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'Alan Wake' Awakening For May Release?
13 November 2009 4:30 PM, PST
Previously mentioned as a hopeful Spring 2010 release, Microsoft's Remedy-developed "Alan Wake" may be a lock for May on the 360. The dark, psychological thriller that is reportedly structured episodically to emulate a TV series has been in the workshop for almost half a decade but emerged at E3 as a playable demo. It also appears to be proceeding on schedule -- pending confirmation of course.
Microsoft wants a global release for the title in late May, an unnamed source told McV. The company refused to comment officially, calling the May news "rumor and speculation," but the report quotes its source as saying the game will be promoted "in the style of a Hollywood movie," whatever that means.
Footage that's been release thus far from "Alan Wake" resembles more of a "Twin Peaks"-esque plot than it does a traditional "Uncharted" or "GTA IV"-style action game, setting itself in a remote town called Bright Falls. »
- Brian Warmoth
'New Super Mario Bros. Wii' Review - Hell Is Other People
13 November 2009 3:42 PM, PST
While other franchises boldly venture into the future, with fully 3D worlds, procedural gameplay and killstreak unlocks, "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" takes a look back. But can this retro reboot stand the test of time?
The Basics
Imagine the classic "Super Mario Bros." gameplay. Now add four people, all playing at once, jumping off one another, throwing each other into pits, stealing mushrooms. Suddenly it's a whole new experience. Well, that's the idea behind "New Super Mario Bros. Wii," a multiplayer-centric Mario game.
The Highs
Classic Mario To A T
The gameplay in "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" is far from revolutionary, but that doesn't make it any less fun. There are eight different worlds, each with unique enemies, obstacles and power-ups to discover. The traditional Mario formula of teaching you new elements and then throwing difficulty curve balls returns here, and the game slowly ramps up to a frantic, »
- Russ Frushtick
Classic Mario Artifacts At The Nintendo World Store
13 November 2009 3:18 PM, PST
This weekend, in honor of the launch of "New Super Mario Bros. Wii," Nintendo has decked out the Nintendo World Store in Rockefeller Center with objects from the history of the overall'd plumber. My favorite, strange and awesome Mario shampoo, is pictured above, but there are plenty more shots from the event.
Check out the full gallery of the Mario Museum.
If you'd like to take a look yourself, Nintendo is hosting a public launch event for "New Super Mario Bros." at the Nintendo World Store on Saturday (tomorrow) from 3pm to 7pm.
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- Russ Frushtick
'Heavy Rain' Developer Comments On 'Modern Warfare 2' Controversy
13 November 2009 12:34 PM, PST
"Heavy Rain" is definitely for mature audiences, since it features nudity, violence and crazy, murderous junk yard owners. It also features a level of realism which may disturb some players, even adult players, placing them in scenes that are stomach-churningly intense. It's this level of maturity and realism that made me wonder what the developers of "Heavy Rain" thought of the airport scene in "Modern Warfare 2." At a recent demo in New York City, I spoke to Guillaume de Fondaumiere, co-ceo of Quantic Dream and executive producer of "Heavy Rain," about the scene:
"My take on it is very simple. I don't see any reason why video games should be treated differently than movies, for instance. I think that we should leave game creators free of expressing their vision as they see fit. I think the guys at Infinity Ward had something very precise in mind when they did this scene. »
- Russ Frushtick
BlizzCon Moving To Las Vegas For 2010?
13 November 2009 12:04 PM, PST
BlizzCon may decide to move out of Anaheim for 2010, but then again it might not, and no matter what you've read anywhere Blizzard definitely isn't confirming that the show has been moved to Las Vegas. At least that's quick summary of speculation on the Internet today following a listing for the show at the Las Vegas Convention Center that has since been taken down.
"As we haven't announced any details about the next BlizzCon, we can say it won't be held in Las Vegas," a Blizzard representative told WoW.com. Questions about the annual gathering's location arose today after the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority website posted the convention on their calendar for July 30 and 31 with an expected 30,000 attendees.
Though that entry no longer exists, the news renewed questions about BlizzCon's sustainability in Anaheim. Blizzard has gone on record stating that the show operates there at a loss, despite »
- Brian Warmoth
'Final Fantasy Xiii' Coming March 9, 2010
13 November 2009 9:00 AM, PST
That Spring 2010 North American release date for "Final Fantasy Xiii" just got a little more specific. Japan was already scheduled to get the new sequel on December 17, but the U.S. got its own launch date today as well, almost three months later on March 9, 2010.
"We know that our fans have been eagerly awaiting the next installation of the franchise –- 'Final Fantasy Xiii' will exceed all expectations," Square Enix president and chief executive officer John Yamamoto said in a press release. "Coming simultaneously to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 for the first time, 'Final Fantasy Xiii' will be available to all players who are looking for the most immersive gaming experience of 2010."
The announcement came with a new mini-documentary showcasing the game's new Paradigm character role assignment and battle system, as well as a lizard creature getting juggled with a staff in midair and some commentary from the game's developers.
The »
- Brian Warmoth
'Diablo 3' And 'StarCraft 2' Expansions Coming In 'Next Few Years'
13 November 2009 7:24 AM, PST
Blizzard's unrevealed release date for "Diablo 3" may not show up on the calendar until after 2010, along with other releases, including "StarCraft 2" expansion packs and an unnamed Mmo. The expansion pack news may not surprise anyone, as the "StarCraft 2" beta launch was just pushed into 2010, but the "Diablo" faithful are probably going to have a long new year ahead.
"StarCraft 2" and "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" both appeared tagged for 2010 on Blizzard's schedule in presentation today in New York, according to Kotaku. They were joined by plans for an upgraded Battle.net, but "Diablo 3" fell into another column reserved for games coming out in the "next few years."
The presentation by Activision Blizzard chief financial officer Thomas Tippl reportedly projected a "Diablo 3" release for 2011 at the earliest. That information confirms announcements made at BlizzCon earlier this year which predicted a 2011 street date for the new sequel.
Hopefully that 2011 goal will stick and »
- Brian Warmoth
Up To 1 Million Xbox Live Users Now Banned
13 November 2009 6:00 AM, PST
Infinity Ward isn't the only company in gaming faced with gamer-related hacking dilemmas on the heels of the "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" launch. Microsoft took decisive action this week by initiating mass bans of 600,000-1 million Xbox Live users found to be playing on modded consoles, which may catch a few cheaters, as well as unsuspecting console owners, off guard.
"All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty and result in a ban from Xbox Live," Microsoft said in a statement, according to MSNBC.
Altered Xboxes found to be playing pirated games and whose software and hardware alterations otherwise violate Microsoft's terms of service will find themselves cut off from Xbl. The move coincides with the "MW2" launch week, but casts a net at all pirated title users. Secondhand buyers who unknowingly »
- Brian Warmoth
'Doom Classic,' 'Buck Hunter Pro,' 'Eliminate' - iPhone Gaming Round-up
12 November 2009 1:00 PM, PST
There have been a number of shooters since the iPhone launched, but the control limitations of just having a touch pad have made them hit or miss affairs. Recently, though, we saw the release of three strong shooter entries which are definitely worth checking out.
"Doom Classic" ($6.99)
I was particularly fond of the port of "Wolfenstein 3D" on the iPhone, and John Carmack has brought the same level of quality to "Doom Classic." It's classic "Doom," complete with the 4 classic episodes, all the weapons and even some multiplayer options (playable over the same WiFi network). As someone that didn't really play much of the original "Doom" when it first launched, it's hard to blame my enjoyment with this game on nostalgia. Fact of the matter is, even after all these years "Doom" still holds up, and Carmack has done a fantastic job bringing it to the platform.
"Big Buck Hunter »
- Russ Frushtick
'Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' Launches With $310M On First Day
12 November 2009 11:31 AM, PST
The highest grossing movie opening of all time was "The Dark Knight," which raked in just shy of 160 million bucks in its first weekend. Emphasis on weekend. "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" went on sale this past Tuesday and, over the course of that day, made a whopping $310 million from sales in the Us and UK.
Activision is approximating the total number of copies sold that day at around 4.7 million, which is a record for not only the video game industry, but also for any form of media ever. The previous best-selling video game over the course of a single day was "GTA 4," but its number was more than a million shy of "Modern Warfare 2."
So, in short, people like this game. Check out our series of interviews with the developers at Infinity Ward up top.
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- Russ Frushtick
'Command & Conquer 4: Tiberium Twilight' Dated For March 16th
12 November 2009 11:22 AM, PST
After officially announcing "Command & Conquer 4: Tiberium Twilight" last July, EA has moved another step forward and put a release date on the game, which is now open for pre-orders. Those pre-orders in turn come incentivized with access to a closed "5 vs. 5" beta test of the game's multiplayer mode.
"Finally, fans will learn what happens to Kane, Nod, Gdi, Earth and Tiberium when 'Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight' hits store shelves March 16th,” the game's lead producer Mike Glosecki said in a press release. "We can’t wait for fans to experience the trademark C&C action with the new level of strategic depth we have added, especially with our new experience system."
"Tiberium Twilight" will wrap up the ongoing story behind the series' villain Kane and the Brotherhood of Nod, whose origins may or may not still involve Einstein traveling back in time to eliminate Hitler from history. The »
- Brian Warmoth
Xbox 360 Gets Facebook, Twitter and Last.FM Next Tuesday
12 November 2009 9:00 AM, PST
Next Tuesday has been set as the launch day for the newest Xbox 360 dashboard update. Fast Company spoke to Xbox Live's General Manager, Marc Whitten, who would know a thing or two about such an update.
The update adds several anticipated features, first revealed at E3 2009, including Facebook, Twitter and Last.FM. While the first two are probably the most high-profile features, Last.FM is definitely the going to be what I'll be using most. It's seamless, free and basically gives you easy access to the personalized web radio service right from your TV, making party programming much more painless. Oh, and considering I already have sixteen other devices that connect me to Facebook and Twitter, I'm pretty sure I'll mess around with them briefly before never using them again.
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- Russ Frushtick
Esrb Cites 'Strong Sexual Overtones' In 'Assassin's Creed 2'
11 November 2009 3:30 PM, PST
The Esrb pointed its finger at sexual content when it placed a Mature rating on "Assassin's Creed 2," and the spoiler-laden explanation they gave goes into even further detail. The new sequel has apparently bolstered its content with "sexual overtones" and at least one "seduction mini-game."
"The game contains strong sexual overtones," according to the Esrb. "During one 'seduction mini-game,' players are able to press buttons to kiss a woman and remove her dress; with the woman's back facing the camera, the two characters lower to bed and blow out a candle."
Though no one appears to be getting naked in "AC2," the game does get called out for it's profanity and explicit script.
"Some scenes take place inside brothels, though no nudity or sexual acts are depicted," the report states. "The dialogue contains the following sexual references: 'So the whip or the paddle today?' and 'Does your wife know about your page-boy fantasies, »
- Brian Warmoth
Infinity Ward On What's Next After 'Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2'
11 November 2009 3:00 PM, PST
In the last of our lengthy series of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" interview segments we talk to Infinity Ward Creative Strategist, Robert Bowling, about what's next for Infinity Ward. Check out the interview clip above.
Considering the blatant cliffhanger at the end of "Modern Warfare 2," I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing "MW3" in 2011, but that's just an educated guess. Also, Activision may cry if Infinity Ward goes off to make their much-anticipated kart racer.
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- Russ Frushtick
'Bully 2' Coming, According To Game's Composer
11 November 2009 12:30 PM, PST
Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto 4: The Ballad of Gay Tony" doesn't seem to have provoked nearly the the amount of controversy that the boy-on-boy kissing of "Bully" originally did when the game first appeared on the PlayStation 2. The company many have a second shot at testing the waters of public opinion once again with their private school-set franchise, as "Bully 2" may be be in development.
"It looks like I will be doing the soundtrack for 'Bully 2' in the not so distant future….," composer Shawn Lee told The Gaming Liberty.
Lee worked on the soundtrack for the first "Bully" as well, so he would be a sensible choice to bring back for the unconfirmed sequel. Rockstar neither confirmed nor denied that that "Bully 2" exists.
"We do not comment on rumor and speculation," a Rockstar Games spokesperson told Kotaku.
"Bully" has sold about 1.5 million copies since its launch on the »
- Brian Warmoth
Nelly Furtado Sings In Simlish For 'The Sims 3' Expansion
11 November 2009 12:00 PM, PST
Nelly Furtado is another in a long line of musicians that have stepped up to record a song in Simlish. In this case it's Furtado's "Manos Al Aire," which is featured in the latest trailer for the game, watchable above.
It's a little funny they went with this song, since, if you don't speak Spanish, you're not really losing anything in the Simlish translation. Thankfully the music-video style of the trailer makes it pretty easy to follow the Sims-laden storyline. It's a pretty standard boy-meets-girl, girl-fights-mummy kinda story.
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- Russ Frushtick
'Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' Already Hacked?
11 November 2009 11:03 AM, PST
Hackers have apparently made short work of Infinity Ward's much-ballyhooed IWNet system, at least on the PC. The website, Call Of Duty Hacks, has posted a YouTube video showing a ranked PC match, with the player utilizing a vast array of cheat methods. Aim bots and being able to see through walls are just two of the major advantages given to the apparent cheater.
Of course, the hackers aren't just doing it for the love of the game. The site charges a $20 (!) monthly fee for access to their hacking prowess.
There are a few levels of stupidity going on here. First of all, giving money (especially credit card info) to hackers is probably not a good idea. Secondly, I'm pretty sure that this sort of play is relatively easy to spot on Infinity Wards' end, and you'll probably find yourself with a full stat reset (or ban) before you know it. »
- Russ Frushtick
Project Natal Launching Next November, Starting At $50?
11 November 2009 10:45 AM, PST
Project Natal's price may no longer be a mystery, as a new report predicts an Msrp at launch as low as $50 with a release date in November 2010. The set could be accompanied by as many as 14 games from various big-name publishers, if these details turn out to be legit.
Microsoft plans to ready 5 million units for the Xbox 360 control system's debut, according to an anonymous source speaking to McV. UK, publishers have reportedly been getting a look behind the scenes at Microsoft's Fall 2010 Natal plans, which include “trying to get as close as possible to ‘impulse buy’” with its price tag.
Right now, Activision, Bethesda, Capcom, Disney, EA, Konami, MTV, Namco Bandai, Sega, Square Enix, Thq and Ubisoft have all committed to developing for Natal. Epic Games has gone as far as to say it wants Natal support for "any future Xbox games" it makes.
With a basement prediction of »
- Brian Warmoth
Gaming's Greatest Silent Protagonists
11 November 2009 9:00 AM, PST
Silence, as they say, is golden. It's a rule that holds more true in video games than in most media. Quiet isn't necessarily a good thing during the heat of play – you want to hear your enemies approach, some killer tunes, Yoshi's squeal as he devours some witless sentient mushroom. A game is best served by silence in its protagonist, the lead character and, very often, the hero you get to control when you pick up the controller.
All of gaming's leads lacked a voice back in the day, due to technological limitations more than anything else, but there was also text available to put words into their mouth. There is, however, a storied history of completely mute leads, characters whose opinions and vocal attitude are left entirely to our imaginations. And our own personality. That's the real strength of a silent protagonist after all, how well they lend themselves to player immersion. »
- John Constantine
'Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition' To Come Via Dlc
10 November 2009 3:15 PM, PST
Capcom reached a crossroads with the U.S. market after announcing the newly packaged "Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition" for Japan. The revamped version of the game, which includes new content and features, could either come to North America as new edition of the game or in the form of a download that may have prompted early buyers to flood the secondary market with their used "RE5" discs. After conducting an online poll, however, Capcom has opted to go with Dlc.
"As of this morning, we had close to 1500 people vote for Dlc and close to 900 vote for a new physical product," Capcom's senior director of communications Chris Kramer announced Monday on Capcom-Unity.com. "In addition, we had over 300 comments on the blog posting, which is amazing to all of us here at Capcom.
Kramer admitted the poll's results were close, especially considering that it took place online and may »
- Brian Warmoth
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