditional stealth aspect will return while also hinting any new details will be revealed after the current Rising project is done.

“Had same kind of questions @today’s conf. Our ex-RISING also were aiming at feel good action w/ protagonist, Raiden as a Spin-off, not MGS & such concept was shared w/ New RISING by P*,” he said on Twitter. ”For those of you desire for authentic stealth MGS, I want you to patiently wait for the sequel coming in future.”

He also confirmed Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is just a spin-off and not officially part of the Solid series even though it takes place within the Solid timeline. The main idea was to let Raiden be the star without having any major part of the "Solid" series impact the game's story.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/metalgear.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/kojima-confirms-new-authentic-stealth-metal-gear-game/

---------------------------------------------------------
Daily Recap:
1) Naughty Dog proclaims their goal with The Last of US game is to redefine video games and genres while stating in another interview, the game is more of a love story than horror or zombie-based game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/naughty-dog-wants-the-last-of-us-to-redefine-video-games/

2) While the sequel to Alan Wake was officially revealed during the Spike TV VGA show, the original game is rumored to be heading to the PC after details of the game were discovered in the games database on Steam.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-alan-wake-heading-pc

3) Shigeru Miyamoto hints if Nintendo were ever to use a different studio to help work on a new Zelda game, he would hope Retro Studio gets picked due to their recent work on Maro Kart 7 and their previous history with the Metriod and Donkey Kong Country series.
http://kotaku.com/5867795/shigeru-miyamoto-knows-some-americans-hed-make-a-zelda-with

[Kane Knight]

A new Metal Gear? Ohboy, I hope this one does away with gameplay entirely!

[Emperor Smeat]

Edios and Square Enix reveal another game in the Just Cause series is currently in development due to Just Cause 2 selling very well in comparison to their expectations from the game.

The decision was made due to Just Cause 2 generating 3.5 million copies sold since its release and the positive reception from both critics and customers.

Also revealed is work on a movie for the franchise is under way with the script itself being reworked by Bryan Edward and will focus mostly on the the hero from Just Cause 1, Rico Rodriguez.

Released earlier this year, Just Cause 2 has gone on to sell 3.5 million copies. In an article on the Hollywood Reporter, not only is it mentioned that “a third game is now in development”, but that work continues on a feature film based around the franchise.

According to the article, Bryan Edward Hill has been brought in to rewrite the script. Just Cause: Scorpion Rising will center around the hero of the original game, Rico Rodriguez.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/jc2.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/just-cause-2-sells-well-sequel-movie-coming/

----------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Recap:
1) Lionhead Stduios currently rumored to be working on an MMO-like game for the Xbox 360 using the Unreal engie based on a recent job posting on the company's website.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/lionhead-hiring-for-unreal-mmo/

2) Square Enix announces their database holding customer-related data for both Japan and North America has been hacked with the company shutting down membership services until fixes are made.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/square-enix-members-service-hacked/

3) Warner Bros mentions any spoilers to the next Batman Arkham game shouldn't be taken seriously due to the company only using the Joker during the Spike TV VGA show more as a joke than an actual announcement of a new Batman game.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/batman-arkham-world-you-cant-be-serious


Bonus: The 2011 TPWW Gammies Awards is still open to voting with the poll for Game of the Year ending on December 18
http://www.tpww.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116201

[LoDownM]

Cool. Just Cause 2 was a blast.

[Kane Knight]

Scorpio Rising?

HANK Scorpio?

Oh...Scorpion.

[Captain of Fun]

Just Cause 2 is a fantastic game. Glad they are continuing the series.

[Emperor Smeat]

In a posting to the official Star Wars: Old Republic website, Bioware outlines their entire plans for the recently released MMO game.

Besides the usual guarantees of regular content and fixes, Bioware also reveals they plan on making guilds very important in the game with guild-run banks and starships as the initial major features.

They also gave more details on the Legacy System which will give additional powers and effects to a player's character along with the usual increase in player titles and ranks. Player vs Player combat will be restricted to certain areas while the space combat missions will be getting a big overhaul from the current on-rails shooter setup.

The user interface will also be providing a lot more control and customization to the player and will be expanded with additional tweaks and stuff added in over a gradual period of time.

Guild Functionality – Guilds are important to the long term health of any MMORPG. We have a huge list of guild centric features. This will be an ongoing effort that will probably never end. Guild banks are the first thing we’ll be delivering in our plans for increased guild functionality. Eventually we even want to deliver on the promise of the long hinted at “Guild Capital Ships”.
UI customization – You like choice. We hear you! SWTOR is all about choice. Being able to choose how you interact with an online game is something we feel is very important. We are going to be giving more control over the UI as an ongoing effort. This is a very big priority for us.
PvP – We have an entire team dedicated to adding content and features to player vs. player. We have some of the most experienced PvP developers in the world on this team. So far very few people have seen, or know much about the stunning Open World PVP on Ilum; when you get to the high levels prepare to be blown away! In addition to that high level PVP content, expect new Warzones and new PvP features on a regular basis.
Space Combat – We will continue to add missions to the space game. We also have a special project going on right now that will expand space gameplay in a significant way... for now the details will have to remain under wraps.
Legacy System – The ability to select a surname for your character is just the start of something much bigger. Soon, the Legacy experience and levels you earn will grant your characters access to powers, objects and other cool benefits.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/starwars2.jpeg
http://www.swtor.com/blog/what%E2%80%99s-next-old-republic

--------------------------------------------
Daily Recap:
1) Sony continues to flip-flop on the PS Vita account situation as they claim the handheld only supports 1 account possible and backtracks on multiple accounts possible from the use of memory cards.
http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/12/sony-vita-psn/

2) Remedy confirms earlier rumors of Alan Wake arriving on PC by officially announcing an "early 2012" release date and the PC version will contain all the Xbox 360 DLC packs for free.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/alan-wake-confirmed-for-pc-coming-early-2012/

3) Capcom unveils the "Capcom Digital Collection" as an Xbox 360 exclusive containing 8 XBLA games in a single disc for the retail price of $40.
1942: Joint Strike , Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 , Final Fight: Double Impact (Final Fight + Magic Sword) , Flock!, Rocketmen: Axis of Evil (+ It Came from Uranus DLC) , Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix , Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix , Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/capcom-digital-collection-coming-to-xbox-360/

[Kane Knight]

I like the digital collection. I was interested in a couple of these games already, and a couple more were kinda "I like them, but I'm not paying full price."

A bundle makes that more appealing.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tecmo confirms both the release date of Ninja Gaiden III along with a special demo for Dead of Alive 5 will be included as a bonus but differs based on the pre-order made.

Ninja Gaiden III is set for release on March 20, 2012 for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 with the Wii U version comming at a later date to be announced.

Gamestop was confirmed as the only retailer selling a collector's edition of the game which includes the game itself, an art book, a soundtrack CD, and a "Duel of the Masked" figurine for the price of $99.

Concerning the Dead or Alive 5 demo, depending on where the pre-order is made, the demo itself will be different in terms of fighters included. Gamestop has 2 versions of the demo available while Amazon has the third version.

For North America, however, getting the demos will be a little more convoluted. To get the Ayane vs. Hayate demo, you’ll need to pre-order Ninja Gaiden 3 from Amazon. If you want the Hayabusa vs. Hitomi demo, you’ll have to pre-order it from GameStop instead. If, however, you want the demo with all four characters, you’ll still get that from the Collector’s Edition—which itself is exclusive to GameStop.

Unlike the US/Canada, Japan's demo of Dead or Alive 5 is based more on specific console than pre-order.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/ninja2.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/ninja-gaiden-3-to-include-platform-exclusive-dead-or-alive-5-demos/

------------------------------------------------
Daily Recap:
1) Update to Square-Enix getting hacked as the company announces no personal information was accessed by the hackers due to the database holding the information was not accessed.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/square-enix-whiplash-no-personal-user-info-accessed-hack

2) EA continues their bad track record of recent micro-transaction decisions as it was revealed one of the newest "premium" cars for the free-to-play PC game of Need for Speed World costs $100 to purchase as a playable race car.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/eas-100-fake-car

3) Anarchy Reigns, the multiplayer brawler being developed by Platinum Games, has been delayed from a January 2012 release to now a July 2012 release with the official reason being the game needs to be "fleshed out more."
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/platinums-anarchy-reigns-delayed-until-summer/


Bonus: The 2011 TPWW Gammies Awards is still open to voting with the poll for Game of the Year ending on December 18
http://www.tpww.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116201

[Kane Knight]

Wait, you have demos that you not only have to pre-order another game to get, but are retail exclusive (Yes, in the US, I know)?

That's bordering on the peak of stupidity.

[Kalyx triaD]

That's the most convulsive demo/pre-order strategy I ever seen.

[AKin3D]

I just couldn't pass this up
--------------------------

http://i.imgur.com/rGkyp.jpg

Nintendo has announced a surprise game at the Jump Festa event. It is revealed that The Pokémon Company is collaborating with KOEI-Tecmo to develop a new game, titled ポケモン＋ノブナガの野望 Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition. The game will be released for Nintendo DS, and its genre is Simulation, or better described as Turn-Based Strategy RPG. It is tentatively set for release in Spring 2012

In this game, each characters have a pokémon as their partners. For example, Oda Nobunaga with Zekrom, Takeda Shingen with Groudon, Uesugi Kenshin with Mewtwo, Akechi Mitsuhide with Articuno and Oichi with Jigglypuff. The main character is selectable between male or female avatar, and their starter pokémon appears to be Eevee.

More information has come up with a trailer that has been posted in Youtube. The game's setting is an alternate world of Sengoku set in the ランセ地方 Ranse region, and it involves conquering 17 castles which will then trigger a legend of the region. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is also shown partnering with Infernape.

More information has come up with a trailer that has been posted in Youtube. The game's setting is an alternate world of Sengoku set in the ランセ地方 Ranse region, and it involves conquering 17 castles which will then trigger a legend of the region. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is also shown partnering with Infernape.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hxi4rdnOUbQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Offical Website (http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/ranse/)

source (http://koeiwarriors.co.uk/)

[Kane Knight]

Despite being a turn-based strategy game featuring Pokémon, every critic on the planet will decry it as being exactly the same as all the Samurai Warriors games before it.

They should have made them hybrids. Kenshin Mewesugu would rock. Mitsucuno Akechi, too.

[LuigiD]

That game looks awesome.
I welcome it with an open mind.

[Kane Knight]

That game looks awesome.
I welcome it with an open mind.

'Course, it won't be released in the West, most likely.

But Hideyoshi Infernape...AWESOME.

[Xero]

Picked up the Humble Indie Bundle for $10. Amazing deal.

[G]

Even better for a penny

[Kane Knight]

Even better for a penny

Even better for free.

[AKin3D]

Despite being a turn-based strategy game featuring Pokémon, every critic on the planet will decry it as being exactly the same as all the Samurai Warriors games before it.

They should have made them hybrids. Kenshin Mewesugu would rock. Mitsucuno Akechi, too.

Right on the money KK.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Is system requirement lab the only game testing program to see if PC games can be handled by a computer?

[Xero]

Steam holiday sale has started.

[Extreme Angle]

I fucking love Steam.

[Emperor Smeat]

DICE could be providing hints to the next game in the Battlefield series based on potential clues found in the recent "Back to Karklands" DLC pack for Battlefield 3.

The clues are based on certain writing found on one of the walls in the Wake Island map and DICE's previous history of teasing the next game within a DLC pack.

The writing which just has the plain text of "2143" could be the hinting the next game as a direct sequel of Battlefield 2142 and would be titled as "Battlefield 2143." DICE has also used the 42/43 numbering in the past for sequels with Battlefield 1943 being a direct sequel to Battlefield 1942.

In the Battlefield 2: Armored Fury booster pack, there was a car with a license plate reading “2142″. While at the time that number might not have be understood, it ended up being a hint at a future reveal: Battlefield 2142.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/bf32011-12-1522-43-44-25.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/teaser-for-battlefield-2143-on-karkands-wake-island/
______________________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) According to CNET, Nintendo will be making an appearance at CES 12 with the Wii U being shown off again although nothing huge is expected as Nintendo still wants E3 2012 to be the real 2nd debut of the system.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/wii-u-appearing-at-ces-next-month-but-dont-expect-much/3869/

2) A recent update done by Sony for their S Tablet series in Japan now allows PS3 controllers to be usable for tablet games although no news if the update will be released to other regions.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/sonys-s-tablet-will-be-compatible-ps3-controllers

3) Developer studio Dimps is expanding into the mobile and browser markets with each market getting brand new gaming series created by the studio.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/dimps-develop-its-own-ips

[Emperor Smeat]

It appears Sony is in trouble with consumers regarding the PS Move edition of the Heavy Rain PS3 game with content and features originally promised as extras being missing.

Leading up the release of the PS Move edition, Sony had touted it would contain 4 extra pieces of content not found in the regular version from last year's release.

To make matters worse, while Sony will accept copies of the game returned to them, they are requiring consumers to foot the bill for any shipping in order to receive the correct version consumers had expected to receive when they first bought the game.

Many people are reporting that the Move Edition of Heavy Rain doesn't come with everything it's supposed to. The version of the game advertises four additional pieces of content: the "Taxidermist" chapter, theme, soundtrack, and "making of" videos. Yet for many people that content is missing from their disks.

It's been an ongoing issue since April this year and has somehow yet to be resolved. Users can get their faulty discs replaced, but they'll have to foot the shipping bill in order to get an actual working copy of the game they bought.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/imgHeavy%20Rain3_0.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/missing-content-some-heavy-rain-move-editions

____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Sony releases 1st firmware patch for the PS Vita but it does not correct any problems reported since launch but instead primarily fixes stuff that wasn't ready in time when the Vita went into the mass production phase.

2) Microsoft starts its annual "12 Days of Xbox" savings with each day having a special item or game on sale along with a list of stuff that will stay on sale until January 2, 2012.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/todays-12-days-of-xbox-deals-deal/

3) Capcom confirms a Devil May Cry HD collection is set for an April 3, 2012 release date and includes Devil May Cry 1, Devil may Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/devil-may-cry-hd-collection-release-date-confirmed/

[Kane Knight]

<div style='width:650px;font-size: 12px;'><embed src="http://cdn2.themis-media.com/media/global/movies/player/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.7.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.themis-media.com/videos/config/5148-be23eeee8f9dc0f4e727e13391927736.js%3Fplayer_version%3D2.5%26embed%3D1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" width="650" height="391" wmode="opaque"></embed><div><a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com'>The Escapist</a> : <a href='http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/zero-p

[Extreme Angle]

Destroyed my friends Minecraft world that took 6 months to make just now... :lol:
Can't wait till they all go online next.

[G]

you are not a very good friend

[Kane Knight]

you are not a very good friend

Maybe his friend will give up on Minecraft. That would make him the best friend imaginable.

[Extreme Angle]

Maybe his friend will give up on Minecraft. That would make him the best friend imaginable.

[Extreme Angle]

Nah, One guy started extending his house and thought because I play it like once a month (if that)
he thought it'd be ok to completely destroy mine and my gf's island + take all our stuff, so he could use it on his.
Spent like an hour just burning shit.

[Emperor Smeat]

The next Dragon Age game, Dragon Age 3, will be a bit different than the previous 2 games after Bioware revealed in an interview with Wired.com they are mixing aspects from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim with the Dragon Age series.

These changes would also take into consideration requests by EA to add more multiplayer features starting with the rumors of co-op and battle arenas for the third game.

“[The next Dragon Age] is gonna have the best of features from the prior Dragon Age games, but it’s also gonna have a lot of things I think players are gonna find compelling from some of the games that are out now that are doing really well with more of an open world feel,” Muzyka told Wired.

“We’re checking [Skyrim] out aggressively. We like it. We’re big admirers of [Bethesda] and the product. We think we can do some wonderful things.”

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/dragonage.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/dragon-age-3-to-take-inspiration-from-skyrim/

_______________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) If the launch of the PS Vita is any indication, the majority of PS Vita games will not contain any printed game manuals and instead only have online digital manuals.
http://kotaku.com/5868704/report-the-ps-vita-is-killing-off-the-instruction-booklet

2) Microsoft confirms an update to fix problems resulting from the recent dashboard update is being worked on with the primary fixes revolving around user profiles unable to access some of the new features.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-acknowledges-xbox-live-profile-errors/

3) The timeline for the Zelda series might have finally been discovered based on the official art book for the series 25th anniversary which potentially splits the actual timeline into 3 branches instead of the assumed single or dual timelines.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/community-showcase-zelda-timeline-possibly-revealed


Bonus: The 2011 TPWW Gammies Awards ends in 2 days with voting still open for all categories.
http://www.tpww.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116201

[Kane Knight]

We all know DA3 is going to be a cover-based shooter, so who is he kidding?

[Kane Knight]

Also, hate the lack of manuals in my copy, even if they're only two page reference sheets.

[Captain of Fun]

I hate the lack of manuals in general.

It's gotten even worse lately, in that there isn't even a controller layout.

Lot of companies it seems are going the route of online manuals. Which is utter fucking bullshit, because not everyone has a laptop they can plop down in front of the tv. My xbox and computer are on different floors, so the online manual thing is a pain in the ass.

[Kane Knight]

I don't get why they don't include them on-disc for console games at least. If printing costs are the issue, putting them on the disc shouldn't be.

[Captain of Fun]

They have to save that space for DLC.

[Kane Knight]

True. It would be expensive to put that DLC on a server.

[Emperor Smeat]

I don't get why they don't include them on-disc for console games at least. If printing costs are the issue, putting them on the disc shouldn't be.

Tutorial levels essentially replaced having in-game manuals and I think it was either EA or Activision that started the whole trend towards this.

Might have been a Madden or Call of Duty game to be exact.

I can remember where it stated the figures but making and printing manuals doesn't really provide any real savings considering the costs for most decent video games is in the $10-$30 million range and manuals themselves only cost around the $30,000 to low $100,000 range.

[Kane Knight]

Tutorial levels essentially replaced having in-game manuals and I think it was either EA or Activision that started the whole trend towards this.

Might have been a Madden or Call of Duty game to be exact.

I can remember where it stated the figures but making and printing manuals doesn't really provide any real savings considering the costs for most decent video games is in the $10-$30 million range and manuals themselves only cost around the $30,000 to low $100,000 range.

Except they haven't replaced them in all instances. Especially not all instances where manuals have been removed. I'm also not a fan of waiting until I'm halfway through a game to find out how to do something because of in-game tutorials. It's rarely necessary.

We're going to end up with a Saints Row the Third model, where half the game is tutorial, much of it unncessarily and also incomplete.

[Kane Knight]

Also, companies have eliminated shit for the sake of less savings. These days, I expect a corporation to pinch every penny.

Stupid iTunes fucking up my ability to type uninterrupted.

[DaveBrawl]

I liked the way Smackdown vs Raw 11 handled teaching you the controls. I don't remember if it had a manual or not, but if it did it likely sucked as most of them do so they provided a practice mode where you could take your time and learn how to do everything. My only complaint about it, was you had to exit out of it in order everytime you went to the main menu. If they could have stuck it somewhere off the main screen it would have been perfect.

I was actually looking forward to that for WWE 12 since they changed the controls, unfortunately it's gone.

[Emperor Smeat]

In an interview with Giant Bomb, Remedy Entertainment revealed their plans and some of the changes for the upcoming download-only Alan Wake American Nightmare game.

The game itself is not being considered as "Alan Wake 2" but more as an extension from the first game in terms of story.

The studio did listen to complaints about the lack of overall variety in terms of combat from the first game and decided to add in a bit more action parts to the upcoming game. This also became a big reason why the decision was made to make it just a downloadable title since they can make the game move at a faster pace than the first game which also had some complaints of feeling a bit slow.

American Nightmare won’t be ditching the action for more plot, however, as Myllryinne described Alan Wake as one-third action, two-thirds story and American Nightmare as the complete opposite.

The game's story revolves a lot on the stories Alane Wake has written for his "Night Springs" series and ends up becoming trapped in them similar to the first game. Mr. Scratch also returns from the first game's DLC packs as the main villain in American Nightmare.

Also revealed was manuscripts play a bigger role this time in terms of both the actual story and as a way to gain access to new weapons and items.

Manuscript pieces narrated by Wake are littered throughout the world again, revealing more about the lingering mysteries we’ve been obsessing over since the credits rolled. The manuscripts tie into the gameplay this time, too, as more manuscripts mean access to more powerful weapons and items. This is especially crucial in the new survival mode Fight 'Till Dawn.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/9/93384/2086873-aw_american_nightmare_super.png
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/welcome-to-alan-wakes-american-nightmare/3871/

__________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Valve now requires an additional $1 fee for any purchases made to the Humble Indie bundle below $1 as a way to punish and track scammers who were cheating in order to get better chances at winning free prizes. The extra dollar would go to the Child's Play charity to ensure they were not cheated out of their fair share from the scammers.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/jerks-use-humble-bundle-cheat-steam-raffle-thus-shaming-humanity

2) EA announces the reboot game for the SSX series has been delayed from its original February 14 release date to now a February 28 date with the extra time being used to polish the game.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/ssx-delayed-few-weeks-valentines-day-ruined

3) A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Sony challenging the company's ability to restrict lawsuits against them and how Sony hid the clause within the paper-only terms of service document.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/anti-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-sony


Bonus: 1 day left for voting in the 2011 TPWW Gammies Awards with winners to be posted late Friday.
http://www.tpww.net/forums/showthread.php?t=116201

[Kane Knight]

So a class-action lawsuit challenging the prevention of calss-action lawsuits?

[Iop]

I think manuals are an outdated concept. Its best to learn on the go and today games have the room to teach you things as you play through. No one wants to take out a manual and lookingt hings up to interrupt yo game, yo wanna PLAY!

[Kane Knight]

I think manuals are an outdated concept. Its best to learn on the go and today games have the room to teach you things as you play through. No one wants to take out a manual and lookingt hings up to interrupt yo game, yo wanna PLAY!

No gamer wants their hands held. [/ioplogic]

[Iop]

No gamer wants their hands held. [/ioplogic]

I agree! but explaing features in a game isnt hand holding.

[Kane Knight]

I agree! but explaing features in a game isnt hand holding.

Yes it is. real gamers harken back to the days of Zelda (The original, fuck this three dee shit) where you had to figure shit out yourself. You couldn't figure out where to kneel in Simon's quest, fuck you, you couldn't continue. None of this glowing weak spot, explain every strategy bullshit.

[LoDownM]

No manuals doesn't really bother me, most games in a genre have the same/similar control layouts these days anyway. But I can see how it would be a problem for someone who is just getting into gaming and isn't tech savvy enough to figure out how to get to the online manual. There is people like that out there... my sister and her boyfriend are two of them.

[Captain of Fun]

How long you've been playing games doesn't really factor into it. Sure you can figure the basic controls by yourself, but games are a lot more complex these days. Some have tons of situational controls that you might not remember from the one time they showed you in a tutorial.

I mean it's not THAT big a deal, but it's still an inconvenience. Miss the days where I could just reach over and pop the book out, and be done with it.

[Kalyx triaD]

How digital releases on XBLA did it is fine. UMvC3's H&H Mode also has an in-game manuel that's great. I don't mind if they emulate the booklets nice and close.

[Captain of Fun]

Yeah, I don't mind it when it is in game, it's just this online tripe that gets my goose.

[Kane Knight]

How long you've been playing games doesn't really factor into it.

...Unless you're relative new to gaming, at which point things will seem far more daunting than if you've been playing them since 1978. Seriously, I know there are still issues even if you have like 40 years of muscle memory built up, but that doesn't mean that how long you've been playing games doesn't factor into it.

In other words, it's an inconvenience for you, but could really fuck the nooblets up.

[Xero]

I think manuals are an outdated concept. Its best to learn on the go and today games have the room to teach you things as you play through. No one wants to take out a manual and lookingt hings up to interrupt yo game, yo wanna PLAY!

This is a load of shit, especially for new games or games with different control schemes of which you've never handled. For example, in WWE 12 it explains the bare minimum control and that's it. It took a lot of trial and error and even having to go online to figure a few of the controls out. For example, I completely assumed they took out taking the turnbuckle pad off until I looked it up. Manuals need to be there at least to explain the fundamentals of the game because not everyone wants to sit there for an hour trying every possible control combination.

I also hate tutorial levels that force you to go through 100 different things that are obvious before hitting something you didn't know. Again, this is where manuals come in handy.

I have no problem with on-disk manuals, but espeically in this world of casual gamers meshing with hardcore gamers, it's not an "outdated" concept and is in fact more apt than ever.

[Xero]

Didn't realize that was an on-going debate.

[Kane Knight]

I also hate tutorial levels that force you to go through 100 different things that are obvious before hitting something you didn't know. Again, this is where manuals come in handy.

REALLY hated that sort of thing in earlier WWE games. Especially when some of them were so contextualised they didn't really happen unless you knew to make them happen.

Then again, WWE manuals are usually shit. Half the time, there's one or two things I can't find in the manual and need to go online for.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to Epic Games, Microsoft has sent out a new mandate set to start on January 1, 2012 which removes the ability to sell any "gun-like" props on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The new mandate also covers any new guns being created as either rewards or as pre-order bonuses if they are not in-game weapons and just avatar props.

All current gun props existing on the Avatar Store will be delisted starting next month but there is a grandfather clause which allows Xbox users to keep their exiting weapon props. Microsoft will also not be disabling the ability to equip them on a user's Xbox avatar.

This would be the 2nd time Microsoft has reconsidered guns and weapons as allowable props for their guidelines on what can and can not be done for Xbox Live avatars. The first attempt ended up being dropped after Epic Games was able to convince Microsoft to change their minds but it appears this time Microsoft will not budge from their new stance at least for the time being.

http://forums.epicgames.com/threads/870773-Lancer-and-Hammerburst-avatar-items-no-longer-available-on-Marketplace-on-1-1-2012

____________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Based on the leaked codename of "Iron Wolf" and other rumored info, the next game in the Call of Duty series will be Black Ops 2 and has a release date of October 11, 2012.
http://blackops2news.com/call-of-duty-black-ops-2/iron-wolf-is-the-codename-for-black-ops-2

2) Sony denies The Last Guardian for the PS3 has been cancelled while Gamestop admits to an error lead in the cancellation notices being sent to customers who had the pre-order reserved for the game.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-last-guardian-cancelled-updated

3) Nintendo reveals the next Gameboy game to arrive on the eShop for the 3DS on December 29 will be Bionic Commando from the original Gameboy along with a "3D Classic" version of Urban Champion and a few other games.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/gb-bionic-commando-hits-3ds-eshop-december-29th

[Kane Knight]

Can I still keep my big stompy robot, with all its guns?

[Captain of Fun]

...Unless you're relative new to gaming, at which point things will seem far more daunting than if you've been playing them since 1978. Seriously, I know there are still issues even if you have like 40 years of muscle memory built up, but that doesn't mean that how long you've been playing games doesn't factor into it.

In other words, it's an inconvenience for you, but could really fuck the nooblets up.


Well what I mean is, it's shitty whether you've been playing a long time or whether you're new.

[Emperor Smeat]

Tecmo reveals a few new details for the upcoming Ninja Gaiden III game with a new feature allowing seppuku or "honorable suicides" during multiplayer matches.

The mode only triggers when the character is near death and doesn't provide any actual special bonuses or perks besides denying the kill point to the attacking player.

Although the suicide itself will not include any gore nor dismemberment unlike the rest of the game but instead displays how the traditional act was done in the past to show off the "honor" part of the move.

“Being Japanese developers, we had a certain image of what seppuku is, and a certain feel for what that entails,” Hayashi says. “We just really didn’t know what that would be like for Westerners—how much they knew and if they could get it or how they would feel about it, so we actually asked as many people as we could how they felt about it. The response we got was actually very interesting—they didn’t seem to be offended or take it too seriously. So, I think the Japanese side of things was a lot more worried about how it could be interpreted. For the Westerners, it came as a sort of light side action that you can do without a whole lot of baggage there.”

The story itself has been written by the same person who wrote the NES trilogy of games.

Mizuki McCloud was revealed to be the primary backup for Ryu in the game. She is also compared more to the female CIA agent from the NES series than the more recent Gaiden games female backup characters.

“She’s a member of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in the Special Security Unit, which is sort of like a clandestine operation in the Japanese military,” Hayashi says. “She’s there to provide backup for Hayabusa in all the missions; she herself will play a key role in the story, and those events will be clear once you actually play the game.”

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/NinjaGaiden1.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/previews/hands-on-ninja-gaiden-3/
_________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Nintendo confirms the Wii U will launch in the 2nd half of 2012 with the final date to be determined and announced once E3 2012 arrives.
http://kotaku.com/5871091/the-mysterious-nintendo-wii-u-launch-window-narrows

2) According to the preview sales results from the 1st week of the launch of the PS Vita, the strategy by Sony to "flood" the market with too many launch games might have backfired as none of the games managed to reach 30,000 copies sold nor did the majority of the launch games managed to reach 10,000 copies sold.
http://www.vgchartz.com/article/88646/the-japan-preview-122511-edition-six-games-top-100k/

[Kane Knight]

Although the suicide itself will not include any gore nor dismemberment unlike the rest of the game but instead displays how the traditional act was done in the past to show off the "honor" part of the move.

Aren't those kinda mutually exclusive?

[Kane Knight]

http://penny-arcade.com/2011/12/26/just-wow1

Ocean Marketing vs Penny Arcade. Probably not gonna set the world on fire, but it's amusing as fuck and a nice primer in how not to do business

[Hanso Amore]

That shit is funny. Also love that "OCEAN MARKETTING" misspelled their own twitter name.

[Extreme Angle]

Yeah, read that.... They are cunts.

[Kane Knight]

That shit is funny. Also love that "OCEAN MARKETTING" misspelled their own twitter name.

Well, the guy who wrote those replies claims to be the head of the company. He also spells worse than Clox's iphone posts.

[Emperor Smeat]

http://penny-arcade.com/2011/12/26/just-wow1

Ocean Marketing vs Penny Arcade. Probably not gonna set the world on fire, but it's amusing as fuck and a nice primer in how not to do business

:lol: at the PR guy just naming companies probably never realizing they would actually respond back or find out.

IGN already said they don't have any business with the company except for a brief time in the past. Kotaku never gets anything from those guys for products when they do product reviews nor did they go on the PR guy's side.

It gets even worse on Amazon with all his products getting trashed now especially after his line of him teasing he would sell the customer's product on Ebay.

[G]

http://www.amazon.com/Avenger-Xbox-360-Adapter/dp/B0051JSJ44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325009965&sr=8-1

[FearedSanctity]

http://www.natesnetwork.com/Poor-customer-service

From earlier this year. Different customer, same problem, same guy

[FearedSanctity]

It was just a matter of time...

http://d37nnnqwv9amwr.cloudfront.net/photos/images/newsfeed/000/223/949/0iCzo.jpg

[FearedSanctity]

Seriously couldn't write this shit. Paul changed the Twitter name from @OceanMarketting....to @OceanStratagy.

The original "Marketting" handle as well as one with Strategy spelled correctly have already been snagged

Also...

http://d37nnnqwv9amwr.cloudfront.net/photos/images/original/000/223/960/lowe.jpg
http://d37nnnqwv9amwr.cloudfront.net/photos/images/original/000/223/963/oc1-1.PNG

[Extreme Angle]

Lego Batman ;). Anybody got anything to trade?

[RoXer]

http://www.natesnetwork.com/Poor-customer-service

[FearedSanctity]

#4328 ;)

[RoXer]

http://i.imgur.com/XpTJo.jpg



I'm really glad I wasn't the only one who picked up on the "The Mayor" part. Had me cracking up.

[RoXer]

This goes all the way to The Mayor!

[FearedSanctity]

Reddit also found his old MySpace along with posts on a forum about using steroids

[Xero]

lol what a douchebag.

Well, he's ruined at this point. :y: internets.

[Kane Knight]

:lol: at the PR guy just naming companies probably never realizing they would actually respond back or find out.

IGN already said they don't have any business with the company except for a brief time in the past. Kotaku never gets anything from those guys for products when they do product reviews nor did they go on the PR guy's side.

It gets even worse on Amazon with all his products getting trashed now especially after his line of him teasing he would sell the customer's product on Ebay.

This is why I'm pretty sure Jim Sterling is right about Childishness solving more than maturity.

Seriously couldn't write this shit. Paul changed the Twitter name from @OceanMarketting....to @OceanStratagy.

The original "Marketting" handle as well as one with Strategy spelled correctly have already been snagged

Also...

http://d37nnnqwv9amwr.cloudfront.net/photos/images/original/000/223/960/lowe.jpg
http://d37nnnqwv9amwr.cloudfront.net/photos/images/original/000/223/963/oc1-1.PNG

I love it. Giving him more rope and watching him hang himself.

I am, however, saddened that we're picking on someone who is so clearly suffering from a learning disability. I mean, he types in twittard speak even in his emails.

As for Stratagy, maybe he meant Stragety. They're pretty similar in usage.

[Emperor Smeat]

In an interview with OPM UK (Official Playstation Magazine), Hideo Kojima explained why the original Metal Gear Solid game from the PS1 was not included in the Metal Gear Solid HD collection for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

His explanation was as a lack of interest to just upscale the PS1 game and wanting more to reboot the entire game if MGS 1 was to ever be remade.

“There are a lot of people wanting remakes of the original, and as producer I want to answer those calls. But as a creator I’m not very interested in going back. If we were to do it, it would have to be a total remake – the only thing that would be the same would be the story."

In terms of actual work needed, the other games in the set either came from the same platform (MGS 2, MGS 3) or from a similar architecture (PSP's Peace walker) which reduced the work needed on upscaling the assets. Japan's set did get the the original Metal Gear games from the MSX but they were kept in their original states and not upscaled to HD resolutions.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/rc_mgs1.png
http://www.screwattack.com/news/will-kojima-remake-mgs1-hd
__________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) The plans for the Hitman series could include another game or at least DLC for the upcoming Hitman: Absolution game due to Square-Enix registering "Hitman: Profession" as a recent trademark.
http://kotaku.com/5871375/new-new-hitman-maybe

[Xero]

Um, there was a pretty high quality remake of MGS on the Gamecube....

[FearedSanctity]

Some more on "OceanStratagy":

http://i.imgur.com/axYAm.png

JD_2020 Josh Olin
I'll tell you what @GEICO & @Allstate... Make your case in 140 characters or less why I should insure with you. Ready Go!

@GEICO
GEICO
@JD_2020 Great savings, outstanding service, and a proven 75-year track record. And we will never wwebsite as on the Internet.


http://courtindex.sdcourt.ca.gov/CISPublic/casedetail?casenum=DVN14325&casesite=NC&applcode=D

http://kotaku.com/5871400/cut-paul-oceanmarketting-christoforo-a-breakhe-probably-just-has-roid-rage


The internet is a real motherfucker

[Kane Knight]

Um, there was a pretty high quality remake of MGS on the Gamecube....

You didn't expect Kojima to be honest, did you?

[Kane Knight]

Some more on "OceanStratagy":

http://i.imgur.com/axYAm.png




http://courtindex.sdcourt.ca.gov/CISPublic/casedetail?casenum=DVN14325&casesite=NC&applcode=D

http://kotaku.com/5871400/cut-paul-oceanmarketting-christoforo-a-breakhe-probably-just-has-roid-rage


The internet is a real motherfucker

It's weird how it sometimes works, isn't it?

[Emperor Smeat]

Um, there was a pretty high quality remake of MGS on the Gamecube....

That was also done with help from Nintendo and Silicon Knights (at the time a 2nd party studio for Nintendo).

Don't remember his actual reaction to the game but the MGS community ended up hating it because it made the game easier or changed it too much with the new camera perspective and other non-MGS 1 stuff.

I'd assume in terms of the actual MGS HD collection, Konami wanted more of a quick and cheap HD porting project so either it would have cost more than they budgeted or Kojima's team didn't want to spent a lot of time rehauling the graphics for the game. In Japan, they just tossed in the extra MSX games mainly due to the first being on PSN store and the 2nd was just added to the disc or also on the PSN store.

[Xero]

Fair enough I guess.

I never actually played Twin Snakes myself, just knew it existed. I'd imagine Nintendo might also have some rights to it still.

[Xero]

Starting to think this can't be real. Like it's a viral campaign or something. He's just so over the top right now it's ridiculous.

[FearedSanctity]

I feel bad for the guy that designed the Avenger. Apparently he's just some teacher who made the thing for one of his students and just basically started the day with his product getting shit all over on websites like Amazon

[Kane Knight]

Might be a retread, but I don't think so:

http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/4212/article/ocean-marketing-has-terribad-track-record/

I feel bad for the guy that designed the Avenger. Apparently he's just some teacher who made the thing for one of his students and just basically started the day with his product getting shit all over on websites like Amazon

The unfortunate thing here is that the review bombs are unlikely to go away.

I do feel bad for the guy. He has apparently done the right thing here.

[Kalyx triaD]

I think there is a big difference between being sorry and being sorry you got caught. I have a real problem with bullies. I spent my childhood moving from school to school and I got made fun of everyplace I landed. I feel like Paul is a bully and maybe that’s why I have no sympathy here. Someday every bully meets and even bigger bully and maybe that’s me in this case. It’s the same thing that happened with Jack Thompson. It might not always make the most business sense and it is a policy that has caused us some legal problems, but I really don’t give a shit about that. When these assholes threaten me or Penny Arcade I just laugh. I will personally burn everything I’ve made to the fucking ground if I think I can catch them in the flames.

[Kane Knight]

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VYPsoxpt0BU" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe><br>

[Emperor Smeat]

An announcement regarding Episode II for Sonic 4 will be made tomorrow on Gamespot according to Sega.

"Maybe most of you have figured it out, but just in case you were still wondering: Episode II will announced on GameSpot worldwide on December 29th, 2011"

Ken Balough, Sega's Digital Brand Manager, did mention not to actually expected anything huge from the announcement although it will follow the same way Episode 1 was revealed with a teaser trailer and some brief info regarding the new episode.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/sonic-4-logo.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/sonic-4-episode-2-announcement-tomorrow
__________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) The limited edition version for the upcoming Twisted Metal PS3 game will include a download code to get Twisted Metal: Black as a bonus for free.
http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/28/twisted-metal-includes-twisted-metal-black-download-code/

2) 2nd week of sales between the PS Vita and 3DS shows the 3DS outselling the Vita by almost 6-to-1 margin while the Vita itself experienced a 75% drop in hardware sales.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/nintendo-3ds-outselling-playstation-vita-6-to-1

3) The recent Humble Indie bundle sale resulted in over 435,000 copies sold generating $2.37 million with the majority going towards the Child's Play and American Red Cross charities.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/humble-indie-bundle-raises-stacks-stacks-stacks

[Emperor Smeat]

Details on Episode II for Sonic 4 include a lot of new features, new physics, and no version for the Wii.

In terms of new stuff, Tails arrives as a sidekick for the game while Metal Sonic returns as the main villain for the game. The story follows more of a Sonic vs Metal Sonic rivalry based on the events since the end of Sonic CD.

Based on feedback from the fans, the physics engine from Episode 1 has been completely remade. Some features include no longer sticking to walls or uncurling in ball form when running up a hill. The graphics engine was also completely remade based on similar feedback.

The game will be available for all the same systems Episode 1 was on with the exception of the Wii due to the lack of the Wiiware logo. Current rumors hint Sega might be holding it back until the release of the Wii U and the updated Nintendo network.

No exact release date was given but it will arrive at some point in 2012 for PSN, XBLA, iOS, and Windows Phone 7. Android Phones have been included as a platform for the game while PC/Mac once again have been left out.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/sonicepisode2a_610.png
http://kotaku.com/5871797/sonic-4-episode-2-is-already-changing-stuff
_______________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) 2K Sports reveal Justin Verlander will be the cover star for next year's MLB 2k12 baseball game.
http://kotaku.com/5871770/an-mvp-graces-mlb-2k12s-cover

2) While only confirmed for Japan for now, Super Mario Bros will be available to non-Ambassador Program 3DS owners next month with online multiplayer being included in the firmware update for the game.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/super-mario-bros-coming-3ds-eshop-multiplayer-updatein-japan

3) Activision sent a cease and desist letter to a hacker after the company discovered the hacker had been sharing and revealing the source code for the figurines in Spyro: Skylanders game with potential concerns about pirating or getting all the characters for free. The game itself requires the purchases of extra figurines in order to unlock those characters in the game.
http://kotaku.com/5871789/man-hacks-skylanders-gets-nasty-letter-from-activision

[Kane Knight]

3) A hacker has been sued by Activision for potentially pirating Spyro: Skylanders due to sharing and revealing the source code found in the game's figurines as a way to "pirate" the game's collectable content for free. The game itself requires the purchases of extra figurines in order to unlock those characters in the game.
http://kotaku.com/5871789/man-hacks-skylanders-gets-nasty-letter-from-activision


Except he wasn't sued, he was sent a C&D letter. And other problems, but still.

[Emperor Smeat]

Based on a newsletter sent by Disney and then later removed, Disney might have accidentally leaked more details regarding the sequel to Epic Mickey.

The game will have a 2-player co-op mode with Oswald the Rabbit being controlled by the second player. Also revealed was a Fall 2012 as the current release date for the game.

The sequel will also be available on the PS3 and Xbox 360 to go along with the Wii. This would end up confirming an earlier leak which had potential box art covers for the game including other platforms besides just the Wii.

Assuming the same control setup is used from the original game, the Xbox 360 are assumed to have some sort of Kinect controls while the PS3 version would have Move controls.

"Disney Epic Mickey 2 is the latest game in the critically acclaimed Disney Epic Mickey videogame series. In this all-new action-platforming game available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii, Mickey embarks on an epic journey and is pulled back into a world filled with Disney’s forgotten characters. Players can choose to play single-player as Mickey or for the first time players can also choose 2-player split screen mode. In the 2 player mode one person can play as Mickey wielding magic paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world and the second player can play as Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – Walt Disney’s first cartoon star – with the power to fly like a helicopter and use electricity to fight or friend enemies and solve challenges. Team-up and choose your path to save this forgotten world because the choices you make will alter the story and change the end of the game!"

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/epicmickey2_610_0.png
http://www.screwattack.com/news/was-epic-mickey-2-accidentally-leaked-disney
__________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) The Wii U is currently rumored to be having an "app"-like store in addition to the revamped Wii U shop with the tablet controller able to run apps on its own without the use of the Wii U system.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/wii-u-tablet-contoller-will-run-apps-separate-from-console

[Kane Knight]

Well, I know what I've been dying for is another Epic Mickey.

[Emperor Smeat]

Torrent Freaks revealed the list of the most pirated games of 2011 during the News Year Eve weekend with games from the PC, Xbox 360, and Wii listed.

Results on handhelds and the PS3 were not listed with the PS3 assumed to be due more to the larger file sizes and only recently became cracked to the public in late Spring.

Almost all of the games released in November with the exception of CoD: Modern Warfare 3 did not reach enough pirated copies to make the lists as well.

PC Game Downloads:

1. Crysis 2 (3,920,000)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (3,650,000)
3. Battlefield 3 (3,510,000)
4. FIFA 12 (3,390,000)
5. Portal 2 (3,240,000)

Wii Game Downloads:

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (1,280,000)
2. Mario Sports Mix (1,090,000)
3. Xenoblade Chronicles (950,000)
4. Lego Pirates of the Caribbean (870,000)
5. FIFA 12 (860,000)

Xbox 360 Game :

1. Gears of War 3 (890,000)
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (830,000)
3. Battlefield 3 (760,000)
4. Forza Motorsport 4 (720,000)
5. Kinect Sports: Season Two (690,000)

In terms of the PC numbers, the Crysis 3 numbers were mostly from the launch period and large enough to have Crytek drop all future exclusive support for the PC market in favor of the more profitable console market.

In terms of the Wii numbers, FIFA 12 was pirated more than double of the actual sales for the game based on estimates.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/192132-header.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/these-are-most-pirated-games-2011

____________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) God of War IV rumored to have an online co-op mode with Kratos once dead brother to be the 2nd playable character for the mode.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-god-war-iv-have-co-op

2) An online petition requesting Activision to include the PC as a platform for the upcoming Tony Hawk HD game has failed due to a severe lack of interest and signatures.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/fans-petition-to-bring-tony-hawks-pro-skater-hd-to-pc/

3) While EA, Sony (Playstation division only), and Nintendo have personally backed out of support for the SOPA bill, they have not completely dropped all support due to their membership in the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) which still supports the bill being passed.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/ea-sony-nintendo-drop-sopa-support-almost

[Emperor Smeat]

Unlike Wind Waker's cell shading style being used for Zelda games on the Nintendo DS, Nintendo nor Eiji Aonuma have any intentions of using the Skyward style for future Wii U and 3DS Zelda games.

The main reason was due to when Wind Waker was being developed, both Miyamoto and Aonuma noticed how well the style would work for the DS. The storyline of the DS games were also done as a continuation of the Wind Waker storyline which kept the same Link for all the games.

Since Skyward Sword ended up as a prequel to the entire series and the fate of the first Link, the same style can't be reused as easily in terms of storyline reasons as Wind Waker was.

With Wind Waker, the graphics were suited to handheld gaming. Also the game ended with Link embarking on a journey, so it left open the possibility of what comes after the game. With Skyward Sword, positioning it as the first Zelda game means everything else connects to it and comes after it. It becomes a little bit difficult to do something else within that world and certainly much more difficult to do something that comes before it.

While Twilight Princess technically didn't have another Zelda game using the same style, it was used as the basis for Link's Crossbow Training which had some loose ties to the main game.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/84bf145db6e670b640bf59e068dbd2a7.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5872542/dont-expect-any-more-zelda-games-looking-like-skyward-sword

_____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Atari manages to force Apple to scrub out hundreds of games resembling the classic Atari style from the App Store as a way to clear out any potential competition before the company starts to upload their Atari classic games to the service.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/atari-fires-competing-ios-games

2) Nintendo announces they will not be fixing a glitch shortcut discovered in Mario Kart 7's Wuhu Island track by hinting the shortcut is now considered a legitimate part of the track. Snaking was treated the same way when it was discovered for Mario Kart DS.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/community-showcase-mario-kart-7-letter-about-maka-wuhu

3) The next game in the Persona series, Persona 5, might be revealed later this year after Atlus teased their fans of an official debut for their next project will be announced soon.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-atlus-teases-persona-5/

[Kane Knight]

SNAKING IS BROKEN! SNAKING IS CHEATING!

...Sorry, kneejerk response.

[Emperor Smeat]

Microsoft announces several new changes have been made in regards to the regulations for indie game development on the Xbox Live marketplace.

Some of the changes include the cap on file sizes have been increased from 150 MB to now 500 MB for games. The pricing structure for games was also changed where any game under 150 MB now gets the $1 price tag and a tier system for the $3 and $5 price tags.

The limit on games published was also pushed from the current 10 games to now 20 games per year from indie developers. No new rules were added to the approval process to help restrict the potential for more shovelware or rushed games.

Bigger game sizes: The previous maximum size for Xbox Indies games was 150MB—that limit has now been increased to 500MB. This means Indies developers will be able to craft bigger, more expansive games.

Change in price structure: Previously, games that were larger than 50MB had to be priced at either 240 ($3) or 400 ($5) MS Points. That tier now starts at 150MB, meaning any games below that size limit may be priced at 80 MS Points ($1).

More releases per developer: Developers were initially limited to releasing a maximum of eight games via the Xbox Indies platform. Then, that limit was changed to 10. As of today, Microsoft has once again increased that limit, so that developers may release a maximum of 20 Xbox Indies games.

http://download.gamezone.com/uploads/image/data/874381/nyan.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-makes-changes-to-xbox-indies-policies/

__________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) In wake of several big gaming companies withdrawing personal support for SOPA, the ESA has stated they will continue supporting the bill regardless of their members backing out or actual concerns with the bill itself.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/esa-maintains-sopa-support

2) Microsoft announces their flight sim game, renamed to Microsoft Flight, will become a free-to-play game with extra free content available to Games For Windows members.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/microsoft-flight-simulator-coming-back-soon-mostly-free/3887/

3) New update for the Halo Waypoint app allows better compatibility between Xbox 360 and PC users with Windows 7 phones devices and allows first access to any Halo-related news before everyone else.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/halo-waypoint-update-now-live/

[Kane Knight]

ESA still has a huge amount of support from the industry, and withdrawing while still being a supporter of SOPA through the ESA is likely the intent.

I wish Microsoft would just not make stupid policies. Then they wouldn't have to revise them every few months. But if Microsoft and Sony stopped making stupid policies, they'd have one less thing to compete over.

[Captain of Fun]

Been a big supporter of indie games. Some definite gems out there. Can't wait to see what people will do with the bigger cap.

[Kane Knight]

Been a big supporter of indie games. Some definite gems out there. Can't wait to see what people will do with the bigger cap.

Hopefully put out some of the shit that's on Steam so console players can enjoy them.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Hopefully put out some of the shit that's on Steam so console players can enjoy them.

Seriously. Some of the stuff I've picked up in sales that I hadn't heard of but was only 1 or 2 quid has been amazing.

[Kane Knight]

Seriously. Some of the stuff I've picked up in sales that I hadn't heard of but was only 1 or 2 quid has been amazing.

Of course, it'd be nice if they didn't bury indie releases so it'd be easier to find.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

NEW XCOM! NOT FPS! TURN-BASED FROM CIV DEVELOPER FRAXIS! HARD BEING COHERENT! BONERVILLE POPULATION HASNEY!!

[Emperor Smeat]

A recent bug was discovered on the Xbox marketplace's website where the "Try Demo" option to download a game onto the Xbox 360 ended up becoming an actual purchase of the game if MS points were discovered on the account.

It appears the "Try Demo" button somehow became glitched which makes the server think a "Buy Now" has been requested instead of a demo option for a game. To make matters worse, the confirmation screen shown to users is the generic screen used for both options but doesn't state an actual purchase is being made instead of a demo choice.

If you’re logged out of Xbox.com right now and click on “Try Demo,” of, say, Fruit Ninja Kinect, you’re then presented with a login screen. After typing in your Windows Live ID information, the bubbly Avatar appears. Soon, a pop-up window shows up, displaying a confirmation page to make sure everything's a-okay.

In the process of logging in, however, Xbox.com will mysteriously switch from “Try Demo” to “Buy Game.” One costs money, the other doesn't. It’s reasonable to wonder why one would just click “Confirm Purchase” without careful reading, except that “Confirm Purchase” is the same button that shows up when you want to download a trial version, too. “Confirm Purchase” is the generic term used on the site when approving a download in all cases.

Anyone who’s used to hitting “Confirm Purchase” for both paid and free content on XBL could reasonably click without a moment’s hesitation and suddenly find themselves with 800 (or more) Microsoft Points tossed out the door.

Microsoft is aware of the situation and are currently working to fix the issue although no news on if affected accounts will be restored automatically or if Customer Service is needed. Microsoft also didn't state if the glitch was the result of the recent overhaul for the marketplace and dashboard for Kinect compatibility.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/9/93384/2096323-screen_shot_2012_01_04_at_11.35.57_pm.png
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/nasty-xboxcom-login-issue-identified-but-theres-good-news/3888/

__________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) According to Bioware, the company has completly shifted away from developing single player games to now MMOs and multiplayer games with every future Bioware game to have multiplayer "shoe-horned" into it.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/multiplayer-will-be-an-important-part-of-future-bioware-games

2) Warner Bros announce Gotham City Imposters has been delayed from its original release of January 10 to now a February 2012 release date although no official reason was given for the delay.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/gotham-city-impostors-delayed/

3) Warner Bros also announced Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is currently in development by Travelers Tales and has a release date of Summer 2012 for all current platforms.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/lego-batman-2-dc-super-heroes-announced/

[DaveBrawl]

Sweet, I enjoyed the first Lego Batman game. Hope Azrael is in this one as well.

[Kane Knight]

NEW XCOM! NOT FPS! TURN-BASED FROM CIV DEVELOPER FRAXIS! HARD BEING COHERENT! BONERVILLE POPULATION HASNEY!!

But all games should be FPS as it is a superio genre.


1) According to Bioware, the company has completly shifted away from developing single player games to now MMOs and multiplayer games with every future Bioware game to have multiplayer "shoe-horned" into it.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/multiplayer-will-be-an-important-part-of-future-bioware-games

To be fair, with EA mandating multiplayer elements, is this even a surprise?

Don't really care anymore, since they seem to want to make stripped down shooters and WOW clones now.

[Kalyx triaD]

Sweet, I enjoyed the first Lego Batman game. Hope Azrael is in this one as well.

Looks like basically LEGO Justice League. No Azrael in sight.

[DaveBrawl]

Yeah I figured as much, but I was more dreaming along the lines of the custom build characters from the original being held over into the second one as well.

[Kalyx triaD]

If anybody's in wtf mode; the LEGO games are seriously good, even if they'll all basically the same. Hard to hate them.

[RoXer]

They are fun but after a I think Indy I stopped playing because I have enough shit to play.

[DaveBrawl]

Yeah I played a few minutes of one of the Star Wars games that a friend of mine had and Batman and while fun I can definitely see it could get old.

[Emperor Smeat]

In interviews with both the Associated Press and Zoomin Games, Shigeru Miyamoto reveals his current development plans involve a brand new "original title" along with his reactions from the incorrect news about his retirement.

Besides confirming development on Pikmin 3 for the Wii U and Luigi's Mansion 2 for the 3DS, Miyamoto also revealed he's is working on a third "undisclosed original title." While he didn't mention anything about the title itself, he did provide a hint of it won't have photo realistic graphics nor is it based on anything he's previously worked on.

"when it comes to the realistic games, you have to create something familiar. I [Miyamoto] personally want to make something really different."

“People have come to expect a lot from me. This certainly makes me feel some pressure,” noted Miyamoto. “But if you ask me, ‘Is it too much pressure to try to come out with something new?’ I have to say no, I’m enjoying myself. But when I make something, I always try to do my best.”

In terms of the incorrect story about him retiring from Nintendo, Miyamoto was a bit shocked at how huge the reaction became especially the part about him splitting away time from developing games in order to mentor the younger developers in the company. He believes once he's finally ready to retire, the same characters and franchises he helped create at Nintendo will last well beyond his own lifetime.

“I was pretty surprised with the reactions that the people had against the comment that I made,” said Miyamoto to the Associated Press. “I really appreciate all the kindness given the kind of comments I made. But to be clear, I have no intention to retire at all. I'm not old enough to think about retirement right now, but everybody has to retire at some point. I wanted to make clear that we are preparing for that.”

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/Super-Mario-Bros-25th-53_0.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/miyamoto-working-undisclosed-original-title
http://www.gamezone.com/news/nintendo-s-miyamoto-comments-on-fan-reaction-to-retirement-rumors

___________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Capcom confirms the 3DS demo for Resident Evil Revelations will be arriving soon to the US and Europe with the US/Canada demo expected to arrive first.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/resident-evil-revelations-demo-confirmed/

2) The next Xbox console and PS4 are currently rumored to appear during this year's E3 convention with at least the next Xbox set to debut at CES 2012.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-nextbox-and-ps4-will-appear-e3-2012

3) Sony has made Kaz Hirai, creator of the Playstation and Ridge Racer series, their new president of the company with Howard Stringer staying as a CEO of the company.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/ridge-racer-fanatic-kaz-hirai-reportedly-sonys-new-president/3891/

[Kane Knight]

If anybody's in wtf mode; the LEGO games are seriously good, even if they'll all basically the same. Hard to hate them.

Lego Harry Potter was pretty boring. Lego Star Wars and Andiana Jones were pretty fun.

I'd say it's easy to distinguish them.

[Kane Knight]

I for one am outraged that we only got a paltry 8 years out of the XBox 360.

[Extreme Angle]

6 years... Crazy how fast that's gone by :/

[Kane Knight]

6 years... Crazy how fast that's gone by :/

Appalling!

[#BROKEN Hasney]

XBox Live games are coming to non-Windows smartphones complete with achievements. Good for you, cheevo whores.

[Emperor Smeat]

David Jaffe reveals some new info about the upcoming Twisted Metal game while also debunking a bunch of recent rumors floating as well.

While pictures of the game's kiosks in stores make it seem like it will support the PS Move and 3D capabilities, neither will actually be included in the game. There was some initial plans for 3D support but they didn't have enough time nor a large enough development team to actually work on the idea.

In terms of costs, it will take about double the sales of what Twisted Metal Black gained just to break even or about 1-2 million sales in order for future games in the series to get the "green light" status.

DLC will only be considered if the game sells well enough to create an actual demand for additional content due to the company having other projects to work on.

The game will also be the last game lead by David Jaffe as he has gotten tired of making combat games. It doesn't mean the series will go on hiatus though since another producer can take over if future games are approved.

Finally, no PS Vita version is being planned nor will the co-op include online play since its just local co-op for the story.

http://mp1st.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/twisted_metal_2-600x368.jpg
http://mp1st.com/2012/01/08/twisted-metal-no-move-or-3d-support-ps-vita-version-not-planned-and-co-op-story-local-only/

_________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Update to Kaz Hirai becoming the new president of Sony for 2012 as the company announced today they have not made the switch while Howard Stringer will stay as the company's president for the near future.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/sony-denies-reports-of-kaz-hirai-movin-on-up/3895/

2) Microsoft reveals the lineup for the 2012 House Party on Xbox Live will include Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, I Am Alive, Warp, and Nexuiz.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/xbla-house-party-2012-includes-alan-wake-and-i-am-alive/

3) Eleven more concert dates and locations have been revealed for the Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony show with tickets ranging between $50 to $100 based on seat location.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/zelda-symphony-11-new-u-s-dates-announced/

[Kane Knight]

Seems weird to leave online co-op out in this day and age.

[D Mac]

So what will the Xbox 420 cost at launch? Probably 500 or some shit.

[Kane Knight]

So what will the Xbox 420 cost at launch? Probably 500 or some shit.

It's being rumoured to be comparable to the current 360.

Will it? Who knows?

[Emperor Smeat]

While last week the court case involving Interplay and Bethesda was settled last week, the details of the results over the use of the Fallout series were revealed today.

Interplay looses all current rights to the Fallout series in regards to their originally planned MMO game while Bethesda has announced they will be taking over in making the next game an MMO title.

Interplay did receive $2 million in compensation for the work already done but was much lower than they requested and were expecting to at least own the rights for the MMO game. They also are allowed to hold the rights to sell the original Fallout games (Fallout, Fallout 2 PC, and Fallout Tactics) until 2013 when Bethseda will gain full control over the older games.

The ruckus began back in 2007- after Interplay sold the Fallout franchise to Bethesda in 2004- Bethesda licensed Interplay certain rights to create the Fallout MMO. The rights came with the conditions that Interplay had to maintain a production schedule, and secure a determined amount of financing. Bethesda claimed that neither requirement was met, and removed their gloves to engage in legal fisticuffs.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/fallout2_medium_0.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/interplay-loses-fallout-mmo-bethesda

___________________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) According to Sakurai Masahiro, the upcoming Kid Icarus Uprising game for the 3DS will not have selectable difficulty levels but instead be using a similar system to the Max Payne games which altered based on how well or bad a player progressed.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/kid-icarus-uprising-wont-have-difficulty-selection

2) id Software confirms earlier rumors of potentially large layoffs within the company but have not stated if the laid off workers came only from the Rage development team or if the upcoming Doom 4 team was affected by the cuts.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/id-software-confirms-layoffs-development-continues/3903/

3) Ubisoft announces Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will have a release date of May 22 for the Xbox 360 and PS3, the multiplayer beta for the console versions will start in April, and the PC version is set to arrive at a later date.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/ghost-recon-future-soldier-dated/

[Blitz]

Not news, but entertainment. A pretty rofl thread (http://www.mgtowforums.com/forums/mens-general-discussion/6516-wtf-empowered-women-video-games-now.html) from the "Men Going Their Own Way" Forum about how much it sucks that there is a stronger female presence in video games.

[Kalyx triaD]

How do you know these people?

[Blitz]

'twas tweeted by Jim Sterling of Destructoid.

[Emperor Smeat]

EA announces free DLC for both Mass Effect 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be available to gamers who play the demos of both games. The only catch is to unlock stuff for one game, the other game's demo needs to be played.

EA did not mention which demo for Mass Effect 3 unlocks items due to the game expecting to have 2 separate demos with one for just single player and the other for multiplayer.

The demo for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a timed demo with a 45 minute timer for playing but doesn't start until after a user's character is created.

Unlock items in Mass Effect 3 from Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo

*Reckoner Knight Armor: This armor will maximize damage done in close-quarters combat while a beefed–up power cell feeds energy into weapon systems to increase projectile velocity.
* The Chakram Launcher: This weapon uses a fabricator to manufacture lightweight, explosive ammunition discs. This weapon is earned after completing the Reckoning demo and watching the trailer at the end.


Unlock items in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo, followed by Mass Effect 3 demo

* N7 Armor: Players can unlock special armor inspired by Commander Shepard’s iconic N7 battle armor including Helm, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Chausses and Greaves.
* Onmiblade Daggers: A holographic blade stemming from Commander Shepard’s Omni-Tool, the Omni-blade allows players to stab enemies in close combat. Once players install and play the Mass Effect 3 demo, they will unlock the daggers.
* Twist of Fate Card: This card boosts the player’s ice resistance and is immediately unlocked when he or she activates the Reckoning demo using his or her Origin account.
* Twinned Souls Chakram: A unique weapon that damages enemies while boosting player health and mana in Reckoning.
* The Infernal Helm: Unlocked after completing the Reckoning Tutorial Mode, this protective helmet increases players’ fire damage throughout Amalur.


http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/me31-620x.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/ea-bringing-free-dlc-me3-and-reckoning
_____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) New games were updated to Club Nintendo with the choices being Dr Mario Online RX for Wiiware, Majora's Mask for the Virtual Console, and Kirby's Dream Land along with Dr Mario Express for the 3DS eshop. The games will be available until January 31 as rewards.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/deal-day-club-nintendo-having-video-game-sale

2) Sony announces the next PS2 Classic for the PSN Store will be Killzone 2 and has a release date of January 24 to go along with a $9.99 price tag for the digital download.
http://www.examiner.com/video-game-in-national/new-ps2-classic-incoming-killzone-priced-dated

3) Update to Microsoft's 2012 Xbox House Party promotion as Alan Wake's Nightmare was announced to be available on February 15 with a new game on sale every Wednesday for the following three weeks.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/release-date-aint-no-party-alan-wake-party

[Kalyx triaD]

EA joins Tecmo in ridiculous pre-order/demo concepts.

[ClockShot]

So this pre-order promo is basically Dragon Age 2. Play that demo, unlock a weapon in the game. But you also had to subscribe to alot of newsletters and shit at EA to get even more stuff for the game.

[Kane Knight]

Not news, but entertainment. A pretty rofl thread (http://www.mgtowforums.com/forums/mens-general-discussion/6516-wtf-empowered-women-video-games-now.html) from the "Men Going Their Own Way" Forum about how much it sucks that there is a stronger female presence in video games.

Oh shit. Men are so oppressed.

EA announces free DLC for both Mass Effect 3 and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be available to gamers who play the demos of both games. The only catch is to unlock stuff for one game, the other game's demo needs to be played.

Oh god, is that dumb.

KOA seems like a decent enough venture, but nothing's really popped about it.

I'm kind of hoping it's good but expecting it to suck.

EA joins Tecmo in stupid ideas

[Emperor Smeat]

Tecmo Koei reveals the contents of the collector's edition for Ninja Gaiden 3 although didn't reveal the actual price which is still expected to be around $99.

The set includes the game, an art book, a soundtrack CD, a figure set of Ryu killing an enemy, and a demo code to get the exclusive 4-character demo for Dead of Alive 5.

The DoA 5 demo can also be pre-ordered for the regular game at Gamestop or Amazon but only include 2 characters (different based on where pre-order was done).

The collector's set was also confirmed once again to only be available at Gamestop.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/01/ninjagaiden3collectorseditionheader.png
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/heres-the-ninja-gaiden-3-collectors-edition-with-bonus-screen/

___________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Based on an accidental leak by UK retailer GAME, a new Medal of Honor (sequel to the reboot MoH) and Need For Speed Game (NFS Hot Pursuit 2) are set to arrive later this year.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/new-medal-of-honor-and-need-for-speed-games-in-2012/

2) Nintendo confirms details about the Wii U will be slowly revealed leading up to the final re-debut of the console during E3 this year although no huge annoucements will be revealed until the show itself.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/nintendo-to-reveal-some-wii-u-details-prior-to-e3-2012

3) Sony announces the upcoming ModNation Racers: Road Trip for the PS Vita will only support online leaderboards for time trails and will not have support for online racers nor locl/ad-hoc races.
http://vita.ign.com/articles/121/1216411p1.html

[Kane Knight]

For something that's killing the game industry, Gamestop sure gets a lot of love and goodies.

[Verbose Minch]

For something that's killing the game industry, Gamestop sure gets a lot of love and goodies.

I work at an Eb up here in Alberta, and used game sales make up like none of our sales.

Each night we have to calculate the percentage of our sales for the day that were used. It usually comes out to 1 or 2 percent of our daily total.

Each EB Games is supposed to have thirty to fourty percent of it's total sales made up by used games, but none of the stores break past five to ten percent at most.

Edit: Basically what I'm saying is that EB/Gamestop isn't really killing the industry. If they sold a larger percentage then sure, but as it stands now, they're not really different than your Wal-Marts, Best Buys or Future Shops.

[G]

Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Future Shops don't opens games, let the employees take them home to play, then turn around and sell it to you as new. Fuck Gamestop.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

I work at an Eb up here in Alberta, and used game sales make up like none of our sales.

Each night we have to calculate the percentage of our sales for the day that were used. It usually comes out to 1 or 2 percent of our daily total.

Each EB Games is supposed to have thirty to fourty percent of it's total sales made up by used games, but none of the stores break past five to ten percent at most.

Edit: Basically what I'm saying is that EB/Gamestop isn't really killing the industry. If they sold a larger percentage then sure, but as it stands now, they're not really different than your Wal-Marts, Best Buys or Future Shops.

That's crazy it's dropped that low. I was a District Manager for that company about 4 years ago, and all of my stores (15) ran at least 27%; the the regional average (about 72 stores) was right at 30%.

[Verbose Minch]

That's crazy it's dropped that low. I was a District Manager for that company about 4 years ago, and all of my stores (15) ran at least 27%; the the regional average (about 72 stores) was right at 30%.

Which region were you in?

[Verbose Minch]

Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Future Shops don't opens games, let the employees take them home to play, then turn around and sell it to you as new. Fuck Gamestop.

Games don't get taken home to play. What are you talking about?

[Kane Knight]

I work at an Eb up here in Alberta, and used game sales make up like none of our sales.

Each night we have to calculate the percentage of our sales for the day that were used. It usually comes out to 1 or 2 percent of our daily total.

Each EB Games is supposed to have thirty to fourty percent of it's total sales made up by used games, but none of the stores break past five to ten percent at most.

Edit: Basically what I'm saying is that EB/Gamestop isn't really killing the industry. If they sold a larger percentage then sure, but as it stands now, they're not really different than your Wal-Marts, Best Buys or Future Shops.

Minch takes a comment that was a swipe at the game industry attitude of damage to the games industry and turns it into a lecture as though they were in any way my real feelings on the matter.

Hooray predictability.

[Kane Knight]

Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Future Shops don't opens games, let the employees take them home to play, then turn around and sell it to you as new. Fuck Gamestop.

I was a part time employee at Gamestop once until I was fired for snorting coke off the surface of our game discs and I can tell you with aauthority that this has never happened!

[Captain of Fun]

Wal-Mart doesn't even sell used games.

[Verbose Minch]

Minch takes a comment that was a swipe at the game industry attitude of damage to the games industry and turns it into a lecture as though they were in any way my real feelings on the matter.

Hooray predictability.

I wasn't attacking you, I was just using your post as a launchpad to explain about how EB Games in my region works.

[Xero]

Wal-Mart doesn't even sell used games.

I know one around here does. Damn sure I've seen "preowned" stickers at at least one Wal Mart.

[Kane Knight]

I wasn't attacking you, I was just using your post as a launchpad to explain about how EB Games in my region works.

Suuuuure.

[Kane Knight]

No-one really said you were "attacking" me though.

Unless Xero did. I don't read his posts.

[OssMan]

I don't know how anyone can get away with selling preowned stickers. You'd think they'd be ripped, or wouldn't stick any more.

[Emperor Smeat]

In a recent episode on Sony's QORE, new details were revealed for the multiplayer aspect of the upcoming Twisted Metal game with matches allowing the complete destruction of a map and game modes such as destruction derby-style races.

4 factions, 5 multiplayer modes, and 15 vehicles were confirmed to be selectable at the start with more content set as in-game unlockables. So far there are no plans for DLC content so all the unlockable content can be access without the need for actual monetary purchases.

Vehicles
* Crimson Fury
* Darkside
* Death Warrent
* Juggernaut
* Junkyard Dog
* Kamikaze
* Meat Wagon
* Outlaw
* Reaper
* Road Boat
* Roadkill
* Shadow
* Sweet Tooth
* Talon
* Vermon

Faction Leaders
* Clowns
* Dolls
* Holy Men
* Skulls

Game Modes
* Hunted
* Last Man Standing
* Nuke (A Capture the Flag-esque game where players capture faction leaders and drag them behind their vehicles.)
* Team Death Match
* Team Last Man Standing

David Jaffe stated a lot of work was done for the single/campaign part of the game with a lot more variety and cutscenes added than in previous Twisted Metal games. He also stressed not to get too hyped up about the single player because while it has a lot of story it isn't comparable to the content and stories found in games such as Batman Arkham City, Skyrim, or other bigger status games.

The game is still set for a release date of February 13 for the PS3.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/twisted.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/new-details-on-twisted-metals-multiplayer-options/

_______________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) The rift between the ESA and its members over support for the SOPA bill appears to be growing as Nvidia, Mojang, and a few other smaller companies have now joined other members who are against the bill. Nvidia's major complaint was the ESA refused to consult other members when it made the sole decision to support the bill.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/esa-member-nvidia-speaks-out-against-sopa
http://www.screwattack.com/news/few-more-developers-take-stand-against-sopa

2) Konami announces three Silent Hill games will be released during March 2012 with the repeatedly delayed Silent Hill HD collection now having a March 6 release, Silent Hill Downpour gets a March 13 release, and the PS Vita exclusive Silent Hill: Book of Memories gets a March 27 release date.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/konami-releasing-three-silent-hill-games-in-march/3910/

3) Nintendo rumored to either be publishing an M-rated game or another Metroid Prime game for the Wii-U after it was revealed Retro Studios recently hired former members from the Uncharted (Naughty Dog) and Darksiders (Virgil Games) series to begin work on a new project considered as "something everyone wants to see."
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-new-metroid-prime-wii-u-development

4) Sony announces the start of the public beta for the PS3 exclusive Starhawk game will begin on January 18 for PS+ members, February 1st for members who received the invite code from the Uncharted 3 pre-order, and February 22 for everyone else on PSN.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/starhawk-public-beta-dated/

[Drakul]

3) Nintendo rumored to either be publishing an M-rated game <s>or another Metroid Prime game</s> for the Wii-U after it was revealed Retro Studios recently hired former members from the Uncharted (Naughty Dog) and Darksiders (Virgil Games) series to begin work on a new project considered as "something everyone wants to see."
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-new-metroid-prime-wii-u-development

Eternal Darkness 2.

[Emperor Smeat]

Considering the mess Silicon Knights is in, only way that game ever gets made is if Nintendo funds and helps develop it. Silicon Knights owns the series but not the Sanity Effects system (owned by Nintendo).

Either that or Nintendo buys the series from SK but then that would essentially kill off the studio considering all their other projects failed badly and Eternal Darkness 2 wouldn't be as special as the first game without the sanity system.

[Emperor Smeat]

If the leaked achievements are any real indication, The Simpsons Arcade game could be made official in the near future with at least an Xbox 360 confirmed so far.

Also teased was the game would include the Japanese version of the game which was a lot easier than the US arcade game since it gave more health items, points, and the ability to jump while holding a weapon.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2012/01/simpsons113.jpg

While the game's development and some details have been leaked before, neither Konami nor Backbone (developers) have made an official announcement of the game as of yet.

Supposed achievement list: http://www.xbox360achievements.org/game/the-simpsons-arcade/achievements/

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/the-simpsons-arcade-achievements-mention-inclusion-of-japanese/

[Kalyx triaD]

Matter of time, really.

[RoXer]

FINALLY

[G]

lets be honest here. we're all gonna play it 2 or 3 times then not touch it anymore.

[Kalyx triaD]

Yeah.

[RoXer]

yup

[Xero]

Still gonna buy it though.

[Xero]

Even though I have the ROM.

And an arcade stick......................

BRB.

[Emperor Smeat]

Huge rumor involves THQ preparing to drop their status as a major publishing company and could become just a developer company after it was leaked the company was rumored to have cancelled all projects after 2013 with the goal of being sold by 2014.

Starting later this year and all of next year, they are selling off all the non-contracted properties they own in order to generate enough cash to last till they get bought by another big company. The goal is to have enough money to last until around 2015.

THQ really got hammered this generation in terms of poor sales and high development costs compared to expectations which finally could have destroyed their yearly finances. The uDraw blunder alone killed off their 2011/2012 financial year.

The purpose, Dent alleges, is to ready THQ for sale. "I am hearing everything (in 2014 is canceled), they need to preserve cash," he said. Dent noted THQ's stock price is around 66 cents; it was about $6 this time last year.

Edit: THQ is denying the rumor is true but also haven't confirmed their Warhammer MMO isn't cancelled which was expected to be their mega game and money maker for 2013.

http://kotaku.com/5876253/thq-wipes-out-games-planned-for-2014-to-ready-itself-for-sale-says-insider

[#BROKEN Hasney]

They could lose WWE....

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/hollywoodh/biggrin.gif

[Xero]

Can't wait for WWE Backstage Assault after EA buys the license.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Nah, EA will be too busy getting and pimping out UFC.

EA could go either way anyway. Don't forget the first 2 Def Jam games.

[Funky Fly]

Nah, EA will be too busy getting and pimping out UFC.

EA could go either way anyway. Don't forget the first 2 Def Jam games.

Good god, this is really one of those rare times I actually hope Dana White is going to be a ridiculous, petty asshole about things.

[Emperor Smeat]

Some info and details were recently announced for Alan Wake's American Nightmare with the first being a Horde-like mode as a new feature and the other being the game's length being shorter than the first game.

The Horde-like mode is being called "Fight 'til Dawn" mode with the initial setup including just a handgun and flashlight but expands to include other weapons and gadgets as the match progresses. Unlike other horde modes being based on just waves or a certain number of enemies, Alan Wake's version is based on an in-game clock which displays the current time of the night.

Players start armed with a flashlight and a handgun and have to run around the massive maps looking for new weapons, more ammo and the occasional, healing lamp post. The object is to last till the sun rises. The many, varied enemies come in waves walking from the shadows, slowly, quietly surrounding you as you desperately fight and flee to survive.

The game's overall length was also revealed being about 4 to 5 hours on average with a slight increase if the player completes the optional side missions and content for the story mode.

Oskari Hakkinen, head of franchise development at Remedy, told Gametrailers, ”The story mode is, it’s kind of hard to put a time on it, but I’m guessing for the average player, [it's] something between four and five hours, maybe a little bit more depending how much you explore the optional story content.”

The game is set for a February 15 release date on Xbox Live Arcade and will be the first game deal for the 2012 Xbox House Party promotion.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/1d7eb0d74465968268e8eeed3c537920.png
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/alan-wakes-american-nightmare-lasts-4-5-hours/
http://kotaku.com/5876198/alan-wake--now-with-the-awesome-horde-mode-you-never-asked-for

_____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) The HD remake of Oddworld: Munch’s Odyssey will be arriving during the Summer 2012 window for the PS3, PS Vita, and a few others systems not revealed as of yet.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/oddworld-munchs-odyssey-hd-remake-announced/

2) 2K Games announces the FPS reboot for XCOM (XCOM: Enemy Unknown) has been delayed till 2013 while the strategy reboot is still on track for being released later this year.
http://kotaku.com/5876226/xcom-fps-pushed-to-2013-firaxis-strategy-reboot-still-set-for-2012

3) Namco will be releasing the original Soul Calibur game for iOS devices on January 19 although no price was given while Team Battle Mode and the extra VS modes have been removed from the port.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/original-soul-calibur-coming-ios-devices-week

[#BROKEN Hasney]

2) 2K Games announces the FPS reboot for XCOM (XCOM: Enemy Unknown) has been delayed till 2013 while the strategy reboot is still on track for being released later this year.
http://kotaku.com/5876226/xcom-fps-pushed-to-2013-firaxis-strategy-reboot-still-set-for-2012

Pretty convinced now that they just threw Fraxis in at the deep end to get an X-Com game out in 2012 once they either saw the resistance to an FPS game or that the quality of the game was lacking and needed more polish.

Wouldn't be shocked if we never saw it. OH WELL, back to masturbating over turn-based X-Com by the Civ developers.

[Emperor Smeat]

In the recent issue of the Official Playstaion Magazine, Naughty Dog revealed some new details for The Last of Us game with the main stuff involving limited ammo and the game not being an open world type game.

In terms of the game's space, the game is less linear than the Uncharted series but not truly an open world style game. Maps and levels are a bit linear in design but do offer optional paths and areas to explore for weapons and items.

Ammo for weapons appears to be using the classic Resident Evil method of being in very short supply which also removes shootouts from being possible. There is a scavenger system set up to find more ammo but Naughty Dog did not reveal how it works.

There are escort-like moments in the game but won't be done in an obvious way like other games which could be both a good and bad thing based on the situation.

-Not as linear as the Uncharted games but not open world, you can choose to go into places such as a coffee shop, but its optional

-Ammo is in short supply, so don’t expect shootouts like in Uncharted.

-There will be situations where you have to help your partner, but not in an obvious way.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/the-last-of-us.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/the-last-of-us-new-gameplay-details/

__________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Starting on March 1st, Konami's takeover of Hudson will be complete which will end the existence of Hudson as a brand name and a subsidiary of Konami.
http://kotaku.com/5876739/goodbye-hudson-its-been-fun

2) Warner Bros confirms last year's Mortal Kombat game will be ported over to the PS Vita for a Spring 2012 release and will include all the DLC, patches, and Kratos from the PS3 as extras.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/mortal-kombat-bound-vita-kratos-tow

3) More adverts are on their way to Xbox Live's dashboard after a lot more big name advertisers have signed up to showcase their ads with video ads being the primary type bought.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/big-name-brands-bring-their-adverts-to-xbox-live/

[RoXer]

Today’s Greatest Thing Ever: Elevator Source (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/16/todays-greatest-thing-ever-elevator-source/)

By John Walker (john@rockpapershotgun.com) on January 16th, 2012 at 4:51 pm.
Tweet this (https://twitter.com/share?original_referer=http://www.rockpapershotgun&text=Rock%20Paper%20Shotgun:&url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/16/todays-greatest-thing-ever-elevator-source/)
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/12/jan/ele1.jpg
Elevators, or as we Brits call them, dangleboxes, get a fair showing in gaming. Very few FPS titles will let you reach their final bossmonster without having had at least one go on the world’s slowest ride, giving you a moment’s pause, before they inevitably shudder to a halt as you’re ripped out of the side of the building by something with more tentacles than manners. But until now (to my knowledge at least, inevitable person who knows of a game on the Amiga) they’ve yet to receive a game dedicated just to them. And that’s what we have in the Half-Life 2 mod, Elevator: Source (http://www.pixeltailgames.com/elevator/). YES.


Created by the undeniable geniuses at Pixeltail Games, Elevator: Source is a no-holds-barred elevator simulator, that requires Half-Life 2: Episode 2 and Garry’s Mod be installed on your machine. And I really suggest you do.

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/12/jan/ele3.jpg
Because right now I’m in the lift with a man called Lizard Wizard, someone called Barney whose head is on fire, and a skellington called Jaykin. Watching through the elevator doors as a factory line of dancing pixel robots go past, over a pit of fire. Before the doors close and we’re off somewhere else. Barney and Jay keep giving each other furtive glances. And now we’ve stopped at the seaside, where Derek in his yellow rubber ring and blue suit has just got on board.

This is bloody brilliant. For the first time in my life, I desperately want to play a game in multiplayer. It has made me laugh out loud so many times.
Not convinced? Here are a group of people playing it together for 45 minutes.

<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/O2xQL_Qm2eI?feature=player_embedded" allowfullscreen="" width="640" frameborder="0" height="360"></iframe>

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/16/todays-greatest-thing-ever-elevator-source/

[Emperor Smeat]

Parts of the next Xbox console for Microsoft is currently in production stage after a rumor states the console's chip for development kits have been in the initial production stage since late 2011.

The chip itself is rumored to be developed by IBM with the codename of Oban with about 10,000 chips being in production for use in development kits.

Microsoft is also rumored to be planning on finalizing the chip to meet their goal of starting the mass production for their next Xbox console before the end of the year and a potential launch release of mid to late 2013.

So, time for a little speculation. Oban is being made by IBM primarily, so that almost definitively puts to bed the idea of an x86 CPU that has been floating. We said we were 99+% sure that the XBox Next/720 is a Power PC CPU plus an ATI GCN/HD7000/Southern Islands GPU, and with this last data point, we are now confident that it is 99.9+%. Why? Several licensing agreements that cover what can be made where will enrich a fleet of lawyers if Oban is x86, but do not preclude the possibility entirely, hence the last .1%.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/nextxbox.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-next-xbox-dev-kit-chip-in-production-details-given/

_____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Nintendo announces Mario Party 9 for the Wii will be released a week early in Europe on March 2nd while the US/Canada gets the game on March 11.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/mario-party-9-release-date-announced/

2) THQ announces they are currently working on 2 "unannounced" Wii U games with one being an exclusive for the system with the potential of being a new uDraw game using the tablet controller. The unannounced games are not Darksiders II and Metro: Last Light due to THQ already confirming those games are in develpment for the system.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/resume-indicates-thq-set-to-release-two-unannounced-wii-u-titles-in-2012

3) VectorCell, developers of Amy, have lashed out against the negative reception for the game by saying any problems with the game is due to the game designed to be hard and not because the game is bad or ████s.
http://www.█████attack.com/news/amy-doesnt-████-its-just-hard

[Emperor Smeat]

Irrational Games reveals the upcoming Bioshock Infinite will have an extra mode being called the "1999 mode" which is separate from the game's story mode but shares some similarities to the original System Shock game.

Weapons, upgrades, and moral decisions done in this mode will have very specific outcomes. One consequence revealed was the need to manage save abilities with the potential for a permanent game over being possible if done incorrectly.

Titled "1999 mode," this new addition exists wholly separate from the normal story mode, and allows players to experience an environment in which their weapon specialties, upgrades, and moral decisions will have extremely specific, and extremely rigid consequences on how the player is able to progress within the game. Even respawning will be tied to resource management in this mode, and if you run out of the resources necessary to come back to life, your game will officially be over.

The decision was made after a recent survey showed that a significant portion of those surveyed wanted moral choices to play a huge role in the game.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/39/2108059-elizabeth1999mode599px_middle.jpg
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/irrational-would-love-it-if-youd-party-with-bioshock-infinites-new-1999-mode/3922/

____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Hideo Kojima confirms a playable demo of the revamped Metal Gear Solid Rising: Revengence will be available during this year's E3 show.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/kojima-confirms-playable-metal-gear-rising-demo-at-e3-2012/

2) The original Doom returns to Xbox Live Arcade with Betshseda acquiring the rights to the game after the original release was delisted in late 2010 due to issues involving id Software's original ownership of the game.
http://www.█████attack.com/news/community-showcase-doom-returns-xbox-live-arcade

3) Stainless Software announces they are reviving the Carmageddon series with a new game currently in development although no other details were given.
http://www.█████attack.com/news/community-showcase-stainless-software-working-new-carmageddon-game

[Emperor Smeat]

A bunch of Xbox Live related news with Microsoft wanting to speed up the approval process for game and fixes are being done for both video playback along with color issues since the last dashboard update.

Microsoft is in the process of improving and speeding up the approval process for in-game patches. The goal is to both reduce the time needed from patch submission to an actual Xbox update. They also wanted to reduce the wait time as both a way to please consumers and developers at the same time. The Xbox Live Arcade version of Minecraft will become the first game to benefit and act as a test for the improved process.

Mircosoft is also working on a couple of fixes involving color issues and video playback capabilities that ended up becoming broken or crippled from the recent dashboard update. They announced the color issues has no exact release date for the fixes to be done but are being worked on with the hope of having it ready in the near future.

“We’re aware of the colorspace issue w/ some Xbox video apps & are working on a fix. No ETA yet but we hope to have an update soon,” said Xbox Live’s Major Nelson on Twitter.

In regards to video playback issues, the company has acknowledged the recent dashboard update is the sole reason for the problem. It was widespread enough to even affect videos and apps that were designed to work the best with the new dashboard.No exact window was given for the fixes to arrive but like the color issues, the patch should be arriving in the near future.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/xboxlive.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-to-speed-up-xbox-live-update-process/
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-working-on-xbox-360-color-issues/
http://kotaku.com/5877759/the-xbox-360s-video-playback-issue-acknowledged-microsoft-working-on-a-fix

___________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Either enough people complained or Nintendo completely forgot about him but Luigi has been quickly added to the Mario Party 9 box art after failing to appear on the originally released box art designed for the game.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/luigi-returns-mario-party-9-box-art

2) Sony announces Boston Red Sox player Adrian Gonzalez will be the cover star for the upcoming MLB 12 The Show baseball game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/adrian-gonzalez%E2%80%99s-cover-image-for-mlb-12-the-show-revealed/

3) New details for the PS Vita port of Mortal Kombat include an extra 150 challenge tower missions, extra 1v1 online matchups, and the ability to use the touch screen to perform fatalities.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/first-mortal-kombat-vita-details/

4) Nintendo announces Kid Icraus Uprising for the 3DS has entered the "gold" phase (mass production) which also means work on the next Super Smash Bros game will begin in the near future.
http://kotaku.com/5877800/kid-icarus-uprising-is-totally-finished

[Extreme Angle]

Started modelling a head for a character i'm doing :P.

[Drakul]

4) Nintendo announces Kid Icraus Uprising for the 3DS has entered the "gold" phase (mass production) which also means work on the next Super Smash Bros game will begin in the near future.
http://kotaku.com/5877800/kid-icarus-uprising-is-totally-finished

So we can expect a SSB reveal trailer at E3, probably.

[Kalyx triaD]

Started modelling a head for a character i'm doing :P.

Cool. Me and my R-Tyme boys just acquired a lot of top-level tools and I'm very happy to announce production can begin on 'any project we want'. We'll reveal titles in the Summer convention season, hopefully toward releases in 2013/14 on various channels. I can say right now there will be a fighting game, and something you wouldn't expect from me.

[Funky Fly]

Def wanna see that fighting game.

[Kalyx triaD]

You shall.

Actually restructuring the narrative scenario on that now.

[Extreme Angle]

Cool. Me and my R-Tyme boys just acquired a lot of top-level tools and I'm very happy to announce production can begin on 'any project we want'. We'll reveal titles in the Summer convention season, hopefully toward releases in 2013/14 on various channels. I can say right now there will be a fighting game, and something you wouldn't expect from me.

Awesome! Me and some uni buds have been employed now to work on a iPad game. Kinda wipeout like game for some company in Africa, no game studios over there so this guy my lecturer knows has made one there, game concept keeps changing though, it was originally supposed to be a Monkey strategy game.
Semi working on this aswell with the uni, got some guy from Splash Damage (Brink) to do a character model for us too!

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9IZWKMI3nmg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Kalyx triaD]

iPad seems to be the place to make games on. Ugh...

[Extreme Angle]

Seems that way :/

[Emperor Smeat]

A potential hacking attack on the level of last year's PSN outage could be in the planning after Xbox Live was listed as several websites a section of Anonymous wants to attack as part of the retribution against Megaupload being taken down.

Anonymous earlier managed to take offline CBS and Universal Studios websites due to their strong support for SOPA. UFC appears to have been taken down either by a different group or a splinter group from Anonymous.

According to the official Twitter feed of the group, they have no plans to attack social sites nor any site that removed their previous support for SOPA. The main reason was either those sites provide a social presence for the group (ex. Youtube, Twitter) or already listened to their demands and dropped support for SOPA.

It is also assumed a splinter group might be responsible for the threats with even the possibility of Xbox Live being attacked as a revenge attack by Pro-Sony/PS3 members who were upset at Spny's PSN being attacked last year.

Traditionally Xbox Live usually suffers just phishing attacks designed to go after member emails but this would be the first attack specifically targeting the entire network.

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/images/9/2012/01/a32ed420ee395244c3f49b3d54e05fa4.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5878271/anonymous-deletes-cbs-universal-sites-is-xbox-live-next

____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) A bunch of PS3 related news as Grand Theft Auto 3 and Vice City will be arriving soon as a PS2 classic on the PSN store while Syphon Filter 4 and God of War 4 are rumored to have an official debut next month.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/grand-theft-auto-3-and-vice-city-coming-to-playstation-3/
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-syphon-filter-4-and-god-of-war-4-reveals-in-february/

2) 343 Industries have warned potential Halo fans on Twitter of a phissing attack involving fake Halo 4 beta invites being sent out to steal user information.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/those-who-received-halo-4-beta-invitestheyre-fake

3) While David Jaffe supported no passes for the upcoming Twisted Metal to prevent any chances of sales being impacted, Sony has responded by adding an online pass for the game as part of their recent policy to add the pass to all 1st party games.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/twisted-metal-will-definitely-have-online-pass

[Kalyx triaD]

If they take down XBL for even a day will not rest until they are all dead.

[Drakul]

A potential hacking attack on the level of last year's PSN outage could be in the planning after Xbox Live was listed as several websites a section of Anonymous wants to attack as part of the retribution against Megaupload being taken down.

Am I the only one that finds that very childish? A website gets removed and they feel the need to attack sites.
It's not like it's the only filesharing site. I'm sure there are literally hundreds if not thousands more they could use.

That's the thing about this group. The way they go about getting their point across is the same method a small child uses when it gets refused ice cream or gets its toy taken away. It'll break things, it'll make threats and it's nothing but this selfish nuicance.
Frustratingly, they probably think doing that is good and noble.

If they want to do something good, there are better causes than getting revenge for a removed filesharing site. The whole SOPA thing is a good cause but they are going about it the wrong way. Again it's "You're not doing things our way so we'll break your stuff.". Wikipedia and others got the SOPA point across in an effective and civilised way. No need for some online group to do anything.

Anyway, rumour time:

Good news, haters of arbitrary online currencies! The end for Microsoft's confusing "Points" system may be near, if a report on Inside Mobile Apps is to be believed.

The mobile site claims that Microsoft's Points will be "phased out" by the end of 2012, with transactions to be listed in a user's local currency instead.

The move wouldn't just impact Xbox Live, it would affect the Zune Marketplace and Windows Phone users as well.

One has to wonder, given the timing of the (potential and unconfirmed) move, whether the spate of Xbox Live account break-ins is behind the change.

We've contacted Microsoft for comment, and will update if we hear back.

[Kane Knight]

Am I the only one that finds that very childish?

It's anonymous. When are they not childish?

[Emperor Smeat]

Visceral Games, developers of the Dead Space series, next project will be a shooter after recent job postings reveal the company is hiring designers with expertise in online shooter map design.

The game is being termed as an "online action shooter" with the main focus revolving around online play.

EA is looking for a lead multiplayer designer to help create a thrilling online action shooter game. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a bold new franchise which is a cornerstone for a new EA Games Studio.

Previous rumors stated EA was planning on expanding the Dead Space series to include other genres and gameplay types with a first person shooter being listed as a possibility. This game could end up as the rumored FPS game EA was planning for Dead Space after Dead Space 3 is released.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/Dead%20Space%202_2.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/dead-space-dev-hiring-online-action-shooter
___________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Gamestop is holding a special "Retro Games" promotion where customers can cash in their rewards points in order to get classic games from past systems although the average pricing for these classic games is in the $1000+ range.
http://www.gamezone.com/news/spend-1-500-at-gamestop-get-mortal-kombat-for-snes

2) Activision could be planning a sequel to Spyro Skylanders after as recent domain filing was discovered called "Skylanders Giants".
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/uh-oh-skylanders-giants-domains-popping-up/3931/

3) Sony is expanding their PSN Store to sell "virtual items" similar in design to Microsoft's Avatar store selling non-gaming related items.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/sony-developing-a-virtual-item-sales-policy-for-playstation-3/

[#BROKEN Hasney]

That Gamestop promotion is gold. Spend just over 1.2k in used games; get Mario Bros. (as in not Super) on NES for free.

[Emperor Smeat]

A new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is rumored to be in development by Rocksteady with the game set in a darker tone similar to the Batman Arkham series.

The game is rumored to be titled as "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Manhattan Crisis" and each turtle will have their own special attacks and attributes. Special flashback spots involving Master Splinter becoming a playable character were also hinted as a gameplay feature.

The game is also rumored to be for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U with the Wii U getting special features designed for the tablet controller.

* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Manhattan Crisis is the alleged name of the title.
* Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo are the four playable characters, each withtheir own varied move set and weapon of choice (sword, bo staff, sai, and nunchucku…respectively).
* Flashbacks are played as Master Splinter/Hamato Yoshi.
* Shurikens, smoke bombs, grappling hooks, and climbing foot spikes.
* Gameplay and story/stage progression similar to Batman: Arkham City.
* Classic characters such as Bebop and Rocksteady (warthog and rhinoceros), Dr. Baxter Stockman, Shredder (Oroku Saki), and Krang act as bosses and in the case of the humans-turned-mutants, you fight them in both forms throughout the story.
* The Turtle Van and Turtle Blimp will be present and with them and other gadgets, the Wii U build is expected to have touch screen controls for specific actions.
* Multiplayer is unknown.
* Graphics engine used is that of Arkham City.
* The game is expected to be more dark than slapstick, but the turtles themselves and their interactions with the Foot Clan, bosses, and story characters like April O’Neil and Casey Jones will still have comedy attached.
* Purportedly being in development for Wii U, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.
* Careful selection of voice actors to bring the universe to life as well as Rocksteady did with their two Batman games.
* Manhattan Crisis shares a similar name to the 1991/1992

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/20100923_6bbf1b84f9f787be1a86uMVbrr4dxrlK1.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/community-showcase-rumors-about-rocksteadys-next-game
_______________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Retro Studios rumored to be making a Star Fox game for the Wii U after the Official Nintendo Magazine hinted they are "barrel rolling" towards their next project in development.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/community-showcase-retro-studios-making-star-fox-wii-u

2) Next Xbox console rumored to be about six times more powerful than the Xbox 360, use Blu-Rays as the disc format, contain a Radeon 6000 graphics card, have Kinect 2 be built-in, ban the ability to play used games, and roughly be 20% more powerful than the Wii U overall.
http://kotaku.com/5879202/sources-the-next-xbox-will-play-blu+ray-may-not-play-used-games-and-will-introduce-kinect-2
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-xbox-720-to-utilize-radeon-6000-card-six-times-the-power-of-360/

3) SNK Playmore will be releasing a new NeoGeo portable handheld with 20 built-in games, a rechargeable battery, 2GB of storage, and SD card support although no release date nor price was revealed.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/retro-gamers-rejoice-classic-gaming-platform-returns

[Kane Knight]

LOL Ban the ability to play used games.

Priceless.

If they're going with a darker version of the ninja turtles, why bother with shit like the Turtle blimp? Why not source one of the darker versions of the franchise?

[DaveBrawl]

Turtle Zeppelin.

[Destor]

how would you stop used games?

[Kane Knight]

how would you stop used games?

There have been proposed and I think even patented systems where a certain part of the disc would either contain registration which you would have to link to the console (this may or may not be prohibitively expensive) or a layer/section that could be essentially "marked." There is at least the potential for it with Blu-Ray, though there is no evidence it's even feasible financially.

Remember also, this was going to be the big thing Sony did with the PS3, so take it for what it is: a rumour that is very likely nothing more than a pile of shit.

[Kalyx triaD]

Uncle Phil as Shredder, please!!!

[LoDownM]

What's Microsoft worried about used games for anyway? They publish like 2 games a year anyway, not 50 like EA and such.

[Xero]

What's Microsoft worried about used games for anyway? They publish like 2 games a year anyway, not 50 like EA and such.

Pressure from the publishers.

[Emperor Smeat]

Publishers already have the Online Pass and DLC to generate sales from used copies but I'd assume the rumored ban is targeted more towards Gamestop and other places that sell used games. Still makes less sense considering those same publishers do the most business with Gamestop.

Also makes less sense but not the first its been done to limit the ability to even share games on the same console with different accounts. A few DS games and Resident Evil Mercenaries on the 3DS have 1 save restrictions that make it impossible to share the game without deleting the game save. Ubisoft has a PC game that actually links access to whatever graphics card or motherboard was detected by the game during verification so changing it requires a new game to be bought.

[Kane Knight]

What's Microsoft worried about used games for anyway? They publish like 2 games a year anyway, not 50 like EA and such.

Yeah, but they get money off the games that are sold. As such, we're totally stealing from Microsoft.

[Captain of Fun]

LOL Ban the ability to play used games.

Priceless.

If they're going with a darker version of the ninja turtles, why bother with shit like the Turtle blimp? Why not source one of the darker versions of the franchise?

TMNT have never been dark. The original comic had a gritty, almost noir feel to it, but I would hesitate to call it "dark". And that was as mature as TMNT have ever gotten.

[Kalyx triaD]

That 80s turtles meets 2000 turtles movie was great for fans in the know. Look it up. Had a great gag with original Shredder near the end.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I can play Neo-Geo on any format I like, but for some reason, I want this sexy beast

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/01/fullneogeoportable2323232.jpg

[Kane Knight]

TMNT have never been dark. The original comic had a gritty, almost noir feel to it, but I would hesitate to call it "dark". And that was as mature as TMNT have ever gotten.

"Darker" =/= "Dark." I'm sure you know that, and are just nitpicking in your normal ridiculous fashion, but just in case.

And yeah, nothing dark about a noir-like series.

[LuigiD]

TMNT have never been dark. The original comic had a gritty, almost noir feel to it, but I would hesitate to call it "dark". And that was as mature as TMNT have ever gotten.

I don't know..did you ever read the stuff that Image did?
http://www.comicvine.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles/49-11889/

I remember one of the turtles losing his hand and another one got killed and turned into a cyborg. Even nudity. I don't know how they hold up now in adulthood as far as "darkness" goes but back when I was a kid..it was bleak.

[Kalyx triaD]

"Darker" =/= "Dark." I'm sure you know that, and are just nitpicking in your normal ridiculous fashion, but just in case.

And yeah, nothing dark about a noir-like series.

I kinda agree with this post, but you're fucking ridiculous.

[Kane Knight]

I kinda agree with this post, but you're fucking ridiculous.

Okay, aspie.

[Emperor Smeat]

A couple of Nintendo related news with the Wii U potentially getting a name change, a holiday 2012 release date, and the first ever yearly financial loss guaranteed in the company's electronic era history

According to Capcom's Yoshinori Ono, the Wii U has been improved and changed a lot since last year's E3 debut with a lot of changes being recently added. Ono stated the unrevealed features alone are enough to create a completely different experience that has no actual comparisons right now for consoles.

“What we saw last E3 is not a reflection of everything this console is able to offer. We have been trying the development kits and some of its new characteristics will improve its possibilities. It isn’t something like Kinect or similar accessories, it’s something different.

I can’t tell you more about it because, if I do, Nintendo will send assassins to finish me! (laughs) But let’s say that Wii U will be a console with so many and unique possibilities that it will be difficult to show them in the box they are going to sell it or to be published by magazines and other mediums.”

Satoru Iwata stressed the company is working to ensure both the 3DS and Wii U keep a steady pace of content and momentum with DLC and a stronger emphasis on digital content being the start. Nintendo was also rumored to have their new online network be named the "Nintendo Network" as part of the new changes in their online structure.

The Wii U was also rumored to be getting a name change to ensure no confusion will occur with consumers after the 3DS suffered early on due to most thinking it was just an extension of the DS and not a brand new system. The console is also targeted for a late 2012 release date in time to hit the Christmas holiday season.

In terms of finances, the company will officially post their first ever yearly loss in 30 years with the main issue being the one-time currency conversion causing the majority of the loss. The loss is expected to be around $575 million in comparison to early estimates by the company being around $54 million. Nintendo also cut sales forecasts for both the 3DS and Wii by about 2 million each.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/NinNintendo-Wii-U.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/capcoms-yoshinori-ono-says-wii-u-will-differ-greatly-from-e3/

__________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Blizzard cancels this year's BlizzCon expo with the main reason being the company's workload is too heavy for them to take the time needed to organize the expo this year.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/blizzcon-taking-year

2) The Resistance series could be ending due to Insomniac unwilling to work on future games and Sony unsure about the series future.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/insomniac-is-finished-with-the-resistance-franchise/3938/

3) Ubisoft is promising this year's Assassin's Creed game will be the "biggest to date" in terms of importance and status while potentially set up the next set of games in the series.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/the-next-assassins-creed-will-be-the-biggest-to-date/

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/01/nintennetwork3-22.jpg

[Kane Knight]

I think you mean 20th.

[Kalyx triaD]

Should have been called "NintendOnline".

[Kane Knight]

Should have been called "NintendOnline".

They should totally claim they did it before everyone else.

[Kane Knight]

http://www.frc.org/washingtonwatchdailyradiocommentary/rebel-fleet-surrenders-to-gay-empire

In a world of good versus evil, Sodomy may be the biggest threat to the Galaxy.

Seriously, fucking hilarious (albeit unintentionally)

[Emperor Smeat]

While Rage was the first game to lock out single player content, EA has decided to expand the idea after it was discovered Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning comes with an online pass.

The problem is while Rage only locked away access to an extra gate and still restricted access to online multiplayer, KoA: Reckoning is only a single player game and restricts a lot more content.

Destructoid revealed the Online Pass restricts access to 7 quests in the game's storyline and even can lock out review copies of the game. It was also discovered the bonus content for playing the Mass Effect 3 demo is locked out for used copy owners.

Destructoid has their hands on a review copy of the game and as you can see there is an online pass locking out the House of Valor faction quest.

That faction quest is composed of seven side missions and won’t be accessible without the pass. Also, in an odd move it looks like the N7 armor you would get from playing the Mass Effect 3 demo is also locked behind the pass.

http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/220459-header.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/offline-ea-game-requires-online-pass
http://www.destructoid.com/kingdoms-of-amalur-hides-seven-quests-behind-online-pass-220459.phtml

__________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) Gearbox delays Aliens: Colonial Marines from its original Spring 2012 release to now a Fall 2012 release date with the main reason being they need more time to work on the game.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/aliens-colonial-marines-delay-confirmed/

2) CD Projekt announces The Witcher 2 (Witcher 2:Assassin’s of Kings Enhanced Edition) will be released for the Xbox 360 on April 17.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/the-witcher-2-xbox-360-release-date-announced/

3) New details for Animal Crossing 3D were revealed such as your character gets an assistant to help you as the mayor of the town and the Street Pass function allows guests to have their houses in the "model homes" district.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/new-animal-crossing-3ds-details

[Kane Knight]

Oh good. online passes for offline games.

[ClockShot]

I guess I should get cracking on Witcher 1 since that's not showing up on the 360?

[G]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JZIVmKOdrBk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[OssMan]

Where did those clips come from

[Funky Fly]

EA's really taking this online pass shit too far. I'm still furious that my new copy of Fight Night Champion won't go online because my code didn't work.

[Kane Knight]

EA's really taking this online pass shit too far. I'm still furious that my new copy of Fight Night Champion won't go online because my code didn't work.

Did you call customer support?

[Funky Fly]

Roomate tossed the code out while I was at work. It's a lost cause. But if I weren't being penalized for being a loyal customer, I wouldn't have to go through that anyway. Honestly, I could go out and buy another 360 and mod this old one so I can pirate games soooo easily. Every time I get dicked over like this, I'm just more and more tempted. It's like they don't want my money, just my frustration.

[Emperor Smeat]

Update to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning having the online pass as it looks like either EA completely screwed up during the printing or didn't consult 38 Studios over the decision.

Apparently the game doesn't have an actual online pass, instead the locked content was meant to be part of their DLC plans with the first being a free launch day pack for those who bought the game new. It also appears this pack wouldn't be going on the marketplace for a while.

http://www.screwattack.com/news/kingdoms-amalur-developer-addresses-online-pass-situation

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Update to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning having the online pass as it looks like either EA completely screwed up during the printing or didn't consult 38 Studios over the decision.

Apparently the game doesn't have an actual online pass, instead the locked content was meant to be part of their DLC plans with the first being a free launch day pack for those who bought the game new. It also appears this pack wouldn't be going on the marketplace for a while.

http://www.screwattack.com/news/kingdoms-amalur-developer-addresses-online-pass-situation

Er, that is a single-player online pass...

[Emperor Smeat]

Yeah it still ends up that way but I guess from other stories about the game's development, EA is really rushing them to finish the game and their plans for DLC never included any passes.

38 Studios decided to put the first DLC pack as a "free" pack for new owners which is why its on the disc but EA wanted an online pass used to generate extra sales from used owners.

[Kane Knight]

Yeah it still ends up that way but I guess from other stories about the game's development, EA is really rushing them to finish the game and their plans for DLC never included any passes.

38 Studios decided to put the first DLC pack as a "free" pack for new owners which is why its on the disc but EA wanted an online pass used to generate extra sales from used owners.

Didn't Schilling previously claim he completely supported the online pass?

[Emperor Smeat]

Yes he did although I'm not sure if he ever went as far as going to non-online/MMO type games.

He wouldn't have a choice with this game due to EA funding the project and determining what gets done. Although his studio already had to deal with an EA mistake considering some people having problems with the demo when 38 Studios said they were not ready to make a demo and the demo itself was done by a different studio.

[Kane Knight]

Yes he did although I'm not sure if he ever went as far as going to non-online/MMO type games.

It was in response to the online pass to THIS game. Kinda curious as to why you would think this would not relate to this specific, offline only game.

He wouldn't have a choice with this game due to EA funding the project and determining what gets done.

You obviously don't know how game developers work [/Rog]

[Emperor Smeat]

A couple of Wii U news with the first being Nintendo won't be mandating developers to only make games in HD for the console and the other being the origin of the tablet controller comes from one of the concept arts for the Wiimote.

Unlike Microsoft who made a demand of every single Xbox 360 game must be in HD, Nintendo won't be making the same rigid demand for the Wii U. The main reason was to give developers a lot more choices in developing the games with the extra power being used to beef up performance or other non-graphical parts of their games.

Nintendo also wants to help shorten development time for developers so that game development doesn't become out of control in terms of costs and time. The Wii U will also be a lot more focused on having third party studios develop Nintendo-owned games than what was done on the Wii and past Nintendo systems.

“It is not necessary for us to deploy a huge number of people in order to develop such games,” he continued, stating that, more than ever, Nintendo is bringing in third parties when it does need to develop more graphically complex titles.

“When we need massive power and have a lack of internal resources, we collaborate with outside resources and pour necessary resources to where they are needed. We are increasing the frequency of working with outside developers where Mr. Miyamoto and our internal developers alone used to develop.

While the tablet controller shares a lot of its design with other tablet devices, the original idea for the controller actually existed during the development of the Wiimote. Based on concept designs released last year for the Wiimote, one of the plans for the Wiimote involved a touchscreen pad built-in which was eventually removed during the final design of the Wiimote.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/9/93384/2116884-image15.png
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/wii-u-inspired-by-original-concept-for-wii-remote/3947/
http://gamingbolt.com/all-wii-u-games-do-not-need-to-be-in-glorious-full-blown-hd-iwata

_________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) The original Everquest will go on the free-to-play model as part of its 13th anniversary celebration starting on March 16 with heavy restrictions on what can be done for free.
http://kotaku.com/5880579/the-original-everquest-goes-free+to+play-for-its-13th-birthday

2) Microsoft debunks any rumors and news of the next Xbox debuting during this year's E3 show by saying they have no plans to reveal anything about the next Xbox this year. Sony also claimed in other reports they have no plans for any system debuts for the next 2 years either.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/microsoft-proclaims-no-new-system-reveal-in-2012/

3) Microsoft is fighting to win ownership over the fake Halo 4 beta website domian as both a way to combat phissing attacks done to fooled users and to prepare for the eventually official release of the beta.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/microsoft-trying-claim-ownership-false-halo-4-beta-domain

4) Assasin's Creed 3 currently rumored to involve George Washington with the potential of part of the game taking place in New York during the Revolutionary Era.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/rumor-asscreed-3-may-feature-george-washington

[ClockShot]

New York during the american revolution? That's an odd time period to choose.

[Blitz]

Why?

[Destor]

Why?
no skyscrapers?

[LuigiD]

New York during the american revolution? That's an odd time period to choose.

The guy's from AC are pretty set on picking historical periods that are never/barely featured in other games.
I think it's a great idea TBH. I had heard rumors of AC3 taking place in Ancient Egypt or Victorian England but American Revolution sounds interesting as well.

[Kane Knight]

no skyscrapers?

I'm sure they'll find a way to include them.

[Captain of Fun]

New Japan Pro Wrestling is no longer owned by yukes. I know that yuke's ownership of NJPW was a major factor in spike not releasing a new King of Colosseum.

Wrestling would have to pick up a bit for it to happen, but NJ and AJ have been getting better numbers as of late. Noah is kind of fucked though.

[Captain of Fun]

Was hoping Assassins Creed 3 would take place entirely in the present, and finish out desmond's story.

[Kane Knight]

Was hoping Assassins Creed 3 would take place entirely in the present, and finish out desmond's story.

I wouldn't mind Desmond's story being over, but a whole game? Yick.

On the plus side, it's a game I could easily skip.

[G]

The Simpsons Arcade (http://www.joystiq.com/game/the-simpsons-arcade-game) is headlining February's PlayStation Plus bonuses. Sony offers an HD adaptation of the classic 1991 game free, for Plus members, through the end of the month. This is the Simpsons' first official launch confirmation, with previous sightings exclusive to XBLA, including this set (http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/the-simpsons-arcade-achievements-mention-inclusion-of-japanese/) of Xbox achievements spotted earlier this month.

Sony is handing out a special Valentine's Day present for Plus members as well, with a free download of the complete Far Cry 2 (http://www.joystiq.com/game/far-cry-2) game, the week of February 14.

The Simpsons Arcade will include four-player online co-op and will be available at no cost to Plus members from February 7-29 -- and yes, that's a whole extra day this year, probably to contain all of our nostalgic Simpsons love.

This is very good news. Now RoXer1 and myself won't have to waste $10 to play it 2-3 times.

[Captain of Fun]

I wouldn't mind Desmond's story being over, but a whole game? Yick.

On the plus side, it's a game I could easily skip.

Well I assumed that's what they were building to, with Desmond picking up the skills of the assassins each game. Maybe not the hole game, but the majority of it.

[Captain of Fun]

Dunno. Of all the Konami beat-em-ups, simpsons was the weakest.

[Kane Knight]

Well I assumed that's what they were building to, with Desmond picking up the skills of the assassins each game. Maybe not the hole game, but the majority of it.

That's the thing, though. Desmond's been set up as primarily a framing device, but they have to do something with the bland bastard eventually.

This is one of the reasons I didn't mind them doing more games with Ezio. I didn't like altair that much, and Altair+Desmond=kinda yawn. One of these days, I may finish the game, but I tended to view it as a series with flaws but a lot of promise. Then 2 came along, and at least the guy you play as for most of the game had a personality and shit. The Desmond/altair bits were far more tolerable because they still weren't the focus.

Desmond as the focus of a game is something I can't see working really well. I know it's borderline inevitable, but he's been little more than a framing device through most of the games. Not sure about the latest. He's bland and boring and....

Actually, he's kinda like that chick from Twilight. A shame Twilight doesn't sandwich an awesome platforming open-world environment with fun, personable characters between the prologue and the last chapter.

[Kane Knight]

This is very good news. Now RoXer1 and myself won't have to waste $10 to play it 2-3 times.

I take it you have plus? How useful does it end up being?

[G]

It's not. Find it more annoying than useful. Constantly having to delete shit it automatically downloads, like patches for games I got rid of, and having to keep telling it not to upload my stuff to the cloud. It just works out because I am currently on a free month of it and the BttF game and Simpsons are the ones that are free during it.

[Kane Knight]

It's not. Find it more annoying than useful. Constantly having to delete shit it automatically downloads, like patches for games I got rid of, and having to keep telling it not to upload my stuff to the cloud. It just works out because I am currently on a free month of it and the BttF game and Simpsons are the ones that are free during it.

I thought you could turn off the auto downloads.

Ah well, just curious. Don't know anyone who uses it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Capcom announces the release date for Dragon's Dogma with a small twist at the end.

Dragon's Dogma was given a release date of May 22 for North America and May 25th for Europe with the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 getting the game.

Capcom also announced the DLC content for the game will contain additional quests, weapons, and armor to be officially announced at a later date.

As part of the deal to intice purchases, Capcom is bundling the game with the Resident Evil 6 demo with every new copy of the game containing the download token for the demo.

Xbox 360 owners will receive access to the demo about 60 days earlier than PS3 owners. The demo will be live on XBLA on July 3 while PSN users will get the demo on September 4. No news if the PC will get any access to the demo as of right now.

Confirmed to be coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 (give 'em time PC gamers), the demo will be available to Xbox Live 60 days before PSN. So owners of Dragon's Dogma will have to remember to go back and download the demo. Xbox users worldwide will find the demo available on July 3rd, where as PS3 users can access the demo on September 4th in North America and September 5th in Europe.

http://www.screwattack.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/620x186_Featured_Banner/feature-Dragons_Dogma_Snakes.jpg
http://www.screwattack.com/news/dragons-dogma-reveal-leads-re6-demo-and-bz

_____________________________________________________________
Daily Recap:
1) EA announces an Online Pass will be used for the upcoming SSX game with this time just the ability to earn credits from online multiplayer matches being locked out while access to regular online matches will stay unlocked.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/ssx-doesnt-require-an-online-pass-for-multiplayer/

2) A suppossed prototype of an unreleased Resident Evil 1 game for the Gameboy Color could become available on the internet as a ROM should the collector's goal of reaching $2000 in donations be reached.
http://www.screwattack.com/news/unreleased-re-1-gameboy-color-might-leak-pc

3) NetherRealm studios announces they are branching away from only making Mortal Kombat games due to them wanting to branch out to more genres and a lack of interest in continuing the series.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/netherrealm-wants-to-branch-out-from-mortal-kombat/

[Kane Knight]

I really should look up Dragon's Dogma.

[Captain of Fun]

After dragon age and skyrim, I am all dragoned out. Not going to pick up another fantasy game for some time.

[Kane Knight]

After dragon age and skyrim, I am all dragoned out. Not going to pick up another fantasy game for some time.

Fortunately for me, I didn't bother with DA2 and haven't bothered with Skyrim, so I'm still fresh on the dragons thing. Not that this is necessarily the game I'm gonna get, but I've only heard the name a couple of times and, knowing nothing about it, want to find out more about it before I decide.

[Extreme Angle]

Just bought the parts to my new pc :D.


- ARIANET Avenger Black Midi Tower Chassis
- 2GB EVGA GTX 560 Ti, 40nm, 4000MHz GDDR5, GPU 822MHz, Shader 1645MHz, 384 Cores, 2x DL DVI-I/ mHDMI
- Intel Core i7-2600K 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Unlocked Processor
-Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (REV B3) Socket 1155 DDR3 PCI-Express Motherboard (rev. 1.0)
-Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB 3.5" SATA III Internal Hard Drive
-LiteOn Version B 24x Internal SATA DVD RW Drive [IHAS124-19]
-550W Cooler Master GX 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply
-Akasa 6 Port Internal Card Reader [AK-ICR-07]
-16GB Corsair XMS3 (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz 1.5v Quad Channel Kit - CMX16GX3M4A1333C9

[Emperor Smeat]

A couple of Halo-related news with Halo 4 being rumored to have its official debut later this month and the official end of Bungie's role in the series now has a date.

According to a Finnish magazine, Halo 4 is rumored to have its official debut later this month and specifically during Microsoft's Xbox Spring Showcase which will occur on February 29.

While neither 343 Studios, developers of Halo 4, nor Microsoft have made no official statements about the game since e3 2011, Microsoft is trying to gain rights to the bogus Halo 4 beta website. If a beta does occur this year, it could follow the steps of Halo 3 by either arriving this May or signal Halo 4's release date of 2012 (Halo 3's beta occurred 4 months before Halo 3's release date).

Bungie announced the final handover date for the Halo series will occur on March 31 with Halo stats, user generated content, Bungie Pro memberships, and Halo Waypoint moving to Microsoft's and 343's servers. After that date only historical related data will be kept on Bungie's own website servers.

http://www.egmnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/halo-stats.jpg
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/final-transition-of-halo-stats-and-data-takes-place-in-march/
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/rumor-halo-4-reveal-this-month/

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Daily Recap:
1) Nintendo updates their Club Nintendo game awards for Februrary with Mario Party 2 (Wii VC) and Art Academy: First semester (3DS eshop) as the choices for this month.
https://club.nintendo.com/

2) EA confirms their forums were hacked over the weekend with the company stating no personal information was compromised as the hacker only changed the apperance of the forums and the intrusion was caught very early into the attack.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/ea-forums-hacked-over-the-weekend/

3) As stated earlier by G, The Simpsons Arcade game is arriving for free to Playstation Plus members while Xbox 360 uers get the game in February 3 and regular PSN users get it on Feburary 10. The game has a price of $9.99 on PSN and 800 MS points on XBLA.
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/the-simpsons-arcade-game-is-coming-to-xblapsn-alarmingly-soon/3954/

4) Warner Bros announces Gotham City Imposters will have a release date of Feburary 7 for the PS3 and PC in North America while the rest of the world and the Xbox 360 version arrives a day later on February 8.
http://www.egmnow.com/articles/news/gotham-city-impostors-release-date-confirmed/

[G]

Woooo I made it into the news