Pineapples Go Boom

Porting Over: Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, or, "Who screwed up with the name translations?!"

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:40:24 -0700

For me, one of the big games to get a US release happens to be Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. I love the Japanese version for everything that it is, and everything it should be. Sadly, whenever any game gets a release in North America, it happens to come with its own set of changes. I'll run down the list for this game:

The name.
In Japan, the game is known as Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, and frankly that name has a certain ring to it that just sticks. The American version keeps most of the original name, but changes the part at the end; instead of saying 'Cross Generation of Heroes', it has been switched with 'Ultimate All-Stars', somewhat conveying the fact these characters have been in previous games of the same title. They have not.

The logo.
Let me show you the the logos for both the JP and NA versions; you'll see what I mean once you look upon them.

Here is the JP version(which in all honesty should have stayed the same):

Tatsunoko_vs._Capcom_-_Cross_Generation_of_Heroes_Logo

....and this is the US version:

TvC US logo_1

Since the second picture was pulled from the trailer shown during E3, part of me wants to believe that logo is only a temporary placeholder, and will be changed/made better before the game makes it onto store shelves. My plea to Capcom: please don't keep this sad excuse of a logo.

The name translations.
While the majority of the characters have kept their names intact, that is not the case for a select few.
Soki, Megaman, and Casshern apparently got a full translation of their names from the JP version of the game: they are now know as Kaijin no Soki, Megaman Volnutt, and Casshan. Obviously, these are not the names they go by in the States.

Aside from those noticeable atrocities, the other main changes that are welcomed include the addition of five characters (which have not been revealed yet, but are most likely going to be all Capcom fighters), the loss of one Tatsunoko character(Hakusho Daimo, only because they could not work through the licensing issues with him), and the still unconfirmed addition of an online mode).

Seeing as how the release date is set for Winter 2009, there is still plenty of time for the items noted to be fixed. Hopefully Capcom notices where they have screwed up in the game and fix it before they begin to start printing discs. This doesn't mean I won't go out and purchase a copy, oh no; I am still set on getting the game....I just might not love it as much.

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E3 2009: Ubisoft press conference (Red Steel 2, RUSE, Assassin’s Creed 2, Avatar, and more)

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:59:53 -0700

Ladies and gentlemen, its time for Ubisoft to approach the stage and present their finest trinkets and wares with which to dazzle and amaze……or just see a lot of stuff about Petz: it’s your call.

• UPlay

While not an actual game, it is a web-based community service (along the likes of Steam, but not by much), allowing users to purchase Ubisoft products, discuss strategies for various games, as well as interact through an Ubi-branded menu system. It will support Splinter Cell: Conviction, as well as future products coming out down the line.

Release Date: Unknown

• James Cameron’s Avatar

A joint collaboration between Ubisoft and James Cameron; while the game is tied into the movie, they only share the setting and not the same plot; which could mean more exploration within the world of Avatar. While the movie has apparently been over a decade in the making, development on the game started a little over two years ago, with the hopes that in can avoid the problem most movie tie-ins usually fall victim to.

Movie Release Date: December 18

Game Release Date: most likely late November or early December, around the time of the movie release.

• Assassin’s Creed 2

Easily one of the big games for Ubisoft this year, it takes place right after the first Assassin’s Creed left, but not with the same character; set once again during the Italian Renaissance, expect some of the same moves from the first game, with a few new ones, as well as new weapons that include concealed handguns and twin daggers.

Release Date: November 17, 2009

• Red Steel 2

Already seen during the Nintendo showing earlier, except this time they are actually giving a demo of the game; I’ve already said what I needed to say about Red Steel 2, but just to reiterate the fact: If it looks and play this good when it comes out, it will sell like gangbusters.

Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction

The demo that was shown here was basically the same demo during Microsoft’s presser, but it still looks fantastic; multiple ways to approach missions, while important info that is achieved throughout the game is presented within the environment in real-time, making it appear somewhat more like a movie than a game(this is seen during an interrogation event); objectives are also displayed within the environment as well, thereby preventing you from having to pause mid-game, creating a fluid sequence throughout(‘Infiltrate the mansion’ is displayed in huge letters on the mansion itself as you approach it, etc).

Release Date: Fall 2009

• RUSE

An RTS (real-time strategy) title, RUSE requires players to try to outsmart and fool their opponent by using the weather, decoy ships and troops, while they do the same and try to catch you off-guard with a fake naval battalion group when they are really coming at you from up above with bombers. Second-guessing yourself, and seeing things from your enemies’ standpoint are required of serious players if they want to survive. See the trailer for a better visual description.

Release Date: Unknown

• Style Labs Makeup

Another game for the girls and only available for the DSi, you take a picture of yourself using the camera and it puts your face in the game, and try on clothes and makeup. After that, go nuts.

Release Date: Unknown

• Petz

Its Petz……I shouldn’t have to explain this one, its freaking Petz. Three new versions coming out and all of them are for the kids; if you are a grown man and you are found playing this, then you really need help.

Release Date: Unknown

• Your Shape

Being packaged with a camera and headed for the Wii, it will ‘scan you’ and place you inside the television; an in-game coach and tacking tech will make sure you don’t cheat. While it doesn’t make use of the Balance Board, its touted as ‘the new era in fitness’. Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Rabbids Go Home

Rayman takes a step aside, with the Rabbids taking the spotlight this time around. Trying to go back to their home (the Moon, oddly enough), they must collect enough items to pile up and reach their destination. To make it easier: Think Katamari Damacy, but with enemies and psycho rabbits.

Release Date: Unknown

• TMNT: Smash Up

Use the following equation to figure it out:

Smash Bros.

-Anyone that was in Smash Bros.

+ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

= TMNT: Smash Up.

Release Date: September 22, 2009

• No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle

New to the sequel will be the ability to wield two beam katanas at once, as well as new weapons, moves, and a ‘revenge’ theme that forces Travis to return to the UAA after a three-year hiatus.

Release Date: January 2010

• Project Eden

Not much is known about it, except that Tetsuya Mizuguchi is working on it with Q Entertainment.

Release Date: Unknown

EA report will be up by tonight, with a small E3 recap sometime tomorrow.

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E3 2009: Konami press conference (Metal Gear Arcade, Castlevania: LoS, Saw, DDR, and more)

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:30:25 -0700

We have heard from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo; now for some of the companies that make games for these systems. First is Konami.

Since they don’t feel the need to plug financial numbers and statistics, it’s straight to the games; some of these titles have already been announced at the Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo events, so bear with me here.

• Metal Gear Arcade

The first of four projects coming from Kojima Productions is destined for arcades (remember those? Of course you do!), instead of your [insert console name here]. Essentially, it works in the same way as Metal Gear Online, but in coin-op form; the presentation will in stereoscopic 3D with the use of special glasses; the Japanese version is currently being worked on at the moment, which could hint at a possible US release (perfect to have after you get served in Street Fighter IV).

Release Date: Unknown

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Second up was already shown at Sony’s presser, but for those that missed the news: Peace Walker is a PSP game which takes place in 1974, ten years after the events in MGS3; it will tell the invasion of Costa Rica by an unknown group, and will also tell the rise of Outer Heaven.

Release Date: 2010

• Metal Gear Solid: Rising

Also revealed during the Microsoft conference as a possible exclusive, but now confirmed for the PS3 as well as PC, MGS: Rising (running on the MGS4 engine) will have you controlling Raiden once again, in a story that will either take place during or after the events of MGS4.

Release Date: Most likely 2010

• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

The last project was actually teased through the MGS: Rising teaser site, except at that time, no one had any idea what the ‘mask’ actually symbolized. Lords of Shadow will be a reboot of the franchise, with voiceover work from Patrick Stewart, Robert Carlyle, Jason Isaacs, and Natasha McElhone; the game has a small God of War feel to it. It's being developed by MercurySteam, in collaboration with Kojima Productions.

Release Date: 2010

• Saw

Now why anyone decided to make a game based off this horror movie franchise is absolutely beyond me, but I guess Konami decided it would be a good game. Personally, I’ve only seen the first two movies (the first one was good in terms of story and character development, and then the story aspect went downhill after each successive sequel). Since this is based off the movies, expect a lot of puzzles/traps that have you solving them before you get:

A) Your jaw ripped off

B) Your skull crushed by two blocks of ice

C) Your limbs ripped out

Release Date: Unknown, but I hope they scrap this before it makes it to stores.

• Karaoke Revolution

Before SingStar or Lips even came out, we were embarrassing ourselves with our horrible singing abilities in this game. This new iteration for the PS3 will have personalized characters, downloadable content, and 16-player multiplayer (either this is a typo, or it means online multiplayer).

Release Date: Unknown

• Dance Dance Revolution

Konami presented two different DDR games, with one for the Wii and the other for PS3. The Wii version will support the Balance Board, with you having to roll and shake your hips in a fitness-oriented portion of the game, whereas the PS3 version will now use fully licensed music from musicians, have over 150 downloadable tracks, and also include music videos running in the background. The biggest change in the PS3 version will be the inclusion of a new 8-button dance pad (the legs of every DDR player just screamed out in horror).

Release Date: Unknown, but expect it hopefully sometime next year.

• WireWay

For the DS, WireWay is a dual-screen platformer that has you flicking platforms to bounce a little alien around levels. One of the bosses involves “Ginormous pandas”. I need to see this.

Release Date: Fall 2009

• Deca Sports 2

The first game sold over 2 million copies worldwide, so this one is already guaranteed to sell at least half that, if not more. 10 new events, including synchronized swimming and online multiplayer will be part of this casual/family-oriented title.

Release Date: Sometime in 2009

• Silent Hill: Shattered Memories

Aside from the Metal Gear game and Castlevania, this was probably one of their big games they showed, which will be headed to the PSP and the Wii (*gasp*). Shattered Memories will be a re-make of the first game, so expect the usual dense fog, wandering through hospitals, and suspense moments.

Release Date: Either 2009, or early 2010

Konami had a somewhat okay showing, but could’ve done a little better had they saved MGS: Rising for this presser and not for Microsoft. Ubisoft and EA reports will be up soon.

Ironically, I haven’t heard if Capcom will have a press conference, but with what they have coming out in the near future, they just might be waiting until the last day of E3 to wow everyone.

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E3 2009: Sony press conference (God of War 3, Uncharted 2, MAG, Gran Turismo PSP, and more)

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:37:55 -0700

Microsoft and Nintendo have had their time, and now Sony get to amaze us with the games we will be seeing in the coming year. Games shown during the press conference were:

• MAG

The attempt at 256 players in a single game at one time continues to roll along, with a live demo being played (8 of the players were on stage during the demo). It feels like 16 Call of Duty 4 matches all linked into one big shoot-fest, but it could work if they can build a good network to handle all that bandwidth running along.

Release Date: Fall 2009

• Gran Turismo PSP

One of the original games that were shown when the PSP was first announced a few years back, Gran Turismo for the PSP will finally become a reality; running at 60fps, it is a full scale GT, boasting 800 cars and 35 tracks. The single player mode will have the standard races, as well as time and drift challenges, as well as a licensing mode. Ad-hoc mode will also be available, which will allow for up to four players to race against one another; another feature that was touted is the trading and sharing of your cars as well as your friends’ cars.

Release Date: October 1, 2009

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Continuing the MGS story on PSP, Peace Walker will star Solid Snake once again, taking place 10 years after the events of MGS3. Hideo Kojima stating that “it is not a side story, it is not a spin-off”, Peace Walker will take place within 1974, when Costa Rica was attacked by an unknown group, and also involves the rise of Outer Heaven. If reports are right, there are four Snakes (HUH?!).

Release Date: 2010

• Resident Evil Portable

Not much else was said regarding RE, except it would be on the PSP; good guess would be it will be an in-between story or a re-make.

Release Date: 2010

• Agent

Being made by Rockstar North, it will take a player amidst the shadowy world of espionage and assassins in the 1970s. As of this moment, this appears to be a PS3-exclusive title.

Release Date: Unknown

• Assassin’s Creed 2

The sequel to the first game starts right off where the first game ended, with you placed back in the Italian Renaissance; various inventions from Leonardo Da Vinci will be implemented in this game (his flying machine/wings are one example; think hang glider); there will be more then 30 different weapons available in the game, as well as 6 that you can unlock by playing the game on the PSP and connecting it to your PS3.

Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Final Fantasy XIII

While this is already old news, a video was shown for the game and that was about it.

Release Date: Spring 2010

• Final Fantasy XIV

Nope, this is not a typo: Final Fantasy XIV exists, and it is a PS3 exclusive. It is akin to Final Fantasy XI, in the sense that it is an online game.

Release Date: 2010

• ModNation Racers

In the style of LGP, it is a racing game where you play and create custom tracks, and share them among friends and other users; real-time physics, weapons, and launchers are some of the game’s prominent features.

Release Date: 2010

• The Last Guardian

Formerly known simply as Project TRICO, it is pretty much the same trailer that was leaked out a few weeks before E3. Nevertheless, it is beautiful.

Release Date: Unknown

• God of War 3

Easily one of the most anticipated titles of this year’s expo, a live demo was presented to showcase the graphical improvements after going from the PS2 to PS3. Described as the final chapter of the trilogy (not counting Chains of Olympus for the PSP), it takes place right after the second PS2 game, with Kratos seeking to destroy Mount Olympus; expect this game to sell like hotcakes when it drops.

Release Date: March 2010

The following games were all part of a PSP montage, so there is very little info (some we already know of, while others are new):

LittleBigPlanet

SOCOM

Monster Hunter

MotorStorm

Hannah Montana

Harry Potter

Soul Caliber: Broken Destiny

Persona

Invisianimals

Warriors Orochi 2

EchoChrono

Fat Princess

Unbound Saga

Petz

Rock band: Unplugged

PS3 montage:

Uncharted 2

Infamous (already out in stores)

Madden 10 (out in August)

FF XIII

MAG

Batman: Arkham Asylum (out in August)

Brutal Legend

White Knight Chronicles

Dirt 2

Ghostbusters

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

Mafia 2

Tekken 6

Buzz: Quiz World

SAW

Overlord 2

Tiger Woods 10

Dark Void

Red Faction: Guerrilla

G Force

Guitar Hero: Van Halen

Pixel Junk Shooter

Fat Princess

Zombie Apocalypse

EyePet

SingStar Queen

DC Universe Online

Fuel (out in June)

GI Joe

LittleBigPlanet (already out)

Saboteur

Bioshock 2

Ratchet and Clank: Crack in Time

God of War 3

That’s it for Sony; with the big three already out of the way, time to focus on the rest of the pack. Ubisoft, Konami, and EA reports will be up soon.

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E3 2009: Nintendo press conference (Wii Fit Plus, FF: Crystal Bearers, Project M, and more)

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:05:14 -0700

E3 has officially kicked off today, and after the showing that Microsoft had yesterday it seems hard to trump it; that isn’t going to stop Nintendo from giving it a shot. Statistics aside, here are the games that were seen today:

• New Super Mario Bros. Wii

After the huge success of the first game on the DS, a sequel was more than likely to happen; it being on the Wii was somewhat of a surprise. While the main story of the first game was appealing, the mini-games were quite possibly the most entertaining aspect overall. This time around, the multiplayer is within the main game (imagine Zelda: Four Swords, but in the Mario world); up to four can play, with two players as Mario and Luigi, while the other two players control separate Toad characters. There is competitiveness to the game, with scores tallied up after each stage, including how many enemies were killed, coins picked up, etc.

Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Wii Fit Plus

This new iteration of Wii Fit adds six new strength and yoga activities, and can find workout routines tailored to users; the customization can help users target a body area for toning or strengthening, while it will also keep track of how many calories you have burned. Fitness aspect aside, 15 new balance games will also be included, like skateboarding and juggling.

Release date: Fall 2009

• Wii Sports Resort

In Nintendo’s new tradition of getting your ass up off the couch, comes the successor to Wii Sports. As one of the first games to be compatible with the upcoming Wii MotionPlus peripheral (see: another thing to attach to your Wiimote), 1:1 motion control will be possible with the new set of games to enjoy. What I find amusing is you start off the game jumping out of a plane and skydiving down with other skydivers, with your chute opening up saying “Welcome to Wii Sports Resort”. A graphical boost has been given, but still appears along the lines of what the first game looked like. Basketball and Archery were also seen, with more activities to be revealed in the months leading up to its launch.

Release Date: July 26, 2009

• Red Steel 2

Remember the first game, and how everyone was going bananas about real-motion sword control? Yea, that didn’t turn out so hot (I should know, I had the game*whimpers*). Maybe the second time around won’t be so bad? After seeing the leaked trailer, the E3 trailer, and the demonstration given during the Ubisoft press conference (that report will be up soon), I can this with the utmost confidence: It is what we were originally promised, and so much more. With the addition of Wii MotionPlus, true 1:1 sword control has finally been achieved, with varying levels of slash attacks, air combos, and quick-swap from your sword to your pistol. A money system is also integrated into the game, which will either go towards your overall score, or will be applied towards purchasing new weapons or upgrades to weapons you already have. Best part is the game will come bundled with MotionPlus at launch.

Release Date: Holiday 2009

• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story

Following in the footsteps of the first two Mario & Luigi games, the brothers are back again, but this time, they somehow end up inside of Bowser. Gameplay – and jokes – will be like the previous title, with the added mechanism of affecting what Bowser does in the world, completing puzzles and advancing the story.

Release Date: Fall 2009

• Golden Sun DS

Now this I wasn’t expecting. Being a fan of the first game (but missing out on the second game), seeing this return onto the DS will most likely pull another $30 out of my pocket.

Release Date: 2010

• James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club: Games of Passion

Probably already taking the prize for ‘Longest Name for a Video Game’, this plays out like an interactive book, with three characters you can play as; not much else was said.

Release Date: Fall 2009

• Cop: The Recruit

Coming from Ubisoft, it has a GTA-style to it, but not much else was said on it.

Release Date: Unknown

• Style Savvy

Originally known as Girls Mode in Japan, this game lets you dress up your avatar, organize boutiques, and also compete in runway contests (i.e. this is the game you buy for your daughter who still likes Hannah Montana. Overall, the game is about running a fashion boutique.

Release Date: Unknown

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!

Mario’s tiny robotic versions are coming back, except it will be a DSi exclusive (sorry, DS!); the third installment in the franchise will allow for the creation of levels from the ground up, and allow users to upload their custom maps either locally or over wi-fi.

Release Date: June 8, 2009

• Warioware DIY

Another DSi exclusive, you can design your own games from scratch, with everything controlled by the player.

Release Date: Coming Soon

• Super Mario Galaxy 2

The first full sequel to a 3D Mario game on the same system, SMG 2 appears to have the same gameplay as the original, with a slight improvement in the graphics department. And yes, the bee suit is back.

Release Date: 2010

• Metroid: Other M

What was known earlier as simply ‘Project M’ has now been revealed as a brand new Metroid game, with Team Ninja (of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden fame) behind the wheel, and not Retro Studios (which originally made the Prime trilogy). There is a blend of first and third-person gameplay, with a slew of cut-scenes, helping to go deeper into the Metroid universe and learn more about Samus. It doesn’t look half-bad, and Samus appears to have some pretty badass moves this time around.

Release Date: 2010

Other games shown that we already know of/will report on later:

The Conduit

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

Dead Space: Extraction

Grand Slam Tennis

Virtua Tennis

Final Fantasy: The Crystal Bearers

Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days

Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

And last (but not least), the “what the hell?!” moment for the Nintendo press conference goes to the Wii Vitality Sensor; in a nutshell, it’s a pulse detector, similar to the ones they slip on your finger when you go to the hospital. The sensor will let you see the information relating to the inner world of your body….in other words; this will somehow work in conjunction with Wii Fit.

Next big presser is Sony, followed by reports on Ubisoft, EA, and anyone else that wanted to brag about their sales figures.

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E3 2009: Microsoft press conference (L4D 2, Halo: Reach, MGS: Rising, new Alan Wake trailer, and mor

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:16:02 -0700

The expo has not officially started yet (that happens tomorrow), and the first big announcements - courtesy of the Microsoft press conference today - have already hit the wires.

The new game that Kojima Productions has been teasing for the last few weeks is......another Metal Gear game (no shock there). The big difference happens to be in who you are this time around; Metal Gear Solid: Rising will not star Solid Snake, but instead you will control Raiden(its MGS2 all over again, set most likely after or during MGS4); it is currently 'in development for the Xbox 360', but it was not mentioned if this was an 'exclusive' title. A small teaser clip was shown, but not much else.

Release date: Unknown

Running joke Alan Wake got some time with a new gameplay trailer, and...... (drum-roll)....releases date! 2010.

Halo: ODST takes place in the weeks leading up to Halo 3; you play as a rookie who is unwillingly separated from his team, and must stay alert for incoming help and enemy forces looking to take you out. ODST soldiers get two new sound-suppressed weapons, as well as a lowlight visor to help detect incoming hostiles (this was somewhat demonstrated in the first trailer). Halo: ODST drops September 22.

Even with ODST coming out, Bungie still has a little bit of Master Chief hidden up their sleeve, with the added announcement of Halo: Reach (I thought that was a toothbrush?). When you purchase Halo: ODST, you will get an invitation into the Reach multiplayer beta, which is the same move that was pulled when people bought Crackdown, and received an invitation into the Halo 3 beta. Halo: Reach is due next Fall, 2010. Speaking of Crackdown.......

Crackdown 2 was also revealed, with some additions to how it will play; Multi-player, both co-op and competitive versions (which might have been the one thing the first game was missing) will be available in the sequel that sends the player back into Pacific City to 'restore peace and justice - by any means necessary'; artwork and a trailer have been shown, but official screenshots are nigh. Release date: Unknown.

Crytek(otherwise known as 'the company that make your graphics card cry'), will make computers scream in agony with Crysis 2, which will not just be confined to PC, but will also make an appearance on both the PS3 and the 360. Not counting Crysis: Warhead(or Crysis Wars), C2 is the second title in the planned trilogy, which will be once again published by EA; It is also the first game being built with the all-new CryENGINE3 tech.
Release date: Unknown.

Final Fantasy XIII was also shown, running on a 360 for the first time in front of an audience; not much else was said, except that it will be out Spring 2010.

Epic Games also showed off their newest title, Shadow Complex; overall, its looks alot like Bionic Commando: Re-Armed.
Release date: Summer 2009.

Remember that game Valve was supposed to show? Sadly, it has absolutely nothing to do with Half-Life 2...but it does have something to do with zombies. Left 4 Dead 2 was revealed, less than a year after the first game came out. New characters, new Special Infected, new real-world setting: Louisiana. New this time around: campaigns, versus mode and survival maps, deeper co-op, with new weapons (baseball bat, frying pan, axe, and a chainsaw); Exclusively for Xbox 360 and PC.

Release date: November 2009.

Splinter Cell: Conviction also popped up showing the new look Sam Fisher will be sporting in the game, clean-cut instead of mop-top. One of the new game mechanics involved using a piece of broken glass to peek underneath a door. SC: Conviction exclusive only on Xbox 360.

Release date: Fall 2009.

Project Gotham Racing is no more after the last iteration and in its place is Forza Mortorsport 3, showing impressive visuals; the inside cockpit is very detailed showing gauges, drivers hands, and the ability to look around as you are driving(not a good idea when you’re going 100MPG into a chicane)

Release date: October 2009.

Internet radio website Last.fm, semi-networking app Twitter, and Facebook will all be headed to Xbox Live in the near future, with Last.fm becoming available to all Gold users free this year, while Facebook and Twitter become available in the fall. The video marketplace will be switched out with the Zune version, which will allow you to purchase it through your 360, and access it through the Zune browser on your computer and vice-versa. Live television on 360 will also be coming with no need for new hardware (probably just an update to NXE is required).

Microsoft is done; Ubisoft and EA press conferences will be up soon.

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E3 2009: It’s that time again.

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:55:49 -0700

June means a lot of different things to everyone: summer vacation, trips to the water park, sweating your ass off in blistering 94˚F degree weather (this may vary on where you live). To a small mass of people (and everyone that owns a PS3/Wii/Xbox 360/PC/etc.), it means something else: E3.

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is back again this year, and with it comes the various announcements, financial reports, exclusive reveals, and so on. The big difference between this year and last is the overall format: requirements on those able to attend have been loosened up slightly (damn credentials, if I only had any), while companies participating have fewer restrictions placed on their respective areas/booths. What does that translate to? The return of booth babes (booth people, if you want to be politically correct about it), but enough about that: that is not why people attend.

It’s all about the games.

With rumors floating around that Sony will announce a redesign on the Playstation 3, Nintendo hopefully revealing the long-awaited Kid Icarus game for Wii, and Microsoft most likely teasing Alan Wake once again (it’s like a running joke now!), this year looks to be better that the previous two shows. Add to that the next Metal Gear project that Kojima Productions has teased with numerous countdown clocks, Platinum Games bringing Bayonetta (and hopefully more info regarding Red Steel 2), Neversoft dropping more details behind Tony Hawk: Ride….the list just keeps on going.

The games to look out for this year:

Alan Wake

Aliens vs. Predator

APB

Army of Two: The 40^th Day

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Bioshock 2

Blur

BlazBlue

Borderlands

Brutal Legend

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

The Conduit

Crimecraft (no relation to Warcraft)

Dante’s Inferno

Dark Void

DC Universe Online

Dead Rising 2

Dead Space: Extraction

Def Jam: Rapstar

DJ Hero

Final Fantasy XIII

Fuel

Ghostbusters

God of War 3

Guitar Hero 5

Halo: ODST

Heavy Rain

King of Fighters XII

LEGO Rock Band

LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues

Lost Planet 2

Madden NFL 10

MAG

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2

Mass Effect 2

Monster Hunter 3

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

Motorstorm: Arctic Edge

Need for Speed: Shift

Need for Speed: Nitro

Need for Speed: World

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

Project TRICO (tentative title)

Quantum Theory

Rage

Red Dead Redemption

Red Steel 2

Rock Band: The Beatles

Scratch: The Ultimate DJ

Singularity

Splinter Cell: Conviction

Split/Second

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom

Tekken 6

Tony Hawk: Ride

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Trauma Team

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Wet

Wolfenstein

Zombie Apocalypse

Now, for the list of possible rumors that might come true:

Sony unveiling a PS3 Slim

Forza 3 finally revealed

Gran Turismo 5 will finally come out

Nintendo unveils Pikmin 3

Sony debuts a new PSP (not a redesign, a completely different PSP)

Kojima Productions will formally announce Metal Gear 5

Valve will show……something (please let them reveal Half-Life 2: Episode 3)

New Kirby game for the Wii

NOTE: This was supposed to be up over the weekend, so my apologies for the tardiness.

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E3 2009: Swine Flu keeps Dead Rising 2 at home, new trailer as consolation prize

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Sat, 30 May 2009 18:51:47 -0700

Swine Flu has hit Osaka, Japan hard right now, and due to the outbreak, Capcom have decided not to show Dead Rising 2 this year.

Even though Blue Castle(which is a Canadian-based developer) is working on the game, Keiji Inafune (Executive Director of Dead Rising 2) keeps a close eye on his project, and it would not be the same having someone who is working so close with the game not to show up and present it. Except for this minor snag, all of Capcom’s other expected games will be presented.

A new trailer for the massive zombie-slaying game has emerged, and is embedded below.

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Back from the dead; EGM to return to print media

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:09:49 -0700

Its comin' back.

Earlier this year, Electronic Gaming Monthly shut its doors and left the world of print media, with the remaining employees who survived the layoffs left to run 1UP.com, the magazine’s online counterpart. Now that 1UP is owned by UGO, and ex-1UPers are working on their own fledgling enterprises (Area5, Bitmob, A Life Well Wasted, etc), the question that has arises is: Who will work on the new EGM? Through the efforts of the magazine's founder Steve Harris, the once great publication will make an unexpected (and glorious) return later this year.

According to an announcement, Harris has acquired publishing rights and trademarks to EGM, and plans to bring the magazine back sometime in the second half of this year.

“The re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly represents a welcome opportunity to continue delivering quality content to gaming enthusiasts,” said Harris. “I feel honored to once again be associated with this respected magazine. The talented writers and designers who built upon EGM’s original vision have left behind a publication that is uniquely positioned to be successful.”

Ziff Davis is not backing the publication financially, but did offer their enthusiasm.

“Electronic Gaming Monthly is and always has been one of the most respected publications among the gaming enthusiast community; we are pleased that EGM is now in the hands of its original creator, Steve Harris, and wish him and the publication the best of success in the future”, said Jason Young, CEO, Ziff Davis Media Inc.

According to the press release, an announcement with details will be made during the E3 expo next week. Until then, the announcement can be accessed at EGMnow.com, while the respective Twitter and Facebook pages have popped back up.

"ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY" FOUNDER EXECUTES CONTRACT TO ACQUIRE PRINT AND ONLINE PUBLISHING RIGHTS TO EGM MAGAZINE

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First Red Steel 2 trailer shows promise, unreachable graphics

nobody@vox.com(Jesus Aguilar) — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:29:57 -0700

A promotional video for Red Steel 2 has made it onto the web, being apparently leaked from a retailer-only event. After having played the first game, there are parts I liked of it and parts I abhorred about it, a lot of it having to do with twitchy controls, graphics that really didn't amaze me, sword movement/control that was not what was originally promised, and bugs scattered throughout the game(Ubisoft, get your act together).

With Wii MotionPlus reported to being used for this game, 1:1 sword movement has been promised again, and after viewing this trailer, it appears that people might have that promise fulfilled:

Once I saw the footage, I had the same feeling I had when the first game was announced and saw the original footage: It was glee. But like the first game, the trailer for Red Steel 2 shows some things that don't immediately seem capable of being pulled off on the Wii:

Graphics: For those that have played the first game, you already know this all too well: the original concept video showed sharp visuals, while the finished product did not. This video displays stuff that seems almost impossible for the Wii; that being said, it does appears that Ubisoft have ditched using the Unreal Engine in favor of a completely different engine(hopefully built from scratch for this game).

Controls: Again, I reference back to those that played the first game, and remember the controls. Wii MotionPlus offers 1:1 control movement which means realistic sword control, but it is hard to try and get ones' hopes up after being let down once already.

The two things I did notice that I do hope are kept in the final product(besides the graphics/art style and the futuristic wild west-type setting) are the ability to instantly switch from your sword to you pistol and vice-versa, as well as the ability to fight what appeared to be three enemies in close-quarters combat. There is still a long time before Q4 2009, and I really do want to see what was shown in the footage, but it really doesnt seem all that likely; its going to be close but not 100%.

[EDIT] Looks like the video has been pulled from the Youtube account, but other users have posted it back up. Video link has been changed, but its still the same footage. Enjoy!

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