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BioShock kindly receives AP's game of the year award
The Associated Press put out a pretty good year-end list about games and named BioShock its game of the year. Sure, the AP almost invalidates the entire year-end round-up by mistakenly listing BioShock as available for PlayStation 3; however, because the wire service didn't simply phone in Halo 3 as their game of the year, we'll generously overlook their faux pas. Speaking of Halo 3, the AP actually says it was the "most overrated game" of the year ... not saying we agree, just sayin' is all.The AP gave more accolades to the likes of The Orange Box for "best deal" and Rock Band for "best game that involves getting off the sofa" while trashing Lair as the "best idea for a game gone horribly wrong." One sentiment that we think everyone can agree with: the federal law requiring all good games to be released within weeks of each other has to be overturned.[Via X3F]
1UP talks turkey games
What better way to spend Thanksgiving than talking about turkeys? And by turkeys, of course, 1UP's referring to those massively-hyped titles that ultimately fizzled.We can't say we agree with all of the choices presented, though 1UP's criteria suggests that the games featured aren't necessarily "bad," but that all of them "fell short of expectations."Still, given the sheer number of games out there, there are bound to be bigger, badder turkeys hiding in the bushes. Any more main-course nominees?
Lair delay caused by mislabeled discs
It seems that the European Lair delay truly was outside of Sony's control this time. CVG have confirmed that it is down to the lack of an age rating on the discs, which is a legal requirement for any game being sold. Because of this, Lair will be delayed for an unspecified time until a work-around of some description can be implemented. We know how much you enjoy hearing about Lair and its numerous delays, so we shall keep you up to date with any developments. But like we always say, there are plenty of other, better, games that are due to be released in the coming weeks. Not to mention the huge number of games released within the last month that are worthy of your time.
Whoops! Lair delayed in Europe again
For those of you in Europe who ran down to your local game store this morning, wide-eyed and hopeful that you would finally get your hands on Factor 5's dragon dive bomber Lair, please try not to let your disappointment overwhelm you. The game did not come out this week, instead being pushed back a couple of weeks. The new estimated release date is the 23rd of November. Apparently, for once, Sony isn't at fault and the problem is being blamed on a manufacturing issue. If you really want Lair and you haven't yet imported it, then we're going to assume you're a bit crazy. Lair's EU sales figures will probably suffer thanks to the release of Guitar Hero III, Kane and Lynch and The Orange Box on the same day, but at least it will be out.
Machinima.com Beowulf trailer and mash-up contests
Are you over the age of 18 and live in the United States or Canada? Do you love to make movies using your favorite games? Fascinated with 8th century Old English epic poetry? Then you're in luck. Robert Zemeckis has a new movie coming out -- you'll never guess the title -- and he wants you to create the trailer for it. The movie itself is coming out on November 16th, so you have between now and November 4th to create your movie and submit it for judging. What I like about this particular contest sponsored on Machinima.com is the fact that included in the suggested methods for producing the movie is the use of footage from Lair. Now, I am not sure if this is just a ploy to sell more copies of a failed game, but I do know it's a cool idea. Beowulf itself looks to be made up of some sweet animation, so perhaps the use of footage from Lair isn't so far off from the look of the film. To be technical, there are two contests running here, one for a trailer and one for a mash-up. First prize for the mash-up is a $500 Best Buy gift certificate, while winner of the trailer contest will receive a $1000 Best Buy gift certificate. Pretty nice rewards, I must say. I would enter, but, well, I only watch movies, I don't know the first thing about making them.I realize that this isn't MMO news per-se, but it is news about machinima makers, and many of those play MMOs and may very well use their MMOs in creation of their Beowulf trailer. If you enter the contest, be sure to let Massively know so we can highlight your work.
Lair rides into Japan top ten for software sales
Factor 5's Lair, much-ballyhooed in North America and Europe for its unfavorable control scheme (and Sony's subsequent response), has debuted in Japan with enough sales to crack the top 10 for weekly sales, according to Media Create (via GamesIndustry.biz).The game, known there as Rise from Lair, landed in the number seven spot with 22,000 in sales, likely helped by Famitsu's positive review. For comparison, Project Gotham Racing 4 received the same Famitsu score and only charted at 25, the highest rank for an Xbox 360 title and a big drop in Microsoft's presence following the console maker's triumphant one week at the top with Halo 3 (59,000 unit sales).Nishimura Kyotarou Suspense Detective Series: Deadly Intent for Nintendo DS debuted in the top spot this week with 61,000 in sales. Dragon Ball Z: Sparkling! Meteor for PS2 and Gundam Battle Chronicle (PSP) took second and third place, respectively.
Lair enters Japanese charts at number 7
Rise From Lair (you will most likely just know it as Lair) was released recently onto the Japanese market. While the game may have flopped in the US, it seems that Japan has taken quite a shining to it. A few weeks ago, Famitsu gave Rise From Lair a very favourable score (only 1 less than Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core). Now the title has entered the Japanese top 10 at number 7 after selling 22,000 during its first week, according to Media Create.Could it be that the control issues have been fixed? Or maybe the Japanese don't really care and are enjoying the game anyway. We're intrigued to see how the game will do in Europe once it's finally released on November the 9th. If that is its real release date.
Japan loves Lair; Famitsu awards game high score
They say that Japanese and American gamers have different taste in games. Well, that certainly appears to be the case in Japan. Lair (or Rise from Lair, as it's called in Japan) has been getting a serious push by Sony's Japanese marketing team. They might have an easier job of selling the game in the territory, thanks to the fantastic critical reception of the game. Famitsu, Japan's leading gaming magazine awarded the game an impressive 34/40, which is far more generous than the current critical average of 55/100.Will Lair be able to dominate the Japanese sales charts next week? With Halo 3 taking the top spot this week, it seems anything is possible.
Lair soundtrack now on iTunes
Sure, Lair the game is bantha poodoo that reviewers apparently don't know how to play, but Lair's soundtrack is full of pseudo-John Williams goodness and now it's available on iTunes. Lair's score by John Debney, which is nominated for a BAFTA award, is great if you like listening to high-energy orchestral soundtracks while banging down the highway at 90 MPH.If you're looking for alternative songs to the Lair soundtrack, might we suggest: Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller Band or Seal) I Believe I Can Fly (R. Kelly) Wind Beneath My Wings (Bette Midler) Can you think of any other alternative songs for the Lair soundtrack? Oh, and we're totally ahead of you if you think you're being witty by saying Crash and Burn by either The Bangles, Blues Traveler or Simple Plan. Also, don't even think My Favorite Mistake by Sheryl Crow.
Lair soundtrack available for purchase on iTunes
Regardless of what the critics may say, there's one undeniable great thing about Lair: its soundtrack. Composed by John Debney, the rich score of Lair is filled with epic drama and a full, textured sound provided by the London and Royal Symphony Orchestras.All 26 tracks, which include hits like "Bridge of the Ancients," "Bridge Battle," and "Bridge Attack," are now available for purchase on iTunes for 99 cents each. The entire album can be purchased for a mere $9.99.[Via PlayStation.blog]
Harrison: Sony didn't force motion controls on Lair
Maybe trying to distance itself from the critically lambasted Lair, Phil Harrison told GameTrailers that it did not force tilt controls in Factor 5's controversial dragon game. "[Motion control] was definitely not mandated by us. We've always said all along that the use of the Sixaxis is something that should be decided by the developer in tune with their creative vision for the game, so it's not something we would mandate." In spite of this, it appears that many first-party Sony titles utilize tilt controls in some way. Thankfully, many developers have learned from the mistakes of Lair, and include options to turn off the tilt controls and replace them with analog movement (for example, Ratchet & Clank Future.) In addition, Harrison doesn't find fault with Heavenly Sword's length -- a deciding factor that has limited the game's score in many reviews (including our own). "You know what? Not that many people finish games, so I think we shouldn't criticize a game for being a story, which has an arc with a beginning, a middle and an end... and actually encouraging all gamers to see all of the story, I think that's something positive." Granted, the experience looks and feels big-budget. But at the end of the day, most gamers probably want a longer journey for the increased price of admission. [Thanks, njkid1! Via GameDaily]
Ken Levine defends Lair, deserves playful scolding
There's no denying that Ken Levine, lead of 2K Boston and guru of BioShock, is a golden boy in the industry right now. So when he defends the odious Lair in the latest episode of the Gamers with Jobs podcast, we can't help but politely, yet firmly, say, "No Ken Levine, bad! Wrong! We care too much about you at this moment to see you defending that ... that thing. Now go to your office, estimate the insane amounts of money you'll make before the end of the decade, and think about what you said!"Levine is even in his defense of Lair saying things like, "I'm sure somebody came to them at some point and said, 'We have this motion control controller, and we have to make a go of it. And we really think you should try to make your game exclusively on that.'" He also goes on to say that beyond Wii Sports, there are a lot of games where he wonders if people wouldn't just be happier with a d-pad and analog stick. There's actually a lot of good stuff with Levine in the well-produced podcast, definitely worth a listen and a mention on this week's Podcast rodeo.[Via GameDaily BIZ]
Lair dev critical of Warhawk's motion controls
Factor 5's Julian Eggebrecht has been thinking about motion controls a lot lately. While still content with Lair's much-maligned input system, he has found issues with Warhawk's use of motion controls less-than-stellar. In an interview with Games Radar, Eggebrecht said that "Warhawk's controls are... eurgh!""I see motion-sensing as a complimentary, additional new step in terms of controls and where it fits you should use it and where it doesn't fit, don't force it. Please don't force it," he said. You see that folks? Eggebrecht just redefined irony.Note that Warhawk can be played entirely without using the Sixaxis' tilt capabilities -- hence, they are not "forcing it." Is this a sign that Factor 5 might resign themselves to releasing a Lair patch enabling analog stick flight, or do we need to tell the Emperor he is strolling through the village without any clothes on?%Gallery-3198%[Via Joystiq]
Readers pick best webcomic: Marketing 101
Hats off* to 2P Start for finding a way to spin the spin of Lair -- the logic is so dizzying, it's like we were actually trying to pull a 180-degree turn in the game (zing!). Consequently, the comic earned top honors in this week's webcomic wrapup.Second place to Digital Unrest, and Penny Arcade has garnered third place. Thanks to everyone who voted, and be sure to let us know of any game-related webcomics you stumble upon this week! * We took our hats off for them; "pants off" is optional but encouraged.
Lair Reviewer's Guide is dummy text, add headline here
Lair is not very good. Most people agree with that. To try and alleviate the reviewing experience and perhaps gain a few points on scores, Lair's handlers released a 'Lair Reviewer's Guide' to the gaming press. Some were insulted by this.But what's really scary is that even the guide that Sony sent out is not very good either, or at least it was not proofread well. The image above is a clip from page 7 of the 'Lair Reviewer's Guide'. Yes, you read correctly, the Medium Dragon is described as "Dummy text, add new medium dragon txt here" several times over. Perhaps the "dragon-game curse" isn't done wreaking havoc on Factor 5 after all?[Thanks, Stoo!]
Sony sends out 'Lair Reviewer's Guide' -- Must. Not. Laugh.
Dear seasoned reviewers, like Greg Miller of IGN (pictured and whose work back at the Columbia Tribune we covered), you're reviewing Lair wrong -- according to Sony. Miller, and probably many other reviewers, received their copies today of the "Lair Reviewer's Guide" so that they might go back and say, "Yes Sony, we totally don't know how to play video games, thank you! Thank you so much for showing us the light on how to play these ... things. We will now go back and redo our scores with the wealth of information we have been given."We probably couldn't say it better than Tycho of Penny Arcade when he wrote what every video game professional with half a brain should think, "For my part, I don't give a good Goddamn if someone has trained themselves to eat shit and like it. The game is not challenging, it's difficult to play, and it's taken many years but I'm ready to begin making this distinction." Controls shouldn't need an explanation (or a video like the not-official one after the break), innovation can be intuitive if it's done right. Yeah, you can explain what the buttons should do, but when professionals can't use the controls properly, and they're trying to review the game for a general video game enthusiast -- that's a problem. The fact that Sony and Factor 5 had to send out a packet telling reviewers how to play the game a week after the fact is so painfully tragic that it's funny. Oh, and just to be totally clear, there are typically "fact sheets" bundled with games and even follow-up info emails sometimes, but this "Lair Reviewer's Guide" goes well beyond that with "gameplay advice." Insulting with just a hint of desperation is what the "Lair Reviewer's Guide" is.
Lair cursed from start to finish
Sometimes when you combine things, they form something even greater than its parts, like peanut butter and jelly, or the five robot cats that form Voltron. Other times, like when you combine Factor 5 and ghosts, you get Lair. "I am not a believer in ghosts, but this one was haunted," Lair director Julian Eggebrecht explains to MTV's Stephen Totilo.Factor 5's Eggebrecht and producer Brian Krueger even admit in Lair's in-game commentary that there was a "dragon-game curse". Ranging from contrast problems with the very first trailer, to power outages during the writing of the master disk, nothing would go Factor 5's way during the development of Lair.Eggebrecht and his team's struggle with the creation of Lair may be the exception rather than the rule in the video game development business, but it does help people outside of the industry understand just how tough making a game can be. The Lair director explains that "every single time there was a crucial delivery, something bizarre went wrong", even sickness and deaths within employees' families.Maybe Lair is not everything PS3 owners were hoping for, but maybe they deserve some credit too for completing a game under such trying circumstances. It's good to know that even with all that they had going against them, the Factor 5 team still had time to have a little fun and hot coffee.
Sony downplays Lair critics
Reptile romp Lair may not be a critical darling, but Sony isn't too worried. Speaking to Next-Gen (while preparing his grand exit), SCEA PR director Dave Karraker said that it doesn't matter what the critics say: it's all about the consumer."At the end of the day, I'll be interested in the consumers' response, because the consumer awareness for this title was so huge," he said. "I've spoken to any number of people who really like it, and there's other people that find it a challenge." Karraker makes a good point; who cares what a game review says if the game is well-loved by the gaming community at large (and, consequently, sells very well)? Should any consumers find fault with the game and its controls, just remember: the development was haunted. No, really.
Today's hottest video: the Lair 'Hot Coffee' code
Don't worry, it's not what you think. No dragons fornicating, or oddly polygonal women. Just a straight up, Safe-For-Work look at some hot, hot coffee. To get in on the 'Hot Coffee' action yourself, enter the following, case-sensitive code into the cheats menu of Lair: 686F7420636F66666565. If you're lazy, or unwilling to purchase Lair after the glowing reviews, then the video is embedded above for your viewing pleasure. But be careful! It's hot!
Lair's secret "Hot Coffee" code is exactly what it sounds like
Did you know that Lair has a secret "Hot Coffee" code? Inspired by the controversy sparked by Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Factor 5 has included a video in the game that lampoons the ESRB's overly harsh decision. You can experience it for yourself by inputting code 686F7420636F66666565 (case sensitive) into the game. Or, you can take the lazy way out, and watch after the cut.
