Monthly Archives: May 2009

Killzone 2 may have sold 58,000 units in the US during the month of April, but according to recent NPD numbers, Halo 3 may have outsold it.

A report from Gamasutra divulges that Halo 3 and Halo Wars sold somewhere between 57,000 and 74,000 units a piece.

While exact figures for each were lacking in the report, it’s seems likely that Halo 3 likely topped 58,000 units but then again it could easily have been Halo Wars.

More over on CVG.

SCEE just announced a Flash and Thunder Map Pack for Killzone 2.

The DLC will include the Beach Head and Southern Hills maps from the first Killzone, remade for PS3.

It’s out on June 11.

Full press release after the break.

More »

The debut trailer for Blur has hit the net.

Doesn’t show much other than a red car speeding down the road. It is a teaser more than anything.

The racer is out in the fall for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Eurogamer Germay has the video. Go watch.

Gazillion Entertainment has hired former Microsoft general manager of PC games Stuart Moulder as its new Vice President of Studios.

Moulder has over 20 years of experience in the industry having previously worked for Sierra Online and its online gaming network The ImagiNation Network.

While at Microsoft Game Studios, he was responsible for the acquisition and management of Bungie , Ensemble Studios and FASA.

“I’m thoroughly excited about the chance to join the team at Gazillion Entertainment,” said Stuart.

“The mass market MMO space is adding new gamers at a stunning pace and, with the team and titles already in place at Gazillion, the company is well positioned to contend for leadership within the market space in the years ahead.”

Stuart will be responsible for the overall management of Gazillion’s game development efforts across the company’s studios.

Read on for the press release.

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Today’s unstoppable comedy rollercoaster continues today with the announcement of Sega’s Jambo! Safari for Wii and DS.

The game, out later this year, lets you drive around the Savannah rescuing animals, taking photos and riding in hot air balloons.

Astonishing. Press release after the break.

More »

Activision UK has just issued a baffling climb-down from an announcement this morning that Tony Hawk: Ride was to be an Xbox 360 console exclusive in the UK.

We just received this from UK promo outfit Frank PR:

Further to the erroneous information which was distributed this morning regarding Tony Hawk: RIDE, we would like to clarify that the game is due to be released on the following platforms: Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ home video game system.

We apologise for the confusion caused by this morning’s mail out and we would be grateful if you could update your coverage to reflect the correct details above.

Consider it updated. Activision announced earlier it was “pleased to announce that this title will be launched later this year in the UK, as an Xbox 360 platform exclusive.”

Glad that’s cleared up.

After the break. It doesn’t show much, but any self-respecting sci-fi fan should be pumped.

Sega just announced the Rebellion shooter: get details here.

More »

Update: There’s a trailer here.

Sega has officially announced details regarding Rebellion’s Aliens vs. Predator.

Players can choose between three species; the Colonial Marine, the Predator and the Alien, each with it’s own story-driven single-player campaign mode that interweaves with the campaigns of the other two species.

The game also features three-way online multiplayer.

Expect it to be made available for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in early 2010.

Details on each character, multiplayer and some brand new screenshots are posted after the break along with the press release.

The debut trailer is posted here.

More »

Terminator Salvation was released today in North America and via Steam, but there seems to be install issues with the PC version purchased at retail outlets.

Over on the official Terminator forums, quite a few users are reporting an Installshield installation error with the majority unable to resolve the problem.

A workaround has been posted, and it appears to work for some, but others are still having issues.

No word yet if Steam users are having the same issues. We’ll keep you posted.

Thanks, Blue.

Sony has confirmed that Ratchet and Clank are indeed getting the LittleBigPlanet treatment – it’s just not sure when.

The admission is in response to yesterday’s tweet between Insomniac and Media Molecule’s Alex Evans, which said that “lbp levells coming, r&c content done, coming soon.”

While the content is indeed “in the works”, Sony is unsure when it will be ready for release or what it consists of, because it doesn’t have “any further details at this time.”

Fair enough.

Thanks Eurogamer.

ACE has announced Zeno Clash 2, saying the second game is “to be much larger in scope”.

“The studio has begun planning the next game of the series which will continue the adventures of Ghat, who will struggle against new and old conflicts,” said the company in a statement.

“Father Mother, the mysterious Golem and new characters will be making an appearance in the next title. The story will be set after the events that take place in the first game.”

There’s no date as yet.

Monkey Island: Special Edition has been listed on the USK’s site, according to this GamerBytes story.

The German ratings board’s database appears to be down at the moment, but there’s an image of the listing there.

The game’s down for an Xbox 360 release. We’ve got a mail out to Acti.

Take a look at this. Mouse over the top bullet hole.

Ubi’s saying nothing, but you probably wouldn’t bet against a new Splinter Cell Conviction trailer at some point today.

We’ll let you know when the magic happens.

Update: While Activision confirmed on the phone this morning that the game was to be a 360 exclusive in the UK, a promised press release has failed to materialise and multiple sources are reporting that the deal has yet to be done. There’s an update on MCV.

Update 2: For the sake of clarity, here’s the original announcement in its entirety. This was sent out by UK PR firm Frank PR this morning in an email headed, “INFO MAILER: UK PLATFORM EXCLUSIVE FOR TONY HAWK: RIDE”:

Hi all

Further to Monday’s announcement regarding Tony Hawk: RIDE, Activision UK is pleased to announce that this title will be launched later this year in the UK, as an Xbox 360(r) platform exclusive.

Tony Hawk: RIDE features a wireless skateboard controller designed in conjunction with the game to offer a dynamic gaming experience. Using a combination of accelerometers and motion sensors, the intuitive controller allows players to physically control the action by performing various movements and gestures on the board that directly translate into amazing tricks in the game. Without complex button combinations or analogue sticks, gamers of all skill levels can literally step on the board and play!

For more information on Tony Hawk: RIDE, please visit www.THRide.com

Original story:

Activision just announced that Tony Hawk Ride is to be a 360 exclusive in the UK.

The game – plastic skateboard and all – was announced last week for 360, PS3 and Wii.

We’ve just been told the deal is a UK-only affair, so those in the rest of Europe and the US aren’t likely to be affected.

More soon.

Steven Speilberg’s predicted that games consoles will “someday” cease to exist.

Speaking to The Guardian, the director said that, just like the old “videogame parlours”, consoles and other gaming equipment will go “the way of the Dodo bird”.

“Now we’re all playing at home and someday we’ll be playing directly on our TV sets, bypassing all of the platforms,” he said.

There interview’s in audio format. Get more from Eurogamer.

Take-Two will deliver its second quarter results on May 26, next Tuesday.

This is for the three months ending April 30.

The conference call will start at 4.30pm EST, and can be accessed by dialing (877) 407-0984 or (201) 689-8577.

Alternatively, you’ll be able to listen in here.

What’s that? GTA DLC news?

Want to make super-creative games? Don’t work for a mega-corp.

“I personally think it’s more difficult to be creative in a larger corporate environment,” Starbreeze boss Johan Kristiansson told Develop.

“Larger companies are – by nature – always slower with making decisions in game production. In an independent studio I think the staff usually has a stronger feeling of ownership-attachment to their properties; and you can develop a more tightly knit team over a long period of time as well.”

Kristiansson went as far as to say that publisher input can damage games.

“An independent studio is always going to be more creative, and I think it’s important that publishers let them be independent during production, let them have control of their product,” he added.

“If indies are too close to their publishers, that can also damage the decision making process and the overall game quality.”

Full thing through there.

VG247 has it on cast iron authority that the Trico footage leaked overnight is real.

Strict anonymity surrounds the information.

The footage, as has now been widely speculated, is over a year old.

We’ve also been told this morning that the game may not sufficiently advanced enough for an E3 reveal.

Great fear surrounds this, Ringo. We’re waiting on comment from Sony.

First proper DJ Hero details have come out from the latest Game Informer, confirming the game has an extra component to its controller not seen in recently released shots.

The unit has a cross-fader, effects dial and a “euphoria” button, as well as the d-pad and normal controller buttons.

Notes cascade towards the player as you’d expect, but there are only three tracks in the game – a fourth is supplied by the cross-fader.

Here’s a partial set list. Looks really “hardcore”.

• “Feel Good Inc.” (Gorillaz) vs “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye)
• “Jayou” (Jurassic 5) vs “Rockit” (Herbie Hancock)
• “Bustin’ Loose” (Chuck Brown) vs “Time of the Season” (The Zombies, DJ Shadow Mix)
• “All Apologies” (Nirvana) vs “Give It to Me Baby” (Rick James, DJ Shadow Mix)
• “Let’s Dance” (David Bowie) vs “Jack of Spades” (KRS One, DJ Shadow Mix)
• “Shout” (Tears for Fears) vs “Pjanoo” (Eric Prydz)

Thanks, Kotaku.

Tons of art, info and a few screens of Deadpool’s Appearance in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 have been posted on the official site.

He’ll use swords, grenades and other stuff. Hit the link for all details.

The game’s out later this year. Thanks, Joystiq.