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

Get a look at some of the numerous customization options for appearance, personality, and neighborhood environment where Sims will be able to freely roam.

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: appearance, Customization Options, developer, Neighborhood Environment, Personality, Sims

Regardless of what people might say, Banjo-Kazooie has been a good series that, while definitely inferior to the Mario franchise (but which isn’t?), showed off what a great developer Rare was. They’ve had their fair share of duds (i.e. Perfect Dark Zero and Kameo), but this year might be good for the British team.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is due November 18 to the tune of a surprisingly cheap $39.99. As an incentive for pre-ordering the game, buyers will get a code to download the original N64 Banjo-Kazooie two weeks prior to the release of the XBLA re-release…for free.

We kind of like the idea of getting free stuff when we pre-order games around here, especially when the full game is $20 cheaper than the bloated regular price of other titles.

You guys plan on taking Rare up on their pre-order offer? Here’s a video of what you can look forward to if you do:

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Bolts, dark, developer, franchise, Friendly, game, isn, Kazooie, Mario, Nov, Nuts, Perfect, price, series, share, Zero

A new video from ‘Too Human’ has surfaced showing off some seriously insane combos.  The first part of the third-person action adventure game trilogy looks sweet so far.  ’Too Human’ is produced by Canadian developer Silicon Knights for the Xbox 360. Its current release date is set for August 19, 2008.  Who said nothing cool comes out of Canada?

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: action, adventure, Canada, Combos, date, developer, game, Human, Insane, Knights, part, release, Silicon, trilogy, video, Xbox

Eversim has just released Geo-Political Simulator, or G.P.S., upon the masses and promises to provide gamers with the most authentic power-hungry simulation you can find.

The player chooses a country he wants to control as the President, monarch, etc. and will make choices that will affect the economics and political structure of the chosen nation. From the press release that French developer Eversim sent over, it looks like an interesting little game that they hope to keep as updated as possible with frequent patches that reflect what happens in our world.

Here’s a video of the refreshingly unique game:

Via Geo-Political Simulation Website

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: Country, developer, Eversim, G.P.S, game, Geo, monarch, Player, Political, President, press, release, simulation, simulator, structure, world

Those of you waiting for the upcoming SOCOM: Confrontation should be glad to know that you can take part in the beta starting September 1, according to the game’s official website. A pre-order at GameStop (only a five-er is needed) will get you in and “Qore” subscribers can head into the trenches on September 8 through the 30th.

The series was once helmed by developer Zipper, but they have sinced moved on to create the epic-scale 256-person shooter, Massive Action Game (MAG for short), revealed at Sony’s E3 2008 press conference. From what we’ve seen, though, Confrontation seems to be in able hands. And if it turns out to be a dud, just cancel the pre-order. Keep your receipt! Those Gamestop employees can be quite sensitive when dealing with cancellations…

Via SOCOM website

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: action, beta, Confrontation, developer, game, Gamestop, MAG, person, Qore, September, series, shooter, SOCOM, Website, Zipper

Hamburg/Germany: July 25, 2008.

German developer and publisher Daedalic Entertainment today launched the official web home for upcoming fantasy adventure game The Whispered World. The picturesque website offers details and new looks at the gorgeous 2D point & click tale.

Visitors to www.the-whispered-world.com will find story details, character overviews and a selection of press voices. Screenshots, exclusive making-of artwork and new wallpapers give a taste of the PC adventure game’s gorgeous graphics. The website will be continuously updated with additional content.

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written by Will Snizek \\ tags: adventure, Daedalic, developer, Entertainment, fantasy, gallery, game, Germany, Hamburg, July, Launched, Official, PC DVD-ROM, publisher, Sadwick, Website, Whispered, world

Kezins.com brings you a behind the scenes look at “Spider-Man: Web of Shadows”.  Developer, Shaba Games is trying to correct the Spider-Man franchise by revamping Spider-Man’s fighting system.  Boy, do they need a good ‘overhaulin’.

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: Boy, com, developer, franchise, Kezins, man, overhaulin, Shaba, Shadows, Spider, spider-man, spiderman, system, web, Web of Shadows

In a survey taken by game journalists in 2007, it’s discoveries about Japanese gamers inspired me to write about it. Ever notice that most games made in Japan have subtitles? (and not because they’re in Japanese, wiseguy) Well that’s because the Japanese would rather read than listen. Is that the developer’s choice to not include audio? some video game analysts say “no”. “It’s hard to emphasize certain points of the game.” Sure, you can show a character angry, but you can read ‘What’s he doing here?’ two ways”. Without a voice I would read the sentence as it’s written. But without a voice it would be difficult to know that he meant ‘What’s HE doing here?’, adding emphasis on the word he. My capitalization may or not make sense, thus my need in audio.

Continue reading »

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: America, audio, caption, developer, Features, game, Gamers, industry, Japan, Japanese, market, notice, Read, Survey, United States, US, video, voice, wiseguy, word, year

The likelihood that two systems from competing manufacturers would connect harmoniously in the happy world Rare created with Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise and Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is slim…but they did it. Rare figured out how to connect the Xbox 360 and DS to share info from the two games, but stumbled on the discovery too late, according to MTV’s Multiplayer Blog.

The developer talks to Stephen Totilo on how the Xbox 360 Vision Cam would scan images from the DS game and use those to integrate both console and handheld gardens. Unfortunately for gamers, Rare is too far in development at the moment to implement such a feature. Maybe in sequels down the line Microsoft and Nintendo can learn to get along — or their games anyway.

Via MTV’s Multiplayer Blog

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: blog, Co, developer, discovery, Exist, info, likelihood, MTV, multiplayer, Paradise, Pocket, Stephen Totilo, Trouble, Vision, Viva Piñata, world, Xbox