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E3 2010: Nintendo president suggests company would consider new tech for next console when 3DTV adoption rate eclipses 30 percent.
LOS ANGELES--At Nintendo's press briefing, company president Satoru Iwata officially unveiled the company's glasses-free 3D portable gaming device, the 3DS. Today, Iwata hinted at 3D technology being incorporated into the next home console the company releases.
As reported by Andriasang, the Nintendo executive expressed concern to the Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun regarding displaying 3D images on standard televisions. He said if the company is to release a 3D-enabled console, it won't be until 3D-ready televisions exceed a 30 percent adoption rate.
"We're thinking that the timing should be once the 3D television adoption rates crosses the 30 percent mark," the executive said. "We're looking at the adoption trends."
Nintendo tried its hand at 3D gaming 15 years ago with the Virtual Boy, a system that soundly flopped. Speaking of the Virtual Boy, Iwata said that it released the game machine when the technology "was not ready."
E3 2010: GameStop, Amazon, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Target all list common price point for Microsoft's camera-based motion-sensing add-on.
LOS ANGELES--With this year's E3, Microsoft has begun to fill in the white spaces surrounding its camera-based motion-sensing add-on to the Xbox 360. Formalizing the device's name as Kinect, the publisher has nailed down a firm November 4 launch date and offered a look at its 15-title launch lineup. Still, Microsoft has thus far withheld one of the most important pieces of information: the price.
With E3 winding down today, the answer to Kinect's price question isn't likely to come anytime soon...from Microsoft, at least. A range of retailers have now updated their online databases to reflect a $149.99 price point for the Xbox 360 add-on, bolstering rumors that emerged last month. GameStop, Amazon, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Target are all under the impression that the device will check in at $150 when it arrives this November.
Microsoft had not responded to requests for comment on the listed price point as of press time.
Formerly known as Project Natal, Kinect adds camera-based motion control to the Xbox 360's input options. As detailed during Microsoft's press conference on Monday, the device also features voice recognition, letting gamers navigate menus by simply voicing commands.
Thus far, 15 games have been announced as launching alongside the device. First-party offerings include Kinect Adventures, Kinectimals, Kinect Joy Ride, and Kinect Sports. A number of third parties are also on board, developing such titles as EA Sports' Active 2, Konami's DanceMasters, and Sega's Sonic Free Riders. Publishers have also promised postlaunch support, such as a Star Wars game from LucasArts, Q?'s Child of Eden, and THQ's UFC Trainer.
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E3 2010: Latest iteration of Microsoft's console is bereft of the now-iconic crimson lights that signaled hardware failure; Microsoft confirms "redesigned" ring.
LOS ANGELES--When Microsoft unveiled the new slimline Xbox 360 at its press conference on Monday, it neglected to mention one small detail. The new model of the console is incapable of getting the "red ring of death," the 3-red bar indicator on the front of the console that signaled a variety of hardware failures.
The absolute impossibility of the red ring isn't by virtue of the console being failure-proof--that has yet to be determined. It's because the new console has no red LEDs at all. According to a spec sheet obtained by gaming blog Joystiq, the new console has only green LEDs in the ring on its front.
How the new console will indicate failure is unclear. When contacted by GameSpot, Microsoft representatives tacitly confirmed the change with the following official statement: "The new console’s ring of light has been redesigned with the rest of the console and uses a different illustration that our customer service team will be able to troubleshoot for you. If customers experience any issues with Xbox 360 250GB they should contact customer service at www.xbox.com/support or 1-800-4MY-Xbox."
The new Xbox 360 is already shipping to stores, and will bear the same retail price as the Xbox 360 Elite, which has been discontinued and discounted $50. It will have a 250GB hard drive and comes with built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n wi-fi connectivity. Its chassis has ample venting to cool its CPU and GPU, which are both made with a 45nm production process--meaning they will run cooler to begin with. As a result, the console requires a smaller fan for its cooling system, which Microsoft promises will be "whisper quiet."
For more on the new Xbox 360, check out GameSpot's hands-on preview, or the video unboxing below.
E3 2010: Bethesda's shooter snags its third delay, now coming spring 2011 to PS3, Xbox 360, PC.
LOS ANGELES--While the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo has brought definite releases dates for long-awaited software and hardware, fans of Bethesda's upcoming shooter, Brink, have a delay to take in.
London-based development house Splash Damage announced a delay of game this week at E3, revealing that the studio's shooter will now release in spring 2011 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
Brink was first dated for spring 2010 when Bethesda trademarked the title. It later slid to fall of the same year. The shooter has been delayed again, now penciled in for a spring 2011 release, which is 12 months beyond the game's original target release window.
As for the game, Brink is a squad-based shooter that was built incorporating a system called S.M.A.R.T. (Smooth Movement Across Random Terrain), which allows players to run freely through the game's environments. The game takes place in a futuristic floating city off the coast of San Francisco, and players can fight through the game's entire campaign as either the Resistance, or Security, the title's warring factions.
E3 2010: Entertainment Software Association reveals attendance figures, next year's show returning to LA June 7-9.
LOS ANGELES--The 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo wraps up today, and the Entertainment Software Association has already booked next year's event. The E3 showrunner and industry trade body today announced the annual event will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 7-9, 2011.
As for this year's event, about 300 exhibitors and 45,600 attendees from 90 countries descended upon Los Angeles for the show. That figure is slightly higher than 2009's attendence, when some 41,000 developers, analysts, investors, journalists, and retailers turned out at the LACC.
News from this year's press briefings included Microsoft announcing a new Xbox 360 model and Kinect's Nov. 4 debut, Sony saying its motion-control technology rollout will begin in September, Nintendo debuting the 3DS and the next Zelda title, and lots more.
For those who missed this year's event, check out GameSpot's complete coverage of E3 2010 for a plethora of hands-on previews, news, live stage demos, and more.
E3 2010: Japanese paper states tri-dimensional handheld features full-game installation to system's internal memory.
LOS ANGELES--As detailed in GameSpot's hands-on with the 3DS from this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo has made sweeping changes to both the cosmetic and the internal structure of its best-selling handheld. With 3D functionality being the top-line addition, Nintendo has also increased the size and resolution of the top screen, amped up processing power, and added new cameras, motion sensors, a gyroscope, and an analog stick.
The publisher apparently didn't stop there, though. As relayed by Andriasang, Japan business daily Nikkei reported today that the 3DS will also let gamers install multiple full games to the handheld's internal memory. Installed games can then be selected from the 3DS's main menu.
Nikkei reportedly did not delve into the number of games that can be installed or any specifics of the process. However, it did state that the feature eliminates gamers' need to carry cartridges with them while on the go.
Nintendo had not responded to requests for comment or clarification of the report as of press time. The publisher has yet to announce a release date or pricing information for the new system.
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E3 2010: Konami's latest horror installment due out next year for Microsofts and Sony's home consoles.
LOS ANGELES--Today at Konami's press briefing, on top of announcing a Glee singing title and Neverdead, the publisher announced the next installment in the frightening Silent Hill series. According to series producers Devin Shatsky and Brian Gomez, Silent Hill 8 (working title) will make its way to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 next year.
A trailer for the game was shown, painting a series-familiar setting of gloom. In the trailer, the camera panned over a rain-soaked road, coming to rest as an inmate transport vehicle sped past.
Gamers will play as ex-inmate Murphy Pendleton, a man who suffers from lucid visions when he sleeps. In the trailer, Pendleton is seen running through the forest in his jumpsuit, crossing a ravine by tiptoeing along a log, finally finding his way to Silent Hill.
Next, the player enters a building and proceeds down a hallway that begins to disintegrate, revealing that the corridor is actually a metal cage suspended in a creepy sewerlike area. After this scene, Pendleton wakes up, still on the bus.
Silent Hill 8 will remain a third-person horror game in which players will be tested by puzzles, creatures, and various otherworldly beings. Konami did not specify a release date more exact than 2011.
In April at its Gamers Day event, Konami strongly hinted at a Silent Hill announcement for this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo. A trailer for the game ended with the tagline "The Silence Ends," and a definite reference to this year's show.
Outside of a well-received remake of the original, the Silent Hill series has been dormant since 2008's Double Helix-developed Silent Hill: Homecoming.
E3 2010: Konami, Rebellion team on horror-themed third-person action adventure featuring swords, guns, regeneration; release date TBA.
LOS ANGELES--In advance of its 2010 Electronic Entertainment press conference yesterday, Konami announced a handful of new titles. These ranged from Kinect titles, such as DanceMasters and Adrenalin Misfits, to downloadable wares like Hard Corps: Uprising. However, the publisher apparently saved one of its meatier reveals for the press conference itself.
Konami today announced Neverdead, an all-new property heading to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The third-person action adventure is in development at Rebellion, which released Aliens vs. Predator to tepid reviews in February. Also contributing to the project will be Konami veteran Shinta Nojiri, a veteran of Kojima Productions' Metal Gear franchise.
As the story goes, Neverdead's world fell to a demonic threat centuries before the game picks up. However, for reasons as-yet-unstated, the demons created an immortal hero before receding back into the ether. With the demons now having returned, the hero is charged with defending the land, equipped with a "butterfly-inspired sword," a cache of guns, and unique regenerative powers.
The publisher's press event also offered a trailer for Neverdead, one that begins with a scene from what appears to be a postapocalyptic-looking metropolis. As a man and a woman stroll through the city, he recounts to her a fairly obnoxious story. That is, until he is decapitated by a beast that crashes through a wall. Unfazed, the disembodied head makes a glib remark, which is then followed by a gameplay montage.
Konami did not announce an expected release window for Neverdead.
Factoring in used games, digital distribution, DLC, mobile--but not social platforms--industry group revises $10.5B figure upward by $4.5-$4.75B.
2009 wasn't a particularly banner year for the US game industry in terms of total revenue. According to the NPD Group, total dollars spent at retail on new hardware, software, and accessories amounted to $19.66 billion, a healthy number but well short of 2008's $21.4 billion spend.
Of that tally, NPD stats indicated that $10.5 billion came from software sales. However, considering that the NPD group only tracks new software sales at retail and not alternative forms of revenue, such as used games, subscriptions, or downloadable content, that figure could be seen as slightly misleading.
Today, though, NPD released a more comprehensive accounting of 2009 software sales. Taking into account used games, rentals, subscriptions, digital full game downloads, downloadable content, and mobile game apps, NPD revised its $10.5 billion figure upward by $4.5 billion to $4.75 billion for 2009. As such, the industry-tracking group now believes total software sales for the year came in at $15.0 billion to $15.25 billion.
"Our expanded estimate of consumer spending reflects the growing number of options to purchase, acquire and interact with video games ranging from GameFly rentals to iPod Touch game apps," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. "Consumer spending on social network games like those offered by Facebook would push this estimate even higher." NPD noted that the revised figures factor in "all channels and media except for social network gaming."
NPD gathered its date through a variety of means, including point-of-sale tracking and industry research tools such as the Games Acquisition Monitor, Video Game & PC Game Subscriptions Tracker, and Consumer Purchase Tracker. It also uses sales estimates provided by retailers and publishers.
E3 2010: Legal battle not stopping Interplay from moving ahead with the Masthead-developed post-nuclear MMORPG; beta testers being solicited.
LOS ANGELES--The threat of a court-ordered shutdown isn't stopping Interplay from moving ahead with Fallout Online. This morning, the once-nearly bankrupt company launched a teaser site for the massively multiplayer game, which was previously known by its code name, Project V13. After offering some visual references to the first two Fallout games, released in the 1990s, the site asks visitors to sign up for a newsletter to be considered for the game's beta test.
In development at Masthead Studios, the Bulgarian shop developing the post-apocalyptic RPG Earthrise, Fallout Online has been the subject of a legal battle between Interplay and Bethesda Softworks, developer and publisher of Fallout 3. The dispute stems from a disagreement about the deal, which saw Bethesda purchase the Fallout IP for $5.75 million in 2007 and then license the Fallout MMORPG rights back to Interplay.
The license agreement had a stipulation that Interplay had to start full-time development within two years or the Fallout MMORPG rights would revert to Bethesda. Two years later, Bethesda terminated the deal, citing Interplay's lack of progress on Project V13. In a lawsuit filed in September, Bethesda accused Interplay of not having enough money to move forward with the game.
The following month, Interplay accused Bethesda of acting in bad faith in a countersuit. It quickly released the first concept art for Fallout Online, claiming that work on the game was proceeding apace. In December, a judge agreed, denying Bethesda's request for an injunction that would have halted all work on Interplay's MMORPG.
However, even with a legal green light, Fallout Online faces many obstacles on the road to release--foremost of which is Interplay's shaky financial state. In a financial report released last year, the company reported a loss of $1.052 million on $854,000 of income for the nine months ending September 30, 2009, thanks mostly to $1.48 million in "general and administrative" costs. During that same period, the company reported it had only spent $195,000 on product development.
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E3 2010: THQ reveals new mixed martial arts tutorial title for multiplatform motion-sensing systems.
LOS ANGELES--THQ kicked off the Electronic Entertainment Expo with the news that UFC Undisputed 2010 hadn't been selling as well as expected. The publisher isn't letting that undermine its plans for the mixed martial arts franchise, as today it announced a new UFC title in an E3 analysts meeting.
Set for release January 1, 2011, UFC Trainer will be a more combative take on the fitness genre than the likes of Wii Fit or EA Sports Active. The game will be released for the Xbox 360 Kinect, the PlayStation 3 Move, and the Wii. THQ's executive vice president of core gaming, Danny Bilson, apologized to analysts for the game's absence from THQ's E3 presence, but said the publisher doesn't want to show it off until it's the best training game on the market.
"We want this thing tuned to perfection without lag," Bilson said. "And I'm not going to ship it until it's the coolest fighting thing in the world."
This is the second straight year THQ has chosen to announce a New Year's Day release while at E3. Last year, the publisher committed to launching its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 action adventure game Darksiders on January 1. However, the publisher couldn't quite keep to that schedule, and the game slipped to January 5.
E3 2010: THQ's next installment in motorsports franchise to sell at a low price point but be bolstered by weekly releases of new content, from helmets to track packs.
LOS ANGELES--Earlier this year, THQ announced a round of layoffs and a new downloadable focus for MX vs. ATV developer Rainbow Studios. While gamers may have inferred that the long-running motorsports franchise would be departing store shelves entirely as a result, the publisher today shed some light on the series' future.
In an E3 analysts call, THQ executive vice president of core gaming Danny Bilson said that the next MX vs. ATV will sell at retail for a low price point, with the publisher planning a weekly schedule of new downloadable content to bring in the bigger bucks over the course of a year. Bilson said the model should have special appeal to the "Wal-Mart audience" who loves the series but wants a value price point.
Examples of add-on content given included a free helmet and a $5 track pack. Bilson didn't discuss the platforms, release date, or price of the core game. However, in explaining the business model to analysts in the call, he did say that even if consumers don't go for the microtransactions, the company still does well "if we can get that $20 from the Wal-Mart buyer."
The last game in the series, MX vs. ATV, launched in December for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, DS, and PSP.
E3 2010: Publisher says "major filmmaker" tied to game tie-in, slated for day-and-date release; Red Faction telefilm to air on SyFy week of Armageddon debut; major development talent announcement coming.
LOS ANGELES--THQ may not have had an in-person media blowout in the vein of Ubisoft or Electronic Arts, but the publisher still offered up a host of game-related announcements as part of a 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo conference call.
The Saints Row franchise is often cited by THQ executives as a key business pillar, and the publisher said today that it plans to spare no expense for the launch of Saints Row 3. According to THQ executive vice president of core games Danny Bilson, the publisher plans to begin ramping up marketing for the title in December, having spent an extra year rebuilding the technology behind the game.
What's more, the publisher is aiming to accompany the game's launch with the "biggest transmedia blowout ever seen." Whereas many publishers stop at action figures, novels, and comic books, THQ is aiming to launch a Saints Row film day and date with the game, and Bilson noted that a "major filmmaker" is tied to its release. In February 2009, rapper 50 Cent told reporters that he was in the process of optioning the rights to Saints Row, for a filmic adaptation.
Bilson went on to note that the Saints Row game will be accompanied by a collectible card game.
In other transmedia news, Bilson offered new details on the Red Faction telefilm, which TV network SyFy announced that it would be producing in April. The two-hour "pilot" will air on SyFy the same week as the as-yet-undated Red Faction Armageddon, filling in the 50-year time lapse with information on the main character's parents. The story was penned by Bilson, with a writer currently adapting it for the screen, and the executive also noted that it will feature a budget on par with SyFy's acclaimed Battlestar Galactica.
As one other tidbit, Bilson also briefly addressed Devil's Third, the first game from Tomonobu Itagaki's Viking Studios, which will be published by THQ. According to the executive, THQ plans to announce "another major talent" that has signed with the publisher "very soon." The talent acquisition, Bilson noted, is part of THQ's strategy to lure top game developers, as opposed to purchasing independent studios outright.
E3 2010: Retailer announces nationwide buyback program launching in late summer; gamers to get gift cards in exchange for pre-played titles.
With the gaming industry's focus squarely on the biggest titles of tomorrow during this week's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Best Buy wants gamers to think about the games of yesterday. The electronics chain has announced that it will begin buying and selling used games in all of its stores nationwide beginning late this summer.
While some Best Buy stores will have dedicated trade-in desks, most locations will handle game buybacks at the customer service desk. Customers will receive their compensation in the form of a gift card good for anything in the store, and any used games purchased will be covered by the store's return policy.
Best Buy already offers a buyback program through its Web site that allows gamers to look up the trade-in "estimates" of all their games and systems. When the in-store program launches, gamers will be able to use the Web site so they know how much to expect from their titles before they head to the store.
To date, the used game market has been dominated by specialty retailer GameStop, but there are more companies looking to undercut the chain's business all the time. Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and Amazon have all gotten into the used buyback business to varying degrees, and even game publishers are looking for a piece of the pie.
Electronic Arts recently introduced its Online Pass program, which requires second-hand purchasers of games to pay $10 to activate functions like online multiplayer. During an investor conference call earlier this week, Activision announced its own intentions to get into the used gaming business by collaborating with secondhand sellers. The publisher believes participating in the used market could bolster its own revenues by as much as $500 million.
E3 2010: Premium pack to bear $100 price tag; includes 300-page car guide, diecast Nissan GT-R Spec V, branded key chain, voucher for five in-game cars, and stamp of authenticity.
LOS ANGELES--At Sony's press briefing, the company dated Killzone 3, PlayStation Move, and a PlayStation Plus premium subscription service, but the revelations didn't end there. Sony also revealed a release date for Polyphony Digital's racing sim Gran Turismo 5, which it first teased at E3 2005.
When GT5 arrives November 2 exclusively on the PlayStation 3, a $100 Collector's Edition will be available alongside the standard ware. In addition to the title, packed inside "premium packaging," the limited bundle will include a 1:43 scale diecast 2009 Nissan GT-R Spec V designed by Polyphony and produced by collectible car-maker Kyosho.
Additionally, racing fans who pick up the premium pack will receive a 300-page "car lover's guide," penned by the developer. The contents of the book include bits of automobile history, including the history of the present day automobile, as well as relevant Gran Turismo 5 reference materials.
The pack will also include a redemption key for five in-game vehicles with "performance upgrades." It was not announced which five vehicle models will be included or what the upgrades will be.
Following the car theme, the Gran Turismo 5 Collector's Edition will come with a GT5-branded key chain, as well as a numbered authenticity certificate.
E3 2010: Namco Bandai lineup of five titles for Nintendo's new handheld also includes Ridge Racer, Gundam, Super Robot Wars.
LOS ANGELES--The 3DS was officially unveiled to the public just yesterday, but Nintendo already has an imposing lineup featuring some of the biggest third-party franchises in the industry. Namco Bandai's Ridge Racer was already on that list, but the publisher today detailed a full slate of five titles spanning six of its own biggest series.
Beyond Ridge Racer, Namco Bandai also confirmed new installments in its Gundam, Dragon Ball, and Super Robot franchises. And reaching further back into its catalog, the publisher revealed Pac Man & Galaga (working title), promising that the two arcade classics would be "totally reworked" for Nintendo's system, while still retaining their original play modes.
As recognizable as Namco Bandai's franchises are, there will be plenty of competition for a 3DS owner's dollars. Beyond Nintendo's own efforts (spearheaded by the return of Kid Icarus), third-party publishers are supporting the 3DS with hit franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden, Splinter Cell, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer, Contra, Frogger, Saints Row, Batman, and more.
E3 2010: Namco Bandai's shooter franchise gets exclusive Sony installment this fall with new online mode; Time Crisis 4, Deadstorm Pirates packed in.
LOS ANGELES--The PlayStation Move factored heavily into Sony's 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference yesterday, as the publisher officially dated the motion-sensing controller for September 14 in the US. And as a controller is only as good as the games it supports, the publisher also rattled off a number of Move-compatible games in sizzle montage accompanying the announcement.
Among those machine gun announcements appeared to be a new installment in Namco Bandai's long-running on-rails shooter franchise Time Crisis. Sure enough, late last night the publisher officially announced Time Crisis: Razing Storm will arrive exclusively for the PlayStation 3 this fall. In addition to the Move, Razing Storm will also be compatible with Namco Bandai's own Guncon 3 light gun peripheral.
Razing Storm's storyline follows a special task force that has been sent to South America in an effort to take out the mastermind behind a plot to topple the United States. In addition to Arcade mode, which pits players against waves of enemies, Razing Storm will include a free-roaming Story mode. The mode lets players hunt down the villainous cabal through destructible environments, utilizing cover and the new auto-look function.
Namco Bandai's latest shooter will also introduce an online multiplayer component to the franchise. Up to eight players will be able to engage in both cooperative and competitive modes in Online Battle. Sentry mode is also new, and it lets up to four players offline attempt to route a prison break attempt.
Notably, the publisher is incentivizing the purchase of Razing Storm by packing in the arcade editions of 2007's Time Crisis 4 and the just-released Deadstorm Pirates. Both games have been updated with Move functionality and will also be compatible with the Guncon 3.
E3 2010: Media Molecule's imaginative platformer sequel will arrive by holidays and will be compatible with Sony's motion-sensing system; Original LBP also getting Move patch at launch.
LOS ANGELES--At Sony's press briefing, Killzone 3 was dated for February 2011, and earlier in the day, Amazon France listed Uncharted 3 for October 2011. While the latter's release window is merely a retailer's presumption, another Sony-exclusive received an official release window today.
Sony today announced a barrage of titles that will support the company's newest tech, the PlayStation Move and their respective release dates. On that list was Little Big Planet 2, confirmed for a November 2010 debut at retail.
As for the game, at Sony's briefing yesterday, Media Molecule's Alex Evans emerged on stage and demonstrated Little Big Planet 2, the studio's sequel to the critically adored original.
The studio head talked about the new tools Sackboy has learned in the sequel. He spoke about the ethos of Play, Create, and Share and went over some of the title's new creation tools, including the ability to make games (within the game) of any genre.
The original Little Big Planet has sold over 3 million copies to date. Sony Computer Entertainment American vice president Scott Rohde confirmed to GameSpot that it too will support the Move controller when the system arrives November 4. The game will receive the update in the form of a software update.
For more on the sequel, check out GameSpot's hands-on impressions of Little Big Planet 2.
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E3 2010: ThatGameCompany's third PSN title revealed ahead of schedule; more information at company's presentation Thursday.
LOS ANGELES--Sony's press briefing included game reveals, exclusive deals, and more, but the company spoke nothing of a new release for the PlayStation Network from FlOw, and Flower development studio ThatGameCompany. That said, the information found its way out anyway.
Tuesday night, a press release and images for a ThatGameCompany-developed game titled Journey popped up on video game discussion forum NeoGAF. The press release purports that Journey will offer "simple gameplay and accessible controls," similar to the studio's previous entries, when it debuts on the PSN in 2011.
Jenova Chen, founder of ThatGameCompany, recently quickly confirmed that Journey is indeed the studio's third game, and promised further details on Thursday. The news comes via social-networking site Twitter, where Chen recently scribed "our new PSN title 'Journey' is leaked a bit early…" Accompanying the message was a link to the NeoGAF post, as well as a promise that his studio will officially unveil the project on Thursday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo.
ThatGameCompany's previous work, FlOw, and Flower featured featured simple designs in an effort to create accessible play experiences. Journey also falls within those definitions, but is being dubbed an "online adventure experience," where players can travel through expansive landscapes either alone or with strangers they meet along the way.
To stay current with this year's show, check out GameSpot's complete coverage of E3 2010.
E3 2010: PlatinumGames' Shinji Mikami-directed sci-fi shooter narrowed to Halloween month on 360, PS3.
LOS ANGELES--Headlines at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo have largely been dominated by happenings at the Big Three: Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. Third parties, of course, have also been active, and today Sega announced a narrowed release window for one of its most anticipated shooters, PlatinumGames' Vanquish.
Having previously been pegged for a winter release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, the Shinji Mikami-directed sci-fi shooter will now arrive in October. The Resident Evil creator's latest project is the last of four games that fall under a publishing deal PlatinumGames signed with Sega in 2008. Other titles released as part of the deal include Madworld, Bayonetta, and Infinite Space.
A third-person shooter with an emphasis on action, Vanquish will follow a government-backed one-man army named Sam as he takes on robotic enemies in a world where an energy crisis has once again put the United States and Russia at odds. Unfortunately, this conflict isn't another Cold War, with hostilities started by the obliteration of San Francisco from an orbital laser cannon.
For more information, check out GameSpot's E3 preview of Vanquish.
E3 2010: $50 annually for Sony's online service grants free games, early demo access, beta invites, themes, and more; content accessible only as long as subscription is active.
LOS ANGELES--For this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sony did a much better job of keeping its big announcements under wraps than last year. However, some info still slipped out early, as the company today announced a PlayStation Plus subscription service very much like one described in reports last month.
On June 29, Sony will launch PlayStation Plus worldwide, a subscription service that offers gamers access to free games, early demos, beta invites, discounts, free themes, and more. The first month's slate of freebies include a free copy of the downloadable racer Wipeout HD, two PSP mini games, and a handful of premium avatars.
Gamers will be able to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for $50 annually, although those just wanting to try it out can get a three-month subscription for $18. However, all of the content will only be accessible to gamers who keep their subscriptions active, so if players stops paying, they won't be able to play those games or demos any longer.
The current level of PSN service--including online multiplayer--will remain free, just as Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai promised last November, when the premium online plan was first revealed.
For more of Sony's E3 announcements, check out GameSpot's live blog of the publisher's press conference.
E3 2010: Sequel to sci-fi horror hit will come with Move-compatible version of Wii spin-off Dead Space Extraction; Shooter's special edition to include "enhanced" edition of 2002 PS2 hit.
LOS ANGELES--At Sony's media briefing today at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo, the publisher announced that special edition packs of upcoming Electronic Arts titles will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3.
When Medal of Honor launches in October, fans seeking an upper-tier experience can pick up the Medal of Honor Special Edition. Included in the premium pack will be a copy of EA's 2002 shooter Medal of Honor: Frontline, updated with high-definition visuals. Medal of Honor arrives in North America October 12 and in Europe on October 15.On the strategic-dismemberment side of things, Sony also announced that the limited edition for Dead Space 2 will also be exclusive to the PS3. Necromorph-killing fans who pick up the premium edition will also receive a copy of last year's Wii horror title, Dead Space: Extraction.
A prequel to the events of the original Dead Space and its sequel, Extraction for the PS3 will make use of Sony's recently dated PlayStation Move motion-control technology. Additionally, the once Wii-exclusive will be playable with standard PS3 controllers, includes Trophy support, and will also be sold separately in the PlayStation Store. Dead Space 2 arrives January 25.Electronic Arts has not announced a price for either the Medal of Honor or Dead Space 2 special editions. Additionally, Dead Space: Extraction has not been priced or dated for the PlayStation Network.
E3 2010: Square Enix bringing futuristic online action game to Microsoft's and Sony's consoles in October.
LOS ANGELES--This morning Square Enix revealed its intention to develop for Nintendo's recently confirmed portable, the 3DS. This afternoon, the company announced Mindjack, a new title for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Square Enix provided scant details on the project, though it will apparently be an online action game. It will feature a single-player campaign as well as a cooperative multiplayer component when it arrives in October.
Set in 2031, Mindjack puts players in the figurative shoes of a Mind Hacker fighting through a period of political unrest, where conspiracies are running wild. Players will join a team of rogue fighters, clawing for survival. Players can hack into the minds of enemies, vehicles, or civilians to control their respective abilities. Further, as players progress through the game, they will collect XP, which is used to expand their arts abilities.
Screenshots posted on the game's Web site reveal a muscled ape wearing goggles, male and females soldiers, and a large mechanized combat brute.
Mindjack is currently in development at Japanese studio Feelplus.
E3 2010: On-demand game-streaming service offering chance to get first year on the house; 23 titles slated for June 17 launch; Japanese pubs sign on.
LOS ANGELES--Last year, on-demand game streaming service OnLive publicly snubbed the Electronic Entertainment Expo, saying its service has no place at the "retail-oriented conference." However, that tune has changed a bit for E3 2010, as the company took advantage of the publicity surrounding the event today to announce its first-year-free membership program, as well as a batch of games prepped for the service's June 17 launch.
Making good use of that attention-grabbing four-letter "F" word, OnLive announced today its Founding Member Program, a limited-availability promotion that grants lucky registrants a free year of the game-streaming service. Those interested in the Founding Member Program, which is offered in collaboration with AT&T, can now register through OnLive's Web site. Those selected will also be eligible to receive a second-year monthly subscription rate of $4.95.
OnLive also announced today that the service will launch with 23 titles from a range of high-profile publishers. Highlights of the launch lineup include Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed II, Square Enix's Batman: Arkham Asylum, and EA's Dragon Age: Origins. A full list of launch titles can be found below.
Further, the company has secured additional publishing partnership deals. Newly added to OnLive's roster are Square Enix, Sega, Capcom, and Konami. All together, the service boasts support from more than 25 publishing partners, including Electronic Arts, Take-Two, THQ, Ubisoft, Epic, Atari, Codemasters, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
The OnLive service aims to offer lag-free PC gaming via the Web. The company claims that since the heavy lifting of graphics processing will be done on the service's servers, it will offer high-definition gaming on any PC or Mac, regardless of graphics card or CPU speed. The service will initially be available as an application for the Windows and Mac operating systems, with a micro-console that can be attached directly to HDTVs to arrive later on in the year.
OnLive's launch will be limited to the contiguous lower 48 United States and will cost $14.95 per month for those who do not qualify for the Founding Member Program. OnLive's monthly fee does not include the purchase price of games themselves, which can be rented or bought from publishers directly at a lower-than-retail price.
The service will offer 1080p high-definition gaming at 60 frames per second starting in 2011. An international launch is also planned for an undetermined date.
OnLive launch titles:
aaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! -- A Reckless Disregard for Gravity
Assassin's Creed II
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Borderlands
Brain Challenge
Defense Grid: Gold
Dirt 2
Dragon Age: Origins
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
Just Cause 2
Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 Demo (Full version available 6/29)
Madballs in Babo: Invasion
Mass Effect 2
MLB 2K10
NBA 2K10
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Puzzle Chronicles
Red Faction Guerrilla
Shatter
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
Trine
Unreal Tournament III
World of Goo
Coming soon:
Aliens vs. Predator
Alpha Protocol
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Darksiders
Deus Ex 3
Driver San Francisco
F.E.A.R. 3
Homefront
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
MLB 2K10
Red Faction: Armageddon
Shaun White Skateboarding
E3 2010: Electronic Arts confirms hit PC game's debut date for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS; version for Nintendo's 3DS to follow in 2011.
LOS ANGELES--The Sims 3 family is growing, and today EA revealed an October 26 due date for the previously announced console versions of its latest bundle of joy. A 3DS edition of the game that was just announced today will debut sometime in 2011.
Published under the EA Play label, the game will sport many of the same customization and character creation options as the PC edition of the game, as well as some new features. These include karma powers, which players can use to give their in-game incarnations instant luck--be it good or bad.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will let players create and exchange content with one another, while the Wii version will focus on adventure game elements and is set in a beachfront community. The DS will also foster player creativity, with an emphasis on stylus-driven creation tools for clothes, houses, and furniture, as well as a story mode that follows a family through life.
The Sims 3 on the 3DS will make use of the system's 3D camera for face-mapping. It also features a focus on connectivity enabled by the 3DS, which can keep systems exchanging and downloading content for games even as the player uses other programs on the system.
E3 2010: Valve Software with Sony; Gabe Newell promises PS3 version will be "best console version" thanks to integration with developer's content-delivery system.
LOS ANGELES-- Sony's press briefing at the 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo was full of dramatic moments, such as the surprise reveal of a new Twisted Metal. But the only truly shocking moment came as Sony Computer Entertainment America president Jack Tretton was appearing to introduce another game trailer…and the entire shrine auditorium went pitch black.
Then, on the on the huge presentation screens at the front of the Shrine Auditorium, a series of rotating concentric circles appeared--circles that were familiar to anyone who played the game Portal. Then, the computerized voice of GLADOs, the homicidal computer villain of the award-winning game, began to utter deranged mutterings about friendship over the speaker.
The lights came up and out walked a figure that elicited gasps from the audience: Gabe Newell. The founder of Valve Software has long been one of the PS3's most vociferous critics and had refused to work on the platform. Valve even offloaded the port of its hit compilation the Orange Box to its publisher, Electronic Arts, rather than deal with PS3 development kits.
Today, though, Newell revealed that Valve is jumping on the PS3 bandwagon with both feet. The veteran software developer revealed that Portal 2 is coming to the PS3 next year--and that it will, in Newell's terms, "be the best console version of the game." It is also in development for the PC, Valve's preferred platform, and the Xbox 360, which the company has long embraced.
Newell's reason for crowning the PS3 edition of Portal 2 was that it will be supported by Steamworks. Released in 2008, the free toolset allows developers to integrate support from its Steam content delivery service into their games. Steamworks will allow for Portal 2 auto-updates, downloadable content, and community support directly from Valve, a feature the 360 edition of the game will not have. How it will exactly work on the PlayStation Network is unclear.
Newell did not shrink from his past criticism of the PS3, joking that faux executive and TV ad character Kevin Butler (played by character actor Jerry Lambert) was introduced to him backstage as the "vice president of sharpening things." However, in a statement released after the event, Newell was effusive in his praise, saying, "Sony Computer Entertainment has proved that the PlayStation 3 is the most open platform of all the current generation consoles and has worked extremely hard to make the platform the most desirable for consumers and developers."
E3 2010: Ubisoft Montpellier creating god sim for XBLA, PSN, and PC for spring 2011 release.
LOS ANGELES--At Ubisoft's press briefing, the French publisher lifted the veil on a couple of new projects. Rayman Origins, a mischievously humorous 2D side-scroller was announced, but the company also had another game in tow, tentatively named Project Dust.
A trailer for the title was shown at the end of Ubisoft's briefing, and details on the code-named project were scant at the time. The brief trailer, narrated by a deep, ominous voice, showed masked tribe members living through a series of cataclysmic events as a result of lost ancestral powers.
However, more clarity has now arrived, as Eric Chahi, creative director at Ubisoft Montpellier, gushed details on the code-named project. Chahi says the game is a spiritual successor to Peter Molyneux's PC god game Populous and is a result of a "technological breakthrough."
In the game, players become God and are tasked with saving humanity from the ubiquitous environmental disasters, which include tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions. Players will achieve this by manipulating water, land, vegetation, and lava, as if "playing sandcastles on the beach."
Project Dust is slated for a spring 2011 release on Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network, and the PC.
