Monthly Archives: May 2009

Looks like former Ziff Davis mag EGM — allegedly killed in the recent 1UPocalypse — was only mostly dead, because its original founder, Steve Harris, was able to collect enough scraps to glue EGM back together again.

Harris has entered into an agreement with former publisher Ziff Davis to purchase a plethora of EGM assets, like trademarks and publishing rights. Apparently, the fervently loved publication will relaunch during the second half of 2009.

“The re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly represents a welcome opportunity to continue delivering quality content to gaming enthusiasts,” said Harris in a press release. “I feel honored to once again be associated with this respected magazine. The talented writers and designers who built upon EGM’s original vision have left behind a publication that is uniquely positioned to be successful.”

With EGM’s superstar staff flung to the far corners of the Internet , however, we can’t help but wonder what form this relaunch will take. Regardless, though, some EGM is better than none, right?

Expect more info out of E3 next week.

You’ve seen the trailer. You know it has 65 cars and 18 tracks. You know it’s got the BMW M3 GT2.

Now go look at the Need for Speed: Shift screens that have popped up over on IGN.

It’s a gear-head’s dream. Or in this case, an racing gamers dream.

Game’s out September 17 and 22 in the UK and US receptively.

There’s an IGN video after the break of Freestyle’s Jamie Jackson talking through DJ Hero coupled with some proper direct feed gameplay footage.

First screens and an official trailer were released this morning, but they didn’t actually show what happens when the game’s rolling.

But this does. So now you know. It’s out in October for PS3, 360, Wii and PS2.

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The world record for the “largest gathering of people dressed as video game characters” has been beaten for what feels like the fiftieth time, with 376 cosplayers coming together at MCM in London last week to break the Expo’s previous record of 342.

Astonishing. See pictures of odd people here.

Mad Catz and Microsoft entered into a multi-year licensing agreement to manufacture, market and sell Xbox 360-branded wireless controllers globally.

“This agreement expands our relationship with Microsoft and we look forward to shipping a range of new wireless specialty controllers, the first of which will be our wireless Fender bass guitar for Rock Band, later this month,” said Darren Richardson, CEO of Mad Catz.

“The Xbox 360 platform is a key focus of our growing licensed accessories business and we look forward to bringing Xbox 360 fans a variety of innovative and distinctive wireless specialty controllers to enhance their gaming experiences.”

No telling what kinds of cool stuff is in store for gamers.

Via press release.

Rocksteady’s confirmed to Joystiq that Batman: Arkham Asylum will be a single-player only game.

“We’re just focusing on being Batman,” said lead narrative designer Paul Crocker.

“We could have spent less time on that, and more time on adding stuff in, but really the game is successful because you feel like you’re Batman.”

The game was confirmed today for an August ship in both the US and Europe.

There’s a full interview through there. The game’s being shown in LA next week.

BioWare just went live with the first proper images and details from its iPhone Mass Effect game, Mass Effect Galaxy.

The title tells the background stories of two characters encountered by players in Mass Effect 2. The events of Mass Effect Galaxy take place between the time of Mass Effect and its sequel.

Hit the link for more. There’s no date yet.

Activision has gotten DJ Z-Trip to perform during E3 next week for the unveiling of DJ Hero.

He is also an in-game avatar, apparently.

We gave you the scoop on the tracks and the rest of the DJ Hero goods earlier.

Go have another look.

Via Kotaku.

Nintendo confirmed today it’s to hold a post-E3 press event in the UK.

British journos will be able to see all the titles shown in LA next week on June 15 and 16.

A Japanese site reported earlier that a similar event is being planned by Nintendo in Japan.

Get details on that from IGN.

EG’s just posted a Leadbetter tech retrospective on Crackdown, showing the game’s city in timelapse video, if you can believe that.

Seriously, it’s very cool. Check it out.

Square Enix announced third-person shooter Front Mission Evolved in the press release for its E3 line-up today.

Developed by Double Helix for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, the strategy series is now a shooter and features both single and multiplayer campaigns. There’s no release date for it yet.

NIER was also sneakily announced in the same breath, and is being developed by Cavia for PS3 and Xbox 360. The action-adventure game is set to release sometime next year and promises to be set “in a crumbling world plagued by disease and dark, unrecognizable creatures.”

Players assume the role of Nier, who is out to find a cure for his daughter who is infected with the Black Scrawl virus.

Interesting.

Hit the link for the full Square Enix E3 line-up.

XSeed has announced its E3 line-up and it includes two new games in development for PSP called Lunar: Silver Star Harmony and Half-Minute Hero.

Here’s the full thing:

• Lunar: Silver Star Harmony – Fall (PSP)
• Half-Minute Hero – Fall (PSP)
• FRAGILE: Farewell Ruins of the Moon – Winter (Wii)
• Arc Rise Fantasia – Winter (Wii)
• Flower, Sun, and Rain – June 16 (DS)
• JU-ON: The Grudge – October (Wii)
• Little King’s Story – July (Wii)
• Ragnarok Online – Winter (DS)
• Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga – Summer (Wii)

Details for each game are presented in the press release below the jump.

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Sega has decided to bring enhanced editions of its classic games to PS3 and  Xbox 360.

Called the SEGA Vintage Collection 2, each game will be sold individually for a price yet to be determined.

• Altered Beast (XBLA) – June 10 – Online Play
• Comix Zone (XBLA) – June 10 -  No Online
• Gunstar Heroes – June 10 (XBLA), June 11 (PSN) – Online Play
• Phantasy Star 2 (XBLA) – June 10 – No Online
• Shinobi (arcade) (XBLA) – June 10 – No Online
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (XBLA) – June 10 – Online Play
• Sonic and Knuckles (XBLA) – Late Summer 2009 – Online Play

More over on Shack.

Activision and id Software announced today that Wolfenstein 3D will be available for download June 3 on Xbox Live and June 4 on PSN.

It’s the full thing featuring all six episodes spanning 60 levels.

No word on price, but we’ll let you know when it gets one.

Press release follows the break.

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Evolution Studios will be on-hand at E3 and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift fans will be able to get the first look at the new Speed and Adrenaline expansions for the racer.

Speed includes three new tracks called Dark Fire Swamp, Engorged and Quicksand, three new track variants, four vehicles with three paint jobs each, and a 48-event Mini-Festival called Speed Weekend which has unlockable rewards, trophies and Microbadges.

Adrenaline also has three new tracks – Brimstone, Hallowed Earth and Reefrunner. Five new track variants, four new vehicles with three liveries to choose from, six characters each with three different costumes and a large bit of paint for the vehicles you already own.

No word on pricing or a when it can be expected, but E3 is just a few days away.

Square Enix has announced its list of titles to be show at  E3 next week.

We won’t add any more filler.

Here’s the rundown.

• Dissidia Final Fantasy – August 25 (PSP)
• Final Fantasy IV: The After Years – June 1 (WiiWare)
• Final Fantasy XIII – 2010 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers – To be announced (Wii)
• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as a Darklord – 2009 (WiiWare)
• Front Mission Evolved- To be announced (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)
• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days – Autumn (DS)
• NIER – 2010 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Order of War – Autumn (PC)
• Supreme Commander 2 – 2010 (PC, Xbox 360)

Full details in the press release below.

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The first video for LEGO Rock Band has surfaced. Man, it sure is cute.

French gaming site JeuxVideo has it, so the words that pop up on the screen are not in English, obviously.

Details known so far can be found here in a previous post.

Via Joystiq.

The E3 trailer for Alpha Protocol is posted after the break.

It’s CGI, but you get the idea.

It’s out for PC, PS3 and 360 in October.

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No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle screens have landed. So has a trailer.

You know you want it. You have to have it.

Hit the link and the break and you’ll get your fix.

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UFO Interactive has picked up the rights to distribute Spike’s Way of the Samurai 3 in North America.

Although released on PS3 in Japan, so far, it’s listed as a Xbox 360 only title for the states. No word on whether the game will include the spartan and in cardboard box armor DLC.

A release date has yet to be finalized.

More over on Siliconera.