Archive for October 8th, 2007
October 8, 2007
We have received information from the \’Memor32\’ team that their new PS2 memory card with a USB connector is now available. Its initial specifications are as follows - 32MB PS2 memory card, USB connector load/unload save games to and from the PC and 100% load/save game compatibility (more than 1500 games tested). This product should be the same thing that a third party hacking group was going on about a while and we\’re hearing that it may have even shipped to some resellers already!
October 8, 2007
While some companies prefer to place their advertising messages into existing games, others feel it a better use of money to spend their advertising budget on making games developed solely to promote their product.
If ever a racer needed good controls, it’s this one.
The most notable advergaming experiment to date has been the Burger King trilogy of Xbox and Xbox 360 titles. Released in 2006 as $3.99 add-ons to combo meals, Sneak King, Big Bumpin’, and Pocketbike Racer combined to sell more than 3.2 million copies and helped spur the fast-food franchise’s quarterly profits by 40 percent.
Now the Xbox 360’s downloadable game service is getting its own advergame, as Microsoft today announced that Toyota’s Yaris will be one of this week’s Xbox Live Arcade Wednesday releases. The game lets players hop behind the wheel of one of three new Yaris models and race through oddly twisting tracks, shooting enemies with a tentacle rooted in the car’s hood, collecting loose coins and unlocking a dozen new Xbox Live achievements along the way.
Developed by Backbone Entertainment (Death Jr., Brooktown High), Yaris is also the first Live Arcade game that’s only available for a specifically limited time; US and Canada users will only be able to download the title for the next year.
While Yaris is the first advergame to make it to Live Arcade, it won’t be the last. PepsiCo ran a contest recently looking for concepts for a Doritos-themed game, with the winning entry being released over Xbox Live.
October 8, 2007
It’s no secret that Sony has been looking to establish itself in the world of in-game advertising. Earlier this year, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced an alliance with Nielsen Media Research to develop in-game ad-tracking technology. While it’s worked on that, Sony has also promoted PlayStation Home almost as much for what it can do for advertising partners as for what it can do for gamers.
Today Sony made its most overt move in the emerging field, announcing its new in-game advertising business unit, headed by an industry veteran. Sony’s in-game ad business will be run by Darlene Kindler, the company’s new director of network advertising. Kindler has previous experience with Nintendo of America, IREM, Data East, and most recently, in-game ad company and Google acquisition Adscape Media.
As part of her new role, Kindler will oversee SCEA’s strategy for in-game ads on all PlayStation systems and the PlayStation Network. That includes PlayStation Home, where SCEA is planning to place ads on billboards, shopping bags, soda cans, TVs, and other places “where users would expect to see them in real life.”
October 8, 2007
With the first episode debuting in June 2006 and the series initially slated to wrap by Christmas 2007, the continuation of Valve’s acclaimed Half-Life 2 shooter has followed more of a traditional release schedule. However, Drano now seemingly applied in liberal quantities, Valve is finally flushing out the oft-delayed Episode Two this week on the Xbox 360 and PC as part of the Orange Box. (A PlayStation 3 version is currently slated to follow later this year.)
A five-game compilation pack, the Orange Box includes the original Half-Life 2, its first two episodes, as well as Team Fortress 2 and Portal. It is rated M for Mature. For fans who can’t be bothered with all the pack-ins, Valve is also busting up the Orange Box into
October 8, 2007
The news came down last week that future low-end PS3s won’t have any backwards compatibility features, and that surprised a lot of onlookers. In response, Sony UK’s Ray Maguire has attempted to clarify their logic. Essentially, in Sony’s view, the money spent on back-compat features is better spent on developing new games or reducing the price of the console. “When PS3 first launched, Sony felt that backwards compatibility was an important feature as there were relatively few games for the new system, Maguire explained. ‘So it was a big decision,” he said of facility’s removal, ‘and we know it is a very emotive subject as lots of people think that backwards compatibility is high on the agenda and yet few really use it.’” For more on this, Joystiq has a few words on the implications of Sony’s decision, while Kotaku says the 40GB unit will be arriving in the US on Nov. 2nd. For those of you who already own PS3s: would you have purchased a unit if it didn’t have BC? If you don’t have one yet, does the removal of BC make you less likely to buy one?.
October 8, 2007
Gamespot is reporting that, for a second time, the UK’s British Board of Film Classification has declined to assign a rating to Rockstar’s Manhunt 2. And, again, Rockstar is appealing that decision. “As for why the edits weren’t to the BBFC’s liking, the board stated that the ‘reduction in visual detail in some of the execution kills’ was still not enough to bring the title in line with an 18 rating. The director of the BBFC, David Cooke, also said the organisation had suggested further changes to the game be made, although some requests were ignored. Rockstar responded with a statement shortly after the announcement, stating that it would also be appealing this decision, and that the extra changes it was requested to make were ‘unacceptable.’”.
October 8, 2007
AP - British regulators on Monday banned a toned-down version of the violent video game “Manhunt 2,” saying the changes didn’t go far enough to alter the game’s “bleakness and callousness of tone.”
October 8, 2007
Rumors are suggesting that the new R4 firmware update will contain a whole range of solid features. SHC support, Wii Connectivity and Game Fixes are on the agenda for the firmware which should be ready by the end of the week. This product is available to buy from Divineo.cn / Divineo.com / Germany / France / Spain / Sweden, Italy and UK.
October 8, 2007
Rumors yet to be confirmed suggest that a PES PS3 bundle is in the works. This image is allegedly of the Special Edition PS3, is it a real design or photoshopped?
October 8, 2007
Website pcaction.de has posted up a PES 2008 gameplay video between AC Milan and Newcastle FC. Moreover, the video shows off the new and far improved audio commentary. Have a look and a listen, then let us know what you think.
October 8, 2007
The unique control scheme of the Nintendo DS has allowed a number of unlikely series to flourish. One example is the Phoenix Wright franchise. The first two games have enjoyed a fair amount of success, and the series has accumulated a very loyal fan base. Now a third game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trials and Tribulations, is headed to the US and set for release on October 23. We just received a final build of the game and have already spent a few hours with Phoenix and his crew.
Like in the previous games, the first case (or turnabout, as the game calls them) takes place five years ago. Rather than playing the role of defender extraordinaire Phoenix Wright, you’re placed in the shoes of Mia Fay–yes, the same Mia Fay from the first game. Phoenix fans shouldn’t worry, though; he’s proximately involved as the defendant…accused of murder. This case is relatively simple and serves mostly as a refresher on how the game plays. It is interesting, though, to see Phoenix as a bumbling college student. Over the course of the trial you’ll learn what prompted Mr. Wright to pursue a career in law, and you’ll learn a little bit more about the mysterious Mia, too.
Phoenix wasn’t all that smooth in his college days.
The second case is where the game really picks up. It’s also where you’ll run into old friends like Detective Gumshoe, Peals, Maya, and a few more blasts from the past. This is also where you meet Godot, the white-haired, coffee-drinking attorney who, by the way, just happens to wear some sort of futuristic visor over his eyes a la Geordi from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Not only does this guy swear he came from the “depths of hell,” but he also seems to have some sort of grudge against Phoenix. Just the sort of thing you need to worry about when in the midst of a big case…
The second turnabout starts off like any other, but features a surprising twist that turns the whole case upside down. This is the first case in the game where you’ll have to do your own detective work. Gathering evidence is done just as it was in previous games. You move from location to location examining suspicious items and presenting evidence and character profiles to try to build a defense before
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