Monthly Archives: February 2009

The ESA has appointed Jennifer Manner as its new senior vice president for government affairs.

This position most likely stems from a report filed by the ESA regarding piracy concerns in Europe.

“The entertainment software industry is faced with a variety of challenges and opportunities at the national level from protecting intellectual property and preserving First Amendment rights to fostering economic development and technological advancement,” said ESA bossman Michael Gallagher.

“Jennifer’s wealth of policy experience, particularly in the broadband space, will serve the ESA and our members well as we work to create a prosperous environment for the entire computer and video game industry.”

Jennifer was previously senior counsel for the FCC and legal counsel for various tech based organizations and her responsibilities at the ESA will include heading the government relations team.

Apparently she is also a surfer girl.

Gamespot has loads of screens up for the Wii version of the Nippon Ichi tactical RPG Phantom Brave — 52 to be exact.

Shots are a bit grainy, but you get a general idea of what to expect.

Game’s out on June 16.

Dead Rising creator Keiji Inafune has assured fans that Dead Rising 2, despite being made in North America, won’t betray the ‘flavor’ of the original Japanese game.

“[Blue Castle Games] really understood the Japanese flavor that made Dead Rising so unique,” he said in the latest Capcom podcast, adding that the original team is still highly involved.

“They showed me that they are serious about making a game that keeps that Capcom ‘spice’ intact, and so far it’s going very well.”

Inafune refused to mention any further juicy details, but did say that the new lead character will be more interesting than Frank West.

Loads more over on Joystiq.

Ubi’s confirmed to Joystiq that it’s to publish ex-Midway movie tie-in Wheelman.

“Yes, the deal with Midway has been finalized and we’ll be shipping to retail on March 24th,” said a rep.

The move is being called a “strategic partnership” by Midway and Ubi.

“Ubisoft will handle sales, marketing, and distribution of the title in North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Austria, Ireland and the United Kingdom,” said Ubi in a statement.

“Midway will continue to direct the development of the title and retains all future rights to the franchise and will sell the title in all other European territories.”

Konami’s finally officially confirmed details on Metal Gear Online’s SCENE Expansion, the third update for the game. Get it all on the PS Blog.

As reported this morning, the content will include Vamp and Raiden as playable characters, and bring three new maps to play.

There’s screens and a ton of into through the link.

Microsoft just confirmed that its E3 press conference will take place on Monday, June 1 this year.

We’re already pumped. We’re sitting here pumping. It kicks off at 10.30am PST.

Thanks, Kotaku.

Today’s DLC update for 360 owners includes a demo, extra game content and an arcade title.

• Afro Samurai Demo (Free) — This actually came out last night, but if you are in the mood to take control of Afro as he searches for Justice and his father’s killer with a raging combo system, go for it.

• The Maw: Brute Force (100 MS Points- $1.25) — A “deleted” scene. This extra content takes place in the Bulb Valley and Chaindown levels.

• Death Tank: (1,200 MS Points – $14.99) — This arcade offering is also available.

More through here.

Ubisoft’s put out a new trailer for Tom Clancy’s HAWX, showing something called a Kulbit maneuver.

In case you were wondering, it was developed by Russian pilots to cause enemy aircraft to overshoot targets.

Game’s out in March, and the trailer is posted through the jump.

Thanks, Blue.

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Blizzard leads the US PC charts this week, which makes a nice change. Steam and Direct2Drive results are included this time, in case you’re interested.

NPD Sales Charts February 1-7

1. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
2. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe
3. Spore
4. World Of Warcraft Battle Chest
5. Fallout 3
6. World Of Warcraft
7. Left 4 Dead
8. Call Of Duty: World At War
9. The Sims 2 Apartment Life
10. The Sims 2 Deluxe

Steam charts as of February 17

1. Left 4 Dead
2. FEAR 2
3. Dawn Of War II
4. Counter-Strike Source
5. The Orange Box
6. Fallout 3
7. Call of Duty: World At War
8. Team Fortress 2
9. Counter-Strike
10. Grand Theft Auto IV

Direct2Drive chart as of February 17

1. Dawn of War II
2. FEAR 2
3. Rome: Total War
4. Dawn Of War I+II Special Edition
5. Sims 2 Double Deluxe
6. Fallout 3
7. Call of Duty: World At War
8. Defense Grid
9. Mass Effect
10. Civilization IV

Thanks, Kotaku

The District of Delaware Bankruptcy Court has allowed Midway to continue to do business as it restructures under Chapter 11.

“Approval of these motions is an important first step in this planned and orderly reorganization, enabling Midway to continue to operate as usual during this process,” said CEO Matt Booty.

“We remain confident in Midway’s ability to use this proven process to address our capital structure and explore our strategic alternatives.”

The court approved first day motions and cash collateral filings which will also allow the publisher to pay the remaining employee’s salaries, its vendors and other miscellaneous expenses.

Atari told VG247 today that Cryptic MMO Champions Online is in development for “consoles”. Note the “s”.

“It’s being developed for consoles and we’ll have more news on the release dates in the future,” said a rep.

The game’s already been confirmed for 360. We asked if this meant there was a PS3 version in development as well.

“All I can say is that it’s coming to console,” said the rep.

The PC game was confirmed for a June release today, the first from Cryptic since it was bought by Atari last November.

G4 gamer show X-Play has been cut from five to three days per week, resulting in half the staff being let go including games editorial manager Abbie Heppe.

Kotaku received a statement saying that on March 2, Attack of the Show and X-Play will return to their former schedules, AotS going back to four episodes week, and X-Play to three per week.

A spokesperson said that the company does not “comment on personnel matters”, but that with fewer episodes a decrease in staff was imminent.

The money saved from the staff cuts will got to producing more original programming in 2009. The spokesperson added that, “This is not a budget cut. G4 remains dedicated to these core franchises.”

Looks like a little less Adam Sessler, Morgan Webb and Olivia Munn for everyone.

Nelson’s confirmed that Death Tank is now up on the Live Arcade.

The Snowblind remake features eight-way multi-play and eight different landscapes on which to settle your differences.

It’s 1,200 Points.

Nintendo’s just refused to comment on when we can expect a European date for DSi.

“No comment on this one,” said a UK rep.

Nintendo of America just confirmed the machine will release in the US on April 5, price $170.

Rumour recently pointed to a Australian DSi release in July, logically leading to a similar date for other PAL territories.

Nintendo will launch DSi in the US on April 5, the company’s confirmed.

The handheld will retail for $170.

“Ever since the arrival of the first Game Boy, consumers worldwide have turned to Nintendo for their portable gaming,” said NoA sales boss Cammie Dunaway.

“Nintendo DSi builds on Nintendo’s commitment to bringing fun and creative entertainment to everyone, and will allow consumers to personalize and share their very own experiences.”

We’re still waiting on the European date.

According to a slew of reports, Capcom’s launching the PSN version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix in Europe tomorrow.

The PS3 version has been long-delayed, thanks to technical problems. The 360 game was released last November.

Thanks, Blerk.

Atari’s just confirmed a June 2009 release date for Cryptic’s anticipated MMO, Champions Online.

The game will be the studio’s first release since being bought by Atari in December.

The studio’s also working on Star Trek Online, which is pencilled in for 2010.

Capcom has told VG247 that it’s thrilled at the prospect of launching Street Fighter IV this Friday, and is expecting a major financial success with the game.

“If buzz and anticipation equates to sales then we have very high expectations commercially,” said a rep.

“We’re tremendously excited to be launching Street Fighter IV this Friday.

“It’s the return of the most loved, most played, most bought and most copied fighting game of all time.

“And Street Fighter IV is the best Street Fighter yet.”

Capcom’s celebrating the game’s launch with a world record attempt at HMV on London’s Oxford Street on Friday, where top player Zak Bennet will attempt to break the record for the most consecutive wins.

It may be worth going along: the first person to beat him gets a 48” TV and home cinema surround sound system.

EA’s released the first footage of just-announced Wii horror Dead Space Extraction, showing a first-person game.

The preceding 360 and PS3 titles were third-person action efforts.

The new version is due for release at the end of this year, and features a woman in the lead role.

Extraction’s story takes place on land, being set on a distant mining colony, as opposed to the spaceship setting of the first game.

After the break.

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Update: Get the first movie here.

EA’s just confirmed its Dead Space Wii game is called Extraction, and is to include a new protagonist and “co-operative multiplayer gameplay”.

“We could not be more excited to extend Dead Space into an experience exclusive to the Wii. Nintendo has a wonderful history in the horror genre and we are thrilled to build on that tradition with Dead Space Extraction,” said EA Redwood Shores boss Glen Schofield.

“As we were developing Dead Space, we realized that there was so much of the story going untold. Dead Space Extraction tells that story with all of the intensity, blood and gore that fans would expect.”

The lead character’s a woman this time, with the story being set on a mining colony as opposed to a ship.

It’s out at the end of this year. Press release after the break.

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