rez posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Sega re-registers trademarks for Rez, 18 Wheeler

by Griffin McElroy { Feb 10th 2009 at 5:00AM }

Depending on what half of the information we're about to report appeals to you, be prepared to launch your trance vibrators or cans of Skoal high into the air in a fit of glee. Sega recently saved two franchises from the trademark trash compactor, effectively renewing its claim on future installments in the Rez and 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker series -- two staples in anyone's daily Dreamcast diet.

Try and contain some of your ecstasy/caffeine pill-fueled exuberance -- remember, re-registering a trademark isn't the same as announcing an actual game, so don't start designing your countdown page quite yet. Still, it does mean that Sega thinks these two stones have some blood left in them. Delicious, trance-inducing/cargo-hauling blood.

Source - Rez trademark
Source - 18 Wheeler: American Pro Trucker trademark

[Via Sega Nerds]

Rumors: Rez sequel, Spielberg's LMNO on hold and more from EGM

by Ross Miller { Dec 10th 2008 at 3:50PM }

Beyond Gears of War 3 for 2010, the January 2009 issue of the future-uncertain EGM contains a handful of other rumors to pique your interest (via NeoGAF). Top of that list? A spiritual sequel to Rez is coming from creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who can't make an actual sequel beacuse the IP is owned by Sega. Mizuguchi's Q Entertainment recently announced a music-infused project codenamed "QJ" for Wii, though it may be unrelated.

Additionally, the issue also asserted that Spielberg's mysterious EA Project LMNO is on hold at the moment. At the end of October, EA denied speculation that there had been layoffs related to the title. The remaining rumor-mongering includes a new Rifts-licensed game in 2010 (the last one was on N-Gage) and a large co-publisher for Tecmo's PlayStation 3 exclusive Quantum Theory.

Mizuguchi's XBLA games compiled in Q3 "Cubed" compilation

by Dustin Burg { Dec 2nd 2008 at 7:00PM }

More new coming from today's Atari press conference is word that game designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi will be releasing all three of his Xbox Live Arcade games to retail as a compilation disc. This Arcade compilation will be called Q³ (Cubed) and will include Lumines Live!, Every Extend Extra Extreme as well as Rez HD and include all DLC associated with each title.

Pricing for the compilation will be €30 (around $40), but a firm release date has yet to be confirmed. Expect early 2009.

[Via Joystiq]

Wii Warm Up: Rhythm-based downloads

by David Hinkle { May 28th 2008 at 8:00AM }

The news that Helix would be gracing WiiWare got us to thinking about other rhythm-based titles on the download service. It seems like all the competition gets the love when it comes to the genre. Steam has Audiosurf. Xbox Live has Rez. Even iTunes has Phase. Guess we'll see if Helix becomes the Wii's killer music-based title ...

But, we digress. Aside from the obvious (uh, Rez), what music-based game would you like to see available for download on WiiWare? Any of the ones listed above? A different franchise? Lay it on us!

Rez, Ikaruga hold record for best XBLA launches

by Ross Miller { May 27th 2008 at 3:30PM }

In news post yesterday, Penny Arcade's Gabe revealed the top four best launches ever for Xbox Live Arcade, with the launch window being the first three days of availability. The list is as follows:

Rez HD, 25k units
Ikaruga, 22.5k units
Penny Arcade Adventures Episode 1, 16.5k units
N+, 13k units

Honestly, we're a bit surprised by the initial success of Rez and Ikaruga. Not that we didn't want them to succeed (they really are awesome games), but we didn't expect to see Xbox Live community rally so quickly around years-old re-releases. Now, if we could only see data for worst XBLA launches, or even total Rez playtime using multiple controllers as trance vibrators.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

[Via X3F]

Rez HD Standard Mode is 4:3

by Xav de Matos { Feb 6th 2008 at 12:00PM }

Keen observers on the official Rez HD forums are up in arms about the output of Rez's standard mode on Xbox Live Arcade. Instead of scaling the game to widescreen, the title outputs its standard signal to a 4:3 aspect ratio. While some are calling it the biggest meh of the year by saying the Standard Mode is supposed to output as 4:3, forum comments reminded us that Rez always scaled to fullscreen on the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. The worst offender seems to be playing Rez on a standard definition television where black bars are visible around the entire image. This may or may not be big issue but we all remember that some people really care about those missing pixels. We'd be wondering what happened too but we're a little busy taping multiple controllers to our bodies.

[ThatGameCalledRez.com forums. Image via flickr user Pryii]

Rez HD and Chessmaster Live land on XBLA

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 30th 2008 at 9:30AM }

If you've been waiting impatiently ever since Rez HD was first announced for Xbox Live Arcade, then today is your lucky day because it's finally here. If, on the other hand, you haven't been waiting for the game with bated breath, then we'd say it's still probably your lucky day because Rez just so happens to be a good game. We suggest you crank up the synesthetic, vibratory goodness as soon as possible. If, however, all that sounds like too much stimulation, perhaps you'd rather play a leisurely game of chess. It's still your lucky day then because Chessmaster Live is also available today. Both games can be yours if the price is right. The right price, incidentally, is 800 MS Points each.

Gallery: Rez (XBLA)

Gallery: Chessmaster Live (XBLA)

Rez HD and Chessmaster Live storm XBLA this Wed

by Dustin Burg { Jan 28th 2008 at 12:45PM }

In a big old Xbox Live Arcade letdown, this week we get two games that we raise one less then enthusiastic thumbs up to. Yeah, we know we've been covering the release rumors a whole bunch last week, now they're officially confirmed and ... well, whoopee? We're of course talking about Chessmaster Live and (big yawn) Rez HD releasing to the XBLA this Wednesday, January 30th. Yup, sad huh? We know, we know, weeks like this really suck and you'd think Microsoft could wrangle together at least one enjoyable Arcade game a week, but we've been screwed again. You'll just have to settle for a 800 Microsoft point game of Chessmaster Live or (eww) Rez HD. On behalf of Microsoft, we're sorry.

KIDDING! Rez freakin' HD is coming to the XBLA in two days kids! Hear that? Rez HD is coming Wednesday! Free drinks on Richard! Get pumped up fanboys and put fresh batteries in those controllers, because Rez HD is but a few days away ... ZOMG! W00t!

This Wednesday: Rez, Chessmaster come to XBLA

by Justin McElroy { Jan 28th 2008 at 12:30PM }

OK, OK, so we basically knew that the beautiful, inspiring Rez was coming to the Xbox Live Arcade this week. But we were still relieved to see official word come down from on high, and we're betting you will be too: The newly-updated, fully-trance-vibrating Rez will be available this Wednesday.

The best thing? It's only going to run you 800 points (or 10 Earth dollars). If you've never played the game before (or even if you have) you need to take our word on it that a ten-spot (especially when you consider the newly added sounds and visuals) is nothing short of a steal.

The other (criminally, but for a different reason) $10 release this week: Chessmaster Live, which is like chess but ... live.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

Joystiq plays Rez HD, releases next week

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 24th 2008 at 2:00PM }

If, like us, you missed out on Rez the first time -- it was originally a PS2 and Dreamcast title -- then you may want to check out Joystiq's recent hands-on session with Rez HD (complete with extra vibrating controllers). For those that are unaware of the trappings of Rez, it is one of several musically inspired games from Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Q Entertainment. 360 owners would know their work from the Xbox Live Arcade game Lumines Live. Imagine the musical qualities that Lumines applied to the puzzle genre and then imagine the same properties being applied to an on-rails shooter and you'll have some idea of what Rez HD has in store for XBLA. If that sounds like fun to you, head over to Joystiq to learn more.

Oh, and we should probably mention that the game is releasing on XBLA next week (January 30 to be precise).

Gallery: Rez (XBLA)

Joystiq hands-on: Rez HD

by Zack Stern { Jan 24th 2008 at 4:35AM }

As vector-like throwing-star enemies corkscrewed towards me, I defended myself with a gun that made electronic clapping sounds. I fired the gun. Clap. I fired two quick shots. Clap Clap. My applause aligned with the electronic beats spilling from the speakers. It was Korg-like synth-aesthesia, and almost immediately, I cared more about clapping in-time to the music than shooting back.

Rez HD surrounded me in a coordinated, sensory bombardment. The controller in my hand shook and bobbed with the beats while controllers under my feet and on my back vibrated a counter-tempo pattern. 5.1 surround-sound flew from all directions, and the neon-sharp HD game-world pulled me into its reality.

In my brief time with Rez HD, I decided that it wasn't a game as much as an experience. There's a game inside somewhere, but the title feels like a journey, rewarding meandering through levels instead of racing to the end. And even though it's a linear shooter, Rez HD hides a lot of exploration; I look forward to moving slowly through the game after its January 30 release.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

Continued →

Rumor again: Rez hits XBLA next week

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 23rd 2008 at 1:30PM }

When rumors begin to pile up, you begin to ask yourself whether it's because the rumor is true or because you want it to be true. Keeping that in mind, we present you with a modified rumor, the original version of which we ran earlier this week. The rumor goes a little something ... a-like-a this: Rez HD could be hitting Xbox Live Arcade next week. Yes, only two days ago we were reporting that Rez could have been out today, but this time ... we're serious. A Q Entertainment spokesperson recently told Eurogamer that the game is "being prepped" and only awaits the proverbial green light from Microsoft, to which the spokesperson added, "Maybe next week?" Could it be true? Yes. Do we want it to be true? Affirmative. Thus, a rumor it remains.

Gallery: Rez (XBLA)

Register, wait and win Rez HD from Q Entertainment

by Dustin Burg { Jan 21st 2008 at 6:00PM }

Adding to the ever growing Rez HD hype machine is news that Q Entertainment is giving away 50 Marketplace codes to download the full version of Rez HD. Confused about winning a download code for a game that isn't released yet? Shh young one, just follow along ...

To try your hand at winning a copy, simply head over to the official Rez HD website, register by January 27th and wait. 50 lucky registrants will then be sent a code 72 hours after the contest closes which means one very big thing. Rez HD is guaranteed to release next week to the XBLA, w00t! Now run along kids, go register and be happy knowing that even if you don't win, you'll be able to purchase Rez HD next Wednesday.

[Via Joystiq]

Register and ye shall REZ-eive (a free game)

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jan 21st 2008 at 4:15PM }

Not content with merely updating their hypnotic trip-out sim REZ with fancy high-definition graphics and stimulating surround sound for its Xbox Live Arcade debut, the folks at Q Entertainment have decided to gift upon the world 50 free copies of the Mizuguchi masterpiece (no, not that one). To potentially grab one of 50 prepaid Xbox Live Marketplace codes, you need only visit the official REZ HD website and enter your details into the registration page.

Do that between now and Sunday, January 27th, and you might just REZ-eive a free copy of the game within 72 hours of the closing date. Don't fret if you lose out though -- with the game launching before the end of the month, we're all winners here.

Gallery: Rez HD (XBLA)

Rumor: Rez and Chessmaster to release this week [update]

by Dustin Burg { Jan 21st 2008 at 11:00AM }

Update: Major Nelsons says no Rez HD or Chessmaster Live this week. Maybe next Wednesday?

There are whispers around the internets that both the long awaited (and vibrator equipped) Rez HD and Chessmaster Live will be making a release to the Xbox Live Arcade this week. CVG mentions the rumor coming from a tip they received, but as with all anonymous tips ... it could be hogwash.

We know there are hundreds if not thousands of fanboys who are super excited and anticipating Rez HD's XBLA release and we doubt anyone would complain about a Chessmaster Live twofer. And for whatever it's worth, both games have been promised to be January XBLA releases. No matter, we'll be able to valid or discount this XBLA release rumor within' a few hours when Microsoft announces this week's XBLA games. So, sit tight and countdown the minutes until either a Rez HD announcement or a total disappointment. How fun!