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Race against the Motorstorm: Arctic Edge devs tomorrow

by Xav de Matos { Oct 27th 2009 at 11:00PM }

The development team at Bigbig Studios -- who are ironically comprised of employees under 5 feet tall on average* -- will face off against Motorstorm: Arctic Edge players tomorrow in an evening multiplayer event. According to the PlayStation UK Blog, the event will take place on European servers from 17:30 GMT (1:30PM EDT) to 19:00 GMT (3:00PM EDT).

Along with (probably) destroying the community at the PSP racer they made, the developers will offer a live Twitter commentary to the Europe-only event. That's right. Bigbig Studios is so confident they will destroy the opposition they will be tweeting as they race. That, kids, is called confidence.

*This information is probably not accurate.

Motorstorm: Arctic Edge dev diary is cold as ice

by Griffin McElroy { Sep 11th 2009 at 2:15PM }

Here's the takeaway message from the first installment in a series of four developer diaries for Motorstom: Arctic Edge: It's a lot like Motorstorm, only smaller, and covered in snow.

However, this omnipresent precipitation introduces several subtle nuances to the gameplay, including avalanches, crumbling ice bridges and vehicular bobsledding. If you're now looking forward to feeling de rhythm and feeling de rhyme, check out the video diary after the jump.

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Motorstorm: Arctic Edge races to retail Sept. 29, download Oct. 1

by David Hinkle { Aug 28th 2009 at 12:01PM }

If you're looking to get downright chilly in Sony's upcoming Motorstorm: Arctic Edge, know that you won't have to sweat the summer heat much longer, because PlayStation Blog has confirmed that the PSP version of the game will slide into retail September 29 and become available as a PSP Go launch download on October 1. Both releases are priced at $39.99 and include 12 reversible tracks and eight vehicle classes.

If, however, you were hoping for yet another excuse not to upgrade your console hardware (but how can you resist?), you're going to have to a wait a bit longer for the PS2 version of Artic Edge, which will release "later this fall." The console port features everything in the PSP game, plus an old-school, in-your-face, split-screen multiplayer mode.

MotorStorm races Home

by Andrew Yoon { Jul 29th 2009 at 8:15PM }

It may be nearly a year since the release of MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, but that's not stopping Sony from creating a brand new Home Space for the franchise. MotorStorm content will be appearing "over the coming weeks," beginning with the ability to use Game Launching for Pacific Rift this Thursday. Through Game Launching, Home users can meet up, chat, and then instantly jump into a game of MotorStorm together. Neat, huh?

PlayStation Home has been getting support from a wide variety of games, from Katamari to Fight Night to Fat Princess. The addition of MotorStorm is another nice addition to Home's ever-diversifying lineup.

European PSN releases for June 18

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 18th 2009 at 12:00PM }

After the nonsense known as "E3," it looks like things have slowed down quite considerably. Other than some DLC, there really isn't much to check out this week. In fact, PSP owners don't have anything to look at.

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

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Hands-on: MotorStorm Arctic Edge (PSP)

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 4th 2009 at 11:00AM }

It's a rare thing for a portable game to best its console predecessor, but that's what might be happening in MotorStorm: Arctic Edge. BigBig, the team behind the cult PSP Pursuit Force games, know how to work the handheld and they've crafted an experience that handles far better than the console games. MotorStorm is known for its visceral races, but the juxtaposition of more "sim-like" controls in such an arcadey game didn't jive with us fully. Arctic Edge adopts the game a bit, by tweaking the controls to be a bit more responsive.

The end result is a game that's a bit more accessible, but no less fun and intense. Obviously, the PSP isn't capable of producing the visuals of a PS3, but BigBig has developed a brand new engine for Arctic Edge and it shows. This new generation engine far surpasses the last Pursuit Force game, by throwing an impressive amount of particles in fast, detailed levels. The animation on the vehicles is particularly terrific as each of the wheels respond to the various bumps on the ground.

While the controls are slightly tweaked, the overall gameplay should remain largely familiar to those that have played the previous two games. Once again, players will want to effectively manage boost and navigate a dynamic branching race course. Racing against a multitude of vehicle types is one of the highlights of the console games, and we're glad to see BigBig has expanded the garage with two new vehicles: the Snow Cat and the Snow Plow. Those of you that like the Monster Truck will get a blast out of this. The monstrous vehicle races at a surprising speed, and it's quite the intimidating vehicle to race against.

Gallery: MotorStorm: Arctic Edge E3 2009

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Future MotorStorm: Pacific Rift expansions promise more Speed and Adrenaline

by Majed Athab { Jun 1st 2009 at 4:30PM }

MotorStorm fans can't seem to get enough content, judging from the constant stream of new DLC. It's either that or Evolution Studios is just not tired of giving fans more of MotorStorm: Pacific Rift. Promising two new major content packs, Pacific Rift will expand with a slew of new tracks, new vehicles, Trophies and more. Check after the break for details on both the Speed and Adrenaline expansions.

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New (and free) MotorStorm DLC hittin' the dirt on May 14

by Ben Gilbert { May 13th 2009 at 4:00PM }

We really like Motorstorm: Pacific Rift. Promise! But you know what the vehicles could use is a little more variety in color -- nothin' better than seeing a beautiful car careening over a cliff. So you'll understand our excitement when we found out that a handful of new DLC packs will be hitting the PlayStation Network featuring a smattering of new paint jobs.

What's better? They're all free! Starting tomorrow and continuing for the following eight weeks -- one livery pack a week. Also included in tomorrow's DLC will be a patch clearing up a few bugs and accidents left in the game, as well as a new addition to online play in "microbadges." In so many words, a variety of icons will hover over each characters head, allowing you to show off your mad skillz to all your opponents (as seen in the screenshot above). Care to peep the new colors? Check out a video showing them off after the break!

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Joystiq impressions: MotorStorm Arctic Edge (PSP)

by Kevin Kelly { Apr 29th 2009 at 1:15PM }

click to enlarge

MotorStorm is about to roll onto the PSP for the first time with a new title -- and it's not even a port! MotorStorm Arctic Edge, developed by Bigbig Studios (the guys responsible for Pursuit Force), made an appearance at the recent Sony Gamers Day event and took us for a ride through its chilly environments. If all those word things after the break aren't your thing, be sure to give the screenshots in our gallery a long, cold stare.

Gallery: MotorStorm: Arctic Edge (PSP)

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Dev speak: MotorStorm will push PSP over (arctic) edge

by Majed Athab { Mar 20th 2009 at 2:30PM }

According to game director Richard Ogden, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is pushing the PSP harder than any other game before it. Ogden told NowGamer that Arctic Edge is squeezing all it can from the portable system, claiming it has more "physics, damage and destruction" going on than other PSP titles.

Arctic Edge will be a "full MotorStorm experience," said Ogden, though he does note that there will be an obvious downgrade in graphics and visuals. "As long as you take a sensible view on what you're trying to achieve then there aren't really any major constraints when translating a PS3 game to PSP." Considering we still haven't seen much of the title yet, save for pre-rendered screenshots and a trailer, we're interested to see if BigBig Studios' work lives up to Ogden's big claims.

MotorStorm Pacific Rift update now live

by Jem Alexander { Feb 18th 2009 at 10:25AM }

The first big MotorStorm Pacific Rift update patch is now live and available to download. Simply start the game up and the update will begin automatically. As announced, the patch fixes several bugs in the game, including save data corruption and a sneaky Boost exploit. The copy protection has been removed from save files, so you can now back up your saves, just in case they do get corrupted.

The latest PS Blog post also hints at another update coming soon, "which has some very cool new content in it, especially if you have a bit of a penchant for collecting cool stuff, or if you're the type of person who enjoys PS3 Trophies." Nothing more is said, but it sounds intriguing. Looking back on how much DLC the original MotorStorm received, we won't be surprised to see a few more tracks and/or modes heading our way.

Upcoming MotorStorm: Pacific Rift patch will fix saves, bugs

by Majed Athab { Jan 28th 2009 at 2:30AM }

Though they're usually much better at smashing things, the folks at Evolution Studios now have to sit down quietly and fix a few things. A new game patch for Motorstorm: Pacific Rift is oiled up and raring to hit the dirt soon, bringing with it a few new tweaks and fixes.

According to the PlayStation Blog, the forthcoming patch will significantly adjust the manner in which the game handles saved data, add a critical transfer notification and lift copy restrictions. Problems like the boost-exploit glitch, which grants players infinite boost, will also be done away with. You'll find the full annotations after the break.

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MotorStorm: Pacific Rift getting patch

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 26th 2009 at 10:45PM }

This will be the last post we make before the site redesign goes into effect. Are you excited?

Our site isn't the only thing getting patched. No, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift will also be getting some post-release bug fixin' fun. According to the PlayStation.Blog, the patch will arrive soon and will include the following features:

Restrictions to the copying of Saved Data have been removed. This will make it possible for Saved Data to be backed up and then restored to the User Account it was created under (whether that's on the same PLAYSTATION 3 or not).*
Changes to the way the game handles data. These changes will help to prevent Saved Data corruption.
Visual notification of critical save progress has been added. A 'MotorStorm Helmet' icon will be displayed on-screen to warn users that critical data is being saved. This is in addition to the HDD Access light which currently flashes while the game makes a critical save.
The glitch which enables a player to exploit the Boost system has been removed. The development team are working to identify which times have been achieved using this glitch; Action will be taken to ensure that the Leaderboards become genuinely competitive again.
Time Attack times and Rank information will update correctly for all players. Any pending Time Attack times will begin to filter through systematically and the online Ranks should display correctly once the update is released.
Additional fixes and improvements to gameplay. Many thanks for your feedback on these and other issues so far; we are still investigating the other issues that have been brought to our attention.

SCEE plans to merge Liverpool and Evolution Studios

by Andrew Yoon { Jan 7th 2009 at 11:30AM }

Two of Europe's brightest development teams will share a home in the future, according to a recent interview with SCEE's Michael Denny. Studio Liverpool, developers of the popular Wipeout franchise, and Evolution Studios, developers of the MotorStorm series, will eventually merge to work at one location. The two teams have already merged "management structure" and are currently using "combined resources." The two teams are already in close proximity to each other, so it makes sense that these PlayStation teams should combine.

Each studio will continue to have their own "internal concepting group" to think up "new opportunities and new IPs." Perhaps their next game will feature futuristic hovering ... off-road monster trucks. Wait a sec. That sounds incredibly awesome.

MotorStorm: Pacific Rift sells 1M, tackles bumpy charts

by Randy Nelson { Dec 9th 2008 at 7:00PM }

Who knew a racing game would sell? Sony did; that's why it made MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, which, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz, has sold one million copies worldwide since it, well, stormed onto shelves in the US on October 28 and subsequently jumped across the pond on November 7.

The PS3 launch game's sequel has hit some bumps on UK sales charts, debuting in 29th place and slipping to 35th for the second week of November. Still, GI.biz says that developer Evolution Studios remains undeterred in its plans to introduce downloadable content for the game, in the form of new courses and cars/motorcycles/trucks/ATVs/scooters. (Okay, we made that last one up. Just keeping you sharp.)