MGS
Latest
MS details Lips DLC for the rest of August
Attention, karaoke buffs, Microsoft has unveiled the Lips DLC for the remainder of August, and there's quite a variety to be had. From Coldplay to Creedence, from Robyn to Robbie Williams, there's something for everyone. There's also Timbuk3's "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades," which should should be enough for anyone. The upcoming August releases are each priced at 160 ($2). Starting today, they are as follows:August 14:"With Every Heartbeat" – Robyn"Love Is Gone" – David Guetta and Chris WillisAugust 21:"The Road to Mandalay" – Robbie Williams"Talk" – ColdplayAugust 27:"Angel" – Shaggy"Proud Mary" – Creedence Clearwater Revival*"Song for Whoever" is not available in U.K., Ireland and the Netherlands.
Lionhead Studios website overthrown by Che Guevara [update]
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/Lionhead_Studios_website_overthrown_by_Che_Guevara'; Update: It would appear as though Lionhead Studios' website has been overthrown by not one revolutionary but a series of them, as the site has updated today with a numeral five (countdown!) and an image of Maximilien Robespierre. Oh, you don't know who he is? He's one of those copycat French revolutionaries. A famous one, we promise. Now we're just hoping that at the end of the countdown, Lionhead doesn't overthrow the Internet.Don't you just hate it when your website gets overthrown by a long-dead South American revolutionary? Happens all the time! Well, okay, we're embellishing a bit, but it seems as though that's happened to Fable 2 developer Lionhead Studios' website. As you can see in the image above, Che Guevara's questioning gaze posits, "At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love," accompanied by a massive six. Sure, that could be six years or six celestial bodies orbiting around Lionhead prez Peter Molyneux's head at any given time, but we're thinking it pertains to a "special announcement" at next week's Euro convention, Gamescom, by the (in)famous developer. The email from Microsoft says, "Peter Molyneux, visionary developer and Creative Director of MGS Europe, will make a special announcement, so be sure to join us for this reveal." In the meantime, we'll be busily clicking between the thumbs up or down choice below Che's silhouette, watching as the sidebars change. It's called moral choice, folks. It's kind of popular.
Peter Jackson: Halo Chronicles 'no longer happening'
After years of speculation – appearing on our E3 bingo cards for the last two years in a row (2008, 2009) – it looks like we can finally lay to rest questions about Halo Chronicles, the much-ballyhooed partnership between would-be Halo movie producer Peter Jackson and Microsoft Game Studios. When asked about the project following a screening of District 9 – directed by would-be Halo movie director Neill Blomkamp – Jackson told Joystiq, "That Halo project is no longer happening, it sort of collapsed when the movie didn't end up happening." First announced in September of 2006, the project was later revealed to be an "episodic" series in 2007 and confirmed as recently as April of last year, when Microsoft said, "Microsoft Game Studios has been hard at work collaborating with Peter Jackson and Bungie on the development of [a Peter Jackson-helmed Halo project]." Another job listing in August of last year again alluded to continued development of the project. With key hires like Ryan Payton for Microsoft's newly unveiled Halo studio, 343 Industries, we're not sure what all is going on if Halo Chronicles isn't. We've asked Microsoft Game Studios to confirm Jackson's assertion and are hoping there's some sort of miscommunication here. Maybe "no longer happening" is a Kiwi euphemism for "totally happening." No?
Microsoft Game Studios licenses GFx tech for Crackdown 2, all titles
Microsoft has signed a deal with Scaleform to utilize its GFx user interface middleware across all Microsoft Game Studios titles, officially beginning with Ruffian's upcoming Crackdown 2. Scaleform's GFx is a vector graphics rendering engine that allows artists to design user interfaces -- such as menus and in-game heads-up displays (HUDs) -- and animated textures using Adobe Flash. Scaleform's middleware has already been used in an assortment of games, including The Conduit, Resistance 2 and Crysis. According to Scaleform's site, using its middleware will allow game developers to focus on building gameplay, "rather than coding interface elements or developing custom tools." We hope that means Crackdown 2's menus won't run abnormally slow, like the original game in the series. Brendan Iribe, president and CEO of Scaleform, was elated at the news (and probably holding a giant novelty check), claiming Microsoft's new "master agreement" for use of the Scaleform GFx middleware will streamline the process for all future MGS development teams. [Via Develop]
Kojima Productions 'aiming for PS3 quality' with Peace Walker
Click to embiggen. Peace Walker may be a PSP game, but that's not stopping Hideo Kojima from treating it as his Metal Gear Solid 5. Kojima explains that "the main staff of MGS4 are producing it," and as such, "they are aiming for PS3 quality because they were creating MGS4 on the PS3 not too long ago." Obviously, the PSP is significantly less powerful than Sony's home console, but the team is trying to push the PSP in new ways, "expressing this in ways only we can express it in."Kojima wouldn't confirm how the multiplayer gameplay of Peace Walker will work, but he does promise it will be "stealth-action based." Some new additions exclusive to the PSP game include "a variety of other different cardboard boxes," the ability to customize Snake's gear configurations, and a "growth feature" where "your character evolves." As usual, the coy designer avoided going into specifics.Check out brand new screenshots of the game (scheduled for a 2010 release) here:%Gallery-68107%
Alan Wake may scare up 360 first, PC later
Potentially bad news for PC-toting Alan Wake fans, a recent forum post by Remedy's MarkusRMD has left the release window of the PC version dangling in suspense. When asked directly about the development of the PC version of Alan Wake, MarkusRMD responded, "Unfortunately all I can say at this point is that we're focusing all our efforts on the 360 version and will be making comments in regards to the PC at a later in time."While not an outright confirmation, it certainly sounds like the PC version could release later than the Xbox 360 version, which is currently scheduled to release in spring 2010. We've contacted Microsoft -- the game's publisher -- and will update this post as soon as we hear anything new.[Via Shacknews]
A 'slice' of Forza 3's Japanese cars and tracks revealed
With an October release just around the corner, Turn 10 is taking the time to slowly reveal the cars and tracks featured in Forza Motorsport 3. Today's details come from the Japanese region, with news that Forza 3 will feature the legendary Suzuka Circuit -- known as one of the most "dangerous motorsport race tracks in Japan" -- the Tsukuba Circuit and the Twin Ring Motegi, home of the Indy Japan 300.Also revealed in today's press release were 17 of the game's 400 vehicles, featuring standard production cars like the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR and 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, as well as race models from Nissan and Toyota. A full list of the rides revealed today -- which Turn 10 promises is just a 'slice' of Japanese content -- can be found after the break. Brace your faces, racing fans, as Turn 10 trickles out more details for the upcoming racing sim in the coming months.%Gallery-67109%
Yahuh! Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack out tomorrow
If you're in the market for a delightfully bouncy orchestral video game soundtrack, then we've got some good news for you. Sumthing Digital will be offering the official Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack starting tomorrow. We've sampled a few tracks and can confirm that it is most definitely delightfully bouncy and orchestral. All kidding aside, it's actually a pretty decent soundtrack, and certainly better than a lot of the other game music out there.The soundtrack will also be available from Amazon, and can currently be pre-ordered for $13.99, nearly two bucks off the $15.98 list price. As Rare states on its website, "Nobody has an overabundance of vehicular bear music in their library right now, so this deserves a shot."Source - Sumthing DigitalSource - Amazon
Xbox Live Deal of the Week: Fable 2's Knothole Island [update]
Update: Okay folks, it seems to be showing up at the discounted price now (make sure you're signed in to Xbox.com). The deal is for Gold members only.For all of you wannabe Meteorologists out there, the problematic weather of Fable 2's Knothole Island awaits you and all of your cunning. The Lionhead community blog reveals the DLC will be discounted up until July 5. Normally 800, the DLC will receive a price cut of 30%, knocking it down to a more manageable 560. You already know our thoughts on the add-on, so we suggest you stock up on mainland items and head to Knothole Island for some rare goodies in the Box of Secrets. And, you know, tackle a dungeon or three.Add Knothole Island to your download queue%Gallery-38447%
Pre-order ODST, unlock Sgt. Avery Johnson
So here's the news: Pre-ordering Halo 3: ODST at participating retailers will net you a token to unlock Sergeant Johnson as a playable character in the new Firefight mode. We greet this news with mixed feelings. On one hand, A.J. Johnson is undeniably a badass. His in-game model is even chomping his trademark cigar. On the other hand, we're not sure if picking Johnson amounts to cheating.As Halo players well know, the man is invincible. The guy was jumped by the Flood and survived. Hell, we've seen him take a beam rifle to the head without even flinching. Here's hoping his mortality is restored for ODST. Otherwise it just wouldn't be fair. Check out some screens of Sgt. Johnson in the gallery below, and find a list of participating retailers after the break.%Gallery-66279%
PSN Thursday: MGS1 infiltrates the PSOne Classics' ranks
Similarly to the European PSN Store update, this week's content is a little lean. ! But what's this? Solid Snake infiltrates the store in his original PS1 adventure, Metal Gear Solid. Yours for the premium PS1 price of $9.99. Sure you can probably find a cheaper copy in a bargain bin somewhere, but really you're paying for the ability to play this classic on your PSP. Anywhere. Other than that, there's a new episode of Qore and an NCAA Football 10 demo. PSP owners can grab GRAW 2 and some themes, too. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.) %Gallery-66286%
Bungie: Don't expect to see Master Chief in ODST
Given that Halo 3: ODST takes place directly after the Prophet of Regret bugs out of New Mombasa, it's not too surprising to learn that Master Chief won't be appearing in the game. See, everyone knows that the UNSC In Amber Clad -- carrying Master Chief -- jumped into the same slipspace rupture used by Regret. Duh.Still, if you were sternly hoping that John 117 might make some kind of cameo, those hopes have now been officially quashed by Bungie's Brian Jarrard. Speaking to Multiplayer, Jarrard stated the totally obvious, "Master Chief, at the time this game takes place, is actually off on other parts of the galaxy." Jarrard elaborated, "In this game, it's all about you playing the role of an ODST," adding, "The way the timelines work in this game, Master Chief is off doing something else."So there you have it, the only place to find Master Chief while playing ODST is where he can always be found: Our hearts.
Metal Gear Solid Rising getting re-done graphics engine
Like a case of bad allergies, Metal Gear Solid 4's graphics left us rubbing our eyes. That said, when it comes to developing the recently unveiled Metal Gear Solid Rising, the latest sequel's eye candy is not nearly sweet enough. According to Kojima Productions assistant producer Sean Eyestone, the team is remaking Rising's engine "from scratch" to make it look better than MGS4. Speaking during a recent Kojima Productions podcast, Eyestone describes the multiplatform project as "a big project like Metal Gear Solid 4," adding that the team "team is serious about making it look as good as possible on every platform." Let's just hope our meager eyes can take it.[Via 1UP]
Forza Motorsport 3 will ship on two discs
In an interview with Joystiq, Forza Motorsport 3 content director John Wendl of Turn 10, confirmed the upcoming racer would ship on two discs. As rumors last year noted, the core game will come on the game's first disc while the second will be reserved for other content -- such as vehicles and maps. "It is going to ship on two discs," Wendl said. "Disc one is the full experience, even disc one is bigger than any other racing game out there. Disc two includes a lot of extra cars, even a handful of tracks." When asked if the second disc would act as a data transfer, downloading the additional content to the hard drive for use with the first disc, Wendl told us that was "exactly right." While Turn 10 assures all gamers will be able to enjoy the full Forza 3 experience, we now have confirmation that not all gamers will be able to enjoy all 400 vehicles promised at the Microsoft press briefing.%Gallery-65065%
'!' Metal Gear Solid Rising confirmed for PS3, PC
During Konami's E3 press conference today, Kojima confirmed assumptions that Metal Gear Solid Rising will be multiplatform, now announced for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and PC. Kojima also shed some light on the mysteries of "lightning bolt action," calling Rising an experiment in building technology first, and then delivering new content based on it. A team of new, "young" staff will produce the project.Additionally, Kojima revealed the significance of the storm teaser from his website. Contrary to your seemingly acute observations, the storm symbolizes the current economic situation, and the entertainment business is the force that will "clear up the storm." Shucks. That was so going to be our next guess!
Dress up as Liquid Snake ... for $360
Style doesn't come cheap, especially if your name is Liquid Snake -- or if you just want to pretend you're him. For $360 ($400 Canadian) you too can dress up like Solid Snake's villainous brother. The coat he wore in the first MGS has been tailored for real-life wear by AbbyShot and can be purchased off its online store.The coat is full-length and features Liquid's signature shoulder pads. Perfect for a night out in the 80s, we think. Still, buying this may make you look like Liquid, but it won't make you as bad-ass as Liquid.[Via Kotaku]
Kojima details Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation/Kojima_details_Metal_Gear_Solid_Peace_Walker'; Tactical Espionage is back and on PSP. Kojima announced Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker at Sony's conference calling it a "true sequel" that's definitely "not a spin-off or side story." Kojima himself will be writing the script and producing the game, so fans can rest easy they're getting an authentic Metal Gear experience.The game is set in the 1970s, 10 years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 3. It will star, yet again, Big Boss and will take place in Costa Rica, divulging the back story of Outer Heaven's creation. It will debut in 2010.
The Agency is recruiting again: First Crackdown 2 trailer
"The city is infected. You are the cure." So begins the first trailer for Crackdown 2. The trailer subsequently showcases one of the Agency's supercops doing what he does best. If you've played the first Crackdown, you'll know that what an Agent does best is basically to be a complete and total badass. The only difference is that this time, it looks like the Agents just might have met their match. We won't spoil it for you, so just go ahead and give it a watch.
PSA: Fable 2 'See the Future' DLC now available
OK, so, as you'd know if you read our review, there's not a whole lot of future seeing to be done here. But, nomenclature issues aside, there are some beefy new Fable 2 missions in the "See the Future" DLC which, just a reminder, is now available on Xbox Live. If you're unwilling to part with the 560 MS Points ($7), there's still a chance you could win a free copy. But, as we're talking about Joystiq's 2008 Game of the Year, we think you owe it to Lionhead to pony up the cash. Heck, you owe it to us.
Joyswag: Fable 2 'See the Future' DLC [update]
Update: Entry into this giveaway is now closed. Winners have been selected and notified via electronic mail. Check your inbox to see if you won.Hopefully, you foresee good luck in your future, because we're awarding 25 random readers new Fable 2 downloadable content. That's right, to celebrate this Tuesday's release of the Fable 2 "See the Future" expansion, we're holding a giveaway. Simply follow the instructions below and, in no time at all, you may be wandering around Albion with a new Dalmatian dog and an extra 250 Gamerscore, free of charge. Leave a comment telling us what you see in your future five years from now You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person This entry period ends at 2:00 pm ET on Tuesday, May 12. At that time, we'll randomly select 25 winners to receive a redemption code for Fable 2 "See the Future" (ARV: $7). Please check your email! For a list of complete rules, click here %Gallery-49378%
