PlayStation LifeStyle » Jonathan Leack

Vita Sales Plummet Further

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:42:37 +0000

As if PlayStation Vita’s sales numbers weren’t already alarming, the handheld managed to drop to less than half last week’s numbers, and a full 95% over launch week.

Media Create’s Vita figures place it at 18,361 units sold for the fifth week following release, suffering a strong post-holiday drop (along with other hardware like the 3DS with dropped over 50% to 100,000). Compared to previous weeks it looks like this:

Week 1: 324,859
Week 2: 72,479
Week 3: 42,648
Week 4: 42,915
Week 5: 18,361

The low figure places it in fourth for hardware sales during the week of January 9th to January 15th, even behind the older but much more affordable PlayStation Portable. This is concerning, especially with how well the Vita was received before launch, but one that is a bit unsurprising given post-launch trends. With a poor Japanese launch, Sony will have to look to huge marketing campaigns and its noticeably Western launch library to be competitive during future debuts on North American and European shores. Of course, as we’ve discussed before, this doesn’t signal the end of the Vita.

If you’ve been planning to pick-up a Vita once it arrives in the West, have the poor sales in Japan affected your decision? Share your response in the comments below.

Rumor: Square Enix Tells Final Fantasy VII Fans to “Let it Go”… Should We?

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:39:33 +0000

Final Fantasy VII. A mere mention of the name evokes as many great memories as it does requests to remake the game in HD. Square Enix has commented on it sparingly in the past, but this month an anonymous employee has reportedly made the potential for a future remake look grim.

During CES 2012, several anonymous Square Enix employees apparently spoke to 2D-X about the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series, eventually sharing some disagreement with the thousands, if not millions, of fans that want to see Sephiroth wage battle on Gaia in 1080p.

I honestly don’t believe that people truly understand Final Fantasy VII. I think if they went back and played it today, they wouldn’t appreciate it nearly as much as they did before. That might not be the case for all Final Fantasy VII fans, but I think a lot of people need to let it go and accept it for what it is.

Is Final Fantasy VII really not as great as we remember it? Sure, the wealth of discussion about it over the years has made it somewhat of a legend in the gaming community, and some argue that there were other RPGs that were even better during the 90s (i.e. Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI). However, if Final Fantasy VII‘s sales, reputation, and multimedia collection are any indication, it’s a behemoth when compared to nearly any game in existence.

Rarely is gameplay brought into consideration, though, and that’s where Square Enix is probably right. Turn-based RPGs simply don’t fare well anymore, and their design team has been running around looking for a way to modernize JRPGs since Final Fantasy XII came out in 2006. But the combat isn’t what makes Final Fantasy VII arguably the most beloved game of all time. It’s rare to see a game with much content, such admirable characters, and a story that flows you through an unforgettable journey. If Square Enix is really struggling with how to tackle this, might I suggest Final Fantasy VII with Final Fantasy X‘s combat system? I’ve always wanted to use all of the characters available in a single fight, and that would be a great option.

So should we “let it go” or keep pushing? Given how dry JRPGs have been lately, I say we keep pushing. If anything, Square Enix is just waiting for a console that has a massive install-base to drive profitable sales. In an industry where profit is everything, it’d be a mistake for a corporate juggernaut like Square Enix to not take advantage of something with as much potential as a Final Fantasy VII remake.

EA Transfers Battlefield 3 Gameplay Designer to Unknown Project

Jonathan Leack — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:42:03 +0000

As with any online game, Battlefield 3 has been constantly updated after release to bring bug-fixes, balance, and new content to the game. Among those in charge of what makes its way to each update was Alan Kertz, Gameplay Designer at DICE. However, his time with Battlefield 3 has come to a close.

Alan Kertz is leaving DICE’s Battlefield 3 team to work on a new project which is presently unknown. His goodbye Tweet states:

Moving on from BF3, leaving the gameplay in the very capable hands of @gustavhalling and @stormonster.

Kertz has had a major influence on Battlefield 3‘s focus and mechanics including post-launch patch content. Gustav Halling and Tim Kjell will now be making the decisions, and without Kertz’s involvement we might be seeing some changes in the direction of upcoming patches.

Furthermore, it’s clear that Kertz is now involved in a different project, which raises questions as to what that might be. Is it another Battlefield? There’s even a rumored Mirror’s Edge 2 which could be a possibility. Whatever it is, we probably won’t know for certain until E3 at the very earliest, which won’t be until June.

Battlefield 3 Road Rage Video Shows Why the Series is Naturally Hilarous

Jonathan Leack — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:02:18 +0000

While the Battlefield series is known best for its huge maps and war-like battle experience, when I hear its name I think of driving dune buggies into groups of enemies, jets doing kamikazes into helicopters, and huge random explosions. You may have passed on the game, or maybe haven’t played it since Skyrim and Uncharted 3 came out, but a new video might inspire you to hop back on and remember why sandbox games are sometimes the most fun you can have.

YouTube user halo123456 has uploaded a video which I found hilarious and a great example of why Battlefield is so fun to play. See for yourself below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Seeing the jet fly into the helicopter was enough to get me laughing, not to mention front flips and epic buggy skirmishes. It reminded me of a time in Battlefield 2 when I was playing Gulf of Oman and saw a player’s boat launch over the aircraft carrier before being flown into by an F-35C at supersonic speeds. Never have I seen something so random in a video game, and it made for some great fireworks.

Did the video remind you of any awesome and/or funny moments you’ve had in the Battlefield 3 series? Share your memories in the comments below!

The Maps, Game Modes, and Vehicles of Twisted Metal

Jonathan Leack — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:21:11 +0000

Twisted Metal is locked and loaded, ready to return to the big screen for its first time in a long decade. The official site for the upcoming PlayStation 3 release, Twisted Metal, has just been updated with tons of goodies which detail just how big of a return Sony and the team at Incognito Entertainment are planning. Now we have the full list of maps, game modes, and vehicles so you can start planning your path of destruction.

Maps

Watkyn’s Harbor

Enter the industrial zone of east Los Angeles at your own risk. Harbor City is the city’s grimy oil center — lined with underground canals and smoky pathways.

Blackrock Stadium

This is where death comes to play. The crowd at Black Rock Stadium screams for extreme head-to-head combat and ultimate destruction as they watch cars slaughter each other in Calypso’s beloved death-sport arena.

Sunsprings, California

The suburbs aren’t quiet anymore. In a classic warfare between two rival high schools, no one stands a chance. Demolish all the neighborhood buildings and houses that stand in your way.

Diablo Pass

Speed through the desert outside of Las Vegas with a dry sense of humor. Winding roads, canyon-side cliffs and steep hills make up the death-defying Devil’s Canyon.

Diesel City

The City isn’t what it used to be. The shady streets and run-down highways reek of mischief and corruption, ready for a massacre to explode at any moment.

Metro Square

Metro Square is the metropolitan heart for big-city action and annihilation. Bright lights become spotlights for high-speed violence and urban destruction.

Adventure Park

In for a wicked ride? Big Time Adventure is no ordinary theme park, but a sadistic playland operated on twisted amusement.

Los Angeles Skyline

Ascend to a modern battle arena atop Los Angeles’ tallest skyscrapers. Witness opponents fall to their death from the dangerous rooftops of the LA Skyline.

Game Modes

Death Match
Last Man Standing
Hunted
Team Death Match
Team Last Man Standing
Team Hunted
Nuke

Vehicles

Axel
Sweet Tooth
Darkside
Reaper
Shadow
Crimson Fury
Death Warrant
Juggernaut
Junkyard Dog
Meat Wagon
Outlaw
Roadboat
Roadkill
Spectre
Talon
Vermin
Warthog

Needless to say, Twisted Metal will have more content than any previous release in the series, so these 10 agonizing years of wait will be rewarded when the game finally launches on February 14th in North America, and February 17th in Europe.

Uncharted 3 1.03 Patch Paves the Way for Exciting DLC

Jonathan Leack — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:06:13 +0000

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception has soldiered on post-release with a couple of patches and adjustments which have helped refine what was already a heavily polished experience. Now v1.03 is out, and while it doesn’t change a whole lot, it does pave the way for plenty to follow.

Below are the patch notes for Uncharted 3‘s v1.03 patch, as detailed on Naughty Dog’s official site:

Users in the largest party in a game room will no longer be designated as Villains a large majority of the time
Cutscene viewer audio issues fixed (3D only)

In addition to the above changes, the patch contains the framework necessary to run some DLC which Naughty Dog is excited to be releasing soon. Eric Monacelli mentioned that all information regarding the DLC will be revealed by January 17th, which falls on the same day as next week’s PlayStation Store update. The content has been said to apply only to the multi-player experience, so if you enjoy the competitive environment in Uncharted 3, be sure to stay tuned.

Original Killzone Coming to PS3, But Not In HD

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 22:22:04 +0000

Chances are you’ve taken up arms in Killzone 2 or Killzone 3 by now, but have you wondered what happened before the series made its way to the current generation? Maybe you don’t have a backward compatible PlayStation 3 or a PlayStation 2. Well that’s okay, because soon you’ll have a new affordable option.

Sony has confirmed that the original Killzone will be added to the PlayStation Store as a PlayStation 2 classic. It’s scheduled to arrive in the US on January 24th, and will be available at the golden price of $9.99, but details for Europe were not given. Unfortunately, it will not be an in HD Collection form, so those wanting to experience the series’ roots in full-HD glory are short of luck. Oh, and there won’t be any trophies either.

Killzone debuted in November of 2004 and was received moderately well with many critics praising it for its remarkable visuals, a trait that both of its successors would retain, but many felt the game was a bit too buggy and tried to push too much out . Plot-wise it precedes the second installment, so if you enjoy the story found in the second and third games, then this may be $10 well spent.

What the PlayStation 4 Needs to Lead the Next Generation

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:19:20 +0000

PlayStation 4 rumors have been heating up as of late, with many people expecting its long-awaited announcement sometime this year. It’s inevitable as the PlayStation 3 is now over five years old, and Nintendo has put pressure on Sony with the debut of the Wii U at E3 last year. It’s not a matter of if but when, and as we learned this generation, a strong launch can cement a console’s lead. Below we’ve listed what Sony can do to make sure the PlayStation 4 not only starts, but remains, on top.

Keep That Strong First-Party Arsenal

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves -- the nuclear warhead of exclusives.

Sony currently has more first-party studios than any competitor, and it’s much easier to have a good showing at conventions when you have a powerful list of exclusives. In an age where more than 90% of games are multiplatform, the few exclusives that do exist can make all the difference. Continuing to invest in developers like Naughty Dog and making sure second parties don’t jump ship and follow the footsteps of Insomniac Games is one way to make sure Sony has a leg-up over the competition. If you ask virtually anyone who only owns a PS3 out of all current-generation consoles how they’re able to stick to only one platform, chances are you’ll be pointed to a list of exclusives. Case in point.

Ditch the XrossMediaBar

I swear it looked futuristic 5 years ago...

The XrossMediaBar is a slick interface, but it’s beginning to show its age. Navigating from one section to another sometimes feels like it takes more steps than it should. While the PlayStation 3′s XMB is nearly the same as when it launched, Xbox Live has evolved almost on a yearly basis. Changing it frequently might not be the answer, but people like to see visual improvements, and, if nothing else, simply optimizing the layout will lead to convenience and happy consumers. The PlayStation Vita has an interface of its own which is more modern and streamlined, so chances are the PlayStation 4 will follow suit.

A Launch Line-Up That Leaves a Mark

One of several ways to successfully CQC the competition.

It’s hard to forget the days when people said the PlayStation 3 had no games. It’s funny to look back now that its library is arguably the most diverse of the generation, but back in 2006 it wasn’t. Multiplatform games will be there to greet the console assuming the hardware is there to support it, but getting those first-party studios involved early on is what will make the difference. Waiting four years to see Gran Turismo was something we hope to never see again. If you come out swinging, it makes everything afterward much more manageable.

Keep it Easy for Developers

Doesn't look very special... because it isn't.

The Cell Processor has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has provided the power to produce games as stunning as Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception, but on the other hand multiplatform games have suffered, and development teams have complained about difficulties. The Cell Processor isn’t necessarily worse than your average CPU architecture, it’s just different. Since this is an industry where development time is everything, the Cell Processor has been more of a hindrance than anything. Similarly, having only 512 megabytes of memory with only 256 dedicated has been an obstacle for years now, and the reason we still haven’t seen a solution for cross-game voice communication. That alone speaks for itself.

But developers are finally getting used to the Cell, so sticking to the same system with an upgraded architecture wouldn’t be too bad. Neither would simply using hardware that developers are more comfortable. Trying to change the game too much and use a radically different architecture only caused problems with the Cell, and could once again cause problems on PS4.

If People Have to Work Overtime to Buy It, It’s Too Expensive

$599 U.S. Dollars!

If there was one thing that has prevented the PlayStation 3 from ever reaching its sales expectations, it would have to be its original pricing model. Kaz Hirai’s announcement of $599 US Dollars will forever live in infamy, and if Sony wants to make things more difficult for the competition, they’ll need to launch the PlayStation 4 with a reasonable price tag. $299 is probably asking for too much, especially when Sony is known for going above and beyond with hardware, but $399 is about right. Families don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on Christmas gifts, so making the PlayStation 4 the affordable “it” item to have during the holidays should be the goal in mind.

So what do you think Sony needs to do to be as competitive as possible next generation? Share your thoughts below.

Consoles Awaken a Sea of Demons; Diablo III is Officially Multiplatform

Jonathan Leack — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:33:12 +0000

Diablo III is arguably the biggest release set for 2012, and its PC-exclusive status has made it a golden egg on a platform that lately hasn’t seen many blockbuster exclusives. However, rumors have soared for months now that the game might make the award-winning series’ first transition to the console environment since 1998. With its release window approaching, multiplatform has seemed like nothing more than that: rumors. But a simple Tweet from a Blizzard employee has revealed one of the most surprising multiplatform jumps in history.

Blizzard Community Manager Micah Whipple, also known as Bashiok, was asked by a user whether or not Diablo III will be coming to consoles, to which he replied:

Yup. Josh Mosqueira is lead designer for the Diablo console project.

With Activision funding the project, this comes as less of a surprise. The good thing is that Diablo III‘s gameplay is one of a kind, and should transition to controller inputs relatively smoothly unlike its MMORPG kindred. Hell, the first Diablo was able to work on the original PlayStation, so the PlayStation 3 should have no problem. The only thing still left in question is what consoles it will release on. Hopefully Blizzard is attracted to Sony’s free-to-play online model and will bring one of the best series in PC history to the PlayStation 3.

Jaffe Suggests Renting Twisted Metal to Those Expecting a Blockbuster Campaign Mode

Jonathan Leack — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:20:45 +0000

The bar has been set extremely high this generation with the likes of games such as Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception finding a way to provide both a memorable single-player experience with a multi-player that can keep you busy for months. But not all games are equal, and most games lean heavily toward one feature or another. Twisted Metal might fall into the latter based on comments made by the game’s director.

Twisted Metal Director David Jaffe shared some honest words in a recent Twitter post which articulated his latest game’s focus on multi-player. He stated:

BUT to keep expectations in check, know this: the bosses are super cool, I think the stories/cutscenes/game fiction is really very cool, and the campaign is more varied than any other TM we’ve ever made BUT if you go in expecting a campaign the likes of BATMAN:ARKHAM CITY, SKYRIM, GEARS OF WAR, KILLZONE 3, etc…you will be sorely dissapointed.

Was anybody expecting a Skyrim level experience from Twisted Metal‘s campaign mode? Hopefully not. Thanks for the heads-up Jaffe.

His next words were a bit more surprising.

If you are buying the new TM ONLY or MOSTLY for campaign, might I suggest a rental?

Sony CEO Jack Tretton will probably facepalm if he ever hears that David Jaffe suggested renting one of the PlayStation 3′s biggest exclusives of 2012. With that said, I can understand where Jaffe is coming from since he gets slammed with hundreds of mentions on Twitter and YouTube posts every day which surely include people who share their dissatisfaction. At least they’ve been warned. For those of us who are buying Twisted Metal on the assumption that it’ll be roughly as enjoyable to play co-op and multi-player with as previous releases in the series, chances are we’ll be glad we bought it.

Twisted Metal releases on February 14, 2012. If you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth buying let me note this: pre-orders include Twisted Metal: Black for free, and we’ve had a ton of fun playing it at game conventions since its announcement at E3 2009. You decide.

Dylan Jobe Details Starhawk Beta

Jonathan Leack — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:18:06 +0000

Now that 2012 is here, it’s time to begin looking forward to another year of hot releases. One of this year’s most promising exclusives is Starhawk, the long-rumored spiritual successor to Warhawk that was revealed last year. Closed beta testing has been running for over a month now, and now that the inevitable open beta is upon us, the game’s Director has stepped in to share the details.

Dylan Jobe confirmed that all current Starhawk beta testers will be able to take part in testing during the open beta coming soon. His Twitter post states:

Private BETA Testers are *AUTOMATICALLY* granted access to the Public BETA. Just don’t delete Starhawk from your HDD!!!

He also mentioned that a 1.2 update will coincide with the open beta release, which presumably will include some adjustments that closed beta testers have asked for. Additionally, ALL PlayStation Plus subscribers will participate in the open beta. If you want to ensure that you get to play Starhawk before it releases later this year, you’ll have to subscribe to PlayStation Plus.

Square Enix Feels Generous and Plans Final Fantasy XIII-2 Demo Release Next Week

Jonathan Leack — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:22:20 +0000

Final Fantasy XIII left mixed feelings for many, so chances are you’re not sure whether or not you should fork over $60 to purchase its sequel when it comes out later this month, but that’s what demos are for, and Square Enix is feeling generous.

According to this week’s PlayStation Blog’s Blogcast, a Final Fantasy XIII-2 demo will be released during next week’s PlayStation Store update on January 10th. That’s three weeks before its official release, giving you ample time to try out the new mechanics and see if 2012 will start out with a JRPG bang. The only bad thing is that if you do end up enjoying it, you’ll have to wait anxiously until January 31st in North America and February 3rd in Europe to finally get your hands on this year’s Final Fantasy.

Based on past playable demos released from the Final Fantasy series, the gameplay piece will likely be what was seen on convention floors during 2011. If that’s the case, the demo will feature Serah and Noel as they seek to find Lightning who has disappeared after the events of Final Fantasy XIII. There will be plenty of gameplay as well as a mini-boss in addition to the gorgeous visuals that Square Enix is known for. Be sure to try it out, and share your experiences with us!

BioWare Places Mass Effect 3′s Ending as Utmost Priority

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:48:17 +0000

Mass Effect might only be a four-year old series, but it’s one that is ready to go out with a bang. BioWare has stated in the past that they plan to end the trilogy in fashion, but with how the games interweave and value player choice, fans have wondered what that will entail for its inevitable ending.

Creative Director Casey Hudson is confident that Mass Effect 3‘s ending will be proper, and has even conveyed to OXM UK that it’s been extremely important during the development cycle. He stated:

We want to end the trilogy really strongly, and that’s the most important thing, and then we have a few ideas for things we can think about doing in the future. But we’re okay with making it difficult for ourselves, because the most important thing is giving people a great ending.

Mass Effect 3‘s ending has been talked about for years, and many are still left wondering how choices like *spoiler* killing or letting the Rachni Queen live in the original Mass Effect *spoiler over*will affect the story arch. With two full games of options, and plenty more to follow in the third installment, there will hopefully be several directions for the path to follow, giving previous decisions value. Oh, and there are plenty of secrets too, such as Tali’s face. At this point the series is beginning to look like a 100-page Goosebumps novel that has so many possibilities that it’ll be nearly impossible for BioWare to wrap up everything. Or can they?

Should God of War IV Have a Multiplayer Mode?

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:57:21 +0000

God of War IV has been all but announced at this point – several magazines have leaked information and even Composer Timothy Williams has it listed on his resume, but that isn’t the most surprising part. Several rumors have stated that God of War IV will be the first game in the award-winning series to include a multiplayer element. What the multiplayer will entail is anyone’s guess, but its mere mention has made us wonder: would multiplayer really be a good idea for God of War?

God of War wouldn’t be the first video game series that has a strong single-player presence to jump in the multiplayer bandwagon. The Uncharted series did it very successfully with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, and even managed to deliver a powerful narrative despite there existing a multiplayer component. Mass Effect 3 is the most forthcoming example, and while that decision has been meet with criticism, it has potential.

The main thing to note is that it’s true that a development team does have to allocate resources to developing the multiplayer feature(s). Does a compromise need to be made? Not necessarily if the team is experienced, staffed properly, and goes in knowing what they want to accomplish. Santa Monica Studios has been around a very long time, and to say that they’re veterans would probably be an understatement, so if their design team decides to add multiplayer functionality, chances are it won’t cut into the quality of the story mode. It’s also important to note that Santa Monica have doubled their team size since the release of GOW III.

So other games have done it, but would multiplayer really work with God of War‘s formula? God of War has been known to utilize a static, choreographic camera that can’t be controlled, as well as very linear environments. These qualities don’t translate very well into the multiplayer arena. If Santa Monica Studios plans to allow more than one player to play at a time, then they’ll either have to make the mode co-operative, or an analog-controlled camera might have to be introduced. While the former is a strong possibility, the latter would compromise what has been a winning formula thus far. God of War team members have cited in past interviews that its static camera allows them to direct the player’s attention to important elements in the environment, and also helps with guiding the player through the journey by giving it a sense of directional flow. As a result, chances are that the multiplayer won’t be competitive, at least in the normal sense.

Another possibility is that there will be challenges which reward points based on speed and style with a scoreboard present to give it a sense of online competition similar to what Mirror’s Edge did. We saw the Challenges of Olympus in God of War III which merely rewarded trophies and unlockables for the single-player upon completion. If fully featured, like with Mortal Kombat‘s challenges and with leaderboards, it could be a great outlet for those who feel like they’re a master of Kratos. With that said, being able to co-op through levels and/or the main story would be a bit more of a treat for fans of the series.

At this point God of War seems to have accomplished everything it has sought out to do. It’s delivered enormous set-pieces that few games can challenge, has completed epic story arches, and has several titles with high critical reception and sales. The series could definitely use a new spark, especially after the dramatic climax that was God of War III. A multiplayer mode could give it the lift that it needs, and who can say no to running through massive environments destroying waves of enemies with a friend?

So what do you think? Should the next God of War release include a multiplayer mode? If so, what modes? Share your response in the comments below.

Ken Levine Boobshocked by Shallow Reception of Elizabeth in BioShock Infinite

Jonathan Leack — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:44:00 +0000

BioShock Infinite is looking to be a radical departure from the previous two releases in the series, not only because of its sky-borne setting, but its story as well. Instead of playing an average man trying to escape from Rapture, BioShock Infinite will let the player control an agent in charge of rescuing a trapped woman named Elizabeth. As such, Elizabeth will play a major part of the story arch and, while the game’s designer expects players to become emotionally attached to her, so far they’ve been attached for a different reason.

Irrational Games Designer Ken Levine spoke about BioShock Infinite’s pre-release reception in a recent interview, and was dumbfounded by how consumers have spent more time talking about Elizabeth’s watermelons than anything else. He said to OXM:

It’s disappointing when [Elizabeth's appearance] becomes a focus for conversation because that was never my intent and it’s sort of a disincentive – I’d much rather talk about what she’s going through as a person

Lesson learned: if you want teenagers to focus on the emotions of a character, don’t use a low-cut dress on a woman with C-cup breasts. In defense of gamers, it’s hard to talk about anything other than the physical nature of the game when we’ve only heard a little about the story but have minutes full of gameplay footage showing Elizabeth engaging in parkour through the clouds in a cute dress.

You can see a lot more from Elizabeth when BioShock Infinite releases later this year.