Jem Alexander
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LittleBigPlanet PSP 'purchased levels' section spotted
by Jem Alexander 
{ 4 months ago } 
When was the last time you paid for new levels in LittleBigPlanet? There are only three answers to that question -- "never," "when I originally bought the game" or "when I bought the Metal Gear Solid pack." Despite almost weekly DLC packs since LittleBigPlanet's October release, players continue to clamor for more levels.
With only one level pack having been released, it's an understandable request -- after all, in the same timeframe players have amassed over one million levels themselves. If a "purchased levels" section of the PSP version -- discovered at a recent Sony event by Siliconera -- is to be believed, we could be seeing plenty more level packs coming in the future. To the PSP version, at least. You wouldn't have a dedicated section built in without some content to fill it with, right?
With only one level pack having been released, it's an understandable request -- after all, in the same timeframe players have amassed over one million levels themselves. If a "purchased levels" section of the PSP version -- discovered at a recent Sony event by Siliconera -- is to be believed, we could be seeing plenty more level packs coming in the future. To the PSP version, at least. You wouldn't have a dedicated section built in without some content to fill it with, right?
Rumor: PS3 now 70 percent cheaper to manufacture
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
The upshot of all this is that at the current price Sony is guaranteed to be profiting from each machine sold -- and about time too! -- but there's also enough leeway for the company to announce that much-requested $100 price cut and still be profitable. Whether this will happen or not depends on how much Sony values consumer satisfaction and increased userbase over recouping some of those hefty losses the PS3 suffered in the early years.
[Via Edge-Online]
PSN Thursday: Fat Princess gains weight, Joystiq loses writer
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
Just another American PSN update today. A little better than normal updates perhaps, thanks to the inclusion of Fat Princess, but it's also a red letter day. As I'll be moving on next week, it's the last time this blogger will be handling the weekly PSN updates -- both American and European -- after over two years. Wow, updates were different back then.
Don't worry, though, you'll be in the safe hands of Alexander Sliwinski, who I took over this very post from back when Joystiq underwent restructuring in January. Anyway, what are you still doing here? You've got weighty princesses to rescue!
Don't worry, though, you'll be in the safe hands of Alexander Sliwinski, who I took over this very post from back when Joystiq underwent restructuring in January. Anyway, what are you still doing here? You've got weighty princesses to rescue!
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
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(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Fat Princess Home space arrives tomorrow, Trophy list arrives now
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
Tomorrow, Fat Princess begins its invading spree. First it'll invade the PlayStation Store, then it'll invade PlayStation Home and then, finally, the game will invade our hearts. The European Home Events space will be decked out with Fat Princess characters and you will be tasked with answering eight questions about the game in order to win slices of cake. Obtaining all eight slices will net you a Princess Throne for your Home apartment.
We're not sure whether this space will be available in the US version of Home too, but don't worry Americans, we've got something for you here, too. The Trophy list for Fat Princess has been handed to us on a crumb-littered silver platter, and you can check out some of the hilarious names the devs have dreamt up right now. Our favorite? "The Cake Is Not A Lie," obviously!
We're not sure whether this space will be available in the US version of Home too, but don't worry Americans, we've got something for you here, too. The Trophy list for Fat Princess has been handed to us on a crumb-littered silver platter, and you can check out some of the hilarious names the devs have dreamt up right now. Our favorite? "The Cake Is Not A Lie," obviously!
Sony confirms EyePet US release this holiday
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago } 
Previously, the game was only announced for a European release after it was first revealed at Leipzig GC last year. We're happy to see the adorable simian-dog-thing will be making the jump across the Atlantic and won't be suffering from the chronic case of Q1-2010 flu that's making the rounds.
If you're hungry for more, check out Engadget's video from today's event, or our impressions from E3.
Interview: Rhianna Pratchett
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago } 
With Rhianna Pratchett's most recent projects -- a trio of Overlord titles -- complete, the game scribe took some time out to discuss what it was like to write for three games at once, what she's looking forward to in the future, and why Faith in Mirror's Edge wasn't quite as talkative as originally planned:Did you have any difficulties writing for three different platforms? What are the differences and limitations of writing for one platform over another?
It was mainly a question of age ratings. I'm sorry it's not more of an exciting answer. The Wii and DS, Dark Legend and Minions, were aiming for a lower rating than Overlord II, so there were certain things that I couldn't talk about in the scripts -- mainly to do with excessive violence and debauchery. You know, all the really fun stuff.
You can certainly get away with more by taking a comedic angle, but games ratings are actually pretty stringent. I don't think it impacted too much on the Overlord feel, although it was a shame to lose things like drunken minions and mistresses. Okay, in Dark Legend the lead character is only 16, so a harem might have been rather wishful thinking.
There was a definite need for economy of language when it came to the DS, which was a little more restrictive. Condensing a loquacious character like Gnarl was quite a challenge. Other than that it was really just trying to capture the right Overlord tone.
Fat Princess waddling onto PSN worldwide this week
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
The release date for Fat Princess -- which has been nebulous for a while now -- has finally been nailed down. You'll be playing some class-based cartoony multiplayer (with a dash of bloody ultraviolence) this Thursday, July 30. This is a simultaneous release for American, European and Asian regions -- though a Japanese release date has yet to be confirmed.
While the adorable cartoon protagonists will be losing arms and legs liberally, you'll be able to keep yours firmly attached thanks to a reasonable asking price of $15. No doubt European and Asian prices will be announced soon. Make sure you check out the PlayStation Blog for a PlayStation Eye interview with the developers from Titan Studios.
While the adorable cartoon protagonists will be losing arms and legs liberally, you'll be able to keep yours firmly attached thanks to a reasonable asking price of $15. No doubt European and Asian prices will be announced soon. Make sure you check out the PlayStation Blog for a PlayStation Eye interview with the developers from Titan Studios.
PSN Thursday: Comic-Con Edition
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
Yeah, the PSN update's a little late today. You can blame Comic-Con Craziness for that, but the sheer amount of content should be enough to calm you down, now that it's out. As if Killzone 2 and WipEout HD DLC wasn't enough, Shatter sees a release today, alongside some PS1 games. As for PSP owners, you've got two Tomb Raider games to grab. Not to mention that Dissidia demo and some more Rock Band Unplugged DLC.
Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
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(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Borderlands release date set for October 20
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago } 
That's the American date, anyway. Europeans can expect to wait three days more to get their hands on Gearbox's RPG shooter with a much improved art style, on October 23.
[Via Big Download]
God of War III playable at Comic-Con, replica Blades of Chaos available to pre-order
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
Kratos will be out in full force at Comic-Con this week. Not only will attendees be able to get hands on with God of War III, but they'll also be able to grab a signed poster featuring artwork from the upcoming God of War III comic book series. Check out the PlayStation Blog to find out when and where the signings will be taking place.
In other non-Comic-Con-but-still-God-Of-War news, that blade you see above is a real piece of merchandising. It's a replica Blade of Chaos -- as if you didn't already know -- and it's being manufactured by United Cutlery. The blade section alone is longer than a 30cm ruler and you can pre-order one at BUDK. It's pretty reasonably priced (you know, for a sword) at $124, and it even comes with the snazzy display stand. Only problem is it's pretty useless without a second Blade of Chaos to make a pair. That's how they getcha.
In other non-Comic-Con-but-still-God-Of-War news, that blade you see above is a real piece of merchandising. It's a replica Blade of Chaos -- as if you didn't already know -- and it's being manufactured by United Cutlery. The blade section alone is longer than a 30cm ruler and you can pre-order one at BUDK. It's pretty reasonably priced (you know, for a sword) at $124, and it even comes with the snazzy display stand. Only problem is it's pretty useless without a second Blade of Chaos to make a pair. That's how they getcha.
Pac-Man: Remix coming to iPhone soon
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago } 
Namco has announced that a new version of Pac-Man, titled Pac-Man: Remix, will be coming to iPhone. Due to Apple's silly non-disclosure policies, the fact that we know the game is coming means that it's coming soon. Basically, it's Pac-Man, but this time there's a little more to it (though, little you haven't seen before). The eponymous yellow sphere can jump over ghosts and walls and there will be boss battles and power-ups, too.
Pac-Man: Remix will set you back $5.99 which, if you ask us, is a little steep for another Pac-Man title. There are plenty other, cheaper, iPhone games to spend that money on. Still, we thought you'd want to know that it's coming, just in case there are any die hard Pac-Man fans in the Joystiq audience.
Pac-Man: Remix will set you back $5.99 which, if you ask us, is a little steep for another Pac-Man title. There are plenty other, cheaper, iPhone games to spend that money on. Still, we thought you'd want to know that it's coming, just in case there are any die hard Pac-Man fans in the Joystiq audience.
Wait, what? Watchmen game-plus-movie hybrid Blu-ray comes on two discs
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
In February it was revealed that Sony was working on making game-plus-movie hybrid Blu-ray discs. A great idea that appeals to something movie-goers and gamers share -- an inherent laziness. The first game to feature this was to be Warner Bros' comic book masterpiece, Watchmen, which includes the downloadable game Watchmen: The End Is Nigh on the disc.
Well, on a disc, at least. The game and the movie are on separate discs which sort of renders the entire process pointless. Whoops! Still, at least you get the game and the director's cut for for $50. Plus, now you can throw away your copy of The End Is Nigh once you realize how bad it is, without parting with your copy of the movie. Still, bit of an epic fail all around, really.
Well, on a disc, at least. The game and the movie are on separate discs which sort of renders the entire process pointless. Whoops! Still, at least you get the game and the director's cut for for $50. Plus, now you can throw away your copy of The End Is Nigh once you realize how bad it is, without parting with your copy of the movie. Still, bit of an epic fail all around, really.
E3 Natal demos created with Unreal Engine 3
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
Microsoft's E3 demo for Project Natal include two game demos -- Paint Party and Ricochet. We assumed that these minigames were developed from scratch, specially for the E3 demonstration, but Epic's Mark Rein has stated in an interview with OXM that they were made using the Unreal Engine 3.
That makes UE3 the first middleware to support the new motion control system, meaning developers who utilize it shouldn't have much difficulty adding Natal functionality to their titles. UE3 isn't quite as commonly used as it was in 2007, but this does mean there's no excuse for Gears of War 3 not to support Natal. We suspect a great many of you would enjoy a bit of motion-controlled chainsawdomizing.
That makes UE3 the first middleware to support the new motion control system, meaning developers who utilize it shouldn't have much difficulty adding Natal functionality to their titles. UE3 isn't quite as commonly used as it was in 2007, but this does mean there's no excuse for Gears of War 3 not to support Natal. We suspect a great many of you would enjoy a bit of motion-controlled chainsawdomizing.
Prince of Persia movie getting the graphic novel treatment
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
There's every chance that the Prince of Persia movie, like so many game-to-movie adaptations before it, will be tripe. Having said that, the recent poster reveals – coupled with the news today that a graphic novel will be released soon after the movie – may be improving our expectations.
The book will be written by the creator of the Prince of Persia series, Jordan Mechner, and will feature cover art by comic book legend Todd McFarlane. Inside, the artwork will be completed by "some of the most talented names in comics," and will feature six self-contained prequel stories. So even if the movie does suck, at least this graphic novel should be worth picking up.
The graphic novel will be discussed during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, hosted by Mechner, McFarlane, Bernard Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards and Cameron Stewart, so expect to hear more information out of that.
The book will be written by the creator of the Prince of Persia series, Jordan Mechner, and will feature cover art by comic book legend Todd McFarlane. Inside, the artwork will be completed by "some of the most talented names in comics," and will feature six self-contained prequel stories. So even if the movie does suck, at least this graphic novel should be worth picking up.
The graphic novel will be discussed during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, hosted by Mechner, McFarlane, Bernard Chang, Tommy Lee Edwards and Cameron Stewart, so expect to hear more information out of that.
We really want this Brutal Legend statue, and so will you
by Jem Alexander { 4 months ago }
We already know you want this 1,000-of-a-kind Brütal Legend statue, even though you haven't yet perused the gallery of images found below, so we'll cut to the chase. These are going to be pretty hard to come by. All we know right now is that you'll find more information on how to get your hands on one of these hyper-detailed, 17-inch beauties -- depicting protagonist Eddie Riggs in mid-dismemberment -- on the official Brütal Legend website and Twitter feed.
With 1,000 available, we have a suspicion some may eventually be available to buy, rather than win, but if that happens don't expect them to be cheap. And good luck winning one -- you've got us to compete with.
With 1,000 available, we have a suspicion some may eventually be available to buy, rather than win, but if that happens don't expect them to be cheap. And good luck winning one -- you've got us to compete with.
