News

ESA defection continues, LucasArts leaves and infighting over E3 awards breaks loose

Posted by: Chuck at 5/17/2008 12:25 PM - Comments (3)
More On: EIC Ramblings Gaming Nexus
Things are certainly not going well with the Entertainment Software Association, first Activision/Vivendi leaves and now Lucasarts bails out.  You have to wonder what's going on with the game industries to cause two of the larger publishers in the industry to move on and what they are doing to prevent future defections.  Most of the rest of the big publishers are still there (EA, Capcom, Sega, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, etc) but I get the feeling that the ship is taking on water and if something isn't done soon then we could either see the flagship group of the game industry fall apart with nothing to fill it's place.

If that wasn't bad enough the ESA is now trying to get cheap revenge on Activision/Vivendi by making their games ineligible for the E3 awards in July.  Of course the critics association (no affiliated with the ESA) is fighting back and making sure that any game shown (even if offsite) is available for the awards.  I have a feeling that this is something that's not going away any time soon and is going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.

How much do you need to run Far Cry 2?

by: John - posted: 8/8/2008 2:14 PM - Comments (0)
Why this much. Ubisoft has posted what kind of machine you will need to run Far Cry 2 and what we have is not too bad:
Minimum requirements
CPU: Pentium 4 3.2 Ghz, Pentium D 2.66 Ghz, AMD Athlon 64 3500+ or better
RAM: 1 GB
Video card: NVidia 6800 or ATI X1650 or better
Shader Model 3 required
256 Mb of graphic memory
Media reader: DVD-ROM

Hard drive space: ~12 Gig or HD space. (tbd)

Recommended
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo Family, AMD 64 X2 5200+, AMD Phenom or better
RAM: 2 GB
Video card: NVidia 8600 GTS or better, ATI X1900 or better
512 Mb of graphic memory
Sound: 5.1 sound card recommended

Supported Video cards:
NVidia 6800, NVidia 7000 series, 8000 series, 9000 series, 200 series. 8800M and 8700M supported for laptops. ATI X1650 – 1950 series , HD2000 series , HD3000 series , HD4000 series .

Ozzy taking Guitar Hero World Tour on virtual tour/off the rails on a crazy train

by: Chuck - posted: 8/8/2008 12:52 PM - Comments (0)
It looks like Activision is raising the virtual rock star bar a bit by bringing in Rock Legend/Reality TV "Star" Ozzy Osbourne for Guitar Hero: World Tour.  In the game you'll be able to rock out on a virtual OZZFest stage while playing tunes from Ozzy's tracklist like "Crazy Train".  Ozzy will also join Zakk Wylde (not his birth name) from Black Label Society as playble characters in the game.  No word on if a "Chasing the Dragon" mini-game will be required to unlock Ozzy or not. [READ MORE]

Sins of a Solar Empire patch goes to beta

by: Chuck - posted: 8/8/2008 12:46 PM - Comments (0)
If you're playing Sins of a Solar Empire you might want to check out the new patch which entered beta today.  In typical Stardock fashion the patch not only fixes some things but adds a bunch of content and improvements to the game.  These include a new graphics engine, visuals, and a host of other new features.  Keep in mind that this is beta code so only download it from Impulse if you don't mind taking the risk that the code could bomb out on you. [READ MORE]

Gaming Gibs for 8/8/2008

by: Chuck - posted: 8/8/2008 8:00 AM - Comments (0)
Here are a few things I missed while watching the tail mounted camera on an airplane:
  • Yes we know Denis, can you start on a new Eternal Darkness game now?
  • I'm not sure about 60% of all gamers but I can confirm that everyone in my household has given up on Wii Fit.
  • I'm expecting that there will be a lot of Mario Scarfs at next year's PAX...just a hunch
  • The 60GB Xbox 360's have been dissected, more hardware improvements have been made
  • Sierra's last game was a crappy movie tie in game, it's kind of sad.  Much like how Raul Julia's last movie was the Street Fighter movie
  • Fable II's Pub Games out next week, gamble away
  • Try not to be surprise, the music industry wants more money from music based games.
  • Gears of War 2 lancer bundle now for sale on Amazon, remember the chainsaw doesn't work
  • Mein Laben!  No Hitler in the new Wolfenstein game.  Then again he wasn't in Return to Wolfenstein either

LittleBigNewsSite

by: John - posted: 8/8/2008 7:54 AM - Comments (2)
The folks behind LittleBigPlanet has put up an official news site for the game. Right now there's an entry and a click-able SackBoy that will let you place stickers on the site. I'm sure Chuck's itching to get his hands on the final game but we got two more months to go before it comes out.

Gold Edition of Making History: The Calm and the Storm to be available on Impulse

by: Nathan - posted: 8/8/2008 5:06 AM - Comments (0)
Impulse is Stardock's digital distribution platform (think steam but different titles). Muzzy Lane Sotware has announced that the Gold Edition of Making History: The Calm and the Storm will be made available on the service. Making History: C&S is a turn based strategy game were in players guide their chosen nation through real world conflicts. Rather than recreating history the game (at least the developers) encourage players to play through conflicts how they see fit and not go by the script so to speak. The game will be able to download for PC owners using Widows XP or Vista coming soon. [READ MORE]

EA publishes launch dates For Dummies

by: Randy - posted: 8/8/2008 1:57 AM - Comments (1)
At this point, if you haven't picked up on how to play poker from a circle of friends or through the (still somehow) televised poker matches on TV, then perhaps there's something holding you back, and EA wants to set you free.  Due to those ubiquitous For Dummies books, the world's second-largest videogame publisher and developer, EA, is bringing these titles to the PC:  Solitaire For Dummies in September, Brain Training For Dummies and Poker For Dummies in October, and Sudoku For Dummies in November (all of which will be available on EA's casual gaming portal, Pogo).  For the Nintendo DS, Travel Games For Dummies will be here in November and will include Solitaire, Sudoku, and crossword puzzles.  (Boy, I hope I got that all straightened out, because the press release is a veritable shipwreck of confused titles and crisscrossing dates.  EA needs to proofread their press releases a little better.)
[READ MORE]

Disciples III has angels in the outfield

by: Randy - posted: 8/8/2008 1:10 AM - Comments (2)
The Disciples series is heading into its third generation with Disciples III: Renaissance.  Part of this renaissance will include honest-to-God angels in their character lineup, hurling the wrath of the Almighty in lightning bolt flashes.  Two new pieces of art break down some Angel schematics -- that is, if you can read Russian (developer Akella is headquartered in Moscow).
[READ MORE]

PSN Releaes of the week

by: Chuck - posted: 8/8/2008 12:01 AM - Comments (0)
After such a strong week last week the PSN network takes a bit of a week off as the only real notable content is the new episode of Qore.  Of course this is the episode that will allow you to gain access to the upcoming Resistance:Fall of Man 2 demo so it's worth it if you're looking forward to the game. 

Midnight Club LA gets a website

by: Chuck - posted: 8/7/2008 11:26 PM - Comments (0)
Rockstar has launched the website for Midnight Club: Los Angeles where you'll be able to check out the cars from the game as well as downloading widgets that will automatically send new information to your desktop. 

Runes of Magic probably won't ruin your marriage

by: Randy - posted: 8/7/2008 11:15 PM - Comments (1)
I'm always patiently expectant, waiting for that one free-to-play MMO that will come along and blow the doors off my expectations, woo me with its artistic prowess, wow me with its brazen and unexpected storyline, and suck my life away in an unmitigated time sink that will leave my imagination enraptured and my marriage on the rocks.  And from the looks of things when it comes to Runes of Magic, my marriage is ... completely safe.

News Roundup: Project Spore Powder Origin

by: Randy - posted: 8/7/2008 11:11 PM - Comments (0)
Demos, Patches
 Videos
 Screenshots
 Articles
  • Sonic the Hedgehog and Splatterhouse 2; both covered in Defunct Games' "This Week in Defunct Games" Aug. 7 edition.
  • AtomicGamer wakes up and smells the ashes in its Fallout 3 interview with Bethesda's head of PR, Pete Hines.
  • Based on their E3 time, the Hachiko embraces the end of the world as we know it in Project Origin.
Thanks to Defunct Games, The Hachiko, and AtomicGamer for today's News Roundup.

Theatre of War 2 staying on Broadway by way of Africa

by: Randy - posted: 8/7/2008 10:42 PM - Comments (0)
Resident Evil 5 is going there.  Farcry 2 is exploring that savanna, too.  Afrika is giving itself away in the title.  The latest Game Informer magazine even declared that "Africa is the new Normandy" -- which would be unadulterated irony were they talking about a World War II game, because both France and northern Africa are prominent theaters in videogames about the Second World War.  And WW2 fans will be happy to know that Theatre of War 2: Africa 1943, just announced by publisher 1C Company, will put you in command of General Rommel leading Germany's Afrika Korps, or in command of Allied forces led by Montgomery and Eisenhower.  I think WW2 games have been around long enough for you to have figured out that much on your own.  But check the historicity:

[READ MORE]

A first look at what Damnation gets you

by: Randy - posted: 8/7/2008 8:43 PM - Comments (1)
Being a steam-powered era in American history, steampunk simply feels indigenous to the Wild West.  And while this debut trailer for Damnation doesn't necessarily put its best foot forward -- the filter is too dark, the "vengeance is alive and well" hook is trite, the action sequencing is a little mushy -- the gunfire looks meaty, the heavyset narration is convincing, and the set pieces look promising (though I definitely hope the art department pushes further into hyperbole).  I'll keep a sidelong eye on this one, though I'll lose interest if they pull too many punches on the inherent campy potential.

Fable II gets a release date

by: John - posted: 8/7/2008 1:25 PM - Comments (24)
After seeing Fable II demonstrations at E3, I've decided I'm going to pick up the game even though I didn't get the first one. Well, October 21 will be the day the game hits the stores according to Lionhead's website. If you pre-order the game, you'll be able to participate in the Fable II Pub Games available via Xbox Live on August 13th.  The three games will let you garner some wealth to use before the game is out so it will give you a little head start. For $80 you can grab the limited edition picture below which contains the following:
  • Bonus DVD – Includes new ‘Making-of Feature’ with Peter Molyneux and the team at Lionhead Studios and concept art viewer
  • Bonus In-Game Content (Requires LIVE account) – Includes “The Hall of the Dead” Dungeon, “The Wreckager” Legendary Cutlass Weapon and Otherworldly Bonus
  • Collectible Hobbe figure with accessories – From the Qee Collection comes this one-of-a-kind Hobbe figure. Nasty, brutish, and short, he roams the countryside, preying on travelers and spiriting away the children of the unwary.
  • 48-hour Xbox LIVE Gold Trial Card – With Xbox LIVE Gold, players can show off their individual hero by inviting friends into their unique version of Albion or they can visit their friends’ Albion, and earn additional gold, experience and renown to take back into their own.
  • Five printed Fate Cards – These five beautiful cards foretell the Hero’s great destiny to journey across all of Albion, encountering deadly enemies and enigmatic allies. The path leads to a choice that will change the world forever.

PlatformNation holding a Playapalooza charity event on August 14th

by: Chuck - posted: 8/7/2008 12:11 PM - Comments (0)
The folks over at PlatformNation will be holding Playapalooza, a 50 hour gaming marathon on August 14th to raise money for Penny Arcade's Child Play charity.  The event will be streamed on Ustream.tv and you'll be able watch gamers as they play games in 30 minute increments (gamers gotta eat and sleep you know).  Sounds like a fun and it's for a good cause. [READ MORE]

More Major League Eating

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 8/7/2008 11:10 AM - Comments (0)
Geeze, Mastiff is really plugging this game.  Major League Eating has been out for a few weeks now, but Mastiff wants to let you know about the secret characters you can unlock.  Supposedly the ultimate character is The Alaskan Crusher, a Kodiak Bear.  Check the release for a full list of secret athlete eaters.  As if this game could get any goofier.  [READ MORE]

Wii getting Cursed Mountain

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 8/7/2008 11:05 AM - Comments (0)
Publisher Deep Silver has announced Cursed Mountain, a new survival horror game exclusive to Wii.  The game is set in the Himalayas during the late 80s, and focuses on a world class mountain climber as he searches for his lost brother.  I've seen a couple screenshots and some concept art, and I like the art style Deep Silver is using.  I'm also happy to see a darker, more serious game on Wii that focuses on gameplay and not cheap minigame gimmicks.  A mountain is a somewhat novel place to set a game, especially survival horror, so I'll be very interested to see how Cursed Mountain turns out when it releases in early 09. [READ MORE]

Gaming Gibs for 8/7/2008

by: Chuck - posted: 8/7/2008 7:42 AM - Comments (2)
Things I missed while ordering parts for a not so secret project:

News Roundup: Demigod Killed Twice

by: Randy - posted: 8/6/2008 11:41 PM - Comments (1)
Videos
 Screenshots
 Articles
 Thanks to Defunct Games, Cryptic Studios, AtomicGamer, Techgage, and Legit Reviews for today's News Roundup.

Peter Moore joins celebutard Kim Kardashian in Facebreaker

by: Chuck - posted: 8/6/2008 11:19 PM - Comments (2)
If you've downloaded the Facebreaker demo you already know that EA Sports head honcho Peter Moore and "celebrity" Kim Kardashian are in EA's upcoming boxing game Facebreaker as they are included in the demo.  It also looks like the pair will make it into the final game as playable characters which kills about half the thrill of purchasing the game for me.  Yeah it will be fun to beat on Peter Moore and blame him for the death of the Dreamcast but I still don't know why EA felt the need to include such a talentless hack. 
[READ MORE]

Midway adds a pair of jokers to Blitz the League II

by: Chuck - posted: 8/6/2008 11:13 PM - Comments (0)
Midway revealed today that they are bringing in comedians Jay Mohr and Frank Caliendo for starring roles in Blitz: the League II.  Mohr will be playing the smarmy agent of the star player in the game and Calliendo will be playing the color commentator, offensive line coordinator, and prison warden.  They join Laurence  Taylor in the game that serves as the RC Cola to Madden 09's Coca Cola. [READ MORE]

Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball wins IGF, storms GDC

by: Randy - posted: 8/6/2008 10:55 PM - Comments (0)
Blazing Lizard is (rightfully) giddy about being named winner of the Austin Independent Games Festival:  Their Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball will now be exhibited at the Austin Game Developers Conference (September 15 - 17).  And these pics look way more artful than the misleadingly-titled Double D Dodgeball.  Pirates vs. Ninjas (vs. robots vs. zombies!) is soon headed for Xbox Live Arcade.
[READ MORE]

Wizard101 opens doors to open beta

by: Randy - posted: 8/6/2008 10:29 PM - Comments (0)
If you couldn't make it into KingsIsle's closed beta for the family-oriented Wizard101, it's just gone into open beta testing phase.  Expected to launch next month after three years in the making, Wizard101 is pitting itself in a ring with a ferocious online lion known as Warhammer Online and, in a sense, Spore.  One could argue that the WAR audience won't be crossing swords with the family-friendly title, but Spore is going to own NPD charts for several weeks, and it's definitely appealing to the yung'uns too -- you don't have to be Michael Pachter to make that call.  But have a look-see at the world of whimsy that is Wizard101, where reading beats writing and arithmetic, and students must wear uniforms that match the school's wallpaper.
[READ MORE]

Summer Athletics now swiping medals from Beijing 2008

by: Randy - posted: 8/6/2008 10:08 PM - Comments (0)
In the spirit of competition -- despite the fact that Beijing 2008 - The Official Game of the Olympic Games didn't put up a fight -- Summer Athletics: The Ultimate Challenge is now going for the gold in Olympic videogames.  The PS2 version shipped to retailers today, making it available on store shelves tomorrow, August 7th.  (Honestly, publishers need to get rid of this confusing "ship date" business.  Just tell gamers what date a game's available.  That's it.  Not this day-before-it's-actually-available nonsense.)  Summer Athletics definitely looks sharper than The Official Game of the Olympic Games game, but that may be because it wasn't realistically rendered in hyper-polluted, factory-choked Beijing. [READ MORE]