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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Kodu: Game programming so easy, an adult can do it

I'm sure kids will take to Kodu—an easy-as-pie game creation app for Xbox Live—like ducks to water. Indeed, at Microsoft's CES keynote Wednesday night, a precocious 12-year-old named Sparrow wowed the audience as she worked the Kodu menus like an expert.

More surprising, however, is that even an old stick-in-the-mud like me wants to give Kodu a shot.

Set for release on the Xbox Live Community channel in the spring, Kodu isn’t a game so much as a game-authoring tool—although it looks much more fun than it sounds. You can pick a world, populate it with characters and objects, give 'em weapons and behaviors, and then test your creation to see if you’ve got a game on your hands.

Full post here on Yahoo...

Hands on with Mad Catz SFIV Fight Sick and Fight Pad

If a $150 arcade stick is too rich for your blood, accessory maker Mad Catz has a few other options for the fighting game fan not content with the standard Xbox 360 or PS3 controller.

Frankly, neither option is as quite as magical as the Street Fighter IV-branded Tournament Edition Arcade FightStick controller, but for those with shallower pockets, they'll get the job done.

More at Kotaku here...

Klonoa - Nintendo Wii video game will get a US release

Klonoa will be available in North America for Wii in 2009. Klonoa’s long-awaited return offers vibrant graphics, motion control and new secrets to discover in this update to the series’ debut adventure. Highly revered as one of the best platform games of the past 10 years, Klonoa will ignite Wii owners’ imaginations with addictive gameplay, exciting stages and a memorable story.

“Klonoa’s return marks an exciting re-boot of this beloved franchise with old-school gameplay, spectacular graphics and an instantly recognizable character,” said Todd Thorson, director of marketing and public relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “Klonoa’s time-tested gameplay and intricate level design make for an awesome experience on Wii.”

Help Klonoa save Phantomile, a land formed by the dreams of its inhabitants, and recently besieged by an unknown evil. Klonoa’s breathtaking journey takes him through a series of increasingly difficult stages across multiple kingdoms as he strives to save his friends and homeland. Throughout his quest, Klonoa is aided by his friend Hewpoe, a benevolent spirit who resides in the ring from which Klonoa is able to fire his Wind Bullet. The Wind Bullet gives Klonoa the ability to grab and inflate his enemies and use them to his advantage.

With a simple move of the Wii Remote Klonoa can throw captured enemies to break obstacles, uncover hidden items or defeat other enemies. Klonoa can also use any enemy he is holding to perform a double jump which allows him to reach high ledges or jump across large pits. By moving the Nunchuk, Klonoa can use his whirlwind to slowdown approaching enemies. In addition to the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls, Klonoa offers a wide range of control options for any style of play, including Wii Remote only, Classic Controller and the Nintendo GameCube controller.

Wii take five of top ten UK games in 2008

The British video game chart for 2008 shows Nintendo's Wii capturing five of the top ten slots.

Amazing - Carnival Funfair makes it in at number nine... this game is rubbish!

Here's the full chart...

1. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
2. Wii Fit (Wii)
3. Wii Play (Wii)
4. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii)
6. GTA IV (360)
7. GTA IV (PS3)
8. Call of Duty: World at War (360)
9. Carnival Funfair (Wii)
10. FIFA 09 (360)

My top ten would include...

Little Big Planet
Spore
Lara Croft
Fallout 3
Fable 2
Metal Gear Solid 4
Dead Space
World of Warcraft

So basically, the chart reflects the number of consoles sold...

Why the PlayStation 3 is better then the Xbox 360 - Sony

The console war is full of never-ending battles, waged between the top three manufacturers, Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony, in order to show which product is the best and the most attractive in the eyes of the consumer. Although sales charts show that Nintendo and Microsoft currently dominate Sony, the Japanese company won't settle and is determined to put up a fight.

It seems that it has recently released a press statement in which it showcases the many disadvantages of its opposition, claiming that its PlayStation 3 console is the best product any consumer can buy for the long run, despite the fact that its price tag may seem very steep, as opposed to the competition.

Among the points Sony made are the HDMI output, which ensures visual and audio quality, Wi-Fi, which saves you from messing with wires, a hard drive or the online gaming service. All of these arguments are of course won by the PS3, which, from Sony's point of view, offers “years of value with a future-proof system via firmware updates that offer new services and features.”

“The PS3 is the perfect example of a product featuring superior technology and a sophisticated design creating an ideal all-in-one entertainment product. The Xbox 360 requires additional money, multiple upgrades and additional external devices, putting a burden on the wallet and adds clutter to the entertainment center. And the Wii's lack of enhanced features comes at the expense of a comprehensive entertainment solution. So as PS3 continues to evolve without the need for additional parts or expenses, expect the competition to continue peddling add-ons in an effort to keep up with the Jones',” reads the official press release.

While it does seem a bit weird that Sony itself releases such a statement, it looks like the Japanese company is very determined to show its customers that the features and the value that the PS3 offers are well above those of its competition and that a price cut isn't necessary when you can have all of these things. Let's just hope that from this “battle” the average consumer will have the most to gain, as only he can decide which console will be better and more popular. What do you think? Is the PS3 the best product on the market or do its rivals, despite the fact that they don't have the same features, offer a better experience?

Source: Softpedia

PS2 Emulator Coming to PlayStation 3?

Yes we know your launch PlayStation 3 plays PlayStation 2 games. Good for you. However, with a necessary chip missing from recent models, the rest of us are left in the lurch.

So here comes the rumour that Sony is looking into the problem. In order to keep the PS3's price down the originally included PS2 chips were cut out (look here to see the reformed PS3 board), so the only solution is to develop software emulation. Reportedly anyone who's up to the challenge can enter the frame.

The rumour comes from NeoGAF member Meph who recounts what was told to him by a Sony representative (openly described as a 'tool'). The story goes that Sony might be willing to buy a PlayStation 2 emulator for the future.

"He mentioned that since the PS2 has just 1 year left on its life-cycle not to expect them to develop anything new with regards to backwards compatibility," says Meph.

"He then leans in and lowers his voice, as if to tell me some deep dark secret and mentions that Sony may be willing to potentially buy a PS2 emulator to put in future consoles."

According to Meph this similarly happened with PlayStation 1 backwards compatibility in the PlayStation 2.

How exactly an independent coder could create a PlayStation 2 emulator without a PlayStation 3 development kit, we're unawares, but intriguing nonetheless.

Source: Gamezine

How to get F.E.A.R. 2 demo on PlayStation 3

Sony have announced that F.E.A.R. 2 - Project Origin demo on PlayStation 3 owners will be releasedexclusively with Qore. You'll have to buy the forthcoming episode of their downloadable video magazine.

According to DarkZero, the show and demo will be coming "mid-January," so that could presumably be as soon as late next week. Single episodes of Qore cost $2.99, with a 13-episode subscription costing $24.99.

There's no word yet of a potential F.E.A.R. 2 demo on the Xbox 360, which obviously wouldn't carry any similar restrictions. The game is set for release for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on February 10.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Official Japanese Final Fantasy XIII site opens

It has taken three years but the Fabula Nova Crystallis project has opened their website.

The new official site has three sections Vanilla, Agito and Versus with the last two almost empty at present.

The Final Fantasy XII page has loads of information with trailers and character section to name two.

Music is provided by Masashi Hamauzu who provides two tracks for your listening pleasure.
Reload the page to change tracks...

Were looking forward to a playable demo of Final Fantasy XIII this March with Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete on Blu-Ray also due it looks like things are looking up for FFXIII fans.

3D PlayStation 3 games - MotorStorm, Wipeout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

We've heard from many of you that 3D technology is something you're interested in seeing at CES, and Sony has one of the most impressive displays of 3D at their booth... but you won't learn anything about it.

"Don't get caught up with specs," the Sony representative told me. "We're not going to talk about specifications. This is just a look at what 3D could look like if Sony decided to move in this direction." The idea was just to show the technology to people, to see if they would be interested in sitting at home, wearing a dorky set of black glasses, watching content in 3D.

I couldn't pry details about how the 3D affect was achieved, or if the display could turn any source into 3D, but what's clear is that, glasses or no, the 3D affect is amazing. Sony showed off Wipeout HD running in true 3D, and I was ready to whip out my credit card right there. Frank and I both agreed, this was one of the best demos of 3D technology we have ever seen.

Full post on Ars Technica here...

Ghostbusters - The Video Game in June 2009 - PS3 Xbox 360 PC PS2 Wii and DS

Ghostbusters: The Video Game is set to release across North America on 16 June 2009 followed by worldwide release on 19 June.

Watch HD game trailer here...

Working closely with Sony Pictures Consumer Products and acclaimed development studios Terminal Reality and RedFly, Atari will bring this completely all-new chapter of the blockbuster Ghostbusters saga to advanced gaming platforms coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film’s original theatrical release.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise, is penned by original Ghostbusters writers and stars Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites many of the original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.

The game’s launch on 16 June 2009 coincides with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s worldwide debut of the original motion picture on Blu-ray Disc.

In addition to Aykroyd and Ramis, original Ghostbusters Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson lend their voices and in-game likenesses to the original story set two years after Ghostbusters II, with Manhattan once again overrun by ghosts and supernatural forces. The player joins up as a new recruit with the original team, testing a variety of unique equipment and gadgets, to track, wrangle and trap this wide range of awe-inspiring phantasms in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.

Atari will release Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games For Windows, Wii and Nintendo DS. The launch will also leverage Atari’s worldwide distribution network to maximize the presence of Ghostbusters: The Video Game around the globe as Sony marks the film’s upcoming 25th anniversary. For more information on Atari’s entire line up visit www.atari.com.

Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II combined to gross over $500 million world-wide at the box office. The film spawned some of the most memorable comedic catch-phrases and scenes in motion picture history. To further celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary milestone this year, Sony Pictures Consumer Products has licensed the property for several new commemorative products including: toys, t-shirts, comic books, prop replicas, and a theme park attraction. In addition, the original Ghostbusters car (Ecto-1) has been fully restored with plans for special promotional appearances throughout the US and additional replicas touring across Europe. The Blu-ray Disc release of Ghostbusters will see unsurpassed picture and audio quality and advanced new bonus features including Slimer Mode, a picture-in-picture graphical viewing experience, a featurette on the refurbishing of Ecto-1, and more.

About the Game
When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team. Developed by acclaimed studio Terminal Reality, Ghostbusters: The Video Game will make its debut on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system version and the Wii version are being developed by Red Fly Studios, and the Nintendo DS version, in which the player takes the role of one of the Ghostbusters themselves, is developed by Zen Studios. The PLAYSTATION 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and PC versions of the game are developed using Terminal Reality’s phenomenal proprietary Infernal Engine technology.

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Sunday, January 11, 2009

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