Thursday, April 3, 2008

PlayStation 3 Advertising Art is Impressive


Two new images of what seems to be a new PlayStation 3 advertising campaign have surfaced on Ruliweb today. No information was given on where this appeared, but they did list the people who did these impressive ads.
Advertising Agency: BBDO Chile
Executive Creative Director: Joaquin Bascunan
Creative Directors: Cristian Schinadeerman, Emerson Navarrete
Art Director: Emerson Navarrete
Copywriter: Cristian Schinadeerman
Illustrator: Ricardo Salamanca
Photographer: Lautaro
Head of Art: Fernando Riveros
That is really all they mentioned. We don't know when and where these will appear, but they look stunning.

[PS3 Advertising]

Metal Gear Solid 4 Pre-Order DVD & Beta Footage


When you pre-order Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots at your local GameStop, they will give you an exclusive pre-order DVD. This DVD contains some history on Metal Gear Solid along with a beta code for Metal Gear Online. Here is some footage of what that DVD looks like. Enjoy!

PlayStation Store: More Screenshots


Since there is no PlayStation Store update today, Sony felt the need to throw us something. So they gave us four new screenshots of the upcoming PlayStation Store revamp, and it is looking good. They say a video walkthrough should be coming next week. So slick, I can't wait.

[Update on the PLAYSTATION Store]

Grand Theft Auto IV: 3 New EGM Images

The latest issue of Electronic Gaming Monthly features some new Grand Theft Auto IV screenshots along with their extensive multiplayer preview. The new screens, however, are not from the multiplayer mode. View them at the link.

[GTAIV EGM Images]

The Bourne Conspiracy: 24 New Screenshots


Thanks to Pro-Gamers, we have some new screenshots on High Moon and Vivendi's upcoming movie-based game, The Bourne Conspiracy. The game looks promising, I have to say that. Could this be one of the few "good" movie games?

Saints Row 2: Release, Pre-Order Plans, Uncle Gary


At THQ's Gamers' Day down in San Francisco today, they announced the official release date for Saints Row 2. The game should be shooting up stores on August 26, 2008. Starting tonight, gamers can pre-order their copy of the game from the newly launched official website. They also released a new video where they show us the art of throwing someone from a man they are calling Uncle Gary.

[Saints Row 2 Details]

First GI Screenshots of Alpha Protocol


If you've picked up the latest Game Informer, you've probably known about this for a while now, or you may have read about it here. SEGA and Obsidian's Alpha Protocol centers around a CIA agent named Michael Thorton. It is an action RPG along with a shooter, promising a great game. Well, some of the first screenshots have finally gone digital and can be viewed above. Enjoy!

Mercenaries 2 Gets US Release Date: August 31, 2008


Electronic Arst and Pandemic Studios has today announced the release date for their upcoming Mercenaries 2: World in Flames. The game is set to hit shelves on August 31, 2008. Along with the date, they've released a "US Release Date Trailer". You can watch the revengeful trailer above.

[Mercenaries 2 US Release Date Trailer]

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Coming September 16, 2008

Originally scheduled to hit last month, LucasArts' Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be unleashing to retailers on September 17, 2008 in North America and on September 19, 2008 in Europe.

If your looking to see some new footage on the game, then you should watch Spike TV this weekend. During their Star Wars marathon, they will be airing some new gameplay footage on the game. It will most likely end up on the internet within' two hours of it's airing. View the press release below.

The Force Will Be Unleashed on September 16

LucasArts Announces Release Date for Breakthrough New Star Wars® Game, and Teams with Spike TV to Unveil New Details

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - April 3, 2008 -- LucasArts today announced that its highly anticipated videogame Star Wars®: The Force Unleashed™ will be released on September 16, 2008 in the United States, September 17 in Southeast Asia and Australia, and September 19 in Europe.

An entirely new chapter in the Star Wars Saga, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed casts players as Darth Vader's "Secret Apprentice" and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy. The game's expansive story is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope. In it, players will assist Vader in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi - and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.

"Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is one of the most ambitious projects LucasArts has ever launched. The combination of a great new Star Wars story with revolutionary new technology and game play means more fun than you've ever had in the Star Wars universe," said Peter Hirschmann, Vice-President of Product Development, LucasArts. "We can't wait until gamers get their hands on it this September."

LucasArts and Spike TV are teaming up together to unveil new details about and exclusive footage from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed in celebration of Spike TV's airing of all six Star Wars Saga movies. Airing Friday, April 4, through Sunday, April 6; and Friday, April 11, through Sunday, April 13, Spike TV's two-weekend event includes the broadcast premiere of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and the basic cable premieres of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace and Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. Spike TV's Star Wars presentation marks the first time that all six movies will be presented together on a basic cable network.

Reflecting its status as an exciting new part of the Star Wars Saga, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be featured throughout Spike TV's weekend events. Viewers will see special Star Wars: The Force Unleashed segments, each with an exclusive announcement or new gameplay footage, at the following times on Spike TV:
  • April 6 at 7:58 p.m. ET/PT - between the premiere of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
  • April 11 at 10:52 p.m. ET/PT - At the end of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
  • April 12 at 12:00 a.m. ET/PT - throughout an episode of GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley filmed at LucasArts' headquarters in San Francisco
  • April 12 at 5:06 p.m. ET/PT - before Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
  • April 13 at 5:06 p.m. ET/PT - before Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back

"With the airing of all six Star Wars movies and a first-hand look at Star Wars: The Force Unleashed we're confident that April will be a memorable month for Star Wars fans," said Robert Friedman, Senior Vice-President of Programming, Spike TV. "Our dedication to entertainment and video games makes our relationship with LucasArts an exciting opportunity to take part first-hand in Star Wars history as well as give our viewers an insider's look at the future of the franchise."

NEO+ Reveals More on Motorstorm 2

In the latest issue of NEO+, a Polish gaming magazine, a feature on Motorstorm 2 reveals some new information about the game's contents and user customization.

In the preview, they state you'll be able to customize your driver to your liking, along with your vehicles as well with paint and adding new parts. You'll be able to listen to custom music tracks in game as well as you race. Lets hope by this releases, Sony has in-game XMB out and that won't be necessary.

The game features racing through tracks in the jungle, caves, mountain hillsides and volcano craters which means you'll be seeing fiery hot lava. Hit the jump for the scans.

[New details provided about MotorStorm 2]

PlayStation EU Community PlayStation Network Integration Coming April 14, 2008

Lestrade of the PlayStation EU Community updated us today on the status of the introduction of PlayStation Network authentication on the forums. The new feature will be launched on Monday April 14, 2008. From then on, you'll have to log-in with your PlayStation Network ID (meaning, the e-mail you use to sign in) and password. Your forum name will be your PlayStation Network ID. Only a bit less than two weeks left people!

[IMPORTANT - PSN Authentication Update & Forum Downtime]

SEGA Officially Announces Sonic Unleashed


Well, the leaked batch of screenshots kind of made it pretty obvious. SEGA has officially announced Sonic Unleashed for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, and PS2 today. You can view the official press release below. You can view the official trailer above. The announcement screenshots can be seen below. The official site can be visited here.
Sonic Is Unleashed! SEGA's newest Sonic title is set to combine amazing next gen capabilities with classic Sonic 2D gameplay!

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (April 3, 2008) – SEGA® of America and SEGA of Europe Ltd., today announced that everyone’s favourite hedgehog will be breaking new ground yet maintaining his roots, in the upcoming title, Sonic Unleashed™. Developed by renowned studio Sonic Team, the latest installment in the multi-million selling franchise, will take players on an unforgettable high-speed journey around the globe in a way never before experienced in the world of Sonic. The game is set for release later this year and will be available for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo and PLAYSTATION®2.

Sonic Unleashed is built on a powerful new “Hedgehog Engine”, which introduces seamless 3D to classic 2D camera transitions, whilst delivering a rich and expansive world with multiple paths to choose from. Under development for three years, the Hedgehog Engine produces a visually rich next generation look and feel with elements of classic Sonic gameplay mechanics. The Hedgehog engine will help re-define the gameplay experience for Sonic fans and newcomers to the franchise alike.

“By combining rich and vibrant scenery with dynamic viewpoints Sonic Unleashed will provide an immersive 3D experience whilst keeping alive the 2D gameplay elements and fantastic worlds that Sonic fans know and love” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director for SEGA Europe. “In addition to this classic Sonic gaming experience, when darkness sets in Sonic Unleashed players will be able to experience a completely new way to play as Sonic… making this his most exciting adventure yet!”

Having been broken apart by the evil Dr Eggman, it’s down to Sonic to put the pieces of the world back together again by retrieving the power of the chaos emeralds. In doing so, Sonic will find himself in a race against time and faced with an unusual situation that will challenge him in ways never before seen. By completing a wide variety of action-packed stages, spanning the seven broken continents of the world, gamers will need to unleash Sonic’s amazing abilities to save the world, and himself!

The opportunity to engage in Sonic in different ways during the day and night time levels brings a completely original way of playing to the Sonic franchise, in addition to running at high speeds in classic Sonic style, combat fighting will become possible. Super quick Sonic’s speed skills will be highlighted by four new modes, whilst the all new combat, movement and functional abilities will offer depth and variety to the game. As the sun sets in Sonic Unleashed, a different type of adventure will awaken in Sonic’s newest quest….

Sonic Unleashed is scheduled for release worldwide in late 2008.

Damage & Community Update Coming to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue This Year

Kazunori Yamauchi, Polyphony Digital boss, revealed today, stated today that a major update is coming this year for their upcoming US release of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. The lucky fellas in Europe already have it. The new update is promised to bring car damage along with extra community features.

[Yamuchi confirms damage and community update for GT this year]

HAZE "maximizes the potential of the PS3"

Free Radical made HAZE a PlayStation 3 exclusive in order to enable it to "maximizes the potential of the PS3", according to Free Radical.

Derek Littlewood, Project Lead for the game said that the development team were "enjoying working with the PS3" and that "it's always nice to be able to focus on making one thing great rather than spreading your efforts".

Derek Littlewood explains why they went PlayStation 3 exclusive: "At Free Radical we've always had a good history with PlayStation hardware. If you look all the way back to the European launch of the PS2, we had TimeSplitters coming out as a PS2 exclusive then. Ever since then we've always worked well with PlayStation hardware. And so when it came to HAZE it was an obvious decision to make. Our coders were enjoying working with the PS3 and it seemed a good decision. As a developer it's always nice to be able to focus on making one thing great rather than spreading your efforts. So we were pleased to have the opportunity to focus purely on PS3."

He said that the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are both great pieces of hardware, but the PlayStation 3 allowed them to maximise the potential of that particular platform. When asked if it will come to the Xbox 360, Littlewood said: "I can literally say nothing on that at all!". At least we know it is exclusive for now.

[Haze exclusivity "maximises the potential of the PS3"]

Motorstorm First PlayStation 3 title to Sell 3 Million World Wide

Sony Computer Entertainment and Evolution Studios' Motostorm has sold 3.06 million copies as of today. That makes this dirt racer the first PlayStation 3 title to sell over 3 million copies. I was expecting to see this happen with Resistance: Fall of Man first, but they are both great games. Congratulations Motostorm!

[VGChartz - Motorstorm]