GTA IV Online Multiplayer: 15 Modes, 16 Player Support

The latest issue of PlayStation Revista Oficial, the Spanish Official PlayStation Magazine, has the first details on the online multiplayer mode of Grand Theft Auto IV. The publication has revealed that there will be 15 multiplayer game types in GTA IV, ranging from co-op to deathmatch. I just translated some of the facts mentioned in the article:

1. Death Match will feature rocket launchers.
   
2. The host of the match sets the rules for each game type. In “Race” and “GTA Race,” the host chooses the vehicles and number of laps. In “Deathmatch” and “Team Death Match,” the host chooses the weapons, the number of pedestrians, the amount of traffic, even if the police will sneak in or not.
   
   
3. You can customize your character in multiplayer, from sex and race to hair and clothes.
   
   
4. PlayStation Revista Oficial played a death match game where all players had rocket launchers and half the city was blown away.
   
   
5. In “Mafiya Work” and “Team Mafiya Work,” each player becomes a Kenny Petrovic's assassin that competes against the other users. The goal is to complete Petrovic's orders (issued via a mobile phone) before the other players.
   
   
6. In “Race” and “GTA Race,” you can use fire weapons to neutralize your rivals and steal a car in case yours gets busted.
   
   
7. In “Cops N Crooks,” you’ll be able to play cops and robbers, but in a wild way. One team plays as criminals on the run while the other team plays as the cops, whose mission is to kill the head of the criminal band. To make things even more interesting, cops can see the location of the criminals on their GPS, so criminals never know where or when police will sneak in. Of all the game types played by PlayStation Revista Oficial, “Cops N Crooks” was the most entertaining one.
   
   
8. In “Hangman’s NOOSE,” you’ll play co-op and this game type is similar to the VIP escort game mode found in Counter-Strike.
   
   
9. The game modes are:

• Deathmatch
  
• Team Deathmatch
  
• Hangman's NOOSE
  
• Mafiya Work
  
• Team Mafiya Work
  
• Cops N Crooks
  
• Race
  
• GTA Race
  
• Car Jack City
  
• Bomb da Base
  
• Bomb da Base II
  
• Turf War
  
• Deal Breaker
  
• Free Mode
  
• ????
  

Source: Team XBox

Namco Bandi - Bubble wrap popping comes to Nintendo Wii

Ouchi de Puti Puti Wii might be the strangest WiiWare title to date.

For 800 Wii Points you get a bubble wrap destroying adventure that spans across 40 levels.

Namco Bandai is developing the title and it includes vibration feedback.

Perhaps even more interesting to note is this game is based on a Japanese toy made by Bandai. Puti Puti is a plastic keychain with buttons and bubble wrap sound effects.

Part of the “fun” of destroying bubble wrap is releasing tension with each tiny burst of air. While this hobby isn’t environmentally friendly, it can be cathartic.

After trying out one of the many flash bubble wrap popping games I can’t imagine the Wii version having the same effect as the real thing. However, you can't pop giant pieces of salmon roe in real life without making a mess.

Source

Capcom's - We Love Golf game goes online

Despite being Capcom’s Tokyo Game Show highlight and linking up with the creators of Mario Golf, We Love Golf had “sluggish” sales in Japan.

Determined to make the title standout in North America Capcom is giving We Love Golf a significant addition, online play.

Motion controlled golfers can connect either through friend codes or find random golfers on the green using World Play mode.

Probably a smaller, but creative marketing choice Capcom polled North America on what costumes they would like to see in the North American version. Ken and Morrigan outfits will be used for the two new characters created exclusively for the Western edition of We Love Golf.

Do these things make We Love Golf more appealing? Here’s a thought: Wiis in Japan are not bundled with Wii Sports and while many people purchased it, it doesn’t have the same 100% ratio like North America. Perhaps, Wii Sports Golf whets the appetite for more or maybe its all the golf a Wii owner needs.

Source: Siliconera

Super Monkey ball on Apple iPhone and iPod touch

Ports of Sega's Super Monkey Ball and Maxis' hugely anticipated life - sim Spore are in development for Apple's iPhone.

The news was announced during Apple's Steve Jobs keynote speech at Apple's headquarters when he announced the company was to release of the iPhone software developer's kit (SDK). Games development on iPhone and iPod touch is now possible, Apple revealed that versions of Spore and Super Monkey Ball are already in the works.

The titles both showcase the use of the iPhone's 3D capabilities, and utilize the phone and iPod's multitouch screen and built-in accelerometers. Apple also pointed out that the iPhone port of Spore is not a scaled-down affair; all 18 levels, from the microbic to cosmic, are represented in Spore's iPhone incarnation.


No price point or release date was mentioned, but Apple stated that all upcoming applications and games in development for the iPhone will be available exclusively on the newly-launched Apple Store, accessible via iTunes, the iPhone and the iPod Touch.

Microsoft dismisses Sony Blu-Ray as historic phenomenon

Key shift from disc to download will happen in next "12-18 months", predicts Lewis

The console war intensified this week, with senior Xbox exec boss Chris Lewis branding disc formats a thing of the past as Microsoft slashed the price of 360 in Europe – with the entry level model now half the price of Sony's Blu-ray supporting PlayStation 3.

With the entertainment format stand-off ostensibly ending last month - when Toshiba, creator of the Microsoft-backed HD DVD, pulled out of the market - analysts are predicting a significant boost to PlayStation 3 in its wake.

As speculation continues on whether Microsoft will now move to support Blu-ray as the industry standard, however, Europe boss Chris Lewis has re-emphasised the US giant's commitment to digital downloads, dismissing the significance of Sony's format victory.

"Going forwards, digital downloads is really where it's at," Lewis told GamesIndustry.biz. "More and more people's ongoing and ever-increasing downloading of music and movies is becoming the de facto. I think that's going to happen in very short order; people want to consume that way. Before very long we will look back wistfully at shiny discs as something that was somewhat a historic phenomenon in a way that we kind of think about vinyl or VCRs today."

While Microsoft's belief in the long term potential of downloadable content over physical storage media is well documented, Lewis claimed that, despite Blu-ray's victory, the shift away from discs will happen "sooner than any of us think".

"That's the future direction, and I think that's going to be the case in the next 12-18 months," he predicted. "I think we're going to be talking much more about that than anything else. Do I think that this Christmas will somehow be defined by DVD playback? I genuinely don't think that will be the case. I do not think that [the demise of HD DVD] will have any material impact on our console velocity. And I think other factors, specifically our architecture around downloads, is far more advantageous and important for the future."

He added: "We are best placed to offer that, we already offer that, our online pedigree is such that we will offer the best and most seamless experience."

Lewis's comments follow remarks made earlier this week by Xbox 360 product manager Aaron Greenberg, who said in repsonse to speculation: "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience. We're the only console offering digital distribution of entertainment content."

Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer had previously suggested that the firm was considering supporting Blu-ray with its Windows platform.

Microsoft this week cut the price of all three of its 360 SKUs in Europe, with the Arcade pack now retailing for GBP 159 and Premium for GBP 199, with Elite at GBP 259. Xbox 360 currently offers downloadable HD movies for rental via its Video Marketplace Store.

Following Toshiba's withdrawal from the market last month, SCEA president Jack Tretton said: "The emergence of Blu-ray as the de facto high-def standard is one more reason why PS3 is a great value to consumers. The combination of strong sales, Blu-ray dominance and widely-anticipated games all point to 2008 as a breakthrough year for PS3."

Source: Games Industry

Street Fighter IV on Microsoft XBox 360 - Screenshots

Street Fighter IV will arrive in Japanese arcades this summer, and the company is currently seeking a distribution partner for a North American arcade release.




No console editions have been announced, though PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 editions are expected.


Crimson Viper's flashy move-set, while the below images focus on the bulky Abel's fighting style.

March 3rd to 22nd video games release US

PlayStation 2 games

Metal Gear Solid - Xtreme Legends - SEGA Superstars Tennis - SingStar 90s

PlayStation 3 games

Condemned 2 Bloodshot - Hot Shots Golf - American Idol - Rainbow Six Vegas 2

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 Limited Edition - SEGA Superstars Tennis





Nintendo Wii games

Worms A Space Oddityd - PES 2008 - SEGA Superstars Tennis




XBox 360 games

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 limited Edition - SEGA Superstars Tennis - Rainbow Six Vegas 2



Nintendo DS games

Diary Girl - Fantasy Aquarium - Go Pets - SEFA Superstars Tennis - Lost in Blue 3

Mario Kart races onto Nintendo Wii but is it any good?

Mario Kart will launch soon on Nintendo Wii offering the next 'fix' for all the followers of Mario racing games from way through Nintendo console history.

This time it takes a leap forward - you can race your Miis on all new tracks and with up to 12 players racing using Wi-Fi connection the latest Nintendo Mart Kart game should be a spring hit.

The game come with a special Nintendo Wii 'steering wheel' controller holder. All the famous features return with cup modes, battle mode, track boosts, ghost data and some classic tracks. This race game raises the bar and offers the players all loads of game play options that will keep you playing for a long time.

With the Wi-Fi option you can race against up to 11 other players (similar to Maro Kart DS on the Nintendo DS) but again Nintendo add features. Text your friend from within the game create rooms to chat in or join a race as a spectator while waiting for your race to begin.

With online options to compare your track times with other from around the globe. Each record contains information on the character, control and settings used. But it doesn't stop there - you can download race data as 'ghost kart' and race against them!

Another surprise is the new bike option no longer are you tied to karts. Bike have their own features so get set for some additional fun.

And there's no shortage of tracks with 14 to choose from including old classics like Peach Beach and Sherbert Land. 

Who want to race with Me? or Mii - yes, you can use your Mii to race around the tracks. Now you really can get behind the wheel. Talking about wheels the game comes with a controller holder shaped like a steering wheel but you also have the option to use the standard Nintendo Wii controller with the Nunchuck or even the GameCube controller.

The release date is April 11th some get in line now and be the first to the starting grid.

Game features...

• Wi-Fi connection for up to 12 racers Nintendo events racing in the Nintendo Channel online. Save store and share race data. Download ghost data to race against others from around the globe.
  
  
  
• Race Bikes or Karts perform tricks and special moves collect the boosts and try and avoid the traps other racers drop.
  
  
  
• Choose a new or old track and compete for trophies. Share your records with the world but remember to have fun.
  

Chinese Game Maker Seeks To Conquer World With Ancient Myth

"Romance of the Three Kingdoms" is to China what "Morte d'Arthur" or "Antony and Cleopatra" is to the West: a centuries-old telling of an even more ancient history of kings, slaves, battles, betrayals, marriages and intrigue. The tale has adapted readily to the modern media age, spawning movies, TV shows, comic books and -- inevitably -- video games.

The latest entry comes from Perfect World PWRD, a Chinese creator of massive multiplayer online role-playing games, or MMOPRGs. "Chi Bi," named after a famous Three Kingdoms battle, was launched in open beta testing Jan. 25 and should be fully up and running by the end of this month. The timing is no accident since the game includes features of a big-budget John Woo movie about the battle due out this year.

Historical Setting

"Chi Bi" is Perfect World's first game in a historical setting, but not its first shrewd tie-in. Right now, its most-played game is "Zhu Xian," based on a popular Internet fantasy-adventure novel of the same name. Another popular game is "Legend of Martial Arts," based on a TV series. All this followed on its flagship game, "Perfect World," and its sequel "Perfect World 2."

That's a lot of games for a company that's only two years old. Analysts say it can take other game developers that long just to cook up one game, much less five of them. The key is its technology platform Angelica 3D Game Engine, which Perfect World uses as a base for all its games. By not starting from scratch, it can turn out new variations fast and cheap.

"It creates a manufacturing flow, like a studio," said Tian Hou, analyst with Pali Research. "Other companies put millions of dollars into their games, but Perfect World's (research and development) costs half a million. After they finish, they do the promotion, spending about $1.5 million. They can make it all back in one month of operations."

It helps that China -- and increasingly, the rest of the world -- seems to have a bottomless appetite for MMOPRGs. In the last month, Perfect World and its four rivals on the U.S. stock market -- The9 NCTY, Shanda Interactive SNDA, Giant Interactive GA and NetEase (NASDAQ:NTES) NTES -- all soundly beat analysts' views for the fourth quarter.

Perfect World said it had an average of 624,000 users online at any one time, up 153% from the year-ago quarter. Revenue jumped even more, better than tripling the prior year at $35.4 million. Overall, 2007 was the firm's first profitable year, racking up 92 cents a share.

Perfect World is still one of the smaller players in the MMOPRG business, but it plans to get bigger soon. The company has five other games in development and three more in the planning stages. Next behind "Chi Bi" is "Hot Dance Party," which is just now finishing its closed beta testing phase.

More from CNN

Video games censored by Nintendo of America

Nintendo of America has gained notoriety for its formerly strict censorship policy, particularly with regard to video games bearing religious symbols (for instance pentagrams), violence, profane language and so forth. The reason for this policy is attributed to its attempt to make its video games more family friendly.

Nintendo has discontinued the policy with the advent of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board; however, the company does still perform self-censorship in its own games to some extent. An example of this being the "Angel" ability in recent Kirby games (2003 onward) changed to the "Cupid" ability in the English versions due to religious references. The advent of console emulation, coupled with the rise of foreign ROM images, revealed Nintendo of America's censorship policies in practice to North American gamers.

See the full list on Wikipedia