Gears of War 2 First Gameplay
May 10th, 2008 by Mike
Persona 4 Opening
May 9th, 2008 by Mike
I’m seriously thinking of getting a 60GB PS3 just for this. What the hell you may say a PS3 for a PS2 game, yes so I can play it upscaled…OH SNAPPITY SNAP!
Rocketmen: It Came From Uranus Trailer
May 9th, 2008 by Mike
Rocketmen: Axis of Evil’s first expansion pack will soon be hitting XBLA and the PSN. If you’ve actually had a chance to check out the original it’s a pretty fun game, in fact our review should be up any day now. But if you want to continue the crazy classic arcade action you can with It Came From Uranus, which get’s a respectful nod for the clever butthole joke. Kudo’s Capcom, you never fail to be original and hilarious.
Hirai: ‘We’re not competing with Microsoft or Nintendo’
May 9th, 2008 by Mike
Wider entertainment market is the real target for PS3, says SCE president
Forget Microsoft and Nintendo – PS3’s content can take on movies, TV and the web in the battle for the wider entertainment space.
“I think that PS3, PS2 and PSP are all entertainment platforms so I feel that our competition is not Microsoft or Nintendo, but basically any form of entertainment that is competing for the consumers’ attention,” said Hirai.
“So we need to make sure we offer the most compelling entertainment – not videogame entertainment but in entertainment in general. I can’t speak for their strategy but I like to think that we’ve got a very well balanced portfolio with PS3, PSP and you can’t discount the PS2.”
So does this mean more Blu-ray movies and other things to take away from the gaming part of the PlayStation? Time will tell.
Via: MCV
This Sh*t just got real: MS’s Greenberg Smacks down Sony
May 9th, 2008 by Mike
Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg’s safe and warm exterior may have many fooled, because the man can really talk up the shit. In an interview with Destructoid, Aaron pretty much opened the flood gates ownage.
I know a lot of folks enjoy watching the console wars and we would never underestimate our competition. But answer to your question specifically, didn’t Sony promise all of this last year including Home as well? We have been fighting Sony’s promises from the day we entered the market and if you remember at that time it was all about PS2 being an online cybercity with partner announcements from the likes of RealNetworks and AOL. Then three years ago at E3 they showed what PS3 games would supposedly look like with the Killzone 2 video, that we are now learning will ship four years later. That means that we will have shipped Gears of War and Gears of War 2 before they can even get Killzone out the door. Think back to GDC 2007 when Sony promised to leap ahead in online with the Sony Home unveil. Here we are two years later and multiple delays for a product that has appears to have little to no buzz. Where are the achievements? The friends list integration across all games? Where is the long-promised video store? Where are all the other products using and networking with their CELL chip? How come Blu-ray did not result in better games? What happened with Sixaxis and rumble? Where is the complete 1080p game library we were promised? If Blu-ray as they said would be such a catalyst to PS3 console sales, then why have PS3 sales over the past couple months not seen any lift since the format victory?
The reality is that Xbox 360 is leading this generation with a larger installed base, more than 2xs the games library, the most exclusives along with the leading online service and community. While we have not yet announced all of our plans for the full year, I am confident that we will extend our lead over the PS3 in 2008. Today Xbox 360 has a 5-million-unit console sales lead on a global basis based on most recently public reported data from both companies. This includes more than double the installed base in the US according to actual NPD sell-through and over a 1-million-unit lead across Europe also based on reported sell-through from Chart Track and GfK.
The days of Sony snowing the consumers and the press are over, I think the pressure is now really on them more than ever to deliver on all of these promises.
I can’t really argue with anything said here, I’m just surprised someone at MS had the balls to say it. I mean this Greenberg guy must have balls the size of bowling balls. Good for him, and us — because it makes for an entertaining read.
Via: Dtoid
Pandemic(TM) Studios is proud to announce the development of The Lord of the Rings: Conquest(TM) for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system, PC and Nintendo DS(TM) platforms. Pandemic Studios is a division of Electronic Arts Inc. In a partnership with New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings: Conquest is an action-packed game created by the same Pandemic Studios team behind the best-selling Star Wars Battlefront(TM) and Star Wars Battlefront(TM) II titles. Set in “The Lord of the Rings” universe of J.R.R. Tolkien as depicted by the Academy Award(R)-winning films, players will finally fight the entirety of these epic battles any way they want. In addition to crusading as the heroic forces of good, for the first time ever in a ‘The Lord of the Rings’ action title they’ll conquer Middle-earth while playing as the legions of Sauron’s evil army, including Cave-trolls, Oliphaunts, the Balrog and Sauron himself. The game is set for a global release in fall 2008.
“We’ll freely admit that we’re rabid fans of The Lord of the Rings fantasy,” says Josh Resnick, co-founder and general manager at Pandemic Studios. “Our experience creating massive, rich, action-packed games means that The Lord of the Rings: Conquest will give fans exactly what they want: full control of the blade, bow and magic to fight its epic battles any way they want - even if they choose to play from the evil side.”
Mad Catz to Produce Manchester United Football Club Branded Videogame Controllers
May 9th, 2008 by Erin
Several years ago Mad Catz produced controllers for American football teams. It only makes sense for them to branch out to European gamers and soccer fans everywhere. Mad Catz is looking to produce accessories based off the Arsenal Football Club as well.
Mad Catz Interactive announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with Manchester United Merchandising Limited to produce customized videogame controllers and other videogame accessories featuring the brand of the Manchester United Football Club of the English Premier League. The multi-year agreement provides Mad Catz with rights to distribute licensed accessory products throughout Europe.
Mad Catz plans to develop new, stylish Manchester United-branded videogame controllers, faceplates, Console Skinz(TM) and carrying cases for the PlayStation(R)2, PlayStation(R)3, Xbox 360(TM), PSP, Nintendo(TM) DS Lite, and Nintendo(TM) Wii gaming consoles.
“Manchester United is one of the world’s most popular and historic sports teams, with millions of dedicated fans worldwide, and we look forward to providing retailers and customers across Europe with entertaining accessories that bring the excitement of Manchester United to the gaming experience of its fans,” said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. “The addition of the Manchester United brand further strengthens and diversifies our growing portfolio of high-profile licenses and allows Mad Catz to continue building on its success and product penetration in key European markets.”
VICIOUS CYCLE SOFTWARE EXPANDS
May 9th, 2008 by Erin
New focus: next-gen.
Vicious Cycle Software announced today that the studio has relocated to a spacious new office in Morrisville, NC. Expanding its headquarters to 20,000 square feet, the move represents the company’s growing focus on development for next-generation consoles. Vicious Cycle plans to fill its new facility by expanding its current 50-person team to more than 90 game development professionals.
“The games of today and tomorrow require more manpower to create,” said Eric Peterson, president of Vicious Cycle Software. “Our brand new office, along with the support of D3Publisher, gives us the opportunity to cultivate a larger team of talented pros who can deliver top-notch titles.”
BioShock movie confirmed
May 9th, 2008 by Mike
Universal has signed a deal to turn the multi-million selling BioShock video game franchise into a major motion picture, reports Variety.
Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski has been signed on to direct and will also produce, with Aviator scribe John Logan said to be in talks to write the screenplay.
“I think the whole utopia-gone-wrong story that’s cleverly unveiled to players is just brimming with cinematic potential,” said Verbinski. “Of all the games I’ve played, this is one that I felt has a really strong narrative.”
Take-Two is receiving a multi-million dollar advance for the movie, which is believed to be the biggest video game-to-movie deal since Universal and Fox singed on to the now abandoned Halo movie. Take-Two executive chairman Strauss Zelnick has called the deal “state of the art” and has been structured in a way that ensures the project won’t end up like Halo.
“The reason I structured it the way I did is to make sure it gets made,” he explained.
There’s currently no word on a release date, although Verbinski plans to start pre-production once Logan’s script is finished and approved by the parties involved.
Great so their going to ruin what is one of the best games in the last 10 years. Can’t wait to see how they f*ck this one up.
Via: Videogamer.com
Activision Reports Record Q4 and Fiscal Year 2008 Results Marking 16 Consecutive Years of Revenue Growth
May 8th, 2008 by Erin
16 years of growth in any economy is pretty good news.
Activision, Inc.today announced record fiscal year 2008 and fourth quarter results.
Net revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 were $2.90 billion, as compared to $1.51 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Net income for the fiscal year was $344.9 million, or $1.10 in earnings per diluted share, as compared to net income of $85.8 million, or $0.28 in earnings per diluted share reported for the last fiscal year.Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO of Activision, Inc. commented, “Fiscal 2008 was the best year in our history and Q4 was the largest and most profitable non-holiday quarter, even though we did not release any new titles. During the fiscal year, we were the #1 U.S. console and handheld publisher in dollars for the first time ever, according to The NPD Group, and we grew our worldwide share of the console, handheld and PC markets year over year.”