Jolt

IO Interactive plan ambitious new title

Wed, 11 Nov 09 00:35:47 +0000

Insiders tease over third title

Speaking with CVG, Hitman developers IO Interactive have said that they are working on a new multi-platform title that is entirely "unlike anything else".

New Kane & Lynch and Hitman titles are said to be in the works at IO, but this secret project isn't either of these games, we hear.

"Imagine all the violence of Hitman and Kayne & Lynch but not scripted," teased an insider, chatting with the website.

We have literally no idea what this is, but given the violence note, we assume it isn't Mini Ninjas 2. More as we get it on this.

Modern Warfare 2 set for new records

Wed, 11 Nov 09 00:34:05 +0000

Retailers predict vast sales

A number of retailers are predicting that Modern Warfare 2 is on the cusp of breaking a number of previous sales records, the title well on the way to becoming the best-selling video game in history.

According to the BBC, retailers such as Amazon and Play.com were experiencing pre-order levels 50 percent higher than Grand Theft Auto IV, the current record holder.

Indeed, in the run up to launch Play.com reveal that they were taking over 150 pre-orders of the game per hour. The Collector's Edition of the game is also said to have sold out.

In the UK, MW2 could hit one-million sales by the end of the week, with as many as 5 million sales possible globally on day one.

Three-million copies of the title have been shipped to the UK.

Square and Eidos to become one company

Wed, 11 Nov 09 00:32:43 +0000

Merger completion looms

We knew it was coming, and today official word reaches us that Eidos Interactive and Square Enix's local operations have been integrated to become Square Enix Europe.

This will be the name given to everything falling under the banner of the organisations, Square having completed their post take-over re-jigging by the sound of things.

"Today marks a major achievement towards the goals we announced in July and represents the creation of an efficient and powerful structure for game development and publishing," enthuses CEO Phil Rogers.

"We have a formidable product-line up which truly showcases the diversity of our exceptional gaming brands."

The firm will be run from the former Eidos HQ in Wimbledon, south London.

GTA IV DLC set for PC platform?

Wed, 11 Nov 09 00:31:07 +0000

Achievements hint at move away from 360

The 'Stories from Liberty City' DLC for Grand Theft Auto IV has of course been one of the big, exclusive feather's in the Xbox 360's cap - but rumour today has it that this content could be heading for the PC too.

According to a new page on GTA4.net, a list of Games for Windows Live Achievements for the Lost and the Damned has been spied.

The Lost and the Damned is of course the title of GTA IV's first DLC release, although neither Rockstar nor Microsoft has ever commented on whether the DLC is 360 exclusive forever.

Take this idle gossip with a pinch of salt until you hear otherwise, then.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Tue, 10 Nov 09 23:47:19 +0000

Entirely called for

Dante's Inferno

Tue, 10 Nov 09 15:43:06 +0000

Poetic

Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online

Tue, 10 Nov 09 15:42:30 +0000

Tiger goes digital

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Tue, 10 Nov 09 15:41:50 +0000

MW-who?

Dante's Inferno

Tue, 10 Nov 09 15:41:09 +0000

Infernal

Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time

Tue, 10 Nov 09 15:40:05 +0000

Nuts and bolts

Activision call MW2 launch 'biggest ever'

Tue, 10 Nov 09 14:58:20 +0000

Massive early sales expected

An unsurprisingly buoyant Activision have described the release of Modern Warfare 2 as the "biggest entertainment launch" of all time - the firm expecting huge initial sales of the FPS.

Many UK stores opened at midnight to sell the title, while 750,000 pre-orders have been taken in Britain alone, Activision expecting first week sales of three-million units.

A glitzy premier was held in Leicester Square to celebrate the title's arrival, with celebrities including Dom Jolly, Goldie, Vernon Kay, Matthew Horne and more in attendance.

At the aftershow party, hip-hop star Dizzee Rascal performed, Activision clearly keen to push the significance of this launch beyond the typical videogames audience. There was even a "camouflage" carpet, complete with fans and cameras.

Modern Warfare 2 is out now. We'll bring you more soon.

No Modern Warfare 2 on Steam until Thursday

Tue, 10 Nov 09 14:48:51 +0000

Acti's opus on hold, digitally-speaking

While the PC version of Modern Warfare 2 was reported 'locked' until today, the official release date, the version of the game distributed digitally via Steam isn't actually playable yet.

According to word in from the PC download platform, users can order and begin the loading of the new FPS now - but it won't be unlocked (playable) until Thursday.

No one is quite clear why this is the case, given that the game is now available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and of course the PC (in boxed form), but presumably Activision are attempting to push people towards the retail versions of the game.

More Modern Warfare news very soon.

Netflix hits PS3

Tue, 10 Nov 09 14:44:51 +0000

Movie service officially launches

Word in from the official PlayStation blog today confirms that Netflix is now live for the PS3 console.

Sony and Netflix are also informing people that the Blu-ray streaming disc is now on the way, if you've requested it, and you can ask for one online if you haven't already.

The service is a US only offering, while Europe will be getting an altogether leaner, Sony-administered movie platform offering in the coming weeks.

The streaming Blu-ray disc is essential as it enables Netflix to negate their Xbox Live-exclusive relationship with Microsoft. A more subtle solution is expected once that exclusive tie-up concludes.

Medal of Honor set for return

Tue, 10 Nov 09 14:43:01 +0000

EA bringing back 'core' IP

Big name EA IPs are set to return to the limelight as the publisher focusses in on "core IP", having announced a 391 million USD second-quarter loss, prompting a re-evaluation of the firm's priorities.

It sounds suspiciously as if new IPs will be taking a back seat as John Riccitiello admits to "tough choices" that will see certain projects shelved in favour of surer bets.

"In the months ahead, you'll hear more about our plans to revitalize core IP, including the Medal of Honor franchise," offers EA Games chief Frank Gibeau, speaking with investors.

The Medal of Honor series was once one of EA's flagship IPs, but the name has suffered amid mediocre releases and stiff competition from Activision's Call of Duty series.

No Tales of Vesperia for Wii

Tue, 10 Nov 09 14:41:13 +0000

Actor made a mistake over name

Members of the J-RPG community got more than a little excited when speculation this week hinted that Tales of Vesperia could be on the way to the Wii.

Voice actor Rikiya Koyama had said the RPG was on the way to Nintendo's box, but it seems he made something of a faux pas.

While Koyama said that Tales of Vesperia was on the way, he actually meant Tales of Graces - which is indeed en route.

Two Worlds II

Tue, 10 Nov 09 11:47:28 +0000

RPGing

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

Tue, 10 Nov 09 11:44:17 +0000

Dark-slide

Super Street Fighter IV

Tue, 10 Nov 09 11:42:53 +0000

Kappow

EA SPORTS MMA

Tue, 10 Nov 09 11:38:39 +0000

Fighting fit

The Saboteur

Tue, 10 Nov 09 11:37:56 +0000

Sabotage this

Aion

Tue, 10 Nov 09 11:37:18 +0000

NCsoft's salvation

Criterion at the wheel for next Need for Speed

Tue, 10 Nov 09 10:43:45 +0000

Burnout developer tackling series

The next instalment of the Need for Speed franchise is coming courtesy of lauded Burnout Paradise developer Criterion, EA revealed today. In a conference call with investors, EA Games president Frank Gibeau confirmed work has long been under way at Criterion for an expected autumn 2010 release.

Surprisingly, Gibeau admitted failing in recent years to deliver compelling Need for Speed titles stating, "In recent years, we failed to put adequate resources behind the franchise and, as a result, quality suffered."

Putting the award-winning team at Criterion in charge certainly is a step in the right direction. Burnout Paradise was both a critical darling and commercial success with well over a million copies sold.

Hopefully Criterion can infuse its version of Need for Speed with the same successful spirit.

Super Street Fighter IV knocking out new online modes

Tue, 10 Nov 09 10:36:09 +0000

That's why they call super

Capcom has unveiled the first concrete details about Super Street Fighter IV including an array of new online modes. Team Battle, Endless Battle, Bonus Stages, and a Replay Channel will all come packed with the economically priced follow up to Street Fighter IV.

Team Battle promises 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 bouts that encourage cooperative fighting. Endless Battle mode will deliver straight up competition with the winner of each match staying to fight the next round and the loser placed at the end of the queue for a rematch. It's a format that was successful in Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online.

The planned Replay Channel naturally will allow you to view videos of fights as a way of scoping out strategies from other players. Lastly, new Bonus Stages task you with beating the clock as you pummel a sports car and series of liquor casks.

A specific release date hasn't been set for Super Street Fighter IV, but you can expect it to become available in disc format for Xbox 360 and PS3 sometime in the spring.

RE5: Alternative Edition slated for spring 2010

Tue, 10 Nov 09 10:33:07 +0000

Capcom confirms US and UK release

Originally announced as a PS3-exclusive in Japan, Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition will infect Xbox 360 as well when it arrives in the US and UK in spring 2010. Capcom announced the game game will be available as a download via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network next year.

The Alternative Edition introduces a new single player chapter starring previously unplayable character Jill Valentine. The bonus episode has you infiltrating the mansion of Umbrella Corporation founder Ozwell Spencer, which had been shown only as a flashback in the game's original March 2009 release.

Director Jun Takeuchi told Famitsu in September that the additional story sequence should offer at least two hours of gameplay.

Specific to the PS3 version will be support for motion controls. Along with utilising the current Sixaxis and Dual Shock 3 controllers, the game will be among the first to leverage Sony's new motion controller, which is also slated for a spring release.

Uncharted getting pinball treatment on PSP

Tue, 10 Nov 09 10:27:38 +0000

Drake continues to make a fortune

According to rating applications registered with the ESRB, developer Zen Studios is preparing a quartet of pinball games for PSP based on popular PlayStation properties including Uncharted.

Entitled Pinball Heroes: Uncharted, the ESRB listing describes "...a pinball game designed around the artwork and themes of the video game Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. Players use flippers to hit the ball around a crashed aeroplane, into silhouetted character targets, and off bumpers shaped like gold coins to score points."

Considering the glowing critical reception and solid sales of the recently released Uncharted: Among Thieves, it shouldn't be surprising that Nathan Drake and company are branching out from their treasure-hunting adventures to something new. Even Indiana Jones got his own pinball table, so it's only right that Drake gets one of his own.

Other games revealed by the ESRB include Pinball Heroes: Hot Shots Golf, Pinball Heroes: High Velocity Bowling, and Pinball Heroes: PAIN.

No word on when to expect any of these games, though a digital download release on the PlayStation Store is likely. We'll keep you posted as we hear more.Thanks GamerByte.

Borderlands DLC locked and loaded for Nov 24

Tue, 10 Nov 09 10:24:41 +0000

First of several expansions planned

The first batch of downloadable content for rough-and-tumble shooter Borderlands will hit Xbox Live and PlayStation Network on November 24 and 26, respectively.

Entitled The Zombie Isle of Dr. Ned, the download expands the world of Pandora with a new area populated by zombies. You're tasked with helping the well-intended Dr. Ned cure his unwitting zombified patients in the infested Jakobs Cove.

No word on whether new weapons will make it too, but developer Gearbox has pledged additional firearms at some point in the future. This will be the first of several planned DLC packs.

On Xbox Live, it'll set you back 800 MS points. No confirmation of how much it will cost on PS3, though seeing as how it'll be 9.99 USD in the US, it's safe to estimate a 5.99 GBP price tag in the UK.

EA nets social gaming outfit Playfish, guts 1500 jobs

Tue, 10 Nov 09 10:19:13 +0000

Catch one fish, throw back another

Confirming speculation, EA has evealed its buyout of social gaming studio Playfish. The 300 million USD merger will see Playfish assimilated into EA Interactive, the division responsible for casual and mobile games including iPhone and iPod Touch.

The purchase strengthens EA's position as it seeks to dominate the growing social gaming market that includes browser-based and Facebook titles. It already stands as the largest mobile games publisher and the acquisition of Playfish puts EA in striking distance of seizing the lead in social network gaming too.

Official news of the buyout comes on the day hundreds of employees have been laid off from EA studios in Orlando, San Francisco, and Burnaby, British Columbia. The layoffs are part of a restructuring plan expedited by the Playfish deal. 1500 employees have been given the slip as part of a "Cost Reduction Plan."

A statement by EA asserts the layoffs as necessary to save money on the same day it negotiated a 300 million USD spending spree. "This plan will result in annual cost savings of at least $100 million and restructuring charges of 130 to 150 million."

Sources claim hundreds at the company's Orlando, San Francisco, and Burnaby, British Columbia offices have already been let go with more expected between now and the end of March 2010.

Mass Effect 2

Mon, 09 Nov 09 19:00:00 +0000

Dark and brooding

Marketing behind Grand Turismo 5 delay

Mon, 09 Nov 09 15:11:25 +0000

Polyphony boss discusses sluggishness

While Polyphony's latest racing opus may now be complete, and in the final polishing stages, Gran Turismo 5 remains a fairly distant prospect - the game's Japanese debut off the cards until March next year.

A Western release, meanwhile, remains more illusive still, with no word on when the PS3 exclusive title will arrive. Polyphony chief Kazunori Yamauchi blames marketing.

"We will release [GT5] in March in Japan but for other regions, it has not been decided yet," he explained, adding on the prospect of releases elsewhere: "That's more depending on SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America) marketing decisions."

Thanks Kotaku.

Activision make 1m USD veterans donation

Mon, 09 Nov 09 15:09:07 +0000

New fund helps out of work soldiers

A new charitable initiative will shortly be announced by Modern Warfare 2 creators Activision, the publisher forming a non-profit organisation, backed with one-million USD, which will help get soldiers back into 'normal' careers.

The Call of Duty Endowment will be announced tomorrow, Veterans Day, and will of course be timed with the worldwide release of Modern Warfare 2.

"The joblessness rate that [veterans] should have should be far less than the national average, not more. How do you expect people to actually join the military if when they leave the military they can't integrate back into the free market they're supposed to be protecting?" Bobby Kotick tells the Washington Post.

The special fund will in the main be used to help fund groups that support veterans. More MW2 related chit-chat soon.

Trials available free on Torrents

Mon, 09 Nov 09 15:07:35 +0000

PC version of game dished out deliberately

Speaking online this week, developer RedLynx reveal that they beat pirates to the punch by uploading their own version of Trials for the PC to various Torrent networks.

The idea is that giving the game away for free will act as a promotional drive, and get players experiencing the motorcycle stunt game - already a hit on the Xbox Live Arcade.

CEO Tero Virtala says that the free version dished out for the notoriously pirate-friendly PC, omitted one key feature: leaderboards. Leaderboards are at the heart of the game, so Virtala says this encourages players to buy the full version and gain access to this key competitive element.

The CEO says RedLynx are unable to measure whether this unusual strategy has worked, but that the company has faith in their unusual stance nonetheless.

Wii Fit Plus takes UK number one spot

Mon, 09 Nov 09 14:27:03 +0000

Dragon Age enters chart at five

Alan Wake footage lands online

Mon, 09 Nov 09 14:25:30 +0000

Footage from adventure leaks out of Russia

Modern Warfare 2 reviews hit net

Mon, 09 Nov 09 14:24:10 +0000

Early coverage now live

No StarCraft II beta this year

Mon, 09 Nov 09 13:41:39 +0000

Blizzard promise test in new year

Blizzard have been chatting online today, the developer revealing that the long-awaited StarCraft II beta remains a distant prospect.

Speaking at IgroMir, Blizzard game maker Chris Sigaty apologetically reveals that the RTS title's beta test won't take place before the end of the year.

A trial in early 2010 is mooted by the producer, instead, despite Blizzard originally having speculated that we could be beta testing the title this winter (the RTS sequel was of course originally dated for release around-about now).

A launch in Q2 2010 is now expected, so let's hope for a beta test by February. We'll keep you posted.

More retailers release MW2 early

Mon, 09 Nov 09 13:35:24 +0000

GAME latest store to unleash titantic new title

GameStop have already unleashed Modern Warfare 2 in some areas (responding to early launches from other stores, we're told) and now UK chain GAME have done the same.

A number of other stores including Zavvi have also started dishing out the new FPS, according to anecdotal reports, with some pre-orderers getting their copies of the game as early as last Friday.

The game is of course officially out tomorrow, with some stores planning midnight launches to sell the game, although given that certain retailers are now openly selling the game it is unclear how climatic these midnight launches will now be.

Most reviews of the game, meanwhile, are expected tomorrow - while supermarket giant Asda - who have been selling the game cheap - report that they have taken some 600,000 pre-orders. That's in the UK alone. More soon.

British newspaper rounds on MW2

Mon, 09 Nov 09 13:33:13 +0000

While MP also attacks new FPS

Right-wing British newspaper The Daily Mail has launched an attack on Activision's Modern Warfare 2, on the eve of the game's worldwide debut.

A new article from the paper, published online, says MW2 lets players kill civilians in 'terror attacks'. The article inevitably focusses on the airport scene - which has already sparked controversy elsewhere.

Anti-gaming Labour MP Keith Vaz is also miffed: "I am absolutely shocked by the level of violence in this game and am particularly concerned about how realistic the game itself looks."

Vaz says he will raise the issue of the new game in parliament today.

Charles Martinet talks Mario

Mon, 09 Nov 09 12:22:12 +0000

A chat with the world's most famous plumber

Retailers do battle over Modern Warfare 2

Mon, 09 Nov 09 11:47:41 +0000

Game on sale early, price-war ensues

Big retail chains including US giant GameStop have been caught selling Modern Warfare 2 early, the store defending their decision by stating that it is a response to other stores putting the game up for sale early.

"This past weekend, GameStop made the decision to break street date and sell reserved copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in select markets where other retailers had broken street date. Our decision followed many conversations with Activision and was an effort to protect our customer base," reads word from the firm.

Meanwhile, UK stores are also using the game to thrash each other, all the major supermarkets selling the title for well below the RRP of 55 GBP.

Sainsburys offer the title for 26 GBP, Tesco 25 GBP (with another chart game) and Asda for 32 GBP.

Previously, the same stores did battle over FIFA 10 sales. Thanks Gamerzines, via VG247).

Drum Hero coming from Activision

Mon, 09 Nov 09 11:45:19 +0000

New trademark spied

We're already set to get yet more Guitar Hero next year, while Activision are obviously going to be pushing DJ Hero a great deal in the coming months - but what of Drum Hero?

Well, we've heard it rumoured before (back at E3, Blink 182's drummer said he wanted to be involved in the project), and now Activision have trademarked the name over Halloween.

The new trademark does of course cover new 'videogames', although given that drums are already an integral part of the Guitar Hero series, it is unclear if Activision are merely protecting their 'Hero' brand with this move.

Either way, we'll keep you posted on all Drum Hero news as we get it. Thanks Kotaku.

Activision line up more CoD and GH for 2010

Mon, 09 Nov 09 11:43:39 +0000

Biggies to return in new year

The latest Guitar Hero titles may be just out, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 arrives tomorrow, but Activision are already plotting the next iterations of these major series for 2010.

Speaking as they announced their third-quarter financial results, giant game maker Activision Blizzard said that new Call of Duty and Guitar Hero games will be released later next year.

Rumours abound that the next Call of Duty title could be in the works at Treyarch, and might well be set in Vietnam (best war music ever?). Guitar Hero 6, meanwhile, is an inevitability, but we've no details.

New Shrek and Spider-Man games are also out next year. Thanks VG247.

FFXIV beta codes coming with FFXIII

Mon, 09 Nov 09 11:37:24 +0000

Square Enix reward Japanese customers

Scanned snaps from Japan show off Square Enix's progress on Final Fantasy XIII, SCRAWL offering up the images alongside a spot of tantalising information.

According to the details derived from 'Shonen Jump', the Japanese version of Final Fantasy XIII will launch with beta codes, allowing players to help test new MMO Final Fantasy XIV - presumably on the PC.

What we don't know is whether these codes are being dished out in a limited fashion, the publisher presumably needing to control numbers entering the beta in some sense.

It is also plausible that the test will take place on the PS3, albeit unlikely, Sony having previously said the MMO would make it to their console.

MW2 PC locked until Tuesday

Mon, 09 Nov 09 11:33:44 +0000

Steam controls MW2 on beige box

The adverts are everywhere while the hyperbole reaches fever pitch ahead of tomorrow's official launch. Not that many pre-orderers haven't already got their copies of Modern Warfare 2, of course.

While certain lucky PS3 and Xbox 360 players got their copies of the latest Call of Duty delivered early, those picking up the PC version ahead of the official launch date are out of luck.

You may have the game, but it remains locked until Tuesday - the game activated via the official launch date on Steam.

So, PC gamers have a few more hours to wait, Rob Bowling simply telling Twitter: "If you bought a retail copy on PC, you can play it on 11.10.09."

Final Fantasy XIII news looms

Mon, 09 Nov 09 11:29:32 +0000

Release date due soon

Who likes puzzles? Certain budding members of the Final Fantasy community certainly do, having cracked a puzzle published on the official Final Fantasy XIII website.

"Solve this anagram to find out what lies ahead: A Henchmen Inventor Tent Unto. Check back Monday for the answer!" offers the site, teasingly.

Within a flash, eager forumites had cracked it, revealing: "Announcement Nov Thirteenth."

We're expecting release date news, naturally, so keep your eyes peeled this Friday as Square Enix unveil something.

Odd lawsuit attacks Apple, and Sarah Jessica Parker

Sun, 08 Nov 09 21:28:59 +0000

iPhone and iPod cases loom

Left 4 Dead 2 preloading on Steam

Sun, 08 Nov 09 21:27:10 +0000

New title on sale all week

Big sales for NCsoft's Aion worldwide

Sun, 08 Nov 09 21:25:53 +0000

Success in Europe and America aids publisher

Sega offers up early access to Bayonetta demo

Sun, 08 Nov 09 21:22:49 +0000

Demo codes up for grabs

New Assassin's Creed II developer diary released

Sun, 08 Nov 09 21:19:41 +0000

Art and story the focus

LBP celebrates first birthday

Sun, 08 Nov 09 12:39:02 +0000

Sackboy was one last week

We've already been enjoying the PSP version of LittleBigPlanet, and today we're pleased to wish sackboy happy birthday - Media Molecule's series hitting its first birthday within the last week.

In honour of the sack-like one's anniversary, Media Molecule plan to release lashings of new content over the coming weeks, with free new costumes due in just a matter of days.

One costume is a special birthday outfit for sackboy, while the other is a spacesuit get-up.

Those acquiring the game on PSP before December 3rd will also get limited edition Uncharted 2, Killzone 2 and MotorStorm themed costumes. Many happy returns.