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Last night, while dreams of unbelievable glitches danced through gamers’ heads, Bethesda Softworks and Obsidian Entertainment released the first of what is sure to be many updates in a hurried attempt to fix Fallout: New Vegas’ bugs… …
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BlizzCon 2010: Diablo III leads offer a first look at the action RPG’s fifth and final class, as well as further expound upon PVP arenas.
Who was there: Blizzard trotted out a number of the major players working on Diablo III for its first official BlizzCon 2010 panel, including game director Jay Wilson. Also on hand were Christian Lichtner, Paul Warzecha, Leonard Boyarsky, Wyatt Cheng, Kevin Martens, and Julian Love.
What they talked about: The big announcement that came during BlizzCon 2010’s opening ceremonies was that the Demon Hunter would be the fifth and final playable class in Diablo III. Immediately following said opening ceremonies, the collected Diablo III leads offered more exposition on the thought behind the Demon Hunter, as well as how she’ll play.
Leading off the discussion, Wilson discussed Blizzard’s motivation in bringing the Demon Hunter class to life, saying that a ranged-weapon class filled out the traditional archtypes of what gamers expect from this type of game. He also noted the ranged-weapon class was one of the first that the team committed to, and that they wanted the class from its inception to be an obsessed anti-hero, one with a bounty hunter vibe.
Wilson went on to say that the team wanted a class that operated a bit like the assassin from Diablo II, where gadgets and traps were an emphasized mode of attack. And like a bounty hunter, the Demon Hunter has a Machivellian bent, whereby she does not mind delving into the dark arts if it helps her combat demons more effectively.
Lichtner then took over the conversation to talk about how the team went about building the visual representation of the Demon Hunter. In its original concept-phase iterations, the Demon Hunter took the form of a woodland ranger, with the traditional bow and arrow and an emphasis on swift, deadly, ranged combat. However, the team felt something was missing, so they began adding in more melee attacks, experimenting with short swords and daggers, fist weapons, and armor.
These changes deemphasized the core precept of a strong ranged class, however, so the team went back to the drawing board. They decided to home in on the idea of a dark, mysterious, medieval character, one that hearkened back to the Diablo II style of classes.
Out of this line of thought came the demon hunter, but significant iteration was still required before the character arrived at its current form. First, the team thought it would be a good idea to make a demonic demon hunter, with the idea of a demon hunting other infernal creations. But since this concept really didn’t jive with the Diablo universe, the team thought it might be a good idea to make the character only half-demon.
The half-demon designs prominently featured a large, grotesque demon arm, with Lichtner showing what appeared to be a male model. However, the demon arm, again, made the class lose its ranged feel, since everyone wanted to melee with it, and the concept also would have alienated the townsfolk.
The first solution to this was to make the character lither, feminine character, and evolved to ultimately completely do away with the demon arm and the character’s infernal heritage. From there, the concept began to click into place, and the team arrived upon its ultimate goal of creating a swift, mysterious, dark, medieval, and, of course, ranged class.
Warzecha then delved into the Demon Hunter’s physical appearance. With the female character, the team wanted one that is sexy, and he noted that the male version would also be physically attractive as well. It was also important to give her a darker, almost evil vibe, which would serve as a good counterpoint to the holy monk and flamboyant wizard. As far as gear went, the team emphasized her scarf, legs, and arm guard.
The Demon Hunter’s Van Helsing style crossbows were also integral to her look. She is the only character in the game who can dual-wield crossbows, Warzhecha noted. He also emphasized that she takes full-body poses when she attacks.
Boyarsky then took over to illuminate the Demon Hunter’s back story. The most important element of the Demon Hunter profile is that those who pursue the path are chosen, not born into it. As such, they can come from any social rank and background, and are joined only in the fact that they survived a demon assault when others did not. They are recruited by other Demon Hunters, and while largely nomadic, they do have a base of operations in the North.
The Demon Hunter is also an obsessed anti-hero, Boyarsky emphasized, saying that the character will do whatever it takes to eradicate demonkind. The team wanted to play up her willingness to delve in dark magic to accomplish her goals, and since they backed down from a demon arm, they settled on a demonic glow in her eyes. Essentially, her goal is to strike the same fear in the heart of demons as demons strike in the hearts of humans.
Wyatt then offered a look at some of the Demon Hunter’s current skills. The first he showed was of the Bola Shot, which he said combines ranged attack with the class’ emphasis on gadgets. With it, the Demon Hunter fires a projectile that wraps around an enemy, and then after a delay, explodes. Vault is another skill, and allows the Demon Hunter to quickly traverse distances, with a shadowy flash in her animation movement.
In a tribute to Diablo II’s assassin, the Demon Hunter is able to lay spike traps, which also play into the class’ core tenants of gadgets and shadow. Grenades are another skill, and these provide a tactical attack, as they can bounce off walls and roll around on the floor. Finally, Wyatt showed off the multishot, which fires multiple arrows in a self-explanatory fashion.
Moving on to a broader look at Diablo III, Love introduce one of the game’s new features: traits. Essentially an evolution of passive skills in Diablo II, traits allow players to diversify their characters. Further, they operate independently of active skills, and the current plan is for players will earn a new one every odd level. As for what they do, traits alter a character’s core abilities, such as allowing a defensive player increase their armor or an offensive player increasing their attack.
There are currently 30 different traits per character, with the ability to spend up to five points in each one. However, since players only get about 30 points total, Blizzard hopes that there will be a significant amount of variety.
Martens then spoke about talismans, which are essentially an evolution of runes from Diablo II. The main difference between talismans and runes is that they will have their own dedicated spot in players’ inventories, a space that grows larger over time. Also, charms will focus more on core attributes, with an eye toward increasing customization.
Love then provided an update on runes. Similar to how gems worked to augment items in Diablo II, runes will augment skills in Diablo III. There are currently five different types of runes–crimson, indigo, obsidian, golden, and alabaster–and Love noted that the variety allows for nearly 97 billion different skill builds per character.
Further, each rune can be upgraded up to seven times, with progressively more chaotic results as the rune becomes more powerful. Love demonstrated this upgradability on the wizard’s magic missile. Without a rune, the spells casts one missile. However, by rune rank seven, missiles course out of the wizard’s body in a fashion that would put a bullet-hell shooter to shame.
Wilson then returned to briefly discuss the second major announcement for Diablo III, battle arenas. The idea behind the arenas is to emphasize team-based play, with a demonstrative video showing a three-on-three match. Wilson noted that given the nearly 97 billion different skill builds, it is impossible to fully balance the battle arenas.
With team-based play, though, the strategy becomes building the right team, not the right individual. Team play also plays heavily to the idea of counters, where many of the crowd-control skills such as daze or freeze can be dispelled by other teammates. Also, Wilson noted that round mechanics will play a part in team play, as groups will face off in best of three or best of five matches.
He also noted that players will use the characters they build up in the single-player campaign in the player-versus-player matches.
Quote: “We know you like killing each other, and Diablo II really didn’t support it well.”–Julian Love, on the introduction of PVP arenas in Diablo III.
Takeaway: The Demon Hunter class should satisfy gamers who enjoy dealing lots of damage to enemies from a ranged position. The class also appears to require a good deal of strategy, with many delayed attacks, traps, and timed detonations. As for battle arenas, while they are clearly still in a highly malleable stage, they appear as if they’ll provide a highly competitive environment for players to use their collected loot to slaughter one another.
Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Blizzard goes Demon Hunting” was posted by Tom Magrino on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:12:32 -0700 -
Busy week at retail sees bountiful array of heavy hitters including The Sims 3 for consoles, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, The Fight: Lights Out, Shaun White Skateboarding, and Tony Hawk: Shred.
Halloween is just around the corner, but this week’s new release slate is scaring up a jack-o’-lantern full of prominent titles.
Leading the virtual charge this week is Fable III, Lionhead’s third entry in the Microsoft-exclusive series. The action role-playing game comes to the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, with a PC version debuting at a much, much later date. The title differs from the original Fable and Fable II in that the hero begins his or her life as a minion and then leads a revolution against the land’s tyrant. The hero will then become a monarch and must face the responsibilities of that hefty position. The title features the voices of comedy hero John Cleese, Sir Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Zoe Wanamaker, and others.
Also dropping on Tuesday is LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. The title, due out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, and PC, is a sequel to the 2008 original, taking place six months after the events of its predecessor. The original was the fastest-selling LucasArts Star Wars game in history and went on to sell more than 7 million units in its lifetime.
For music gamers, Harmonix’s Rock Band 3 is out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS on Tuesday. Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously globally in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and “other territories.” The game is the first in the series to employ a piano as a playable instrument and will come with a Pro mode, where those with high-end MadCatz peripherals can literally play along with any given song.
The Sims 3 took the PC and Mac by storm when it was released over a year ago. Electronic Arts will hope for similar success with the console version, due out on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii on Tuesday. A DS version is coming in 2011. Published under the EA Play label, the game will sport many of the same customization and character creation options as the PC edition of the game, as well as some new features. These include karma powers, which players can use to give their in-game incarnations instant luck–be it good or bad.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will let players create and exchange content with one another, while the Wii version will focus on adventure game elements and is set in a beachfront community. The DS will also foster player creativity, with an emphasis on stylus-driven creation tools for clothes, houses, and furniture, as well as a story mode that follows a family through life.
Those looking for a fight this week can pick up Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. The latest entry in THQ’s fighting series is due out on Tuesday for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii. One of the title’s new features is its updated physics system. Objects like chairs, tables, and ladders can be manipulated with greater realism in the 2011 version.
Another fighting title due out this week is The Fight: Lights Out. A PlayStation Move exclusive, the title lets players fight in the dark and gritty underground with Sony’s new motion controllers, which have shipped more than a million units thus far.
There’s also a boarder war happening at retail this week. Tony Hawk: Shred and Shaun White Skateboarding are both due out on Tuesday. Shred is the follow-up to Activision’s Tony Hawk: Ride, which also used the much maligned skateboard peripheral. The title is aimed at a younger audience and incorporates a snowboarding component in the iconic skateboarding-only series. Shaun White’s game is the frizzle-haired Olympic hero’s first stab at the skateboarding genre. Previously, the carrot-topped 24-year-old starred in Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.
Finally, those who have yet to experience Rockstar Games’ sandbox crime game, a new Grand Theft Auto: IV SKU is dropping on Tuesday for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Grand Theft Auto: IV Complete Edition bundles the lauded game with its two expansion packs–The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony–for $40.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Release 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.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
Shaun White Skateboarding–WII, X360, PS3–UbisoftMONDAY, OCTOBER 25
Art Academy–DS–Nintendo
Bit.Trip Fate–WII–Aksys Games
Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition–X360, PS3, PC–Electronic Arts
Family Party: 90 Great Games Party Pack–WII–D3Publisher
Go Series: Defence Wars–DS–Gamebridge
Robox–WII–DreamBox GamesTUESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Blood Drive–PS3, X360–Activision
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011–WII–Activision
Crafting Mama–DS–Majesco Games
CSI: Fatal Conspiracy–PC, X360, PS3, WII–Ubisoft
DeathSpank–PC–Hothead Games
Deca Sports 3–WII–Hudson Entertainment
Disney Channel All Star Party–WII–Disney Interactive Studios
Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure–WII, PS2–Take-Two Interactive
Dora’s Cooking Club–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Fable III–X360–Microsoft Game Studios
Go, Diego, Go! Mega Bloks Build & Rescue–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition–PS3, X360–Rockstar Games
Hasbro Family Game Night 3–X360, PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Hidden Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials–DS–GameMill Publishing
Imagine Fashion Stylist–DS–Ubisoft
Lego Universe–PC, MAC–NetDevil
Monopoly Streets–PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Monopoly–DS–Electronic Arts
NERF N-Strike Double Blast Bundle–WII–Electronic Arts
Nickelodeon Fit–WII–2K Games
Petz Catz Playground–DS–Ubisoft
Petz Nursery 2–DS–Ubisoft
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack–X360, PS3–Rockstar Games
Rock Band 3– X360, PS3, WII, DS–MTV Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship–X360, PS3–SouthPeak Games
Shank–PC–Electronic Arts
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II–X360, WII, PS3, PC, DS–LucasArts
Superstars V8 Racing–PS3–O-Games
The Ball–PC–Tripwire Interactive
The Fight: Lights Out–PS3–SCEA
The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion Pack–PC–Electronic Arts
The Sims 3–X360, PS3, DS–Electronic Arts
Tony Hawk: Shred–X360, PS3, WII–Activision
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011– X360, PS3, WII, PSP, PS2–THQ
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5–PSP–Konami
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman–PSP–NIS AmericaWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Intellivision Lives!–DS–Virtual Play Inc.
Pinball FX 2–X360–Microsoft Game StudiosTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 28
Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition–PC–Focus Home InteractiveFRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
Chevrolet Camaro–WII–CokeM InteractiveRead and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Shippin’ Out Oct. 24-30: Fable III, Force Unleashed II, Rock Band 3” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:17:25 -0700 -
Busy week at retail sees bountiful array of heavy hitters including The Sims 3 for consoles, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, The Fight: Lights Out, Shaun White Skateboarding, and Tony Hawk: Shred.
Halloween is just around the corner, but this week’s new release slate is scaring up a jack-o’-lantern full of prominent titles.
Leading the virtual charge this week is Fable III, Lionhead’s third entry in the Microsoft-exclusive series. The action role-playing game comes to the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, with a PC version debuting at a much, much later date. The title differs from the original Fable and Fable II in that the hero begins his or her life as a minion and then leads a revolution against the land’s tyrant. The hero will then become a monarch and must face the responsibilities of that hefty position. The title features the voices of comedy hero John Cleese, Sir Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Zoe Wanamaker, and others.
Also dropping on Tuesday is LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. The title, due out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, and PC, is a sequel to the 2008 original, taking place six months after the events of its predecessor. The original was the fastest-selling LucasArts Star Wars game in history and went on to sell more than 7 million units in its lifetime.
For music gamers, Harmonix’s Rock Band 3 is out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS on Tuesday. Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously globally in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and “other territories.” The game is the first in the series to employ a piano as a playable instrument and will come with a Pro mode, where those with high-end MadCatz peripherals can literally play along with any given song.
The Sims 3 took the PC and Mac by storm when it was released over a year ago. Electronic Arts will hope for similar success with the console version, due out on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii on Tuesday. A DS version is coming in 2011. Published under the EA Play label, the game will sport many of the same customization and character creation options as the PC edition of the game, as well as some new features. These include karma powers, which players can use to give their in-game incarnations instant luck–be it good or bad.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will let players create and exchange content with one another, while the Wii version will focus on adventure game elements and is set in a beachfront community. The DS will also foster player creativity, with an emphasis on stylus-driven creation tools for clothes, houses, and furniture, as well as a story mode that follows a family through life.
Those looking for a fight this week can pick up Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. The latest entry in THQ’s fighting series is due out on Tuesday for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii. One of the title’s new features is its updated physics system. Objects like chairs, tables, and ladders can be manipulated with greater realism in the 2011 version.
Another fighting title due out this week is The Fight: Lights Out. A PlayStation Move exclusive, the title lets players fight in the dark and gritty underground with Sony’s new motion controllers, which have shipped more than a million units thus far.
There’s also a boarder war happening at retail this week. Tony Hawk: Shred and Shaun White Skateboarding are both due out on Tuesday. Shred is the follow-up to Activision’s Tony Hawk: Ride, which also used the much maligned skateboard peripheral. The title is aimed at a younger audience and incorporates a snowboarding component in the iconic skateboarding-only series. Shaun White’s game is the frizzle-haired Olympic hero’s first stab at the skateboarding genre. Previously, the carrot-topped 24-year-old starred in Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.
Finally, those who have yet to experience Rockstar Games’ sandbox crime game, a new Grand Theft Auto: IV SKU is dropping on Tuesday for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Grand Theft Auto: IV Complete Edition bundles the lauded game with its two expansion packs–The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony–for $40.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Release 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.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
Shaun White Skateboarding–WII, X360, PS3–UbisoftMONDAY, OCTOBER 25
Art Academy–DS–Nintendo
Bit.Trip Fate–WII–Aksys Games
Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition–X360, PS3, PC–Electronic Arts
Family Party: 90 Great Games Party Pack–WII–D3Publisher
Go Series: Defence Wars–DS–Gamebridge
Robox–WII–DreamBox GamesTUESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Blood Drive–PS3, X360–Activision
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011–WII–Activision
Crafting Mama–DS–Majesco Games
CSI: Fatal Conspiracy–PC, X360, PS3, WII–Ubisoft
DeathSpank–PC–Hothead Games
Deca Sports 3–WII–Hudson Entertainment
Disney Channel All Star Party–WII–Disney Interactive Studios
Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure–WII, PS2–Take-Two Interactive
Dora’s Cooking Club–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Fable III–X360–Microsoft Game Studios
Go, Diego, Go! Mega Bloks Build & Rescue–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition–PS3, X360–Rockstar Games
Hasbro Family Game Night 3–X360, PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Hidden Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials–DS–GameMill Publishing
Imagine Fashion Stylist–DS–Ubisoft
Lego Universe–PC, MAC–NetDevil
Monopoly Streets–PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Monopoly–DS–Electronic Arts
NERF N-Strike Double Blast Bundle–WII–Electronic Arts
Nickelodeon Fit–WII–2K Games
Petz Catz Playground–DS–Ubisoft
Petz Nursery 2–DS–Ubisoft
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack–X360, PS3–Rockstar Games
Rock Band 3– X360, PS3, WII, DS–MTV Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship–X360, PS3–SouthPeak Games
Shank–PC–Electronic Arts
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II–X360, WII, PS3, PC, DS–LucasArts
Superstars V8 Racing–PS3–O-Games
The Ball–PC–Tripwire Interactive
The Fight: Lights Out–PS3–SCEA
The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion Pack–PC–Electronic Arts
The Sims 3–X360, PS3, DS–Electronic Arts
Tony Hawk: Shred–X360, PS3, WII–Activision
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011– X360, PS3, WII, PSP, PS2–THQ
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5–PSP–Konami
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman–PSP–NIS AmericaWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Intellivision Lives!–DS–Virtual Play Inc.
Pinball FX 2–X360–Microsoft Game StudiosTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 28
Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition–PC–Focus Home InteractiveFRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
Chevrolet Camaro–WII–CokeM InteractiveRead and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Shippin’ Out Oct. 24-30: Fable III, Force Unleashed II, Rock Band 3” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:17:25 -0700 -
Busy week at retail sees bountiful array of heavy hitters including The Sims 3 for consoles, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, The Fight: Lights Out, Shaun White Skateboarding, and Tony Hawk: Shred.
Halloween is just around the corner, but this week’s new release slate is scaring up a jack-o’-lantern full of prominent titles.
Leading the virtual charge this week is Fable III, Lionhead’s third entry in the Microsoft-exclusive series. The action role-playing game comes to the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, with a PC version debuting at a much, much later date. The title differs from the original Fable and Fable II in that the hero begins his or her life as a minion and then leads a revolution against the land’s tyrant. The hero will then become a monarch and must face the responsibilities of that hefty position. The title features the voices of comedy hero John Cleese, Sir Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Zoe Wanamaker, and others.
Also dropping on Tuesday is LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. The title, due out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, and PC, is a sequel to the 2008 original, taking place six months after the events of its predecessor. The original was the fastest-selling LucasArts Star Wars game in history and went on to sell more than 7 million units in its lifetime.
For music gamers, Harmonix’s Rock Band 3 is out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS on Tuesday. Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously globally in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and “other territories.” The game is the first in the series to employ a piano as a playable instrument and will come with a Pro mode, where those with high-end MadCatz peripherals can literally play along with any given song.
The Sims 3 took the PC and Mac by storm when it was released over a year ago. Electronic Arts will hope for similar success with the console version, due out on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii on Tuesday. A DS version is coming in 2011. Published under the EA Play label, the game will sport many of the same customization and character creation options as the PC edition of the game, as well as some new features. These include karma powers, which players can use to give their in-game incarnations instant luck–be it good or bad.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will let players create and exchange content with one another, while the Wii version will focus on adventure game elements and is set in a beachfront community. The DS will also foster player creativity, with an emphasis on stylus-driven creation tools for clothes, houses, and furniture, as well as a story mode that follows a family through life.
Those looking for a fight this week can pick up Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. The latest entry in THQ’s fighting series is due out on Tuesday for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii. One of the title’s new features is its updated physics system. Objects like chairs, tables, and ladders can be manipulated with greater realism in the 2011 version.
Another fighting title due out this week is The Fight: Lights Out. A PlayStation Move exclusive, the title lets players fight in the dark and gritty underground with Sony’s new motion controllers, which have shipped more than a million units thus far.
There’s also a boarder war happening at retail this week. Tony Hawk: Shred and Shaun White Skateboarding are both due out on Tuesday. Shred is the follow-up to Activision’s Tony Hawk: Ride, which also used the much maligned skateboard peripheral. The title is aimed at a younger audience and incorporates a snowboarding component in the iconic skateboarding-only series. Shaun White’s game is the frizzle-haired Olympic hero’s first stab at the skateboarding genre. Previously, the carrot-topped 24-year-old starred in Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.
Finally, those who have yet to experience Rockstar Games’ sandbox crime game, a new Grand Theft Auto: IV SKU is dropping on Tuesday for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Grand Theft Auto: IV Complete Edition bundles the lauded game with its two expansion packs–The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony–for $40.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Release 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.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
Shaun White Skateboarding–WII, X360, PS3–UbisoftMONDAY, OCTOBER 25
Art Academy–DS–Nintendo
Bit.Trip Fate–WII–Aksys Games
Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition–X360, PS3, PC–Electronic Arts
Family Party: 90 Great Games Party Pack–WII–D3Publisher
Go Series: Defence Wars–DS–Gamebridge
Robox–WII–DreamBox GamesTUESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Blood Drive–PS3, X360–Activision
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011–WII–Activision
Crafting Mama–DS–Majesco Games
CSI: Fatal Conspiracy–PC, X360, PS3, WII–Ubisoft
DeathSpank–PC–Hothead Games
Deca Sports 3–WII–Hudson Entertainment
Disney Channel All Star Party–WII–Disney Interactive Studios
Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure–WII, PS2–Take-Two Interactive
Dora’s Cooking Club–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Fable III–X360–Microsoft Game Studios
Go, Diego, Go! Mega Bloks Build & Rescue–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition–PS3, X360–Rockstar Games
Hasbro Family Game Night 3–X360, PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Hidden Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials–DS–GameMill Publishing
Imagine Fashion Stylist–DS–Ubisoft
Lego Universe–PC, MAC–NetDevil
Monopoly Streets–PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Monopoly–DS–Electronic Arts
NERF N-Strike Double Blast Bundle–WII–Electronic Arts
Nickelodeon Fit–WII–2K Games
Petz Catz Playground–DS–Ubisoft
Petz Nursery 2–DS–Ubisoft
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack–X360, PS3–Rockstar Games
Rock Band 3– X360, PS3, WII, DS–MTV Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship–X360, PS3–SouthPeak Games
Shank–PC–Electronic Arts
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II–X360, WII, PS3, PC, DS–LucasArts
Superstars V8 Racing–PS3–O-Games
The Ball–PC–Tripwire Interactive
The Fight: Lights Out–PS3–SCEA
The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion Pack–PC–Electronic Arts
The Sims 3–X360, PS3, DS–Electronic Arts
Tony Hawk: Shred–X360, PS3, WII–Activision
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011– X360, PS3, WII, PSP, PS2–THQ
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5–PSP–Konami
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman–PSP–NIS AmericaWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Intellivision Lives!–DS–Virtual Play Inc.
Pinball FX 2–X360–Microsoft Game StudiosTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 28
Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition–PC–Focus Home InteractiveFRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
Chevrolet Camaro–WII–CokeM InteractiveRead and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Shippin’ Out Oct. 24-30: Fable III, Force Unleashed II, Rock Band 3” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:17:25 -0700 -
Busy week at retail sees bountiful array of heavy hitters including The Sims 3 for consoles, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011, The Fight: Lights Out, Shaun White Skateboarding, and Tony Hawk: Shred.
Halloween is just around the corner, but this week’s new release slate is scaring up a jack-o’-lantern full of prominent titles.
Leading the virtual charge this week is Fable III, Lionhead’s third entry in the Microsoft-exclusive series. The action role-playing game comes to the Xbox 360 on Tuesday, with a PC version debuting at a much, much later date. The title differs from the original Fable and Fable II in that the hero begins his or her life as a minion and then leads a revolution against the land’s tyrant. The hero will then become a monarch and must face the responsibilities of that hefty position. The title features the voices of comedy hero John Cleese, Sir Ben Kingsley, Stephen Fry, Zoe Wanamaker, and others.
Also dropping on Tuesday is LucasArts’ Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II. The title, due out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, and PC, is a sequel to the 2008 original, taking place six months after the events of its predecessor. The original was the fastest-selling LucasArts Star Wars game in history and went on to sell more than 7 million units in its lifetime.
For music gamers, Harmonix’s Rock Band 3 is out for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS on Tuesday. Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously globally in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and “other territories.” The game is the first in the series to employ a piano as a playable instrument and will come with a Pro mode, where those with high-end MadCatz peripherals can literally play along with any given song.
The Sims 3 took the PC and Mac by storm when it was released over a year ago. Electronic Arts will hope for similar success with the console version, due out on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii on Tuesday. A DS version is coming in 2011. Published under the EA Play label, the game will sport many of the same customization and character creation options as the PC edition of the game, as well as some new features. These include karma powers, which players can use to give their in-game incarnations instant luck–be it good or bad.
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will let players create and exchange content with one another, while the Wii version will focus on adventure game elements and is set in a beachfront community. The DS will also foster player creativity, with an emphasis on stylus-driven creation tools for clothes, houses, and furniture, as well as a story mode that follows a family through life.
Those looking for a fight this week can pick up Smackdown vs. Raw 2011. The latest entry in THQ’s fighting series is due out on Tuesday for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii. One of the title’s new features is its updated physics system. Objects like chairs, tables, and ladders can be manipulated with greater realism in the 2011 version.
Another fighting title due out this week is The Fight: Lights Out. A PlayStation Move exclusive, the title lets players fight in the dark and gritty underground with Sony’s new motion controllers, which have shipped more than a million units thus far.
There’s also a boarder war happening at retail this week. Tony Hawk: Shred and Shaun White Skateboarding are both due out on Tuesday. Shred is the follow-up to Activision’s Tony Hawk: Ride, which also used the much maligned skateboard peripheral. The title is aimed at a younger audience and incorporates a snowboarding component in the iconic skateboarding-only series. Shaun White’s game is the frizzle-haired Olympic hero’s first stab at the skateboarding genre. Previously, the carrot-topped 24-year-old starred in Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii.
Finally, those who have yet to experience Rockstar Games’ sandbox crime game, a new Grand Theft Auto: IV SKU is dropping on Tuesday for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Grand Theft Auto: IV Complete Edition bundles the lauded game with its two expansion packs–The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony–for $40.
For further details on the week’s games, visit GameSpot’s New Release 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.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
Shaun White Skateboarding–WII, X360, PS3–UbisoftMONDAY, OCTOBER 25
Art Academy–DS–Nintendo
Bit.Trip Fate–WII–Aksys Games
Dragon Age: Origins – Ultimate Edition–X360, PS3, PC–Electronic Arts
Family Party: 90 Great Games Party Pack–WII–D3Publisher
Go Series: Defence Wars–DS–Gamebridge
Robox–WII–DreamBox GamesTUESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Blood Drive–PS3, X360–Activision
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2011–WII–Activision
Crafting Mama–DS–Majesco Games
CSI: Fatal Conspiracy–PC, X360, PS3, WII–Ubisoft
DeathSpank–PC–Hothead Games
Deca Sports 3–WII–Hudson Entertainment
Disney Channel All Star Party–WII–Disney Interactive Studios
Dora’s Big Birthday Adventure–WII, PS2–Take-Two Interactive
Dora’s Cooking Club–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Fable III–X360–Microsoft Game Studios
Go, Diego, Go! Mega Bloks Build & Rescue–DS–Take-Two Interactive
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition–PS3, X360–Rockstar Games
Hasbro Family Game Night 3–X360, PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Hidden Mysteries: Salem Witch Trials–DS–GameMill Publishing
Imagine Fashion Stylist–DS–Ubisoft
Lego Universe–PC, MAC–NetDevil
Monopoly Streets–PS3, WII–Electronic Arts
Monopoly–DS–Electronic Arts
NERF N-Strike Double Blast Bundle–WII–Electronic Arts
Nickelodeon Fit–WII–2K Games
Petz Catz Playground–DS–Ubisoft
Petz Nursery 2–DS–Ubisoft
Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare Pack–X360, PS3–Rockstar Games
Rock Band 3– X360, PS3, WII, DS–MTV Games
SBK X: Superbike World Championship–X360, PS3–SouthPeak Games
Shank–PC–Electronic Arts
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II–X360, WII, PS3, PC, DS–LucasArts
Superstars V8 Racing–PS3–O-Games
The Ball–PC–Tripwire Interactive
The Fight: Lights Out–PS3–SCEA
The Sims 3: Late Night Expansion Pack–PC–Electronic Arts
The Sims 3–X360, PS3, DS–Electronic Arts
Tony Hawk: Shred–X360, PS3, WII–Activision
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011– X360, PS3, WII, PSP, PS2–THQ
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Tag Force 5–PSP–Konami
Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman–PSP–NIS AmericaWEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Intellivision Lives!–DS–Virtual Play Inc.
Pinball FX 2–X360–Microsoft Game StudiosTHURSDAY, OCTOBER 28
Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition–PC–Focus Home InteractiveFRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
Chevrolet Camaro–WII–CokeM InteractiveRead and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Shippin’ Out Oct. 24-30: Fable III, Force Unleashed II, Rock Band 3” was posted by Eddie Makuch on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:17:25 -0700 -
Pokemon Black and White cling to top spot for fifth straight week, and Wii string-themed installment for Nintendo’s pink puffball mascot takes second as Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, Red Dead Redemption slip slightly.
Media Create’s Japanese sales charts showed that Nintendo mascot cuteness could not be overcome by Rockstar’s trademark tough and gritty open-world approach, as Pokemon Black and White retained the top spot on the charts despite a challenge from Red Dead Redemption. The week of October 11-17 showed that fighting Nintendo mascot cuteness with Nintendo mascot cuteness was no more effective, as Pokemon Black and White bested Kirby’s Epic Yarn to top the Media Create chart for the fifth consecutive week.
Black and White combined to sell 168,541 copies for the week, with Kirby’s Epic Yarn solidly claiming second place with 92,280 sold. Things got decidedly less cute on the charts after that, as Square Enix’s PSP fantasy action game Lord of Arcana managed to make third place with 69,932 sold in its debut week. Like Monster Hunter, God Eater, and other Japanese chart toppers, the multiplayer-focused online-compatible title sees gamers gather in groups of up to four to track down a variety of fearsome creatures.
The drop-off in sales was pretty steep after the top three titles, with Kingdom Hearts Re:coded taking fourth place with 31,247 sold, less than half what Lord of Arcana sold. Much like Re:coded, Red Dead Redemption slipped a single spot on the charts in its second week, rounding out the top five with 26,293 copies sold. The back half of the top 10 was populated exclusively with previously released games, notable Wii Party (sixth place with 23,304 sold), Yakuza for the PSP (eighth place with 11,263 sold), and Dead Rising 2 (10th place with 9,761 sold).
Judging from the hardware charts, the bump in DS sales experienced since the launch of Pokemon Black and White is wearing off. Sales of all DS platforms declined for the week, and the PS3 leapfrogged the DSi and the DSi XL for second place on the charts behind the PSP. The Xbox 360 was the only other platform to see week-over-week sales declines, with even the cellar-dwelling PSP Go improving on its October 4-10 performance, when it topped 1,000 units sold for the first time in months.
JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF OCTOBER 11-17, 2010
Software:
Rank / Title / Publisher / Platform / Unit sales
1. Pokemon Black and White / The Pokemon Company / DS / 168,541
2. Kirby’s Epic Yarn / Nintendo / Wii / 92,280
3. Lord of Arcana / Square Enix / PSP / 69,932
4. Kingdom Hearts Re:coded / Square Enix / DS / 31,247
5. Red Dead Redemption / Take-Two Interactive / PS3 / 26,293
6. Wii Party / Nintendo / Wii / 23,304
7. Gekijouban Macross F: Itsuwarino Utahime – Hybrid Pack / Namco / PS3 / 18,071
8. Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou / Sega / PSP / 11,263
9. Ken to Mahou to Gakuen Mono. 3 / Acquire / PSP / 9,848
10. Dead Rising 2 / Capcom / PS3 / 9,761Hardware:
PSP – 37,127
PS3 – 22,201
DSi LL – 21,084
DSi – 20,749
Wii – 12,810
DS Lite – 5,268
Xbox 360 – 2,342
PS2 – 1,715
PSP Go – 1,590Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Big in Japan Oct. 11-17: Kirby’s Epic Yarn” was posted by Brendan Sinclair on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:30:24 -0700 -
Game also features PVP arena battles.
Blizzard has announced the fifth and final class for Diablo III – the Demon Hunter – and PVP arena battles.
Following a lengthy build-up at the BlizzCon opening ceremony, senior vice president of creative development Chris Metzen introduced the Demon Hunter on video.
The trailer began with a shot of bodies scattered around arcane markings on the ground. An athletic-looking hooded and armour-clad woman, the Demon Hunter, pulled a tooth out of the flesh of one of them and then spotted a blood trail. “Someone survived.”
-
ECA vice president and general counsel Jennifer Mercurio explains how the California case of Schwarzenegger v. EMA will play out in the nation’s highest court.
November 2 will be an important day in game history. That’s when the
US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Schwarzenegger v. EMA, which contests the constitutionality of
a California law. That law would criminalize the sale to minors of video games that the state deemed violent and would require that such games sport a 2-inch square sticker on their covers bearing warnings about its adult content.The law, which was challenged in court almost immediately after it was signed in 2005, was ruled unconstitutional in 2007 and again in 2009 on appeal. Judges in both cases used “freedom of expression” grounds to strike down the law, which was
written by state Senator Leland Yee (D-California). It is being challenged by the Entertainment Merchants Association retailer organization and the Entertainment Software Association game publisher trade group.For a look at how the Supreme Court hearing will unfold, GameSpot spoke with Jennifer Mercurio, vice president and general counsel for the Entertainment Consumers Association. The ECA is an organization dedicated to preserving the rights of the consumer and is
holding a rally in front of the Supreme Court the morning of the hearings.A member of the Supreme Court Bar, Mercurio has observed the inner workings of the nation’s highest legal body–and has seen the effects of its rulings. She offered an outline of how the day will unfold and what might happen as a result of the justices’ decision.
GameSpot: How will the hearing proceed?
Jennifer Mercurio: At 10 a.m., the California Attorney General, Jerry Brown, will go before the justices and present California’s case for approximately 30 minutes. During that time, the justices will ask questions that he must answer. Next, EMA/ESA’s attorney, Paul Smith, will have 30 minutes, and the justices ask questions that he must answer. That’s it.
GS: How long will the proceedings last?
JM: The hearing will last no longer than one hour.
GS: Have any arguments already been made? Will the justices just come in with no knowledge of the case?
JM: Both sides have already submitted briefs in defense of their positions, and other groups,
such as ECA, have submitted amicus [friend of the court] briefs putting forth additional
information and points as well. [More than 182 media, entertainment, and professional organizations and experts filed amicus briefs siding against the law last month.]GS: How long after the end of the hearing until the justices make a decision?
JM: There is no time limit on when the justices hand down their ruling, although the vast majority of decisions come in the then-current term. In our case, that would mean that we’d get a ruling sometime before the end of June next year, when the court recesses for the summer. We will probably get a ruling sometime between March and June.
GS: If they declare the law constitutional, what does that mean? Does it set a
precedent for any state to make laws restricting game sales?JM: If they declare the law constitutional, then the law stands and is enforceable in the state of California. It would set a precedent for the other 49 states to create similar laws and could push all 50 states to pass even more restrictive laws regarding video games and other violent content. In fact, it could set a completely new and sweeping precedent in the regulation of speech that was once presumed protected under the First Amendment.
GS: Does the ECA have a contingency plan should the court side with the state of California?
JM: There are many possible avenues should the court side against consumers, which we will explore should the need arise. At this time, we are hopeful that the court will hold video games protected speech under the First Amendment.
GS: If they declare the law unconstitutional, what does that mean? Does it prohibit any state from making laws to restrict game sales?
JM: While we cannot know the exact implications before a decision is reached, one could suppose that in declaring the law unconstitutional they would be ruling that video games are protected speech under the First Amendment in the same way that other media like books, magazines, and movies are. This would be a huge victory for the entire games sector. Such a ruling would not prohibit states from passing other laws
attempting to restrict games sales, but it could render them unconstitutional and
unenforceable.GS: Will the ECA demonstration have any effect on the hearing?
JM: From a purely legal perspective, it shouldn’t have any effect on the case itself. But the reason to hold rallies at the Supreme Court is to unite people who feel strongly about a cause and send a message to the court and to the general public. Groups are looking to convey a message, highlight their perspective and represent their community. Rallies can also be very effective in garnering positive press attention for a cause, where otherwise the media attending may not cover it or the images or quotes used might be attributed to the opposition.
GS: How many people are expected at the ECA demonstration?
JM: There’s really no way of knowing, apart from those who RSVP and tell us they’re attending in advance. We’ve received a ton of positive responses to the news of our rally, and we’re hopeful that gamers will come out in droves to support the cause and
stand up for their rights.Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Q&A: Gaming hits the Supreme Court ” was posted by Tor Thorsen on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:21:02 -0700 -
ECA vice president and general counsel Jennifer Mercurio explains how the California case of Schwarzenegger v. EMA will play out in the nation’s highest court.
November 2 will be an important day in game history. That’s when the
US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Schwarzenegger v. EMA, which contests the constitutionality of
a California law. That law would criminalize the sale to minors of video games that the state deemed violent and would require that such games sport a 2-inch square sticker on their covers bearing warnings about its adult content.The law, which was challenged in court almost immediately after it was signed in 2005, was ruled unconstitutional in 2007 and again in 2009 on appeal. Judges in both cases used “freedom of expression” grounds to strike down the law, which was
written by state Senator Leland Yee (D-California). It is being challenged by the Entertainment Merchants Association retailer organization and the Entertainment Software Association game publisher trade group.For a look at how the Supreme Court hearing will unfold, GameSpot spoke with Jennifer Mercurio, vice president and general counsel for the Entertainment Consumers Association. The ECA is an organization dedicated to preserving the rights of the consumer and is
holding a rally in front of the Supreme Court the morning of the hearings.A member of the Supreme Court Bar, Mercurio has observed the inner workings of the nation’s highest legal body–and has seen the effects of its rulings. She offered an outline of how the day will unfold and what might happen as a result of the justices’ decision.
GameSpot: How will the hearing proceed?
Jennifer Mercurio: At 10 a.m., the California Attorney General, Jerry Brown, will go before the justices and present California’s case for approximately 30 minutes. During that time, the justices will ask questions that he must answer. Next, EMA/ESA’s attorney, Paul Smith, will have 30 minutes, and the justices ask questions that he must answer. That’s it.
GS: How long will the proceedings last?
JM: The hearing will last no longer than one hour.
GS: Have any arguments already been made? Will the justices just come in with no knowledge of the case?
JM: Both sides have already submitted briefs in defense of their positions, and other groups,
such as ECA, have submitted amicus [friend of the court] briefs putting forth additional
information and points as well. [More than 182 media, entertainment, and professional organizations and experts filed amicus briefs siding against the law last month.]GS: How long after the end of the hearing until the justices make a decision?
JM: There is no time limit on when the justices hand down their ruling, although the vast majority of decisions come in the then-current term. In our case, that would mean that we’d get a ruling sometime before the end of June next year, when the court recesses for the summer. We will probably get a ruling sometime between March and June.
GS: If they declare the law constitutional, what does that mean? Does it set a
precedent for any state to make laws restricting game sales?JM: If they declare the law constitutional, then the law stands and is enforceable in the state of California. It would set a precedent for the other 49 states to create similar laws and could push all 50 states to pass even more restrictive laws regarding video games and other violent content. In fact, it could set a completely new and sweeping precedent in the regulation of speech that was once presumed protected under the First Amendment.
GS: Does the ECA have a contingency plan should the court side with the state of California?
JM: There are many possible avenues should the court side against consumers, which we will explore should the need arise. At this time, we are hopeful that the court will hold video games protected speech under the First Amendment.
GS: If they declare the law unconstitutional, what does that mean? Does it prohibit any state from making laws to restrict game sales?
JM: While we cannot know the exact implications before a decision is reached, one could suppose that in declaring the law unconstitutional they would be ruling that video games are protected speech under the First Amendment in the same way that other media like books, magazines, and movies are. This would be a huge victory for the entire games sector. Such a ruling would not prohibit states from passing other laws
attempting to restrict games sales, but it could render them unconstitutional and
unenforceable.GS: Will the ECA demonstration have any effect on the hearing?
JM: From a purely legal perspective, it shouldn’t have any effect on the case itself. But the reason to hold rallies at the Supreme Court is to unite people who feel strongly about a cause and send a message to the court and to the general public. Groups are looking to convey a message, highlight their perspective and represent their community. Rallies can also be very effective in garnering positive press attention for a cause, where otherwise the media attending may not cover it or the images or quotes used might be attributed to the opposition.
GS: How many people are expected at the ECA demonstration?
JM: There’s really no way of knowing, apart from those who RSVP and tell us they’re attending in advance. We’ve received a ton of positive responses to the news of our rally, and we’re hopeful that gamers will come out in droves to support the cause and
stand up for their rights.Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
“Q&A: Gaming hits the Supreme Court ” was posted by Tor Thorsen on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 12:21:02 -0700
