Tuesday, November 6, 2007

GameSpy Previews Turok


The latest preview for TouchStone & Propaganda Games' upcoming Dinosaur action title, Turok, is from GameSpy. The preview reveals new gameplay demonstration and some dino-luring. Enjoy.



[Read: Turok Preview]

Activision Reveals Guitar Hero III DLC Plans


Activision yesterday discussed their immediate plans for Guitar Hero III downloadable content. There will be three new download packs for Guitar Hero III on the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360's online stores coming this month (November). Each of those download packs contains three songs, meaning only nine new songs.

Hopefully, more will come as the time passes.

[Via 1UP]

Kane & Lynch: Insider #3


Get an in-depth look of Eidos Interactive's Kane and Lynch: Dead Men and it's incredible multiplayer modes in this new insider video.

Europe: PLAYSTATION Eye Delayed to December?

Originally pegged for a release date of November 9th many were expecting the PlayStation Eye to be in their hands this Friday. But today UK retailer Play.com changed the release date of the product to the 7th December and Amazon changed it to the 14th December.
The biggest gaming retailer in the UK GAME still do not have the product listed, which begs the question will it be making its way to british shores before christmas?

The PLAYSTATION Eye was originally planned for the release date of November 9, 2007 in Europe. Today, UK retailer PLAY revealed the release date to be the 7th of December and Amazon UK also changed theirs to the 14th of December.

Hopefully, the PLAYSTATION Eye will be in the hands of Europeans before Christmas so they can share the family fun with all the visitors.

[Via PLAY & Amazon]

PLAYSTATION Network Maintenance Added PSN Card & Promo Field


If your wondering what today's PLAYSTATION Network Maintenance was for, then go to your PLAYSTATION Network's Account Management/Transaction Management menu and see for yourself.

There is now a field reading "Redeem PLAYSTATION Netweork Card or Promotion Code". Could this mean that pre-paid PLAYSTATION Network Cards are right on the horizon? Could this also mean Sony will be throwing out some freebies for old downloadable titles?

Night Note: What Really Grinds My Gears

To: onAXIS Readers
From: onAXIS Administrator
Subject: Reapers and Game Blowers

I have a few feelings to share with you today. First off, a good one. I've been watching CW's new series, Reaper, since episode one, and I love it so far. The whole idea of it, the way they need to capture the escaped souls, it's very creative. You should check it out. As a matter of fact, here is a trailer below.


Secondly, through N4G's Tips section, I've come across a MySpace web blog known as GamesBlow. Now, I'm all for expressing yourself and such, but if you take a look at the "General" section in "GamesBlow Interests", it says "Being unbiased about videogames". If you look at their blog, they are clearly biased. It just annoys me, even though the site is biased against the Xbox 360 and Wii, it's just annoying to see someone write like that. You get what I mean?

Anyway, check out today's stories.

HOT Stories for November 6, 2007
Cory Barlog Leaving SCEA, Speaks of GOW III
Insomniac to Bring on the Downloadable Content
WE2008 on JP PLAYSTATION Store
IGN Launches PLAYSTATION Network Portal
Sony: What Do You Want Next Update?
EA Chicago Closed Down
The New PLAYSTATION 2
Ratchet & Clank Future Launch Trailer

Cory Barlog (GOW II Director) Leaving SCEA, Mentions GOW III

According 1UP, the video games website, Sony Computer Entertainment of America's Santa Monica Studios' game director Cory Barlog is leaving the studio.

Barlog was the famed director of God of War II, which was a hit nearly everywhere. Word is that Barlog is departing to follow other opportunities. According to a SCEA speaker:

"We can confirm that Cory Barlog, Game Director for God of War II, is leaving the SCEA SM Studio and we are grateful for his work and creative vision for the critically acclaimed God of War franchise... Moving forward, we are confident in the God of War team, as they are an extremely talented group of people that are passionate about the franchise and dedicated to creating even more epic content with God of War: Chains of Olympus for the PSP and God of War III for PS3."
It's sad to see a great director such as Cory Barlog leave the company. But wait, did you see what I saw there? Sony just publicly confirmed God of War III for the PLAYSTATION 3 console.

Can you say Kratos in 1080p with amazing graphics? I can. Ten times fast to be exact.

[Via Kotaku]

Insomniac Bringing In More DLC

In an interview with D+Pad magazine, Insomniac Games' Ryan Schneider dropped some new information for hopeful additions to the Insomniac Games we already own:

"It's been great to have a network that can facilitate the map-pack downloads, demos and trailers for both Resistance: Fall of Man and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. The number of users on the PLAYSTATION Network has been rising steadily and we absolutely plan to support them with more new content coming soon."
We already know about Resistance: Fall of Man downloadable content, but Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction? That would make me happy.

[Via D+Pad November 2007]

Winning Eleven 2008 Demo On Japan PLAYSTATION Store


The Winning Eleven 2008 (Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 in US) demo has just went live on the Japanese PLAYSTATION Store. The demo is slightly smaller in size being 1150mb where the European demo is 1161mb.

Some members on the GT Forums are reporting that there is no framerate problems in this demo as well.

[Via JP PLAYSTATION Store]

IGN Launching PLAYSTATION Network Portal


If your a reader of gaming site IGN, then you might have stumbled onto this new PLAYSTATION Network Portal they just opened. It seems as if they may have partnered up with Sony to offer exclusive news or content or something over this site. It doesn't seem to be ready yet though.

Hopefully this site will be ready when Firmware 2.00 launches. We will keep you updated.

[Via PSN Portal]

The Birth of Need For Speed ProStreet


This documentary takes a look at the history and real world racing scenes developing in America, Japan and Europe that have inspired the new Need for Speed ProStreet video game. Watch as the filmmakers hang out with a new breed of passionate drivers who have left the street to take their racing to the next level-organized events. Through Drifting, Time Attack and Drag racing events, guys who love cars and going fast are able to compete at the highest level, attain sponsorship and live the dream. Enjoy.

Blazing Angels II: Racing Mode Trailer


Winning isn't always determined by speed, so watch out for sharp turns, keep an eye on your 6, and if anyone gets ahead of you, blow them out of the sky.

PLAYSTATION 3 Invades Japan TV


The PLAYSTATION 3 has invaded Japanese TV with four new commercial spots. Take a watch and be blown away by the power that is, the PLAYSTATION 3.





Sony Asks What Feature You Want for Next Update

Just recently on the G.A.P. section of the US Playstation Site, Sony has posted a survey for G.A.P. members only on the left of the page. The survey asks:

"Choose which XMB™ (Cross Media Bar) feature would be most important to you in a possible PLAYSTATION®Network update:

A) In-game access to PSN messaging
B) Ability to play my own music from the XMB while in-game
C) Larger buddy list and buddy-list features such as categorizing"
These choices are possible features for the 2.0 update. Thing is, what Sony doesn't realize is, just give us the in-game XMB, and we will be able to do all of those.

[Via G.A.P.]

Call of Duty 4: Ragtime Warfare Trailer


A new trailer for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare from Infinity Ward. You might do the Charleston dance after you unlock this.

Tim Schafer Brutal Legend Interview


IGN AU organized an interview with Tim Schafer, the mind behind the upcoming game, Brutal Legend. They started the interview with:
IGN AU: You've been thinking about the Brutal Legend concept since back in the Secret of Monkey Island days. Why has it taken this long to surface? And second, why is now the right time to do this?

Tim Schafer:
Well, I've thought about this for years, and I've always loved music. I've always loved heavy metal, ever since I first heard Iron Man [Black Sabbath], y'know, I've been this big metal fan, always thinking about this game in the back of my head. Years ago I met this roadie for Megadeth named Tony, and he just had all these great stories about the rock and roll lifestyle, but told from the frontlines point of view, from down in the trenches, as opposed to the rock star. But still, they get to see all this crazy fantasy world of rock but from a really 'getting it done' type perspective. So I thought the character was interesting, and that's where the character of Hoagie came from, for Day of the Tentacle.
Read the full interview at the link below.

[Read: Brutal Legend Interview]

PLAYSTATION Network Is Back Up, PLAYSTATION Store Is Down?


For all you PLAYSTATION Network users who were waiting to get back to your gaming, you can go ahead and sign onto the PLAYSTATION Network again and get back to getting them n00bs.

Although with the online of PLAYSTATION Network came the offline of the PLAYSTATION Store. It seems the store is in it's Site Maintenance Mode. What changes are being made? We don't know. But we will keep you updated.

[Via PLAYSTATION Network]

[Update 2:12 PM]

Seems that the network is down again.

[Update 2:19 PM]

Seems that the network is up again. PLAYSTATION Store is down.

EA Confirms of EA Chicago's Closing

EA Chicago is closing down, as hard as it is to report. The studio closing is affective immediately.

It seems that EA is working hard to place many of the 150+ employees at it's other studios around the world. And for the future of the Def Jam fighting franchise and the forthcoming Marvel fighting game? We are still trying to find out about that, when we know something, we will have you covered.

The memo sent to EA employees from Frank Gibeau, President of EA Games. In it he says:


"FROM FRANK GIBEAU Today we are announcing the closure of our studio in Chicago. This is a difficult decision but we are convinced it's the right thing to do for the future of the Games Label and EA.

Within the EA Games Label, we are committed to running each franchise and facility as a city/state, teams with unique creative identities as well as responsibility for product quality, ship dates and profitability. We recognize that games require large investments and extended development cycles. We're willing to take risks, make long-term investments, and to support teams and individuals between launches. But each team is responsible for staying on a reasonable path to profitability. Sticking to that strategy is what gives us the financial resources and flexibility to take risks on new projects.

Unfortunately, EA Chicago hasn't been able to meet that standard. The location has grown dramatically in the past three years while revenue from the games developed there has not. The number of employees has grown from 49 in 2004 to 146 people currently in the new facility in downtown Chicago. As it stands, EA Chicago has no expectation of hitting our profitability targets until FY2011 or later.

Closing EA Chicago is the toughest decision I've made in my career - one that in no way reflects on the talent and dedication of the people who work there. I've enjoyed their games and consider GM Kudo Tsunoda to be one of the best creative minds in our industry. The people impacted by this decision will be treated fairly - we're offering relocation opportunities to many and there will be outplacement assistance and severance for all eligible employees.

I know this decision will be unsettling to many beyond those who work in Chicago. It's important that you understand that we are willing to take creative risks and make long-term investments in people and projects. But the city/state philosophy demands that every project be committed to delivering a reasonable expectation of profitability. It's a performance commitment that binds us together and ensures we have the resources we need to invest back into our people and creative output.

Finally, when EA announced our quarterly earnings last week, John and Warren referenced facility closures. We had planned to include Chicago in that communication but a personal tragedy in the studio - the death of a colleague - resulted in our delaying the announcement out of respect for his family and friends. I apologize for any confusion or concern that caused.

I think you'll find that in addition to tackling some serious challenges, we are making great progress on our business. Consumers have responded well to our new IP and quality scores are tracking up. We are proud of our recent hits, such as Skate and the success we have made in making a solid game with The Simpsons. And we're looking forward to breakout hits like Need For Speed Pro Street, Rockband, Burnout Paradise, Battlefield Bad Company, Army of Two, Crysis, and more in the future with Mass Effect and Mercenaries 2 World in Flames.

We're definitely headed in the right direction.

Frank"
It is a difficult day for gamers. Try to take this sad news in as lightly as possible. Lets give one last praise to EA Chicago, for making the games they did.

[Via Kotaku]

EA Chicago Shutting Down?



According to a reliable industry tipster, EA Chicago is closing its doors. Kotaku received this information:
Just heard from some friends still working at EA Chicago that the studio is being closed. A company meeting to announce this is going on right now. Also, the Def Jam Icon sequel is canceled. No word on who will be finishing the Marvel fighting game. Roughly 170 people work at EA Chicago now.
As of right now, some employees seem to be locked out while others are in the midst of a meeting. We will keep you updated if we hear anything about this breaking situation.

[Via Kotaku]

Assassin's Creed: Behind the Fight System


Creative Director Patrice Diselets is back again discussing mechanics of the fighting system of the upcoming Ubisoft Montreal title, Assassin's Creed.

The New PLAYSTATION 2, Compact to the Max


There’s a new PLAYSTATION 2 to be released in the upcoming year of 2008, which will be available in three colours: ‘Charcoal Black’, ‘Ceramic White’ and ‘Satin Silver’. The new PLAYSTATION 2 is even smaller than the current tiny beast you can find in most homes. This one has a stand as well.



[Via Three Speech]

Live in Brimingham? Want to Play UT3?


Three Speech has five spaces for readers to go and view a demo of Unreal Tournament 3 on the PLAYSTATION 3, given by an Epic Games employee, this Thursday (08:11:07) in Birmingham.

You would need to get yourself to gaming haven Omega Sektor, which is at 98 Corporation Street in Brimingham for 12:00, with the demo starting at 12:30 and lasting half an hour.

Find out how to become one of the lucky five at the link below.

[Via Three Speech]

The Bloody New "Deep Red" PSP


The PSP "Deep Red" Value Pack is a new PSP value pacakge in Japan. The PSP is bloody red in color. The package comes with the strap, cloth, Memory Stick Duo (32 megabytes) and Accessories such as battery and charger.

Another PSP "Deep Red" value pack is also being released, known as WANSEGUPAKKU. This PSP contains everything the other "Deep Red" package does, but it includes a 1GB Memory Stick Duo.

The PSP "Deep Red" Value Pack goes for 22800 yen in Japan, and the PSP "Deep Red" WANSEGUPAKKU costs 29800 yen.

The Deep Red is going to be released in Japan on December 13, 2007 from the old model.

[Via Famitsu]

Uncharted: Gamer TV Special


Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the Naughty Dog anticipated title releasing November 19, 2007, was featured on Gamer TV. The videos, are below and above. This feature shows new footage and gameplay info.



Final Fantasy VII: For the Collectors


Final Fantasy VII was with no doubt one of the greatest RPGs ever made. So why not game to it with some Final Fantasy VII potion. That way, after you start getting tired and sweat, you can drink the potion and you will be restored to your normal state.

Theres more goodies than just those though.


Collectible statue figures of your favorite characters. I want that Cloud statue! But, we can't have everything now can we? Unfortunately, the only way to get these are through the Japanese Enix store.

[Via Dengeki]

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction Launch Trailer


Insomniac has just released the Launch Trailer for their recently released title, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. In this game, a new adventure has begun for the last Lombax, and now you can help him put an end to the tyranny of Emperor Percival Tachyon.

Call of Duty 4: New PS3 Retail Gameplay


Some new gaemplay footage of the PLAYSTATION 3 version of Infinity Ward's latest title, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Enjoy.