Kotaku Receives The Eye of Judgment

You know how Kotaku is one of the big blogs and gets a bunch of free stuff from Sony and other companies (yes, I'm jealous), so today they received The Eye of Judgment, along with that, a PlayStation Eye:

The stand comes packed away in a smallish plastic bag and was fairly easy to put together, though it's not the sort of thing you're really going to way to take apart and put together over and over again. I think I would have preferred if they had made it collapsible instead of takeapartable.

The camera looks and feels pretty solid. It has a four microphone array. You can twist the lens, switching between a red and blue selection on the front of the lens. I'm not positive what this does but think it's either for switching between auto and manual focus or, more likely, between distance and close-up focus. If you couldn't tell, none of this stuff came with directions.

Sounds pretty good, I can't wait to get my hands on one. View pictures at the link.

[Via Kotaku]

Clive Barker's Jericho Demo Coming Thursday

Codemasters confirmed to GameSpot today that a PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 demo for Clive Barker's Jericho would be getting under gamers' skin this week. The PC demo will creep onto GameSpot Wednesday, with an Xbox Live and PlayStation Network trial slated to follow on Thursday.

[Via GameSpot]

IGN: PlayStation Eye vs Eye Toy Quality

Straight from IGN.

In practice, the PlayStation Eye works almost exactly the same as the EyeToy does with regards to its settings and whatnot that you'll find on the PS3. In the Accessory Settings under Camera Device Settings, you can view a preview window of what the camera sees and can change between either 50hz or 60hz display settings (to get rid of crawling lines on screens in the background). As of right now there are no options for capturing snapshots or videos directly to the system, but hopefully Sony will add at least rudimentary functionality for this with a future firmware update.

Whereas the EyeToy functions only as a camera, the PlayStation Eye has a built-in microphone to pick up your voice or whatever gross sound effects you wish to send your friends' way. Our voices seemed to get picked up and come through pretty clearly when testing this via a chat session, negating the need for wearing a headset while playing online. Of course, you'll then need to pipe voices through your TV when not wearing a headset, but the experience is much more comfortable.

Aside from its microphone, the PlayStation Eye bests the EyeToy in that it has two levels of zoom and utilizes an auto-focus feature so that you don't have to manually twist the lens in order to get a clear picture. While the two zoom levels is nice, the auto-focus makes setup a whole lot easier. As well, it resulted in a clear picture throughout its image, whereas some background stuff seen on the EyeToy may have come out blurry. For those of you with questionable posters on your wall, this might be a bad thing. The PlayStation Eye also refreshes its image noticeably faster than the EyeToy, matching the silky image of a video camera.

While all that is good news, the actual image quality isn't quite as good as we'd hoped. As you can see in some of the images below, the color levels of the EyeToy often looked more natural and it seems to deal with darkness better than the PlayStation Eye. The Eye's images often appeared to be greener than they should be, and there's a lot of graininess in dark scenes.

[Via IGN]

EGM November 2007 Scores & Rumors

The latest Electronic Gaming Monthly for November 2007 reveals some new information on the upcoming Saints Row 2 by Volition. We do not have that information at the moment, but will soon. Here are the reviews.

PLAYSTATION 3
NBA Live 08(PlayStation 3/Xbox 360): 6.5 (Bryan), 6.5 (Todd), 7.5 (Garnett)
NHL 2K8 (PlayStation 3/Xbox 360):4 (Bryan), 5 (Demian), 6 (G. Sewart)
FIFA 08(PlayStation 3/Xbox 360): 9 (Todd), 9 (John), 8 (Andrew P.)-Game of the Month (Tie)
Skate (PlayStation 3/Xbox 360): 9 (Nick), 8 (Jennifer), 6.5 (Todd)

PlayStation Portable
FF Tactics: The Lion War (PSP): 8.5 (Jeremy), 8.5 (Milky), 8 (Shoe)
Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow (PSP): 8 (A. Fitch), 8 (Brooks), 6.5 (Nick)
Castlevania: The dracula X Chronicles (PSP): 8 (Jeremy), 9 (Shane), 8 (Mark)
Star Wars Battlefront-Renegade Squadron(PSP)- 6 (Shoe), 7 (Skip), 6 (Michael)
Hot PXL (PSP)- 5.5 (Nick), 5.5 (Shane), 6 (Jennifer)

The issue has it's section of featurettes and what not, here is it summed up by a 1UP forum member.

PLAYSTATION 3
Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction-Taking a step back to make a huge step forward.
Tony Hawk's Proving Ground - Better than skate.
Half Life 2: The Orange Box- Basically say it's perfect.
Folklore - Not a triple A title, but good.
NBA 2K8- Looking awesome.
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights - Pretty good with added content.

PlayStation Portable
Soul Nomad and the World Eaters - For hardcore strategists only.

And along with that, came of course, rumors, lets take a look.

GOTY Version of Bioshock on the Xbox 360 with stuff that was gonna be in the nixed PlayStation 3 version.

Thats just about it. Thanks EGMFan89!

[Via 1UP]

TGS 2007: Assassin's Creed New Trailer

Final Fantasy VII "We Hope to Meet Final Fantasy VII Again" Full Page

If you remember about a week or two back, we got some information from Forever-Fantasy about the Crisis Core book and how it stated "We Hope to Meet Final Fantasy VII Again!" on the page.

Now we have a full page scan along with the page next to it. On the page next to it, it says "And Next?", which goes on to say "We Hope to Meet Final Fantasy VII Again!". Could that mean it's Square Enix's "next" project?

Rumor: Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway is Cancelled

XboxFamily has just received confirmation from Ubisoft that Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway has been canceled. No reason was giving to the site at the time of the announcement. Once details are given, we will be sure to keep you informed.

Because no official announcement has been made, and there is no reason for cancellation, we are classifying this as a rumor.

[Via XboxFamily]

Dead Space: First Screenshots & Details Revealed

EA has fomally announced Dead Space, a brand new sci-fi survival horror that's being billed as a videogame imagining of Event Horizon and Alien. Check out the first 12 screens at the link below.

The game's lead character is introduced as Isaac Clarke, a space-station repair guy on a mission to repair the communiations system of a deep space mining ship. When he gets there he finds out the crew have all been murderised by aliens with a penchant for dismemberment and Clarke has no choice but to fight his way out.

"We are all such huge fans of the horror and sci-fi genres; we wanted to create the most terrifying game we could, and keep the player on the edge of his seat the entire time,” explains Executive Producer at EA Redwood Shores, Glen Schofield.

[Via GamesRadar]

TGS 2007: Metal Gear Solid 4 Take Down Shakey Cam Gameplay

Here is some more Metal Gear Solid 4 gameplay from TGS 2007 where Snake sneaks his way into battle.

[Via GameTrailers]

Penny Arcade: DUALSHOCK 3

Penny Arcade's latest comic strip shows some Kaz Hirai humor. If you ask me, I think it's pretty funny, and it does make a lot of sense. Give your thoughts.

[Via Penny Arcade]

Saints Row 2: First Details

Yes, we finally have the first details on the upcoming sequel to a great first game, Saints Row.

The events in this game are taking place years after the events in the first.

"The explosive conclusion to Saints Row has left the player wounded, betrayed and thirsty for revenge, and now it's time to take back the city that has forgotten him", says THQ.

It's making some huge promises about Saints Row 2 too, enthusing that the game's
"set to revolutionise player freedom and open world online gameplay" with an "expanded and fully transformed city and true open-world online multiplayer".

"Saints Row 2 will be playable online in two-player co-op through the entire single-player campaign or in the all new open-world competitive multiplayer mode never before seen in the genre", THQ's said further about multiplayer in the sequel.

On top of that, new vehicles, new locations and new customisation options - for the likes of gender, age, voice, crib and gang - are in the pipe.

"Saints Row 2 has a much darker and more sinister story that leads your character down a path of betrayal, revenge and redemption against the city that has left him for dead, although we've blended that with the same light-hearted humour from the original," Greg Donovan, lead producer, has whispered in our shell-like.

"Couple that with the most robust open-world feature set ever developed in the genre, and Saints Row 2 promises a gaming experience that will offer players the perfect balance of gripping narrative and compelling gameplay options."

[Via CVG]

TGS 2007: Naruto PS3 Project Cam Trailer

Here is the first footage of the Naruto PS3 Project from GameTrailers members. We know it's crappy quality, but we will upload the actual one when it's put up but for now, enjoy.

[Via GameTrailers]

onAXIS TGS 2007 Predictions: What Came True

Well, before the start of the game show, we posted some predictions for the show, more than predictions, mostly hopes (grins). Anyway, whatever came true will not be striked out.

PLAYSTATION 3

• Angel Love Online will get a US release date for the PlayStation Network.
  
• Dead Rising 2 will be announced by Capcom as a title for the PLAYSTATION 3 and XBOX 360. (Inafune did say he wants to make it though.)
• Dragonball Z will get an exclusive series for the PLAYSTATION 3.
• Final Fantasy VII Remake will be announced along with Endless Crisis for the PLAYSTATION 3. The game may include online play, or even Home integration.
  
• Firmware 2.00 will be revealed, finally allowing in-game XMB (which also means in-game soundtrack), game invites, and enhanced profile features. (long shot, but hey)
  
• Kingdom Hearts III will be shown in a short trailer (downloadable on the PlayStation Network) leaving gamers wanting more.
  
• Metal Gear Solid 4 will get a release date, along with Metal Gear Online.
  
• Naughty Dog will finally reveal Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier.
• Naruto will get an exclusive series for the PLAYSTATION 3.
  
• SEGA will announce a new Sonic game for next gen systems.
  
• SONY will announce the Dual Shock 3 (or RUMBLAXIS) featuring Rumble, Motion Sensing, and double battery.
• SONY will announce a redesign for the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation Network.
• SONY will reveal the release date for Home, along with an announcement third-party games supporting Home. Along with that will come new Home features.
  
• SONY will reveal a new series for the PLAYSTATION 3 and other PlayStation consoles.
  
• Team ICO will announce Shadow of the Colossus II.
  

PlayStation Portable

• Firmware 4.00 will be revealed along with PLAYSTATION 3's 2.00.
  
• Daxter 2 will be announced by Naughty Dog, along with Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier.
  
• Kingom Hearts PSP will be announced for the PSP.
• SQUARE ENIX will announce that Crisis Core has sold all it's PSP LE units, with 100K sales in total added with the individual sales.
  

Wow, looks like we don't have a career in fortune telling. At least a few of them came true, right? But I was actually quite disappointed by TGS 2007. I think that the DUALSHOCK 3 isn't really that big of an announcement to tell the truth, that should of been saved for a regular day announcement.

What happened to that "PLAYSTATION 3-saving-game" that Famitsu was talking about? Maybe just rumors? I don't know. All I know is this wasn't the best TGS that we've had.

[View TGS 2007]

TGS 2007: White Knight Story Transformation Cam Gameplay

White Knight Story was one of the more anticipated titles at this years Tokyo Game Show. We haven't heard much about it till just now, with gameplay videos and such. Now, prepare to transform into the White Knight himself in this transformation gameplay.

[Via GameTrailers]

TGS 2007: Yakuza: Kenzan Extended Trailer

An extended version of the original trailer to SEGA's upcoming Yakuza: Kenzan. The epic feudal Japan is about to explode. Get ready!

[Via GameTrailers]

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Goes Gold

You heard it right. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has reached it's gold status and has been approved by both Sony & Microsoft. The game has not been rated yet by the ESRB, but is expected to be soon. It will release on November 5, 2007 for the PLAYSTATION 3, XBOX 360, and PC. Some key features:

• Featuring an available arsenal of more than 70 new and authentic weapons and gear from assault rifles with laser sites, claymore mines, .50 caliber sniper rifles, and M-249 SAW machine guns. With accessories like night-vision goggles and ghillie suits, for maximum concealment, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare has players locked and loaded to accomplish the mission.
• Delivering the most visceral action thriller ever, the title covers modern battle from the soldier to the satellite, where the need for air support is critical to success. The adrenaline rush deployment enlists gamers to fast-rope from tactical helicopters, ride in an armada of attack choppers, utilize jets to remove enemy strongholds and even engage hostiles from thousands of feet above the ground inside a state of the art aerial gunship.
• Featuring stunning next-generation graphics, players will be drawn into the cinematic intensity of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Amazing special effects, including realistic depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects will enlist players into the most photo-realistic
  gaming experience. Combine the lifelike graphics and the realistic battle chatter with the Call of Duty award-winning sound design and players will face battle as they have never before.
• Multiplayer builds from the success of Call of Duty 2 delivering a persistent online experience for greater community interaction. Featuring create-a-class options allowing players to customize gear that is best suited for play, to experience points enabling unlockables and perks, all the way to matchmaking and leaderboards for the latest in tracking, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare’s multiplayer is set to deliver easily accessible and addictive online play for all.

Make sure you pick up your copy and get online!

[Via WorthPlaying]

TGS 2007: King of Fighters XII Announced

SNK confirmed that King of Fighters XII would be hitting North America on the PLAYSTATION 3 and the Xbox 360 in early 2009. The last non-spinoff entry in the series was KOF XI in 2005, and the upcoming game is a 3D fighter that is shaded to look 2D. Koyama described it as "3D mixed with 2D." Before that, the title will be rolled in its Japanese arcade version in late 2009. Looking forward to seeing how SNK combines this.

[Via Kotaku]

TGS 2007: Testing Out Gran Turismo 5: Prolgue

Why test out upcoming games with a controller with rumble? Why not test it out like your driving. Here are some pictures of the Gran Turismo 5: Prologue booth from the Tokyo Game Show 2007.

[Via Ruliweb]