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Q Entertainment 'researching' PSN port of Rez HD
Very few games have been able to match the impact of the original Rez ... well, with the exception of Rez HD on Xbox Live Arcade; unsurprisingly, revamped visuals made for an even more psychedelic experience. Q Entertainment recently tweeted about a possible PSN port of the game, asking how much a PS3 version should cost. $15 seems to be the figure Q is working with, noting that "it would not be a huge profit" and "we're not big enough to do things for fun." Q Entertainment hasn't committed to making the port yet, stating "this is no indication that it's happening, but we're researching if its feasible." Already, there have been some complaints from PlayStation loyalists who reject the notion of paying full price for a two year delayed port. We're confident that you, Joystiq reader, will be able to help Q figure out exactly what to do: %Poll-40730% [Thanks, kassatsu! Via PSN Stores]
Mizuguchi's XBLA games compiled in Q3 "Cubed" compilation
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]
Atari announces Mizuguchi's 'QJ' for Wii, 'Q3' compilation
Atari is banking on Tetsuya Mizuguchi's next project, a music game with the working title "QJ," to reestablish the celebrated developer at the top of his, uh, game -- or to strike a chord with Wii owners, at least. The publisher announced today that it will bring Q Entertainment's QJ to Wii, but omitted further details. Marching behind a string of Lumines sequels, Mizuguchi has stumbled offbeat with his last several experiments, including Ninety-Nine Nights, Gunpey and Every Extend Extra Extreme. But QJ's music foundation suggests that Mizuguchi could be drumming up renewed inspiration from his own cult classic, Space Channel 5. Additionally, Atari announced the Q3 ("Cubed") compilation disc for Xbox 360, which will include Mizuguchi's XBLA games: Every Extend Extra Extreme, Lumines Live and Rez HD, along with all released DLC. The collection has been given a tentative price of €30 (roughly $40) and has yet to be dated for release.
Rez HD Standard Mode is 4:3
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
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-13037%%Gallery-14900%
Rez HD and Chessmaster Live storm XBLA this Wed
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!
Joystiq plays Rez HD, releases next week
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-13037%
Joystiq hands-on: Rez HD
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-12973%
Rumor again: Rez hits XBLA next week
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-13037%
Register, wait and win Rez HD from Q Entertainment
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)
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-12973%
Rumor: Rez and Chessmaster to release this week [update]
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!
Hold on! Rez HD releases to the XBLA this month
Q Entertainment just shot an email out to our iron-fisted rulers at Joystiq to tell everyone that Rez HD will release to the Xbox Live Arcade in "only a few weeks" and that it'll be priced at a soothing 800 Microsoft points.Q also sent some new in-game screenshots which show off its trippy visuals (we've added them to the recently created gallery) and confirmed that Rez HD will sport updated 5.1 audio, new visuals and a Replay Theater to further induce brain seizures. Joystiq also confirmed that Rez HD on the 360 will feature its own version of the infamous PS2 Trance Vibrator where you'll have the option to enable rumble on three additional Xbox 360 controllers, place them wherever you choose and let the Rez vibrating bliss ensue. And yes, we're afraid to see how people will use that "feature"%Gallery-13037%
Rez HD arriving this month for 800 MSP
Good news for synaesthetes and fans of all things awesome: a friendly press release from Q Entertainment informs us that Testuya Mizuguchi's Rez HD will be landing on Xbox Live Arcade in "only a few weeks," for the very reasonable price of 800 Microsoft Points. Along with the highly-anticipated "trance vibration" support, the enhanced port of the Dreamcast/PS2 classic will include a high-definition upgrade to the visuals, and feature 5.1 surround sound. The game will also introduce new audio and visual effects, a new Replay Theater for re-watching play data, and the usual suite of XBLA leaderboards and achievements. Check out the gallery below for some gorgeous new shots of Rez in all its trippy, HD glory. %Gallery-12973%
Reminder: Rez HD is a trip
If you were one of the many shmucks who didn't pick up Rez when it came out on the Dreamcast and PS2, you can redeem yourself in our eyes when a visually souped-up version of the game drops on the Xbox Live Arcade sometime in the (hopefully) near future. Yes, it might be sans one unintentionally stimulating peripheral this time around, but it still feels like playing an absinthe-fueled round of Panzer Dragoon in the middle of a warehouse rave. Hopefully the surfacing of the above gameplay footage from the uncleverly titled Rez HD is a sign that we'll find what we really want under our tree this holiday season -- a good case of synesthesia.
December and January XBLA games revealed
In a press release announcing the Fall Update's Xbox Live Arcade Hits program, Microsoft also announced the next few months' upcoming Xbox Live Arcade games that are scheduled for release. As things stand right now, the next XBLA games to get released are Arkadian Warriors, Brain Challenge, GripShift, N+, Omega Five, Poker Smash, Rez HD and Sensible World of Soccer. No specific release schedule for each game has been confirmed just yet, but it's always nice to see what's headed down the old XBLA pipeline. And this list also lets us officially get excited for N+ and Rez HD. A big w00t to that!
