Horror games have had an interesting, if not bumpy, past. The last 20 years has seen the genre develop, die suddenly, return to life like a zombie, and escalate to mainstream proportions, surpassing even horror movies as the hair raising entertainment medium of choice.
My first experience with the horror genre was on the PC, with Hugo’s House of Horrors: an adventure game that had its tendrils primarily wrapped around the pillar of horror, no matter the snippets of humor that managed to rear its ugly head.
Earl Weaver Baseball, the heavyweight of baseball simulations in the late 1980s and one of the titles that helped create EA Sports, is being ported to the iPhone by its original programmer.
On March 2, 2009, service repairs for Original Xbox video game systems for which the Warranty has expired will no longer be available. Any other technical support, documents, and content, however, will continue to be available to all our customers. Although Microsoft is ending repair services for the Original Xbox, an upgrade program and support will be maintained for Original Xbox consoles that are still under Warranty.
Support documents, content, and services available online
On March 2, 2009, technical support documents and content will be available online. Our Web sites will host a wealth of previous and new how-to, troubleshooting, and configuration content that has been revised and updated to meet our customer needs and current support model.
If you have an original Xbox console that is in Warranty that requires a repair, you will be able to submit an exchange request for an upgrade to Xbox 360 online.
Content and online repair services are available through the Xbox Support Web site.
Whether you’re a “lights off, headphones on, come get some-shouting” hard-as-nails type or more of the “hear-the-spooky-voice-on-the-title-screen-and-scream-until-the-police-arrive” variety, it’s time to grab a spare pair of pants and take a look at the top 10 scariest video games thus far (beware: contains mild spoilers and scary words…) Read the post, if you dare, here on Know Your Money...
The Midnight Club: Los Angeles – South Central downloadable content will be available on March 12th for both the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system.
South Central offers more streets to race in with the free South Central Map Expansion which expands Midnight Club: Los Angeles by one third, adding four new neighborhoods to make up the iconic district of South Central. The South Central Premium Upgrade is the total South Central experience for Midnight Club: Los Angeles delivering 9 new vehicles, 26 new races, 12 new battle maps, 10 new delivery missions, over 100 new red light races, new vinyl packs, new parts, new music and more all for the cost of $9.99.
The free South Central Map Expansion will ensure that every racer with either Xbox 360 or PLAYSTATION 3 copies of the game can race online against players that have the South Central Premium Upgrade.
The South Central Map Expansion features:
Map expansion by one third
Four new neighborhoods
Price: FREE for both Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3
The South Central Premium Upgrade features:
Nine new vehicles:
Luxury: 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG "Black" SUV: 2008 Range Rover Supercharged, 2008 Range Rover Sport Super Charged Lowrider: 1955 Chevy Bel Air, 1963 Buick Riviera, 1964 Chevy Impala, 1965 Chevy Malibu Muscle: 1970 Chevy Chevelle, 1966 Pontiac GTO
26 new races
12 new battle maps
10 new delivery missions
100+ new red light races
New rims
New body kits for each new car
New vinyl pre-sets
Hydraulics/Airbags unlocked on all new cars
New music
Price: $9.99 for PLAYSTATION 3 and 800 MS points for Xbox 360
More car packs are also set to come soon, stay tuned to the official site for more details, including the debut trailer.
Capcom announce Lost Planet 2 is being developed for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, following an exclusive announcement on Xbox LIVE that happened Monday, February 23. Lost Planet : Extreme Condition, the landmark third-person shooter that debuted on Xbox 360, went on to sell over 2.2 million units worldwide after its release. This next riveting instalment will offer deeper insight into the world of E.D.N III and the uncertain fate of future mankind.
Lost Planet 2 picks up 10 years since the events of the original adventure and the landscape has evolved dramatically. With the success of terraforming activities, the planet’s ice has begun to melt, giving way to lush tropical jungles and other new environments. The story has advanced beyond Wayne Holden as players will now follow the exploits of their own customized snow pirates on their quest to seize control of E.D.N III. Players will move their heroes through different stories creating a truly unique and interactive experience. With this concept, gamers will have the opportunity to engage in the story in a more dynamic way as plot threads evolve from various perspectives.
The strongest features from the first game will return in Lost Planet 2 making fans feel right at home. In addition to the anchor actions that made the gameplay in Lost Planet a true 3-D experience, Lost Planet 2 allows gamers to gain tactical advantage with a wide variety of new actions. The game will also contain a new addition to the enormous Akrids which were a fan-favourite in the first Lost Planet.
Capcom has spent a considerable amount of time reviewing community feedback and incorporating it into Lost Planet 2 creating a game that both new and returning fans to the series will love. The game takes advantage of Capcom’s most highly advanced software development tool, the MT Framework 2. This is the first game to make use of the new technology that builds on the advancements made in the original MT Framework.
Beyond the deep single player mode, Lost Planet 2 is loaded with one the most extensive multiplayer campaign seen in a shooter to date. The intense and action packed campaign mode comes with the ability to form teams of up to 4 players online to clear mission objectives with friends.
Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, announced that Battle Fantasia will be battling its way onto Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
“Battle Fantasia’s helps bring the fighting genre to the mainstream with its RPG-style appeal,” said Frank “Bo” deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. “If the fighting aspects don’t hook you, the quirky characters and their stories will.” Battle Fantasia Prologue
There was once a time when the world was engulfed in darkness. Mankind fought six battles to save their world, but lost every single one. All hope was lost for humanity and many turned to praying to God. But, one day, the darkness was finally driven back by the swords of four heroes.
Light returned to the world, and with it came peace and serenity. The world was then divided into two major countries: The Magic Kingdom and the Steam Empire. The people prospered like never before…
But in recent months, strange things have begun to happen. Rumors spread among the people that the darkness was returning…
However, fate has once again brought together warriors from all over the world. Some fight in the relentless pursuit of justice. Some fight due to their conviction and faith.
As the battle looms near, an epic tale of new heroes begins to unfold…
Battle Fantasia Key Features:
Gorgeous Cel-shaded Graphics
Experience Battle Fantasia’s amazing art and graphics as you play through the game!
Exclusive Console Story Mode
Play through each character’s main scenario in “Story Mode”, or discover hidden sub-scenarios to truly immerse yourself in the universe of Battle Fantasia!
Exciting Online Play
Fight against opponents from far and wide or view your overall online rankings via Xbox LIVE
Feel the Burn of “Heat Up” and the Sting of “GACHI”
Master the Battle Fantasia exclusive battle mechanics of “Heat Up” mode, “GACHI Match”, and “GACHI Drive” to keep your opponents on their toes!
Find Every Unlockable!
With over 80 unlockable illustrations in “Gallery Mode” and various Xbox Achievements, you’ll find yourself playing for hours on end!
The boss of Electronic Arts admitted a poor performance in 2008. Not enough gamers wanted to buy our games - John Pleasants told Forbes magazine.
Franchises like Dead Space and Mirror's Edge sales were disappointing. EA have reduced by 20% the number of titles it is working on. The company will continue to cut costs (but not in marketing) this year.
Dead Space 2 is already confirmed - let's hope this makes a lot of dosh and EA can continue to provide great games.
Game Set Watch asks the question...
