Hitting Xbox Live on February 17

Sure, they missed the rumored November launch for the Grand Theft Auto IV DLC, but Rockstar has put an end to that web of lies today. The first downloadable pack for the game, entitled “Lost and Damned,” will be out on February 17, 2009 (Hey, same day as Street Fighter IV!).

The developer sent out a press release with a few screenshots (one of which you can see above) and will revolve around a new character and story thread. Interesting to see them expand on the universe a bit more through a new set of eyes. We’ll see how it pans out when the first of two exclusive, 360 episodes hits next year.

Via Rockstar Press Release.

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: developer, DLC, Downloadable Game, February 17, game, Grand Auto, Grand theft auto, grand theft auto iv, GTA-IV, Hey, launch, Lost, Microsoft Xbox 360, press release, Rockstar, Story Thread, Street-Fighter, universe, Xbox, xbox live

Hardware and Software Video Game Sales

Last month’s numbers are something we’ve been looking forward to here at Kezins. The biggest games started hitting stores and it’s a good indicator as to what we’ll likely be seeing in the years to come (read: sequels).

We weren’t aware of the kind of clout the Fable series carried, but now we are wide awake to this fact: people love them some Fable II! Disappointing to see the below-average SOCOM: Confrontation selling out the lovable, make-your-own-game, LittleBigPlanet, but there’s always next month.

Software Sales

1. Fable 2 (360) - 790,000
2. Wii Fit (Wii) - 487,000
3. Fallout 3 (360) - 375,000
4. Mario Kart Wii (Wii) - 290,000
5. Wii Play (Wii) - 282,000
6. Saints Row 2 (360) - 270,000
7. SOCOM: Confrontation (PS3) - 231,000
8. Little Big Planet (PS3) - 215,000
9. NBA 2K9 (360) - 202,000
10. Dead Space (360) - 193,000

Hit the jump for console sales… Continue reading »

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Dead Space, Fable 2, Fallout 3, Fanboy, Hardware Sales, LittleBigPlanet, Mario Kart Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nba 2k9, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii, Percents, PlayStation 2, playstation 3, Playstation Portable, Pound Gorilla, Saints Row, Socom Confrontation, Software Sales, Sony Product, Video Game Sales

DLC for Both Xbox 360 and PS3

EA has told Gamecyte that the extra content planned for Mirror’s Edge will come to both Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles — once believed to be PS3 exclusive — around the time the PC version ships in January next year.

We thought it’d be only fair that PS3 got this one since the Xbox 360 will be getting its share of exclusive content with Fallout 3, Tomb Raider, and GTA IV. Oh, well…can’t win them all, err, any.

In the meantime, check out our review of Mirror’s Edge.

Via Gamecyte

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Consoles, DLC, EA, Fallout 3, GTA-IV, Meantime Check, Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox 360, Mirror, Sony PS3, Sony PS3, Tomb Raider, Version Ships, Xbox

LittleBigPodcast

Boomp3.com (Run time: 21:04!)

Carlos and Adrian have been itchin’ to get on the mic for a while now, so they decided to give you a special “long-form” podcast talking about Gears of War 2 Launch lines, a lengthy Fallout 3 talk, and some Master System confusion.

Bonus! The Kids Vote and Talk Politics…

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: bonus, Confusion, Fallout, Fallout 3, Gears, Gears of War, Kezcast, launch, Mic, Run Time, Vote, War 2

Publicly. No Need for Pesky Download Codes.

We’ve been playing the CoD: World at War beta at the Kezins Office for the last couple of weeks, but now everyone is welcome to join. Activision has thrown up the game on Xbox Live waters for all to play, peruse, and criticize.

It reminds us a lot of that little game — you may not have heard of it — Call of Duty 4, but now with the added benefit of scary attack dogs shadowing your every step! Even more (easy) kills after a 7-kill streak? Tsk, tsk.

Image Credit: Pitbull Help

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Activision, Added Benefit, Attack Dogs, beta, Cod War, Credit Help, Image Credit, Little Game, lot, Pitbull, Scary, world at war, World War, Xbox, xbox live

MTV Games Beats Activision to the Beatles Punch

Boomp3.com (Run time: 7:38)

One of our favorite commentators on the site, Adrian Otero, joins Carlos today to talk a bit about MTV finally getting Apple Corps to loosen their grip on the Beatles license. Thrifty/Sav-on talk ensues…you listen in.

Bonus! “Dan in Real Life is a movie that came out last year…”

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Activision, Apple Corps, Beatles, bonus, Commentators, games, Kezcast, MTV, Otero, Punch, Run Time, Sav On, Thrifty

Keeping Track of Them Demos

With gaming season in full swing, companies are trying their damndest not to fall behind in gamers’ eyes. You guys keeping track?

Demos for Tomb Raider: Underworld and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts are now available on Xbox 360. Mirror’s Edge’s demo has been pushed up landing on PS3 tomorrow (Friday on Xbox Live) and those who pre-order Left 4 Dead can get their hands on some sweet zombie action November 6 (360/PC).

Waiting to try any games out before dropping three Jacksons on them?

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Amp, Banjo Kazooie, Bolts, Damndest, Demo, Full Swing, games, Jacksons, Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox 360, Mirror, Nuts, Nuts Bolts, PC Games, Tomb Raider, Track Demos, Underworld, Xbox, xbox live, Zombie

Kezins.com was able to sneak into SOE’s facility and interview Lead Writer and Game Designer Matt Staroscik on the upcoming Spy-themed massively multiplayer shooter, The Agency™.

I’ve played plenty of MMO’s.  Star Wars Galaxies, World of Warcraft and Age of Conan.  The common denominators are… PC and monthly fees.  Something tells me ‘The Agency’ will be different… a GOOD different.  I asked the questions — Will we see monthly fees when The Agency makes it’s way to the PS3?  When can we expect a release date of The Agency?   How customizable will the game be?  The Interview below…

We’re excited that a spy-themed MMO shooter will make it’s way to a console, the PlayStation 3.  Dressing in our most convincing attire and speaking as smooth as Vanilla Ice in ‘Cool as Ice’, we asked Lead Writer and Game Designer Matt Staroscik several questions that he was “permitted” to confirm.

There’s been rumors that SOE plans to charge a monthly fee for ‘The Agency’ based on it being an MMO.  If true, will this fee be limited to the PC or will both platforms (PC and PS3) see this monthly charge?

The Powers That Be are considering a number of approaches. To stay flexible, the way we are building the game content makes us compatible with a lot of different options. Our executives will be closely watching how Free Realms is received, and applying any lessons learned there to future products like The Agency.

Whatever they decide, I would be very surprised if any payment scheme was not identical for PC and PS3 players.

Continue reading »

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: Age Of Conan, Common Denominator, Common Denominators, Cool As Ice, Duds, Free Realms, Future Products, Game Content, Game Designer, Hair Styles, Mechanic, Medic, Payment Scheme, Platforms, playstation 3, release date, Relevant Characteristics, shooter, Skin Colors, SOE, Sony PS3, Sony PS3, Star Wars Galaxies, stealth, Vanilla Ice, world of warcraft

Penny Arcade Adventures 2 (October 29, 2008)

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 2 is available next week on the Xbox LIVE Arcade, Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. 6-10 hours of play for $15 isn’t too shabby of a deal. The first game was actually pretty good and Episode 2 includes some improvements. Next week, the XBLA is looking weak as usual, so this is something I’ll more than likely pay for, unless Penny Arcade wants to supply us with a download code (hint to PA).

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Arcade Adventures, Arcade Windows, Darkness, Episode 2, First Game, Improvements, Linux, Linux Platforms, Mac 10, Mac Linux, Penny Arcade, Precipice, Rain, Windows Linux, Xbox, Xbox Linux, xbox live, Xbox LIVE Arcade

The long awaited rumor makes for a new Star Wars MMORPG named ‘Star Wars: The Old Republic”.

Set 300 years after the events in Knights of the Old Republic (and featuring some familiar faces), Star Wars: The Old Republic will put players on either side of a massive war between the Empire and the Republic.  The game will follow BioWare’s emphasis on “choice with consequences” with room for players to be ambiguous or conflicted about their motives.

Here’s what we know thus far:

• Star Wars: The Old Republic will take place after Knights of the old Republic
• Coming to PC, may come to consoles
• There will be an Open Beta
• You can choose Jedi or Sith
• Elite Troopers or Assassin Droids may also be playable characters
• Will NOT replace Star Wars Galaxies

Screens Via Kotaku

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: Assassin, Consequences, Consoles, Droids, Elite, Empire Game, Knights Of The Old Republic, Massive War, MMORPG, Motives, New Star, Open Beta, Playable Characters, Screens, Some Familiar Faces, Star Wars, Star Wars Galaxies, Star Wars The Old Republic