News

What we're playing this weekend

Posted by: Chuck at 8/4/2007 12:52 AM - Comments (0)
More On: What we're playing Gaming Nexus
Randy Kalista - Staff Writer
Racing games awaken a mostly dormant perfectionist gene in me, and DiRT (I still have no idea what the lower case "i" signifies) is pinging on my obsessive double-helix.  I can't personally move onto the next track until I've busted out an undamaged run at the professional skill level while finishing at the top of the podium.  Well, maybe not the undamaged part:  These tracks are crazy.  But I certainly vow to crack 20,000th place (not a typo) for the game's online scoreboards.  That notwithstanding, I'm taking one of my clones down the commando route, and the other down the scout/sniper route in Tabula Rasa.

Dan Keener - Staff Writer
This week I will be playing Shadowrun and Halo 2 Vista on the PC, Guitar Hero on the PS2 and some Arcade games on the Xbox 360.

Matt Mirkovich - Staff Writer
This weekend has me spending time out on the courts with Hot Shots Tennis. Brave Story for the PSP also found its way in to my heart, man that game looks great for a PSP title. Also I'm going back to school with some Persona 3. And lastly, I'm achievement point whoring with some Need for Speed: Most Wanted, my little VW Golf is practically unstoppable.

Shawn Sines - Staff Writer
P3 Persona. Put a gun to my head and I'm there. This deep, engaging game has consumed my time since I got the preview build from Atlus. I must reach the top of Tartarus.. must go to kendo practice.. Its been a long time since an RPG consumed me this wholly.

Charles Husemann - Editor In Chief
This weekend I'm going to try and wrap up my review of Glory Days 2 while logging some time with Tabula Rasa and the new Quake Wars beta.  I'm also starting a look at the Ageia physics card that they sent out this week so I'll be putting the PC version of GRAW 2 through it's paces.

John Yan - Sr. Hardware Editor
I think this will be my last week of MLB 07 The Show as I am finishing up my second year and I want to see what kind of contract I receive from the Indians for batting .390 and having a 80 game hitting streak. I bet I get screwed. I'll also be playing a little bit of Guitar Hero II as well. I am practicing on hard mode and I need to get better at hammer ons and pull offs.

Scene It? Box Office Smash! dated

by: Dan - posted: 10/7/2008 11:38 PM - Comments (0)
Microsoft announced today that Scene It? Box Office Smash! will be hitting retailers on October 28th The second Scene It? game for the Xbox 360 offers more HD content, new questions, puzzles and integration of the New Xbox Experience Avatars. The game comes bundled with more of the "Big Button" controllers and will retail for $59.99.
[READ MORE]

News Roundup: Facewound Beauty Factory

by: Randy - posted: 10/7/2008 10:11 PM - Comments (0)
FREE GAMES, DEMOS, UPDATES
VIDEOS
SCREENSHOTS
ARTICLES
Thanks to AtomicGamer, MMODB, and Legit Reviews for today's News Roundup.

Mirror's Edge soundtrack is "Still Alive" -- but not in the way that you think

by: Randy - posted: 10/7/2008 9:45 PM - Comments (0)
These better be some stellar remixes, that's all I'm sayin'.  Swedish pop star, Lisa Miskovsky, is having her song "Still Alive" -- no, not that "Still Alive," that's Jonathan Coulton -- being remixed by five different deejays for the Mirror's Edge soundtrack.  While the original version will serve as the theme song, Benny Benassi ("Satisfaction"), Paul Van Dyk ("Time Of Our Lives"), Junkie XL ("Cities In Dust"), Teddybears (uh, haven't heard of them, but they're apparently Swedish too), and Armand Van Helden ("The Funk Phenomena") will be spinning the wheels of steel, remixing Miskovsky's "Still Alive."  Which I haven't heard of either -- not that I'm completely wired into the house music scene.  But if it's anything like this (not new) video's soundscape, then the entire project definitely sounds like it's in good hands.

[READ MORE]

Saints Row 2 rocks 11 radio stations, 129 tracks

by: Randy - posted: 10/7/2008 9:19 PM - Comments (0)
Still runnin' and gunnin' for its October 14th release next week, Saints Row 2 just spilled the details on its entire 129-song soundtrack.  And while Apache's "Gangsta B****" is Chuck's favorite, hip hop and R&B makes up only 12% of the entire soundtrack despite the game's heavy gangsta lean.  You can spend equal amounts of time disturbing the peace in Stilwater's streets while playing music across a plethora of genres.  You can 187 on an undercover cop listening to Lamb of God or Tchaikovsky; put the Saints back together while getting folksy with Okkervil River or nu wave with Duran Duran; smoke out to Eek-A-Mouse, Hot Hot Heat, or Bad Medicine.  Eleven different stations (no NPR-styled ones, however) will be at your fingertips in Saints Row 2.  Or, if you're upset that The Naked Brothers Band didn't make the cut, there's always the Off button. [READ MORE]

NBA 2K9 does a no-look pass onto Windows PC

by: Randy - posted: 10/7/2008 8:18 PM - Comments (0)
For the first time in the 2K Sports' ten-season streak, NBA 2K9 will be dribbling its way onto the PC.  October 21st marks the release date on Windows (while the 360 and PS3 versions both hit store shelves today).  All the functionality built into the console versions -- including the newly-touted Live Rosters, which updates players' statistics through the real-world season -- is rolled into the PC release as well. [READ MORE]

Tomb Raider: Underworld DLC Promoting Console Favoritism

by: Eva - posted: 10/7/2008 5:00 PM - Comments (1)
In a recent post announcing the exclusive Tomb Raider: Underworld downloadable content for the Xbox 360, I speculated as to whether other versions of the game would get platform specific DLC. Unfortunately, MTV Multiplayer has an answer that many players won't be pleased with.

The DLC for the Xbox 360 isn't going to be released on another platform at a later date. Eidos also has no plans to issue DLC for the PS3 or the PC. It would seem to me that if you have multiple platforms, the Wii with special interactions tailored to the Wiimote or the Xbox 360 version with the two extra chapters seems the logical choice.

I don't know about the opinions of our readership, but I'm less than pleased with this arrangement between Microsoft and Eidos. It's not that I object to that specific pairing, just favoritism of one platform over another in general. I hope that this isn't a new trend in the industry although Microsoft has already set the precedent with GTAIV. How do you weigh in on the issue?

Square Enix Opens the Gates of Vana'diel with 14-Day Free Trial of FFXI

by: Eva - posted: 10/7/2008 4:30 PM - Comments (0)
Square Enix is inviting gamers to come experience its Final Fantasy XI MMO. This is a Windows based trial which gives players access to the current Wings of the Goddess build for 14 days. Any characters you create  will be saved for 90 days after the trial ends. That's a more than generous period of time for you to decide whether you want to take the plunge and subscribe.

When I was playing FFXI, it was on the PS2 shortly after the game premiered in 2002. I think if I would get back into the game, I would start fresh on the PC anyway. This is a great opportunity to find out what I've missed over six years and four expansions later.
[READ MORE]

It's another NBA Live season

by: John - posted: 10/7/2008 3:48 PM - Comments (0)
It's that time again. The NBA pre-season is happening right now and we're getting our share of NBA games to come out. NBA Live 09 is now available in stores and the big selling point this year is Dynamic DNA. The feature helps emulate the player and how the team plays. Updating every day, Dynamic DNA looks to add some more depth into the series. I'm interested to see how this really works and to see if it really does add to the experience.

On a similar note, I'm really excited about the upcoming NBA season. With Cleveland's acquisition of Mo Williams form Milwaukee, they have a few guys that can create their own shot and score. I mean if Lebron can take a bunch of scrubs to the NBA finals a few years ago, this team should be explosive with his increased experience and overall better talent surrounding him. [READ MORE]

Classic Gaming Trivia for 10/7/08

by: John - posted: 10/7/2008 3:41 PM - Comments (0)
The last classic gaming trivia was for the classic  Great Giana Sisters on the Commodore 64. A lot of people enjoy this game more then Super Mario Bros. and well you know Nintendo wasn't going to let the folks behind this game continue to profit.


Here's today's game. Since this is a hard one, I'll give out the hint that it was on the Amiga.

First shots of Mirror's Edge Time Trial mode

by: Chuck - posted: 10/7/2008 12:00 PM - Comments (0)
Here is the first batch of screenshots from the Time Trial mode in Mirror's Edge.  It looks like you'll be able to quickly see how far ahead or behind you are by looking at the "ghost" of the person you're racing against.  The feature will also let you see which route they took to get the time they earned which will be helpful given how open the world of the game is.
[READ MORE]

You got the touch!.. You got the poowwweeer! YEAH!

by: John - posted: 10/7/2008 10:54 AM - Comments (0)
There seems to be a small movement to get The Touch from Transformers: The (Good) Movie out on either Guitar Hero or Rock Band. Personally, I'd love, love, LOVE to have that song in either game. Like how the Portal song was such a great addition to the list, I think the Touch would be that as well. I mean, who doesn't remember hearing that song and seeing Optimus Prime jump up and transform into his bad-ass robot self and take out a bunch of Decepticons. Count me in as one to want that song in the games as well. To take it a little further, how about a collection of 80's cartoon theme songs for the game? Put in Thundercats, GI Joe, MASK, and Transformers to name a few and I bet you'll get a ton of purchases. Come'on Harmonix and Neversoft, let's make it happen.

Gaming Gibs for 10/7/2008

by: Chuck - posted: 10/7/2008 8:21 AM - Comments (0)
Here are a few things I missed while realizing I'd probably electrocute myself if I tried to make a cool LED sign:
  • Kids, run....it's a TRAP
  • Life as a disabled gamer described
  • Peter Molyneux sets out specs for how Fable II should be reviewed, maybe Dyack should have done the same thing
  • Resistance 2 is less than a month out, check out the trophies from the game in advance so you know what to do when you get the game
  • Game designers share game design tips/the F word with a 7 year old gamer
  • Sony bringing all future MMO's to the PS3, hoping that Blizzard doesn't do the same
  • Music of LittleBigPlanet discussed

Suda51 + UE3 = Gold?

by: Chuck - posted: 10/7/2008 7:46 AM - Comments (0)
Suda51 has developed some of the more interesting games in recent years including killer7 and No More Heroes.  Both of these games were on the Wii so I'm interested to see what he can do with the Unreal Engine 3 as it gives him a much bigger toolset to play with (EA announced that they have licensed the engine for Suda's new company Grasshopper).  He's going to be paired up with Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami which has potential written all over it. [READ MORE]

Create Custom Stuff for your Rock Band 2 Band

by: Dan - posted: 10/7/2008 7:20 AM - Comments (0)
Harmonix announced that they have opened a specialty shop in the RockBand.com store that will cater custom stuff to create featuring your in-game Rock Band characters. users will be able to order custom T-Shirts, posters, bumper stickers and so on. One other cool addition is the $70 6" figurine called "Bandmates" created from players in-game avatar. Check out all the pricing and options after the jump: [READ MORE]

Vicious Engine 2 Premiering in Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard

by: Dan - posted: 10/7/2008 7:17 AM - Comments (0)
Vicious Cycle Software announced yesterday that the latest version of their game development engine Vicious Engine 2 (Ve2), will make its debut in Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard for the Xbox 360. The updates to the engine touch the rendering, animations, lighting and shader tech, audio, AI, path finding and more. [READ MORE]

News Roundup: Halo/Crysis Wars

by: Randy - posted: 10/6/2008 10:59 PM - Comments (0)
FREE GAMES, DEMOS, UPDATES
VIDEOS
SCREENSHOTS
ARTICLES
Thanks to Xbox America, Techgage, Cryptic Online, AtomicGamer, and OS X Reality for today's News Roundup.

MLB Stickball hitting XBLA this week

by: Dan - posted: 10/6/2008 10:51 PM - Comments (0)
Microsoft announced today that the GAIA Industries developed and 2K Sports published MLB Stickball will be available at 5:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, October 8th. The game is a take on the classic stickball and includes bounce pitches, customizable rules and no gloves. Toss in the ability o unlock 120 MLB pros from Topps Pro cards, and it sounds like a fun title to try out. It will be available for 800 MS points and is rated ‘E’ for Everyone.
[READ MORE]

NBA 2K9 soundtrack listed

by: Randy - posted: 10/6/2008 10:18 PM - Comments (0)
The soundtrack has been etched for NBA 2K9, and it has expectantly mixed big names with virtual unknowns.  Big dogs include N.E.R.D.'s aptly-titled "Spaz," Santogold's ubiquitous "Creator" (I'm still puking a little from its unfortunate inclusion in FaceBreaker as well), and Gnarls Barkley's arid "Going On."  The Cool Kids (nice!) have laid down an original recording called "2K Pennies" -- which, I'm guessing, adds up to a $20 bill -- while The Meters bring in the classy "Cissy Strut," and the Pharcyde (early OutKast influencers) didn't pass up the classic "Passin' Me By." [READ MORE]

GameFly is on-the-go with new GameFly Mobile interface

by: Randy - posted: 10/6/2008 10:04 PM - Comments (0)
GameFly now has a mobile-device-friendly site -- GameFly Mobile -- which will automatically pop up when you punch www.gamefly.com into your mobile's browser.  Built within six weeks and powered by Usablenet, GameFly Mobile promises all the conveniences and ammenities of their PC-accessed site:  Changing up your GameQ, title browsing, accessing FAQs, etc.  The mobile site ain't much to look at, but it's cleanly outlined. [READ MORE]

Jason Graves gives Dead Space a frightening score

by: Randy - posted: 10/6/2008 9:44 PM - Comments (0)
Composer Jason Graves' work has graced two dozen projects ranging from the King Arthur soundtrack to Star Trek Legacy, and from Zathura to Dead Head Fred.  More recently he was hired on to score October 14th's Dead Space, the creepy-crawly sci-fi horror title from EA.  In two sessions, Graves conducted 60 musicians of the acclaimed Northwest Sinfonia Orchestra at the Bastyr Chapel in Seattle, and a year later, he conducted another 60-piece ensemble from the Skywalker Symphony Orchestra, and 20 voice choir at the Skywaylker Sound Scoring Stage.  The entire Dead Space soundtrack will be available on EA Trax to coincide with the game's launch, but if you want a snippet now, head over to Jason Graves Music where you can hear his utterly creepy aleatoric work in "Nicole's Theme," "Severed Limbs Are Hazardous Waste," and "The Necromorphs Attack."  Scary, scary stuff. [READ MORE]

XBL Gets Exclusive DLC for Tomb Raider: Underworld

by: Eva - posted: 10/6/2008 2:45 PM - Comments (0)
Eidos has teamed up with Microsoft to offer two Tomb Raider: Underworld levels available only on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Xbox 360 owners can grab Tomb Raider: Underworld - Beneath the Ashes at Christmas with Tomb Raider: Underworld - Lara's Shadow following in early 2009.

The new DLC may make it more difficult for gamers with multiple consoles to decide which version of Tomb Raider: Underworld to purchase. It's great for Eidos considering that the 360 will have exclusive DLC and the Wii version has controls tailored to the Wiimote. It will be interesting to see if Sony gets its own exclusive features or content adding more incentive for gamers to buy multiple copies for different special features. Eidos will also be offering a demo through XBL in October so keep an eye out for it. Tomb Raider: Underworld is due out in November in North America.
[READ MORE]

Fallen Earth Hits Accelerated Content Completion Goal

by: Eva - posted: 10/6/2008 2:10 PM - Comments (0)
Fallen Earth MMO team has made its content completion goal after nine months of accelerated development. The results are a high yield delivery of custom character content, dialog, motion-captured animations and emotes for this post-apocalyptic MMO. these are some of the things that keep players interested in an MMO as they progress. Combat will inevitably get to be routine, but customizing your character's stuff is always new.

Fallen Earth is still in Alpha testing at this point, but usually those gamers signed up for newsletters get the first word and shot at beta testing when it comes around. Check out the press release after the break and then visit the Fallen Earth website to find out more about the game and get your name on the list.
[READ MORE]

Atlus Awarding Teddies to Lucky Persona Faithful Fans

by: Eva - posted: 10/6/2008 1:41 PM - Comments (0)
Atlus is giving away plush Teddies to 15 members of its Atlus Faithful fans as part of the "Teddie for the Faithful" sweepstakes. Teddie is a member of the new team from Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4 which comes out December 9.

Lest you fear Teddie is an indication that the Persona series is going soft, only the blowing your brains out to trigger your powers has been changed. The rest of the action, suspense and violence is still intact. Check out the press release following the break to get signed up as part of the Atlus Faithful for your shot at a Teddie plush. Stay tuned for more promotions as Atlus gears up to release Persona 4.
[READ MORE]

EA 's Madden 09 goes Light Red to Fight Breast Cancer

by: Eva - posted: 10/6/2008 1:30 PM - Comments (0)
In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, EA has released a limited edition of its popular football franchise, Madden NFL 09 Pink. The game proudly bares the pink ribbon that has become synonymous with breast cancer awareness world-wide and The Deanna Favre HOPE Foundation will receive a donation for every copy sold during the month of October. If you're late getting in the game and want to pick up a copy, you can grab madden NFL 09 Pink and NFL 09 All-Play Pink for the Wii exclusively at Target stores and www.NFLShop.com.

This is the kind of exclusive offer that I can wholeheartedly approve of. Deanna Favre, the wife of cover athlete Brian Favre founded the charity after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She continues to fight for women faced with this pervasive disease after winning her own battle. Like many others, my life has been marred by this disease. Let me remind you, breast cancer is truly nondiscriminatory affecting both men and women. If you were looking for a reason to own NFL 09 and are on the line, this is a good one.
[READ MORE]

Second Metal Gear Online expansion pack coming

by: John - posted: 10/6/2008 1:17 PM - Comments (0)
I've yet to try the online portion of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots but Konami continues to further the expansion along. Another expansion pack is on the way, titled MEME Expansion. The pack includes 3 new maps, 2 new characters, additional rules and settings, and more avatar parts. One of the new maps is in a jungle setting that's taken from Metal Gear Solid 3. [READ MORE]