FOX's Imagi-Nation

The middle blog

2008-07-05T19:42:00.000-05:00

What will become of this blog? Even I'm not sure... check out the new one at wiirunonsteam.blogspot.com

Gametrailers.com - Team Fortress 2, GC 2007 Soldier Trailer - Cam Footage

2007-08-22T11:21:00.000-05:00

You can find the HD version here.

The PC version will own the consoles hands down

2007-08-21T11:42:00.008-05:00

Even as consoles close the gaps on PCs there is still one game I know will be miles better in a PC then both the PS3 and Xbox 360. That game is Half-Life 2: The Orange Box.

OK it's really three games! Half-Life 2 Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, and Portal. The first of which may benefit the least from being on PC. HL2EP2 is a single player game. Because of this there is not a lot that can be added to it. On the PC end of things it will lead to new technologies for MODers to use such as improved AI and physics. Eventually this will lead to new and improved MODs. The Half-Life community is already one of the best MOD communities ever with MODs that became full games like Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, Garry's MOD, and The Ship. Some MODs are so good they are played more than some commercial games! Best of all there are almost always free!

Next up is my personal favorite TF2. Being a multi-player game TF2 will benefit a lot from being on PC. First off playing online will always be free. PC gamers run there own servers and can run them for as long as they want. Unlike consoles you can still find servers for older games like Quake and Unreal Torment. You wont have to rely on EA or Microsoft to run servers, charge you, or shutdown there servers. Next is the way servers will be run. Admins will keep there servers running smooth and kick/ban trouble makers. Groups like the United Admins and Steam Bans will track cheaters and trouble makers globally. Plug-ins with help to change the look and feel of the game, extending it's life. In no time mappers will make hundreds of new maps that console gamers will not be able to download and play. New models, sounds, and etc will follow. Of course not all of the new content will be triple A quality and good maps will take time. That is something Portal will not have to worry about.

Although Portal is also a single player game the potential for mappers is through the roof. The overall level of detail is keep simple leaving a mapper to focus all there time on gameplay. I've seen plenty of simple maps run on CS and DOD servers that put gameplay over detail. There is no doubt that there will be a lot of maps made for Portal.

All of this for ten dollars less then the console version. You even get a unified network through Steam at no additional cost. All you will need to play is a PC with a 2.4Ghz CPU, 512MB of RAM, and a DX9 graphics card.

BioShock Demo builds up Steam

2007-08-21T09:56:00.000-05:00

The PC demo for BioShock has been releases on Steam. BioShock is a FPS that has been taking the video game world by storm with a Metacritic Score of 97 as of the time of posting! You will need 2.4GHz CPU, 1 GB of RAM, and a Direct X 9.0c compliant video card with 128MB RAM to play. The game is also avalibe on the Xbox 360.

[steampowered.com]

Video Game Voters Network "Fight For Video Games" trailer

2007-07-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

Behind Koti: part 3

2007-07-21T17:37:00.000-05:00

Almost there! I didn't get a chance to work on Koti last week but this week I'm back at it! Most of the final details are in place and the map is fully playable.

The volumetric lighting textures are in place as well as the dust. I added a sound scape as well as the other little functions of the map (trigger hurt and remove). One of the things I love the most however are the cubemaps.

They always add so much to a map!

Now for the beta testing! You can grab the beta here!

MGS4 e3 07 Trailer via IGN

2007-07-12T12:27:00.000-05:00

New E3 MP3 Videos from IGN

2007-07-12T12:18:00.000-05:00

Mario Galaxy Dated

2007-07-11T12:37:00.000-05:00

Mario Galaxy is now set to come out on November 12.

Quick Nintendo updates: Brawl Dated MOH 32 players!

2007-07-11T11:46:00.000-05:00

Smash Brothers Brawl has been dated for Dec 3. Also, a Wii version of Metal of Honer is coming out that will support 32 players online!

Gears of War PC Official at Last!

2007-07-11T08:48:00.000-05:00

At Microsoft's E3 press conference they finally announced the long rumoured PC version of GOW. This version will include 5 new single player missions, new mutliplayer maps, "game editor" (hopefully a SDK).

Behind Koti: part 2

2007-07-08T20:29:00.000-05:00

Almost there! This weekend I worked on the texturing, deforming, props, details, and objective.

The deforms were the hardest part! I rebuilt parts of the map so the edges would sow together better. Some how my first a temp screwed up and I had to rework one of the long islands. I my have to still do some work on them but they seem up to snuff.

As for people not aware Koti is a king of the island map. You will receive one point per second for standing on the title in the center island. This is done with a trigger_multiple and a game_score.

Well for now most of the details and props are in place. Next up finishing touches!.

Behind Koti: part 1

2007-06-30T15:33:00.000-05:00

When I was finishing up work on the original Koti I was having trouble letting go. I wanted to get the map out the door but it just didn't feel complete. The deforms were not quite right, I didn't add sound, and I couldn't fully test it. I finally slapped a *_b1 onto the end a released it as a beta. Now a year later I'm ready to finish the job.

I lost the source to koti_b1 in a hard drive crash and was with out a video card for some time. For awhile I was not sure what would become of the map. It was good enough but it didn't feel finished. Then one day while waiting for my ENG 102 to start I found myself drawing out a new layout. This became the new Koti.

A few days ago the real work started. I started with the middle island. This island was the last one I made in the original. I felt that I could get a good feel for the size of the map from here. The island now has four ad ons in each corner to hold some spare ammo.

One of the hardest parts of this island was the dome. Before I used a tutorial as the base to build it but it caused errors this time around. This one was built from 3, 360 arches stacked up and then vertex manipulated. I decide to texture it and add it's rim. I hope to one day make it a prop...Oddly enough, the side islands were last to be created. Originally one of the hallways with the arches was the whole map. I just made one as a test and the rest of the map grew from it and older ideas.
Now a rough version of the whole map is done with some texturing. Next up detailing it!

(Please note the map is still in it's development and is subject to change)

Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree US videos

2007-06-06T20:17:00.000-05:00

First RE4 US gameplay videos

2007-06-06T19:29:00.000-05:00

Scholastic Media to make DS games

2007-06-06T19:27:00.000-05:00

Scholastic media has announced that they are braking into the videogame industry on the Nintendo DS:

Scholastic Media (SM), a leading producer of quality, family-oriented media including feature films, home video, TV and interactive products, and a division of Scholastic Inc., today announced that it will support the Nintendo DS with two new games for the platform in 2007: I SPY Fun House and Scholastic Animal Genius. Both games will deliver unmatched gameplay, which is fun and accessible for players of all ages.

I SPY Fun House will build on Scholastic Media's popular I SPY franchise with brain-teasing riddles and fast-paced games played exclusively using the Nintendo DS stylus and touch screen. Animal Genius will appeal to players of all ages who are passionate about animals. Featuring stunning, photo-realistic imagery of animals in their natural habitat, the game will challenge the players' knowledge about where animals live, how they behave and what makes them unique. Both titles will be distributed at retail, mass merchants, and wholesale accounts as well as through Scholastic's proprietary channels.

"Scholastic Media is a content leader in the publishing and media industries, with some of the most popular and critically-acclaimed franchises for kids. We are proud to bring that pedigree of quality interactive products to Nintendo DS with two new games that are both entertaining and challenging for gamers of all skill levels," said Alan Waldman, Senior Vice President, Scholastic Interactive Products Group.

In I SPY Fun House, players find themselves trapped inside a carnival Fun House, tasked with collecting nine inventory items that will "unlock" the exit. Full of twists and turns, optical illusions and surprises around every corner, the Fun House will consist of six I SPY riddle screens, 18 I SPY riddles, and three fast-paced games to challenge the mind. As players pan around the room, they will be able to visually recognize different objects that populate the Fun House. These objects are the gateways into the games and riddles that must be completed to escape the Fun House.

Animal Genius puts players' animal smarts to the test. Using the Nintendo DS stylus, players must compete in five different games, which require a combination of quick thinking and sharp reflexes. The five games include Creature Collector, Scratch 'N See, Matchomatic, Maze Munch and Animal Expert.

[Source]

Rune Factory planned for Wii

2007-06-06T19:22:00.000-05:00

Yasuhiro Wada reviled in an interview with Cubed3 that Rune Factory is set to come over to Wii. There is no further information but you can expect it to be a new project.

[Source]

Prince of Persia Classic release date

2007-06-06T16:34:00.000-05:00

Prince of Persia Classic will come out on June 13.

[Source]

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground Scans

2007-06-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry no translation. You can view the rest here.

Guitar Hero III video interview

2007-06-06T16:27:00.000-05:00

Harvest Moon Heroes screenshots

2007-06-06T13:36:00.000-05:00

Jeux-France has posted new Harvest Moon Heroes screenshots.

You can view the rest here.

AniEigo adds content

2007-06-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

According to Anime News Network AniEigo is adding new content to there on demand service:

The Akimbo streaming video-on-demand service has announced that it added AnimEigo titles, Bang Zoom! Entertainment's AnimeTV podcast show, The Right Stuf International titles, and World Events Productions' Voltron robot anime adaptation to its collection. Akimbo already has titles from Central Park Media and A.D. Vision's Anime Network. The service requires Windows XP and Vista with Roxio Venue and Windows Media Player 10 or higher for computers, or a settop box for televisions.

[Source]

LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga screenshots

2007-06-06T12:17:00.000-05:00

QGAMO has posted new screenshots here.

Full Transformers movie at Anime Expo 2007

2007-06-06T12:08:00.000-05:00

Anime Expo 2007 will have a screening of the full Transformers movie on July 2nd. For those wondering the toyline for the movie was co-created by anime creators Shoji Kawamori and Mika Akitaka. The folowing will also be screened:

Appleseed
Tokyo Godfathers
WXIII: Patlabor: The Movie 3
Death Note
Death Note: The Last Name
Howl's Moving Castle
Tekkonkinkreet.

[Source]

Lost Odyssey Update

2007-06-06T10:13:00.000-05:00

Famitsu got an update strait from Hironobu Sakaguchi himself. The packaging and background music are done. Right now the "wall system" and other gameplay systems are being worked on.

[Source]

New slide controller for the DS

2007-06-06T09:38:00.000-05:00

According to IGN a new DS game called Slide Adventure: Mag Kid will come with a new DS controller:

The slide controller plugs into the Game Boy Advance cartridge slot and, laying beneath the system, looks somewhat like a stand. As you slide the DS around on a table, the controller picks up your movements. This is how you move the main character about the overhead fields of play.

The main character in question is the Mag Kid of the title. This peculiar circular creature has special magnetic properties which makes things attach to him. You'll have to use this special power to solve puzzles that take place about a house.

Mag Kid has a few special moves that make use of the slide controls. Sliding the DS in an enemy's direction makes Mag Kid ram into and paralyze the enemy. Paralyzed enemies can be attached to Mag Kid, giving him, depending on the enemy type, special powers, including lasers and fire breath. Finally, when you've lost interest in your support crew, you shake the DS to release them.

Mag Kid seems capable of attaching a small army of enemies to himself -- at least eight from what we've been able to gather. Some stages require that you create chains of enemies in the correct order.

As one example of the gameplay we can expect from the game, Famitsu details a boss fight in which Mag Kid faces off against the flames from four burners on a stove (the Four Flame Brothers, as they're known). To defeat the boss, you attach water drops to Mag Kid, then toss them at the flames.

[Source]

New PS3 Ads

2007-06-06T09:03:00.000-05:00

New Small Arms content

2007-06-06T08:45:00.000-05:00

New content for Small Arms was released today. The pack includes the following:

Two playable characters: Recycle your opponents as Ivar, the sabretooth tiger druid, or as Gullarp, the bald wooly mammoth.
Two distinctive battlefields: Go fishing for friends on the Arctic Ice Floe, or fight for glory amid the rubble of Pillaged Village.
Two unique achievements: Become an Honorary Barbarian by completing Mission Mode as any new character, or launch a career as a Barbaric Recruiter by hosting a multiplayer game on any new battlefield.
New options enable the in-game display of player indicators and Gamertags to help players navigate moments of intense action.
Performance enhancements: Improved frame rate and reduced tearing.
Smarter leaderboards: More efficiently and accurately track player positions.
Tighter weapons balance: Based on user feedback, provides for the best gameplay experience.
Bug Fixes And an assortment of upgrades that resolve issues related, but not limited, to Achievements and Xbox LIVE Multiplayer.

The pack cost 250 MS Points.
[Source]

Mainichi Issyo to have remote play/PS Store support

2007-06-06T08:37:00.000-05:00

The PS Store free download Mainichi Issyo will suport remote play and will have in-game access to the PS Store. Gamers will be able to play the game form anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection on there PSP. The game will also support micro-transactions through an in-game store.

[Source]

Guitar Hero III multiplayer videos

2007-06-06T08:36:00.000-05:00

Sony now sees PS3 price cut as possible

2007-06-06T08:30:00.001-05:00

Sony president Ryoji has finaly stated that Sony, "does not rule out the possibility of lowering the price'' of the PS3. This news follow previous reports that the cost of production for Blu-ray drives have dropped.

[Source]

EA's Wii plans

2007-06-06T08:26:00.000-05:00

EA realizes that it can not port all of there titles to Wii and will instead make new IPs to fill the gap.

“Rather than bring the entire portfolio of titles, some of which won't translate well, we're taking those dollars and making original software.”John Schappert, COO

EA will only port titles that will work will on Wii.

[Source]

DOJO!! UPDATE You must recover!

2007-06-06T08:23:00.000-05:00

Todays update:

After an enemy sends you flying really far, it seems like all that’s left is for you to fall.
But you must never give up hope!

You’ve been blasted! Just aim for solid ground!

This is when you use your midair jump!

Then your Up Special Move to rise up!

Whoa. Safe at last.

If recovering is a technique, then there must also be techniques to guard against recovery. Fierce aerial battles often rule the match!

[Source]

Call of Juarez IGN video review

2007-06-05T22:01:00.000-05:00

Sega's PAL release dates

2007-06-05T21:56:00.000-05:00

Xbox 360

Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm (Autumn 2007)
Phantasy Star Unlimited: Ambition of Illuminus (Autumn 2007)
SEGA Rally (Autumn 2007)
Virtua Fighter 5 (Autumn 2007)
The Golden Compass (Christmas 07)
The Club (2007)
Golden Axe (2007)
Condemned 2: Bloodshot (Spring 2008)
Universe At War: Earth Assault (Spring 2008)

PSP

Crush (June 1, 2007)
Alien Syndrome (Summer 07)
Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars (Summer 07)
SEGA Rally (Autumn 2007)
The Golden Compass (Christmas 07)

PlayStation 3

SEGA Rally (Autumn 2007)
The Golden Compass (Christmas 07)
Golden Axe (2007)
The Club (2007)
Condemned 2: Bloodshot (Spring 2008)

Wii

Alien Syndrome (Summer 07)
Ghost Squad (Autumn 2007)
The Golden Compass (Christmas 07)
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Christmas 07)
NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Winter 2007)

SEGA Presents Touch Darts (June 15, 2007)
Sonic Rush Adventure (Autumn 2007)
The Golden Compass (Christmas 07)
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Christmas 07)

[Source]

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas videos

2007-06-05T20:56:00.000-05:00

RE4 US to be uncut

2007-06-05T20:10:00.000-05:00

There is a lot of confusion about Resident Evil 4 for Wii being edited. This is apparently not true:

Remember Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition and the original are CERO D games so they have been toned down in comparison. To get to the bottom of this I sent an e-mail over to Capcom asking if Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition would be censored in the USA and here is what they had to say.

Hi Spencer,

The previous versions of RE 4 had these minor differences as well (US vs Japan), so nothing has changed.

If nothing has changed then Japan is getting the same censored Gamecube version and in North America we will be getting the same uncensored content in the North American version.

[Source]

Ghost Squad Interview

2007-06-05T19:40:00.000-05:00

IGN has posted a interview with Ghost Squad creative producer, Yosuke Okunari.

"There are more than 20 types of weapons with different powers and performances. The player's level is increased according to the experience value obtained by playing the game again and again. When your level is increased, more routes will be added within the same mission, but you can also obtain weapons as another benefit of increasing the level."Yosuke Okunari

The full interview can be found here.

Lift new concept art and more

2007-06-05T19:26:00.000-05:00

HL2 mod Lift has just updated there MODDB profile with new concept art and a progress report. Their mapper G3njo has learned some new techniques and a lot has been done on the coding end of things. New sounds can be found here. Their next update will include 3D works.

IGN's Big E3 List updated

2007-06-05T19:21:00.000-05:00

The following has been added:

Clive Barker's Jericho (PC, PS3, X360)
DiRT (PS3)
Race Driver: Create & Race (DS)
Rise of the Argonauts (PC, PS3, X360)
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (PC, PS3, X360)
Brunswick Pro Bowling (PS2, PSP, Wii)
Dave Mirra BMX Challenge (Wii)
Napoleon Dynamite (DS, PSP)
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection (PS2, PSP, Wii)
Spelling Challenges and More! (DS, PSP)

[Source]

Kimikiss Pure Rouge announced

2007-06-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

A TV series based off the hit Japanese PS2 game has been announced in the latest issue of Young Animal. The series is to be called Kimikiss Pure Rouge and is based on Kimikiss. The anime will be produced by JC Staff and directed by Kenichi Kasai. No date is give for the shows debut.

[Source]

Harvest Moon Heroes Trailer

2007-06-05T18:10:00.000-05:00

Pac-Man Championship Edition announced

2007-06-05T18:02:00.000-05:00

Microsoft Corp. and NAMCO BANDAI Games announced Pac-Man Championship Edition today. It is the first time in 23 years that new mazes have been added to the legionary game. The game will on be available on Xbox Live and will feature the following:

Classic 2-D "Pac-Man" presentation with a new, modern look in HD
Six new, timed game modes:
The Championship Mode. This is the main game mode designed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and Iwatani specifically for the championship round of the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. This mode - as well as all others within the "Pac-Man Championship Edition" - features redesigned mazes with wide maze walls and a widescreen configuration to better enable high-speed game play. Timed limit of five minutes.
Challenge Mode 1 (Patience and Reward Course). This mode is an evolution of the Championship Mode. Patience mazes strategically offer fewer Power Pellets and Reward mazes provide a large number of Power Pellets - providing unique challenges and rewards for the player. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
Challenge Mode 2 (The Darkness Course). In this mode, only the area directly around Pac-Man and the Ghosts is visible and the maze walls are completely hidden. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
Extra Mode 1 (The Freeway Course). An extremely high-speed mode for advanced players, this mode features warp-speed Pac-Man and Ghosts and plenty of tunnels. Timed limit of five minutes.
Extra Mode 2 (The Manhattan Course). A mode inspired by the streets of Manhattan — the home for the first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. Timed limit of five minutes.
Extra Mode 3 (The Overall Course). A mix of all other modes resulting in extreme mazes for the most devout Pac-Man fans. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
Xbox LIVE leaderboards, Achievements and Gamerscore
Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board
Costs 800 Microsoft Points
Available for download only on Xbox LIVE Arcade on the Xbox 360 starting at 0900 GMT (5 a.m. EDT) on Wednesday, June 6, 2007

[Source]

The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway announced

2007-06-05T17:59:00.000-05:00

EA has announced a new expansion for the popular Sims 2 franchise.

The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway bridges the virtual world offered by The Sims 2 PC videogame and the fashion world inspired by H&M. It offers a unique opportunity for fashion aficionados and Sims fans to express their infinite creativity and personal fashion style. Players can create their own fashion designs using The Sims 2 PC videogame and may even have the chance to show off their creations on a virtual runway broadcast that will be hosted on Yahoo! as well as www.TheSims2FashionRunway.com and www.hm.com. Everyone can participate in the fashion runway - by creating fashions or by voting on favorite designs and even participate to the ultimate selection featured in a Grand Finale.

Ever dreamed of being a designer? Many participants will be given the opportunity to have their creations reviewed by an H&M designer and, ultimately, may see a garment inspired by their design in H&M stores for the future collection.

You can now shop for yourself and your Sims with The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Stuff pack! In the latest stuff pack in the popular series for The Sims 2, your Sims can choose from contemporary fashion essentials-all inspired by real H&M designs. Players can also use the all-new store-themed items to design their own H&M retail environment and build a H&M store.

"We are very excited that H&M is the first brand to enter this way into The Sims world. For us the stuff pack is a fun opportunity to meet our customers and to show parts of our summer collection", says H&M Head of Marketing Jörgen Andersson. "The Sims players are known for their creativity, self-expression and cleverness - we are excited to see the participants' designs for the virtual fashion runway."

"Marrying a fashion-forward company with a game and community recognized around the world for their user-generated content will allow people to reflect their personalities and express their creativity. We couldn't imagine a more perfect match. Fashion inspires creativity in the same way videogames do," said Vice President of Global Brand Development, Steve Seabolt. "This brings new and exciting game content from two trusted brands that share the same global footprint and customer profile. From recreations of dresses on the red carpet to fashions seen on the streets of Paris, we can't wait to see what The Sims community will come up with next!"

For complete rules and more information on how to participate in this original, creative experience, go to www.TheSims2FashionRunway.com

The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway begins with the design submissions. Participants are invited to create outfits for the six design themes over the course of the summer. The first three design themes are: "Party Time," "Skate Park," and "Street Wear" Three additional design themes will be announced at a later date!

For each design theme, EA and H&M will select the top 12 submitted designs and feature them in virtual runway shows that are broadcast online all summer long. Vote for your favorite design in The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway from mid-July on www.TheSims2FashionRunway.com

[Source]

FIFA 08 Features Announced

2007-06-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

The FIFA Soccer 08 next-gen gameplay engine, built to maximize the power of Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3, delivers animations and ball control that is so responsive you feel like you are actually on the pitch. Players in FIFA Soccer 08 now benefit from A.I. so smart, it features a 35-point decision engine which enables players to process multiple decisions and reactions in real-time. The A.I.'s dynamic 'Threat Map' system captures the excitement and realism of soccer. Players are now aware of their surroundings, reacting authentically to threats and opportunities to make intelligent football decisions.

Now with the FIFA Soccer 08 shooting system you can enjoy even more control and precision in front of the goal to become a true marksman. A true next-generation ball-striking engine calculates shot success by combining an almost infinite number of different contexts, including ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, and even air pressure to recreate the drama and unpredictable nature of shooting.

For the first time ever, fans playing FIFA Soccer 08 will face the pressure to improve their game that real-world players endure every day. A new play mode called Be A Pro locks you in the role of a single player and challenges you to master the same disciplines as a real soccer player—from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing.

"This year, FIFA Soccer 08 takes its second step into the next-generation. Last year, we kicked off the next-generation by introducing a new engine and stunning ball physics. This year, we are introducing new gameplay, new modes and a new feeling of soccer finesse," said Andrew Wilson, Executive Producer for FIFA Soccer 08. "Be A Pro forces you to think and react like a professional player -- you will experience the whole range of emotions players go through during the course of a game. This feature, along with advancements to our gameplay engine, will deliver on our promise of authentic soccer gameplay."

FIFA Soccer 08 introduces skill moves with a true next-generation organic 'building-block' system enabling you to combine tricks and skill moves together to recreate signature moves from the real-world superstars or define your own style of play. Animations can be interrupted at any time to transition into a new move, enabling you to read and respond to the defence, just like real life. Master the skills to break down the defence, elude your marker and lead your team to victory.

The award-winning Interactive Leagues feature that was first introduced in FIFA Soccer 07, now makes its debut on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. Represent your club online against your rivals throughout the season in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League or Mexican 1st Division. When they play, you play.

"The Interactive Leagues is the most successful online tournament we've had for the FIFA franchise and I am thrilled to bring it into this year's next-gen game. As a Leeds United fan I was pained to see Manchester United win the first Interactive Premier League last season. However, I'm looking forward to redressing the balance this year through FIFA Soccer 08," said Joe Booth, Producer for FIFA Soccer 08 on Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3. "One of my favourite things about Interactive Leagues is how it connects me and the development team with the FIFA gamers via our weekly in-game podcast. We have just broken the one million downloads mark and it's been a fantastic way to interact with other fans, share experiences and answer questions."

In addition, FIFA Soccer 08 is dramatically more real and exhilarating with the inclusion of 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and more than 15,000 players making it 20% larger than FIFA Soccer 07 on current generation formats.

[Source]

World Cyber Games Tournament Results

2007-06-05T17:51:00.000-05:00

World Cyber Games Tournament have announced there winners. The List follows:

Half-Life: Counter-Strike 1.6 (PC) - eMazing Gaming
Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs (PC) - Milo "MrMilo" Phillips-Brown
Dead or Alive 4 (Xbox 360) - Emmanuel "Master" Rodriguez
Project Gotham Racing 3 (Xbox 360) - Wesley "Chompr" Cwiklo
Starcraft: Brood War (PC) - Tyler "Nony" Wasieleski
Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars (PC) - Albert "GeNThO" Berriz
Need For Speed Carbon (PC) - Kamran "omegaelite" Siddiqui
FIFA Soccer 07 (PC) - Juan "H2k-Juanqui" Alvarado
Gears of War (Xbox 360) - MoB Turtle Beach
Tony Hawk's Project 8 Open Tournament - Tomas "Sup3rmario" Ornelas

[Source]

RE4 Gamecube to Wii comparison

2007-06-05T17:50:00.000-05:00

E for All Expo opens for registration

2007-06-05T17:25:00.000-05:00

E for ALL has open the door for registration. The event will house a Video Games Live Concert, the World Series of Video Games, the Into the Pixel videogame art exhibit, a private business zone, and a “Gamer Lounge”.

The event tales place in the L.A. Convention Center from October 18-21. Advance registration will cost $45 for Thursday and Friday, $60 for Saturday and Sunday or $90 for a full four-day pass. Registrating on site will cost $50 for Thursday and Friday, $75 for Saturday and Sunday, or $110 for a four day pass.

[Source]

IGN's Big E3 List updated

2007-06-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

The following was added:

Need for Speed ProStreet
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
FlatOut Ultimate Carnage
Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck

[Source]

America Highlander anime edited

2007-06-05T17:12:00.000-05:00

In an interview with Ain't It Cool News producer Galen Walker said that Highlander: The Search for Vengeance will be edited for timing an pacing. The original director Yoshiaki Kawaijri is not happy with the US cut. A directors cut will be resealed latter.

[Source]

More Gunslinger Girl on the way

2007-06-05T16:40:00.000-05:00

A cording to a financial report Marvelous Entertainment is working on a sequel to Gunslinger Girl.

[Source]

IGN Wii playground Scarface vs Sudoku

2007-06-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

Fallout 3 teaser trailer

2007-06-05T13:04:00.000-05:00

Brothers in Arms DS trailer and screenshots

2007-06-05T13:00:00.000-05:00

Screenshots can be viewed here.

Square Enix: No Final Fantasy for 360

2007-06-05T12:18:00.000-05:00

Shinji Hashimoto has told Nikkei BP that there are no Final Fatasy games in the works for the Xbox 360. When ask if FF will come to Wii and 360 Hashimoto said "For the Wii, we have FF Crystal Chronicles in production, As for FF on the Xbox 360, it's currently a completely blank page."

[Source]

Amazon.com's Best Sellers

2007-06-05T11:49:00.000-05:00

Next-Gen has there weekly list of best selling games from Amazon.com. They report that Nintendo dominates 8 of the top ten spots.

A full brake down by console can be found here.

Blu-ray players drop $100 PS3 to follow?

2007-06-05T07:34:00.000-05:00

The cost of production for Sony's Blu-ray DVD players have dropped. As a result the players are now $100 dollars cheaper. This could lead to a price drop in the PS3.

[Source]

Gates reveals more on motion sensing cameras

2007-06-05T07:27:00.000-05:00

Bill Gates brought up new information about “video recognition” for video games. Earlier Microsoft showed off a system using to cameras for tracking movement.

"Software is doing vision and so, you know, imagine a game machine where you're just going to pick up the bat and swing it or the tennis racket and swing it"Gates

Gates says this idea is not the same as Nintendo's Wii:
"That’s a 3D positional device. This is video recognition. This is a camera seeing what’s going on."

Patent reveals could be PSP phone?

2007-06-05T07:20:00.000-05:00

"A mobile information terminal apparatus including a first case including a display portion, a second case, and a rotary support mechanism for supporting the first case and the second case such that the first case is horizontally rotatable with respect to the second case and the first case takes at least a first position and a second position different from the first position, in which the shapes of the mobile information terminal apparatus at the first position and the second position are substantially identical. Thus key operability, especially that for performing entertainment functions represented by gaming function, is improved and usability of the apparatus is enhanced."

The full patent can be viewed here.

Blizzard gives out beta keys at BlizzCon

2007-06-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Blizzard will be giving out beta keys for a mysterious new game at this years BlizzCon.

"We'll be handing out plenty of Blizzard swag at BlizzCon for attendees to show off to their friends. However, we wanted to give out even more, so we'll also be providing a beta key for an upcoming Blizzard game."

The event takes place on August 3-4 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

[Source]

Madden 08 Wii info

2007-06-05T06:55:00.000-05:00

I just found this on the IGN blogs:

Improved Visuals

The screenshots featured in the article were looking pretty good. Slightly above last year's quality, and there are still improvements to be made. Not to mention there are many more months left for development. The team said they are working to improve the graphics from last year, and it looks like they're telling the truth.
-Refined Control
EA has realized that some motion controls worked last year, while some were more complicated and harder to do in the heat of a game (specifically the two-handed ones), so they've tightened the controls all around.
-New Help System
There is a more in-depth on-screen help system this year, in order to attract the casual gamer and make it a "less intimidating experience". It will now let you know when to snap the ball, throw the ball, intercept the ball, etc. There will be a picture of the gesture to let you know what to do, but it won't be "totally intrusive and in your face."
-New Audible System
Flick the nunchuck up, down, left, or right depending on which play you want to switch to.
-Telestrator Mode
When you make a good play, there will be an option to launch telestrator mode. You can then fast-foward, rewind, and change the camera angle while watching yourself annihilate your friend. Then, while pressing the A button, you can literally write on the screen. Write out how badly your buddy sucks, or just show him what your players are going to do to make his players look like rented athletes. Personally, I can't wait for this feature.
-Party Mode
Featuring 22(!) mini-games, including the three from last year, is Madden 08's Party Mode. Your performance in this mode affects your overall player rating. 2-D versions of your Mii and the Miis of the other players accompany individual player ratings, so you can tell which person has which rating easily. Also included are nine brand-new minicamp drills, with each being designed around motion control. Finally, Party Mode also has a football-trivia game in which up to four players can battle it out.
And finally, TEH MEGATON!1!!...
-Online Play
Yes, Madden 08 will be one of the first to include online play for Wii. Not only that, but it also has leaderboards, an always-online function to get streaming ticker updates from ESPN, standard exhibition match-ups, downloadable rosters, and an instant messaging system. Perhaps the most exciting news in the whole article, though, is this:
NP: "We don't yet know how the friend-code system will be implemented, if at all, since EA plans on re-creating the online experience featured in other online versions of the game." And then EA said this:
"One of the things Nintendo does really well, from a philosophical standpoint, is to establish friends and link people up for quick matches. We're looking for ways to push that and Madden Wii will be the first to experience it. It's in new territory for a lot of developers, so we're keeping Nintendo in the loop as far as what we're doing. I think that Madden will be one of those games that helps Nintendo and us at the same time."
Hopefully this means no friend codes for Madden. If EA can do it, that will give other developers the balls to stand up to Nintendo with their own online titles.

Thank you hidingintheshadows

Next Bleach Moive coming to Japan

2007-06-05T06:51:00.000-05:00

The Bleach movie website announced a second Bleach movie is coming to Japan this December.

[Source]

Tokyopop to publish Gothic Lolita Bible in US

2007-06-05T06:43:00.000-05:00

Mike Kiley of Tokyopop has announced that they will be bring over a English version for the popular fashion magazine Gothic Lolita Bible. It will launch in 2008 in a "hybrid format."

"I think the category’s matured to the point where the content can dictate the format,"Mike Kiley, Tokyopop

[Source]

DOJO!! UPDATE Groudon

2007-06-05T06:38:00.000-05:00

Here is todays other update:

This is the Pokémon that appeared on the packaging for Pokémon Ruby. Its bright red body is quite striking.

It's always hot to the touch.

It won’t harm the player who called it, though, so use that to your advantage.

Hot! Hot! HOTTT!

The full update

DOJO!! UPDATE Poké Balls

2007-06-05T06:29:00.000-05:00

There are two updates today. Here is the first one:

Poké Balls

When you throw a Poké Ball in Smash, a Pokémon
of some sort will appear and come to your aid.

screenshot

Pick up and throw the Poké Ball…

screenshot

A Pokémon appears!

screenshot

Then it attacks anything in its path!

Mmm. They’re quite reliable. But you never know which Pokémon is inside a Poké Ball.

Of course, having this particular Pokémon appear at the most critical of times is in keeping with Murphy’s Law.

screenshot

Goldeen, Goldeen, Goldeen, Goldeen, Goldeen…

You can view the full update here.

StarCraft II video interview

2007-06-04T21:24:00.000-05:00

Fans to name F.E.A.R. game

2007-06-04T21:11:00.000-05:00

Monolith and Warner Brothers are working on a game in the F.E.A.R. universe. The only problem is Vivendi still owns the F.E.A.R. name, so fans get name the new game! Vist http://www.nameyourfear.com/ for more.

480P Scarface vids from IGN

2007-06-04T21:08:00.000-05:00

Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword video interview

2007-06-04T20:50:00.000-05:00

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core “Heavy metal”

2007-06-04T20:47:00.000-05:00

NCAA Football 08 New Features trailer

2007-06-04T18:34:00.001-05:00

DK Bongo Blast screenshots

2007-06-04T18:29:00.000-05:00

New screenshots from IGN.

Click here to see the rest.

Transformers goals video

2007-06-04T18:04:00.001-05:00

2007-06-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

Aaron Greenberg from the Xbox team sent a IM to Gamertag Radio's co-host and co-founder Godfree to inform him that MS would make a major announcement tomorrow.

“we have a secret unveil for gamers around the world that I think will go down in video game history.”Aaron Greenberg

Right now Greenberg is in New York for the Pac-Man World Championships.

[Source]

RUMOR Pink and Blue wiimotes

2007-06-04T16:59:00.000-05:00

A person that works at Argos in the UK posted this picture of what looks to be the SKU for a blue wiimote. This person claims that Pink and Blue wimotes are on the way.

[Source]

Pokemon Battle Revolution US box art

2007-06-04T16:27:00.001-05:00

[Source]

Sony PAL releases for June and July

2007-06-04T15:57:00.000-05:00

Gamefront has published a list of release dates of Sony Playstation products for the PAL region.
The list is as follows:

June 7

Socom U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 (PSP, 51.95 Euros)
Socom U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 Headset Bundle (PSP, 61.95 Euros)

June 27

PS3 MC Adaptor [PS2 memory card reader] (PS3, 20.95 Euros)

July 11

Gangs of London Platinum (PSP, 20.95 Euros)
Lemmings Platinum (PSP, 20.95 Euros)
PaRappa the Rapper (PSP, 40.95 Euros)

July 25

SingStar standalone (PS3, 30.95 Euros)
SingStar with microphone (PS3, 61.95 Euros)

[Source]

Halo 3 Beta info "Hot maps"

2007-06-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

Bungie has been using a unique system to track the amount of kills that happen in an area. This data is displayed on a "hot map". The redder an area is the more kills. This data is then used to help balance weapons and levels.

[Source]

NBA Live 08 site goes live

2007-06-04T14:37:00.000-05:00

EA has launched it's official NBA Live 08 website. The site includes videos, screenshots, wallpapers, and a developers blog.

The site can be viewed here.

HL2 Capture the Flag Beta 1.71 Released

2007-06-04T14:02:00.000-05:00

After a long hiatus HL2 CTF has launched version 1.71. It includes:

Three New Weapons
Twelve Included Maps
Five Player Powerups
Team Sentry Turrets
Game Types CTF, One-Flag and Domination
Game Modes Pro and HL2DM
Full Match Mode Support
Server-side Script and Alias Disabling
Team Radio Commands and Chat Macros
HL2 Player Models not Available in HL2DM
HDR "bloom" Visual Effect
SourceTV Server Support
Team Color Coding and Other Visual Tweak

You can download it here.
[Source]

GameTap opens free ad suported model

2007-06-04T13:54:00.000-05:00

GameTap started a free version of there service. This service will be ad supported and let users sample free games each mouth.

"We want people to sample not just the massive library of GameTap titles, but the adrenalin rush that attracted over 20 million game plays last year."Stuart Snyder executive vice president/chief operating officer of Animation, Turner

GameTap will keep it's subscription service that offers unlimited access to over 900 games.

New Zach & Wiki Screenshots

2007-06-04T13:51:00.000-05:00

IGN has new screenshots of Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure. They can be viewed here.

New Manhunt 2 Screenshots

2007-06-04T13:46:00.000-05:00

IGN as put up new screenshots of Manhunt 2 for Wii. You can view the rest here.

Master Chief Sucks at Halo 3

2007-06-04T13:36:00.000-05:00

Thank you -VashTS

Kuma Games to Produce flight/FPS games for The History Channel

2007-06-04T13:26:00.000-05:00

The History Channel has announced a deal with Kuma Games to produce flight/FPS games based on up and coming Dogfight series. The games will run on Valve Software's Source engine.

"For the TV fan who wants more, we provide a free, high-quality, fully-immersive game experience that corresponds to the TV episode you just saw."Keith Halper, CEO of Kuma Reality Games

[Source]

Team behind Company of Heroes starts new studio

2007-06-04T13:16:00.000-05:00

Members of the team that made Company of Heroes have started a new game development studio called Smoking Gun. John Johnson will serve as CEO and Creative Director. He is joined by Angie Radwan-Pytlewski (cco / art director) and Drew Dunlop (cto / technical director).

More can befound at www.smokingguninc.com

This weeks VC releases

2007-06-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

Here are this weeks VC releases for North America:

Milon's Secret Castle® (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): It is a world where music is the language of the people. An evil warlord from the north arrives and captures the castle. The princess is imprisoned deep within the castle, and the world's musical instruments are taken and hidden away. Our hero, Milon, takes it upon himself to fight the warlord, rescue the princess and recover the people's musical instruments. He has only his wits and the magical Bubble to aid him on his quest. Help Milon along the way by looking for hidden doors, finding secret items and defeating fierce enemies. Make sure to look for the shops inside the castle, where you can buy hints and valuable items. Whenever Milon finds a Music Box, he will be transported to a bonus stage. Each instrument you find will add a layer to the background music. Try to grab all seven instruments to create a performance worthy of a music-themed game.
ToeJam & Earl™ in Panic on Funkotron (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone - Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): During ToeJam and Earl's trip back home, a number of Earthlings hitchhiked on their spaceship and are now infesting planet Funkotron. ToeJam and Earl must track down the Earthlings in order to capture them in large jars and ship them back to Earth in spaceships. It is also their funky mission to find 10 beloved objects belonging to Lamont the "Funkapotamus," the source of all funk in the universe, so they can persuade him to return to his favorite funk-filled planet. ToeJam and Earl must use their "funk powers," such as Funk Move and Funk Scan, to assist in evading and capturing the Earthlings.
Dead Moon (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points): This side-scrolling shooter includes a total of six scenes spanning areas from Earth to the moon. The story begins with a comet discovered in the vicinity of Pluto that is headed on a sudden collision course with Earth. Mankind narrowly succeeds in diverting the comet's course, and it crashes into the moon. However, investigations into the damage uncover that what hit the moon was not a comet, but a gigantic mother ship. Power up your ship, destroy enemies and fight your way through the bosses in an attempt to reach the moon's core and protect Earth from alien invasion. Enjoy the unique world of Dead Moon, including various stages with beautiful backgrounds, a power-up system that increases your attack as well as your defense and bosses that have you altering your ship's direction to fight them.
Zelda II™ - The Adventure of Link® (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): Link returns to Hyrule to search for the Triforce and to awaken Zelda from an endless sleep. Embark on a quest to find the Triforce of Courage and save Hyrule from ruin. Learn magic spells, talk to people in towns to get clues, collect items to increase your power and explore six palaces where the underlings of the evil Ganon await you. This sequel to the Adventure classic uses a side-scrolling visual engine unique to the series for more technical combat, and features more in-depth world roaming as Link encounters townsfolk while on his quest.

Zelda II marks the 100 game to be released on Nintendo's Virtual Console. A full press release can bu found here.

Wiisic hits version 0.80

2007-06-04T11:47:00.000-05:00

Wiisic is a JAVA based tool that let's users steam mp3s to there Wii's using the Opera web browser. This version includes:

New feature: Directory navigator. Navigate through all subdirectories of the folder you specified and play the files in there.
Complete new player code. Hopefully "uncrashable".
16:9 white player skin.

You can download it here.

ESRB gets Good Housekeeping Articles

2007-06-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

ESRB president Patricia Vance has started writing articles for the website Good Housekeeping. These articles will help to promote the videogame rating system to the mainstream public.

“It’s clear that [this partnership] is a truly great fit for this type of information,” Patricia Vance, ESRB president

Vance's first article is about choosing the right games for kids and not being afraid to say 'no'. Good Housekeeping is now posting the NDP's best selling games list.

[Source]

Uncensored Halo 3 Action coming to NGTV

2007-06-04T10:23:00.000-05:00

Not Good TV is set to launch there Game On…! series with an Halo 3 event loaded with uncut footage of celebrities playing Halo 3.

"With No Good TV's focus on major pop culture events and a guest list of top tier talent, featuring Halo 3 on the debut of the video game series makes a lot of sense,"Microsoft director of creative marketing Chris Di Cesare

The event is set to go from May 30 to June 8.

[Source]

Funimation Puts Anime on Xbox Live Marketplace

2007-06-04T10:05:00.000-05:00

Funi will put series like Trinity Blood, Basilisk, Samurai 7, and Gunslinger Girl up in XBL this June. No news yet on price. Stay Tuned for more.

[Source]

Nintendo to Launch a Pikachu DS in Japan

2007-06-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

IGN is reporting that a Pikachu DS will launch in Japan on 7/20. It will cost 16,800 yen.

[Source]

Shonen Jump and Shojo Beat change line up

2007-06-04T09:28:00.000-05:00

Shonen Jump is adding Bobobo-bo-Bo-bobobo to it's line up in July with a unnamed title to start in November. Like wise Shaman King will end in July and a unnamed title will end in November.

Shojo Beat will retire two of it's premiere series NANA and Baby & Me. Honey and Clover will replace NANA in August while Haruka will replace Baby & Me in October.

[Source]

New Devil May Cry 4 info from Famitsu Xbox

2007-06-04T09:11:00.000-05:00

Famitsu Xbox talked to Devil May Cry 4 producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi about several topics including the game going to Xbox 360 and differences between versions.

The reason for the game going muti-platform is because "[the game] is an extremely strong name overseas,". As for difficulty "The game engine is shared," so porting is easier than with last gen systems. Kobayashi did note that the 360 version "still [has] a ways to go" and was just started after the announcement.

There will be no differences between versions and content will be the same. A new playable demo will be at this year Tokyo Game Show.

[Source]

Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution Details

2007-06-04T08:58:00.000-05:00

Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution is the first Naruto game for the Wii in North America. It will features:

14 playable characters
six stages with two combat zones
new special attack animations
story mode
score attack
timed attack
survival
2P Versus
2P Score Attack
2P Survival
1-4 Multiplayer Versus

The game will also have the following mini-games:

Shuriken Throw
Rasengan Training
Shadow Clone Trick

You can expect the game to hit this fall.

[Source]

Fortress Forever: Staying Alive

2007-06-04T08:25:00.000-05:00

A new Trailer for the up and coming MOD.

HD version can be found here.

DOJO!! UPDATE Yoshi’s Story: Ending

2007-06-04T08:01:00.000-05:00

Today's DOJO update adds a new song to Brawls catalog!

Yoshi’s Story: Ending

Composition Supervisor: Kazumi Totaka
Arrangement Supervisor: Masafumi Takada

This is a new arrangement of the ending song from Yoshi’s Story.

Hang on a second.

Is it really fair to play Yoshi’s voice at that moment?

It’s enough to make a guy cry at the end.

[Source]

13 Halo 3 maps discovered?

2007-06-03T12:39:00.000-05:00

A list of 13 maps was found in the Halo 3 beta code. The list is as follows.

Chill - Halo 3 Chill
Construct - Halo 3 Construct
Cyberdyne - Halo 3 Cyberdyne
High Ground - A relic of older conflicts, this base was reactivated after the New Mombasa Slipspace Event
Guardian - Halo 3 Guardian
Isolation - Halo 3 Isolation
Valhalla - The crew of V-398 barely survived their unplanned landing in this curious gorge
Epitaph - Some believe the Forerunners preferred desolate places. Others suggest that few other sites survived the Flood
Shrine - Halo 3 Shrine
Snowbound - Hostile conditions did not prevent the Covenant from seeking salvage on this buried Forerunner construct
Warthog Inc - Halo 3 Warthog Inc
Last Resort - Remote industrial sites like this one are routinely requisitioned and razed as part of Spartan training exercises

[Source]

Opoona Gameplay Videos

2007-06-03T12:22:00.000-05:00

Jeux-France has posted up some new videos for Koei's new Wii RPG Opoona.

A flick of the Nunchuk is all it takes to attack. You then can control your projectiles just by moving the Nunchuk.

[Source]

Playstation.com Launches Free Japanese ezine

2007-06-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

Sony has started Hi! Playstation, a free Japanese ezine. It can be downloaded here.

[Source]