Nintendo dismisses accusations of failing to deliver Wii units

Nintendo has refuted claims that it failed to deliver the number of Wii units promised to Virgin Megastores for the console's launch on December 8.

The claims emerged after Virgin began taking pre-orders for PlayStation 3 last week. As GamesIndustry.biz discovered after contacting stores across the country, customers enquiring about the pre-order system are told that they can secure a console for GBP 50 - but are warned that they won't neccessarily receive their machine on March 23.



They're told that they may have to wait days or even weeks for their machine to arrive, with one customer service representative stating, "We can't make a commitment to the 23rd because Sony hasn't made a commitment to us."

All the representatives GI.biz spoke to said that Virgin was keen to avoid a repeat of the situation which occurred with the launch of the Wii, claiming that Nintendo failed to deliver the number of consoles promised for day one.

"It's because there was an issue with the Wii. Some stores didn't get the allocation they were promised until the next day after launch," one representative said.

Another claimed, "The full amount of stock we were promised never turned up," while other representatives said that the total launch allocation wasn't received until several weeks after launch.

Nintendo has disputed the claims with a spokesperson telling GI.biz, "All UK retailers were notified of their initial day one Wii allocations in October 2006, some six to eight weeks before launch.

"Nintendo delivered exactly what we said we would to retailers for day one and in many instances over delivered against the initial numbers retailers were expecting."

In addition, the spokesperson said, "Nintendo made multiple and regular deliveries to retailers across the UK in the days following launch to try and meet the huge demand for Wii as much as possible."

Virgin Megastores has yet to respond to requests for comment.

HMV refuses PS3 pre-orders unless consumers agree to buy PSP too

HMV's online store is now taking pre-orders for PlayStation 3 - providing consumers are also willing to purchase a 4GB PSP pack for a total price of £675.

An email sent out to customers today says the deal will enable them to become one of the "lucky few" who will be able to pick up a PS3 at launch. It reads: "At HMV.co.uk, we've been working with Sony to offer up to 5000 customers an incredible deal when you buy the new Sony 4GB PSP.

"Anyone who takes advantage of this offer will get priority over other HMV.co.uk customers for the PlayStation 3." The deal also includes two PSP games - Killzone Liberation and Gangs of London - and the price for the bundle is listed as £674.99.



According to the terms and conditions of the promotion, all consumers who buy the bundle "will take precedence over any other online HMV customers".

However, it's difficult to see who these other customers might be as a paragraph at the end of the email states, "PlayStation 3 solus console is currently unavailable to order from HMV.co.uk by itself, and we kindly ask customers not to contact us with regards to this." HMV's high street stores are not currently accepting PS3 pre-orders either.

There's no assurance that customers who sign up for the bundle will get their PS3 when the console launches on March 23. The terms and conditions of the offer state: "Delivery of any PS3 is subject to Sony's delivery to HMV Guernsey. Accordingly, HMV cannot guarantee that registration on the Priority List means that you will receive your PS3 on the estimated release date, nor that your order will be fulfilled within any given time frame."

The offer is not likely to be well received by those consumers who feel that the price of the PlayStation 3 alone is already too high at £425 - or by those who want to purchase a PS3, but already own a PSP.

A Sony spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz, "This is just one of a number of value added incentives that retailers will be offering to mark the launch of PS3.

"Consumers are free to shop around to find a package that best suits their own needs, and offers the greatest value for money."

Microsoft reveals 10 new Arcade titles for 360

Retro favourites and board games lined up for download

Microsoft has revealed ten new titles for the Xbox Live Arcade service, all of which are due this year.

The Behemoth's popular side-scrolling title Alien Hominid HD, Sierra Online's 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures, Band of Bugs from NinjaBee and Konami's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are all due for release over the coming months.

Also joining the service is Big Huge Games' Catan, Eets: Chowdown from Klei Entertainment, MumboJumbo's Luxor 2, Midway's Paperboy and Root Beer Tapper and Team 17's Worms.

Downloads on the Xbox Live Arcade service have surpassed 20 million games, with Microsoft promising more content throughout 2007.

Ubisoft's Blazing Angels Secret Missions takes to the skies on Xbox 360 and Games 4 windows

Blazing Angels Secret Missions shows World War II from a different perspective – that of an elite pilot who is part of a secret team. In the game, the player will undertake some of the most dangerous missions in exotic locations all over the globe. As an elite pilot, the player goes from one great adventure to another, while battling the most lethal experimental weapons of the Third Reich. The squad’s mission is to prevent the ultimate weapon from being built. To help players in this quest, they have at their disposal an assortment of highly experimental aircraft and weaponry. Blazing Angels® Secret Missions comes straight out of the history books of World War II’s most top secret projects.



Key features of Blazing Angels Secret Missions include:

Living, Breathing World – Built on all-new, cutting-edge visual technology, the world of Secret Missions is more believable and involving than ever. Fly above hills and mountains, navigate through treacherous mountain passes and dogfight in the clouds with enemies. Take part in large-scale battles through various conditions: darkness, rain, snow, and air turbulence.


Diverse and Unusual Scenarios – Secret Missions takes players around the world, from Paris, Rome and Moscow to exotic locations like Rangoon and Cairo and the highest mountain ranges of the Himalayas. Each mission will bring its own surprises, twists and unique challenges.


Prototype Technology – Players will have access to some of the most advanced and unusual aircraft and weapons of WWII, as well as access to a huge assortment of weapons, including high-velocity cannons and early guided missiles.


Fast Paced Multiplayer Action – Multiplayer features free-for-all, co-op and squad-based play, including the brand new Capture the Flag and Epic Battle modes, the latter pitting two teams of players against each other in a large-scale battle with conquerable bases and objectives that can be destroyed in order to gain the upper hand on the opponent.

Crash Bandicoot Party

Vivendi Games Mobile announces the launch of a new title in the Crash world-known franchise: Crash Bandicoot Party.

Crash Bandicoot is a global brand icon, generating revenue in excess of US$ 800 millions. The franchise has sold more than 35 millions units since its launch and the mobile versions have generated more than 2 millions downloads worldwide.

Crash Bandicoot Party is the mobile related game to the recently released DS game: Crash Boom Bang (Vivendi Games)

The mobile game Crash Bandicoot Party features 14 hilarious mini-games in which you can play as Crash Bandicoot or one of his friends!

Choose to play the Cow Shoot as Doctor Cortex, the Infernal Tower as Nina Cortex, the Survivor as Coco or Crash Baseball as Crunch and much more!

The game is really intuitive to play due to a one-thumb gameplay: no matter which mini-game you’re playing, you know which button to use.

Enjoy also the first ever multi-player party mobile game featuring a new way of playing on a single mobile:
The particularity of the game is that you are playing with your friends on the same mobile. This totally new gameplay allows you to disturb your opponents and literally play with the handset itself, which becomes a component of the game!

The games are quick and the pace is fast! Players are able to set the game duration in order to fit their free-time. You can also enjoy solo sessions with an exciting challenge.

Key features:

- 14 unique multiplayer action mini-games
Crash Bandicoot Party offers a large range of different games to discover

- One-thumb gameplay
Whatever game you’re playing, you know which button to press

- “Out of the phone” gameplay
Put the pressure on your opponents and play literally with your phone!

- Fast games!
Players can adapt the time of their games to suit their available time

- Multiplayer mode on a single mobile
Take your board game everywhere

Attack on Pearl Harbor commences with 1st trailer

Swedish publisher Legendo Entertainment today released the first in a series of trailers for Attack on Pearl Harbor, an arcade-style air combat game for the PC set in World War II's Pacific Theatre.

View the trailer at the game's website: Pearl Harbour

The title provides players a unique, never-before-seen perspective on history’s greatest armed conflict by affording audiences the chance to play as either the USA or Japan, with additional scenarios to be chronicled via further videos in the coming weeks.

Attack on Pearl Harbor features 4 solo campaigns, plus a “quick play” dogfight game mode. In addition to the initial Japanese attack on Oahu (Hawaii), the game also offers a host of famed and challenging scenarios such as the Battle of Midway, Iwo Jima, Burma and Manila. Each campaign spans several months during 1941-1945, offering an exciting and varied selection of missions.

Features:

• Intuitive Controls – Pick up and play the game via a simple, straightforward control scheme that'll have anyone flying in seconds.

• Multiplayer Dogfight Action – Up to 12 players can fight it out via the Internet or LAN, fly solo or team up in squadrons as either nation.

• Choose Your Side – The campaign mode offers players the chance to take on the role of dashing Douglas Knox of the USAAF or fighter pilot Zenji Yamada of the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.

• Riveting Action – Take off from the deck of an aircraft carrier in the most prolific fighters, bombers and torpedo-bearing aircraft of the WWII Pacific Theatre!

• Historical Locations – Fight the selfsame battles that determined the outcome of the war including Doolittle Raid, Pearl Harbor, The Battle of Midway and Iwo Jima!

The Only Game In The Village

Yorkshire firms collaborate to create video game version of smash-hit TV series Little Britain. Whatevah!

Video games developers from the Yorkshire region have collaborated to create a video game version of Little Britain – one of the most successful comedy programmes in recent times.

Little Britain: The Video Game is the brainchild of Leeds-based Gamerholix, who not only masterminded the initial concept, but also designed and produced the game, outsourcing the developmental duties to Sheffield-based Gamesauce.

Gamerholix specializes in the design and development of original games and games based on licensed properties. Managing Director Elliot Gay, who has 25 years games design and production experience, is also Chairman of Game Republic – a regional alliance of high-tech companies operating in the computer and video games business.



Gamerholix and Gamesauce, both founder members of Game Republic, are not the only companies who have contributed to this cross-developed project, however and it was very much a case of “Computer says yes” for two other members of Game Republic, as well. Wakefield-based Pit Stop Productions were approached to write the music and record the voices of the show’s actual stars: Matt Lucas, David Walliams and Tom Baker; while Bradford-based Four Door Lemon created the sound engine for the game.

Charles Cecil, the celebrated game developer and Managing Director of York-based Revolution Software also helped direct the development of the game that sees players reacquaint themselves with a slew of favorite characters such as such as Lou and Andy, Dafydd Thomas, Vicky Pollard, Marjorie Dawes, Emily and Florence, Mr. Mann, Judy & Maggie and Letty. Instantly recognizable, the game’s characters have all been lovingly modeled and hand animated to match their real-life counterparts.

Little Britain: The Video Game is a fun collection of mini-games presented in the style of an episode from the TV show. To win, players must work their way through a series of specially created sketches that feature plenty of scripted input from Matt Lucas and David Walliams themselves, until the credits roll at the end. As you’d expect, Tom Baker narrates throughout so fans of the series can enjoy a truly authentic Little Britain experience.

“This is the first in what we hope will be a long line of commercially successful games using our new business model,” said Elliot Gay, Managing Director of Gamerholix. “After winning the contract to develop the title, Gamerholix led and coordinated an initiative to involve as much regional talent as possible. And, in outsourcing much of the work to Yorkshire-based companies such as Gamesauce (development), Pit Stop Productions (music and voice recording), Four Door Lemon (sound engine) and Revolution Software (consultancy), we hope to raise industry awareness of the Game Republic brand, as well.”

Bryan Reynolds, Managing Director of Gamesauce added: “Being such a well loved and high profile franchise, the Gamesauce team were delighted to be chosen to develop the multiformat Little Britain game. We're now looking forward to using the robust and proven technology on further titles in the coming year.”

Little Britain: The Video Game is published on Mastertronic’s Blast! label – the leading video game company aimed exclusively at the younger children's market – and goes on sale for PlayStation2 and PC on 2nd February, priced £19.99, with the PlayStationPortable (PSP) following shortly afterwards in Spring.

TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL DOUBLE AGENT

Mathieu Hector, PS3 producer at Ubisoft Annecy

1. What are the main changes between the Xbox 360 version of SCDA and the PS3 version? Both for the single player and the multiplayer.

The PlayStation 3 version of SCDA is based on the Next-Gen design of the game, which has already been released on Xbox 360 and PC. However, this version features significant improvements and exclusive content.

The Multiplayer features an additional new spy character (a spy girl), 2 extra maps based on completely new environments and a new set of coop. challenges.

Moreover, the additional time allowed us to increase the polish of both parts of the game.

Overall, the improved accessibility, the multiplayer exclusive content and the motion sensor support are the advantages that make the PS3 version the ultimate version of Splinter Cell: Double Agent.


PS3 Questions and Answers

2. Is SCDA using the Sixaxis feature that makes PlayStation 3 unique?

The SIXAXIS sensor has been implemented in both part of the game as well.

In the Single Player mode, we were free to experiment various designs for the motion sensor implementation. It is used from time to time to operate various gadgets like picking doors or hacking security systems, or for Sam’s special moves like swimming or paragliding.

In the Multiplayer mode, the player controls the Drone with the tilt function.

We implemented the SIXAXIS control when it was fun to play or adding value to the game play experience.

3. What was the big reason to implement a hot female multiplayer skin?

Having a female playable character in the game is something we wanted to have since we started working on Splinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow!

On Double Agent, this idea was still present, but we didn’t have the chance to implement it on time for the first versions. Therefore, when we started working on the PS3 specific content, the spy girl was on top of our list.

We really liked the idea because it really embraces the fact that the spy should be cat-like, very nimble. And for players like me, it’s always more pleasant to follow the acrobatics of a female character, supple and elegant, than those of a born-to-kill-guy!

4. And last, but not least, the PlayStation network has a different setup than Microsofts Xbox Live. Can we expect the same fluid play on Ubisoft’s own servers?

The title uses a network middleware solution already successfully used on PC and PS2. The PlayStation Network Platform provides all the required services to match the Xbox live quality. The online part of the game has been on beta test since November 2006 on PS3 and we are 100% confident to provide a quality online experience.

5. Is there anything else you would like to share with gamers about SCDA for PS3?

Yes, we are very happy with the multiplayer’s extra content we developed specifically for the PS3 version. Rather than just more of the same, the NSA training centre and Kinshasa multiplayer maps are really different than the original multiplayer maps. Those maps have been produced with Ubisoft Milan, Italy, the studio which previously worked on the PS2 Multiplayer maps and we hope the PS3 players will enjoy playing them just as much as we did.

Midway Confirms Theory Is A Fact; BlackSite: Area 51 Is Coming Summer 2007

Reality and Science Fiction Clash in Innovative First Person Shooter for Next Generation Systems and P

Midway Games Inc. a leading interactive entertainment industry publisher and developer, today announced BlackSite™: Area 51, an action packed, first person shooter experience which pits gamers against alien enemy forces using the infamous U.S. government landmark, Area 51, and the surrounding areas as the battlefield backdrop. BlackSite: Area 51 is currently in development for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and for the PC.



Developed by Midway Studios - Austin, BlackSite: Area 51 is a next-generation game that will redefine the first person shooter (FPS) genre. While other FPS titles claim to feature
“action-packed, highly realistic gameplay,” BlackSite: Area 51 takes next-gen gaming to an all-new level integrating cutting edge technology, game design and story writing to create the ultimate entertainment experience. The player’s modern-day emotions and fears are driven into a world charged with grave responsibility affecting lives hanging in the balance and eventually finding himself torn between his professional orders and his own ethical standards. In the end, only the actions of the player and his squad can shape the outcome of BlackSite: Area 51 during this potentially pivotal moment in history.



“BlackSite: Area 51 gives players the opportunity to experience next-generation, first person shooter action in one of the world’s most intriguing and mysterious environments,” said Denise Fulton, studio head, Midway Studios - Austin. “Gamers will be instantly immersed in the game’s seamless storyline, set in the desert and small towns surrounding Area 51 that feature highly detailed environments that transform themselves into awesome battlefields. Without question, BlackSite: Area 51 will raise the bar in the next generation FPS genre with its stunning visuals, life-like squad interactions and its multitude of online multiplayer modes.”





About BlackSite: Area 51
Featuring a powerful single-player campaign, along with multiple online multiplayer modes, BlackSite: Area 51 delivers vicious combat action, next generation graphics and A.I., and a plethora of powerful weapons and vehicles. Set in present day, players take the role of a decorated military veteran charged by the government to lead a squadron of “secret soldiers,” each with his/her own specialty skill set, into the Rachel, Nevada area to fight off the invasion of unidentified enemy races.

Hour Of Victory Approaches; Midway Announces A New World-War II Experience Exclusively For Xbox 360

Midway Games a leading interactive entertainment industry publisher and developer, today announced that Hour of Victory™, a new cinematic, first person shooter experience set in World War II, is currently in development exclusively for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and is expected to be available this summer.

Built using the powerful Unreal Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory combines authentic details from historic World War II battles and adds in frenetic and cinematic gameplay. Gamers are able to play each level in the style they choose, whether as a covert operative, specializing in stealth and sabotage; a British commando proficient in the guns-blazing frontal assault; or an Army ranger who excels in sniping and demolitions. Players will also be able to take control of any vehicle on the battlefield as they sharpen their skills to impact the key battles from the European and North African Theaters.


First Person Shooter Places Gamers In Pivotal Role As One of Three Expert Operatives in Cinematic Battles Across Europe and North Africa

“Hour of Victory is an entirely new World War II experience designed exclusively for the Xbox 360 that will place players in a pivotal role during key battles using the gameplay style they choose,” said Matt Booty, senior vice president, worldwide studios, Midway. “Using the powerful Unreal Engine 3.0 we’re able to create exciting, cinematic moments that allow players to feel like a hero, not just another cog in the war machine.”

About Hour of Victory
Hour of Victory, scheduled to be available exclusively for Xbox 360 in Summer 2007, allows you to play a key role in the pivotal and cinematic battles from the European and North African theaters of World War II, using the skills and gameplay style you choose. Built with Unreal Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory allows you to sneak into enemy territory as a covert operative, storm the gates as a British commando, or snipe from afar as an Army ranger – each character’s unique attributes will be needed for the fulfillment of the overall objective. Only with all these skill working closely together will you be able to say that you helped define the Hour of Victory.