Monday, May 5, 2008

SingStar Coming to PlayStation 3 in the US on May 20, 2008

Sony has announced today that SingStar will be coming to the United States on May 20, 2008. The next-generation version of SingStar allows you to download songs through the SingStore, enter the My SingStar Online community, and more. It is also compatible with the PS2 microphones, putting away the hassle to buy more. Look out for this title, along with other PlayStation 3 exclusives such as HAZE and Monster Madness: Grave Danger on May 20, 2008.

[Sing Out: SingStar PS3 Debuts May 20]

Grand Theft Auto IV: NYC vs. LC

Want to know how accurate Liberty City in Grand Theft Auto IV is to New York City in real life? Take a look at this comparison shot in Little Italy. Looks close enough to me. Thats what 100,000 pictures of the city will get you.

[NeoGAF]

X-Play Video Preview: Metal Gear Online


A new X-Play video preview for Metal Gear Online (to be bundled with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots) is now up and online. They speak on the RPG-Action tie to the game, along with the new Sneak Mode featuring Solid Snake. Enjoy!

SCEA Trademarks Qore: "Interactive Magazine"

Sony computer Entertainment America has today registered a new trademark, Qore. The trademark contains the description "computer services, namely, providing interactive online magazine and entertainment in the field of video games." Could an interactive magazine be coming to the PlayStation Network or possibly just the internet from Sony? It could be something like D+Pad, a downloadable magazine.

Who knows? When we find out more, we will update you.

[Sony trademarks Qore, an "interactive magazine"]

Iron Man: PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 Comparison


The latest in comparisons comes from SEGA's Iron Man for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. We are going to let you make your own call on this one. Go ahead, and watch.

Valve: "We're not PS3 developers"

A recent interview with Valve Software's Doug Lombardi speaks on PlayStation 3 being left out of the loop on Left 4 Dead.

Valve's Lombardi says "We're not PS3 developers - we're doing PC and 360 like with Orange Box. EA came to us and said 'Wow, Orange Box was an incredible project, can we do a PS3 version?'" Unfortunately, they couldn't find a better handler for the project, as EA did a bad job on the port.

What could bring Left 4 Dead to the PlayStation 3 then?

"Left 4 Dead doesn't have that guaranteed appeal yet - it's a new IP," Lombardi explained.

"If you mention a new Half-Life, people want to make as many versions of it as possible. If Left 4 Dead is big, then we may see a PS3 version later, or if and when we do a sequel, people may be more interested in that.

"We're only 150 people, so there's only so many things we can do. But it's one of those things with partners, wanting to take on that investment and risk. I think until Left 4 Dead is proven, you'll probably just see what we make in that franchise."

Lets hope EA is not the one that wants to do the port this time. Perhaps someone more "worthy".

[Valve: "We're not PS3 developers"]

KILLZONE 2 to be at PlayStation Day 2008

It is going to be one hell of an event tomorrow for PlayStation Day, as Insomniac has confirmed already that Resistance 2 will be at the event, and today they've confirmed that KILLZONE 2 will also be there as well. They confirmed this when a disappointed NeoGAF member wrote "no killzone 2 guys....." and Insomniac's James Stevenson replied with a "Wrong." We are getting excited.

[NeoGAF Post]

Monster Madness: Grave Danger: Three New Gameplay Videos


SouthPeak has released some new gameplay videos of their upcoming Monster Madness: Grave Danger exclusively for PlayStation 3. This game takes from the original title and makes it a whole lot better. The game is certainly looking fun, something that you can play when you have a lot of friends over. Enjoy the videos!



Prototype Pushed to 2009

Sierra Entertainment have announced today that their upcoming open-world action game, Prototype, has been pushed to 2009.

"Sierra Entertainment and Radical Entertainment have made the decision to shift Prototype to launch in 2009," a company spokesperson said. "Since its announcement, Prototype has been regarded by many as groundbreaking and taking the open-world genre in new directions, and in the simplest explanation possible, we need more time to deliver the game the team initially set out to create."

The news isn't all bad, however, read on!

"As we've stated previously, Prototype's multiplayer development was never 'off the table' but rather under evaluation and on hold," a spokesperson said. "Now, with the updated 2009 timing, Prototype multiplayer is still on the table for evaluation, and further details will be revealed down the line."

[Prototype Delayed]

Motorstorm 2 Interview and Screenshots in Latest D+Pad

The latest issue of D+Pad online magazine reveals some new screenshots of Evolution's upcoming Motorstorm: Pacific Rift. The new issue also contains an interview with Nigel Kershaw, Game Director for Motorstorm 2, where he reveals what to expect when the game hits stores. You can view the screenshots and interview by downloading the latest D+Pad.

[Download] [D+Pad]

Metal Gear Solid 4: New Information

A new preview for Konami's next month release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots have been posted online. We have the breakdown posted here. Enjoy!

- The introduction cut scene for the game is close to 17 minutes long (that’s a short film in itself). If we remember that once in 1964 (Metal Gear Solid 3) Kojima implemented pseudo-interactive cutscenes, well there is certain well defined upgrade to this feature with probable camera shifts during the cutscenes.

- An average in-game cutscene is about 5 to 7 minutes long and as we all know there are no loading times between cutscene and gameplay, the transition is smoother than a Jack Daniels on the rocks.

- In addition to the whole war as a financially viable economic activity, the game also addresses climate in great detail. We are now to witness a global meltdown in conjunction with a devastating war in the entire process.

- There are two characters returning form the previous games that have not been seen or heard of while talking about Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in detail, these individuals have an impact on the storyline in the game during the latter stages. One it seems has been a villain you’ve fought and defeated in 1998.

- The Altair’s costume is used in the game in certain sections where the gameplay is centered in the Middle East, there are sections which vaguely resemble Altair’s monotonous crusade only in the future.

- The Patriots are a futuristic version of the “Illuminati” who according to legends are the descendants of the Knight’s Templars.

[Metal Gear Solid 4: Probable New Features and Info]

The Witcher for Consoles Going Good

CD Projekt today revealed that they are working on a console port of The Witcher, bringing truth to the rumor we heard a while back. They said the console port is making excellent progress, but they have not given us a specific launch date. At least we know it is coming.

[The Witcher to Consoles, Enhanced Edition in Aug/Sept.]

More proof: Their job openings show they need a PlayStation 3 programmer.

Aliens: Colonial Marines: New Artwork and Information


SEGA today released some new concept artwork along with some new information on their upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines FPS. The squad-based first person shooter will feature weaponry ranging from pulse rifles to flamethrowers, along with some brand new equipment and skills within the game's combat system. Players will become an Elite United States Colonial Marine. The game will have drop-in drop-out four-player online co-op, with each players assuming the persona of a Colonial Marine as well. More modes are set to be revealed later. View the press release below.
SEGA Details Aliens: Colonial Marines

SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. recently revealed details of the highly anticipated squad-based first-person shooter video game, Aliens: Colonial Marines. Licensed through an exclusive agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising and developed by Gearbox Software, the game will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows-based PC in late 2008.

In Aliens: Colonial Marines, players are part of a United States Colonial Marine squad and must prepare to face an alien assault more intense and horrific than ever before. Driven by a compelling and original story penned by renowned writers Bradley Thompson and David Weddle Aliens: Colonial Marines will retain the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while leveraging next-generation technology to create an entirely new interactive Aliens experience.

Packing classic Aliens weaponry ranging from pulse rifles to flamethrowers as well as brand-new equipment and skills all within a squad-based combat system, players will become an elite United States Colonial Marine. Featuring claustrophobic environments, a brooding soundtrack, and a multitude of surprises and shocks, players will battle against menacing alien hordes in strikingly detailed levels that include the stark interiors of the abandoned Sulaco and unique environments created specifically for the game.

Aliens: Colonial Marines will feature a story driven single-player mode and an all-new four player co-op mode allowing players to share the chilling experience with three friends. In co-op mode, each player will assume the persona of a Colonial Marine and have a distinct role to play in the completion of every mission. Additionally, more multiplayer modes will be revealed later in the year that will complete the Aliens video game experience.

Since its 1979 debut, Alien and its three sequels have grossed more than $557 million worldwide, garnering numerous awards, including two Academy Awards®.