Monthly Archives: January 2009

According to a PSN release schedule obtained by videogaming247.com, the online music video service, operated by London-based company VidZone Digital Media will be available to download from PSN on 4th June.

Until now, the Vidzone service – which allows streaming of music videos to all PS3 users in Europe for free –only had a “2009″ release schedule.

Amid fears that you wouldn’t be able to play games and listen to music simultaneously, Sony’s David Reeves said of VidZone to VG247 last year that, “Because you can listen to it – you don’t have to see the music video – and play your game at the same time.”

By Mike Bowden

According to a Sony Europe PSN release schedule obtained by videogaming247.com, Patapon 2 will be available for download for PSP from the European PlayStation network on February 19.

Patapon 2 was released in Japan last year but so far no Western date has been forthcoming until now.

No price is available at this time.

By Mike Bowden

According to a Sony Europe PSN release schedule obtained by videogaming247.com, SOCOM Confrontation will be available to download from PlayStation Network on the 5th of February.

The much sort after shooter slipped to “early 2009” back in November.

No price is forthcoming at this time.

We can only assume that a boxed version of the game will be released within the same time period.

By Mike Bowden

CCP has just announced that the 10th free-to-play expansion pack entitled, EVE Online: Apocrypha, will be released on March 10.

In what CCP dubs its most ambitious expansion to date Apocrypha promises that “the fabric of space itself will be transformed as vast, unpredictable wormholes open to connect previously unexplored regions of the universe to the stars of New Eden.

“The seeds of advanced new technology await inside of these cosmic anomalies for those brave enough to explore them. This infusion of technology will enable production of the most dynamic vessels ever – Tech 3 modular ships with an astounding amount of customizability that can fill any role from skirmish muscle to industrial support.”

Full release after the break.

By Mike Bowden

According to a Sony Europe PSN release schedule obtained by videogaming247.com, Sony is to release the Super Stardust HD soundtrack on PSN on 19th Febraury.

No price is forthcoming at the moment.

Super Stardust HD was one of the first PSN games released back in June 2007 and is still very highly regarded.

By Mike Bowden

According to the Sony Europe PSN release schedule, on the 19th March William Shatner is set to follow in the hallowed footsteps of David Hasselhof by appearing in Sony PSN title, PAIN.

PAIN was PSNs most downloaded title in 2008 and a celebrity such as Captain James Tiberius Kirk will only serve to keep the juices flowing…or maybe that’s just us?

By Mike Bowden

Sony plans to release a God War 3 trailer and Naughty Dog’s Uncharted Among Thieves trailer on PSN on the 22nd January.

We have no idea as to what these trailers will entail and can only speculate as to whether it will be just the announcement trailers in high def or if we’ll be treated to new footage.

We’re checking with Sony now.

By Mike Bowden

Sony Europe has revealed that Sony Bend Studios’ Resistance Retribution will be released on March 13th.

Previously only set for a Spring release, Resistance Retribution sees the Insomniac shooter début on Sony’s PlayStation Portable.

Check out all our Retribution stories here.

By Mike Bowden

Speaking with Eurogamer, Fallout 3 DLC lead producer, Jeff Gardiner, said that Bethseda is going to raise the level cap from 20 to 30 when DLC, Broken Steel is released in March.

“Along with removing the game’s ‘ending’ with Broken Steel, we figure raising the level cap would allow them to [enjoy the game for longer],” he said.

“We plan on raising it to level 30 – but it will be a long, hard climb to get there!”

More through the link.

By Mike Bowden

According to CMPevents, the sequel to BioWare rather smashing RPG, Mass Effect, will feature at GDC 09.

Corey Andruko (Project Manager, BioWare) and Dusty Everman (Lead Technical Designer, BioWare) will be conducting “a session [that] examines the BioWare Mass Effect team’s new level-creation process, which is focused on maximizing iteration for quality while minimizing rework and cost,” says the piece.

We’re checking with EA and BioWare now to find out more.

By Mike Bowden

Sony has just announced that the Guerilla Shooter, Killzone 2 will release on February 25th in Europe which is two days before it will be released in the US.

Up until now, the Euro date has been somewhat a mystery with Sony only saying a release would be in the same “time-frame” as the US, so to learn the Europe will be getting the game earlier, is somewhat of a surprise.

However, it’s worth noting that games in Europe come out on a Wednesday, so expect a UK release on Friday 27.

Anyway, all’s well that ends well.

By Mike Bowden

Lionhead has informed its community that Fable II DLC, Knothole Island will be available to download from Xbox Live on the 13th of January.

The firm has also confirmed that the content will cost 800 Microsoft Points.

It seems like only yesterday when Lionhead told us there would be an announcement soon…oh wait, it was.

No word as to when the bug fixing patch will be available, however. We’re just checking now.

By Mike Bowden

EA has announced that Godfather II will be will be shipping on February 24th in North America and on February 27th in Europe.

Developed at EAs Redwood Studio, Godfather II will be coming to Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

A February release date has been on the cards since August 08.

By Mike Bowden

Ferrari Challenge dev System 3 has told CVG that because of licensing issues, downloadable content for the title “may never see the light of day.”

“Unfortunately the realities and dead end streets of making licensed content available as a download, and then making it available in different territories have bitten us on the backside,” said System 3 rep.

“System 3 has tried and is still trying to make content available and we haven’t forgotten the people who paid good money for Ferrari Challenge.

“The unfortunate reality is that the content we wanted to release, all of which has been sat around in completed form for months, may never see the light of day as DLC,” the spokesperson added.

Last we heard on the DLC front was back in July when company boss, Mark Cale said content would come last August.

More through the CVG link.

By Mike Bowden

GI writes that a Deloitte survey has unearthed that the average UK household plays over six hours of videogames each week.

“Gaming has been traditionally frowned upon by parents. However it is now considered ‘family time’ for many people aged between 26 and 42,” said Jolyon Barker, head of technology, media and telecoms at Deloitte.

“Although interest declines after the age of 40 this could change as a generation of gamers grows up.”

More through the link.

By Mike Bowden

Square Enix has confirmed that Nippon Ichi’s PS3 SPRG Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice is to get a PAL release – namely February 20th.

“The forthcoming release of Disgaea 3 marks Square Enix’s commitment to delivering memorable titles to new audiences,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix.

“Nippon Ichi has created a wonderful world full of bizarre characters and deep, addictive gameplay. I am delighted that we have added Disgaea 3 to our growing 2009 line-up and I hope everyone enjoys playing this unique and rewarding game.”

The game is due out sometime this year but if you can’t wait that long, CVG has posted a score of screenies for your perusal.

By Mike Bowden

In an interview with MCV, Global President of 2K Christoph Hartmann has said that if done right, the Bioshock franchise could be like Star Wars and be a six-parter.

“For Bioshock, because it’s so story driven, the question obviously arises: how long can you do it without turning into The Matrix?” said Hartmann.

“The first Matrix was great, the second one was weird and the third one, you thought: ‘Who [making this] is on crack and who isn’t?’.

“But, then again, look at Star Wars. It’s a fight between good and evil, just like Bioshock. If we spin it the right way and get the right twist of innovation, we can make six parts of it, as Star Wars did,” he went on.

“But we have to be careful not to cash in. I won’t name the company, but there was a great racing game years ago. They brought it back year-on-year. If you look at the scores, it’s hard to believe what they’ve done to it. It’s upsetting, actually.”

Bioshock 2 Sea of Dreams is due out late 2009.

After Activision’s share price dropped to $8.14 last Tuesday – the lowest its been since November 2006 – its stock value bounced back by 11 percent at close of trading yesterday due to an analyst note from Piper Jaffary supporting the publisher’s 2009 portfolio.

“Following 11 per cent growth during November, we continue to project 5 per cent-plus growth to industry game software sales during the month of December,” read the note.

“Our checks suggest that Activision’s portfolio of ‘must-have’ titles performed well in the US and in international markets. With a meaningful portion of the top 20 selling games, we believe that Activision is taking share and has out-performed its peer group by a wide margin.”

Thanks StreetInsider via GI.

By Mike Bowden

X360F reports that the Gears of War 2 Flashback Map Pack that was included for free in all early copies of the game is now available for download to the riff-raff for 400 Microsoft Points.

Mark Rein announced the other day that a huge Gears 2 title update which will fix many bugs and exploits was on its way soon.

By Mike Bowden

Siliconera reports that SCEA (Asia) is releasing “Radiant Red” and “Vibrant Blue” PSPs.

The new models will cost $1,380 Hong Kong Dollars (approx. €130) and will almost definitely never ever leave Eastern shores so you can look,. but you can’t touch.

Bit more through the link.

Thanks, Kotaku.

By Mike Bowden