There was going to be separate entries today for all the releases but there’s too many of them. (i.e. I’m too busy to produce a bunch of news posts.) Here we go, some releases for November 17, 2009:
Left 4 Dead 2 (360, PC) from Valve Software and EA
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii) from Capcom
Naruot Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 (Wii) from Tomy
Princess and the Frog (DS, Wii) from Disney Interactive
God of War Collection (PS3) from SCEA
LittleBigPlanet (PSP) from SCEA
Tony Hawk: Ride (360, PS3, Wii) from Activision
Assassin’s Creed II (360, PS3) from Ubisoft
Lego Indiana Jones 2 (360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP) from LucasArts
Playstation 2 has been around for 9 years and today’s announcement is the reason we should all hate math. I won’t deny that the Playstation 2 represents a lot of entertainment, especially for its current price of $99.00CAN and a back catalog of upwards of 10,000 games, but isn’t it kind of depressing when Sony releases information like this:
“….one in every three U.S. households own a PlayStation 2 system and nearly 140 million people around the world can attest to its great entertainment value, making it one of the world’s most popular video game systems. The PlayStation 2 system is responsible for pushing the envelope by introducing popular franchises like God of War, Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank and METAL GEAR SOLID, which are continuing to make their way into the hands of new gamers – young and old. One such franchise, SOCOM, took clear advantage of online game play and connectivity via the PlayStation 2 system. As a result, the SOCOM franchise has become one of the most played of all time, with over 530 million online hours logged since the debut of SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs in 2002. This equates to an incredible 60,000 years of online play.“
60,000 years of online play!?! And that’s just for one title on one platform! It makes me ponder what world socio-economic problems could have been solved, how many marriages could have been saved, and just how many sunsets we’ve all missed because we were playing games. So, while Sony is celebrating — and the company should, it’s a big milestone — I’m wondering what I’ve missed.
Sony announced this morning that Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time (PS3) is now available at retail. With only a few hours of play time under my belt, I’m impressed so far with the action, the weapons, and the humor. Watch for our full review early next week! Until then here’s a clip and some info:
“We’re excited to finally answer the questions that fans have had about Ratchet and Clank’s origins ever since we began the Ratchet & Clank Future series on the PS3,” said Brian Allgeier, creative director, Insomniac Games. “We wanted to give something back to our dedicated fan base, so we developed the story with them in mind, bringing back some old favorite characters, such as Dr. Nefarious, one of the franchise’s most beloved villians, as well as introducing new characters that reveal more about Ratchet and Clank’s pasts.”
While Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time’s epic story will satisfy the curiosity of longtime fans, the gameplay has been designed to appeal to a wide audience with a mixture of skill-based puzzles and “purely fun” gameplay that delivers an entertaining experience for fans of all ages. From lush forest terrain to a snow-covered landscape, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time draws players into a vast, diverse universe where they will take on the roles of both Ratchet and Clank — experiencing new gameplay and abilities with each character. With Ratchet’s new hoverboots, players will be able to blast to new heights and travel at rapid speeds to distant locations around each planet. When playing as Clank, player’s minds will be put to the test with all-new time-based gameplay that includes innovative puzzles that can only be solved by using timed recordings of Clank to get through the level.
The franchise’s traditional space gameplay also has been completely re-designed with the addition of space exploration. Players will now have freedom to travel freely through the game’s space sectors where they can fly through asteroid belts, explore new planets and moons, engage in sidequests and space battles, and discover hidden items and collectables. In addition to all-new space gameplay, the series’ trademark weapon arsenal is back and bigger than ever with new over-the-top weapons including the Sonic Eruptor, Spiral of Death and Tesla Spikes, along with classics such as the Buzz Blades and Negotiator. Constructo Mods also have been added to the weapons line-up, which allow players to take the basic Constructo weapons and turn them into super weapons they can really call their own.
“We’re excited to finally answer the questions that fans have had about Ratchet and Clank’s origins ever since we began the Ratchet & Clank Future series on the PS3,” said Brian Allgeier, creative director, Insomniac Games. “We wanted to give something back to our dedicated fan base, so we developed the story with them in mind, bringing back some old favorite characters, such as Dr. Nefarious, one of the franchise’s most beloved villians, as well as introducing new characters that reveal more about Ratchet and Clank’s pasts.”
I wish more companies held events like this to celebrate their accomplishments. Not only does it promote the game, it creates some excitement among genre fans anticipating a game’s release.
BioWare and Electronic Arts are hosting an international competition to mark the November 3, 2009 release of Dragon Age: Origins, which features “ten teams of four players each [that] will live, fight and explore [Dragon Age: Origins Wardens’ Quest] as the drama unfolds in their 24 hour quest to claim the grand prize. Each winning team member will receive $12,500. Official rules can be found at http://www.wardensquest.com”
The competition gets underway in two days — October 28, 2009 — at the Debating Chamber at County Hall in London, England and feature some LARPing. Here are few more details:
There will be ten participating teams representing their countries: the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands and Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and a specially selected team comprised of the most loyal BioWare fans from around the world. The competition will take place in the Debating Chamber at County Hall in London, England. This space will provide a grandiose setting for the competitors to play the game, discuss strategy and battle for the grand prize as teams are eliminated throughout the day. Around the chamber, screens will be used to display leader board stats and show highlights. BioWare staff and costumed actors will further enhance the environment, theatrics and dramatics of the day.
In Dragon Age: Origins, players take the role of a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians. Now, as a rising evil threatens to destroy all life, it is up to players to unite the shattered lands and slay the corrupted dragon known as the Archdemon. To restore peace, players must make ruthless decisions and be willing to sacrifice their friends and loved ones for the greater good of mankind.
There will be ten participating teams representing their countries: the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Netherlands and Belgium, Spain, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and a specially selected team comprised of the most loyal BioWare fans from around the world. The competition will take place in the Debating Chamber at County Hall in London, England. This space will provide a grandiose setting for the competitors to play the game, discuss strategy and battle for the grand prize as teams are eliminated throughout the day. Around the chamber, screens will be used to display leader board stats and show highlights. BioWare staff and costumed actors will further enhance the environment, theatrics and dramatics of the day. (more…)
It was announced today that Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare’s anticipated role-playing game, has officially gone gold and will hit retail November 3, 2009 for PC, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. We’ll soon see if the extensive wait was worth it! Also of note, is the release of the BioWare Social Network launching with the Dragon Age: Origins “Character Creator where players can create and customize a player character on the PC and then upload their character data and avatar to the BioWare Social Network before Dragon Age: Origins launches. ”
Origins will be available on all three platforms with several packs of downloadable content (DLC) including The Stone Prisoner, the Blood Dragon Armor and Warden’s Keep; each further enriching the gameplay experience.
“We’re excited to confirm that all three versions of Dragon Age: Origins will be available to fans on November 3 in North America,” said Ray Muzyka, Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA, and Co-Founder, BioWare. “The Dragon Age: Origins development team was able to polish the PlayStation 3 version to our high standard of quality and we are ready to deliver the richest and deepest role-playing fantasy experience across all three platforms.”
In anticipation of the game, players can begin their Dragon Age: Origins experience early by joining the BioWare Social Network — a destination to share in-game screenshots, review game data and share story information. Players can also download the free* to download Character Creator where players can create and customize a player character on the PC and then upload their character data and avatar to the BioWare Social Network before Dragon Age: Origins launches. The Dragon Age: Origins Character Creator will provide players with the tools to create a character with a nearly endless amount of options. Players can download the character creator and get more information on the BioWare Social Network by clicking here.
In Dragon Age: Origins, players take the role of a Grey Warden, one of the last of an ancient order of guardians. Now, as a rising evil threatens to destroy all life, it is up to players to unite the shattered lands and slay the corrupted dragon known as the Archdemon. To restore peace, players must make ruthless decisions and be willing to sacrifice their friends and loved ones for the greater good of mankind.
Origins will be available on all three platforms with several packs of downloadable content (DLC) including The Stone Prisoner, the Blood Dragon Armor and Warden’s Keep; each further enriching the gameplay experience.
“We’re excited to confirm that all three versions of Dragon Age: Origins will be available to fans on November 3 in North America,” said Ray Muzyka, Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA, and Co-Founder, BioWare. “The Dragon Age: Origins development team was able to polish the PlayStation 3 version to our high standard of quality and we are ready to deliver the richest and deepest role-playing fantasy experience across all three platforms.”
It’s really easy to tell what time of year it is just by the pile of games hitting shelves lately. Here’s your update for today, Tuesday, October 20, 2009:
If there’s one thing that Peter Moore is good at it’s quotable quotes. The “burning platform” as he calls disc-based media referred to in the headline is pretty awesome but the fact he follows it up with “do you stay on the platform and face certain death, or do you jump into the water and face probable death? Most of you would choose probable death.”
I love visual metaphors like this but, hey, Mr. Moore, why so much doom and gloom? Things change but that doesn’t mean it’s all about death! It doesn’t help much when he refers to digital distribution as a “cloud”, which any chest-beating English major will point at as a reference to Heaven. More death or the promise of better things in the next life? You can read that however you want. Here’s the full brief from GamesIndsutry.biz
If there’s one thing that Peter Moore is good at it’s quotable quotes. The “burning platform” as he calls disc-based media referred to in the headline is pretty awesome but the fact he follows it up with “do you stay on the platform and face certain death, or do you jump into the water and face probable death? Most of you would choose probable death.”
I love visual metaphors like this but, hey, Mr. Moore, why so much doom and gloom? Things change but that doesn’t mean it’s all about death! It doesn’t help much when he refers to digital distribution as a “cloud”, which any chest-beating English major will point at as a reference to Heaven. More death or the promise of better things in the next life? You can read that however you want. Here’s the full brief from GamesIndsutry.biz:
EA Sports president Peter Moore has compared the traditional videogames sales model to a sinking ship.
“The core business model of videogames is a burning platform,” said Moore, speaking at the 5th annual PLAY Digital Media Conference.
“Look at the platform we’re on, it’s a burning platform,” said Moore. “As a concept, do you stay on the platform and face certain death, or do you jump into the water and face probable death? Most of you would choose probable death, so you start moving towards a hybrid model of digital distribution.”
There were rumors of this floating around for the last couple of weeks but today Sony confirmed that a 250GB Playstation 3 is on the way and will hit retail in North America Tuesday, November 3, 2009 for $349.99CND*, which will no doubt annoy those that bought a “slim” Playstation 3 back on September 1, 2009, which ships with a 120GB hard drive.
* US and CND prices are the same. The Loonie is almost at par with the US dollar.
The 250GB PS3 system offers the same form factor and functionality as the current 120GB system, which achieved retail sales of 1 million units worldwide in the three weeks since its launch on September 1. Both models will be available at retail this holiday, providing both gamers and gift-givers with the opportunity to choose the PS3 system that’s right for them.
“The PS3 platform is poised for a tremendous holiday season,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “We kicked things off early with the new price point and sleek form factor and have continued the momentum with this week’s launch of the universally acclaimed exclusive, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The new 250GB PS3 provides consumers with another compelling hardware option and speaks to the growing consumer appetite for digital content from the PlayStation Network – particularly high-def content that showcases the power of the PS3 system.”
“The PS3 platform is poised for a tremendous holiday season,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “We kicked things off early with the new price point and sleek form factor and have continued the momentum with this week’s launch of the universally acclaimed exclusive, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. The new 250GB PS3 provides consumers with another compelling hardware option and speaks to the growing consumer appetite for digital content from the PlayStation Network – particularly high-def content that showcases the power of the PS3 system.”
In what could possibly be the coolest contest giveaway, Capcom has teamed up with Tesla Motors Company to give away a Tesla Roadster. (The same kind of car EA big-wig John Richetello drives.) It’s a promotion tied to the January 2010 release of Dark Void (PC, PS3, 360), which features a video game version of Nikola Tesla, hence the tie-in. Normally I wouldn’t promote such a giveaway because it’s limited to residents of the U.S., but the Tesla Roadster is too cool to ignore:
tesla roadster
The Dark Void Tesla Roadster Giveaway is the first time that Tesla Motors has partnered with another company to give away a Roadster, the record-setting electric sports car that’s faster than a Porsche 911 Turbo and greener than a Toyota Prius. To celebrate the launch of the sweepstakes and promote Capcom’s highly anticipated action-adventure game, Dark Void, Capcom held a test drive event Monday that allowed the media and San Francisco Bay Area members of Capcom-Unity.com to experience both the car and the game. (more…)
This out of Tokyo Game Show, Sony has announced that the Playstation 3 “Motion Controller” (working title) will hit retail Spring 2010-ish. The technology made its debut at E3 2009 to mixed response but it’s great to see Sony following through with this technology so quickly.
Sony’s missing a great chance for a contest though. “Name our Motion Controller!” Could be a neat contest to run. My entry is Wands of Death.
Full release below:
TOKYO, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release a new Motion Controller (unofficial name) for PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system in Spring 2010. The new controller, equipped with high-precision, highly accurate motion sensors, can deliver a whole new entertainment experience on PS3 when combined together with the PlayStation®Eye camera(*1). Capable of recognizing and tracking a user’s face and voice as well as body motion, PlayStation Eye can also output the player’s image onto the TV screen. SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform.
The newly announced Motion Controller is equipped with two motion sensors, three axes gyroscope and three axes accelerometer that can detect the controller’s angle and movement held in the user’s hand. Together with the PlayStation Eye camera for PS3 which can accurately track the absolute position of the controller, the controller can detect the natural and intuitive movement of the hand and reflect the precise movement on to the game. The sphere placed on the top of the controller is not only used to track the absolute position but can also give visual feedback to users by changing the colors or the illuminating patterns of the sphere. Furthermore, the new controller is also equipped with a rumble feature, familiar to the PlayStation® DUALSHOCK® series controller, delivering an immersive gaming experience to users.
Further expanding the new experience on PS3, SCE Worldwide Studios will deliver many exciting software titles for the Motion Controller in 2010(*2). SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the software title line-up for the new Motion Controller and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.
* Motion Controller is a tentative name.
*1 Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy Motion Controller on PS3.
*2 Please see below for software titles to be released in 2010.
Product Outline
Motion Controller (Tentative)
Product name Motion Controller (tentative)
Release date Spring 2010
Recommended Retail Price To be decided.
Key Features: – Three axes gyroscope, three axes accelerometer
– Bluetooth(R) 2.0
– Lithium-Ion rechargeable internal battery
Software Titles for Motion Controller from SCE Worldwide Studios(*1)
(2010 release, includes both Motion Controller dedicated and compatible titles)
Title name
———-
Ape Escape (Working Title)
Echochrome 2 (Working Title)
Eccentric Slider (Working Title)
Sing and Draw (Working Title)
Champions of Time (Working Title)
Motion Party (Working Title)
The Shoot (Working Title)
Tower (Working Title)
PAIN(*2)
Flower(*2)
Hustle Kings(*2)
High Velocity Bowling(*2)
EyePet(*2)
TOKYO, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that it will release a new Motion Controller (unofficial name) for PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system in Spring 2010. The new controller, equipped with high-precision, highly accurate motion sensors, can deliver a whole new entertainment experience on PS3 when combined together with the PlayStation®Eye camera(*1). Capable of recognizing and tracking a user’s face and voice as well as body motion, PlayStation Eye can also output the player’s image onto the TV screen. SCE will vigorously promote the expansion of this new experience only possible on the PS3 platform.
There are some press releases that are just plain fun to read because there are four or five levels of subtext going on, plus I can hear a million voices echoing from gaming forum trolls. The information in the release — full text below — is obviously good news for Sony and the Playstation brand. Since the re-launch of the PS3 with the new look and compact design (and lower price) three weeks ago, Sony is reporting that they’ve sold* a further 1 million PS3’s worldwide.
Ah, but the “sold” has that pesky asterisk beside it, really I hate those. In this case it’s “based on SCEI’s estimation.” So, we won’t have a clearer picture on the numbers until next month when the NPD’s are released. Still good news for Sony!
Full release:
TOKYO, Sept. 24 / — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. today announced that retail sales of its new PlayStation®3 (PS3®) (CECH-2000A) computer entertainment system achieved a total of 1 million units(*1) worldwide in the 3 weeks since its launch on September 1, 2009(*2). The expansion of the PS3 platform is being accelerated along with the introduction of more and more new and exciting software titles as well as the enhancement of PlayStation®Network.
While maintaining cutting-edge features and functions, such as the ability to enjoy high quality interactive entertainment content including Blu-ray Disc™ games and movies as well as various content and services downloadable through PlayStation Network, the new PS3 is available at a highly attractive recommended retail price of 29,980 yen (including tax), US$299 and euro 299, with an extremely streamlined form factor and a pre-installed 120GB Hard Disk Drive. Furthermore, the reduction of power consumption and fan noise as well as the casual appearance have also become drivers in attracting a larger and broader range of users.
Along with the vast line-up of attractive and exciting entertainment content to be released this holiday season from third-party game developers and publishers as well as from SCE Worldwide Studios, SCE will continue to further expand the PS3 platform and create a new world of computer entertainment.
TOKYO, Sept. 24 / — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. today announced that retail sales of its new PlayStation®3 (PS3®) (CECH-2000A) computer entertainment system achieved a total of 1 million units(*) worldwide in the 3 weeks since its launch on September 1, 2009. The expansion of the PS3 platform is being accelerated along with the introduction of more and more new and exciting software titles as well as the enhancement of PlayStation®Network. (more…)
This one’s for our Canadian readers. It was announced today that EA and Future Shop have teamed up for the release of NHL 10, with launch parties in Vancouver and Toronto on Monday, September 14, 2009. Be sure to carefully check the details that follow:
What: Midnight Madness launch events celebrating the release of EA SPORTS NHL 10 at select Future Shop stores in Toronto and Vancouver. Who – Toronto:
• Wendel Clark, former captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
• Ian White, defenceman, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Xbox 360 Street Team
Who – Vancouver:
• Trevor Linden, former captain of the Vancouver Canucks
• Xbox 360 Street Team
When: Monday, September 14, 2009
• Autograph signings with NHLers:
Toronto event
o 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – Ian White
o 10:00 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. – Wendel Clark
Vancouver event
o 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. – Trevor Linden
• Stores are open from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Where: Toronto – Future Shop, 325 Yonge St. (at Dundas)
Vancouver – Future Shop, 798 Granville St. (at Robson)
Shipping for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, Activision announced today that Wolfenstein (rated “M”) is now available. There are Nazi’s involved, dark experiments play into it, and sci-fi weapons available — basically, a good time for everyone.
Here’s word from the official press release:
Combining intense action and stunning graphics, Wolfenstein picks up immediately after the events of the award-winning Return to Castle Wolfenstein. In the newest chapter to the famed franchise, the Nazis’ have returned to their dark experiments and unearthed a dimension that contains amazing powers, simply known as – The Veil. With the help of the resistance faction of the town Isenstadt, players return to enlist as super OSA agent BJ Blazkowicz to uncover the Third Reich’s evil aspirations and stop them before it’s too late. (more…)
It’s really difficult, if not impossible, to develop a video game without proper funding. That’s exactly the situation that Six Days in Fallujah developer Atomic Games found themselves in after publisher Konami pulled out of the project at the end of April 2009. Since that time Atomic has been “unable to secure full-scale funding from a major publisher.” We’ve asked Atomic how many people were let go since the press release is vague, so until we hear back, here’s a snippet of the official release:
In the words of Marine officer Chesty Puller, “We’re surrounded. That simplifies the problem.” Development at Atomic will continue with a smaller team that will be funded by our sister company, Destineer.
We wish to assure the dozens of Marine veterans who have collectively invested hundreds of hours in this project that, while we have been badly wounded, we will fight on. The stories of your brothers’ courage and sacrifice in Fallujah must be shared with the world.
All of the 75 people in the Atomic studio have stayed with us until this week. This is a testament not just to their commitment to Six Days in Fallujah, but also to their character when faced with adversity and personal financial risk. We encourage videogame development studios wishing to speak with the many talented and loyal staff who are affected by this situation to contact the jobs page on the atomic.com web site.
