News
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Oddbox gathers all four adventures.
All four Oddworld games will soon see a PC release in the Oddbox pack, developer Oddworld Inhabitants has announced.
Due before the end of 2010, the Oddbox includes the 1997 original, Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, its 1998 follow-up, Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, 2001’s Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee and 2005’s Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath.
It’ll be the first time the two most recent games have been available on the PC. Neither Xbox title quite recaptured the quirky spirit of the originals, but Stranger’s Wrath came closest, scoring 7/10 from Eurogamer’s Kristan Reed.
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They’re coining it in.
It’s a good time to work for Nintendo of Japan. Apparently, employees have just received a ¥1.45 million (about £11,000) bonus way above industry average.
According to Japanese site Zakzak, as translated by 1Up, that’s a slight increase on last year and considerably higher than at other Japanese companies. Apparently, Honda workers got ¥1.09 million (around £8000), telecommunications giant NTT got ¥0.96 million (around £7500) and Japan Rail Central ¥0.91 million (around £7000).
Not bad, especially considering Nintendo has hardly had a bumper year. In October, the platform holder announced a ¥2 billion net loss compared to the same six month period in 2009, which saw a ¥69.5 billion profit.
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Nintendo Store Update: Nintendo’s water-based sidescroller hits download hub next to Racers’ Islands–Crazy Arenas, Fireplacing; Virtual Console adds Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando, Sonson; DSiWare welcomes three.
Get the full article at GameSpot
“Fluidity flows to WiiWare” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:12:28 -0800 -
Aims to shut down glitchers, fix controls.
The next patch for the console version of Call of Duty: Black Ops patch takes aim at glitchers ruining everyone’s fun in multiplayer.
Developer Treyarch detailed what to expect from the patch, due in a few weeks time, on the game’s official forum.
Alongside a number of minor gameplay tweaks, the update will fix a number of multiplayer exploits and make it easier for developers to detect and ban anyone up to no good. Consider yourself warned.
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Crystal Dynamics says “forget everything you know about Tomb Raider”; new game will chronicle Lara Croft’s first adventure.
The Tomb Raider franchise is one of the most recognizable in the industry. The series has spawned numerous titles since debuting in the mid 1990s. Also, it has graced the silver screen twice, with Hollywood heroine Angelina Jolie cast as series leading lady Lara Croft.
This year, the series went downloadable with the well-received Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. However, the franchise’s console future has been in limbo, with the most recent release being 2008’s underperforming Tomb Raider: Underworld.
Crystal Dynamics today sent word that the next Tomb Raider installment, simply titled Tomb Raider, will be an origin story. It will tell the tale of how Lara Croft came to be the crafty, nimble adventurer at the center of previous games. Details surrounding the title are still extremely few and far between, but developer Crystal Dynamics did offer the following teasing statement.
“After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive,” reads the description. Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher went one step further, saying, “Forget everything you knew about Tomb Raider.”
The new Tomb Raider game will be featured in January’s Game Informer magazine, which is due out on newsstands on December 11. Publisher Square Enix has not released any date or platform information for the game thus far.
For more on the series’ latest console installment, check out GameSpot’s review of Tomb Raider Underworld.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Next Tomb Raider to be origin story” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:01:48 -0800 -
Crystal Dynamics says “forget everything you know about Tomb Raider”; new game will chronicle Lara Croft’s first adventure.
The Tomb Raider franchise is one of the most recognizable in the industry. The series has spawned numerous titles since debuting in the mid 1990s. Also, it has graced the silver screen twice, with Hollywood heroine Angelina Jolie cast as series leading lady Lara Croft.
This year, the series went downloadable with the well-received Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. However, the franchise’s console future has been in limbo, with the most recent release being 2008’s underperforming Tomb Raider: Underworld.
Crystal Dynamics today sent word that the next Tomb Raider installment, simply titled Tomb Raider, will be an origin story. It will tell the tale of how Lara Croft came to be the crafty, nimble adventurer at the center of previous games. Details surrounding the title are still extremely few and far between, but developer Crystal Dynamics did offer the following teasing statement.
“After a brutal storm destroys the boat she was travelling on, a frightened young woman is left washed ashore on an unknown beach. On her own but not alone she has only one goal, to survive,” reads the description. Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher went one step further, saying, “Forget everything you knew about Tomb Raider.”
The new Tomb Raider game will be featured in January’s Game Informer magazine, which is due out on newsstands on December 11. Publisher Square Enix has not released any date or platform information for the game thus far.
For more on the series’ latest console installment, check out GameSpot’s review of Tomb Raider Underworld.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Next Tomb Raider to be origin story” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 09:01:48 -0800 -
Online poll distributor GMI Survey soliciting gamers’ opinions for next installment of popular franchise; new leading character, setting, game mechanics offered up as questions.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood launched a month ago alongside rave reviews. The game is set in Rome with Ezio reprising his role from Assassin’s Creed II. Those not keen on the leading man, the setting, and other game elements now have a means to let publisher Ubisoft know of their displeasure.
Online poll distributor GMI Survey is currently conducting a survey asking players what they would like to see in an upcoming Assassin’s Creed title. It is unclear whether or not Ubisoft commissioned the survey, or if the proposed ideas are being genuinely considered for a Brotherhood follow-up. Further, the survey is available only to those who identify themselves as males from the United Kingdom.
That said, some of the new game design concepts hinted at in the survey are increased movement speed, enhanced Eagle Vision, online and offline cooperative modes, deeper team-based multiplayer, and others. The survey also indicates that Ubisoft might be planning to more deeply connect with other Assassin’s projects. Alongside Brotherhood, Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy, a Facebook tie-in title that connected with Brotherhood.
The survey also questioned gamers about future narratives in the series. The survey asks players if they would enjoy playing again as Ezio and continue his narrative outside of Italy, or if its time to “play as another Assassin, in a different historical time period.”
Those interested in participating in the online survey can do so here.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Survey hints at Assassins Creed future” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:45:10 -0800 -
Online poll distributor GMI Survey soliciting gamers’ opinions for next installment of popular franchise; new leading character, setting, game mechanics offered up as questions.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood launched a month ago alongside rave reviews. The game is set in Rome with Ezio reprising his role from Assassin’s Creed II. Those not keen on the leading man, the setting, and other game elements now have a means to let publisher Ubisoft know of their displeasure.
Online poll distributor GMI Survey is currently conducting a survey asking players what they would like to see in an upcoming Assassin’s Creed title. It is unclear whether or not Ubisoft commissioned the survey, or if the proposed ideas are being genuinely considered for a Brotherhood follow-up. Further, the survey is available only to those who identify themselves as males from the United Kingdom.
That said, some of the new game design concepts hinted at in the survey are increased movement speed, enhanced Eagle Vision, online and offline cooperative modes, deeper team-based multiplayer, and others. The survey also indicates that Ubisoft might be planning to more deeply connect with other Assassin’s projects. Alongside Brotherhood, Ubisoft released Assassin’s Creed: Project Legacy, a Facebook tie-in title that connected with Brotherhood.
The survey also questioned gamers about future narratives in the series. The survey asks players if they would enjoy playing again as Ezio and continue his narrative outside of Italy, or if its time to “play as another Assassin, in a different historical time period.”
Those interested in participating in the online survey can do so here.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Survey hints at Assassin’s Creed’s future” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:45:10 -0800 -
New release slate championed by Blizzard Entertainment’s third expansion to popular MMORPG; Brunswick Pro Bowling for Kinect; Tron: Evolution, Yogi Bear film tie-ins also out.
The first full week of December welcomes a short list of new titles, and one shouts louder than the rest.
Leading the pack this week is Blizzard Entertainments World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The third expansion to 2004s massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Cataclysm adds a host of new features to the title. Chief among the changes is the total overhaul of the in-game environment. Azeroth has been ravaged, popular locales have been drastically altered, making the old new again. The expansion also ups the level cap to 85 and adds two new races to the title: goblins and worgen.
Cataclysm follows 2007’s Burning Crusade and 2008’s Wrath of the Lich King. Before releasing Burning Crusade, Blizzard said its goal was to release annual expansions for the franchise, but the release cycle has been closer to one every two years since then; there was a 22-month gap between Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, and 23 months will have passed since Lich King’s release when Cataclysm hits retail.
The Warcraft franchise will have been around for just over 16 years when Cataclysm reaches eager gamers Tuesday. Talking to GameSpot around the time of the franchise’s 15th birthday, Blizzard lead designer Jeff Kaplan said, “I honestly believe that there are enough compelling ideas to keep WOW going for as long as the Internet is up.”
Also out this week is film tie-in Tron: Evolution. Detailing the events between the original Tron film–released theatrically in 1982–and the forthcoming movie Tron: Legacy, Evolution features a story that further fleshes out the franchise’s universe. Disney has positioned it as an integrated companion piece, where the film will reference events that occur in the game. However, the publisher also noted that both the film and the game operate just as well as standalone experiences.
Microsoft recently announced it has sold over 2.5 million Kinect units since the product released a month ago. The tech launched with 17 titles, but now it’s getting a licensed bowling game. Brunswick Pro Bowling is due out on Tuesday. The title sports six distinct alleys, five modes, authentic Brunswick gear, and a bumper bowling option for those new to the sport.
Tron: Evolution isn’t the only film tie-in out this week, though. Yogi Bear: The Video Game comes to Wii and DS this Tuesday. The title is based on the live-action CG film starring the voices of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake. From publisher D3, the game sees players controlling the famous bear throughout Jellystone National Park completing a number of whimsical missions.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
7 Wonders II–DS–Avanquest Software
Alien Breed 2: Assault–PS3–Team 17
Bejeweled 3–PC–PopCap
Blimp: The Flying Adventures–PSP, PS3–Craneball Studios
Brunswick Pro Bowling–X360–Crave Entertainment
Fireplacing–Wii–Korner Entertainment SL
Fluidity–Wii–Nintendo
Learn Science–DS–Dreamcatcher
Majesty 2: Monster Kingdom–PC–Paradox Interactive
NewU Fitness First Mind Body, Yoga & Pilates Workout–Wii–SouthPeak Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship–X360, PS3–SouthPeak Games
Sniper Elite–Wii–Reef Entertainment
The Flying Hamster–PSP, PS3–The Game Atelier
TouchMaster Connect–DS–Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Tron: Evolution Battle Grids–Wii–Disney Interactive Studios
Tron: Evolution–X360, DS, PS3, PSP–Disney Interactive Studios
Venetica–PS3–Atari
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm–PC, Mac–Blizzard Entertainment
Yogi Bear: The Video Game–Wii, DS–D3
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s: Duel Transer–Wii–KonamiRead and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Shippin’ Out Dec. 5-11: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:54:06 -0800 -
New release slate championed by Blizzard Entertainment’s third expansion to popular MMORPG; Brunswick Pro Bowling for Kinect; Tron: Evolution, Yogi Bear film tie-ins also out.
The first full week of December welcomes a short list of new titles, and one shouts louder than the rest.
Leading the pack this week is Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The third expansion to 2004’s massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Cataclysm adds a host of new features to the title. Chief among the changes is the total overhaul of the in-game environment. Azeroth has been ravaged, and popular locales have been drastically altered, making the old new again. The expansion also ups the level cap to 85 and adds two new races to the title: goblins and worgen.
Cataclysm follows 2007’s Burning Crusade and 2008’s Wrath of the Lich King. Before releasing Burning Crusade, Blizzard said its goal was to release annual expansions for the franchise, but the release cycle has been closer to one every two years since then; there was a 22-month gap between Burning Crusade and Wrath of the Lich King, and 23 months will have passed since Lich King’s release when Cataclysm hits retail.
The Warcraft franchise will have been around for just over 16 years when Cataclysm reaches eager gamers Tuesday. Talking to GameSpot around the time of the franchise’s 15th birthday, Blizzard lead designer Jeff Kaplan said, “I honestly believe that there are enough compelling ideas to keep WOW going for as long as the Internet is up.”
Also out this week is film tie-in Tron: Evolution. Detailing the events between the original Tron film–released theatrically in 1982–and the forthcoming movie Tron: Legacy, Evolution features a story that further fleshes out the franchise’s universe. Disney has positioned it as an integrated companion piece, where the film will reference events that occur in the game. However, the publisher also noted that both the film and the game operate just as well as stand-alone experiences.
Microsoft recently announced it has sold more than 2.5 million Kinect units since the product was released a month ago. The tech launched with 17 titles, but now it’s getting a licensed bowling game. Brunswick Pro Bowling is due out on Tuesday. The title sports six distinct alleys, five modes, authentic Brunswick gear, and a bumper bowling option for those new to the sport.
Tron: Evolution isn’t the only film tie-in out this week, though. Yogi Bear: The Video Game comes to the Wii and DS this Tuesday. The title is based on the live-action CG film starring the voices of Dan Aykroyd and Justin Timberlake. From publisher D3, the game sees players controlling the famous bear throughout Jellystone National Park completing a number of whimsical missions.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7
7 Wonders II–DS–Avanquest Software
Alien Breed 2: Assault–PS3–Team 17
Bejeweled 3–PC–PopCap
Blimp: The Flying Adventures–PSP, PS3–Craneball Studios
Brunswick Pro Bowling–X360–Crave Entertainment
Fireplacing–Wii–Korner Entertainment SL
Fluidity–Wii–Nintendo
Learn Science–DS–Dreamcatcher
Majesty 2: Monster Kingdom–PC–Paradox Interactive
NewU Fitness First Mind Body, Yoga & Pilates Workout–Wii–SouthPeak Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship–X360, PS3–SouthPeak Games
Sniper Elite–Wii–Reef Entertainment
The Flying Hamster–PSP, PS3–The Game Atelier
TouchMaster Connect–DS–Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Tron: Evolution Battle Grids–Wii–Disney Interactive Studios
Tron: Evolution–X360, DS, PS3, PSP–Disney Interactive Studios
Venetica–PS3–Atari
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm–PC, Mac–Blizzard Entertainment
Yogi Bear: The Video Game–Wii, DS–D3
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s: Duel Transer–Wii–KonamiRead and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Shippin’ Out Dec. 5-11: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:54:06 -0800