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And given how good 1 is, you can imagine why it's crazy that CERTAIN PEOPLE choose not to play it.

THQ makes some predictions about the next generation of consoles and predicts games could reach $100 as a regular price.

To put things in perspective, THQ lost a lot of money last year although not at the level EA lost but at the same time Microsoft and others did use the "HD" excuse in 2005 as a reason to charge games from the old $50 price to the current $60 price on PS3/Xbox 360.

Game prices could go up but THQ also ignores how much money is gained from DLC and "collector" editions of games that has occurred during this generation of games.

http://kotaku.com/5737565/game-studi...dware-horrible

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For some bad news, Bizarre Creations (Bond Bloodstone, Blur, Geometry Wars) expected to shut down within a few weeks due to no buyers after Activision declared they wanted to get rid of the studio.

Joining them will be Propaganda Games (Tron Evolution, Turok) since Disney has no interest in keeping the studio or selling. Big rumor is due to abysmal sales and interest from those games led Disney to shut down the studio.

That's awful with Bizarre. Blur was OK but overshadowed by Red Dead and Split/Second on release and the Bond game was shit, but a licensed game with tight timescales never really come out good.

I know they left MS because they didn't want to keep churning out PGR's, but get in bed with the devil and expect some rough stuff. Fucking Activision.

While Sony has been trying to sue and put restraining orders on hackers of the PS3, MS decided to invite the hackers of Windows Phone 7 down for a chat with the development director of Microsoft Mobile and even gave the guys this T-Shirt:

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget....18n4fwchev.jpg

Not only that, but GeoHot, who is currently in Sony's crosshairs and has jailbroken revisions of the iPhone, tweeted that he was going to treat himself to a WP7, but MS offered him a free one.

I feel dirty, treating MS like the good guy...

If video games prices rise to 100 bucks per game then I will stop playing all together. :n:

I don't think it will happen. It will be likely that there's fewer big budget blockbusters taking the big money out of the market and lots of smaller experiences, which I'm all for.

Reaction:

YES! VF2 ON THE APP STORE

FUCK! Mega Drive version :(

Huge news on a potential firmware update from Sony since they might have found a solution to the hack but at the same time going to make owning and selling a game tougher in the long run (more affected on used games than newer ones).

It wouldn't be the first time Sony has hidden root kits in stuff before but this would be the first time Sony would have to activate them when before it occurred automatically.

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=123202
The source itself is in Japanese while the link has the translation of the report.

So then i guess no more Gamefly/video game rentals for the Playstation 3 aye? Seeing as how those discs get passed around more than Roxer's mom at a key party.

That would be retarded. They'd do that while the hackers continue playing without going online.

So the hackers win, again.

Activision announces their plan for a spin-off from Call of Duty will be canceled for at least this year. The issue is due to Infinity Ward being understaffed and having problems meeting deadlines after the whole fiasco last year that led to a mass exodus from the studio.

Activision is now using Sledgehammer Games and Raven studios to help out IW in making Modern Warfare 3 for this Fall.

Original plans were for Sledgehammer Games and Raven studios to team up and work on the spin-off as a way to get them used to making games in the series and to spread the series to at least 2 games a year.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...n_problems.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5739152/report-mod...to-get-it-done

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The very short cord that was shown with the 3DS will not be the final AC adaptor cord when the 3DS goes on sale.

Nintendo stated it was only used for display purposes and the real cord will be something similar to the DSi/XL cord since that cord also works on the 3DS.

Let this happen.

I second that.

I will buy a Wii the day that comes out.

I will accept Jesus Christ into my heart if this happens.

Can you imagine how it would play? I assume some Smash influences because of Sakurai, but Ono has a good grasp of attracting casuals to a deceptively competitive game. They would do something special, I think.

I wish Sunsoft would come back. They were fucking awesome.

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They're doing some seriously awesome shit with the Kinect.

Crysis 2 multiplayer demo set to arrive on Xbox 360 on January 25 and only for Gold Members. Included in the demo are 1 map (Skyline) and 2 game modes (Team Instant Action and Crash Site).

No news on if the demo will be available for the PC or PSN before the game is released on March 22 (US) or 25 (Europe).

Also being released on the same day is Dead Space 2 game and Bulletstorm demo by EA.

http://kotaku.com/5739880/crysis-2-m...5#viewcomments

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neat

Yeah I wanted to hate it but I couldn't.

Shaun of the Dead? Beverly Hills Cop?

I might have to get a Move now.

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Woah, that yoostar 2 is a Kinnect fame I would play. Finally.

What's a Kinnect fame? :p

*game. That Yoostar is, watch all the ad. It talks about move but it also shows a 360 box.

So, anybody downloading the Crysis 2 mp on Live tomorrow? It is tomorrow, right?

The beta was alright. Wonder how different the demo will be.

Haven't played Crysis in awhile. Looks like they improved the game by allowing multi ability use. Just looks like something we could get into. Guess we shall see.

Konami releases more info about the next Silent Hill and its official name is Silent Hill: Downpour. Vatra Games is the studio behind the newest game in the series and a new composer joined for the soundtrack.

Also hinted is how this time the town and settings will play a bigger role in the character's development and progress during the game than in previous Silent Hill games. Also expected is a more "edgier" game in mood with the rain being a big factor.

Expected to be released sometime in Fall 2011 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 with little chance of being on the PC at the moment. It could also get pushed to a 2012 date if it follows recent tradition of moves games away from Call of Duty or other mega-named games released late in the year.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets..._screen001.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5742052/get-a-good...st-silent-hill

Crysis 2 mp beta is up on live for anyone who wants to get their feet wet without purchasing the game. I highly recommend this to you Kalyx.

My bro just told me about it. I'll mess with it tonight.

bullet storm is cool

Dead Space II news:

Problems with the PC version of the game on Steam have lead to a lot of players who pre-loaded or bought the game on launch unable to play the game. The issue appears to be coming from EA's side rather than Valve/Steam since the DRM lock might not have been activated by EA when the game was released.

Unfortunately while EA has fixed most of the activation problems, it is still possible to be locked out of the game until EA finishes their fixes but most PC users have been able to get into the game by now.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...deadspace2.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5742816/dead-space...d-in-the-water


DLC for the game also announced and should be arriving on Xbox 360 and PS3 within the next few weeks. No news if PC/Steam owners will get the DLC but as of now, the answer is no.

Dead Space Extraction for PSN set at a $14.99 price and available today with the latest PSN update/release schedule.

Okay, so I got GH: Warriors of Rock. Yeah, I know, I've been shitting on it for years. Sue me. It's pretty great tbh. :shifty:

Anyway, I'm Goozexing some of the older games. I assume I can't import the tracks because they're used? Not a huge deal as I'll just pop them in if I can't.

Just call EA and tell them you lost your game manual, and they will give you an import code. You obviously still have to play 10 dollars, but it works.

Thanks.

Now get Rock Band 3 Xero. It kicks Guitar Hero in the ass.

From the latest issue of Famitsu, Capcom's Resident Evil team is currently working on 2 new and original titles for 2011 and neither have to do with Resident Evil nor Street Fighter.

According to the team, one of the titles will cause a "At this point, what the hell are you doing? What, are you stupid?" reaction witch hints at a comedic or weird style game not in the traditional Capcom style or tone.

Both games set for a Summer 2011 release date but no release dates, platforms, or if these games will reach outside of Japan was announced.

http://kotaku.com/5743760/resident-e...itles-for-2011

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PS3 owners upset at the fact Mass Effect 2 doesn't work or has a nasty bug that doesn't allow people to save their games. Bioware and EA are currently fixing the issue but it might be due to ME 2 running on a different engine than the game's original engine from the Xbox 360.

No more renders, no more mock ups, this is the PSP2:

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...01/psp_ngp.jpg

That looks exactly like the PSP.

except bigger, if you can believe that.

New Kirby game for the Wii:
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Still need Kirby's Epic Yarn, but FUCK YEAH!

Daishi Odashima, director of the recently announced SoulCalibur 5, recently tweeted that he believes the exhibition theaters (character's weapon kata) is part of what made SoulCalibur what it is. He also acknowledges that SC3's Chronicle of the Sword mode may have been popular due to the created character's exclusive movelists. His preferences and thoughts give hint to how he may approach his own version.

Nintendo announces new IP title called Pandora's Tower. The game is an RPG and set for a Spring 2011 Japan release.

Unlike most Nintendo games, this one is expected to get a Cero rating in Japan (equivalent to an M in the ESRB).

If it was to come to the West, most likely a 2012 date since The Last Story is rumored to have a late 2011 release date in the US/Europe.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...01/pandora.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5745702/nintendos-...ge-back-tattoo

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Sony takes a jab at Nintendo saying portable 3D is not a good idea. In reality, Sony couldn't figure out how to make the 3D in the NDP be glasses-less 3D and the Sony tv branch didn't want the Playstation branch hurting their expensive 3D entertainment products that need expensive 3D glasses.

Nintendo themselves doing an RPG? Love to know the team and details.

Yeah this one appears to be an internal title since the Xenoblade game is from Monolith Soft and The Last Story from Mistwalker being funded by Nintendo.

Sony could of had The Last Story but refused to offer funding and Nintendo didn't hesitate when the offer came. I think Sony ended up using that money to get exclusives from EA or Rockstar.

The Norwegian Consumer Council has received enough composite about removing OtherOS that it's going to look into talks with Sony about their firmware downgrades, in their words.

They are a government funded organisation, so they may have some teeth.

Are you sure this isn't for 3DS?

The Kirby game is supposedly the game Nintendo had been working on about 6 years ago for the Gamecube but in the end decided to cancel the game.

Big rumor is Epic Yarn wasn't meant to be a Kirby game but Nintendo realized Kirby's name would sell better but no real news to show it being true.

Okay, odd request.

With World of Warcraft and Minecraft, I can sort of zone out and idly watch a movie or something on my second monitor while I'm grinding or just fucking around. I get a similar effect with sports games and wrestling games where I can just turn the volume off and listen to a podcast or the radio. Really anything I can play with the audio down I do (90% of platformers, for example) but I'm more looking for something I can just grind in that's fun but doesn't require full attention all the time.

Could someone suggest some games that are similar in this regard?

When I got all my characters in Final Fantasy 9 up to level 99 I watched like four seasons of The Office and two seasons of LOST while I was doing it. So I'd say level up all your characters in any RPG.

Yeah, I've been playing through FF6 while watching TV and the plot still all made sense.

Just don't understand why you don't download patched versions of digital games instead of downloading 3 gigs and then have a 200mb patch.

Sony confirms they will re-release PSP games for the NGP just like some PS2 games have been re-released for the PS3. It will end up solving the issue of no UMD drive or backwards compatibility for PSP games not on PSN store.

No plans for a UMD transfer kit so only way to play PSP games is with a PSP or if the game is downloadable from PSN.

It turns out that the PS2 collection series were popular enough for Sony to do the same for PSP games on the NGP.

Also hinted is the end of Sony ever doing backwards compatible for future systems since they took it out of the PS3 and refusal for PSP Go.

http://image.gamespotcdn.net/gamespo...257_screen.jpg
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6296942...ummary%3Btitle
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Zelda Skyward Sword on the last phase of development and confirmed to be released after Ocarina of Time 3DS game (June/July).

Big rumor is Nintendo could release a 25th Anniversary set for the Zelda series around the same time the Mario Anniversary series was released in 2010.

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He also gives Wesker voice mail messages if you can catch him.

SOCOM 4 confirmed to be more like Call of Duty than previous SOCOM games. Lack of sales with the previous game and declining interest in terms of new buyers forced the decision to change the game style in most areas.

Multiplayer is going to be more heavy in classic SOCOM style than CoD style but there is some changes. Also announced is no headset to be included unlike previous games in the series.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets.../02/socom1.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5748690/socom-4-an...h-call-of-duty

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New Super Mario Bros series moving to the 3DS for the next game. Game is set to be under development once Nintendo finishes up the launch lineup of 3DS games and could sneak in a late 2011 as earliest release date.

Both NSMB games were able to generate 21+ million sales each.

lol CoD doesn't have a fucking cover system. Many games of other genres had regen hp way before CoD and when the shit did not having voice commands evoke CoD?

Stupid comparison in that article. Sort of like how any movie having teenage characters who don't smile is trying to be like Twilight. Please.

Kalyx won't be happy

lol

Just sick of "oh it's gonna be like this and that" because of shallow details. Ugh. The rage.

TAKE IT EACE

To be fair, the person at Kotaku was playing a current build of the game while a PR person from the development team was telling him all the stuff SOCOM 4 was going to have. He noticed more of the bigger changes and differences compared to the older SOCOM games.

The last SOCOM game in the series for the PSP played a bit differently than the PS2 games and it appears this one might be not be going back to the SOCOM 1-3 as was expected.

Kotaku's had misleading headlines before, and they were called on it a few times. I'd think saying they got the scoop of the latest SOCOM would be enough.

Kotaku being shit. SHOCKING.

Video game journalism isn't exactly where I would look for quality. I really just read headlines from Joystiq or Kotaku (wrong or not) and just check Giant Bomb for everything else. Used to go to Gametrailers, but I really only went there for the video quality. I certainly didn't go there for the journalism.

Then where do you go?

/curious

Just Giant Bomb, really. They don't post as many articles because they only have four dedicated guys on staff and a few other occasional helpers, but their videos are awesome, and the community is the kind of gaming community I identify with (really dedicated, obsessive gamers). I like their weekly podcast, the weekly live multiplayer show with people from the community, along with the other live shenanigans they do on a weekly basis. I know I talk about them a lot, but their Quick Looks give me a whole lot better of an idea if I'm going to like a game or not.

Plus, they are opinionated as hell. They all used to work at Gamespot, but left and made their own shit because Jeff got fired writing a bad review for Kane and Lynch on a week that GS was selling ad-space for the game. They have zero ads, so not only am I not annoyed when I watch their videos (AKA Gametrailers, which even Adblock won't save), I don't have any concerns about them speaking their mind. Every writer has vastly different taste in games too.

Optional yearly membership. Was 50 bucks for a year (they have monthly too, obviously), and I got a member shirt, access to 720p footage for all their content, complete access to all their video content on my phone, and a few other smaller things. For good content, I was willing to drop some money. But honestly, you don't really need a membership at all. I got mine originally because they were giving first-day access to their podcast for paying members, but ended up making it free to everyone for the rest of time because so many people signed up for memberships. Not sure if I will re-up when my year is done, but I've been really happy with what I payed for.

And I mean c'mon, they have a quest system on their website that is totally stupid and an awesome waste of my time. Who doesn't like being LVL 28 on a website?

Yeah, GB and Destructoid are the only blogs I follow because they're pretty damn entertaining in how they publish their news. Joystiq too at a much lesser extent.

Nope. Open to anyone on the site. They make a new quest every week, usually in tandem with a game release. They made one for Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 this week, and asked me to search the website for famous gaming mustaches. (Thanks, Nintendo)

Giant Bomb's game database is really crazy.

I will visit Destructoid on a rare occasion, but it hasn't ever roped me. Need to keep visiting it though; I'm sure it's more worth my while than Joystiq or Kotaku.

Dtoid has serious load issues. Just messy. But Jim Sterling is an on-point dude. They don't do really fun articles anymore (like analyzing fanboy forum battles).

Extra Mode in Bulletstorm:

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THIS

http://www.destructoid.com/treyarch-...y-193093.phtml

Not quite sure why the community manager of a developer riding off a franchise from a better developer is whining about creativity...

EA lost $322 million in Q3... Ouch.

Stop those wacky-ass promotion campaigns and focus on satisfying your damn developers.

Yeah, pretty sure stuff like Limbo, Little Big Planet, and Shadow of the Colossus have gotten rave reviews.

That was lame.

You aren't even trying anymore, BDC.

Gotta be honest, I do not see this gimmick going places.

First trailer and screens for Dark Souls released by FromSoftware and Namco Bandai today.

The sequel to Demon Souls is expected to be much harder with bigger worlds and combat varieties to go along with new enemies and story. Also announced was new modes and features for online multiplayer.

The game is set for a late 2011 release date in both the US/Canada and Europe for the Xbox 360 and PS3. No news on a PC version was given but at the moment very unlikely.

<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PsrNWNc2VCA" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen></iframe>
http://kotaku.com/5750116/first-look...ssor-in-action

Much harder?

Wasn't the first one really hard? Like not fun super meat boy hard, but this game is cheap as fuck hard?

It had its cheap moments, but it wasn't that bad once you started being patient and learning enemy patterns. I just beat it for the first time last month, so I can still feel some of the agony, but not all.

I was more annoyed that random people could jump in my game, break all my equipment, and kill me. But the online stuff was too interesting to shut PSN off.

I was ready and prepared for this to suck but man if that wasn't one of the best parodies I've seen in a long time.

The Fight Night Champion demo is all kinds of fantastic. I was anticipating this game quite a lot already, now it's just off the charts.

Weird Treyarch seems to confuse being creative with doing the same thing a million times over.

Some Battlefield series news:

DICE and EA officially cancel Battlefield 1943 from appearing on the PC after delaying the game multiple times since its console release. Also canceled is the Onslaught pack for Bad Company 2 on the PC.

The reason given was DICE wants to be completely focused on Battlefield 3 which was officially revealed today. First trailer for the game won't be released until Friday.

DICE did confirm that the game's art style is similar to Bad Company 2 and Vietnam DLC pack with new animations and improved environment destruction from the new "Frostbite" engine.

Battlefield 3 is set for a TBA release date on PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. If the previous games is any indication, preference will be given to the console versions of the game.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...ld_3_tease.jpg
http://kotaku.com/5751373/your-first...-battlefield-3

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Bad news for PS3 users who want to play Bionic Commando Rearmed 2 since somehow either Sony or Capcom included DRM in the game and is currently causing problems to some PS3 users.

The game itself has no online modes except for Time Attack leaderboard and the Xbox 360 version has no DRM.