Monthly Archives: March 2009

Infinity Ward’s Rob Bowling revealed during his acceptance speech at the BAFTAs last Tuesday night that Call of Duty 4 has raked-in 15 million unique online players since launch.

The split is heavily skewed towards Live.

“I’m delighted that we just reached 11 million unique players on Xbox Live and we’ve got over 4 million on PSN,” Bowling said.

Xbox Live has 17 million users overall, according to Microsoft, meaning that two-thirds of users have played the game.

Just to compare, World of Warcraft has 11 million active players worldwide.

No numbers were given for PC users.

EA’s released the first proper shots of G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra. Get them after the break.

It’s out for DS, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, and X360 on August 7, alongside the live-action movie of the same name.

The game takes up where the movie leaves off, and comes complete with co-op mode. Still no mention of multiplayer and DLC, though.

Take a look. Go Joe!

More »

Sonic Unleashed has a new DLC pack available for 250 MS Points ($3.00)

The 528 Mb Chun-nan Adventure Pack has four daytime levels, as well as two Werehog areas in a “mountainous region best known for its dragon roads and majestic peaks.”

These are the same levels featured in the Japanese PS3 release, apparently.

Ed Barton, UK analyst for Screen Digest, has said that the British Wii price hike is “perfectly justified” and it should come as no surprise if Wii Fit goes up in price as well.

“‬If you look at the yen exchange rate over the pound in the previous year ‬it has changed by thirty to forty percent”, he said. “We looked closely at Nintendo’s figures in the last quarter and this exchange rate has absolutely murdered their operating profit.

“When you look at all the data and financials it wouldn’t surprise me if Nintendo raised the price of Wii Fit.‭ ‬The margin on games hardware and peripherals is a serious problem right now”.

Over on Edge, Barton goes on at length about how retailers should deal with the raised price. He also says that the hike may hurt smaller speciality stores.

Thanks, GoNintendo.

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising is now available for download at the EA Store and other online digital retailers.

The single-player campaign expansion takes players into the aftermath of the Red Alert 3 war, with four new mini-campaigns.

New plot twists and the all-new Commander’s Challenge mode will give you 50 new scenarios.

Jamie Chung, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Malcolm McDowell and Holly Valance, Ivana Milicevic and Gemma Atkinson reprise their roles.

Press release is posted below.

More »

GamePolitics has learned that Hans-Dieter Schwind, the president of the German Foundation for Crime, wants a ban on violent games after yesterday’s shooting rampage by teenager Tim Kretschmer.

Bavarian interior minister Joachim Herrmann is also demanding discussion on a ban on “so-called killer games” to be renewed, and in Strasbourg, European representatives have voted in a resolution to prevent retailers from selling adult-rated games to minors.

Romandie News is reporting that the European Parliament is contemplating “severe sanctions” towards retailers who sell adult games to minors, or “owners of Internet cafes that allow children to play games unsuitable for their age group”.

More through here.

Loads of LittleBigPlanet content is coming to PlayStation Store over the coming weeks, Sony’s announced.

From Killzone to Papaton to little green-suited men with a penchant for gold and shamrocks, there’s bound to be something for all.

• March 12 : St Patrick’s Day costume — FREE starting today (available for one week only)

• March 19 : Killzone Mini-pack : $2.99/€2.99 — Containing Sev and Helghast costumes along with 32 themed stickers

• March 26 : Buzz! costume : $1.99/€1.99 — Celebrating the European release of the latest Buzz! with the  costume of the main man himself.

• April 2 : Patapon costume : $1.99/€1.99 — Costume includes  a selection of weapon options.

• April 9 : Heavenly Sword Mini-pack : $2.99/€2.99 –Containing costumes for both Kai and Nariko along with 27 Heavenly Sword themed stickers.

• April 16 : Monkey King costume : FREE — The costume competition winning design from Asia – the Monkey King.

The  Cornish Yarg game update  is progressing and news on when you can expect it will be announced soon.

Thanks, Syrok.

The anticipated EU PSN-web integrated features are now live.

Changes include the ability to view your PSN Portable ID, which now has lots of customization options, look over your  Friends List, and view your most recent Trophies.

Loads more is through the link. Too much to be posted here.

Thanks, Psychotext.

Professional Warcraft gamer Jae Ho ‘Moon’ Jang has signed a three-year deal with Korean gaming league WeMade FOX worth 700,000,000 won ($473,037).

Previously a member of Warcraft and Starcraft team Meet Your Makers, Moon is please to be playing back home again.

“I am honored to play for a Korea professional gaming team for Koreans. As setting good circumstance of playing, I will give everything to my fans and FOX team by winning lots of titles in 2009,” he said.

This deal makes the 22-year-old the highest-paid professional Warcraft III player and the second highest paid e-Sports player in Korea.

NPD has compiled a list of America’s top 20 best-selling PC games during February: Lich King won out.

Not much changed month over month, the debuts of Dawn of War II and F.E.A.R. 2 the only real exceptions.

1. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
2. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe
3. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II
4. World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest
5. F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
6. Spore
7. World Of Warcraft
8. The Sims 2 Apartment Life Expansion Pack
9. Fallout 3
10. World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack
11. Call Of Duty: World At War
12. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
13. Left 4 Dead
14. The Sims 2 Deluxe
15. Civilization IV
16. The Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff Expansion
17. StarCraft Battle Chest
18. Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack
19. Diablo Battle Chest
20. The Sims 2 Pets Expansion

Thanks, Shack.

Mythic is asking gamers to return to Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, despite recently closing down 43 of its game servers.

North America and Asia Pacific gamers who re-activate their accounts will receive an “Emperor’s welcome,” complete with all the rested experience they’ve accumulated while absent, a special quest chain with in-game rewards, and ten free days of game time.

Returning players will notice the changes and updates recently made, which are:

• The recently added Knight of the Blazing Sun and Black Guard tank careers
• New easy, medium, and hard PQs designed for different group sizes and skill levels
• Increased experience gain in Tiers 3 and 4
• New Influence rewards earned in Open RvR
• A new Domination system to determine Tier 4 zone control
• Frequent, fun and rewarding live events
• New and improved Guild rewards
• Improvements to overall performance and server stability
• Official WAR Forums
• Choppa and the oath-sworn Dwarf Slayer

Press release posted below.

More »

Sony has pulled 300 Killzone 2 ads from bus shelters and a local park in Toronto, due to complaints.

The main problem stemmed from a fourth and fifth grade school teacher named Davis Mirza, who emailed Sony because of the “menacing head with glowing eyes” and scenes of war “like Iraq”.

Her reason for being offended was because of the myriad of cultures present in her classroom.

“My kids, who come from a lot of different countries, who have to experience violence, who basically come here to seek shelter and safety, that’s the stuff they don’t need to see”, she said.

City Councilor Pam McConnell also registered a complaint, resulting in Sony removing the ads from a city park.

The ads were to be pulled down in a few days anyway, apparently. All Sony really did was pull them down a bit early.

Destructoid has dug up the Japanese trailer for Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles on YouTube.

We’ve posted it after the break. It’s got zombies, guns.

The on-rails shooter is out this winter.

More »

Rockstar’s released a new gameplay clip from Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, which will be land March 17 on DS.

The clip, “Dealing and Delivering,” gives players a look at what moving goods around Liberty City will be like for protagonist Huang Lee after hitting the streets on the order of his uncle, Wu ‘Kenny’ Lee.

Watch it after the jump.

More »

Patapon 2′s been released in Europe, as has a demo. So there’s lovely.

Full PSN update for the week below, courtesy of Joystiq.

Playable Content

• Hi-Octane (£3.99/€4.99)
• Street Skater 2 (£3.99/€4.99)
• Wheelman Demo (free)

Add-on Content

• Burnout Paradise “Boost Specials Collection” (£6.29/€7.99)
  
• Burnout Paradise “Carson Extreme Hot Rod” (£3.99/€4.99)
  
• Burnout Paradise “Hawker Mech” (£3.99/€4.99)
  
• Buzz! National Geographic Prehistoric Pack (£6.29/€7.99)
  
• Everybody’s Golf World Tour - Sackboy Character (£0.79/€0.99)
  
• LittleBigPlanet - St Patrick’s Day Costume (free)
  
• Street Fighter IV - Shoryuken Pack (£3.19/€3.99)
  
• Trivial Pursuit Movie Pack (free)
  
• Rock Band DLC (continued)
• Guitar Hero World Tour DLC (continued)

Rock Band DLC

Individual songs:

• “All I Want” – The Offspring (£0.99/€1.49)
• “The Kids Aren’t Alright” – The Offspring (£0.99/€1.49)
• “Losing My Religion” – R.E.M. (£0.99/€1.49)
• “The Way That It Shows” – Richard Thompson (£0.99/€1.49)

Guitar Hero World Tour DLC

Rise Against Track Pack (£4.39/€5.49)

• “Death Blossoms” – Rise Against (£1.59/€1.99)
• “Ready To Fall” – Rise Against (£1.59/€1.99)
• “Audience Of One” – Rise Against (£1.59/€1.99)

Videos

• Pain Fortress Trailer
• Rag Doll Kung Fu Trailer
• Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Night Owl Trailer
• Watchmen: The End Is Nigh Rorschach Trailer
• inFamous High Voltage Trailer
• Flower Remember Trailer

Wallpapers and Themes

• Crash Commando “Mayhem” wallpaper

PSP Content

• Patapon 2 (£19.99/€29.99)
• Patapon 2 Demo (free)
  
• Hi-Octane (£3.99/€4.99)
  
• Street Skater 2 (£3.99/€4.99)

Sucker Punch just released a lovely new inFamous trailer, as you can see after the break.

The PS3 superhero exclusive’s now confirmed for a June release, and if this is the sort of platform holder quality we can now expect from the traditional mid-summer drought, things are most definitely looking up.

See.

More »

Red Baron Arcade is out today, exclusively for the PlayStation Store.

The original game was released by Sierra back in the 90s, and was considered the number four Best PC Game of all Time by Computer Gaming World. Amazing.

The arcade-shooter format was been updated for PS3, and has 20 WWI aircraft for you to customize and control through various single-player campaigns.

Online mode is available for up to seven players to go at it via Deathmatch, Team-Deathmatch and Capture the Flag.

A free demo is out for it now as well.

Hit the link for extra information.

MTV has a decent trailer of Batman: Arkham Asylum up for grabs.

The movie focuses on the stealth-combat techniques Mr Crusader utilizes in the game.

It is indeed stealthy. Watch it after the break.

More »

Qore Episode 10 is now up on PSN, and a preview of what you’ll get is posted after the break.

This week, the Sony folks get some hands-on time with the upcoming Big Surf Island expansion pack for Burnout Paradise, travel to Sweden to visit Dark Athena creator Starbreeze, and talk Alpha Protocol with Obsidian.

A segment on user-created content for LittleBigPlanet is included along with a chat with the creator of famed level, The Azure Palace.

Qore subscribers will also receive a voucher for High Velocity Bowling, to be sent to the email address associated with your PSN account within seven days of the digital mag’s release.

An exclusive Resistance: Retribution theme is also available.

More »

Treyarch will release the first downloadable map pack for Call of Duty: World on March 19 for PS3 and 360. PC users can expect more details soon.

All four maps are detailed below. A co-op-enabled 360 demo for Hard Landing – the single-player mode – arrived on the console earlier today.

Here’s what you will be getting:

• Station – A a bombed out underground train station littered with destroyed subway cars, hidden passageways, loading platforms and second story overlooks. This medium sized map is perfect for dominating Capture the Flag and other team games and provides a wide range of combat options from close range choke points to hidden sniper spots.

• Fire-bombed Berlin:  Provides the backdrop for “Nightfire,” an intense battlefield for mid to large-scale team games. Shelled buildings and ruins of the city provide coverage among the war-ravaged streets, and the flames of the burning city expose the enemy running through the night. Fight for your life knowing that this fiery urban battlefield may soon be your grave.

• Knee Deep – Takes place on the island of Peleliu in a once tranquil village turned chaotic Japanese command center. Aiming to retrieve the valuable intel housed in the command post, troops fight through the jungle, wade knee deep in streams and take battle positions in fortified Japanese bunkers to secure this important communication center. Ideal for all combat scenarios and designed for larger team games and objective matches.

• Verrückt: 4-player co-op Nazi Zombies Bonus Mode returns to the terrifying Zombie asylum located in the outskirts of Berlin. The map splits the four players into pairs, challenging the two teams to find each other for survival. Featuring more weapons, perks via the addition of Perks-a-Cola machines, electroshock defenses and the endless Nazi Zombie horde, “Verrückt” will push you to the edge of your sanity.

Thanks, CVG