Monthly Archives: March 2009

Amazon.de’s listing Grand Slam Tennis as a bundle with Wii MotionPlus for €54.

The release date’s listed as July.

This isn’t confirmed at all. We’ll drop EA a line. Thanks GAF and Joystiq.

Bethesda’s just said it appears as though a corrupted file is to blame for the bugs and glitches reported throughout the day in Fallout 3 DLC, The Pitt.

“We are continuing to look into the issues people are experiencing with The Pitt for Xbox 360,” the company said in a statement.

“As of now it looks like the file for the English version on Xbox Live was somehow corrupted. We are currently working with Microsoft to remove the existing file off of Live to prevent any further downloads. Our plan is to replace it with a new file as soon as possible. We hope to have another update for you shortly.”

It was reported earlier that large exclamation marks were found floating around the content, which is apparently also full of graphical glitches and freezing issues.

A spokesperson for Bethesda has told VG247 that the company is currently investigating alleged bugs in Fallout 3 DLC, The Pitt.

“Bethesda is still looking into the situation,” we were told this afternoon.

The Pitt’s 360 version was released this morning, after which reports instantly appeared of huge floating exclamation marks in the add-on, as well as freezing issues and graphical glitches. Hit this for more.

Hopefully we’ll get a proper update in the next few hours. Thanks to Mafro for the image.

OnLive’s Cloud gaming model could well be the future for the industry, Silicon Knights boss Denis Dyack said today, and it’s likely to make consoles a thing of the past.

“What hardware one runs behind the wall of the Cloud is unimportant; only what you are transmitting counts,” said the developer, writing on VentureBeat.

“Thus, the ultimate game console in the Cloud model is no console at all.”

Dyack added that Cloud gaming will mean that reaching consumers will be far simpler if the concept takes off.

“In the Cloud, publishing and advertising become much easier,” he said.

“With the Cloud, getting directly in touch with the consumer may be as simple as starting a website. This means that those people who can create ideas will ultimately become empowered and that the future is bright for game developers as the need for traditional publishing and distribution also is commoditized.

“If you are wondering about the technology for the Cloud, it already exits and we will likely see public tests in the near future.”

He added:

“This model is attractive because it eliminates piracy 100 percent, since the consumer does not have anything to copy and needs only to log into the Cloud to interact. Technology is commoditizing the value of hardware to zero and a unified platform will be the likely result. Following this logic to its end, the implication is that hardware could be removed altogether. What hardware one runs behind the wall of the Cloud is unimportant; only what you are transmitting counts. Thus, the ultimate game console in the Cloud model is no console at all.”

Come on! No more consoles! No more wars! Creativity! Freedom! Total game! Slamming your cock in the fridge door! It’s all here for you! And us! And our children’s children!

Full thing through the link.

Sorry, we’re late with this. Sony’s confirmed it’s to drop the price of PS3 dev kits by over 80 percent to $2,000, down from $10,240.

The move will be seen as hugely welcome, and give a clear indication that Sony’s about to make a serious effort to get PS3 moving this year.

We should have plenty mroe Sony news from GDC in the next few days.

SCEA just released the first movie of Noby Noby Boy’s multiplayer. After the break.

It’s a “teaser video of the multiplayer mode,” according to Keita Takahashi.

Unsurprisingly, it looks completely indecipherable and bonkers.

More odd games from GDC, please.

More »

The very good people of Digital Foundry have shown the firm’s latest project today, a portable HD capture solution for those of you with heavy duty gaming video needs.

The unit has a touch-screen and can capture any console at 480i, 576i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i via component or HDMI inputs.

All the info here. Buy one. You may as well.

Peter Moore just put the first screen of Madden 10 up on his blog. Is it good? You’re darn tootin’.

“From everything I have seen in Madden NFL 10 so far this year, the authenticity of gameplay is showing striking improvement in physics, realism and responsiveness,” said Moore.

“Having recently sat through a full product review from our team in Orlando, it’s abundantly clear that this could be the deepest, most graphically-rich Madden ever, and a stunning testament to the talented development team who have had a maniacal focus delivering a landmark title to Madden Nation in 2009.”

Tons more through there.

Havok’s announced Havok AI at GDC today, a new middleware SDK.

According to this 1UP piece, the software allows “developers to automatically generate navigation meshes quickly while offering dynamic pathfinding and integration with Havok’s current middleware offerings.”

Sure thing. There’s a demo video after the break.

More »

And we’re off! Microsoft just announced new features for Games for Windows Live at GDC, including piracy protection and an in-game Marketplace.

The firm said the updated service will also include cloud saves, so you’ll be able to access your settings on any computer.

“This update and other features currently in development represent a tipping point in the evolution of Games for Windows – Live as a leading online PC gaming network,” said MS exec Ron Pessner.

“In the coming months, we will continue to deliver on our promise to provide gamers and publishers with the industry’s best connected gaming experiences through the Live service.”

Full press release after the break.

More »

World at War’s gone back to the top of Live play chart, which is nice and lovely for the Treyarch chaps.

Data for the week of March 16. Last week’s chart here. Get all the community gubbins on Nelson.

1. Call of Duty: WaW
2. Halo 3
3. Call of Duty 4
4. RESIDENT EVIL 5
5. Gears of War 2
6. GTA IV
7. Halo Wars
8. FIFA 09
9. Left 4 Dead
10. Guitar Hero World Tour

Gamers are claiming that Fallout 3 DLC the Pitt – released this morning – is suffering from some serious bugs.

“It’s completely broken,” said one, posted in this Nelson thread.

“Textures and graphics are glitchy and bugged. There are these box exclamation points all over The Pitt map. I think someone screwed up because it’s completely bugged out. It’s like not playable after the bridge because it freezes. If you manage to get past the bridge part you’re pretty much in glitch city. Good Luck.”

There are further reports on the official Bethesda forums of “giant floating exclamation points”. There’s an image here.

We’ve just put a call into Bethesda. Thanks, evilashchris.

John Carmack’s put out an open source version of the original Wolfenstein for iPhone, as you can see in this ludicrously detailed document on VE3D.

DOOM’s on the way as well, said the developer.

“I’m going back to Rage for a while, but I do expect Classic Doom to come fairly soon for the iPhone,” he said at the bottom of his notes.

OnLive, the cloud-based gaming service announced at GDC today, has confirmed that Atari, Eidos, Codemasters, EA, Epic, Take-Two, THQ, Ubisoft and Warner Bros. are all on board with the scheme.

The news came in a GTTV video – after the break – that also includes some spectacular claims about the service, including promises that top titles will be added to OnLive in the same timeframe that they hit retail.

“OnLive is games on demand,” said OnLive boss, Steve Perlman. “What we do is make available the top, high-end titles at the same window they’re released at retail – so the same time they’re on the store shelves you have access to them – and you can play all these high-end titles on any entry level PC or Mac just through a plug-in that’s just one megabyte in size in your browser, or using this OnLive micro-console.

“You can hook it up to your TV and have the exact same games available on your TV.

“Games on the TV and PC and Mac will be at abvout 1280×720, 60 frames a second, sometimes called 720p60. The resolution is really limited by the speed of your broadband connection.”

OnLive will release later this year, and will allow play of PC and console games on TVs and monitors without the need for any high-end hardware. In theory.

Get more details here. Thanks, G1GAHURTZ.

More »

Need something to do before the GDC keynotes kick off tomorrow? Play this point-and-click DoubleFine adventure on your personal computer.

The game gives you control of Tim Schafer as he readies himself to MC this year’s GDC awards. You need to help the Brutal Legend developer get his jokes together before heading to the stage. It’s kind of fun.

So do it.

Autumn Moon’s confirmed Vampyre Story 2: A Bat’s Tale, a sequel to its 2008 adventure.

According to this Shacknews report, players will assume control of Mona de Laffite’s bat companion Froderick to free Mona from the clutches of Dr Riga Mortus. Sounds spooky.

At least four games are planned in the PC series.

Dan Harris, him what co-wrote the X-Men 2 and Superman Returns movies, is to pen the Dante’s Inferno film for EA, according to Variety.

Strike Entertainment’s Marc Abraham and Eric Newman are producing the film. EA VP Patrick O’Brien and game creator Jonathan Knight are also involved.

More through there. No date on it yet. The game’s out later this year.

EA’s is to release a 20-song Classic Rock pack for Rock Band in the US on May 19.

$30 to you. Here’s what you get:

• Boston Peace of Mind 1976
• Boston Rock and Roll Band 1976
• Dead Kennedys California Über Alles 1987
• Dead Kennedys Holiday in Cambodia 1987
• Free All Right Now 1970
• George Thorogood & the Destroyers Bad to the Bone 1982
• James Gang Funk #49 1970
• Jethro Tull Hymn 43 1971
• Lenny Kravitz Let Love Rule 1989
• Pat Benatar Hit Me With Your Best Shot 1980
• The Police Can’t Stand Losing You 1978
• The Police Truth Hits Everybody 1978
• Rush Closer to the Heart 1977
• Rush Red Barchetta 1981
• Siouxsie and The Banshees Kiss Them For Me 1991
• Steve Miller Band Take the Money and Run 1976
• Steve Miller Band The Joker 1973
• The Stone Roses Love Spreads 1994
• The Who Baba O’Riley 1971
• The Who Behind Blue Eyes 1971

Press release after the break.

More »

Microsoft just confirmed that Fallout 3 DLC The Pitt is now available for download.

The second piece of extra content for Bethesda’s RPG will set you back 800 MS Points and contains around four hours of play.

Blurb from Nelson:

Pittsburgh was once the industrial center of the pre-war world. The city was spared the horrors of nuclear fire, only to have its people infected by a nightmare plague of disease, infection, and mutation. Travel to the ruins of this industrial city, now called The Pitt, and discover a secret that could send shockwaves through the entire Wasteland. Battle vicious mutated Trogs, employ deadly new weapons like the AutoAxe and Infiltrator silenced assault rifle, and decide the fate of the infected slaves and slavers that call this city home. Only you can find the cure – but will you have the guts to use it?

Get it, pronto.

Capcom’s released a new bit of concept art for upcoming actioner Dark Void, this one including the USS Cyclops, a real life ship that vanished in the Bermuda Triangle in 1918.

The ship disappeared with all 306 passengers: apparently it shot through into “the Void”.

There’s no date on the game – which features aerial and foot combat and exploration – as yet.

More through there.