Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comThe Behemoth says Castle Crashers is finally completehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-behemoth-says-castle-crashers-is-finally-complete/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-behemoth-says-castle-crashers-is-finally-complete/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-behemoth-says-castle-crashers-is-finally-complete/#commentsFiled under: ,


It seems like just yesterday that Alien Hominid creator The Behemoth first announced its upcoming XBLA release Castle Crashers. Well, that's an outright lie. It's been a near unbearable wait, but according to a post by artist extraordinaire Dan Paladin on the studio's blog that game is. finally. complete.

But don't take up your swords and shields just yet, as it appears that it could be a little while before the decidedly old school, not to mention stylish brawler is available for download. Writes Paladin, "It has to go through all the required hoops of certification/final testing & all that jazz before it will actually become available on the service." He adds that "it's a good feeling know that the crashers are working their way into the world," though with the company noting that it could be a "couple months" before we're finally able to play the game the only feeling we're left with is impatience.

[Thanks Obvious]
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]]>castle-crasherscastlecrashersthe-behemoththebehemothxbla2008-05-16T23:30:00+00:00Frank O'Connor leaves Bungie for Microsoft to work on Halo franchisehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/frank-oconnor-leaves-bungie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/frank-oconnor-leaves-bungie/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/frank-oconnor-leaves-bungie/#commentsFiled under:

The long-standing "voice" of Bungie, Content Manager Frank O'Connor, is leaving the Halo studio in order to "work more closely with Microsoft on the Halo franchise." In his final Weekly Update, O'Connor sends a heartwarming thanks to the community for a number of things, among them for "not following through on the death threats" (his emphasis, not ours).

The most interesting part of his goodbye later is the tease on the "coming years." Said O'Connor, "I was busy working on a story for one of our next games, an experience that is destined to surprise, amaze and entertain like nothing we've ever made before. That game has an amazing team invested in it, and one that will be tasked with building the Next Big Thing. You should see what they've already achieved, you truly should." We'll be watching with eager eyes. Take care, Frank, you'll be missed.

(Oh, and be sure to check out all the fun Frank O'Connor Photoshops.)
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]]>breakingnewsbungiebungie-studiosfrank-o-connorhalohalo-2halo-3microsoft2008-05-16T21:42:00+00:00Joystiq hands-on: Silent Hill: Homecominghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-silent-hill-homecoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-silent-hill-homecoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-silent-hill-homecoming/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click to enlarge scary-size
What's scarier: Silent Hill, or finding out that the latest game in the series isn't being developed by the folks who made the last five games? For many fans, it was the latter when, at E3 2007, Konami revealed that Western outfit The Collective (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Marc Ecko's Getting Up) - now Double Helix - would be crafting the creeps this time 'round.

Things, as they are wont to do, change ... but from our time with the latest playable version of Silent Hill: Homecoming, we were more scared by the game than we were about how it's going to turn out. The generally positive vibe was generated in large part by what lead designer Jason Allen told us is changing - but also what isn't. Full impressions after the break.
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Continue reading Joystiq hands-on: Silent Hill: Homecoming

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]]>double-helixhandsonhorrorkonamikonami-gamers-night-2008mysterysilent-hill-5silent-hill-homecomingsurvival-horror2008-05-16T20:30:00+00:00Joystiq hands-on: Rock Revolutionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-rock-revolution/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click to enlarge biggie-size
In the latest round of the great "our drum kit is better - or at least bigger - than your drum kit" conflict of ought eight, Konami definitely comes out the clear winner with Rock Revolution. However, we don't necessarily know if that's a good thing, based on our experience playing the title at its formal unveiling.

Despite the fact that it will offer support for lead and bass guitars, Rock Revolution is very much a drum-centric game. The behemoth of a drum controller has six pads and a pedal, looking like something Darth Vader would have lying around in his hyperbaric chamber.
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]]>handsonkonamikonami-gamers-night-2008music-gamesrock-revolutionzoe-mode2008-05-16T19:30:00+00:00Rumorong: Rock Band tracks not on South Park: Season 11 DVDshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rumorong-rock-band-tracks-with-south-park-season-11-dvds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rumorong-rock-band-tracks-with-south-park-season-11-dvds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rumorong-rock-band-tracks-with-south-park-season-11-dvds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The website which reported that three Rock Band tracks would be packaged with the South Park: Season 11 DVDs has now taken that bit of info back. TVShowsonDVD.com says that a Paramount representative informed them the information was incorrect, but that there will be other bonus materials in the release. South Park's eleventh season had the infamous "Guitar Queer-o" episode.

Considering South Park had an entire episode about Guitar Hero, it would have been a little weird if the DVDs came with Rock Band downloads. However things got mixed up, it's a little sad to see the info turn out false -- unless the "bonus materials" end up being Guitar Hero III tracks.

[Via X3F]
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]]>guitar-heroguitar-hero-3guitar-hero-iiiguitar-queerorock-bandrumorongsouth-park2008-05-16T17:30:00+00:00Wii could surpass US Xbox 360 install base this monthhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wii-could-surpass-us-xbox-360-install-base-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wii-could-surpass-us-xbox-360-install-base-this-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/wii-could-surpass-us-xbox-360-install-base-this-month/#commentsFiled under: ,


It's a good thing that Microsoft got its gloating in about selling 10 million units in the US, because the Wii will not only hit that number, but probably surpass it this month. Deutsche Bank analyst Jeetil Patel did the math and found that the Wii currently sits at about 9.5 million units in the US. If Nintendo's console sells another 700k units (like it has been) this month and the Xbox 360 sticks to its 200k level, the Wii will blow right past its competition's US install base.

It'll also be interesting to see the impact Wii Fit has on the numbers when it launches next week. Microsoft can take solace in knowing that it can always fall back on saying the Xbox 360 still has the "largest global install base of any current gen, high definition gaming console" ... right?
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]]>deutche-bankinstall-basenintendonpdpatelsalesuswiixbox-3602008-05-16T16:00:00+00:00Rock Band Weekly: European release trackshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hopefully, people have been brushing up on their non-English. This week's Rock Band Weekly brings us the songs packaged with the European release of Rock Band. We've known for a while these tracks were coming as DLC, and Harmonix has seen fit to do it the week of Rock Band's European release. Also, all DLC available in North America should be available in Europe beginning May 20.

Individual songs
  • "Beetlebum" - Blur (Cover, 160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Hier Kommt Alex" - Die Toten Hosen (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Countdown to Insanity" - H-BlockX (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Perfekte Welle" - Juli (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Manu Chao" - Les Wampas (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Hysteria" - Muse (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Rock N Roll Star" - Oasis (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "New Wave" - Pleymo (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Monsoon" - Tokio Hotel (160 MS Points / $2)

Le sigh, videos for all of next week's tracks can be found after the break. The DLC will be available next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3 respectively.

Continue reading Rock Band Weekly: European release tracks

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]]>europerock-bandrock-band-weeklyrockband2008-05-16T15:30:00+00:00Golden Axe: Beast Rider impressionshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/golden-axe-beast-rider-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/golden-axe-beast-rider-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/golden-axe-beast-rider-impressions/#commentsFiled under: ,


Bad news, kids: Golden Axe: Beast Rider won't have any co-op play. Nigel Cook, Senior Producer at Secret Level, Sega's Bay Area studio creating the arcade "reimagining", said it was a "difficult decision" to remove the original's group gameplay and "focus on one player for the first game in the franchise." So, there are going to be more titles, and "the second game in the franchise is going to have all the characters in co-op," but for the first installment it's all about perfecting the combat. Now that you've had a moment to digest the very concept of a Golden Axe without cooperative play, let's discuss that combat system.

Beast combat is what makes the game special, Cook tells us, but it's not the only combat offered. He compared the game's melee system to action paragon Devil May Cry, and the arcade's magic system is back as well. First, the beasts: There are five offered in the game including a giant gorilla, a cheetah-like cat thing that can become invisible, and the "raptor," an enormous T-Rex-esque reptile with a scorpion tail. As you can see, historical accuracy is very important in Beast Rider.
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]]>Golden-Axe-Beast-RiderSecret-LevelSega2008-05-16T14:40:00+00:00Sonic Unleashed impressions: all Sonic, no Unleashedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sonic-unleashed-impressions-all-sonic-no-unleashed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sonic-unleashed-impressions-all-sonic-no-unleashed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sonic-unleashed-impressions-all-sonic-no-unleashed/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you were hoping that Sega was going to use its recent Gamers Day event to show off the "unleashed" half of Sonic Unleashed, you'll be disappointed to learn that the speedy blue hedgehog is still very much "leashed" ... even after breaking out of his cage some months back. Despite being unwilling to sway from its rigid marketing schedule and share what we're assuming is going to be the game's key selling point - the nighttime (and "unleashed" werewolf Sonic we presume) half - Sega does want us to reconsider a traditional Sonic game working in 3D. That would be the daytime half.

The presentation began with an explanation that, although the game is being developed by Sonic Team - the very same development team that delivered the universally panned next-gen Sonic the Hedgehog in 2006 - it is in fact a different team that "didn't work on the last one." Apparently the game's lead designer, Yoshihisa Hashimoto, "understands well where the failings were there." If you find it comforting that Sega's owning up for the previous title's shortcomings, you're not alone but we're a long way from being sold on the latest outing.
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Continue reading Sonic Unleashed impressions: all Sonic, no Unleashed

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]]>SegaSonic-TeamSonic-Unleashed2008-05-16T13:12:00+00:00Konami's Rock Revolution drums revealedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/konamis-rock-revolution-drums-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/konamis-rock-revolution-drums-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/konamis-rock-revolution-drums-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Harmonix must be beside itself with this last week finding not one but two companies hopping on the developer's coat tails and revealing a pair of drum kits that bear more than a passing resemblance to those used in Rock Band. However, while Guitar Hero IV's kit still carries some basis in reality, the kit revealed by Konami for the company's newly announced Rock Revolution looks to be designed for players with extra appendages or other rhythm enthusiasts who are not quite human.

With six face pads of three different sizes, as well as a kick pedal, Konami's kit is certainly the most complex of the three. However, according to MTV Multiplayer blogger Patrick Klepek, the drums carry what sounds like a much more forgiving difficulty curve than those in Rock Band, which while great are almost unapproachable by rhythm game newcomers even on the easiest setting. By contrast, and according to his admittedly brief time with Konami's offering, the game doesn't penalize players for improvising during a song, and also features five difficulty settings with the lower two removing the foot pedal entirely. Still, the question remains as to if there is room enough for another peripheral-heavy rhythm game, not so much in the genre but in our own living rooms.
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]]>drumsguitar-hero-ivguitarfreakskonamirhythmrock-bandrock-revolutionzoe-mode2008-05-16T08:40:00+00:00Blue Jackets' Nash to front NHL 2K9http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/blue-jackets-nash-to-front-nhl-2k9/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/blue-jackets-nash-to-front-nhl-2k9/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/blue-jackets-nash-to-front-nhl-2k9/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sure he and his team may have missed the playoffs yet again and are likely fantasizing about what might have been while swinging at balls from the back nine, but that hasn't stopped Columbus Blue Jackets' young-yet-impressive captain Rick Nash from scoring cover duty on Take Two's fall release of NHL 2K9. Also worthy of note from 2K is that developer Visual Concepts has "taken over" development duties for this latest game in the franchise -- as opposed we assume to working in tandem with fellow studio Kush Games -- and that the devs are rebuilding the title "from the ground up."

Not to take anything away from three-time All Star Nash, but it's still an odd choice, at least by team standings, given the Blue Jackets' once again abysmal campaign during the 2007-08 regular season that saw the fledgling team rank near the bottom of both the Western Conference and overall league in points. However, perhaps those who make these kinds of decisions are hoping this is the sort of voodoo that will turn Ohio's NHL franchise around -- sort of like a reverse Madden curse.
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]]>2k-games2k-sports2kgames2ksportshockeykush-gameskushgamesnhlnhl-2k9nhl2k9visual-conceptsvisualconcepts2008-05-16T02:00:00+00:00X3F Week in Review: May 9, 2008 - May 15, 2008http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/x3f-week-in-review-may-9-2008-may-15-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/x3f-week-in-review-may-9-2008-may-15-2008/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/x3f-week-in-review-may-9-2008-may-15-2008/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's not every day that the ninja from the Ask a Ninja podcast shows up on your Xbox 360. Imagine our very pleasant surprise then, when he popped up on Xbox Live Marketplace a few days ago promoting Ninja Gaiden II (which he calls a "flippin' awesome game"). Find the second XBLM exclusive episode in the links below along with a truckload of Microsoft Spring Showcase coverage.

Community Stuff:
Spring Showcase 08 (and Ask a Ninja):
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]]>week-in-reviewweekly-recap2008-05-15T23:30:00+00:00Shane Kim on Marvel Universe Online MMO cancellationhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/shane-kim-on-marvel-universe-online-mmo-cancellation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/shane-kim-on-marvel-universe-online-mmo-cancellation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/shane-kim-on-marvel-universe-online-mmo-cancellation/#commentsFiled under: ,


During a dinner on Monday night with Microsoft's Shane Kim and Kudo Tsunoda, we got the chance to quiz the former about Microsoft Game Studios' rationale for abandoning Marvel Universe Online MMO. After years in development, the console-bound MMO died a slow and painful (-ly vague) death. The culprit: Kim tells us, "We don't have a heritage in MMOs."

Of course, previous experience isn't a necessary ingredient in success (fun fact: World of Warcraft is Blizzard's first MMO!) and after rattling off the forces Microsoft could marshal in its pursuit of bringing an MMO to the Xbox - financial resources, first-party console support, a robust online component, a proven developer, a stellar license - Kim agreed. "All those reasons are why we started the project." But MUO still failed to make it to market, recalling Microsoft's many previous attempts to successfully deliver and sustain an MMO: Asheron's Call 2, Mythica, the console-targeted True Fantasy Online, and Vanguard (read more here). At what point will the company give up, consider its lesson learned? "I would never say we're done," Kim said confidently.

So why does Kim think a company with Microsoft's significant resources continues to fail to bring an MMO to market? "It's a hits-driven business ... it's all about quality, all about hits." But he's not ready to give up yet. He says Microsoft has "learned the lesson" that it takes a lot of people to create and serve an MMO (good lesson!) and that he's reminded of how little success its had in the MMO space. In other words: MMO-icrosoft hopefuls shouldn't fret. The corporate behemoth will undoubtedly try again. How many lessons could there possible be left to learn?
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]]>Marvel-Ultimate-OnlineMGSMicrosoft-Games-StudiosShane-Kim2008-05-15T21:15:00+00:00Microsoft's Shane Kim fine with no Xboyhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/microsofts-shane-kim-fine-with-no-xboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/microsofts-shane-kim-fine-with-no-xboy/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/microsofts-shane-kim-fine-with-no-xboy/#commentsFiled under:


In an interview with Eurogamer, Microsoft Game Studios VP Shane Kim says he's "happy" the company never got into the handheld market, explaining the division has plenty on its plate with the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. He goes pretty deep into the issue, almost shutting down the idea of the Xboy entirely by expressing Microsoft is happy to let Sony and Nintendo fight it out.

Kim believes mobile is more important for MS and Windows Mobile is a really "compelling opportunity" for the company. He explains that it's a way for the company to get into the arena without having to worry about creating more hardware. Microsoft has certainly learned that making good hardware isn't easy and can be hazardous.
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]]>kimshane-kimxboy2008-05-15T20:15:00+00:00April NPD: GTA IV, Mario Kart Wii race to the tophttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Things that won't surprise you

April proved to be yet another lucrative month for the ol' gaming biz, with total industry sales reaching $1.23 billion, reports GameDaily. Software sales in particular grew to $654.7 million, an increase of 68% carried on the fine leather seats of Grand Theft Auto IV's recently stolen convertible. Rockstar's urban riffraff romp sold 2.85 million copies -- that's 1.85 million on Xbox 360 and 1 million on PS3 -- while Nintendo's Wii took the top spot in hardware sales. Mario Kart Wii, however, had to settle for second place.

Things that will surprise you

It was a photo finish for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but the photographers had likely packed up and left for the day by the time the steeds reached the finish line. Selling 188K and 187.1K units respectively, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were thoroughly bested by the systems that didn't have GTA IV. We'd feel a bit silly if we were them.

- Wii: 714.2K 6.8K (0.94%)
- DS: 414.8K 283.2K (40.6%)
- PSP: 192.7K 104.3K (35.1%)
- Xbox 360: 188K 74K (28.2%)
- PS3: 187.1K 69.9K (27.2%)
- PS2: 124.4K 91.6K (42.4%)

You'll find the top ten in software sales after the break.

Continue reading April NPD: GTA IV, Mario Kart Wii race to the top

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]]>BreakingNewsGTAIVMario-Kart-WiiMicrosoftNintendoNPDRockstarSony2008-05-15T19:45:00+00:00No show: Halo Wars and Alan Wake miss Microsoft's eventhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/no-show-halo-wars-and-alan-wake-miss-microsofts-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/no-show-halo-wars-and-alan-wake-miss-microsofts-show/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/no-show-halo-wars-and-alan-wake-miss-microsofts-show/#commentsFiled under: ,


When asked why neither Halo Wars nor Alan Wake were at the Xbox Spring Showcase, Microsoft Game Studios general manager, Shane Kim, told us the games weren't suited for the event (he wasn't offering specifics). When pressed to confirm if either would make a 2008 release (like every other game on display at the event), Kim insisted that neither have had release dates announced.

Oh? Don Mattrick - Senior Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business, Entertainment and Devices Division (ie: the big boss) - sent out an internal memo back in January that seemed to indicate both titles would find loving homes in 2008. We're going to take it as a sign that the company simply wanted to focus attention on Rare's two new titles as opposed to discussing any potential delays to other would-be 2008 releases. We hope ...
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]]>Alan-WakeHalo-Wars2008-05-15T17:30:00+00:00New monster-fied screens, videos from Hellboy: Science of Evilhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/new-monster-fied-screens-from-hellboy-science-of-evil/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/new-monster-fied-screens-from-hellboy-science-of-evil/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/new-monster-fied-screens-from-hellboy-science-of-evil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to embiggen

Second only to falling on his rear in front of colossal beasts, Hellboy is best when he's digging his demonic fist into smaller creatures. Check out these new Hellboy: Science of Evil screens for more punching goodness. Hellboy is coming June 24 on PlayStation 3, PSP and Xbox 360.
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]]>hellboyhellboy-science-of-evilkonamikonami-gamers-night-20082008-05-15T17:15:00+00:00First screens: Soul Calibur for XBLA looking sharphttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/first-screens-soul-calibur-for-xbla-looking-sharp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/first-screens-soul-calibur-for-xbla-looking-sharp/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/first-screens-soul-calibur-for-xbla-looking-sharp/#commentsFiled under: ,


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Been wondering what Namco's classic Sega Dreamcast fighter (and, as many would say, system seller) is going to look like when it hits Xbox Live Arcade this summer? So have we! Fortunately, before we had to storm down to Namco Bandai HQ, faux plastic swords in hand, they hit us up with these shiny first screens highlighting what to expect. We've laid down our arms, but our anticipation level has certainly picked up.

The screens show a port that looks decidedly crisper than the original, although featuring the same poly-count for the models and backgrounds. And what's with that "Insert Coin" stuff? Shouldn't it be "Insert Microsoft Points?" More on this odds-on, must-download (sure to take up a good chunk of your HDD or memory unit) as it breaks.
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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>breakingnewsnamco-bandaisoul-caliburxblaxbox-live2008-05-15T17:00:00+00:00Silent Hill: Homecoming creeps out of hidinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/silent-hill-homecoming-creeps-out-of-hiding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/silent-hill-homecoming-creeps-out-of-hiding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/silent-hill-homecoming-creeps-out-of-hiding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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Wait ... where are the floats, the cheerleaders, the awkward slow-dancing? Oh, its not that kind of homecoming. No, it's a Silent Hill homecoming, which means it's really foggy, those "cheerleaders" are grotesque creatures, and the dance move of choice is called "running for your life."

Konami finally rolled out a playable build of the series' fifth installment at its press event last night, and we were on hand to, well ... get our hands on it. We're writing up our impressions, along with Double Helix design lead Jason Allen's musings on bringing the series to a new generation. For now, get tickled by the first screens (on your console of choice) -- and several new videos embedded after the break!
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Continue reading Silent Hill: Homecoming creeps out of hiding

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>breakingnewsdouble-helixkonamikonami-gamers-night-2008silent-hill-5silent-hill-homecoming2008-05-15T16:30:00+00:00Konami jumps on the 'band' wagon with Rock Revolutionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/konami-jumps-on-the-band-wagon-with-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/konami-jumps-on-the-band-wagon-with-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/konami-jumps-on-the-band-wagon-with-rock-revolution/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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When Guitar Hero first hit PS2, we thought: "Wow, this is like Konami's GuitarFreaks ... and that's been around since the original PlayStation. Why don't they release it here?" Well, our question was answered at yesterday's Konami Gamer's Night 2008 with the unveiling of Rock Revolution. Taking the "Revolution" suffix naming scheme of its other music genre (bemani) cousins, the game, from SingStar developer Zoë Mode, is set for a fall release on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS. We have the first screens of the HD offerings, along with some salient details:

The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will feature:
  • 40 songs on the disc, with DLC tracks planned
  • Record your own songs in a "Jam Session" (8 separate tracks)
  • Online co-op, versus, and battle of the bands modes
  • Crazy big drum set with six pads, plus pedal
The Wii version adds the ability to play "air guitar" using the Wiimote and nunchuck; and the DS version includes a "Vocalist" mode using the built-in microphone. Check back for our hands-on impressions of Rock Revolution for Xbox 360 -- and be sure to peep the debut trailer after the break!
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Continue reading Konami jumps on the 'band' wagon with Rock Revolution

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

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