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PlayStation Now gets Mirror's Edge, Mass Effect 2, more next month
EA will bring games from its catalog to Sony's video game streaming service PlayStation Now starting next month. As of December 2, five of EA's games will be available to stream starting "around $1 per day," according to PlayStation Blog. The games being added to PlayStation Now are: Mirror's Edge, Mass Effect 2, Dead Space 3, NBA Jam On Fire Edition and Bejeweled 3. Sony kicked off the open beta for its PlayStation Now service in July on PS4 before rolling its open beta phases out for PS3 in September, later arriving on Vita as well as PS TV in October. The streaming service will reach Europe in 2015, with the UK slated to get access to the first beta in the region. EA continues to find ways to leverage its catalog on digital platforms, as it kicked off its own subscription-based service on Xbox One in August, EA Access. Sony previously evaluated EA Access and determined that it "does not bring the kind of value PlayStation customers have come to expect," leading to the service's Xbox One exclusivity. [Image: EA]
EA tweet was 'unauthorized,' no new NBA Jam announcements
A tweet teasing a new entry in basketball series NBA Jam came from unauthorized use of the account, EA has told Joystiq. "Yesterday, there was unauthorized use of the @nbajam Twitter handle," an EA representative said. "We do not have any announcements to make about NBA Jam at this time." The tweet in question is still on the account. The series returned to consoles in 2010 with NBA Jam before an enhanced NBA Jam: On Fire Edition version arrived in 2011. The series is dormant, then, until EA decides to officially announce a new game. In other words, this is like that time Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Shawn Bradley, Muggsy Bogues and Larry Johnson had to wait for Michael Jordan to bring their basketball talent back to them in Space Jam. [Image: Electronic Arts]
Xbox end-of-year sale rounds up arcade sportsball deals
It's football, other football, basketball, and hockeyball in today's Xbox Countdown to 2014 sale, with 75 percent deducted from four arcade sportsters. There's FIFA Street 3 down to $5, NFL Blitz and NBA Jam: On Fire Edition both at $3.74, and 3 on 3 NHL Arcade just $1.24. If you just can't take another charade, some of those games are perfect holiday fodder - the original NBA Jam was a seasonal fixture in our house, the ideal platform for inter-familial bragging rights. For less than $4, EA Canada's reworked On Fire Edition looks a steal. Finally, a quick reminder/warning/warming: This is the last day of the week-long sale, and that means it's the last day you can get a whole bunch of games at reduced prices.
NBA Jam and Payday top October PSN sales
We get it: every October, it's all about basketball and bank robberies for us, so naturally the top-grossing games on PSN for the month revolve around similar subject matter. The PlayStation Blog reports that the two top games purchased and installed in October are NBA Jam: On Fire Edition and Payday: The Heist in first and second place, respectively. Taking third place was the re-release of Crysis, followed by Chrono Trigger and Resident Evil 4 HD. Also, we're glad to see Odin Sphere debut in the charts at number 15 -- you may recall, its release is part of the "Only on PlayStation Network" campaign where select PS2 games were given new life as PSN titles. We're all for older games (especially good ones) finding a new audience! You can see the full list of October's top-earners through the source link below. Just try not to flip out too much when you see Real Steel rank higher than God Hand.
European PSN releases for October 5
If there are two games more diametrically opposed than this week's European PSN update headliners, we can't think of them. What do you feel like: A quiet, reflective real-time strategy game about growing flowers on alien planets? Or a non-stop, slamma-jamma multiplayer dunkfest? You absolutely, totally cannot have both. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
XBLA in Brief: NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, Sega Bass Fishing, Space Channel 5 Part 2
With our review of Orcs Must Die! already up, it's time to take a look at this week's other XBLA releases, NBA Jam: On Fire Edition, Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2. In other words, we have two old Dreamcast games, and one game that's trying to make you remember old games. There are new Xbox Live Arcade games released every week. We realize that our readers are busy, attractive people, and may not have time to download and examine each and every new XBLA game. You've got busy, attractive person stuff to do, after all. Not to worry though, because we've done the work for you, downloading every single trial game and giving you a taste of what to expect. Watch XBLA in Brief every week to see which games deserve a closer look. When you have the time, of course.
SSX characters dunked into NBA Jam: On Fire Edition
Some SSX characters are moving from the snow to on fire, from steep snowy slopes to flat parquet floors, from boards to ... basketballs. Boomshakalaka! In a bizarre crossover, EA announced that Elise, Kaori, and Mac from SSX will be a playable team in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition. If you like the idea of controlling the sweatiest team in Jam history (they're in head-to-toe cold weather gear!), look forward to next week's PSN/XBLA release of On Fire Edition.
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition on display
The first clip from NBA Jam: On Fire Edition has laced up its Reebok Pumps and hit the court and looks just as you'd hope: A guy says "Boom-shaka-laka", dudes catch fire and heads are massive. We'd point out that "Real AI" is a contradiction in terms, but that's the kinda talk that gets you benched.
Report: NBA Jam creator Mark Turmell leaves EA to join Zynga
Mark Turmell, EA Tiburon's senior creative director and the creator of NBA Jam, has allegedly left Electronic Arts for Zynga. Kotaku confirmed with EA that Turmell left the publisher, with a company spokesperson saying, "We appreciate Mark's contribution to Tiburon and EA Sports and wish him well in future endeavors." Turmell's departure adds some questions to the rumored return of NFL Blitz, allegedly being developed at EA Tiburon. Turmell co-created the original NFL Blitz while at Midway. If Turmell does end up at Zynga, he adds his name to a list that includes former EA COO John Schappert, developer Brian Reynolds and many, many other individuals and studios.
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition will be $15, sport a touch of razzle-dazzle
NBA Jam was meant to be bundled as a freebie before EA canned NBA Elite 11. It ended up on disc as a standalone product on Wii and, later, Xbox 360, PS3 and eventually iOS. Now, EA is launching NBA Jam yet again, this time on Xbox Live and PSN. NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is slated for PSN and Xbox Live Arcade this fall and aims to offer the most comprehensive version of the game yet, as a $15 download. It's got a new taunting system, online features and the ability to switch between ballers when playing solo. There are two different core taunts: a mocking gesture (called a razzle-dazzle in the game) that's meant to harass your opponent; and a self-explanatory poke. The poke isn't as strong as the shove, but it's pretty hilarious to see in action -- the cartoon sound bite helps to sell it. Other new additions include a team fire capability, where three successful alley-oops will set your entire team on fire. You can now switch between players on demand, and the game claims to have an overhauled, more aggressive AI. There's also a new online tournament mode and online co-op campaign, if you're into that whole teamwork thing. EA representatives wouldn't give me a narrower launch window than October at last week's EA Summer Showcase, but I was told that gamers should expect NBA Jam: On Fire Edition right around the time when "basketball games usually release." So, October, then.%Gallery-127946%
NBA extends multi-year licensing agreements with 2K and EA Sports
Six years ago, the NBA counted five major game makers -- including Sony, Midway and Atari -- in its non-exclusive circle of licensees. That number has since dwindled to two, as the league today re-upped its multi-year licensing agreements with its longstanding (and still standing) video game partners, Take-Two Interactive and Electronic Arts. Unsurprisingly, through its 2K Sports label, Take-Two will continue to make use of its NBA license in its successful NBA 2K franchise. The most recent release, NBA 2K11, has now sold more than five million units since its October 2010 debut, according to the publisher. The next iteration, NBA 2K12, is expected to be announced at E3. Assuming 2K12 is on track to be released this fall (lockout or game on), it would mark a second straight year that 2K Sports' simulation series entered the market with no direct competition (Madden style!). EA, the NBA's oldest video game partner, permanently benched NBA Elite 11 last November after the company determined, "It was just going to be a bad game." EA Sports' next basketball sim won't be released until Fall 2012, with a download-only NBA Jam sequel subbing in this October. Additionally, Take-Two is expected to "explore and develop new NBA licensed gaming opportunities, including online on social media platforms," according to a press announcement. Counting itself as "the No. 1 U.S. sports league on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube," the NBA, through its NBA Digital label, has already released NBA Legends (developed by Lionside) and NBA Dynasty (in partnership with Disney-owned Playdom) on Facebook this year. [Pictured: Bulls versus Lakers and the NBA Playoffs (EA, 1991); source: Hoopedia]
NBA Jam: On Fire Edition drives to PSN, XBLA this October
EA Sports is working on a follow-up to last year's reboot of NBA Jam, but this one's going download-only. NBA Jam: On Fire Edition is set to take the court in October for both PS3 and Xbox Live (no Wii release announced) and will arrive via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade, respectively. It's worth noting that last year's game was a full $50 retail release, but a stripped-down version was originally planned as a downloadable title free to those who purchased new copies of the ill-fated NBA Elite 11. On Fire Edition will benefit from new opponent AI (adapted from the Fight Night titles), revamped visuals and a host of new online features including an online co-op "Road Trip" campaign mode and roster updates. The new AI is promising competition that "learns your tendencies and throws them back in your face." Y'know, kind of like having the fact that you paid 50 bucks for the last game, when this one will probably run $15-20, thrown back in your face. Boomshakalaka!
