Archive for July 21st, 2008
Filed under: PC, Action, Adventure
Tilted Mill, following up on its re-release of Children of the Nile, recently announced its new title Hinterland, expected later this summer for PC. The game appears to be a Diablo-esque city-builder set in a fantasy world with the tag line: Loot, Level and Build. The game will have small parties of three or four characters in tactical party-based combat. It appears city town building and combat may be of equal importance in Hinterland. Check out the first couple images of the game in the gallery below.
Chris Beatrice, president of Tilted Mill, which is self-publishing Hinterland, believes that smaller games will allow the company to focus and be more innovative, less afraid of risk and keep quality high. Considering the quality of the company’s larger titles like SimCity Societies and Caesar IV, this “back to basics” mentality may be exactly what the studio needs to produce something not forgotten two weeks after release. We’re certainly looking forward to seeing what Tilted Mill creates under the financially tighter, yet innovation liberating, constraints of self-publishing.
%Gallery-28257%
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Homebrew
Programmer Multiple: Option continues to release some of the most interesting homebrew titles out there, this time with Game Trivia Catechism. Billed as a informal game for hardcore gamers, this original title takes the bland and basic multiple-choice trivia format, spicing it up with an intriguing storyline, a gaming theme, and a chiptune soundtrack provided by artists like 8-Bit Terror and PDF format.
Instead of solving math equations or recalling historical facts, players will have to put their useless gaming knowledge to work and answer questions like “Which of these games was NOT designed by Yu Suzuki?” or “Which Mario game did Super Mario Advance remake?”
It’s a short game — you can probably finish it within 15 minutes — but Multiple: Option deserves praise for creating an entertaining title that doesn’t rely on the assets or designs of other developers. If you have the equipment to play homebrew games, we definitely suggest you try this one out. Let us know if you’re able to score any higher than a “C” without cheating and using the internet!
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Community
The BBC is teasing that mystery Sony game yet again. When BBC’s Darren Waters first described this mystery game, he noted that “we could be on the brink of a step change in what games consoles are capable of in terms of story-telling and immersion.” However, Waters was surprised that they did not show this game. MAG was cool, yes, but it was not the game this BBC writer was teasing. “This was not the game I was referring to … And so I still can’t talk about it. Or even tell you what it’s called.”
We can confirm that Sony did show a game behind closed doors. Unfortunately, that’s about all we know. Its identity will be secret until, at the very least, Leipzig Games Convention, happening next month. We can only expect big things if Waters can’t stop talking about this mystery game, and if Sony is enforcing strict confidentiality about the game’s details. What do you think it will be?
[Thanks, Jay!]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: News
We recently fretted over neglected Nintendo fans in New Zealand, as the country’s Nintendo distributor had to file for receivorship (effectively taking them out of them distribution picture). Now, though, it seems that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the Kiwis, and the loss of Softprint Interactive might not be all doom and gloom.
When we last mentioned the issue, we hoped that Nintendo would step up and take care of things themselves, but we never thought they actually would. Yet, current rumors are putting our doubts to rest. While an Australian company called All Interactive Distribution seems to be taking up things on the distributing end, Nintendo of Australia will supposedly support them and promote Nintendo products.
While this is certainly good news for Kiwis, we think it’s also good news for Nintendo, as the company has had trouble gaining a foothold in New Zealand.
[Via GoNintendo]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Mac, PC, First Person Shooters, Online, Video
First it was Quake Zero, then it became Quake Live, and now we have a fresh new look at Quake Arena, id’s free-to-play, browser-based iteration of Quake III Arena. As you’d expect, the visuals are decidedly simple, but still stylish nonetheless. We noticed a few instances of gameshow-like billboards peppered throughout levels; while they simply read “Quake Live” in the video, it’s likely these are placeholders for in-game advertising.
The trailer beckons viewers to QuakeLive.com for more info, but the site is still serving the sole purpose of a gateway for beta signups. From what’s shown in the footage, it will eventually become a very robust matching and ranking component of the game. With QuakeCon kicking off in just a couple of weeks we expect to find out more details soon.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Business
Kaz Hirai, the President and CEO of SCEI, told the Financial Times in an interview that some of his ardent goals for the PS3. “It’s not fun for me replicating the PS2 numbers. I’ve seen that movie already, I want to try to see if we can exceed the PS2 numbers after nine years, otherwise why are we in this business?”
This echoes earlier comments made by David Reeves, President of SCEE. The PS1’s lifetime sales were 102 million units, while PS2’s lifetime sales are currently at about 140 million units. The PS3’s lifetime sales 20 months into its life is about 13 million, and Sony expects to sell another 10 million units by the end of the current fiscal year.
So … lofty goals or realistic expectations? Keep this in mind for comparison purposes: by March 2002, about 26 months after the Japanese launch and 19 months after the American launch, Sony shipped 30 million units of the PS2. Read the entire article here.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Video, Imports
How much do you like Pokemans? Technically, this video is a new trailer for Pokémon Platinum, and thus should have wide appeal, since almost everyone loves Pokémon. But we’re warning you that you should probably be quite motivated to see the new Battle Frontier and (we believe) the new Wi-Fi-enabled underground before attempting the challenge of watching this video.
It was captured by someone standing in a crowd with a camera watching the trailer, and thus is pretty much as shaky, blurry, and muffled as it could be while still being basically recognizable. But it’s a Pokémon Platinum video — let us show you it! Or “gotta watch ‘em all.” You’re free to use the catchphrase of your choice.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Previews, Buzz
It’s a rather difficult challenge to write hands-on impressions for a game like Buzz! Master Quiz. Sitting all lonesome on a table at Sony’s E3 booth, it went by unnoticed by many that simply passed it by. Perhaps the lack of enthusiasm comes from this simple fact: Buzz! Master Quiz can be summed up rather succinctly — a portable version of the popular quiz franchise, Buzz!
Progression through the game is rather simple. Simply partake in a assortment of themed challenges. Perform well on one, and you’ll earn a medal which can help unlock other challenges. Considering the quiz select screen fits on one menu, we’re a bit concerned that the amount of content on the disc will be on the light side. With thousands of questions programmed in, we’re certain these concerns are unwarranted.
Buzz! Master Quiz doesn’t need to push the PSP hardware in any way, and that’s exactly what we’re getting with this simple, easy to look at game. At the very least, the presentation appears to have all the trimmings of its PS2 brethren.
Continue reading Hands-on: Buzz! Master Quiz
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Hands-on
“So the engine had to be cut back to make it work as a downloadable title, right?” I asked, seeing no evidence that this was the case, but assuming the worst. “Actually,” the Sony rep replied, “Quest For Booty looks slightly better in places than Tools of Destruction. We’ve improved the lighting engine since then.” My mind boggled, I continue playing the upcoming downloadable “sequel” to Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction.
It’s clear from the start that the emphasis is placed more firmly on exploration in Quest For Booty. There are plenty of characters milling around with which you can chat and as you perform the mandatory tasks, a larger and larger area will open up to you. After a Metroid-style “oh noes, I lost all my weapons!” opening, your wrench is your only friend. You’ll collect a few weapons as you progress, but much of the game’s emphasis is on using the wrench’s new ability.
Your wrench is infused with electromagnetic energy, which allows it to control objects from afar. There are plenty of puzzles that utilize this in order to open your path as you try to find your pal Clank. It’s not a huge addition, but it does the job of breaking up the usual rail-grinding, platforming and energy-tether swinging.
Continue reading PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Filed under: Trophies
Over on the PS Blog, the executive producer for BioShock revealed some detailed information on trophy content for the upcoming PS3 version. In fact, the post divulged that the trophies mentioned were identical to the achievements found in the original Xbox 360 game. It is very likely that the remainder trophies will follow just the same.
Silver trophy “Historian” is exactly the same as the 360 achievement of the same name which requires players to find all audio diaries. Gold trophy “Brass Balls” requires players to complete the game on hard mode with all Vita-Chambers turned off. This one is also identical to the 360 achievement of the same name. Some of the bronze trophies will revolve around the in-game systems “like Researching, Modifying Weapons, Hacking, and Crafting.” In total, only a very few trophies were mentioned, but it wouldn’t be surprising if some of these achievements find their way into the PS3 version.
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Continue Reading July 21st, 2008
Previous Posts
