Take-Two's Zelnick doesn't believe in annualized GTA
by Ben Gilbert 
{ 3 days ago }
Instead of pushing out a new GTA game every year, Zelnick explained that Take-Two is focused on the "balance between how long it takes to develop such an incredible title that meets consumer expectations and how long you need to make sure than an appetite has been both satisfied and whetted [for the next game]." He padded his point with phrases like "high profitability" and "resiliency of the franchise," though when taken to task over how the publisher expects to make money in a "non-GTA release year" -- and in light of projected, continued losses from its baseball franchise -- he responded, "We remain committed to that goal [of profitability] ... naturally, we are disappointed that we're not projecting to achieve that goal in 2010." Meanwhile, somewhere in California, Bobby Kotick laughed maniacally.
Rebellion won't release 'sanitized' AvP in Australia
by James Ransom-Wiley { 3 days ago } 
The subtle swipe at the Australian ratings system, which tops out at an MA15+ classification, turned into a full-on blow as Kingsley concluded, "We will not be releasing a sanitized or cut down version for territories where adults are not considered by their governments to be able to make their own entertainment choices."
Ouch! You feel that too, Germany? "It is for adults," Kingsley insisted of AvP, "and it is bloody and frightening, that was our intent." Clearly, that's why PEGI assigned an 18-rating. Check out the box art for PAL territories that will release the game -- for adults -- come February 2010 worldwide:
Review: The Saboteur
by Justin McElroy { 3 days ago } 
It's a solid open-world action title, but it's one that hits just enough amazing, explosive crescendos to leave you wishing you could have seen it in an alternate reality, where developer Pandemic hadn't been shuttered and was able to give its swan song just a few more months of polish.
Gallery: The Saboteur
Riccitiello: Mirror's Edge deserves second chance, EA still pushing new IP
by JC Fletcher { 3 days ago }
EA faces a difficult task now: finding room in EA's now-reduced slate for the new content Riccitiello promises and the sequels the company must produce. But it's a task Riccitiello seems to believe is worth undertaking. "I believe there are publishers out there that are milking franchises at their peril," he said. "I do think you can sort of stop innovating and do well while you coast for a couple of editions before a product starts to fall apart or a sector starts to fall apart."
The juggle involves sequels like Mirror's Edge 2, perhaps. "There are some things we learned about that [first] game," Riccitiello told Kotaku. "It was, I think, a massively innovative product. To be honest with you, I think it's a game that deserves to come back." The CEO said he's "had several very lively debates" with the dev team about the design of a future game. "And they are working on it."
GOG.com gets Cyan Worlds' Myst games
by David Hinkle { 3 days ago }
You can actually check out Myst: Masterpiece Edition right now for $5.99, but you'll have to wait a bit for Riven: The Sequel to Myst and The Manhole: Masterpiece Edition -- the latter of which is admittedly not part of Myst canon, but comes from the Myst creators and should interest fans nonetheless. Both will also be priced at $5.99 and can be yours "soon."
Unlock Xbox contest down to eight finalists, voting begins for final three
by Ben Gilbert { 3 days ago }
The final eight contestants have been culled from the initial submissions (listed after the break), and are now available to be voted on over at the contest's website, ultimately determining three game ideas to be given final pitches at Microsoft. From there, we get two XBLA games full of Doritos' "bold, intense" branding -- and at the very least some free Achievements.
Game controlling glove now available for pre-order and 'The Wizard' remakes
by Ben Gilbert { 3 days ago }
It's not exactly equipped to handle twitch shooters: the Peregrine was made with MMOs in mind. Rather than push down all those pesky keyboard buttons, it allows for up to 40 different configurable movements instead.The $129 device (that's if you pre-order -- it'll be $149 otherwise) runs on USB and will connect as a keyboard, so compatibility shouldn't be too much of an issue.
You can quit writing your Power Glove 2.0 fanfic right now – this ain't it. We do, however, expect to see a YouTube-derived sequel to The Wizard around the end of January, when the first pre-orders are expected to ship to consumers. Get on that, internet!
[Via Engadget]
Tag your own wall with Jet Set Radio Future Wall Graphics
by JC Fletcher { 3 days ago } 
Click to grind into our gallery
The site features a wide selection of character art as well as posters and even a graffiti image or two, all available in the size of your choice -- up to 7 feet tall. Want to turn your office into a shrine to Inspector Hayashi? Or maybe have a horde of Poison Jam watching you eat dinner?
The company claims that the decals can be moved and replaced 100 times without damage to walls, so you can spend plenty of time deciding which room to adorn with Bis, Corn, and Yoyo. Preferably a room with speakers in it -- you'll want to play a continuous loop of Cibo Matto's "Birthday Cake" for effect.
Gallery: Jet Set Radio Future Wall Graphics
Australian Classification Board vs. Aliens vs. Predator [update]
by Andrew Yoon { 3 days ago }
Sega is left with two options should it want to pursue an Australian release: Attempt an appeal with the board, or censor the game's content to meet Australian standards. Should AvP follow in the footsteps of the edited Left 4 Dead 2, Australian gamers should get ready to be disappointed yet again.
Update: Rebellion responds. Oh snap!
Mass Effect 2 to span two discs
by Andrew Yoon { 3 days ago }
The necessity of two discs may mean a staggering amount of content for the RPG sequel -- the original was certainly no slouch in content. While some may lament the necessity of having to get up at least once during Mass Effect 2, Priestly promises that the disc swap happens at a dramatically appropriate point in the story. "Even though there is a disc swap, it occurs at a carefully planned place in the game (that does not interfere with gameplay) and is done once. You do not swap back and forth. 1 swap and then done."
We're going to fathom a guess as to when the swap will occur: immediately after the "suicide mission" revealed in the game's initial teaser.
[Thanks, Darth B.; Via Kotaku]
Namco launches iPhone Ace Combat Xi, updates Garters & Ghouls with 3GS compass
by JC Fletcher { 4 days ago } 
click to take off into the gallery
The other new release: Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion, which brings the long-lived flight franchise to iPhone. We found that the controls worked just fine during our brief look at the game at TGS, but have yet to delve into the full game. It's featured at a $4.99 sale price for its first five days.
Garters & Ghouls ($4.99)
Ace Combat Xi ($4.99)
Gallery: Ace Combat Xi (iPhone)
Interview: Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove's Adrian Woods on the game's use of live-action FMV
by JC Fletcher { 4 days ago }
Fascinated by the bold decision to bring in live actors for the latest iteration of a usually all hand-drawn series (and a game that will retail for seven dollars when the Standard Edition launches this month -- the Collector's Edition is available now for $20), we spoke to game designer Adrian Woods about the game and the somewhat anachronistic use of FMV.
THQ to open new Montreal studio
by David Hinkle { 4 days ago }
THQ VP Steve DeCosta says it's not just the tax breaks that make Montreal such an appealing place to set up shop, but also the talent pool in the region -- sentiments shared by neighboring Ontario minister Sandra Pupatello.
It's in the debt: Introducing the EA Sports prepaid debit card
by David Hinkle { 4 days ago }
EA marketing VP Todd Sitrin calls the program "a perfect marriage of encouraging responsible spending while providing a unique reward program." History teaches us otherwise, so if you'll excuse us, we'll just be sitting in the corner, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Take-Two: Borderlands franchise 'important' and 'long-term'
by Randy Nelson { 4 days ago }
After being recognized as the year's fastest-selling new IP and its developer calling a sequel a "no-brainer," Borderlands is "showing every sign of becoming an important, long-term franchise" for publisher Take-Two Interactive. That comment was made today by company chairman Strauss Zelnick, during the same earnings call in which a considerable delay for another important franchise title, Max Payne 3, was disclosed.
But really, who cares about Max "I don't need an intervention" Payne when faced with the prospect of Borderlands: The Clap Trap Chronicles?
But really, who cares about Max "I don't need an intervention" Payne when faced with the prospect of Borderlands: The Clap Trap Chronicles?
