Industry and multi-console news:

• The New Yorker profiles Will Wright.
• ScummVM, a program for running old LucasArts adventure games on newer hardware, has been updated. Among other things, it now has an official Nintendo DS version.
• Halloween is a time for game-related Jack O' Lanterns.
• 2K Games has announced The Bigs, an "over-the-top baseball action title" along the lines of Blitz and Hitz. Then shouldn't it be Bigz?
• Eidos confirms a Tomb Raider: Anniversary game that is a kind of sort of but not exactly remake of the first game.
• Employees at various retail outlets like Circuit City and Best Buy are being locked out of buying PS3s and Wiis. That is, if they're caught.
• Gamespy looks at the scariest moments in games. If you called "Eternal Darkness bathtub" before you even clicked the link, give yourself a point.

PC news:

• The packaging for Windows Vista. Yep, it's a slow news day.
• A kid phishing for Steam accounts gets screwed by his own game.

Nintendo news:

• NGC France has comparison shots between the Gamecube and Wii. Just look at all that.. uh.. difference.
• The first gameplay footage of Smash Bros. Brawl will debut at Nintendo World 2006, which runs November 25 and 26.
• Nintendo has confirmed the plans for a DVD-playing Wii for Japan next year, but there are no current plans to release it in Europe or the US.
• Continuing to push the "gaming for everyone" mantra, Nintendo was out pushing the Wii at a recent seniors event sponsored by the AARP.
• Similar to the Snakes on a Plane campaign, but less entertaining, you can get the Sensei from Red Steel to call your friends. Or enemies, I suppose.
• Nintendo is up to part five in a series of interviews conducted by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata with Nintendo designers, developers and engineers about various elements of the Wii, its interface, its games.. just about anything, really. The latest installment is about the indefinable essence of Zelda.
• According to the knuckleknobs at Digg, you can print out this barcode, take to to Wal-Mart, have an associate scan it, and they can tell you how many Wiis are coming to their store. Your mileage will undoubtedly vary, especially since half the time the numbers the Telzon gives them aren't accurate anyway.
• Speaking of Wal-Mart, here's a full scan of all 30 pages of their Wii buyers guide.
• IGN's Matt Casamassina expresses some concerns over Wii Sports.
• Oh God, Nintendo fanboys are writing rap songs now.

Sony news:

• One Ebay user is selling a metric assload of rare Metal Gear Solid promotional materials.
• 18 Best Buy stores will be getting midnight openings for the PS3 launch.
• Fortune magazine examines the high stakes for Sony and the PS3.. and for the ad agency that has to sell it.

Microsoft news:

• The fall dashboard update is bricking modded consoles.
• Production on the Halo movie has been halted while they try to find a new studio.
• Saints Row has been patched.
• You can play Gears of War (and listen to "Megadeath") at Six Flags New England tonight.
• The upcoming Platinum Hits version of Perfect Dark Zero will include the four maps already released on Xbox Live and two new ones: Remakes of the original Perfect Dark maps Facility and Ruin. If you already own the game, you'll be able to get the maps over Live free of charge.
• Got the red lights of death on your 360? Well, might as well cut your losses and fry an egg on it.

Posted by Bill at 3:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Industry and multi-console news:

• Capcom is looking to make a second live-action Street Fighter movie. Something wrong, Colonel? Did you come here prepared to fight a madman.. and instead you found.. an unnecessary sequel?
• In sequels that won't get made news: Fan creates decent-looking fake NiGHTS 2 trailer, people flip out.
• Oddworld Inhabitants, after originally claiming to pull out of the gaming biz, is back with a new property that will be developed as a CG film and game simultaneously.
• The third segment of the Legend of Zelda retrospective is up, looking at the awful CD-i games and Link's two N64 outings.
• As mentioned previously, Rockstar's Bully contains -- gasp! -- boy-on-boy kissing. Jack Thompson, unfamiliar with any sort of intimate physical contact, takes this to mean that Bully contains gay sex.
• Phishers are targeting Lik-Sang customers.

Nintendo news:

• According to Edge magazine, CNN will be providing content for the Wii's news channel, and an "enhanced" version of the console that can play DVD movies will be available in Japan sometime next year. They also claim Nintendo wanted to make the Wii cheaper, but they were pressured by retail chains who complained about profit margins.
• A Wii edition of Cooking Mama will be available in early 2007.
• IGN has a ten minute preview video of the Wii interface.

Sony news:

• Tetsuya Nomura says he's already been approached by Disney to do Kingdom Hearts III.
• A Japanese newspaper is reporting that Japan's PS3 shipment numbers have been cut back from 100,000 to 80,000 due to more component shortages.
• But Sony has the solution! Since they can't sell systems, they're now selling rainchecks in Japan, guaranteeing a system early next year.
• Play-Asia.com has cancelled all PS3 pre-orders following Lik-Sang's closure. I don't know why they wouldn't just cancel European pre-orders, because as far as I know importing is perfectly legal in America.
• Gamespot does a few quick tests of the PS3's backwards compatibility.
• Who needs a PS3 when you can buy a silver PS2.
• The PS3 consumes 380 watts of power when operating, double that of the 360. "Spending 4 hours a day on the machine will add approx $80 to your yearly power bill."
• Oops: A Canadian auction for a PS3 closes for less than the seller spent to get it.

Microsoft news:

• The fall Dashboard update is coming tomorrow. New features include support for WMV playback, 1080p resolution, and the ability to play videos from CD, DVDs and storage devices.
• No surprise here: Microsoft is banning 360 firmware modders from Live.

Posted by Bill at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

RPG fans get theirs with sequels to two major Square franchises this week, as well as a D&D game for the more traditional RPGer. Oh, and there are some games with cars.

• Final Fantasy XII (PS2) - It's about damned time. Do you realize it's been almost five years since we've had a real, traditional FF? X-2 and FFXI don't count. $49.99 in most stores ($59.99 for the EB exclusive collector's edition), but Circuit City is currently having a special where you can get the the standard edition for $37.99. I have no idea how long the deal will last.
• Need For Speed: Carbon (PC, 360, PS2, Xbox, GC) - Most Wanted had just a little too much of that damned firey ball in the sky, so it's back to night racing for you. $39.99 for all versions except the 360, which is $10 more. Each version also has a collector's edition, which is an additional $10.
• Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC) - An RPG set in the Dungeons and Dragons Forgotten Realms universe. Once again, Obsidian picks up the sequel to a BioWare franchise (the first was KOTOR, in case your memory is fuzzy). $49.99 at EB Games for either a CD-ROM or DVD version.
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PSP) - Time to again immerse yourself in so much '80s you'll think you've been swallowed by VH1. Rockstar claims this one isn't coming to the PS2, so you might want to keep that in mind. $49.99 at EB Games.
• Pokemon Ranger (DS) - An action RPG set in the world of the Pokemon Ranger movie, it says here. No word on whether the main character's name is Walker. $34.99 at EB Games.
• F.E.A.R. (360) - The year-old PC shooter makes its way to consoles. $59.99 at EB Games.
• Sam and Max Episode 1: Culture Shock (PC) - The first installment in Sam and Max's episodic return to adventure games. It's been available to GameTap subscribers for a couple weeks, but will be available for individual purchase here starting Wednesday. It will not be sold in retail stores.
• Children of Mana (DS) - Another action RPG in the Mana series that supports up to four players. I'm taking a shot in the dark here, but I'm going to guess this one involves some sort of legendary sword and a big magic tree. $34.99 at EB games.
• ATV Offroad Fury 4 (PS2) - A game from the early days of the PS2 is somehow still cranking out sequels. $39.99 at EB Games.

The Xbox 360 version of FIFA 07, a seperate version of NFS: Carbon on handhelds, the PSP edition of Killzone, and Worldwide Soccer Manager 07 (that title just screams excitement) can be found at the full release list.

Posted by Bill at 1:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Some wonder why film directors feel the need to weigh down their epic movies with 80 different endings. Lucas has to show every person on every planet having their own celebration at the end of Jedi just in case you thought maybe the Wookies would actually be really pissed that the Emperor was dead. Peter Jackson has to show people hugging in slow motion on every set he ever used at the end of Return of the King so we know it's supposed to be a happy moment. Unimaginable as it may seem to some of us, however, this is apparently what many people want.

This is a letter (a couple, actually, but I'm focusing on the last one on the page) from the January 1998 issue of GameFan.

This letter is so coated in saccharine it sticks to the other pages. As much as I loved FF7, I think this ending would've knocked my opinion down a few pegs. It's too much of a wrap-up, not to mention far too happy for a game of FF7's tone. These are the kinds of people who grow up to force new endings on movies like Brazil.

If he liked the game so much, he could've at least bothered to get the names right. Aeris not Aries, Tifa not Tiffa, Fort Condor not Port Condor... Though he did accurately predict what Cait Sith would be doing after the game ended -- Reeve ends up forming the World Restoration Organization to restore what damage Shin-Ra inflicted on the planet.

Please, folks, as a general rule: If you have these kinds of thoughts, just try to go on with your life as best as possible and don't commit them to paper. If you must write them down, don't show them to anyone. If you must show them to someone, don't use your real name. And if you must use your real name, for God's sake, don't tell them you're in the military. I've lost all respect I might have had for West Point with this one item.

But at the very least, Cadet Finn managed to avoid falling into that most dangerous of traps for FF7 fans -- wishing for Aeris' resurrection. We can't have that, so a few months later in August, this letter came in:

Yes, someone dying is a "loose end", you jackass. That's the problem with death, it's just not final enough. Vincent, Yuffie, Red XIII and Cait Sith running an after-school youth center sounds like a bad mid-season replacement sitcom. Unfortunately, the way Square is going, I expect to see it made into a show by spring of next year. Though to be honest, I really would want to see it, just for the kinds of plots that would come out once it was a few seasons in and they started doing those very special episodes that all sitcoms do when they decide to start tackling the issues.

Red XIII: Cait, I.. I... I think I have AIDS!

Cait Sith: Can a dog get AIDS?

Red XIII: I HAVE DOG AIDS

Then someone uses materia to summon Tootie from the Facts of Life and they all hug.

Posted by Bill at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Industry and multi-console news:

• Jack Thompson has sent a cease and desist to Midway because of the "unauthorized commercial exploitation" of his likeness in the game. Jack is apparently unaware, or didn't bother to read, that his presence in the game was made through the Kreate A Fighter mode and wasn't an actual part of the game.
• Oblivion earned several wins at the Golden Joystick Awards in London today, an award show which is apparently in it's 24th year (!).
• Ebay has laid out their new rules for PS3 and Wii auctions.
• RedOctane will be offering wireless Guitar Hero controllers starting next month.
• Star Trek: Legacy has been pushed back to November 21.
• PC Magazine compares and contrasts the picture quality on the DS and PSP.
• So you run a sport nutrition store. What convinces you that rough, unlicensed Sonic and Tails art on your windows is what will really sell your wares?
• The top 21 Halloween costumes, most of them game related.
• Joystiq has some Street Fighter II themes played on guitar.
• This extensive guide compares the different iterations of Dracula's castle in the various Castlevania games.

PC news:

• The author of the Diablo novels says he "ain't writing for a dead game," and rabid fanboys have taken that to mean Diablo 3 is on the way. Sure, it'll be around sometime, but that doesn't tell you much.

Nintendo news:

• DS sales have helped Nintendo post a $459 million profit for this first half of the fiscal year.
• New screenshots of Pokemon Battle Revolution.
• Metal Slug Wii will have five different control schemes. After this and NFS: Carbon, I hope this doesn't become a trend. It's nice to have choice, but it demonstrates a possible problem with the controls if you can't find one or two settings that most people can use.

Sony news:

• The message of the newest PS3 TV ad is.. PS3 makes babies cry?
• Availability of PS3 units is so limited Sony's own Japanese Playstation.com site won't be selling them at launch.
• Sony admits that Lik-Sang's accusations are true, some of their executives did illegally import PSPs from the retailer. But it was done to "check the nature of the goods."
• Sony has released a Halloween LocoRoco demo along with a new firmware update.

Microsoft news:

• Scans from a Swedish game magazine have new screenshots and info on Halo 3.
• Sales of the 360 have boosted the quarterly revenue of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division 70%. Unfortunately, that still comes out to a loss of $96 million.
• Today and tomorrow, Best Buy is running a sale on 1600 Microsoft points for $5.

Posted by Bill at 4:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Jack Thompson's contempt hearing was today. Unfortunately, Judge Friedman recused himself from the case, meaning the charge will have to go to a different judge in the next few days. Friedman isn't handling the contempt case because he's filing a complaint of his own with the Florida Bar. Zing!

You can watch a video of the proceedings, with Jack acting like a child and holding up a posterboard sign with the rules for handling contempt of court on it.

Industry and multi-console news:

• Lik-Sang has shot back at Sony's "sour grapes" comments concerning their closure.
• GameSpy talks to Primus frontman Les Claypool about Guitar Hero II.
• A fan project has started to make DVD box covers for Saturn games, if you're sick of those bulky boxes and would rather keep them in slimline DVD cases.
• Gaming Target has guides on how to make various characters in Mortal Kombat: Armageddon's Kreate A Fighter mode, including Jack Thompson and Hulk Hogan.
• NPD research says playable demos are more important than price in making purchasing decisions for gamers.

PC news:

• A Sid Meier's Railroads! demo is out now.

Nintendo news:

• Confirmation and reminder: Toys R Us is taking Wii pre-orders on the 29th.
• DS Download Stations now allow you to download a bug fix for Pokemon Diamand and Pearl.
• The Gamecube version of Killer 7 has an URL on the box that goes to a porn site. It's supposed to be killer-7.com, not killer7.com.
• Wii.com has updated with four new experience videos, with a British man, an American woman, a Japanese woman and a Japanese family trying out the Wii for the first time.

Sony news:

• Be on the lookout at your local Wal-Mart, because at least one of them has broken the Guitar Hero II street date.
• Not only is Phil Collins on the Vice City Stories soundtrack, he has a cameo in the game.
• Due to PS3 start-up costs and the Sony laptop battery recall, Sony's profits nosedived 94% in the second quarter.
• Sony has revealed the first PS1 games to be made available in Japan via their download service, including Tekken 2 and Jumping Flash! and Resident Evil. I think it's safe to say the list may be a little different for the US, as I doubt Sony of America's number one concern is getting Arc the Lad out to eager PS3 customers.
• IGN has the official list of all the media formats the PS3 supports.
• Sony hopes to some day have PS3 games playable remotely with the PSP. Okay, but.. why?
• David Jaffe apparently now only wants to make small games instead of big titles like God of War. I think the man just doesn't know what he wants.

Microsoft news:

• Fight Club and Se7en director David Fincher has "consulted on", whatever that means, a new Gears of War trailer. I really don't get the music choice.
• In further money makes the world go 'round news: Xbox Live Gold members are going to start getting access to content first. If you want to see trailers trying to sell you games before anyone else, you'd better pay for the priviledge.
• Aeropause has video of Xbox mouthpiece Major Nelson on Attack of the Show recently defending micro-payments, saying "it's all about choice." oh okay

Posted by Bill at 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Powet.tv has a clip of a old local news report from the 1990 Consumer Electronics show. Features yet another all-too-brief glimpse of superpimp Howard Phillips, as well as quick looks at the TubroGrafx 16-CD and the absolutely silly-looking Lynx. Is it just me, or was it a requirement of all podunk news reporters in the early '90s to pronounce Mario as "mayr-ee-o"?

Industry and multi-console news:

• The newly formed non-profit group Electronic Consumers Association has acquired the GamePolitics.com blog.
• While not yet officially confirmed by RedOctane, this appears to be the full list of bonus tracks in Guitar Hero II. Yes, yes, it includes Trogdor. That Buckethead song sounds like it'll be pretty fun to play.
• I'm not sure I even knew development studios had agents, but Next Generation explains what they do.
• 1up has a feature looking back on controversial sequels. Not "think of the children" controversial, "who the hell is this Raiden guy" controversial.
• Here are some on the set photos of Postal. That picture of Boll in front of a bunch of terrorists is bound to be used out of context sooner rather than later.
• If fantasy football doesn't have enough old men and talking for you, try Fantasy Congress.
• A gambling site is taking bets on the PS3 launch.
• In this new Stranglehold gameplay footage, Chow Yun Fat destroys many things. It's what he does.

PC news:

• GWN has a retrospective on game design legend Sid Meier.
• Sid Meier's Pirates!, Civilization III, Civilization IV and Shattered Union are all heading to Steam.

Nintendo news:

• We already know Nintendo wants you to call it the "Wii" and not "Nintendo Wii", but it seems they've gone even farther. The word Nintendo is almost entirely absent from this third party game box aside from the Nintendo Seal of Quality.
• Japanese students are using the DS to help learn English.
• A look at the multiple control modes for Need for Speed Carbon on the Wii.

Sony news:

• A partial tracklist for Vice City Stories is up at 1up. Phil Collins and Foreigner, it's like a feast for the ears.
• Vice City Stories also features a robot for around the house as a reference to Rocky IV, but this one looks awfully familiar.
• Wal-Mart's website -- where all the true gamers go for their gaming needs -- lists the PS3 as being $299.99.
• DoAX2's boob jiggling reaches almost DoA1 proportions. Maybe they should turn some of that obsessive attention over to fixing the hair.
• Sony has two new ads for the PS3 out, one talking about the Cell processor and the other about Blu-ray's storage capacity. Man, I can remember how well the "this is why you need this pricey new technology" ads went for the Philips CD-i.

Microsoft news:

• The Xbox 360 has become the fastest selling game console in Australia.
• Gears of War has gone gold. While you're waiting for that, Next Generation has an interview with lead designer Cliff Bleszinski.
• The 360 edition of DDR has been delayed to 2007.
• MIcrosoft has noted it would be very possible to make a Blu-ray player for the 360, though it's safe to say that wouldn't be coming any time soon.
• Oblivion developer Bethesda is working on a new shooter for the 360 that allows players to mix and match different parts of maps when they play online.

Posted by Bill at 4:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The official MySpace page for Dethklok, the Adult Swim show, has confirmed that Dethklok's Thunderhorse is one of the bonus songs in Guitar Hero II. It's the song being played at the beginning of this episode.

Industry and multi-console news:

• Possibly the most famous and popular online importer, Lik-Sang, has shut down following suits against them by Sony over importing in Europe. Sony has denied responsibility and says that Lik-Sang's claims otherwise are "sour grapes."
• Part of a $50 million grant to study the effects of technology on children will be used to create a Shakespeare MMO.
• A Seattle PI article looks into how stage actors supplement their income with game voiceovers. They look at several Seattle actors who have appeared in Halo, including the voice of Cortana.
• GRAW 2 has been announced and scheduled for early 2007. Assassin's Creed and Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway have been delayed to somewhere in fiscal year 2007.
• Watch this old Commodore 64 commercial and marvel at the savings. Only $499!

PC news:

• World of Warcraft expansion Burning Crusade has been delayed to 2007.
• Two years after release, the mod community is out to fix Knights of the Old Republic II by restoring content that was on the disc but never added to the final game.

Nintendo news:

• New details on Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin's online features.
• Konami is preparing an NES classics compilation for the DS containing 12 games, including Contra, Time Pilot and Gradius.
• Capcom has released a collection of Resident Evil games for the Cube in celebration of the series 10th anniversary. Includes RE, RE0, and RE4, and the set runs $40.
• Modojo argues that the Game Boy is dying. You didn't really believe them when they said they'd support the GBA and the DS, did you?
• Killer 7's Suda 51 talks about his new game Heroes and working on the Wii.

Sony news:

• Logitech will be releasing a PS3 controller in Japan with a built-in fan to cool your hands while you play. Oddly enough, it will still be cheaper than an official Sixaxis controller.
• AOL radio is streaming the FFXII soundtrack. Personally, I like to hear soundtracks in the respective movies or games first.
• Capcom is releasing a Devil May Cry collection containing DMC, DMC2 and DMC3 for $30.
• New screenshots for Virtua Fighter 5.

Microsoft news:

• 1up has talked to Microsoft over the Lumines Live pricing fiasco. Short story is: Blame the developer, not us.

Posted by Bill at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Okay, so I have no interest in the game, but saying "somebody else's patience" isn't as dramatic.

EA has announced their latest downloadable content, and this time it's the ability to buy in-game money for The Godfather on the Xbox 360. Packs of $50,000, $100,000, or $250,000 can be bought, for 40 ($0.50), 75 ($0.94), or 150 ($1.88) Microsoft points, respectively. That in itself is nothing new, but then comes this part of the Gamespot article:

Virtually impoverished gamers may be drawn to download the packs, as the Xbox 360 version of The Godfather apparently lacks the cheat code for free money that can be found in the PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and PlayStation Portable versions of the game.

This is an exact demonstration of the point I tried to make earlier with the Tiger Woods cheats. Buying a next generation game means having to pay more for the same thing the current generation can get as a part of the package. It's ridiculous. They're deliberately removing content so they can charge seperately for it. I wish Microsoft would take the responsiblity to regulate these things, if nothing else than to avoid earning their Marketplace the stigma of "where gamers get screwed."

Posted by Bill at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Siliconera talks a bit to Brian Ward, the producer of the upcoming Captain N DVD box set for details on how it's coming. The fate of season 3 is currently up in the air thanks to it being mixed in with Super Mario World cartoons.

Industry and multi-console news:

• Take Two has called for Jack Thompson to be held in contempt of court.
• And God, get him in jail quick, because he wants to run for judge.
• Here's a collection of scans from a 1980 Coleco catalog, full of weird electronic toys. I had that Electronic Quarterback game -- well, my brother had it and gave it to me later, as I was rather busy not being born in 1980.
• A political ad running in Indiana bashes a congressman for voting against an anti-video game law. Includes the sound of children saying "Hit the hooker with a tire iron!" It gets kind of orgasmic at the end, it's kinda weird.
• IGN has an updated list of the 100 best games of all time, voted on by readers. And we all know how great the IGN readership is.
• Aeropause illustrates something I've been bitching about for a while: Every damned game these days is brown.
• 1up has a new interview with Tomonobu Itagaki.

PC news:

• After all of these "X is opening a shop in Second Life" stories, numerous critics and even some developers are starting to question whether Second Life has any real utility beyond generating press releases.

Nintendo news:

• How many world famous locations can you visit.. and photograph your child playing a GBA in front of?
• Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin comes with a rather extensive pre-order bonus, including a soundtrack CD, a 48-page artbook, and a special stylus.
• Hardworking nerds have gone about translating Hyrulian text.
• Wii.tv has put together a series of videos forming a history of the Wii.
• GameTrailers has updated with the second part of their Legend of Zelda retrospective.

Sony news:

• Ridge Racer 7 will have no wheel support.
• Details about the PS3's hard drive usage have come to light, including news that Genji installs 4 gigs of data on the disk. This reduces load times from 15 seconds to 4.
• If you can't complain about one thing, complain about another: Some people are getting in a huff over boy-on-boy make outs in Bully. The ESRB says this content was considered as a part of the Teen rating.
• A trailer and screens are up for David Jaffe's downloadable PS3 game, Criminal Crackdown.
• Rumor says the development of Silent Hill Origins is a mess, including lay-offs and cut backs in game content.
• Sony is defending their wonky logic in the PS3-360 comparison chart from last week.

Microsoft news:

• A Rainbow Six demo is up on the Marketplace, but it's not available to any accounts in North America.
• Cliffy B says his job as a designer on Gears of War is pretty much done.
• Microsoft admits that when they called the base Lumines Live pack the full version, they "didn't make what that meant clear enough."
• The New York Times reports that Microsoft is looking to design chips.
• Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 suddenly popped up on Live Arcade Friday night, then went down, but it should be back up now.

Posted by Bill at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A less robust list than the last couple weeks, but you might find something if you poke around here or there. Or prepare for next week by taking advantage of a deal at Frys.com to get FFXII for $39.99.

• Splinter Cell: Double Agent (PS2, Xbox, Cube) - Now last-gen suckers can also play Double Agent. $39.99 at EB Games.
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance (360, PS2, PSP, Xbox, PC, GBA) - An action RPG featuring the "largest roster of comic book characters ever seen in a video game." All versions $39.99, except for 360 at $59.99 and GBA at $29.99.
• Dark Messiah of Might and Magic A first-person action game set in the Might and Magic universe. Dark Messiah = Black Jesus? $49.99 at EB Games.
• Phantasy Star Universe (360, PS2, PC) - An RPG with both a full single player game and an online game. $49.99 on PS2 and PC, add ten bucks for the 360.
• .hack//G.U. vol. 1//Rebirth (PS2) - Either a new entry in the .hack series, or I just randomly bashed my head on the keyboard. $39.99 at EB Games.
• Magical Starsign (DS) - A 2D RPG with a description at Game Rankings the size of a small novel. $34.99 at EB Games.
• Dynasty Warriors vol. 2 (PSP) - I hope this one finally has Joan Collins as an unlockable character. $39.99 at EB Games.

Expansion packs for Guild Wars, Star Wars: Empire at War and F.E.A.R., as well as Eureka Seven and.. uh.. Tokobot Plus? at the full release list.

Posted by Bill at 3:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, I said those Battletoads comics had two parts, didn't I? At the risk of exposing the world to simply too much Battletoads, if there can be such a thing, here's the second half. In our first installment, we learned the team's origin story, or at least what some dude at Nintendo Power decided the story should be. This second part was interspersed in two page segments throughout NP's strategy guide, illustrating the 'Toads progress through the game. The comic isn't entirely accurate, however, as they've omitted the parts where you die 80 times at the jetbike level before angrily throwing the cartridge out of a moving car, as well as level 11 where the second player literally can't move thanks to a bug in the game.

Posted by Bill at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Fox and Universal have abruptly pulled out of the Halo film project, leaving producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh without financing or distribution. The official story is that negotiations on payment fell apart (Microsoft wanted to receive a $5 million advance and 10% of gross), but the film's high budget and first-time director undoubtedly influenced the decision as well. They'll likely find a new studio fairly soon, but it's interesting to note that New Line and Dreamworks had previously passed on the project, and Sony.. well, it's safe to say they're probably not in the running.

Industry and multi-console news:

• Gamasutra asks various members of the game industry: Do you buy games new or used?

PC news:

• In response to yesterday's "WoW can ruins lives" article, another person from the same guild says WoW doesn't have to ruin your life.

Nintendo news:

• For reasons currently unknown, Gamestop and EB have pulled listings for the Cube edition of Twilight Princess. Nintendo assures people that, despite speculation, the Cube version is still being released.
• There's a new trailer up for Call of Duty on the Wii.
• Toys R Us will begin accepting Wii pre-orders on the 29th.

Sony news:

• Sony has officially listed 21 PS3 games that will ship by the end of 2006; three first party titles and 18 third party.
• Insomniac has downgraded Resistance: Fall of Man to 720p because 1080p used too much VRAM. The Playstation 3, the only system to present true 1080p! ..as long as the game does not exceed a certain detail level
• Final details have come out on exactly what will come in the PS3 package, as well as prices for first party games and peripherals. The first 500,000 units will include a Blu-ray edition of Talladega Nights, because what really shows off an HD disc is Will Ferrell's pores.
• Contrary to earlier rumors, the PS3 will not have an Achievements system. Individual games may have something like it if the publisher so chooses, but there is no all-encompassing GamerScore or anything like that.
• Sony admits that they may not make their year-end shipment estimates, saying that the six million by March '07 figure is "more of a target."
• The PS3 will not enhance PS1 games the way that the PS2 did.
• FiringSquad has a Q&A with Bethesda on the PS3 version of Oblivion.
• God of War creator David Jaffe revealed that his next project is a downloadable casual game for the PS3 called Criminal Crackdown.
• EA has announced they have 30 titles in development for the PS3.
• Sony has used some dodgy math in a recent "fact sheet" comparing prices between the PS3 and 360, suggesting that the 360 would "really" cost you $700. According to Engadget, Microsoft is preparing legal action.
• New details and screenshots for Virtua Tennis 3.
• And new screens of Unreal Tournament 2007.
• If you're really desperate for a PS3, you could just rack up 46,000 reward points on your CitiBank card.
• Sony is confirming the earlier Japanese report that they will replace PS3 controllers whose batteries no longer charge. Press The Buttons raises an important point: What happens way down the line when Sony isn't offering the service anymore?
• Contrary to rumors claiming that the upcoming PSP port of Cave Story was unauthorized, the developer has come out to say that they are in personal contact with CS' creator and clear every step with him first. By the way, if you've never played Cave Story, you really should. The original PC version is free.

Microsoft news:

• A demo for Tony Hawk's Project 8 should be available on Live now.
• Tetsuya Mizuguchi is defending Lumines Live's payment system, believing that offering players choice in what parts of the game they want to buy is the future.
• Microsoft says the image of a 100 GB hard drive seen yesterday was a hoax.
• A region-free collector's edition of Assassin's Creed comes with a 12" figurine.

Posted by Bill at 3:08 PM | Permalink

Given the direction news posts have taken here, and the length they can get to, I decided a little clean-up was in order. In some future revision of the site I'll remove those news categories to the right of the page, as it's kind of pointless to have them when they only point to newsbits anyway. Further rearranging of these posts will come as I see what works best.

Industry and multi-console news:

• A settlement with Roxor Games has resulted in Konami acquiring the rights to the In The Groove series.
• Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro is helping out with a video game adaptation of the series.
• Doris Self, the world's oldest video game competitor, has died at the age of 81.
• Gamespot compares the load times for PSP and DS games, and finds the PSP with an average of 103 seconds versus the DS with 24.5. Ouch. Inexplicably, the DS also has a shorter average load time than the GBA.
• Rep. Jim Saxton (R - NJ), head of the committee investigating tax policy related to virtual economies, says that taxing virtual transactions would be "a mistake."
• Siliconera has a list of every exclusive game for each of the next-gen consoles.
• How is it that people can keep doing features on horrible box art and continue to come up with boxes I've never seen before?

PC news:

• Presumably believing the upcoming Uwe Boll movie will spark renewed interest in their crap games, Running With Scissors is planning a third Postal game, running on the Source engine.
• EA is recommending you remove a Windows security update that may cause Battlefield 2142 errors. In fairness, EA isn't the only company having problems with the update.
• If you're a really sad sort, you can watch videos of someone getting to level 10 in the upcoming WoW: Burning Crusade expansion.

Nintendo news:

• Nintendo says Wii component cables will be available at launch for $29.99. The cables will only be sold through online retailers. Oh, and your Cube component cables won't work.
• The first seven Australian Virtual Console games have been revealed -- NES titles SMB, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr. and Pinball, along with SNES games F-Zero, Sim City and Mario World.
• Video: Developers explain what's new and different in the Wii version of Madden.
• The Gamecube version of Twilight Princess in Australia will only be offered at EB Games, and they're only getting one shipment. The Cube's still moving, Nintendo, kick it a few more times.
• You may find Brain Training pamphlets at your local gym.

Sony news:

• Partly due to the price cut in Japan and the European delay, Sony says losses from its PS3 operation will be higher than expected.
• Sony has warned they will take legal action against grey importers in the EU, following a High Court victory against Lik Sang.
• Evil Avatar asks the important question: Where is Killzone 2? I had actually forgotten about it.
• A Japanese tech website reports that the PS3 controller battery isn't removable, so when it's no longer charging, you either have to get the controller repaired or just replace it.

Microsoft news:

• According to GamePro, Splinter Cell: Double Agent will be the first 360 game to support 1080p.
• Spurred by the recently announced Blue Dragon bundle, Xbox 360 sales have spiked in Japan.
• Internet rage is rising over Lumines Live's content (or lack thereof), with messages popping up in-game tell you to buy one pack or another to continue playing. Angry nerds are pointing out that Q Entertainment has an English language feedback form in which you can make your voice heard.
• Xbox Live has hit four million users. Time logged onto Xbox Live playing games has surpassed two billion hours.
• Splinter Cell: Double Agent is another game that's cheaper to import than to buy domestically. It's region free and only $44.90.
• Pictures from a Korean website have revealed a 100 gig HD, as well as a wireless gaming receiver and 256 meg memory card.
• The Phantasy Star Universe beta is being extended to the 21st.
• Sears is running an ad for the 360 featuring an obviously under 18 kid talking about how much he likes Halo. Er.
• Someone on the Cheap Ass Gamer forums has posted how to get Live Arcade titles for half price if you have a friend who also wants the game and will split the cost. The instructions are so complicated I fell asleep half way through. Better use this quick if you're gonna, because no doubt MS will patch this loophole soon enough.

Posted by Bill at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Kaz Hirai says there's no name for the PS3's online service because "we don't see a Playstation offline." Just when you think Sony can't make any further basic business mistakes, they find a new one: Don't brand your products.

• The American version of Rogue Galaxy will feature additional content not found in the Japanese version.
• Tony Blair says the video game industry has made "significant strides" after being questioned about game violence.
• The founder of Take-Two has stepped down because, really, no one wants to put up with that much crap for that long.
• The IRS is starting to examine ways in which tax law may be applied to virtual economies.
• The back of the Wii box mentions it includes a Wii start-up disc. So what's a start-up disc?
• As they did with Gradius, Konami is bring out more classic shooter collections, one each for the Salamander, TwinBee, and Parodius series.
• The Federation of American Scientists has declared that video games can be used to reshape education.
• GameTrailers has a new montage of Devil May Cry 4 gameplay footage from TGS.
• Microsoft admits their first party showing earlier this year was pretty paltry, with a several month gap between the release of DoA4 and Ninety-Nine Nights.
• Namco Bandai has announced Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 for Japanese arcades, with new characters, items and courses.
• Hollywood actors like Michael Ironside and Billy Dee Williams are included in the cast for Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars. Gamespot has an interview about the choice of cast with the game's producer.
• A next-gen Def Jam game is scheduled for March 2007.
• The Knights of Nine quest packed into the PS3 version of Oblivion will hit Xbox Live November 21. PC gamers will be able to buy it online or in retail as a part of an expansion pack (that they told us didn't exist) that includes all the downloadable content thus far.
• The 56-song soundtrack for Tony Hawk's Project 8 has been revealed.
• A hardcore player who held a seat on the council for his server's oldest and largest guild explains how WoW can wreck people's lives.
• Microsoft has cancelled Gears of War in Germany after the ratings board refused to give the game a rating (meaning it couldn't be sold in retail stores).
• Costco is selling a standard-sized arcade cabinet containing 81 classic games ranging from Mega Man to Tempest to Strider for $2300.
• George Harrison says that Wii kiosks will be wireless and supervised by retail staff. We all know how attentive retail staff can be.
• Pokemon Battle Revolution on the Wii can use the DS as a controller.
• A woman calls in to GameTrailers.com to complain that Castle Crashers is racist.
• Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, has debuted a new high-tech restaurant called uWink.

Posted by Bill at 4:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)