Joystiq

Rumor: Skate 3 in the works

by David Hinkle { 2 days ago }

Apparently EA is working on a sequel to Skate 2, if the Epicly Trife twitter is to be believed. Epicly Trife (NSFW) is a site dedicated to skating, and its twitter account said the following: "I just got told 'tonight we gotta celebrate,' one of the bro's got offered to be in SKATE 3." By no means a confirmation, we're still excited, as Skate 2 was not only a great sequel, but pretty much the best skating sim around. Plus, it's much easier to get up after falling down four flights of stairs in a video game, as gravity is a much more harsh mistress in real life.

We've put in word to EA for comment, but with almost everyone taking the day off today, don't hold your breath for a response. We sure aren't.

[Via Kotaku]

Advocacy FAIL: L4D2 pre-order sales double of original, says Valve

by Alexander Sliwinski { 2 days ago }

For all the talk of petitions and boycotts over Left 4 Dead 2's sooner-than-expected release, the game doesn't seem to be suffering much. A Valve representative tells Eurogamer that pre-orders for the sequel are currently double that of the original's pre-order figures from the same time last year . Although that sounds impressive, it's possible to see some spin in there -- Left 4 Dead didn't really have its big coming-out party until E3 2008, which technically wouldn't occur for another two weeks from now. Couple that with general sequel buzz and you might have your inflated pre-order figure.

Nitpicks aside, Valve has already stated that it plans to continue supporting Left 4 Dead with more content. The company expects to announce more DLC near the end of summer and has expressed that people will understand the big L4D picture within a year. Assuming it hasn't announced Left 4 Dead 3 by then, of course.

Analyst: 2 more GTA IV episodes on the way, GTA V by fiscal 2011

by Andrew Yoon { 2 days ago }

Do you want more Grand Theft Auto? Well, that's what Todd Mitchell, analyst for Kaufman Bros. Equity Research wants. Nay, expects! Speaking to GI.biz, Mitchell stated that he's anticipating two more downloadable GTA IV episodes to launch after The Ballad of Gay Tony. "It's been indicated to me that would be the case," he said. Additionally, with Microsoft's exclusivity deal covering only two episodes, these DLC add-ons may also appear on PS3.

In addition to new GTA IV episodes, the analyst believes GTA V will debut some time in the 2011 fiscal year. The only reason it wasn't announced or teased in any way during E3, he believes, is "Rockstar's track record with delivering on time."

The most curious of statements Mitchell made was regarding the possibility of a new Grand Theft Auto hitting the PlayStation 2 system. No, you read that right. He believes a PS2 port of the PSP port of the formerly DS-exclusive Chinatown Wars may hit the aging Sony system, although he admits he's not too "confident" about that prediction. Pachter, eat your heart out.

Activision explains DJ Hero pricing, says game offers 'tremendous value'

by Ben Gilbert { 2 days ago }

(click to Afrika Bambaataa-size)

The retailer pricing of DJ Hero found recently -- $120 bucks! -- has some folks wondering why Activision may have upped the price for its usual game-plus-peripheral combo. The company has offered an ~~explanation~~ answer to Eurogamer, saying, "We believe that DJ Hero will provide tremendous value for our consumers by delivering an all-new interactive music experience with over 100 individual songs that are highlighted in over 80 unique mixes, a wide variety of ..."

...

Sorry, we nodded off there for a minute. Between the $250 for The Beatles: Rock Band and another $120 for Tony Hawk: Ride, we're up late a lot, worrying about affording all these plastic game controllers -- and a bigger house to put them all in.

Gallery: DJ Hero

Trine dev: Project is 'a big mess'

by Justin McElroy { 2 days ago }

To be clear, Frozenbyte spokesman Joel Kinnunen wasn't saying that the company's fantasy action platformer itself is a mess, but everything surrounding it -- like price point disparity between regions and territories -- has become quite the kerfuffle.

The problem, apparently, is that Trine started life as PC game before migrating to PSN and (maybe) XBLA. While that may be good for getting the game to as many people as possible, it's not ideal for a game launch.

"Trine as a project is a big mess," Kinnunen said, "as opposed to Trine as a game, which is pretty sweet. Ultimately it's the game part that really matters and helps us sleep at night, though."

Military gets its own gaming network, the MOG

by Justin McElroy { 2 days ago }

Though you might think they'd welcome a break from shoot-'em-ups, members of the military are known to be a rich breeding ground for hardcore gamers. Now, just in time for Independence Day, they have their very own space in which to catch each other in the friendliest of fire: The Military Online Gaming program, a Global Gaming League-powered service that kicks off on the 4th with a Call of Duty: World at War tournament.

Though support will start with the 360, a rep from the group responsible, Pro vs. GI Joe, told Shacknews that our fighting men and women will soon be able to blast one another on PC and PS3 too.

Alpha Protocol: The Espionage RPG: The Release Date

by JC Fletcher { 2 days ago }

Sega of America has announced the release date for Obsidian's Alpha Protocol, whatever that is. Oh, it's "The Espionage RPG." How helpful! That game will be out on October 6.

In addition to the date announcement, Sega released the North American box art, which can be found in our gallery. We must warn you, however, before you rush into the gallery, full of hope for a more exciting, distinctive box art image: it's exactly the same as the UK box art seen yesterday, with the "PAL" label changed to "NTSC" and the PEGI rating box changed to an ESRB box. It's still the same Pseudo-Bourne standing up in front of geography class.

Gallery: Alpha Protocol

Pew! Pew! Kid becomes Mega Man, melts our hearts

by Andrew Yoon { 2 days ago }

Isn't this kid absolutely adorable? Yeah, he is. But thanks to the power of the interwebs, you can see him in motion learning how to become everyone's favorite blue bomber, Mega Man! (Check it out after the break!) This is guaranteed to warm your heart ...

...

Unless it's 15 years in the future, and you're the kid that stars in this video. Then, you're horribly embarrassed and you hate your parents.
[Via Capcom-Unity]

Continued →

Get iPhone Columns as a free 4th of July treat from Sega

by Richard Mitchell { 2 days ago }

If you've been gaming as long as we have, you know that Columns is one of Sega's great puzzle games. Like most puzzle games, the object is simply to line up four same-colored gems -- horizontally, vertically or diagonally -- and watch them explode. Whether you're familiar with the game or not, we've got some good news: Sega is giving away the iPhone version of Columns for free in celebration of USA's Independence Day. The app will be free starting midnight, Friday, July 3, all the way through Monday, July 6. Sega didn't specify a timezone, so we suggest you avoid downloading it if the price reads anything other than free.

Granted, Columns Deluxe -- which includes ports of Columns and Puyo Pop -- is only $1.99 normally. It hasn't received terrific reviews either. But hey, it's hard to argue with free.

Gallery: Columns Deluxe (iPhone)

Risen rising to retail rOctober recond ... argh, second

by Alexander Sliwinski { 2 days ago }

Developer Piranha Bytes has announced that its RPG, Risen, will try to take a bite out of retail on October 2. Big Download took note of the press release's proud statement that the game is completely done and going through three separate quality assurance teams.

That last bit likely has a little something to do with the developer's most recent game, Gothic 3, being a tad buggy. Three months will, hopefully, be enough time to work any issues out.

Gallery: Risen

[Via Big Download]

Tim Schafer walks us through Brutal Legend's beginning

by David Hinkle { 2 days ago }

Brütal Legend's Rocktober release is drawing closer, and the game's creator, Tim Schafer, has tossed us a bone in a pair of developer walkthroughs for the beginning sections of the game over at IGN. Be warned: The videos show off a great deal of content, so if you're trying to avoid spoilers, steer clear. For the rest of you, we suggest you don your spiked bracelet and sleeveless leather vest and peer past the break for some glorious metal action.

Source - Brütal Legend developer walkthrough (part one)
Source - Brütal Legend developer walkthrough (part two)

Continued →

Mafia Wars has pulled in 4 million

by Alexander Sliwinski { 2 days ago }

Mafia Wars, the free web-based game on social media networks (and iPhone), has over 4 million players. Gamasutra reports that Zynga has doubled the number of daily players in the last three months. Zynga makes its money off microtransactions within games and believes the title is on its way to becoming "a cult classic."

That's not the only good news for Zynga lately. The company recently hired veteran game designer Brian Reynolds (Alpha Centauri, Rise of Nations) to fill the roll of "chief designer." Zynga is building itself quite the little empire.

New Batman: Arkham Asylum dev diary gives Batman a terrible evening

by Ben Gilbert { 2 days ago }

As Rocksteady's Sefton Hill and Paul Dini eagerly explain in the video above, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a game about torturing Batman. Okay, okay, maybe not directly, but by way of Joker setting up a nasty ruse for Gotham's greatest hero at Arkham Asylum itself. Trapping Mr. Wayne inside with all of his most fearsome enemies, when he thought he was just stopping by to deposit a criminal, leaves him at the mercy of the now-in-control Joker.

From what we played of the game's campaign back at E3, we're not sure exactly how Eidos/Warner Bros. plan to keep the game's T-rating, as evidenced by the few gameplay snippets you see in the developer diary above. We are, however, surprisingly excited for the game's release in late August -- and glad we don't have to bring along Mom to buy us the game.

Gallery: Batman: Arkham Asylum

Fallout 3 50 percent off on Steam

by Justin McElroy { 2 days ago }

You really have no excuse for not owning Fallout 3 at this point. Not only is it a really excellent game, it's packing tons of value with all the different DLC available. And let's not forget the indescribable pleasure of having Danny Kaye songs endlessly stuck in your head.

Now that the game's been slashed to $24.99 for the weekend on Steam, you have less than no excuse. It's like ... negative excuse, which we believe means you're legally obligated to buy a copy, even if you already own one.

Marvelous looking into HD ports of Wii games

by Andrew Yoon { 2 days ago }

"Wii has no hardcore games" is about as old, lame and untrue as "the PS3 has no games," and "Xbox 360 has only shooters." Real gamers know that each of the platforms has its gems -- but not everyone can afford all three gaming consoles.

Marvelous may be expanding its portfolio to include more non-Nintendo systems. Already, the publisher is working on a PS3 and Xbox 360 game, Rainy Woods; however, according to a report by Siliconera, the publisher may look into porting some of its diverse Wii lineup onto the HD systems. Games like No More Heroes and the upcoming Muramasa would certainly appeal to the hardcore PlayStation and Xbox crowds. In fact, Suda 51's most recent comments suggest an HD future for his franchise. With just a little bit of polish, those two could easily transform from good-looking Wii games into gorgeous PS3 and 360 titles.

[Thanks, tmacairjordan87!]

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