ow many copies of Crackdown can Halo 3 sell? Remember the first way to get in to the Halo 3 beta? Well, purchasing "specially marked" copies of the MS-published, Real Time Worlds' developed Crackdown in February will be the second way to get a piece of the Halo 3 beta pie. The "Specially Marked" beta program emerged via an advertisement in Gamepro.
Officially, Microsoft told 1UP "There will be more information coming soon." Will it coincide with a Bungie Weekly Update? Or will it end up surfacing next week after the holidays?
We warned of a potential software pack-in for the Halo 3 beta back when it was announced in November -- now that warning is a reality. Between the registration sweepstakes and the Crackdown pack-in, Microsoft is giving gamers two ways to get into their "public" beta -- though a fleeting beta you're paying $60 to participate in doesn't seem very public.
While the effort to lift other titles in their first-party line-up is admirable, it's easy to read the Halo 3 beta inclusion with Crackdown as the first second (remember the Brute Force Halo bonus disc?) time we've seen Microsoft play "the Halo card" -- using its biggest franchise to lift a new IP. Does that mean that Crackdown is struggling? That's the perception a move like this gives off, even though what we've played points to the opposite.
Including a demo for Metal Gear Solid 2 is a huge part of why so many gamers played Zone of the Enders, but in Microsoft's case with Halo 3, the beta is fleeting and not something that will be playable once the beta period ends.
The third company to consider in all of this is Bungie. In seems unlikely that a company who has been so focused on growing its community (they are still the only guys getting online matchmaking right) doesn't want their fans to pay to participate in the public beta -- that's incongruent with the way Bungie does things. Boosting Crackdown with the Halo IP? That sounds like something Microsoft dreamt up, not Bungie.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Free Godfather Theme on XBLM
In all Xbox Live regions you can download a The Godfather theme from the XBLM for free. Actually, there was a mild mishap and the theme went on the marketplace for 150 MS points (a ripoff, looking at the quality of this theme), but all has been fixed and it is free once again. Silly EA, it's not even the holidays anymore, your free content wasn't free, and after looking at the theme I don't see why it is labeled as a holiday theme. But no complaining from us, it's free content.
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection download released in Japan
Japanese Tekken fans will be pleased & somewhat surprised to have a late Xmas present appearing in their Sony stocking - Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection has now been made available to download from the official PlayStation Store.
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection was going to be sold exclusively through the PlayStation Store. Now launched to the Japanese market, the big 830 megabyte downloadable game costs a very reasonable 2,000 yen or $17 USD and is essentially Tekken 5 with some new characters (Jinpachi) and new modes of play running at 1080p.
The game's modes include Arcade battle, Ghost battle, versus battle and a gallery for viewing and downloading images and movies using “Tekken Money”.
It remains unknown whether this game will make its way to the North American or European PlayStation stores, but considering the popularity of the series it would we wouldn't bet against it happening soon.
-James
PS3 and 360 The FULL Report
Around the same time last year we looked at the 360's weeknesses, what has Microsoft done to impeach these highly critcised flaws? Well Here is the rundown it's a bit long but very imformative.
1. Overheating CPU/GPU
Since our article, Microsoft has extended the warranty of Xbox 360’s. Recently, my Xbox 360 had a display error related to the GPU. I called Microsoft’s tech support and since my system was one of the launch systems, Microsoft replaced my Xbox 360 free-of-charge. I went through regular customer tech support for this, and it went fairly smoothly (although the process took an hour on hold). Reports of defective Xbox 360’s have essentially disappeared with the current production methods.
2. No MSN Music
We were right to think of the Xbox 360 as a platform for online content. At the time, we were focused on MSN Music given that it was Microsoft’s established platform. In retrospect, it makes perfect sense. There was no point in bringing MSN Music to the Xbox 360 while the Zune Marketplace was in development. With the Zune out in the real-world, I’d expect to see more Zune/Xbox 360 features coming together.
We almost predicted the Xbox 360’s high-definition movie rental service. At the time, we were focused on music rather than movies not because of bandwidth or the market, but copy protection. Let me quote something from a year ago:
“...it would not have been difficult for Microsoft to release high-definition movies or TV shows using the Xbox Live infrastructure. The hardware is HD capable and the networking infrastructure is capable of handling large files -- game demos are already topping 1GB. Without HDMI or DVI/HDCP support, Microsoft may find it impossible to convince Hollywood studios to allow users to download high-def, full-length movies for playback on an analog source.”
3. No HDMI/1080p support
The fact that we have HD-DVD and HD Xbox Live Marketplace videos over analog is a real testament to the power that Microsoft wields. They have basically gotten Hollywood manufacturers to sign on. Basically, Hollywood will not allow you to upsample 480p DVDs to high-definition resolutions over analog connections... but you’ll be able to display 720p and 1080i HD source.
Microsoft has recently added 1080p VGA support to the Xbox 360. Although this is currently limited to upsampling 720p games, some of the Flash based games in the Xbox Live Arcade will potentially benefit from the 1080p support.
4. 20GB is too small
We called this, despite having many readers claim that we were simply “bashing” Microsoft. With the new HD movie rental service and TV show download service, the 20GB capacity is clearly an issue. Microsoft recognizes this and has talked about producing larger capacity hard drives although no products have formally been announced.
5. Microtransaction security
In the end, pre-paid Xbox Live Marketplace points make the most sense. Sometimes retailers will sell these below the normal price as part of promotions or special coupons.
6. No internet browser
We’re not sure what’s stopping Microsoft from putting a web browser on the Xbox 360. Both Sony and Nintendo have web browsers in their consoles... Internet Explorer 7 is also an exceptional browser. Maybe it’s an issue of porting IE7 to the PowerPC architecture that’s causing the delay. Politically, there’s no way the Xbox 360 can use any other web browser.
7. No WMV-HD
At the time, we were focused on WMV-HD as it was the only commercially available high-definition disc-based platform. Most of the movies were limited to IMAX, or documentaries like Step Into Liquid, but there was also Terminator 2. With the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray on the market now, it’s no longer an issue.
8. No MPEG4 (H.264)
Once again, we have to deal with the political scenario at Microsoft. The hardware is capable of H.264 decoding, and the HD-DVD add-on proves that. On the other hand, politically, Microsoft only wants to allow streaming from Windows Media Center Edition 2005 and Windows Vista -- both MPEG-2 based.
9. No System Wide Calibration
This is still a problem. Maybe there’s hope for the next generation of system consoles
10. Poor DVD Playback Quality
In the next year or two, this will be less and less important as people begin to move toward HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. With the merging of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray failing due to political issues, the main barrier to entry is going to be the introduction of combo drives. Once HD-DVD/Blu-Ray combo drives are available, you can expect a significant surge in consumer sales of HD playback devices along with a decrease in cost due to economies of scale. In one to two years, the fight between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will be no different from DVD+R and DVD-R.
With Microsoft now selling HD movies on Xbox Live, they have even less incentive to upgrade the DVD features of the Xbox 360. By keeping the DVD playback poor, the benefits of high definition video will be maximized. By the way, isn’t it funny how gamers talk about how great downloaded HD video content looks, while the mainstream press keeps talking about how HD-DVD and Blu-Ray looks no better than regular DVDs? The short answer is that the HD revolution is real and it’s here. This is also the reason why you should read reviews from people who actually know what they’re talking about...
11. No Pressure Sensitive Face Buttons
I keep reading rumors about Metal Gear Solid 4 coming to the Xbox 360, but if MGS4 continues to adopt the gamepad mechanics of MGS2 and MGS3, the ultimate experience won’t be faithfully brought over the Xbox 360 (if the game even does show up on the Xbox 360).
Ego Boosting Comments
With the Xbox 360 in our hands for only one month when we came up with this list, it’s surprising to see how accurate our comments were. Let’s take a look at these 11 issues and see if Sony learned anything from Microsoft’s mistakes.
The PlayStation 3
1. System Stability
So far, the PlayStation 3 has been a fairly reliable system. Sure, you’ll see the broken system our two on YouTube, but our PS3 has been flawless, even with several firmware upgrades along the way!
2. Media Marketplace
Hindsight is 20/20 and even then, the PS3 has not launched with access to Sony Connect or downloadable media. In a way, the integrated Blu-Ray player in every PS3 minimizes the incentive Sony has behind downloadable movies. People always prefer to have something tangible, and clearly Sony would rather have you purchase a Blu-Ray movie in their current war against HD-DVD.
3. HDMI/1080p support?
Standard on the PS3. Kudos, Sony. Kudos.
4. 20GB is too small
60GB on the “high-end” PS3. But what’s even more important is that Sony has made the hard drive user replaceable. Put in any Serial ATA drive you want. Coming from a company that once forced you to use ATRAC for portable music, this is simply amazing.
5. Microtransaction security
So far, Xbox Live Marketplace is superior to the online PlayStation store. Still, we’d prefer to have separate logins for games and for commerce.
6. No internet browser
Not only does Sony include a web browser, it has Flash, and works with websites like YouTube! I wonder if the SIXAXIS controller will blend...
7. No WMV-HD
With Blu-Ray, this really isn’t an issue. Microsoft had WMV-HD discs at retail but they weren’t supporting it. Sony’s only retail HD content is Blu-Ray.
8. No MPEG4 (H.264)
The PlayStation 3 does play H.264 content. Nice.
9. No System Wide Calibration
This is still a problem. Maybe there’s hope for the next generation of system consoles.
10. Poor DVD Playback Quality
I haven’t had a chance to test the PS3’s DVD playback at all. The big difference between Holiday 2005 and Holiday 2006 is the availability of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Turns out, the Blu-Ray player in the PS3 is actually very good. DVD wise, most consumer players pale in comparison to the latest video technology from AMD and NVIDIA. The exception, of course, is a consumer player with a Gennum VXP or Silicon Optix Realta or ReonVX with HQV technology.
11. No Pressure Sensitive Face Buttons
For the PS3, the problem is the lack of vibration feedback. Sigh. Imagine if you had vibration feedback and controller tilt sensations! Guys like EA and Sega Sports could come up with even crazier free throw mechanics…
Comments
In the end, it’s pretty impressive to see how Sony has been able to address some of the mistakes that Microsoft made with the Xbox 360 launch. This has nothing to do with Sony’s intuition -- it’s the advantage of coming in second.
PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360 strengths
Shortly after our 11 Mistakes of the Xbox 360, we talked about the seven things that the Xbox 360 special. Let’s see how the PlayStation 3 competes on these 7 fronts...
1. Development Environment
The Xbox 360 continues to offer one of the best development environments of any gaming platform today. A look at games like Rainbow Six: Vegas and Gears of War is enough proof of how Microsoft’s design allows them to succeed.
But this is more than just software support. It’s hardware. To understand what I’m talking about, we need to step back in time to the time when Sony launched the PlayStation 2. Although the hype of the “Emotion Engine” proved to offer little substance, the PS2’s atypical system architecture with parallel vector units and a high-fillrate fixed-function 3D pipeline helped it to produce games such as Gran Turismo 4, Final Fantasy XII, and the Metal Gear Solid series. Indeed, it is a true testament to the vision of Sony’s engineers and marketing department that the PS2 established such overwhelming market dominance.
At the time the PS2 launched, it seemed as if the PC had little chance of success in the gaming market. The PS2 technology demos were being showcased at a time when NVIDIA’s flagship graphics chip was the Riva TNT2. The PS2 completely outclassed the comparable PC of the time, and when Metal Gear Solid 2 came out, it truly was a marvel both in terms of gameplay and technology.
In the same way, the launch of the Xbox 360 represented that same scenario. The three-core PowerPC CPU in the Xbox360 and AMD-powered GPU with a unified shader architecture represented hardware capabilities beyond anything that was available for the PC at the time. Indeed, it is only recently with the release of products such as the GeForce 8800 and Intel Core 2 Duo that the PC has regained in dominance in the gaming world.
Along the same lines, the PlayStation 3 has been released to the world with a substantial promise of computational power. Once again, Sony’s insistence on “non-traditional” architecture persists, with the use of the Cell processor. However in this generation, the GPU in the PS3 is a tried-and-true GeForce 7-class GPU.
Xbox 360 CPU
The Xbox360 design architecture is about evolution not revolution. The CPU represents the next logical step in design, and with a clear gaming focus, its performance is exceptional. Though the GPU is the first to implement unified shaders, it is also taking the predicted path of evolution.
Xenon CPU
When the PS2 launched, it was one of the only consumer devices that required developers to explicitly parallelize their code for the vector units. With time, the industry has now adopted the principle of explicit parallelism and multi-core CPUs as the standard approach. The decision places added burden on the developer to formulate their algorithms in a manner that can be solved by multiple processing cores – in return, the developers gain access to what may otherwise have been impossible with existing hardware technology.
The Xenon CPU is a triple-core PowerPC. There are three fully-independent general purpose CPUs with two-way symmetric multitasking. That is, there are three 3.2GHz CPU cores, each of which are “Hyperthreaded.” Unlike a traditional desktop PC CPU, however, the Xenon CPU only does in-order execution (Pentium 1’s have had out of order execution). This means that things such as AI that requires heavy branch prediction will suffer on the Xbox 360 as compared to a high-end desktop PC.
The key point is that the Xbox360 is not intended to compete with a desktop PC. What is considered “unusual” for a desktop CPU (no out-of-order execution), actually works well for a console, where graphics still reign supreme. In addition, the Xenon’s computations have been optimized for single-precision math – perfect for games.
Basically, for the Xenon, Microsoft engineers said: “Let’s take a solid desktop CPU, strip out elements that we don’t need (i.e. high precision math) and elements that will increase the manufacturing cost (i.e. out of order execution) so that we can crank up the clockspeed and have multiple cores.
PlayStation 3 CPU
Cell
Despite the overzealous marketing of the Emotion Engine, the Cell processor is truly an impressive CPU that represents a significant step up in performance. Indeed, IBM is currently building the fastest supercomputer in the world (Road Runner) using a complimentary combination of AMD Opteron and Cell CPUs. The Opterons provide the foundation for the supercomputer while the Cell CPUs are co-processors, not unlike a GPU in a desktop PC.
Whereas the Xbox 360 took a balanced approach with its CPU (from the perspective of a game console; it’s biased toward graphics/media performance when compared to a desktop PC), the Cell CPU takes an even more ambitious approach to parallelism.
The Cell CPU starts off with a standard PowerPC core that’s not unlike one of the cores in the Xbox 360. The next step is adding 8 additional SPEs, 6 of which are accessible to the programmer. These SPEs have a limited feature set and essentially are only useful for accelerating mathematical computations.
In a way, Sony’s vision for the Cell was different. Whereas Microsoft had come to the drawing board with a vision for the best gaming CPU, Sony had come to IBM and Toshiba to try to create something different, the fastest and most powerful processor for streaming data. From an engineering standpoint, the Cell processor is impressive, but the Cell is not purpose built for games. Dollar for dollar, the Xenon CPU is going to offer better overall performance.
In short, Sony continues to be bold with its hardware design choice but Microsoft plays the superior political game. Microsoft asked the developers what they wanted, and gave them more. Sony offers more than Microsoft, but demands that developers join their religion of massive parallel programming.
Who’s right? There are strengths to both approaches. Hands down, the Microsoft approach is right for the industry. It ensures that gamers will get the great games early on in the lifecycle of a product, ensures that the developer can maximize their programming time and monetary investment. You get better games, developers take on fewer risks, and Microsoft makes money. A win-win for everyone.
With Sony, the PS3’s architecture is sure to alienate many developers. Indeed, former PS3 exclusives continue to make their way to the Xbox 360 as developers revolt. Sony is just capitalizing on their brand name and Blu-Ray to make the PS3 work early on. What will keep the PS3 alive is the Holy Trinity of PlayStation: Square-Enix, Konami, and Polyphony Digital.
PS3 Game Developers
Konami and Polyphony Digital
The most sophisticated games for the original PlayStation were Metal Gear Solid and the Gran Turismo line. The most sophisticated games for the PlayStation 2 were the Metal Gear Solid and Gran Turismo line. The most sophisticated games for the PlayStation 3 will be the Metal Gear Solid and Gran Turismo line.
You see, Konami and Polyphony Digital represent a special breed of developer. First of all, they know what makes a game fun. Sure, Gran Turismo may not be your cup of tea, but for millions of gamers across the world it is. Finding a developer who knows what feature is fun or not is hard...
What makes Konami and Polyphony Digital special is that they buy into Sony’s vision. They buy into the religion of massively multithreaded games that harness multiple parallel CPUs. Politics and economics aside, the development teams at these two studios fundamentally approach games with the same vision that Sony offers with the PS3. Metal Gear Solid 4 may eventually make its way to the Xbox 360, but it will come with compromises.
Square-Enix
The strength of the Final Fantasy series has always been its story and so it is tempting to believe that the core Final Fantasy series could be made cross-platform. Indeed, Square-Enix has already brought Final Fantasy spin-off games to non-Sony platforms. However, ever since FF7, Square has adopted a storytelling approach that combines real-time and pre-rendered CG graphics. As good as video hardware gets, pre-rendered CGI will always be better in capturing the emotion of the characters. In the HD era, the Xbox 360’s DVD format simply does not provide enough high-res video for a 60-80 hour Final Fantasy game. Blu-Ray does. Most developers have moved toward in-game cut scenes -- Square Enix continues to be more and more ambitious with its pre-rendered CGI…
Only now is it obvious
Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 are developer oriented -- it's a question of who they’re targeting. The Xbox 360 adopts a balanced approach favored by legendary programmers such as John Carmack. It’s fundamentally and academically, the right way to do things when designing a console capable of playing a wide variety of games.
On the other hand, Sony has taken an approach that’s hated by the majority of developers, but is well-liked by Polyphony Digital, Konami, and Square-Enix. It’s clearly a risky-move for Sony, but potentially one that will have significant returns.
The mainstream press says that the PlayStation 3 is doomed: too pricey and too complex. They’re missing the point. The PlayStation 3 will be the platform of choice for the next-gen MGS, Gran Turismo, and Final Fantasy (core) line up.
1. Wireless controller
A year ago, everyone thought I was being silly for writing that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 wireless controller was awesome; Nintendo and Sony were both going to feature wireless controllers. Now, in December 2006, I feel vindicated. I haven’t heard of any Xbox 360 controllers breaking any TVs...
Seriously, the Wii controller may be sophisticated, but it says something when Nintendo has to redesign the strap after-the-fact. This is something that should have been addressed in the pre-release era. Likewise, although the SIXAXIS controller is wireless, it doesn’t use standard replaceable batteries.
2. Free demos
There is no doubt that Microsoft’s embracement of free downloadable demos has been responsible for Sony’s increased
3 Always on Xbox Live
Again, everyone thought I was silly for talking about “always on” Xbox Live when it was simply broadband. It was more than that. It’s the persistent user-logon that spans across worlds – something the PS3 doesn’t have.
4. Online metadata
This was in regard to the Xbox 360’s ability to pull music data from the ‘net based off music CDs. I sent my PS3 back to JCal before I had a chance to compare Sony’s music CD and SACD playback feature set...
5. HD Media MCE
This was a feature I picked up on in 2005. With Windows Vista *finally* coming out, expect this feature to be a major component of the feature showcase.
6. HD Gaming
Overall, the Xbox 360’s 720p graphics continue to be stellar. Even when comparing games like Need for Speed: Carbon, NBA Live 07, and Call of Duty 3, the Xbox 360’s graphics performance is just as good or superior to the PS3 equivalent. Again, the Xbox 360 has been engineered as a balanced development environment. It is unequivocally the superior platform and already has some very impressive games such as Gears of War. That still doesn’t mean that it’ll be able to compete against Gran Turismo, MGS, etc.
Conclusion
Virtually every article I’ve read has called the PS3 the loser, or copped out with the “we’ll have to wait and see.” I think the future of this generation’s consoles is much easier to predict. All you need to do is to take a developer-centric perspective.
Gameplay is always number one, but this has little effect on console wars. That’s because everyone wants a game that’s fun to play, even the most corporate, mega-managed game developer. Tools like the Wii controller help developers expand their creativity in one way, however developers interested in applying novel methods of realistic videos or sophisticated visual effects to improve the game play (think Splinter Cell) will find the Wii somewhat restrictive. Developers will always be looking to make the most entertaining game within the development budget they have been given. In that regard, the development environment is critical. The more time they need to spend troubleshooting something, the less time they can ask themselves is “feature X” actually making the game more entertaining. Along the same lines though, the bigger the console user base, the bigger the budget they’ll get...
Sony will remain number one due to the momentum of the brand-name. As more and more HDTV sets are purchased, Blu-Ray playback will be a more attractive feature, and despite the PS3’s shortcomings, graphics are still “equivalent” or “almost as good” as the Xbox 360. The average consumer who may easily be swayed by graphics will see games like Gran Turismo 5, and see that games like Madden and NBA Live look pretty good too.
Sony will lose market share due to increases in popularity from Microsoft and Nintendo. As a gamer, the Xbox 360 is the clear choice. It’s easily available, relatively cheap, and offers a true next-generation experience. The balanced development environment will ensure a steady stream of releases, and Microsoft’s aggressive Japanese investments (Tecmo, Mistwalker, Capcom) will likely help establish the brand in Asia. Microsoft will always have the price advantage over the PS3, and I would expect some aggressive promotions by E3 2007.
The Wii will do better than the Gamecube but will not be able to compete as effectively as the Xbox 360 and PS3 in the enthusiast market. Yes, the Wii is great, and yes, it’s affordable, and yes, it’s completely sold out. The problem and strength with the Wii is that it’s designed to introduce “non-traditional gamers” to consoles. That’s great and all, but once you’ve gotten them excited about the Wii, these non-traditional gamers are unlikely to be as passionate about games as PS3/Xbox 360 owners will be. In the same way the DDR Revolution and Katamari Damacy eventually fizzled out, so will the Wii. It’s not that the Wii isn’t awesome... it’s that the Xbox 360 and PS3 will still be dominant.
The real wild card in this final third of the decade will be the PC. The PC has quickly reestablished its dominance in hardware superior – faster than any other console product launch cycle. As advanced as the Xenon and Cell processors are, it’s always the GPU that improves the most quickly. As fast as the GeForce 8800 GTX is today, we know that a year from now, AMD and NVIDIA will have even faster flagship products, and cards like the 7950GT will be even cheaper and more mainstream. Likewise, Microsoft will continue to push DX10 gaming in their efforts to maintain a desktop entertainment platform that’s ahead of the MacOS competition.
-James
1. Overheating CPU/GPU
Since our article, Microsoft has extended the warranty of Xbox 360’s. Recently, my Xbox 360 had a display error related to the GPU. I called Microsoft’s tech support and since my system was one of the launch systems, Microsoft replaced my Xbox 360 free-of-charge. I went through regular customer tech support for this, and it went fairly smoothly (although the process took an hour on hold). Reports of defective Xbox 360’s have essentially disappeared with the current production methods.
2. No MSN Music
We were right to think of the Xbox 360 as a platform for online content. At the time, we were focused on MSN Music given that it was Microsoft’s established platform. In retrospect, it makes perfect sense. There was no point in bringing MSN Music to the Xbox 360 while the Zune Marketplace was in development. With the Zune out in the real-world, I’d expect to see more Zune/Xbox 360 features coming together.
We almost predicted the Xbox 360’s high-definition movie rental service. At the time, we were focused on music rather than movies not because of bandwidth or the market, but copy protection. Let me quote something from a year ago:
“...it would not have been difficult for Microsoft to release high-definition movies or TV shows using the Xbox Live infrastructure. The hardware is HD capable and the networking infrastructure is capable of handling large files -- game demos are already topping 1GB. Without HDMI or DVI/HDCP support, Microsoft may find it impossible to convince Hollywood studios to allow users to download high-def, full-length movies for playback on an analog source.”
3. No HDMI/1080p support
The fact that we have HD-DVD and HD Xbox Live Marketplace videos over analog is a real testament to the power that Microsoft wields. They have basically gotten Hollywood manufacturers to sign on. Basically, Hollywood will not allow you to upsample 480p DVDs to high-definition resolutions over analog connections... but you’ll be able to display 720p and 1080i HD source.
Microsoft has recently added 1080p VGA support to the Xbox 360. Although this is currently limited to upsampling 720p games, some of the Flash based games in the Xbox Live Arcade will potentially benefit from the 1080p support.
4. 20GB is too small
We called this, despite having many readers claim that we were simply “bashing” Microsoft. With the new HD movie rental service and TV show download service, the 20GB capacity is clearly an issue. Microsoft recognizes this and has talked about producing larger capacity hard drives although no products have formally been announced.
5. Microtransaction security
In the end, pre-paid Xbox Live Marketplace points make the most sense. Sometimes retailers will sell these below the normal price as part of promotions or special coupons.
6. No internet browser
We’re not sure what’s stopping Microsoft from putting a web browser on the Xbox 360. Both Sony and Nintendo have web browsers in their consoles... Internet Explorer 7 is also an exceptional browser. Maybe it’s an issue of porting IE7 to the PowerPC architecture that’s causing the delay. Politically, there’s no way the Xbox 360 can use any other web browser.
7. No WMV-HD
At the time, we were focused on WMV-HD as it was the only commercially available high-definition disc-based platform. Most of the movies were limited to IMAX, or documentaries like Step Into Liquid, but there was also Terminator 2. With the HD-DVD and Blu-Ray on the market now, it’s no longer an issue.
8. No MPEG4 (H.264)
Once again, we have to deal with the political scenario at Microsoft. The hardware is capable of H.264 decoding, and the HD-DVD add-on proves that. On the other hand, politically, Microsoft only wants to allow streaming from Windows Media Center Edition 2005 and Windows Vista -- both MPEG-2 based.
9. No System Wide Calibration
This is still a problem. Maybe there’s hope for the next generation of system consoles
10. Poor DVD Playback Quality
In the next year or two, this will be less and less important as people begin to move toward HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. With the merging of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray failing due to political issues, the main barrier to entry is going to be the introduction of combo drives. Once HD-DVD/Blu-Ray combo drives are available, you can expect a significant surge in consumer sales of HD playback devices along with a decrease in cost due to economies of scale. In one to two years, the fight between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray will be no different from DVD+R and DVD-R.
With Microsoft now selling HD movies on Xbox Live, they have even less incentive to upgrade the DVD features of the Xbox 360. By keeping the DVD playback poor, the benefits of high definition video will be maximized. By the way, isn’t it funny how gamers talk about how great downloaded HD video content looks, while the mainstream press keeps talking about how HD-DVD and Blu-Ray looks no better than regular DVDs? The short answer is that the HD revolution is real and it’s here. This is also the reason why you should read reviews from people who actually know what they’re talking about...
11. No Pressure Sensitive Face Buttons
I keep reading rumors about Metal Gear Solid 4 coming to the Xbox 360, but if MGS4 continues to adopt the gamepad mechanics of MGS2 and MGS3, the ultimate experience won’t be faithfully brought over the Xbox 360 (if the game even does show up on the Xbox 360).
Ego Boosting Comments
With the Xbox 360 in our hands for only one month when we came up with this list, it’s surprising to see how accurate our comments were. Let’s take a look at these 11 issues and see if Sony learned anything from Microsoft’s mistakes.
The PlayStation 3
1. System Stability
So far, the PlayStation 3 has been a fairly reliable system. Sure, you’ll see the broken system our two on YouTube, but our PS3 has been flawless, even with several firmware upgrades along the way!
2. Media Marketplace
Hindsight is 20/20 and even then, the PS3 has not launched with access to Sony Connect or downloadable media. In a way, the integrated Blu-Ray player in every PS3 minimizes the incentive Sony has behind downloadable movies. People always prefer to have something tangible, and clearly Sony would rather have you purchase a Blu-Ray movie in their current war against HD-DVD.
3. HDMI/1080p support?
Standard on the PS3. Kudos, Sony. Kudos.
4. 20GB is too small
60GB on the “high-end” PS3. But what’s even more important is that Sony has made the hard drive user replaceable. Put in any Serial ATA drive you want. Coming from a company that once forced you to use ATRAC for portable music, this is simply amazing.
5. Microtransaction security
So far, Xbox Live Marketplace is superior to the online PlayStation store. Still, we’d prefer to have separate logins for games and for commerce.
6. No internet browser
Not only does Sony include a web browser, it has Flash, and works with websites like YouTube! I wonder if the SIXAXIS controller will blend...
7. No WMV-HD
With Blu-Ray, this really isn’t an issue. Microsoft had WMV-HD discs at retail but they weren’t supporting it. Sony’s only retail HD content is Blu-Ray.
8. No MPEG4 (H.264)
The PlayStation 3 does play H.264 content. Nice.
9. No System Wide Calibration
This is still a problem. Maybe there’s hope for the next generation of system consoles.
10. Poor DVD Playback Quality
I haven’t had a chance to test the PS3’s DVD playback at all. The big difference between Holiday 2005 and Holiday 2006 is the availability of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Turns out, the Blu-Ray player in the PS3 is actually very good. DVD wise, most consumer players pale in comparison to the latest video technology from AMD and NVIDIA. The exception, of course, is a consumer player with a Gennum VXP or Silicon Optix Realta or ReonVX with HQV technology.
11. No Pressure Sensitive Face Buttons
For the PS3, the problem is the lack of vibration feedback. Sigh. Imagine if you had vibration feedback and controller tilt sensations! Guys like EA and Sega Sports could come up with even crazier free throw mechanics…
Comments
In the end, it’s pretty impressive to see how Sony has been able to address some of the mistakes that Microsoft made with the Xbox 360 launch. This has nothing to do with Sony’s intuition -- it’s the advantage of coming in second.
PlayStation 3 vs Xbox 360 strengths
Shortly after our 11 Mistakes of the Xbox 360, we talked about the seven things that the Xbox 360 special. Let’s see how the PlayStation 3 competes on these 7 fronts...
1. Development Environment
The Xbox 360 continues to offer one of the best development environments of any gaming platform today. A look at games like Rainbow Six: Vegas and Gears of War is enough proof of how Microsoft’s design allows them to succeed.
But this is more than just software support. It’s hardware. To understand what I’m talking about, we need to step back in time to the time when Sony launched the PlayStation 2. Although the hype of the “Emotion Engine” proved to offer little substance, the PS2’s atypical system architecture with parallel vector units and a high-fillrate fixed-function 3D pipeline helped it to produce games such as Gran Turismo 4, Final Fantasy XII, and the Metal Gear Solid series. Indeed, it is a true testament to the vision of Sony’s engineers and marketing department that the PS2 established such overwhelming market dominance.
At the time the PS2 launched, it seemed as if the PC had little chance of success in the gaming market. The PS2 technology demos were being showcased at a time when NVIDIA’s flagship graphics chip was the Riva TNT2. The PS2 completely outclassed the comparable PC of the time, and when Metal Gear Solid 2 came out, it truly was a marvel both in terms of gameplay and technology.
In the same way, the launch of the Xbox 360 represented that same scenario. The three-core PowerPC CPU in the Xbox360 and AMD-powered GPU with a unified shader architecture represented hardware capabilities beyond anything that was available for the PC at the time. Indeed, it is only recently with the release of products such as the GeForce 8800 and Intel Core 2 Duo that the PC has regained in dominance in the gaming world.
Along the same lines, the PlayStation 3 has been released to the world with a substantial promise of computational power. Once again, Sony’s insistence on “non-traditional” architecture persists, with the use of the Cell processor. However in this generation, the GPU in the PS3 is a tried-and-true GeForce 7-class GPU.
Xbox 360 CPU
The Xbox360 design architecture is about evolution not revolution. The CPU represents the next logical step in design, and with a clear gaming focus, its performance is exceptional. Though the GPU is the first to implement unified shaders, it is also taking the predicted path of evolution.
Xenon CPU
When the PS2 launched, it was one of the only consumer devices that required developers to explicitly parallelize their code for the vector units. With time, the industry has now adopted the principle of explicit parallelism and multi-core CPUs as the standard approach. The decision places added burden on the developer to formulate their algorithms in a manner that can be solved by multiple processing cores – in return, the developers gain access to what may otherwise have been impossible with existing hardware technology.
The Xenon CPU is a triple-core PowerPC. There are three fully-independent general purpose CPUs with two-way symmetric multitasking. That is, there are three 3.2GHz CPU cores, each of which are “Hyperthreaded.” Unlike a traditional desktop PC CPU, however, the Xenon CPU only does in-order execution (Pentium 1’s have had out of order execution). This means that things such as AI that requires heavy branch prediction will suffer on the Xbox 360 as compared to a high-end desktop PC.
The key point is that the Xbox360 is not intended to compete with a desktop PC. What is considered “unusual” for a desktop CPU (no out-of-order execution), actually works well for a console, where graphics still reign supreme. In addition, the Xenon’s computations have been optimized for single-precision math – perfect for games.
Basically, for the Xenon, Microsoft engineers said: “Let’s take a solid desktop CPU, strip out elements that we don’t need (i.e. high precision math) and elements that will increase the manufacturing cost (i.e. out of order execution) so that we can crank up the clockspeed and have multiple cores.
PlayStation 3 CPU
Cell
Despite the overzealous marketing of the Emotion Engine, the Cell processor is truly an impressive CPU that represents a significant step up in performance. Indeed, IBM is currently building the fastest supercomputer in the world (Road Runner) using a complimentary combination of AMD Opteron and Cell CPUs. The Opterons provide the foundation for the supercomputer while the Cell CPUs are co-processors, not unlike a GPU in a desktop PC.
Whereas the Xbox 360 took a balanced approach with its CPU (from the perspective of a game console; it’s biased toward graphics/media performance when compared to a desktop PC), the Cell CPU takes an even more ambitious approach to parallelism.
The Cell CPU starts off with a standard PowerPC core that’s not unlike one of the cores in the Xbox 360. The next step is adding 8 additional SPEs, 6 of which are accessible to the programmer. These SPEs have a limited feature set and essentially are only useful for accelerating mathematical computations.
In a way, Sony’s vision for the Cell was different. Whereas Microsoft had come to the drawing board with a vision for the best gaming CPU, Sony had come to IBM and Toshiba to try to create something different, the fastest and most powerful processor for streaming data. From an engineering standpoint, the Cell processor is impressive, but the Cell is not purpose built for games. Dollar for dollar, the Xenon CPU is going to offer better overall performance.
In short, Sony continues to be bold with its hardware design choice but Microsoft plays the superior political game. Microsoft asked the developers what they wanted, and gave them more. Sony offers more than Microsoft, but demands that developers join their religion of massive parallel programming.
Who’s right? There are strengths to both approaches. Hands down, the Microsoft approach is right for the industry. It ensures that gamers will get the great games early on in the lifecycle of a product, ensures that the developer can maximize their programming time and monetary investment. You get better games, developers take on fewer risks, and Microsoft makes money. A win-win for everyone.
With Sony, the PS3’s architecture is sure to alienate many developers. Indeed, former PS3 exclusives continue to make their way to the Xbox 360 as developers revolt. Sony is just capitalizing on their brand name and Blu-Ray to make the PS3 work early on. What will keep the PS3 alive is the Holy Trinity of PlayStation: Square-Enix, Konami, and Polyphony Digital.
PS3 Game Developers
Konami and Polyphony Digital
The most sophisticated games for the original PlayStation were Metal Gear Solid and the Gran Turismo line. The most sophisticated games for the PlayStation 2 were the Metal Gear Solid and Gran Turismo line. The most sophisticated games for the PlayStation 3 will be the Metal Gear Solid and Gran Turismo line.
You see, Konami and Polyphony Digital represent a special breed of developer. First of all, they know what makes a game fun. Sure, Gran Turismo may not be your cup of tea, but for millions of gamers across the world it is. Finding a developer who knows what feature is fun or not is hard...
What makes Konami and Polyphony Digital special is that they buy into Sony’s vision. They buy into the religion of massively multithreaded games that harness multiple parallel CPUs. Politics and economics aside, the development teams at these two studios fundamentally approach games with the same vision that Sony offers with the PS3. Metal Gear Solid 4 may eventually make its way to the Xbox 360, but it will come with compromises.
Square-Enix
The strength of the Final Fantasy series has always been its story and so it is tempting to believe that the core Final Fantasy series could be made cross-platform. Indeed, Square-Enix has already brought Final Fantasy spin-off games to non-Sony platforms. However, ever since FF7, Square has adopted a storytelling approach that combines real-time and pre-rendered CG graphics. As good as video hardware gets, pre-rendered CGI will always be better in capturing the emotion of the characters. In the HD era, the Xbox 360’s DVD format simply does not provide enough high-res video for a 60-80 hour Final Fantasy game. Blu-Ray does. Most developers have moved toward in-game cut scenes -- Square Enix continues to be more and more ambitious with its pre-rendered CGI…
Only now is it obvious
Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 are developer oriented -- it's a question of who they’re targeting. The Xbox 360 adopts a balanced approach favored by legendary programmers such as John Carmack. It’s fundamentally and academically, the right way to do things when designing a console capable of playing a wide variety of games.
On the other hand, Sony has taken an approach that’s hated by the majority of developers, but is well-liked by Polyphony Digital, Konami, and Square-Enix. It’s clearly a risky-move for Sony, but potentially one that will have significant returns.
The mainstream press says that the PlayStation 3 is doomed: too pricey and too complex. They’re missing the point. The PlayStation 3 will be the platform of choice for the next-gen MGS, Gran Turismo, and Final Fantasy (core) line up.
1. Wireless controller
A year ago, everyone thought I was being silly for writing that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 wireless controller was awesome; Nintendo and Sony were both going to feature wireless controllers. Now, in December 2006, I feel vindicated. I haven’t heard of any Xbox 360 controllers breaking any TVs...
Seriously, the Wii controller may be sophisticated, but it says something when Nintendo has to redesign the strap after-the-fact. This is something that should have been addressed in the pre-release era. Likewise, although the SIXAXIS controller is wireless, it doesn’t use standard replaceable batteries.
2. Free demos
There is no doubt that Microsoft’s embracement of free downloadable demos has been responsible for Sony’s increased
3 Always on Xbox Live
Again, everyone thought I was silly for talking about “always on” Xbox Live when it was simply broadband. It was more than that. It’s the persistent user-logon that spans across worlds – something the PS3 doesn’t have.
4. Online metadata
This was in regard to the Xbox 360’s ability to pull music data from the ‘net based off music CDs. I sent my PS3 back to JCal before I had a chance to compare Sony’s music CD and SACD playback feature set...
5. HD Media MCE
This was a feature I picked up on in 2005. With Windows Vista *finally* coming out, expect this feature to be a major component of the feature showcase.
6. HD Gaming
Overall, the Xbox 360’s 720p graphics continue to be stellar. Even when comparing games like Need for Speed: Carbon, NBA Live 07, and Call of Duty 3, the Xbox 360’s graphics performance is just as good or superior to the PS3 equivalent. Again, the Xbox 360 has been engineered as a balanced development environment. It is unequivocally the superior platform and already has some very impressive games such as Gears of War. That still doesn’t mean that it’ll be able to compete against Gran Turismo, MGS, etc.
Conclusion
Virtually every article I’ve read has called the PS3 the loser, or copped out with the “we’ll have to wait and see.” I think the future of this generation’s consoles is much easier to predict. All you need to do is to take a developer-centric perspective.
Gameplay is always number one, but this has little effect on console wars. That’s because everyone wants a game that’s fun to play, even the most corporate, mega-managed game developer. Tools like the Wii controller help developers expand their creativity in one way, however developers interested in applying novel methods of realistic videos or sophisticated visual effects to improve the game play (think Splinter Cell) will find the Wii somewhat restrictive. Developers will always be looking to make the most entertaining game within the development budget they have been given. In that regard, the development environment is critical. The more time they need to spend troubleshooting something, the less time they can ask themselves is “feature X” actually making the game more entertaining. Along the same lines though, the bigger the console user base, the bigger the budget they’ll get...
Sony will remain number one due to the momentum of the brand-name. As more and more HDTV sets are purchased, Blu-Ray playback will be a more attractive feature, and despite the PS3’s shortcomings, graphics are still “equivalent” or “almost as good” as the Xbox 360. The average consumer who may easily be swayed by graphics will see games like Gran Turismo 5, and see that games like Madden and NBA Live look pretty good too.
Sony will lose market share due to increases in popularity from Microsoft and Nintendo. As a gamer, the Xbox 360 is the clear choice. It’s easily available, relatively cheap, and offers a true next-generation experience. The balanced development environment will ensure a steady stream of releases, and Microsoft’s aggressive Japanese investments (Tecmo, Mistwalker, Capcom) will likely help establish the brand in Asia. Microsoft will always have the price advantage over the PS3, and I would expect some aggressive promotions by E3 2007.
The Wii will do better than the Gamecube but will not be able to compete as effectively as the Xbox 360 and PS3 in the enthusiast market. Yes, the Wii is great, and yes, it’s affordable, and yes, it’s completely sold out. The problem and strength with the Wii is that it’s designed to introduce “non-traditional gamers” to consoles. That’s great and all, but once you’ve gotten them excited about the Wii, these non-traditional gamers are unlikely to be as passionate about games as PS3/Xbox 360 owners will be. In the same way the DDR Revolution and Katamari Damacy eventually fizzled out, so will the Wii. It’s not that the Wii isn’t awesome... it’s that the Xbox 360 and PS3 will still be dominant.
The real wild card in this final third of the decade will be the PC. The PC has quickly reestablished its dominance in hardware superior – faster than any other console product launch cycle. As advanced as the Xenon and Cell processors are, it’s always the GPU that improves the most quickly. As fast as the GeForce 8800 GTX is today, we know that a year from now, AMD and NVIDIA will have even faster flagship products, and cards like the 7950GT will be even cheaper and more mainstream. Likewise, Microsoft will continue to push DX10 gaming in their efforts to maintain a desktop entertainment platform that’s ahead of the MacOS competition.
-James
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Goldeneye Source Released
Goldeneye Source beta has been released the links are below...
Link to .EXE mirrors (intended for client):
http://vaughnsoft.com/goldeneye/?id=4
http://games.internode.on.net/filelist.php?filedetails=5035
ftp://gesource:gesource@87.84.78.3:2132/GoldeneyeSource_0.1.0_Full.exe
Link to .ZIP mirrors (intended for server):
ftp://gesource:gesource@87.84.78.3:2132/GoldeneyeSource_0.1.0_Full.zip
http://games.internode.on.net/filelist.php?filedetails=5034
http://dl.kohf.net/bond/GoldeneyeSource_0.1.0_Full.zip
http://superhero.pimpinjuice.net/ges/mirror/GoldeneyeSource_0.1.0_Full.zip
http://vaughnsoft.com/goldeneye/?id=3
Worms
Our friends at XBLArcade have informed us that Worms HD -- an Xbox Live Arcade version of the classic series -- is near completion, according to a forum post on the Team17 website (registration required). The post declares that the game is already on Partnernet (a debug and press only version of Xbox Live) and has only one more bug to be worked out. Furthermore, the game should be available "hot on the heels" of CES, which ends January 11. Worms HD will be officially announced during the show.
XBLArcade also reports that Team17 is already working on downloadable content -- free and premium -- and that the game is supposedly easier to "pick up and play" than previous iterations. We share their sentiment that this may or may not be a good thing for Worms, as one of the best parts of the series is its depth of strategy. Hopefully, this will remain intact in the Arcade release. At any rate, we can't wait to get a crack at Worms HD in all its 2D glory. With any luck, it may wash out the sour taste of the recent 3D iterations. Anyone else excited to pick this up?
The importance of Wii Bowling to Nintendo
Wii Sports, particularly Bowling, may be the most influential game of the year, at least in terms of its potential impact on the industry. Columnist David Thomas opines on yearly blockbusters like Gears of War (360), Elder Scrolls Oblivion (360/PC), and Zelda (Wii/GCN) by saying: "While each of these games remain a worthy distraction from the pressures of the real world, none of them really changes the art or science of video games the way that Wii Bowling does."
In essence, "who would have thought 'electronic bowling' -- despite its simplicity -- could be this fun?" He believes that if Nintendo (or was it Miyamoto who spearheaded the game's development?) can turn the 5,000 year-old game into something this enjoyable with mass appeal, the company may have an even brighter future on its hands. Hardcores on board or not.
In essence, "who would have thought 'electronic bowling' -- despite its simplicity -- could be this fun?" He believes that if Nintendo (or was it Miyamoto who spearheaded the game's development?) can turn the 5,000 year-old game into something this enjoyable with mass appeal, the company may have an even brighter future on its hands. Hardcores on board or not.
Yankee player forms baseball gaming league with fans
Like professional baseball players? Like video games as well (probably an emphatic "yes" since you're reading this)? Then the newly formed Professional Baseball Video Game League may be right up your alley. The Chicago Tribune has the scoop: "Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon has announced formation of the Professional Baseball Video Game League, in which some of baseball's best players will battle each other and their fans online. Damon will serve as commissioner for the league's inaugural season, which kicks off this week with the first competitions on the league's chosen game, Microsoft's Project Gotham Racing 3 for Xbox 360."
Said Damon in a statement: "The league is bringing together two of my biggest passions -- baseball and video games -- in a way that neither baseball fans nor video gamers have seen before." Here, here! Other notable baseball players/gamers this season include Corey Patterson, Rodrigo Lopez, Derek Lowe, Julian Tavarez, and Matt Holliday
Said Damon in a statement: "The league is bringing together two of my biggest passions -- baseball and video games -- in a way that neither baseball fans nor video gamers have seen before." Here, here! Other notable baseball players/gamers this season include Corey Patterson, Rodrigo Lopez, Derek Lowe, Julian Tavarez, and Matt Holliday
Rally X for XBL Arcade
Hopes for a brilliant finale have been dashed with Microsoft's last Xbox Live Arcade release of 2006. After a run of indie titles (Small Arms, RoboBlitz, Assault Heroes, and Novadrome), Microsoft is back to 80s rehashes with New Rally-X today; "New" as in the 1981 sequel to 1980's Rally-X. It's Pac-Man on wheels.
Perhaps this dull offering is merely a setup for next week's New Year surprise, but to end '06 on this low note is certainly a disappointment. Imagine if Castle Crashers or Worms had shown up this morning -- or even that original shooter from the Ikaruga team. Or how about Goldeneye? Or Symphony of the Night? Instead, it's New Rally-X. Ugh.
Perhaps this dull offering is merely a setup for next week's New Year surprise, but to end '06 on this low note is certainly a disappointment. Imagine if Castle Crashers or Worms had shown up this morning -- or even that original shooter from the Ikaruga team. Or how about Goldeneye? Or Symphony of the Night? Instead, it's New Rally-X. Ugh.
Killzone PS3 To Have 120 Developers
Guerilla Games have confirmed that Killzone PS3 will cost more to develop than the most expensive file in Dutch history, Black Book. The movie cost $21 million to develop, and Killzone director Arjan Brussee was quoted on saying, ""Our budget tops Black Book. We're working on the biggest multimedia project in Dutch history."
The high cost for the game is due to the labor invested into the graphically demanding next-gen video games. "Work that used to take someone a week now takes him a month" said Brussee. There are 120 developers working on Killzone PS3, which is three times more than the amount of people who work on the first installation for the game. Half of the development team is from outside the Netherlands. The other factor which is making the game expensive to develop is the location of it. Killzone PS3 will be available in twenty different languages. Brussee feels this will pay off in the long run, "You sell 30 to 40 percent more [units] with a translated version."
CREDIT KILLZONEPS3.NET
-James
The high cost for the game is due to the labor invested into the graphically demanding next-gen video games. "Work that used to take someone a week now takes him a month" said Brussee. There are 120 developers working on Killzone PS3, which is three times more than the amount of people who work on the first installation for the game. Half of the development team is from outside the Netherlands. The other factor which is making the game expensive to develop is the location of it. Killzone PS3 will be available in twenty different languages. Brussee feels this will pay off in the long run, "You sell 30 to 40 percent more [units] with a translated version."
CREDIT KILLZONEPS3.NET
-James
Sony Confirms PS4
Vice President of Technology for Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Paul Holman confirmed that there will be a PlayStation 4, and that it would be released sometime after 2010 in an interview with SmartHouse.
"To say that there will be no PS4 because of a management change is a bit far fetched" he said.
Until the release of the PlayStation 4, there will be several upgrades for the PS3.
-James
"To say that there will be no PS4 because of a management change is a bit far fetched" he said.
Until the release of the PlayStation 4, there will be several upgrades for the PS3.
-James
150 developers working on GTAIV
According to analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners, Take-Two Interactive has about 150 developers working on the next gen Grand Theft Auto.
"Rockstar Games is fully capable of ushering in an entertainment experience categorically superior to the prior cycle’s GTA product," Hickery stated.
Although details are slim on GTAIV, we do know that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions plan to ship on October 16th, 2007. It will also have episodic content available on Xbox Live and PS Store.
-James
"Rockstar Games is fully capable of ushering in an entertainment experience categorically superior to the prior cycle’s GTA product," Hickery stated.
Although details are slim on GTAIV, we do know that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions plan to ship on October 16th, 2007. It will also have episodic content available on Xbox Live and PS Store.
-James
PS3 Firmware 1.32 Update
Apparently Sony has released another firmware update on the PS Network for users to download. This new update dubbed "v 1.32" includes all tweaks from 1.30 and 1.31 and other minor changes including the following:
Settings:
- You can now register the BD remote control in [Register Bluetooth® Device] under [Accessory Settings].
- [BD/DVD Video Output Format (HDMI)] has been added as an option under [BD/DVD Settings].
- [Backup Utility] has been added as a feature under [System Settings].
- You can now select the hard disk format method in [Format Utility] and [Restore PS3™ System] under [System Settings].
- The method of selecting output resolution has been changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
Game:
- New for 1.31: You can now play PlayStation®2 format software titles that must be installed on the hard disk.
Other:
- The compatibility of USB devices with PlayStation®2 format software titles has changed. For details on USB devices that can be used with system software version 1.30, select here.
- New for 1.31: Playability status with the PS3™ system has changed for some PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 format titles. To check on the latest status, visit the search site for compatible titles.
- New for 1.32: The online gaming functionality of the system software has been updated.
You can install the new update on your PS3 using either the network or by going to the official PlayStation website.
-James
Settings:
- You can now register the BD remote control in [Register Bluetooth® Device] under [Accessory Settings].
- [BD/DVD Video Output Format (HDMI)] has been added as an option under [BD/DVD Settings].
- [Backup Utility] has been added as a feature under [System Settings].
- You can now select the hard disk format method in [Format Utility] and [Restore PS3™ System] under [System Settings].
- The method of selecting output resolution has been changed in [Video Output Settings] under [Display Settings].
Game:
- New for 1.31: You can now play PlayStation®2 format software titles that must be installed on the hard disk.
Other:
- The compatibility of USB devices with PlayStation®2 format software titles has changed. For details on USB devices that can be used with system software version 1.30, select here.
- New for 1.31: Playability status with the PS3™ system has changed for some PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 format titles. To check on the latest status, visit the search site for compatible titles.
- New for 1.32: The online gaming functionality of the system software has been updated.
You can install the new update on your PS3 using either the network or by going to the official PlayStation website.
-James
Resistance: Fall of Man patched!
Resistance: Fall of Man has been patched to celebrate the holidays! This patch contains many updates, bug fixes, and goodies that will further enhance the Resistance experience. With the release of comprehensive patches such as these, Insomniac is proving that it is dedicated to keeping Resistance up to date and the multiplayer fan base happy.
Here are the official notes:
Ranked Games
Map size determined by the number of players in the game
All maps available for ranked games
Score limits for team deathmatch adjusted based on the number of players in a match
Time limits added for all game types that were missing them
General
Various bug fixes and formatting issues
Fixed a rare issue where a player would become invisible to all other players in a match
In Human vs Human or Chimera vs Chimera team games, all players on a team will show up as the same model to help distinguish between the teams.
Added a barrier on Manchester, which was previously left out, to prevent players from leaving the playable area.
Character Sheet
“Return a Flag” ribbon now displays properly. All “Return a Flag” ribbons earned prior to this patch will be restored.
“Multi Kill” ribbon will now be tracked. Unfortunately, no “Multi Kill” ribbons earned before this patch can be restored.
“Target Bomber” ribbon can now be achieved with the frag grenade as well as the hedgehog grenade
You will now receive a system message when you earn a new rank.
A player’s rank will not be sometimes misrepresented as lower than it actually is.
Wins/Losses are now displayed on the player stats.
Changed the requirements to earn some of the medals on the character sheet.
We have replaced the Skeleton skin with a new skin, the Mechanic. We've determined that the Skeleton is much smaller and more difficult to see on many levels than any of the other skins. The skins were never meant to give a gameplay advantage, but to offer you the chance to customize your character as you see fit, and we don't want people to be at a disadvantage because they didn't pick any one particular skin. Never fear, the skeleton may make a return at some later date, in some form or other.
Lobby
You can now accept a party invite if you are in a game and the party you are joining is in the same game.
The results screen will now automatically rejoin the game after 30 seconds instead of disconnecting from the game as it previously did.
There is now an option to enabled “Map Vote” for custom games. If this option is enabled, players may press triangle when they are on the results screen to vote on what map they wish to play next. This option is enabled by default.
You can now create a deathmatch game with a time limit as the only end game condition.
Fixed a bug where players joining a game in progress would sometimes be placed on the team that had more players instead of the team with less players.
Voice Chat
Voice chat is now “push-to-talk” by default in team games as well as free-for-all games. The standard button is L3 and it can be remapped. Open mic is active only for squad chat when you choose to join a named squad. In that case you still use the push-to-talk button to broadcast to your entire team. Other places where open mic is active are when observing in a limited lives game and when you are in a party
There is now an indicator in the lower right hand corner to let you know when you are transmitting on the microphone
Interface
Players in a squad will now be given an additional option to spawn near their squad in CTF, Meltdown, and Breach.
Player names that are longer than 11 characters will no longer be truncated if they have a clan tag enabled.
The flag taken message will stay on the screen longer in CTF games
Enemies are now represented as triangles on the radar and map.
Buddies on your team will show up as green dots on the map and radar (if it is enabled)
Squad members will show up as yellow dots on the map and radar (if it is enabled)
Balance and Tuning
Chimeran rage damage multiplier has been reduced.
Chimera at max heat will now only lose health until they are at 50% health instead of going all the way down to 1% health.
Humans will now spawn with 1 frag grenade as well as the M5A2 Carbine
Enemies will now show up on the Human map/radar if they are within radar range of ANYONE ON YOUR TEAM and only in the following circumstances: They are sprinting or in rage mode, they are firing/attacking, they are jumping, or they are within range of node radar (Breach)
The L11-2 Dragon will now do extra damage to Chimeran players as was originally intended
Most weapon damage values have been tweaked in the interest of balance. In general, weapons have been tweaked to deal slightly less damage.
The spawn selection algorithm has been modified to make players spawn next to enemies less often, and to spawn near teammates and squadmates more often
Moved the location of the flag in several CTF maps to help prevent stalemating
Suicide will now increase the waiting time until a player respawns by 10 seconds in team games.
-James
Here are the official notes:
Ranked Games
Map size determined by the number of players in the game
All maps available for ranked games
Score limits for team deathmatch adjusted based on the number of players in a match
Time limits added for all game types that were missing them
General
Various bug fixes and formatting issues
Fixed a rare issue where a player would become invisible to all other players in a match
In Human vs Human or Chimera vs Chimera team games, all players on a team will show up as the same model to help distinguish between the teams.
Added a barrier on Manchester, which was previously left out, to prevent players from leaving the playable area.
Character Sheet
“Return a Flag” ribbon now displays properly. All “Return a Flag” ribbons earned prior to this patch will be restored.
“Multi Kill” ribbon will now be tracked. Unfortunately, no “Multi Kill” ribbons earned before this patch can be restored.
“Target Bomber” ribbon can now be achieved with the frag grenade as well as the hedgehog grenade
You will now receive a system message when you earn a new rank.
A player’s rank will not be sometimes misrepresented as lower than it actually is.
Wins/Losses are now displayed on the player stats.
Changed the requirements to earn some of the medals on the character sheet.
We have replaced the Skeleton skin with a new skin, the Mechanic. We've determined that the Skeleton is much smaller and more difficult to see on many levels than any of the other skins. The skins were never meant to give a gameplay advantage, but to offer you the chance to customize your character as you see fit, and we don't want people to be at a disadvantage because they didn't pick any one particular skin. Never fear, the skeleton may make a return at some later date, in some form or other.
Lobby
You can now accept a party invite if you are in a game and the party you are joining is in the same game.
The results screen will now automatically rejoin the game after 30 seconds instead of disconnecting from the game as it previously did.
There is now an option to enabled “Map Vote” for custom games. If this option is enabled, players may press triangle when they are on the results screen to vote on what map they wish to play next. This option is enabled by default.
You can now create a deathmatch game with a time limit as the only end game condition.
Fixed a bug where players joining a game in progress would sometimes be placed on the team that had more players instead of the team with less players.
Voice Chat
Voice chat is now “push-to-talk” by default in team games as well as free-for-all games. The standard button is L3 and it can be remapped. Open mic is active only for squad chat when you choose to join a named squad. In that case you still use the push-to-talk button to broadcast to your entire team. Other places where open mic is active are when observing in a limited lives game and when you are in a party
There is now an indicator in the lower right hand corner to let you know when you are transmitting on the microphone
Interface
Players in a squad will now be given an additional option to spawn near their squad in CTF, Meltdown, and Breach.
Player names that are longer than 11 characters will no longer be truncated if they have a clan tag enabled.
The flag taken message will stay on the screen longer in CTF games
Enemies are now represented as triangles on the radar and map.
Buddies on your team will show up as green dots on the map and radar (if it is enabled)
Squad members will show up as yellow dots on the map and radar (if it is enabled)
Balance and Tuning
Chimeran rage damage multiplier has been reduced.
Chimera at max heat will now only lose health until they are at 50% health instead of going all the way down to 1% health.
Humans will now spawn with 1 frag grenade as well as the M5A2 Carbine
Enemies will now show up on the Human map/radar if they are within radar range of ANYONE ON YOUR TEAM and only in the following circumstances: They are sprinting or in rage mode, they are firing/attacking, they are jumping, or they are within range of node radar (Breach)
The L11-2 Dragon will now do extra damage to Chimeran players as was originally intended
Most weapon damage values have been tweaked in the interest of balance. In general, weapons have been tweaked to deal slightly less damage.
The spawn selection algorithm has been modified to make players spawn next to enemies less often, and to spawn near teammates and squadmates more often
Moved the location of the flag in several CTF maps to help prevent stalemating
Suicide will now increase the waiting time until a player respawns by 10 seconds in team games.
-James
Double Agent ready for Euro PS3 launch
Ubisoft announced today that a PlayStation 3 version of Splinter Cell: Double Agent will be ready for the March 2007 release of the PlayStation 3 in Europe.
The publisher also confirmed that support for the Sixaxis wireless contoller will be made available in both single and multiplayer modes, which means it’ll take advantage of the tilt-sensing feature.
But it doesn’t end there, Ubisoft plans on releasing some extra multiplayer maps and skins which will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3.
The game has been released on other platforms but this exclusive content should persuade PS3 fans to grab a copy.
-James
The publisher also confirmed that support for the Sixaxis wireless contoller will be made available in both single and multiplayer modes, which means it’ll take advantage of the tilt-sensing feature.
But it doesn’t end there, Ubisoft plans on releasing some extra multiplayer maps and skins which will be exclusive to the PlayStation 3.
The game has been released on other platforms but this exclusive content should persuade PS3 fans to grab a copy.
-James
Lost Planet On PS3 A Possibility?
With so many titles nowadays moving from "console exclusive" to multiplatform, it’s getting increasingly hard to say confidently which system has the better exclusives.
Compounding this issue, Jun Takeuchi a producer from Capcom has said that Lost Planet may very well make its way to the PlayStation 3.
"We will try to keep it as a 360 exclusive...But, from the company's point of view, when you think about the business, in the future it's something we might have to do," Takeuchi said.
Basically, if the Japanese want the title enough, Capcom may not be able to pass up the financial benefit of porting the title to the PS3.
-James
Ridge Racer 7
The Ridge Racer series has long been a foundation of any Sony hardware release, and the debut of the PlayStation 3 is no exception. The series made its lucky 7th appearance on store shelves on November 13th, just in time for the PlayStation 3's launch on the 17th. But did Namco Bandai's 7th iteration of its popular drift racing game live up to the expectations?
Ridge Racer 7 does a great job of accomplishing the main goal of any racing game: making driving fun. While players will be hard pressed to find much realism in the game, it detracts little from the overall experience the title provides. And while cars won't explode or show damage like that of Burnout or the upcoming racer Motorstorm, Ridge Racer 7 stays true to the calling the series has always followed; being a great arcade racer.
As the series has always implied, drifting is the most important aspect of the game. The game does a good job of easing new and even veteran players into the unorthodox style of racing. However, after that gentle hump, tracks stray far from easy. In the latter stages of the game players will find themselves drifting at mind blowing speeds from curve to curve in an effort to stay one step ahead of their relentless computer controlled opponents, who often will show little mercy in passing players toward the finish line.
Nitrous also remains a vital component for players in Ridge Racer 7. Like its predecessor Ridge Racer 6, cars are equipped with three nitrous tanks. Each tank is filled as players drift. Each tank can be used separately, or chained together for double or even triple boosts. The amount of nitrous earned per drift depends on the quality of the drift, thus players will soon discover that a slight miscalculation in a single drift can be the difference between an extra boost near the finish line, or a consolation prize in the form of second place.
Ridge Racer 7 presents players with the standard set of racing modes. Arcade mode offers new players the quickest way to start getting used to the ropes of the game. A menu comes up to pick a car and track, and that's it! Players have their choice of single or split-screen racing. Unfortunately, split screen racing has a noticeable effect on the framerate and graphics of the game.
Ridge Racer 7 also contains a mode titled Ridge State Grand Prix. Players will find they will spend the majority of their time offline in this mode. After a quick introduction movie, players are presented with a huge map filled with various icons. It can be overwhelming at first, but thankfully appearances are deceiving in this case. Players start out penniless and without a ride. Instead, we are challenged by various companies in manufacturer's trials to race a field of cars not only to get their endorsement, but the ability to buy their products.
From this point, players are challenged to earn as many credit and fame points as possible, all in order to win more endorsements and buy better products to outfit their cars with. Ridge Racer 7 offers players the ability to earn both kinds of points through Grand Prix races and UFRA single events, which challenge players to win under certain conditions, such as equipment restrictions and time limits.
A new addition to the series is a Gran Turismo style car customization scheme. Through an option called machine connector, players are able to purchase or make upgrades on their existing rides. While the mode is nowhere as deep as Gran Turismo's upgrade system, basic components are upgradeable, such as the engine tune-up, wheels, suspension, plug-in units, and the ever so vital nitrous. The visual details of each car are equally customizable. Players are given a multitude of options when it comes to the exterior of their machines, including wheels, paint, spoilers, and decals. Upgrades do count in this game, as every edge is needed to stay one step ahead of computer controlled opponents.
Ridge Racer 7 also places a large amount of emphasis on the online portion of the game. The developers did a great job of translating every aspect that shines in offline mode right into the online environment. Tracked statistics include miles driven, fame, global ranking, and OBP ranking. Each player is also given a unique ID, which not only displays many of the stats listed above, but awards such as Winning Streak and Bounty Hunter. A ticker bar sits at the bottom of the screen with up to the minute results of online races, giving players even more incentives to outsmart and outwit their human opponents.
Online mode has a few different options. Along with the standard ranked races, players are given the ability to race cooperatively. Through a rather closed text chat, players can coordinate with their partner to win races by allowing their partner to slingshot past, Talladega Nights style, around their opponents, or make essential blocks to ensure their partner glides across the finish line. Players may also compete in Global Time Attack, and UFRA Special Events, which allows players to race against each other under special conditions.
While Ridge Racer 7 may not be the most innovative of games in the racing genre, it still comes out to be a decent launch racing title. Unfortunately, the game does have a few downsides, including the fact that many of the tracks in Ridge Racer 7 are rehashes from Ridge Racer 6, and that the cooperative mode is a bit buggy. However, the new level of customization, the engaging online system, and the generally enjoyable game play all make up for these flaws, and make Ridge Racer 7 an easy pick to buy at launch with a PlayStation 3 console.
By James
Ridge Racer 7 does a great job of accomplishing the main goal of any racing game: making driving fun. While players will be hard pressed to find much realism in the game, it detracts little from the overall experience the title provides. And while cars won't explode or show damage like that of Burnout or the upcoming racer Motorstorm, Ridge Racer 7 stays true to the calling the series has always followed; being a great arcade racer.
As the series has always implied, drifting is the most important aspect of the game. The game does a good job of easing new and even veteran players into the unorthodox style of racing. However, after that gentle hump, tracks stray far from easy. In the latter stages of the game players will find themselves drifting at mind blowing speeds from curve to curve in an effort to stay one step ahead of their relentless computer controlled opponents, who often will show little mercy in passing players toward the finish line.
Nitrous also remains a vital component for players in Ridge Racer 7. Like its predecessor Ridge Racer 6, cars are equipped with three nitrous tanks. Each tank is filled as players drift. Each tank can be used separately, or chained together for double or even triple boosts. The amount of nitrous earned per drift depends on the quality of the drift, thus players will soon discover that a slight miscalculation in a single drift can be the difference between an extra boost near the finish line, or a consolation prize in the form of second place.
Ridge Racer 7 presents players with the standard set of racing modes. Arcade mode offers new players the quickest way to start getting used to the ropes of the game. A menu comes up to pick a car and track, and that's it! Players have their choice of single or split-screen racing. Unfortunately, split screen racing has a noticeable effect on the framerate and graphics of the game.
Ridge Racer 7 also contains a mode titled Ridge State Grand Prix. Players will find they will spend the majority of their time offline in this mode. After a quick introduction movie, players are presented with a huge map filled with various icons. It can be overwhelming at first, but thankfully appearances are deceiving in this case. Players start out penniless and without a ride. Instead, we are challenged by various companies in manufacturer's trials to race a field of cars not only to get their endorsement, but the ability to buy their products.
From this point, players are challenged to earn as many credit and fame points as possible, all in order to win more endorsements and buy better products to outfit their cars with. Ridge Racer 7 offers players the ability to earn both kinds of points through Grand Prix races and UFRA single events, which challenge players to win under certain conditions, such as equipment restrictions and time limits.
A new addition to the series is a Gran Turismo style car customization scheme. Through an option called machine connector, players are able to purchase or make upgrades on their existing rides. While the mode is nowhere as deep as Gran Turismo's upgrade system, basic components are upgradeable, such as the engine tune-up, wheels, suspension, plug-in units, and the ever so vital nitrous. The visual details of each car are equally customizable. Players are given a multitude of options when it comes to the exterior of their machines, including wheels, paint, spoilers, and decals. Upgrades do count in this game, as every edge is needed to stay one step ahead of computer controlled opponents.
Ridge Racer 7 also places a large amount of emphasis on the online portion of the game. The developers did a great job of translating every aspect that shines in offline mode right into the online environment. Tracked statistics include miles driven, fame, global ranking, and OBP ranking. Each player is also given a unique ID, which not only displays many of the stats listed above, but awards such as Winning Streak and Bounty Hunter. A ticker bar sits at the bottom of the screen with up to the minute results of online races, giving players even more incentives to outsmart and outwit their human opponents.
Online mode has a few different options. Along with the standard ranked races, players are given the ability to race cooperatively. Through a rather closed text chat, players can coordinate with their partner to win races by allowing their partner to slingshot past, Talladega Nights style, around their opponents, or make essential blocks to ensure their partner glides across the finish line. Players may also compete in Global Time Attack, and UFRA Special Events, which allows players to race against each other under special conditions.
While Ridge Racer 7 may not be the most innovative of games in the racing genre, it still comes out to be a decent launch racing title. Unfortunately, the game does have a few downsides, including the fact that many of the tracks in Ridge Racer 7 are rehashes from Ridge Racer 6, and that the cooperative mode is a bit buggy. However, the new level of customization, the engaging online system, and the generally enjoyable game play all make up for these flaws, and make Ridge Racer 7 an easy pick to buy at launch with a PlayStation 3 console.
By James
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
New 360 Processor Delayed...
Over the past generation, when a new console hits the market, the console manufacturer goes on to shrink the die size of the CPU. The benefits are a cheaper chip -- the smaller the die, the more that fit into a manufacturing run -- and cooler temperatures. The Xbox 360 die shrink is going to have to wait a little bit longer.
Originally slated for Q1 2007, the 65nm processors for the Xbox 360 are being delayed until mid-2007. This means gamers are going to have to wait a little bit longer to get those Xbox 360 units that aren't quite so hot; it also means prospective buyers may be waiting a bit longer to see a price drop.
Reducing the die size on the Xbox 360 CPU is a major step to a price reduction, something Microsoft needs right now. Xbox 360 sales are less than smoking and the PS3 and Wii offering up some competition, Microsoft could have used a price drop as an excellent weapon against them. Maybe Microsoft can get the 65nm chips up and running before the PS3 has a chance to entrench itself in Europe.
Originally slated for Q1 2007, the 65nm processors for the Xbox 360 are being delayed until mid-2007. This means gamers are going to have to wait a little bit longer to get those Xbox 360 units that aren't quite so hot; it also means prospective buyers may be waiting a bit longer to see a price drop.
Reducing the die size on the Xbox 360 CPU is a major step to a price reduction, something Microsoft needs right now. Xbox 360 sales are less than smoking and the PS3 and Wii offering up some competition, Microsoft could have used a price drop as an excellent weapon against them. Maybe Microsoft can get the 65nm chips up and running before the PS3 has a chance to entrench itself in Europe.
Reno 911 Meets 360
New Video Content at the XBLM. check it out
TV
* 8th and Ocean, Season 1
* Jackass Gumball Rally
* Reno 911, Season 2
* Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 2 (4 Episodes in HD)
* UFC, Five New Fights
* UFC's The Ultimate Fighter, Season 1
Movies (All SD)
* Barbarella
* Fighting Temptations
* Ghost and the Darkness
* Joe's Apartment
* Strange Brew
That's a rather... eclectic mix, to say the least.
TV
* 8th and Ocean, Season 1
* Jackass Gumball Rally
* Reno 911, Season 2
* Star Trek: The Original Series, Season 2 (4 Episodes in HD)
* UFC, Five New Fights
* UFC's The Ultimate Fighter, Season 1
Movies (All SD)
* Barbarella
* Fighting Temptations
* Ghost and the Darkness
* Joe's Apartment
* Strange Brew
That's a rather... eclectic mix, to say the least.
Extended 360 Warranty
Microsoft seems to be interested in spreading the holiday cheer this year, as they've announced today that they're doing away with their 90 day warranty in favor of providing a full year of protection for 360 owners. This is also retroactive, as those who have already paid for repairs out of warranty within a year of purchase should be getting a refund check in the mail within 10 weeks.
"Our number one priority for the Xbox 360 is customer satisfaction," said Jeff Bell, Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. "Now, in addition to Xbox 360 offering features such as jaw-dropping high definition graphics, an amazing variety of more than 160 games, and social online and entertainment experiences found on Xbox Live(r), this warranty upgrade is an exclamation at the end of an already compelling home entertainment offering."
Perhaps the one year warranties offered with the Wii and PS3, along with defective launch units for the 360, spurred this change. Whatever actually changed Microsoft's tune, though, it's only good for the consumer.
"Our number one priority for the Xbox 360 is customer satisfaction," said Jeff Bell, Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. "Now, in addition to Xbox 360 offering features such as jaw-dropping high definition graphics, an amazing variety of more than 160 games, and social online and entertainment experiences found on Xbox Live(r), this warranty upgrade is an exclamation at the end of an already compelling home entertainment offering."
Perhaps the one year warranties offered with the Wii and PS3, along with defective launch units for the 360, spurred this change. Whatever actually changed Microsoft's tune, though, it's only good for the consumer.
Mercenaries 2 for 360
video blogs reveal a development team working on a 360 version of their game." Or not. Regardless of what the expression should be, it's quite possible that the most recent video blog from the Pandemic development team, currently working on Mercenaries 2: World in Flames, unveiled their dark little secret.
While it had been announced that "there is a possibility of it coming to the 360," there was no substantive proof that this was really the case. However, in the holiday video blog, a few Xbox 360s are spotted, as well as a 360 debug unit. And these aren't just collecting dust. A few of the developers are using 360 controllers in the video.
Pandemic can continue to deny that there are no set plans to bring the game to the Xbox 360, but we're just a little too old for the wool to be pulled over our eyes in such a fashion Come on, Pandemic, spill the beans already. The jig is up!
Shortages Into the New Year
Though expected by most, games analyst PJ McNealy predicts both PS3 and Wii shortages into early 2007 while speaking with Reuters. But his guestimations are pinned further into the new year than maybe some expected: June for the PS3 and March for the Wii. That reality would be even more troublesome for gamers than the great 360 shortage of '05/'06.
McNealy notes the ridiculous scantiness of the PS3 reminding us of the pending European launch that is sure to keep the console scarce even longer. If that's the case, June doesn't sound too far off for supply to finally catch up with pent up demand. But Wii shortages into March?
McNealy notes the ridiculous scantiness of the PS3 reminding us of the pending European launch that is sure to keep the console scarce even longer. If that's the case, June doesn't sound too far off for supply to finally catch up with pent up demand. But Wii shortages into March?
GoW and others for $40!
Well if you have been waiting to pick up your copy of Gears of War, FFXII, THP8, or even season five of 24, then now is the time to end you wait. In an after holiday sale target is offering a number of games for $40 instead of $60. and new DVD's for as low as $14 so if you still don't have you're copy of GoW yet head over to target today and pick it up. I know I'll be there to pick up THP8!
Friday, December 22, 2006
More Free Stuff
First Saints Row then Oblivion now Wii. Nintendo is allowing users to download the Opera browser for free starting today and extending into June 2007.
I Love Christmas
Earlier this week, THQ got into the holiday spirit by offering up the Ho Ho Ho Pack for Saints Row. The free pack spread some cheer by giving gamers a Santa Claus outfit that could be put on their in-game characters.
It appears that Bethesda is sipping from the same eggnog. The publisher has revealed that it will be giving away a content pack for the Xbox 360 version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for free.
Mehrunes' Razor, originally released in June for 250 Marketplace points ($3.13), will be available as a free download beginning December 22. Gamers had better not dillydally on the offer, as the content pack goes back to its original price on January 1.
It appears that Bethesda is sipping from the same eggnog. The publisher has revealed that it will be giving away a content pack for the Xbox 360 version of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for free.
Mehrunes' Razor, originally released in June for 250 Marketplace points ($3.13), will be available as a free download beginning December 22. Gamers had better not dillydally on the offer, as the content pack goes back to its original price on January 1.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Who Says Girls Can't Play
he battle of the sexes is heating up in the predominantly male sector of gaming. A four-person team from the Frag Dolls--an all-female collective of gamers--took first place at the Rainbow Six Vegas finals at the Dallas stop of the Cyberathlete Professional League.
The team, sponsored by Ubisoft, included Amy "Valkyrie" Brady, Emily "Seppuku" Ong, Alyson "Calyber" Craghead, and Nelly "Psyche" Morel. The squad beat the previously undefeated "The Unknown" team, who made it to the competition through an online ladder.
While Ubisoft touts the victory as "the first time an all-female team has won a tournament at a pro-circuit event," Frag Doll Morgan "Rhoulette" Romine was a bit more cautious. In her blog post about the achievement, she repeats the above statement but precludes it with "as far as we know."
"The team has been playing Rainbow Six Vegas up to 12 hours a day since the game came out," said Rhoulette. "We played as a team, communicated well, stuck to our strategies and won."
-Cindy
The team, sponsored by Ubisoft, included Amy "Valkyrie" Brady, Emily "Seppuku" Ong, Alyson "Calyber" Craghead, and Nelly "Psyche" Morel. The squad beat the previously undefeated "The Unknown" team, who made it to the competition through an online ladder.
While Ubisoft touts the victory as "the first time an all-female team has won a tournament at a pro-circuit event," Frag Doll Morgan "Rhoulette" Romine was a bit more cautious. In her blog post about the achievement, she repeats the above statement but precludes it with "as far as we know."
"The team has been playing Rainbow Six Vegas up to 12 hours a day since the game came out," said Rhoulette. "We played as a team, communicated well, stuck to our strategies and won."
-Cindy
It's Good to be The King
Last week, Microsoft proudly touted the sales figures of its Xbox 360-exclusive shooter Gears of War, mentioning that it had achieved sales of 2 million copies worldwide in just six weeks of release. Microsoft was mildly one-upped by promotional partner Burger King today, as the fast-food chain announced that its trio of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 had broken the 2 million mark in just four weeks.
That number represents the cumulative sales of Burger King's three games--Pocketbike Racer, Big Bumpin', and Sneak King. All three were developed by Blitz Games, maker of the original Fuzion Frenzy, and are rated E for Everyone. The games sell for $3.99 each with the purchase of a value meal, while supplies last. For more on the Burger King collection, check out GameSpot's reviews of Pocketbike Racer, Big Bumpin', and Sneak King.
Crackdown Release Set
The holidays aren't over quite yet, but given the current state of release lists, it's understandable that gamers would be planning their purchases for early 2007 already. One title that Microsoft hopes makes the cut is Crackdown, the free-roaming action game where players take control of superhuman crime-stoppers to clean up the streets of the fictional metropolis Pacific City.
Microsoft today gave gamers some guidance on when they could expect Crackdown to roll into retail by announcing an official release date of February 20. What's more, those on the fence about whether or not to pick up the game can download a free demo from the Xbox Live Marketplace starting January 18. The demo version of the game will include online cooperative play as well as single-player action.
Microsoft today gave gamers some guidance on when they could expect Crackdown to roll into retail by announcing an official release date of February 20. What's more, those on the fence about whether or not to pick up the game can download a free demo from the Xbox Live Marketplace starting January 18. The demo version of the game will include online cooperative play as well as single-player action.
It's About Time!!!
"Medic!"
That was the cry of gamers after being sidelined by some issues found in the multiplayer portion of Call of Duty 3. COD3's developer, Treyarch, has heard the call and has made available a patch for the World War II first-person shooter.
The auto-update is now available over Xbox Live and addresses problems relating to both ranked and player matches in Call of Duty 3's online component. The development team says that the greatest improvement in gameplay comes with searching for and joining multiplayer sessions. Ranked games allegedly come together much faster, and searches for player matches return many more results than before.
Other additions include basic improvements to gameplay, options, and the heads-up display. Among them are consistent brightness settings between single- and multiplayer, the ability to choose between playing as the Axis or Allies in ranked games, and consistent amounts of players per team in rotating-map games. More details on the patch are available on the game's forums at Xbox.com.
For more information on CClassic PlayStation Games to be Downloadable
Sony Japan has announced a range of new PlayStation Store downloads for the Japanese market. Launching on the 21st of December are nine PlayStation classics, all priced at 525 yen. (See list below).
Dino Crisis (Capcom, action-adventure)
Gekisou Tomaranna (SCE, racing)
Global Force (SCE, sim)
Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (Nippon Ichi, RPG) Mr. Driller (Bandai Namco Games, action)
R-Types (Irem, shooter)
Taiyo no Shippo (aka Tail of the Sun, Artdink, action)
The Convenie Ano Machi wo Dokusen se yo (Hamster, sim)
U-SA (Artdink, puzzle)
These games must first be downloaded via a PS3, but can only be played on the PSP. Also, you will need to update your PSP firmware to version 3.03 (the latest version) in order to play these games.
-James
Dino Crisis (Capcom, action-adventure)
Gekisou Tomaranna (SCE, racing)
Global Force (SCE, sim)
Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime (Nippon Ichi, RPG) Mr. Driller (Bandai Namco Games, action)
R-Types (Irem, shooter)
Taiyo no Shippo (aka Tail of the Sun, Artdink, action)
The Convenie Ano Machi wo Dokusen se yo (Hamster, sim)
U-SA (Artdink, puzzle)
These games must first be downloaded via a PS3, but can only be played on the PSP. Also, you will need to update your PSP firmware to version 3.03 (the latest version) in order to play these games.
-James
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Virtua Fighter 5 - release date announced
Virtua Fighter 5 will ship across North America on February 20th 2007 exclusively for PlayStation 3.
Furthermore, SEGA Europe confirmed that VF5 will be a European launch title (tentatively March 2007).
Scott Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing at SEGA America, summed up the next generation fighter:
"Virtua Fighter 5 will be the first martial arts style fighting game available on the PlayStation 3 system with brand new offensive moves, customizable characters, stunning graphics, and highly detailed 3D fighting environments."
VF5 is one of the most anticipated and best looking titles of 2007. Its developers are also responsible for titles such as OutRun and Space Harrier.
-James
Furthermore, SEGA Europe confirmed that VF5 will be a European launch title (tentatively March 2007).
Scott Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing at SEGA America, summed up the next generation fighter:
"Virtua Fighter 5 will be the first martial arts style fighting game available on the PlayStation 3 system with brand new offensive moves, customizable characters, stunning graphics, and highly detailed 3D fighting environments."
VF5 is one of the most anticipated and best looking titles of 2007. Its developers are also responsible for titles such as OutRun and Space Harrier.
-James
Grand Torismo Japanese Demo
Gran Turismo demo details
Japanese magazine Famistsu has revealed a number of details about the upcoming Gran Turismo demo.
As a pleasant Christmas gift, Japanese PS3 owners will be able to download Gran Turismo HD Concept from December 24th through PlayStation Store.
The demo will include one course, playable in both directions, and ten cars.
The full list of cars available is as follows:
Suzuki Cappuccino '95
Mazda Eunos Roadster '89
Honda Integra Type R'04
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR'96
Infinity G35 Coupe
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR'05
Lotus Elise 111R'04
Nissan Sky Liner GT-R V Spec II '94
Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car '95
Ferrari 599'06
You begin the demo with Cappuccino, but unlock the rest by beating a range of times in time attack mode. Once you have beat a certain time, you will have unlocked all cars as well as drift trial mode.
The magazine interviewed Kazunori Yamauchi, who said that plans for Gran Turismo HD were scrapped when fans at TGS cried for a full game. Originally, GTHD was going to be released with almost nothing included, and gamers would then purchase tracks, cars and modes through microtransactions on PlayStation Store.
The change of direction has resulted in Gran Turismo HD Concept. It includes Polyphony's next generation driving simulation engine. Further downloads will be made available before Gran Turismo 5's expect release in 2008. Whether these will be addons to the current demo, or completely new demos, has yet to be determined.
-James
Japanese magazine Famistsu has revealed a number of details about the upcoming Gran Turismo demo.
As a pleasant Christmas gift, Japanese PS3 owners will be able to download Gran Turismo HD Concept from December 24th through PlayStation Store.
The demo will include one course, playable in both directions, and ten cars.
The full list of cars available is as follows:
Suzuki Cappuccino '95
Mazda Eunos Roadster '89
Honda Integra Type R'04
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV GSR'96
Infinity G35 Coupe
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX GSR'05
Lotus Elise 111R'04
Nissan Sky Liner GT-R V Spec II '94
Toyota Celica GT-FOUR Rally Car '95
Ferrari 599'06
You begin the demo with Cappuccino, but unlock the rest by beating a range of times in time attack mode. Once you have beat a certain time, you will have unlocked all cars as well as drift trial mode.
The magazine interviewed Kazunori Yamauchi, who said that plans for Gran Turismo HD were scrapped when fans at TGS cried for a full game. Originally, GTHD was going to be released with almost nothing included, and gamers would then purchase tracks, cars and modes through microtransactions on PlayStation Store.
The change of direction has resulted in Gran Turismo HD Concept. It includes Polyphony's next generation driving simulation engine. Further downloads will be made available before Gran Turismo 5's expect release in 2008. Whether these will be addons to the current demo, or completely new demos, has yet to be determined.
-James
Line Rider for Wii and DS
Bored members of the cubicle-bound workforce have found a bit of relief with Line Rider, a Web-based application incorporating fun with physics. Developed by a Slovenian student, the game has users draw lines on which an animated sled rider cruises down. The "toy" has inspired some amateur designers to create some impressive backgrounds, many of which have ended up on YouTube. As it is based on drawing, inXile entertainment figured it would be a perfect fit for the Nintendo DS and Wii, and today acquired the rights to develop Line Rider games for the consoles. The games, which will include "new added features," is expected to be released in spring 2007. No other details were mentioned.
For anyone who hasent seen line rider here is a little video...
For anyone who hasent seen line rider here is a little video...
PS3 Makes Times "Buzz to Bust" top Five
Some of you will be interested and some will be disappointed to find out that the PS3 sits right next to OJ and Snakes on a Plane on this years top five "Buzz to Bust" but instead of me explaining it here is Time Mag. reason for the ranking...
"The big story in computer games this year was HOW TO BLOW A HUGE LEAD, by Sony. Its PlayStation 2 was the champ in the last round of the console wars. This time Sony bet on a chip called the Cell and a disc format called Blu-ray. They're probably awesome, but how would anybody know? The PS3 is hideously expensive--it goes for up to $600--and Sony manufactured only a piddling few hundred thousand for the U.S., fewer for Japan. Plus it's hard to write games for; the launch titles were lame. You know you're in trouble when you get beat by something called a Wii."
But this is not the first time Time has criticised PS3 here is a bit from a article on the release day of the system...
"Sure, the Playstation 2 was the bestselling machine from the previous generation, and sure, the Playstation3 is powered by a stupendously powerful chip, the "Cell processor." (I'm sorry, but naming a computer chip is like naming your genitals: you're compensating for something.) Patience, young padawan. The time has not yet come."
What do you think? Does Time have a good point or is the PS3 truly worth 600+ bucks to get your hands on?
"The big story in computer games this year was HOW TO BLOW A HUGE LEAD, by Sony. Its PlayStation 2 was the champ in the last round of the console wars. This time Sony bet on a chip called the Cell and a disc format called Blu-ray. They're probably awesome, but how would anybody know? The PS3 is hideously expensive--it goes for up to $600--and Sony manufactured only a piddling few hundred thousand for the U.S., fewer for Japan. Plus it's hard to write games for; the launch titles were lame. You know you're in trouble when you get beat by something called a Wii."
But this is not the first time Time has criticised PS3 here is a bit from a article on the release day of the system...
"Sure, the Playstation 2 was the bestselling machine from the previous generation, and sure, the Playstation3 is powered by a stupendously powerful chip, the "Cell processor." (I'm sorry, but naming a computer chip is like naming your genitals: you're compensating for something.) Patience, young padawan. The time has not yet come."
What do you think? Does Time have a good point or is the PS3 truly worth 600+ bucks to get your hands on?
Wii Forecast Channel in Gameplay!
This is a great idea! It's a simple concept but so amusing. Ok lets say it's raining out side so you decide to pop in madden, when the game starts it will be raining! Now change you region to somewhere where it's snowing and pop in madden and now it's snowing.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Wii Mote Charging Station...Finlay
JoyTech's no stranger to the Wii accessory scene, and the firm is hitting us up once more with its Wii PowerStation. As the title implies, this docking unit can house two Wiimotes, and comes stocked with twin rechargeable battery packs to save you those late night trips to the battery department. Additionally, there's a pull-out cradle on each side to place your nunchuck, and while there's nothing to prove (or disprove) the theory, it looks as if the charging station can receive power from any USB port. So if the days on end of Wii Sportin' it are chewing through the Engergizers at an unacceptable rate, you can pick this up in late January for 39 clams.
LCD TV Price Drop!
If you've been holding out to experience gaming in HD the way it was meant to be, then you may want to wait just a little bit longer. A market research company specializing in flat panel displays creatively named DisplaySearch forecasts that prices for LCD HDTVs could drop as much as 40% in 2007. As more people adopt LCD TVs and parts become cheaper, 32" LCDs could possibly be had for as little as $400 (currently, they run anywhere from $700 to $900). 37" sets could drop to $799 and 42" sets might fall as low as $999 (currently, both 37" and 42" sets can run well over $1000). Frankly, a $400 32" HDTV would be too good to pass up. Let's hope these prices fall sooner rather than later.
Has anyone out there found any killer deals on HDTVs lately?
One Last New Writer!
Well I would like to introduce everyone to the newest Gamerz Corner addition, Anthony.
He has a Suberu WRX and he is Italian...
Gamerz Corner is no longer looking for anymore staff. However still let me know if you are interested in being a part of Gamerz Corner and I will see if we have a niche for you.
He has a Suberu WRX and he is Italian...
Gamerz Corner is no longer looking for anymore staff. However still let me know if you are interested in being a part of Gamerz Corner and I will see if we have a niche for you.
New DS!?!?
There are rumors of a new DS for 2007 with a larger screen. The rumor is that the screens will jump in size from 3 inches to 3.5 - 3.8 inches. As we all know Nintendo is notorious for udateing their handheld systems every 1 - 2 years. So lets hope that we get a bigger screen in the new year.
-Anthony
A New Approach to Burglary
A group of thieves broke through the cement wall of a Jacksonville, Fla., Gamestop with a sledgehammer and made off with 13 Xbox 360s within. The thieves cut the store's power, took the security tapes and scattered about a group of empty PS3 boxes, leading store manager Mark King to theorize the thieves "really wanted to get a PlayStation 3." Just goes to show you that Sony's shortages are hurting the criminal element as well.
Wii Web Browser!
"Opera Software today announces that a trial version of its Web browser for Nintendo's new game console, Wii, will be available on December 22, 2006. The trial version of the Opera browser for Wii is available for download, free of charge from the the Wii Shop Channel."
New Tomb Radier Moive?!?!
Obviously emboldened from the fact that Tomb Raider: Legend didn't draw a chorus of boos and hisses from the general public, Eidos exec Ian Livingstone has recently announced that Angelina Jolie may be returning to the role of Lara Croft in yet another Tomb Raider movie.
GamesIndustry.biz has that information, transcribed from a video interview with EurogamerTV.
The movie isn't a done deal by any means, though Livingstone did confirm its existence. "There's a possibility. We've been talking to Paramount, who've agreed to assign a scriptwriter. That's nowhere near the green-light process but it's a very healthy start to have a scriptwriter which they're going to pay serious amounts of money to write the first script."
Tomb Raider: Legend is the most recent iteration in what is generally been considered a franchise in decline. Lara's still a big moneymaker however -- the Tomb Raider brand has generated over a billion dollars over the last 10 years. $430 million of that comes from the movies themselves - Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life.
Video Downloads for PSP
Sony has long indicated that it plans to leverage its considerable cross-medium entertainment content to add additional services to its consoles, but the company was beaten to the punch by Microsoft's Video Marketplace for Xbox 360. According to the Financial Times, however, the company has full intention to get into the content download game, with a downloadable video service launching for PSP in the first quarter of next year. Apparently, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment was responsible for developing the service; presumably Sony Computer Entertainment was involved in some capacity as well.
The report indicates that online retailers such as Amazon.com as well as existing download services such as Movielink and CinemaNow are speaking with Sony about offering content through the program, suggesting that it may not be a closed centralized system like iTunes or Xbox Live Video Marketplace. With multiple non-proprietary storage formats, Blu-ray, and standard hard drives being compatible with PlayStation 3, alongside the lackluster sales performance of films sold on the proprietary UMD media format, Sony may be making broader moves away from centralized distribution and storage methods.
Wii Forecast Channel
The Wii Forecast Channel has been released (well, the official release is December 20 and today is the 19th but you can still access it)! You will need to perform a system update on your Wii before you can use the Forecast Channel.
Ho Ho Hos
Hos on Saints Row are nothing new, but the new Ho Ho Ho Pack released by THQ today on Xbox Live Marketplace is an entirely different subject matter. The download includes new clothes for in-game thugs that would normally be worn by another famous person known for breaking and entering--Santa Claus. Gamers can get into the spirit with a new Santa Claus ensemble that includes the famous hat, boots, coat, and hair of St. Nick. In the spirit of the holidays, the Ho Ho Ho Pack is free to download.
Monday, December 18, 2006
MGS4 Rummor Smashing
MGS4 one of the flagship tittles of PS3, and rumor has it that it wont just be strutting it stuff on PS3 but Xbox 360 as well. Well I'm sad to say this as I am both a 360 and MGS fan but the 360 will not will not be seeing MGS at least anytime soon. Konami is worried about the number of PS3 units out their vs. 360 and they did say it was a option but at the moment they are remaining loyal to Sony. I would also like to take this moment to debunk another MGS rumor, I'm sure most of you heard the rumor that touted the power of the PS3 vs the 360, stating that it melted a PS3 and is to much for the 360 to ever be able to process. Well while it was confirmed by Konami that they did not intend on opening up MGS to the 360 at this point in time they did confirm that it is technically possible. That being said the PS3 may be a more powerful system but for the moment at least they are both on equal footing.
It's Just a Game...
Looks like some people are enjoying the new Guitar Hero II a little bit to much...
PS3 outsells Xbox360 in Japan
It has taken Sony only 4 weeks to outsell the Xbox360 in Japan. Recent news from Japan reports that the Sony PlayStation 3 has recently sold over 187,000 units compared to Microsoft's Xbox360 which is sitting pretty at around 178,000 units. Media Create, the Japaneses tracking organization, is responsible for keeping track of the product sales for each major gaming company. They have also reported that it took Microsoft 52 weeks to sell the number of Xbox360s they are currently at.
The news itself shouldn't come as a shock to anyone considering Japan has been ruled by Nintendo and Sony for almost as long as video games have existed. Microsoft will have a hard time making progress as both the Wii and the PS3 are currently selling out as fast as each respective company can make them. Microsoft still has high hopes for its RPG title Blue Dragon which has hit Japanese shores just recently. It will be interesting to see how the game effects Xbox360 sales.
Currently Nintendo is king in Japan with their highly successfully launch of the Wii. The Wii has sold over 350,000 units in Japan, just under all the PS3s and Xbox360s sold combined. With the Wii and Nintendo DS selling so well, it's fair to ask the question, "Does Sony and Microsoft stand a fighting chance in the land of the rising sun?" Either way, the nex-gen war has only begun.
-James
The news itself shouldn't come as a shock to anyone considering Japan has been ruled by Nintendo and Sony for almost as long as video games have existed. Microsoft will have a hard time making progress as both the Wii and the PS3 are currently selling out as fast as each respective company can make them. Microsoft still has high hopes for its RPG title Blue Dragon which has hit Japanese shores just recently. It will be interesting to see how the game effects Xbox360 sales.
Currently Nintendo is king in Japan with their highly successfully launch of the Wii. The Wii has sold over 350,000 units in Japan, just under all the PS3s and Xbox360s sold combined. With the Wii and Nintendo DS selling so well, it's fair to ask the question, "Does Sony and Microsoft stand a fighting chance in the land of the rising sun?" Either way, the nex-gen war has only begun.
-James
150 developers working on GTAIV
According to analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners, Take-Two Interactive has about 150 developers working on the next gen Grand Theft Auto.
"Rockstar Games is fully capable of ushering in an entertainment experience categorically superior to the prior cycle’s GTA product," Hickery stated.
Although details are slim on GTAIV, we do know that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions plan to ship on October 16th, 2007. It will also have episodic content available on Xbox Live and PS Store.
-James
"Rockstar Games is fully capable of ushering in an entertainment experience categorically superior to the prior cycle’s GTA product," Hickery stated.
Although details are slim on GTAIV, we do know that both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions plan to ship on October 16th, 2007. It will also have episodic content available on Xbox Live and PS Store.
-James
PS3 Linux runs Wiimote as a mouse
In a recent public demonstration of the PS3 running Linux, a PS3 spokesperson was showing off the Linux capabilities of the PS3, and used a Wiimote as a mouse. Nintendo's wireless remote/controller was plugged into one of the PS3s spare USB ports, and functioned identically as it would on the Wii itself.
According to www.qj.ps3.net, all that is needed to use the Wiimote on a PS3 is an install of Linux, and the proper drivers. Given this is all functioning in Linux, it is highly unlikely that the Wiimote would work while playing a regular PS3 game.
-James
According to www.qj.ps3.net, all that is needed to use the Wiimote on a PS3 is an install of Linux, and the proper drivers. Given this is all functioning in Linux, it is highly unlikely that the Wiimote would work while playing a regular PS3 game.
-James
Friday, December 15, 2006
True Cost of a Wii
the Wii costs $158 bills to manufacture, not including the Wiimote and nunchuk). These guys take the spotlight to the console, shining its bright light into the various nooks and crannies of the system to find the total value of each of its parts, finally coming up with cost calculations for each component. Turns out, according to their findings, Nintendo is making around $40 bucks a console. Way to go Nintendo ...
- Graphics chip: $29.60
- CPU: $13.00
- DRAM: $7.80
- Optical disk drive: $31.00
- Power supply: $11.30
- Manufacturing cost: $19.50
- Cost total: $158.30
- Wholesale price: $195.99
Alot of New Changes at Gamerz Corner Today!
We have had a lot of new additions at Gamerz Corner today. We introduced a new writer earlier today and I am proud to announce two more. With another on possibly one they way. Staff slots are closed for the moment unless I have contacted you. Looking forward to a lot of good stuff from all of our new staff members!
Cindy - Xbox 360 Writer
Travis - Graphic Artist / PC Writer
PS3 Shortage Effects
Now that the PS3 has been out on the market for a while, analysts can get a firm grasp of exactly what the shortages are doing to, both hardware and software, the various alternatives. The actual results are surprising to most of us "logical" thinkers.
According to analyst groups, the biggest winner in the PS3 shortages is actually Sony. The displaced PS3 money is going to purchase PS2 software. Few are opting for an Xbox 360 as an alternative to not getting a PS3, though analysts believe the push will be enough to help Microsoft hit the 10 million goal. The biggest loser is EA, which focused too much effort on the PS3 and overextended themselves. Activision and THQ are in good positions as they focused more on the Xbox 360 and PS2.
There seems to be some method behind the PS3 madness at Sony. While they are losing potential PS3 customers, either to the Xbox 360 -- the Wii is not even considered an alternative and stands by itself -- or just won't buy it at all, the money is getting filtered into the PS2 business. However, these short term gains are going to kill third party relationships as it is expected that few, if any, PS3 games will reach profitability before 2007 is over and done with. If developers chose to focus on the established Xbox 360 while waiting for PS3 shipments to rise, they may be waiting forever; the PS3 won't continue to sell without the games to go along with it.
According to analyst groups, the biggest winner in the PS3 shortages is actually Sony. The displaced PS3 money is going to purchase PS2 software. Few are opting for an Xbox 360 as an alternative to not getting a PS3, though analysts believe the push will be enough to help Microsoft hit the 10 million goal. The biggest loser is EA, which focused too much effort on the PS3 and overextended themselves. Activision and THQ are in good positions as they focused more on the Xbox 360 and PS2.
There seems to be some method behind the PS3 madness at Sony. While they are losing potential PS3 customers, either to the Xbox 360 -- the Wii is not even considered an alternative and stands by itself -- or just won't buy it at all, the money is getting filtered into the PS2 business. However, these short term gains are going to kill third party relationships as it is expected that few, if any, PS3 games will reach profitability before 2007 is over and done with. If developers chose to focus on the established Xbox 360 while waiting for PS3 shipments to rise, they may be waiting forever; the PS3 won't continue to sell without the games to go along with it.
New Writer
Allow me to introduce the first of a few new writers that we are taking on over here at Gamerz Corner. This is my good and long time friend James, he will be covering more PS3 news, reviews, and rumors than you can handle.
Note: ladys don't be intemadated by his looks or over use of tag body spray ;)
Click on his picture to find out more about him.
Note: ladys don't be intemadated by his looks or over use of tag body spray ;)
Click on his picture to find out more about him.
Resistance: Fall of Man Reivew
Out of all the games available for the PS3 at launch, it wasn't very difficult to figure out which one was the star of the show. With an interesting story, immersive gameplay and mind-bending weapon choices, Resistance: Fall of Man clearly stands out from the crowd for the foreseeable future on the PS3.
You start the game as an American soldier named Nathan Hale. The Chimera, a race of unknown origin whom were first found in Siberia, conquered Russia during the mid 1930's in the lead up to World War II. At the time, it wasn't apparent what exactly had happened. Russia was silent; nothing about the country was known to the outside world. As such, the world was oblivious to the threat of the Chimera -- until they launched a serious assault on Europe, at least. They targetted the continent's weak points and left the British Isles isolated. After a few years the Chimera make their way to the British Isles by tunneling under the English channel. Though the British government had prepared for such an invasion, the Chimera were too numerous and it isn't long before the people and government are forced into hiding.
The Americans, in their (historically accurate) mentality of isolation, have set up an exchange with the now in hiding British government: they give America their "secret weapon", (anymore detail here would constitute a spoiler), in exchange for American support via vehicles and logistics. You are part of the assault team which lands in a rendezvous gone terribly wrong, and leave the only survivor.
Throughout the game, the characters and story continue to grow on you, providing impetus to continue with your genocide of anything Chimera.
Insomniac is well known for their quirky and unique games, including Ratchet & Clank and Spyro the Dragon. This vein of creativity and variety shines through in this addition to the First Person Shooter genre. The weapons in this game really make it enjoyable. Sniping in this game is far more satisfying than in any other First Person Shooter I have ever played, due to their unique implementation of the "focus" ability. You simply hold down the secondary fire button, and you focus your shot for a short period of time, turning the screen slightly monochromatic, and slowing down time to allow you to better judge your shot. Hailstorm is another unique addition. It fires subsonic bullets, allowing them to ricochet off hard surfaces instead of penetrating them. The Auger, which tunnels through solid objects and increases in power the more solid matter it passes through, is a weapon that will make you swear like a sailor when you run into a Chimera fielding this gun.
You will never get very far in this game if you don't learn to wield the unique variety of grenades which the game has. There are many points in the game in which a grenade tossed properly will save you over half your health.
Another fun addition to the game is the achievements built into the single-player experience. In each level there are a few achievements which will award you with varying amount of skill points. Once you accumulate enough skill points, you can get rewards which will help you through the game. These achievements are simply titled "Skill Points", and unlike XBox 360 games, you will not be able to share achievements online across the Playstation Network. Getting them does directly help you however, and let's be honest, who isn't entertained by trying to kill three Chimera with one grenade, or taking on a boss with nothing but the default rifle?
The game also has a great co-op mode, however, disappointingly, you may only play co-op on split screen; there is no online co-op option.
Online multiplayer play in Resistance offers something that is truly stunning for the infancy of the Playstation Network though. The map designs are excellent, there is a ranking system built in to the game, similar to Battlefield 2, and your customization options when creating a game are excellent. You can scale maps for numbers of player, limit who can join, or choose your game type.
Speaking of game types, that's another huge win for Resistance. While online play includes the standard Deathmatch type of games, you also get to enjoy Breach (where you destroy the opposing base), Capture The Flag, Conversion (kind of like a "king of the hill"), Team Deathmatch and Meltdown (think Battlefield 2 base control). And if you've run out of fun fooling around with the game types you can always play with more (up to 40) or less (as few as 16) players, change up the weapon choice, or even join a clan with support of up to 200 players.
The game is challenging to be sure, but not unbreakable for new gamers. I myself admire the XBox 360 controller for First Person Shooters, however, the PS3 controller genuinely surprised me with its ease of use in the game. The L and R buttons are dramatically more helpful and useful, and this game shows that in a commanding way. With ease you can do things such as shake of Chimera who have grabbed a hold of you by intuitively shaking the controller, or bring up the multiplayer rankings menu by tilting your controller to the right.
The game has a fairly gentle learning curve if you utilize the difficulty settings properly. Anyone should be able to complete easy without too much trouble, and hard will challenge you to make every bullet and side-step count. Don't expect constant action though. This game thrives on setting an erie mood fit for the story line, and part of that is that there will be times where there are no enemies anywhere nearby. The first time I played through this kept me very tense -- I was expecting to by ambushed by gigantic aliens around every blind corner, and there were several times I just plain didn't want to venture inside a building because it felt creepy.
The single player mode could have been slightly longer, however if you attempt to "complete" the game by picking up all of the hidden pieces of intelligence (which will reveal aspects of the story you otherwise couldn't gather) you will easily spend over 20 hours on this game in single player mode alone. The vehicles in the game are fun to use, but nearly invulnerable. The only time I ever died inside a vehicle was when I was using one of the enemies vehicles. Fortunately, the vehicles in this game are not freely available, and very little of the game is spent commanding anything motorized.
Overall, the game is excellent for a first generation game, and stellar for a launch title. This is not a game I would go out and buy a PS3 just to play, however, anyone who does have a PS3 should seriously consider this as a future purchase. The game is rated M for Mature, and due to the excellent job that Insomniac did on the ambiance and animations, they aren't kidding. No one prone to nightmares should pick up this game unless you are with others and the lights are turned on. Additionally, the British soldiers have somewhat dirty mouths. Go figure.
All in all, this is one of the only games available at launch that I can look at and say, "Alright, I'll buy that while it's still $60 USD."
thanks to psu
By: James
You start the game as an American soldier named Nathan Hale. The Chimera, a race of unknown origin whom were first found in Siberia, conquered Russia during the mid 1930's in the lead up to World War II. At the time, it wasn't apparent what exactly had happened. Russia was silent; nothing about the country was known to the outside world. As such, the world was oblivious to the threat of the Chimera -- until they launched a serious assault on Europe, at least. They targetted the continent's weak points and left the British Isles isolated. After a few years the Chimera make their way to the British Isles by tunneling under the English channel. Though the British government had prepared for such an invasion, the Chimera were too numerous and it isn't long before the people and government are forced into hiding.
The Americans, in their (historically accurate) mentality of isolation, have set up an exchange with the now in hiding British government: they give America their "secret weapon", (anymore detail here would constitute a spoiler), in exchange for American support via vehicles and logistics. You are part of the assault team which lands in a rendezvous gone terribly wrong, and leave the only survivor.
Throughout the game, the characters and story continue to grow on you, providing impetus to continue with your genocide of anything Chimera.
Insomniac is well known for their quirky and unique games, including Ratchet & Clank and Spyro the Dragon. This vein of creativity and variety shines through in this addition to the First Person Shooter genre. The weapons in this game really make it enjoyable. Sniping in this game is far more satisfying than in any other First Person Shooter I have ever played, due to their unique implementation of the "focus" ability. You simply hold down the secondary fire button, and you focus your shot for a short period of time, turning the screen slightly monochromatic, and slowing down time to allow you to better judge your shot. Hailstorm is another unique addition. It fires subsonic bullets, allowing them to ricochet off hard surfaces instead of penetrating them. The Auger, which tunnels through solid objects and increases in power the more solid matter it passes through, is a weapon that will make you swear like a sailor when you run into a Chimera fielding this gun.
You will never get very far in this game if you don't learn to wield the unique variety of grenades which the game has. There are many points in the game in which a grenade tossed properly will save you over half your health.
Another fun addition to the game is the achievements built into the single-player experience. In each level there are a few achievements which will award you with varying amount of skill points. Once you accumulate enough skill points, you can get rewards which will help you through the game. These achievements are simply titled "Skill Points", and unlike XBox 360 games, you will not be able to share achievements online across the Playstation Network. Getting them does directly help you however, and let's be honest, who isn't entertained by trying to kill three Chimera with one grenade, or taking on a boss with nothing but the default rifle?
The game also has a great co-op mode, however, disappointingly, you may only play co-op on split screen; there is no online co-op option.
Online multiplayer play in Resistance offers something that is truly stunning for the infancy of the Playstation Network though. The map designs are excellent, there is a ranking system built in to the game, similar to Battlefield 2, and your customization options when creating a game are excellent. You can scale maps for numbers of player, limit who can join, or choose your game type.
Speaking of game types, that's another huge win for Resistance. While online play includes the standard Deathmatch type of games, you also get to enjoy Breach (where you destroy the opposing base), Capture The Flag, Conversion (kind of like a "king of the hill"), Team Deathmatch and Meltdown (think Battlefield 2 base control). And if you've run out of fun fooling around with the game types you can always play with more (up to 40) or less (as few as 16) players, change up the weapon choice, or even join a clan with support of up to 200 players.
The game is challenging to be sure, but not unbreakable for new gamers. I myself admire the XBox 360 controller for First Person Shooters, however, the PS3 controller genuinely surprised me with its ease of use in the game. The L and R buttons are dramatically more helpful and useful, and this game shows that in a commanding way. With ease you can do things such as shake of Chimera who have grabbed a hold of you by intuitively shaking the controller, or bring up the multiplayer rankings menu by tilting your controller to the right.
The game has a fairly gentle learning curve if you utilize the difficulty settings properly. Anyone should be able to complete easy without too much trouble, and hard will challenge you to make every bullet and side-step count. Don't expect constant action though. This game thrives on setting an erie mood fit for the story line, and part of that is that there will be times where there are no enemies anywhere nearby. The first time I played through this kept me very tense -- I was expecting to by ambushed by gigantic aliens around every blind corner, and there were several times I just plain didn't want to venture inside a building because it felt creepy.
The single player mode could have been slightly longer, however if you attempt to "complete" the game by picking up all of the hidden pieces of intelligence (which will reveal aspects of the story you otherwise couldn't gather) you will easily spend over 20 hours on this game in single player mode alone. The vehicles in the game are fun to use, but nearly invulnerable. The only time I ever died inside a vehicle was when I was using one of the enemies vehicles. Fortunately, the vehicles in this game are not freely available, and very little of the game is spent commanding anything motorized.
Overall, the game is excellent for a first generation game, and stellar for a launch title. This is not a game I would go out and buy a PS3 just to play, however, anyone who does have a PS3 should seriously consider this as a future purchase. The game is rated M for Mature, and due to the excellent job that Insomniac did on the ambiance and animations, they aren't kidding. No one prone to nightmares should pick up this game unless you are with others and the lights are turned on. Additionally, the British soldiers have somewhat dirty mouths. Go figure.
All in all, this is one of the only games available at launch that I can look at and say, "Alright, I'll buy that while it's still $60 USD."
thanks to psu
By: James
Grandmas Boy Game
The fake game they were developing in Grandma's Boy movie is actually being developed for the Xbox 360, under the name Demonik. Developed by Terminal Reality, and published by Majesco, Demonik doesn't have a release date announced yet, but since they can reuse the 3D models from the movie it shouldn't take excessively long to develop. Here is a trailer
Wii Wrist Straps
Hot on the heels of some complaints from Wii owners that their wrist straps broke as they were playing -- sometimes resulting in damaged hardware or worse, personal injuries -- Nintendo today announced that it is improving the quality of its strap for future controllers.
The thickness of the Wii wrist strap was initially set at 0.6 millimeters. However, all future versions of the controller, whether packed with the console or sold separately, will feature thicker 1-millimeter wrist straps.
Nintendo Co. Ltd. out of Japan is offering users who bought original Wii consoles and controllers the option to exchange their wrist straps for free. The company is also stressing that the wrist strap is designed as a secondary safety device and that users should not let go of the controller when they are playing Wii software.
It is not yet known if Nintendo of America, Europe and Australia will follow suit, but we expect that all three will make similar announcements in the near future.
Stay tuned for more.
The thickness of the Wii wrist strap was initially set at 0.6 millimeters. However, all future versions of the controller, whether packed with the console or sold separately, will feature thicker 1-millimeter wrist straps.
Nintendo Co. Ltd. out of Japan is offering users who bought original Wii consoles and controllers the option to exchange their wrist straps for free. The company is also stressing that the wrist strap is designed as a secondary safety device and that users should not let go of the controller when they are playing Wii software.
It is not yet known if Nintendo of America, Europe and Australia will follow suit, but we expect that all three will make similar announcements in the near future.
Stay tuned for more.
Free GoW Content
Given the success of GoW the question of weather or not there will be downloadable content is obvious. Epic Games vice president Mark Rein said back in August that they were developing downloadable content for the XLM. Now while Epic has been light-lipped about the content we do know one thing, its going to be free!
Epic Games president Mike Capps was asked about how the company was going to keep Gears a top-seller. He quickly replied, "We always take care of our customers, we always give them stuff for free, and we're going to keep doing that forever. That's how we do it, this is Epic."
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Campout 2.0
Experts expect campers to begin camping out again on saterday to try and get thier hands on a PS3 or Wii system. With both Sony and neintendo making thier final production strides you can expect stores to recive PS3's and Wii's. If you are looking to pick one up try somewhere like target or walmart they will be reciving quite a bit of these systems. Also Best Buy has a stock of both systems and will be making them avalible Sun. the 17th.
Sony Sticks to it Guns
It's no secret that Sony has had some manufacturing issues with its coveted PlayStation 3. The main culprit has been the production of the system's blue laser diode, which has caused shortages of the PS3 in the US and Japan and a delay of the consoles release in Europe.
But if Sony president Ryoji Chubachi's recent words are any indication, it seems Sony has ironed out the bumps in the PS3's manufacturing process. Not only that, but Sony may meet its projection of having 2 million PS3s shipped worldwide by the end of 2006 and 6 million worldwide by March 2007, when the console is scheduled to launch in Europe.
Speaking before the media in Tokyo, Chubachi said, "It is true that it took us some time to bring the PS3 to mass production as blue laser availability worked as a bottleneck. But 2 million and 6 million are within our reach," according to Reuters.
Industry watchers had expressed concern that Sony wouldn't be able to meet those numbers after launch sales results indicated that the company missed its initial shipment targets. However, Chubachi's comments seem to indicate that things are now on track for the electronics giant.
Sony was expected to have 400,000 PS3s available in North America for the system's launch, but industry-sales tracker NPD reported that only 197,000 units were sold in the US--which was expected to have the bulk of the shipment.
Brutes Playable in Halo 3
Yes you heard right...Those Goliaths that used to bully you around in Halo 2's Campaign mode will now be usable in multiplayer now while no more information than that has been released, there will be a XLM video available for download, rumor has it, its going to be seven minutes long and contain gameplay footage...finally I can see what all the hype is about.
Best Buy is a No Go for Wii
For people trying to hunt down a hard-to-find Wii, there are few things more frustrating than other Wii owners bragging about how they have one. Nintendo's new console has been in short supply since its launch on November 19, and retailers have been selling the consoles as soon as they get them in.
Or maybe that's what they want you to think. Nintendo fan site GoNintendo.com has posted what is allegedly a scan of an internal Best Buy newsletter, which asks managers not to sell Wiis until December 17, even if the company has units in stock.
Best Buy corporate cites the following three reasons for retaining Wiis in the newsletter:
--"This is the last competitive weekend for holiday shopping, which encourages a large amount of traffic to our retail stores once customers realize the system is available."
--"Customers shopping for other products will have the ability and be encouraged to purchase the gaming console."
--"The system is more readily available then (sic) other competing gaming systems."
Or maybe that's what they want you to think. Nintendo fan site GoNintendo.com has posted what is allegedly a scan of an internal Best Buy newsletter, which asks managers not to sell Wiis until December 17, even if the company has units in stock.
Best Buy corporate cites the following three reasons for retaining Wiis in the newsletter:
--"This is the last competitive weekend for holiday shopping, which encourages a large amount of traffic to our retail stores once customers realize the system is available."
--"Customers shopping for other products will have the ability and be encouraged to purchase the gaming console."
--"The system is more readily available then (sic) other competing gaming systems."
PS3 Firmware Update
Well PS3 has relased a new firmware update, updating it to v1.31. As much as I would love to go into detail about all the bugs this patch fixes...I can't. Why? good question and one that deserves an answer. Well The main reason is that Sony hasent really said anything about what the patch does, all they say is it improves the system...if you have any info, please let me know.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
GoW: How the Wretches got thier screem!
Here it is the video that inspred those annoying little buggers we know as wretches
Note:This video is not for the faint of heart and may contain graphic imagery...
Note:This video is not for the faint of heart and may contain graphic imagery...
A Wii, Mac. and a Lightsaber Walk Into a Bar
This can only be described as what you get when a Wii Mote, a Mac, and a Star Wars geek have an orgy...just watch the video and you will see...
Conan for the 360
Now I have never been a big MMO fan but my job is to report the news that I think might be interesting to you. For anyone who has been a bit envious of PC users your one step closer to being equal, Microsoft announced that it will be releasing Conan the MMO for PC for 360 as well!
Xbox Backward Compatibility Expanded
In the light of the PS3's not so backwards compatibility, Microsoft unleashes a few more games for the original Xbox that are now playable on your 360.
- All-Star Baseball 2005
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Dead or Alive Ultimate
- Destroy All Humans!
- Dynasty Warriors 4
- Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
- Fahrenheit / Indigo Prophecy
- Family Guy
- Far Cry: Instincts
- Incredibles
- I-Ninja
- Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
- Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
- Moto-GP
- MX Unleashed
- Open Season
- Pariah
- Psychonauts
- Rainbow Six: Lockdown
- Rapala Pro Fishing
- Scarface
- Shark Tale
- Shenmue II *
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent
- The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
- Ultimate Spider-Man
- Wakeboarding Unleashed: Featuring Sean Murray
- Whacked!
- Winback 2: Project Poseidon
- Xiaolin Showdown
- All-Star Baseball 2005
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Dead or Alive Ultimate
- Destroy All Humans!
- Dynasty Warriors 4
- Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
- Fahrenheit / Indigo Prophecy
- Family Guy
- Far Cry: Instincts
- Incredibles
- I-Ninja
- Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude
- Mortal Kombat: Armageddon
- Moto-GP
- MX Unleashed
- Open Season
- Pariah
- Psychonauts
- Rainbow Six: Lockdown
- Rapala Pro Fishing
- Scarface
- Shark Tale
- Shenmue II *
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent
- The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
- Ultimate Spider-Man
- Wakeboarding Unleashed: Featuring Sean Murray
- Whacked!
- Winback 2: Project Poseidon
- Xiaolin Showdown
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Microsoft's XNA Launches
Most of the community aspect of the Xbox 360 has been made famous by Xbox Live. But when Microsoft says they want gamers to be involved with the Xbox 360, most didn't realize they mean actually making games.
Today, Microsoft released XNA Game Studio Express, a suite of applications and tools designed to facilitate game design by eliminating the need to write repetitive code.
The download is free from Microsoft's XNA Web site, and requires a Windows XP-based PC. The kit itself is based on the Visual C# 2005 Express Edition and Microsoft's .NET Compact Framework.
Also debuting today is the XNA Creators Club through Xbox Live Marketplace. Those who join the group will have access to various resources, including assets, samples, and white papers from game vets. The XNA Creators Club costs $49 for four months or $99 for a full-year membership.
"The XNA Creators Club is really the first of its kind--an opportunity to join a community of other developers who are empowered to bring their game ideas to life on a next-generation console system," said Microsoft's general manager of the Game Developer Group Chris Satchell. "What users will see today is just the beginning of the plans we have to revolutionize game development one creative game idea at a time."
Today, Microsoft released XNA Game Studio Express, a suite of applications and tools designed to facilitate game design by eliminating the need to write repetitive code.
The download is free from Microsoft's XNA Web site, and requires a Windows XP-based PC. The kit itself is based on the Visual C# 2005 Express Edition and Microsoft's .NET Compact Framework.
Also debuting today is the XNA Creators Club through Xbox Live Marketplace. Those who join the group will have access to various resources, including assets, samples, and white papers from game vets. The XNA Creators Club costs $49 for four months or $99 for a full-year membership.
"The XNA Creators Club is really the first of its kind--an opportunity to join a community of other developers who are empowered to bring their game ideas to life on a next-generation console system," said Microsoft's general manager of the Game Developer Group Chris Satchell. "What users will see today is just the beginning of the plans we have to revolutionize game development one creative game idea at a time."
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