Monthly Archives: March 2009

2K’s updated the BioShock 2 pre-launch site with a note about… notes.

As has been speculated in various quarters today, the game has something to do with 1967 – it’s the date on the handwritten missive.

We could type it out, but you can click. It’s easier that way.

An anonymous source has told Joystiq that the pretty-much-certain Army of Two sequel will be called Army of Two: The 40th Day.

We should know more when EA Montreal makes its big announcement on March 12.

There’s been some very specific detail published over there. Get it after the link.

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The rumour du jour is that Activision will be further expanding the Guitar Hero franchise by the end of this year by adding Van Halen and Guitar Hero 5.

According to a source close to the publisher, Hard Rock: Van Halen will be released in August, Guitar Hero 5 in September, DJ Hero in October and Band Hero in November.

The 2009 offerings will be made available for PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii.

Activision also plans to another release another DS Guitar Hero title in 2009, says that report, after Guitar Hero: Modern Hits comes out.

DJ Hero and Van Halen are already expected, per Bobby Kotick during the ActiBlizz financial call, but no specifics have been given on Guitar Hero 5 and Band Hero.

Eurogamer contacted Activision and was told that the company does not comment on rumor and speculation.

According to this Gamasutra report, original Sonic the Hedgehog co-creator Hirokazu Yasuhara is working on a new Pac-Man title for the game’s 30th anniversary in 2010.

“We are in the midst of making Pac-Man come back because his 30th anniversary is in 2010 actually,” said Namco boss Makoto Iwai.

“As a group, we feel like we should do something to make him come back. So, there’s one project that we started working on, and [Yasuhara is] part of it.”

Though the whole of Namco’s internal staff was previously working on Afro Samurai to help to complete it, the group has since split into several teams, with one of these working with Yasuhara on the new Pac-Man game.

More through the link.

Rockstar may not have released download numbers for The Lost and Damned yet, but that hasn’t stopped Michael Patcher from throwing around a “1 million” figure.

The analyst has estimated that Rockstar’s DLC has sold into seven digits so far, and will reach 2 million by the end of the year.

While he was peeking into his crystal ball, he also predicted that the second GTA IV episode is “likely” to arrive towards the end of Rockstar’s October 31 fiscal year.

Even more, he said today that a new console title in the GTA series will arrive by the end of 2010, and is likely to generate 50 percent more profits than previous installments, due to the growth in general console installed base.

“We don’t think it is reasonable to estimate that sales of GTA will double the prior version, but we think that a 25 – 30 per cent penetration is reasonable, suggesting 15 – 18 million units sold,” said Pachter.

“That means that Take-Two’s profits from the next iteration should be approximately 50 percent greater than from the last version.”

He reached this conclusion because in 2010 consoles are expected to be in 60 million homes in the US and Europe, with 30 percent of those owners likely to pick up a new GTA game.

We have put a call into Rockstar for comment.

Atari has released a bevy of new screenshots and an MP3 track from Afro Samurai.

GamersHell has them.

The Samuel L Jackson title will be released in Europe during Q1 2009.

UK artist Dave White has produced the most valuable piece of game art ever created to celebrate Street Fighter IV’s launch, Capcom said today.

The one-off ink drawing of Ryu has an estimated value of between $8,800 and $12,650, is 5ft x 3ft an was inspired by the artist’s love of the game.

“For the past 18 years I have been playing Street Fighter in all its guises and versions,” says White. “For me and millions of others it’s more than just a videogame, it’s a total obsession and way of life.

“Something more akin to the complex structure of chess, every match is different and every second offers chances and possibilities, risks and drama. That’s why I play.”

Full press release below.

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LucasArts has renewed its publishing and distribution contract with Activision Blizzard for releases in Australia, Europe and South-East Asia.

The firms have Star Wars: The Force Unleashed to thank for the renewal, due to the title selling 5.7 million units worldwide, thus becoming the bestselling Star Wars game of all time

“This agreement with Activision reflects LucasArts’ commitment to the international markets and we look forward to bringing the best products to our consumers worldwide,” said LucasArts’ Mary Bihr.

“We made the decision based upon Activision’s proven track record in managing strong brands and our long standing relationship which has produced tremendous results as games such as LEGO Indiana Jones and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed have risen to the top of sales charts globally.”

Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings will be the next joint release for the publishers, and it is expected to ship in June.

Valve has released the new Team Fortress 2 patch today with the usual bug fixes, tweaks and the like.

Abilities for the Spy have changed a bit though, with the ability to side-stab once again and the character will now show the primary weapon of the activated disguise.

Get the full patch notes after the link.

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Sigourney Weaver had a change of heart about appearing in the upcoming Ghostbusters: The Video Game — only it was a bit too late for her.

Word a few months back was that she declined a role in the game, but later on when she found out that Bill Murray would reprise his role as Peter Venkman, she wanted in on it.

Unfortunately, her role had been written out of the script at that point and production was well underway.

She who hesitates does get to be in the Ghostbusters videogame, clearly.

From Gamereactor, via Kotaku.

Sega’s just put out the first trailer of Virtua Tennis 2009. It’s after the break.

There’s no in-game footage in there at all, unfortunately, although there’s a string of big names and a few character models to be going on with.

See for yourself. It’s out in May for Wii, 360 and PS3.

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THQ released a demo of Legends of Wrestlemania yesterday, so we thought we’d take a movie of Andre the Giant kicking the shit out of Hulk Hogan. It’s Friday, after all.

Just look at Andre’s ass. Seriously.

The game’s out this “spring” for 360 and PS3. New shots here.

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Instead of playing the Wanted demo Warner released yesterday, why not just watch us beat it in less than eight minutes? Do so after the break.

We played it on “pussy” hardness – the other two levels are locked – and listened to a man call someone a “whore”. Not really cricket, is it?

But then neither is shooting people in the face and cutting their throats. C’est la vie, innit.

There’s a nice cover system going on here, but you may want to look at that sensitivity, Warner. He’s supposed to be a crack assassin, not Arthritis Man.

PC, PS3, 360. It’s out on April 3. Get some screens of the movie here.

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Capcom’s Keiji Inafune and Grasshopper’s Goichi Suda will both speak at Nordic Game this year, the event’s announced.

“Having Keiji Inafune and Goichi Suda join Nordic Game this year highlights the strong and growing relationship between the Japanese and Nordic games communities” said NG boss Tom Felices, “and will offer attendees a unique opportunity to meet two of the most exciting game creators today”.

Nordic Game takes place in Malmö, Sweden, on May 19-20.

Full details through the link.

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There’s little more men in tights than men in tights, as you’ll see in the gallery of Legends of Wrestlemania screens after the break.

The game features a Create-a-Legend system, has exhaustive intros and more. Everyone loves a big man with his bum hanging out waving at teenage boys.

See for yourself.

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Find 31 Wanted: Weapons of Fate screens after the break.

The Warner action movie tie-in’s a nice looking affair, no doubt. Plenty of killing and blood-type stuff going on there.

It’s coming for PC, PS3 and 360, but there’s no date as yet.

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SCEE’s launched its trio of new PSP colours in the UK.

The white, red and silver handhelds were announced early last month. There’s some nice pics through here.

GameStation’s doing bundles for £140, if you’re interested.

Microsoft’s to launch another six-week Live promotion, GI reports, beginning March 18.

Days of Arcade will offer special stuff for seven titles, beginning with Hasbo’s Family Game Night, and also include Capcom’s Flock, Puzzle Quest: Galactrix, Sega’s Outrun Arcade and UNO Rush.

More through there.

Edge’s 200th issue is to have a split run of 200 covers, Future said this morning.

“We were keen to mark Edge’s 200th edition with something special, although we set ourselves a tough task in selecting 200 covers that would represent videogaming’s diversity,” said editor Tony Mott.

“Ultimately we’re confident that every Edge reader will be able to find something among the final choices that resonates with their gaming life, and we look forward to seeing which designs prove particularly popular.”

Press release after the break.

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According to this IGN report, Black Rock’s soon-to-be-revealed racer is titled Split Second.

It’s PC, PS3 and 360, apparently.

The game was teased in the middle of February, and will be shown next week.