Monthly Archives: August 2009

The latest issue of Game Informer‘s dropped what appears to be a near-complete set-list for The Beatles: Rock Band.

Back In the USSR and Taxman are both on it. This may mean we’ll have to buy it.

Get the lot from Joystiq. The game’s out on September 9.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter – speaking in this week’s VG247 podcast – has said that Japanese retailers are claiming they’re unable to order in new PS3 hardware post August 8.

Similar stories emerged at UK retail this week, the two coupled meaning it’s likely we’re about to see a PS3 price cut and the introduction of a new hardware SKU, Pachter said.

“It’s looking more and more likely based on what we’ve heard from retail,” Pachter answered when asked if we’re going to see a PS3 price drop from Sony at GamesCom in Germany next week.

“The retail commentary I’ve seen has come out of the UK. I have not seen at US retail. We heard Japanese retail a few weeks ago say they weren’t going to be getting any more PS3s after August 8, and now we’re starting to hear UK retail say they cannot re-order PS3s until month-end.

“And that suggest there’ll be a model change.”

He added: “If Sony’s practice is the same as it was in the past, and the Slim is more of a redesign of the components to drive down cost, then I think we will get a price cut.”

A PS3 price cut and the introduction of PS3 Slim is now widely tipped to be a major component of Sony’s GamesCom keynote in Cologne next Tuesday.

Will Sony drop PS3′s price and introduce Slim at GamesCom in Cologne next week? We thought we’d ask some experts.

Super-analyst Michael Pachter, Eurogamer.net editor Tom Bramwell and Eurogamer.de editor Tanja Menne were all kind enough to join us to talk about the new German show, in what turned into an illuminating discussion involving a lot of shouting and swearing.

You’d be a fool to miss it. Get it below.

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Shack’s posted the Wolfenstein launch trailer posted at Quakecon last night.

As Nathan kept saying in our liveblog, it’s green. It’s also pretty cool, so be sure to look.

It’s out later this month for PC, 360 and PS3.

Gametrailer’s shown a new theme park level from Left 4 Dead 2 tonight, titled The Fairgrounds

The section takes place at an amusement park called “Whispering Oaks.”

We’re still waiting for the web video. Apparently it includes a new melee weapon in a katana.

More on Shack.

BioWare put out a bunch of new Mass Effect 2 wallpapers and screens overnight, and they are, as ever, lovely.

Get them from Kotaku. The RPG’s out early next year.

John Carmack just confirmed that a premium, subs-based service is on the way to QuakeLive.

The free-to-play shooter isn’t supportable on ad revenue alone, the developer said.

The game’s not in danger, Carmack assured, and it’s not a failure.

He said it would probably never become a completely non-free service.

JC was speaking in the Quakecon 2009 press conference. Hit our liveblog for more.

Sony’s responded to tonight’s NPD figures by saying PS3 is “just getting warmed up” and pointing out differences between its console, 360 Arcade and Wii.

“When you compare all the features against other industry offerings, there is no doubt that the PlayStation 3 provides the most complete entertainment system on the market today – right out of the box,” said the firm in a statement.

“Not only are consumers provided a best-in-class Blu-ray player that comes with 80 GB of storage for photos and music, built-in Wi Fi, and thousands of innovative games that appeal to hardcore gamers and families alike, the PS3 offers future-proof technology and free access to rich and ever-evolving PlayStation Network content and services.”

A handy chart was provided to point all this out. Look:

There’s no mention of the NPD figures at all in the PR. Get the full thing after the break.

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Todd Hollenshead has told QuakeCon attendees that no Doom 4 information will be doled out this year. However, if you still care next year, expect more news at QuakeCon 2010.

“When we show it to you you’re gonna love it,” he said before turning the floor over to John Carmack.

Carmack did happen to say that id is taking the most tightly managed approach to the game, ever, and ongoing work with the Tech 5 engine has helped with the game.

Apparently, the development tools and technology for Doom 4 are a go, so there will be no need to create anything for game while its being developed.

John Carmack is still talking, so head on over to our liveblog here.

The US games trade continued its freefall in July, posting a total sales figure of $848 million for the month, down 29 percent year-over-year from $1.19 billion.

Hardware dropped hugely, down 37 percent from $448 million last year to $281 million.

Software was down 26 percent from $592 million in July 2008 to $437 million.

Accessories held up, for what its worth, down a piffling 12 percent from $150 million to $131 million.

Rough stuff. Here’s what NPD analyst Anita Frazier had to say:

“The U.S. video games industry declined for the fifth consecutive month, bringing year-to-date sales to $8.16 billion, down 14% from the same time period last year.”

“In order for the industry to come in flat or slightly up for the total year, the back five months of the year have to come in 11% (or more) higher than the last five months of last year.”

“While year-to-date results are weak, there are some big titles set to be released over the next several months, including Madden this month, which should help spur sales. The worst comps should be behind us, and looking beyond August we have The Beatles: Rock Band, Halo 3: ODST, and of course, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to look forward to.”

The July NPD numbers are out, and software sales came in at around $437 million for the month.

Wii Sports Resort bundled with Wii MotionPlus stole the charts by bringing in 508,200 followed by NCAA Football 10 on 360 at 376,500.

Here’s the full thing in the thousands:

1. Wii Sports Resort w/ WMP (Wii) -  508,200
2. NCAA Football 10 (Xbox 360) -  376,500
3. NCAA Footaball 10 (PS3) – 237,400
4. Wii Fit w/Balance Board (Wii) – 164,300
5. Mario Cart w/Wheel (Wii) – 156,600
6. Mario Kart (DS) – 132,200
7. Pokemon Platinum (DS) -116,400
8. Fight Night Round 4 (Xbox 360 ) – 116,400
9. New Super Mario Brothers (DS) – 101,800
10. EA Sports Active Bundle (Wii) – 96,800

Hardware sales in the US in July dived 37 percent year-over-year according to the just-released NPD.

Not much gap between 360 and Wii there, is there?

Here are your numbers. Percentage year-over-year differences in brackets, courtesy of Psychotext.

• PlayStation 2 – 108K (-30.55%)
• PlayStation 3 – 121.8K (-45.84%)
• PSP – 122.8K (-44.61%)
• Xbox 360 – 202.9K (-0.93%)
• Wii – 252.5K (-54.50%)
• Nintendo DS – 538.9K (-11.42%)

PlayStation 2 108K
PlayStation 3 121.8K
PSP 122.8K
Xbox 360 202.9K
Wii 252.5K
Nintendo DS 538.9K

Title Platform Publisher Release Date Units Rank
Wii SPORTS RESORT W/ WII MOTION PLUS WII  NINTENDO OF AMERICA July-09 508.2K 1
NCAA FOOTBALL 10 360  ELECTRONIC ARTS July-09 376.5K 2
NCAA FOOTBALL 10 PS3  ELECTRONIC ARTS July-09 237.4K 3
WII FIT W/ BALANCE BOARD* WII  NINTENDO OF AMERICA May-08 164.3K 4
MARIO KART W/ WHEEL WII  NINTENDO OF AMERICA April-08 156.6K 5
MARIO KART DS NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA November-05 132.2K 6
POKEMON PLATINUM VERSION NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA March-09 116.4K 7
FIGHT NIGHT ROUND 4 360 ELECTRONIC ARTS June-09 116.4K 8
NEW SUPER MARIO BROS NDS NINTENDO OF AMERICA May-06 101.8K 9
EA SPORTS ACTIVE BUNDLE WII  ELECTRONIC ARTS May-09 96.8K 10

John Carmack has told attendees at QuakeCon 09 that the Doom 2 RPG is almost finished.

As a matter of fact, it is currently in Beta.

Good to know, too bad that is all he said about it before going on to talk about the iPhone a bit more.

Maybe soon a release date will be announced.

Quakecon just kicked off with a fantastic new Rage trailer in its press conference – watch it on Shacknews.

John Carmack’s on stage at the event right now and we’re liveblogging as we type. Hit this for all the updates.

Thanks, absolutezero.

Update: Watch it after the break. Thanks, deanimate.

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John Carmack has told QuakeCon attendees that id Software has hired on three teams.

These teams, he said will work on three AAA titles for the company, and thanks to being incredibly well-funded by Zenimax and access to the tech over at Bethesda , it makes things easier on the development side of things.

This means that since Zenimax is privately owned, it doesn’t need to publicize ship dates and whatnot, considering it is unsure what its next game will be.

So, to refresh, three teams were hired, three AAA titles are on the way, but id does not know what they are just yet.

Good to know.

QuakeCon is happening as we speak, and Todd Hollenshead just announced during the main press event that Quake Arena Arcade along with Doom II are playable for the first time ever at the event.

Both are expected for Xbox Live Arcade, and are over at the Bethesda booth.

Maybe we will get a date on this before the event is over.

Here we go. The main Quakecon 2009 press conference is about to start, and Nathan’s in the crowd with his laptop, his fingers and his eyes.

What are we going to see? DOOM 4? Rage? New Fallout stuff?

Only one way to find out. Follow our liveblog of the entire thing here.

A patch for Fat Princess will be released tonight for the EU PSN.

Hopefully this will fix some of the connection issues people have been experiencing.

Some of the point balances and classes have been tweaked along with some changes to player ranks.

You can view the rank changes over on the EU PS Blog.

TikGames and Creat Studios has announced that Smash Cars will land on PSN August 20.

The single and multiplayer online RC toy car racing title has real-time physics simulation and customization for vehicles.

It will run you $14.99 and has Trophies, and the futire possibility of downloadable content.

A video is posted after the break, and more information can be found over on the US PS Blog.

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