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Quantic Dream Brings 'BEYOND: Two Souls' to Tribeca Film Festival With Monstrous Results
Mon Apr 29, 2013 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Quantic Dream (all tags)
New trailer and gameplay exposé reveal much about Jodie Holmes.
Quantic Dream, known for the polarizing 'Heavy Rain,' 'Fahrenheit,' and the occasional words from studio head David Cage is working to bring 'BEYOND: Two Souls' to the PS3. Fanfare for the game is brewing as the game has been announced as an Official Selection for the Tribeca Film Festival.
During the festival, the studio not only released a new and revealing trailer but also a 35 minute gameplay video. The two new pieces of media represent the largest insight into the game since its initial reveal.
'BEYOND: Two Souls' allows players to experience the story of Jodie Holmes (voiced by Ellen Page). The game will take the player to different episodes in the a fifteen year period of Jodie's life as she tries to deal "being different, being born with a gift."
Undoubtedly, critics of 'Heavy Rain' lead a large, vocal group that remain skeptical that 'BEYOND: Two Souls' is worthy of hype. To that end, the new 35 minutes of gameplay that were shown at Tribeca has released. David Cage has recently describe the game as having a 10 hour campaign, not unlike 'Heavy Rain,' and with the game's huge emphasis on story, many may wish to avoid the bit of story delivered in the video.
'BEYOND: Two Souls' is scheduled for October 8th, and is available for pre-order.
Source: PlayStation.Blog
Author: Brian Hoss
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Next 'Scribblenauts' to Be Filled with DC Heroes and Villains
Fri Apr 26, 2013 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Scribblenauts, 5th Cell (all tags)
IGN reporting 'Scribblenauts Unmasked' to be unveiled at E3.
IGN is reporting that 5th Cell is busy working on 'Scribblenauts Unmasked,' the next installment of the 'Scribblenauts' franchise. Many aspects of the title are still in flux, including the name, but what IGN states is certain is that the title is part of DC license and will feature characters and locations from the DC Universe. Also certain for the title are the target platforms. Much like the title's predecessor, 'Scribblenauts Unlimited,' 'Scribblenauts Unmasked' is headed for the Wii U, PC, and 3DS.
The series began with the first 'Scribblenauts' on the 3DS, and features puzzle scenarios where the player needs to draw items that help Max, the player character, proceed.
For 'Scribblenauts Unmasked,' one of the scenarios described involves the player being in the sewers beneath Wayne Manor and needing to proceed past an obstructing Croc. Drawing a hamburger only feeds Croc, while some dynamite ignites a rage that sees Croc removed by some combination of the police and Robin. Later, the player encounters two police officers, one of which is actually Clayface. By first X-raying both cops, the player can defeat the exposed Clayface with a freeze gun.
While Max has traditional been the protagonist in the 'Scribblenauts' games, that may change for the new title between now and E3.
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2K Games Pencils 'The Bureau: XCOM Declassified' in For August
Fri Apr 26, 2013 at 10:30 AM ETTags: 2K Games (all tags)
Eerie new trailer shows off the atmosphere, but not the third-person gameplay.
2K Games has finally come clean on the XCOM shooter that was announced in 2010 and recently rumored to be split from the 'XCOM' license. The resulting reveal is of a game set in 1962, which will see players leading teams of Bureau agents against an alien invasion that is threatening the very core of the nuclear family.
Originally, the game had been announced as a FPS, but now is described as a third-person tactical shooter. At one point the project was described as reboot of 'XCOM,' but now seem more like an off-shoot with a heavy emphasis on a vintage era.
Morgan Gray, Creative Director, "The Bureau tells the story of XCOM's mysterious beginnings. We're expanding the universe with a declassified tale of government conspiracy and heroic cover-ups told through third-person tactical gameplay.
"The team has been working hard to leverage core XCOM elements like tactical decision-making and permanent death of squad mates in a purposeful way that makes this a unique tactical shooter. To that end, The Bureau will challenge players unlike any other third-person tactical shooter."
'The Bureau: XCOM Declassified' has an set release date of August 20th for the 360, PS3, and PC. The game will undoubtedly support multiplayer, and a pre-order promise of the 'Codebreakers' add-on campaign mission has been teased.
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Nintendo Opens Up the Miiverse to Non-Nintendo Devices
Thu Apr 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM ETTags: Nintendo, Miiverse, Wii U (all tags)
Miiverse web access currently in Beta.
While the Wii U struggles, having managed less than 4 million units sold and currently suffering from a severe software shortage, several Nintendo Wii U agenda items are coming online. Today, the Miiverse, Nintendo's Wii U social platform finally grows ever so slightly beyond the Wii U.
Those with Nintendo IDs can log into the Miiverse Beta website, peruse and reply to topics. Those without a Nintendo ID can see a sampling of topics on the website.
The Miiverse is characterized by a number of features, one of the most visibly obvious from the website access is users' ability and tendency to draw pictures using the Wii U GamePad. Less apparent is the Miiverse's game integration. As a social platform, the Miiverse offers highlights accessible by highlighting different Miis as they group around topics. Unfortunately, that aspect is not something available from the current website.
The website can be accessed by mobile devices, however, Nintendo has promised in the past to provide dedicated apps.
The Miiverse launched five months ago with the Wii U, but is only getting a sliver of the access that was promised. Whatever Nintendo's intention was, non-Nintendo Miiverse access is part of a list of items that seem like they should have been available at or close to launch.
Source: Nintendo
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Bethesda Details 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition'
Thu Apr 25, 2013 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Skyrim (20 posts) (all tags)
Complete version of 'Skyrim' due June 4th in North America.
Fresh off of Bethesda's announcement that there would be no more content released for 'Skyrim,' Bethesda has announced 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition.' This is the complete version of 'Skyrim,' which bundles the current version of the main game, 1.9, with the three expansions.
The three expansions, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn have a turbulent history with respect to the PS3 and seemed at times as though they would never come to that version of the game. In fact, 'Skyrim' on the PS3 has been plagued by what can be described as a woeful lack of supported.
Nevertheless, 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition' is scheduled for the 360, PS3, and PC for June 4th in North America and June 7th in Europe. Current prices for the game and expansions run around $85, while the new bundle is priced at $60.
Source: Bethesda Blog
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PS3 Exclusive 'Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut' Hitting Europe This Week
Wed Apr 24, 2013 at 08:30 AM ET
April 26th for Europe and April 30th for North America.
In a post by Swery, the writer and director of 'Deadly Premonition' explains he has "always been surprised and humbled by the feedback that fans and press have given Deadly Premonition, and by the adornment and cult following that it has garnered." He goes on to thank fans for preventing the game from "disappearing in videogame history."
Swery also explained that a PS3 version of the game had been in development from the start, but had to be indefinitely postponed when the entire project hit serious difficulties. The upside of course is the upcoming PS3 exclusive Director's Cut.
'Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut' promises improved visuals and tighter control, as well as stereoscopic 3D support. The content includes new scenarios available at the end and at the beginning of the game. Several DLC attribute-carrying costumes will be available, including several that are currently set as pre-order exclusives.
Pre-ordering 'Deadly Premonition: The Director's Cut' from Amazon and players will net the Field Ops suit, which increases HP and triples Attack Power.
Source: Blog.PlayStation
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Videogame Releases: Week of April 21st, 2013
Tue Apr 23, 2013 at 12:30 PM ETTags: Star Trek, Dragon's Dogma (all tags)
The ghost of 2009′s ‘Star Trek’ returns this week in game form with phasers set to maximum Pine & Quinto. Plus, sequels to games with significant fan bases pack the week with a great set of spring gaming options including Brock Sampson and Ash. Read all about these and more in the blog today.
Nordic Games Group Looking For a Studio with the "Best Creative Team" to Continue 'Darksiders' Franchise
Tue Apr 23, 2013 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Darksiders, THQ, Crytek (all tags)
"We're financially a very solid company, (but) I do not have $100 million, or whatever THQ spent making Darksiders 2."
The dissolution of THQ continued yesterday with several IPs that had failed to draw interest in the previous auctioning off of the company up for auction. While Gearbox surprised with their $1.35 of the 'Homeworld' franchise, even more unexpected was the emergence of Nordic Games as the sole bidder for a bundle of THQ franchises. In addition to 'Darksiders,' Nordic Games Group secured 'Red Faction, 'MX vs ATV,' 'Destroy All Humans!,' 'Summoner,' 'Marvel Super Hero Squad,' and 'Supreme Commander' along with some other more obscure IPs.
Nordic Games is known for publishing less-publicized PC titles under their DreamCatcher, JoWooD, and The Adventure Company labels. Games such as 'Painkiller: Overdose,' 'Sam & Max Season One,' and the PC version of 'Alan Wake' highlight the company's portfolio of published titles.
Unlike the other THQ auction, which bundled THQ IPs with their development studios, this auction was for IPs only, and Nordic will need external developers in order to create new titles for the acquired IPs. Naturally, Nordic Games is looking for a developer to continue 'Darksiders,' and even 'Red Faction' is up for continuation.
On 'Red Faction,' Nordic Game Group owner and CEO Lars Wingefors seemed to see promise, "The last game, I wouldn't say it was a failure, but it was a set-back. It was a disappointment. We realise that. That is included in the price tag for it.
"However, there are millions of fans who really liked the first product. It's a good concept. You just need to make it good."Nordic Games Group spent $4.9 million on IPs and distribution rights, but does not normally fund projects on the scale of the first two 'Darksiders' games. Still, Lars seems undeterred by the prospect, "We have to find creative solutions to make a game of that size. I'm not worried. If you have a great product and an idea, I'm normally good at finding a solution to it.
"We could make things more cost-effective just by the fact we are not THQ. But most important for me is that we find the right set-up and people. There is no market for a Metacritic 60 game. You need to be 80 plus or even better, 90, to make it commercially viable."
Many 'Darksiders' fans had hoped that Crytek USA, which is made up of ex-Vigil employees and full of 'Darksiders' experience would be in charge of the next title. Lars addressed that possibility in respectful, but noncommittal terms, "Without saying we have been in contact with Crytek USA, I'd love to do something with them if we can find the right set-up. If they can prove they can make a worthwhile sequel, why shouldn't we talk?
"I have a great respect for those guys. They made very good games. But I'm sure they have a full agenda. Making games takes time."
Source: Eurogamer
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'Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded' Coming to This June
Tue Apr 23, 2013 at 08:30 AM ET
The crowd-funded and revamped original game headed to computers and smarthphones.
All the way from 1987, 'Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards' is the original story of the forty-year old virgin, and the beginning of a cult hit and adventure game series. 'Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded' is the remade and revamped version of the seemingly hopeless classic.
The remade title includes HD audio and visual upgrades, as well as new content (a new girl for Larry to pursue) and new puzzles. What's more the game has not been altered in the name of censorship. 'Leisure Suit Larry' creator Al Lowe has returned to ensure authenticity, not only for this game but for the series.
Al Lowe, "One of our goals with doing this remake was not to do a remake. We didn’t just want to port the game over with higher-res and better graphics. We wanted to do a much better game and it gave me a chance to fix some of the puzzles that I’ve hated for twenty five years that I wish I had changed back when. And now they’re going to be much better and much improved."
The title is coming to the PC, Mac, iOS and Android platforms, but had been planned for consoles when first announced in 2011. Not unlike its unheralded release in 1987, the project had some trouble, and it took a resoundingly successful Kickstarter campaign to keep the project afloat.
The campaign enabled the project to continue and to grow, but without the entanglement of a publisher. In addition to the new content, this remake has one other feature, uncommon to most HD remakes, "our whole goal was to break every walkthrough that’s on the Internet."
'Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded' is available to pre-order with an expected June release.
Source: Siliconera
The Fan Translation of 'EarthBound' Sequel 'Mother 3' Offered For Free To Nintendo
Mon Apr 22, 2013 at 11:30 AM ETTags: Nintendo (all tags)
Nintendo's recent promise to re-release 'EarthBound' in the West prompts new hope for the localization of the sequel.
'Mother 3,' the quirky RPG and series sequel to 'EarthBound' is one of the many games to never make it to the West. Released in 2006, the game was released eleven years after its North American Super Nintendo predecessor, and it came to the GBA just as the Nintendo DS was taking hold. The best option until now for most Westerners to play 'Mother 3' was by applying a patch to the game's ROM that installed a fan translation from 2008.
As Nintendo has finally relented and promised to re-release 'EarhBound' for the Wii U's Virtual Console, it is clear that whatever obstacles such as the long rumored concerns over the game's soundtrack will be overcome. Ultimately though, Nintendo seems to have relented as a gesture of goodwill and recognition of the many requests that fans made in the Miiverse after the title had been revealed as a Japan-only Virtual Console title. That gesture has renewed the dormant hope that 'Mother 3' will finally be brought to the West officially.
The team behind the fan translation has offered to provide the translation for free to Nintendo to help facility an official release. Should the endeavor be successful, it would not be the first time that a fan translation made it into an official release. When Xseed published 'Ys: The Oath in Felghana,' a preexisting, free translation was optioned and used as the base for the localization of that game.
While the market for a port of a quirky GBA game might not be huge, those at Nintendo looking to derive goodwill from both current and potential Wii U owners may want to take notice.
Source: Destructoid
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