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Have some free PlayStation games this weekend, courtesy of EA
Starting today at noon PST and lasting until midnight on Sunday, December 7, EA will give PlayStation console owners free games. Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare on PS4, Mirror's Edge on PS3 and Need for Speed: Most Wanted on Vita will all available for free on the PlayStation Store for the length of PlayStation Experience.
Burnout founder: Nintendo and EA didn't care about NFS Most Wanted
Former Burnout creator Alex Ward took to Twitter to discuss EA's commitments to the Wii U in his time at the company, particularly with Need for Speed: Most Wanted. Since Ward recently announced his new indie studio, Three Fields Entertainment, fans asked him on the social media service if the developer's initiative to "make games for all platforms where we can self-publish" will include Wii U. "Probably not to be honest," Ward replied on Twitter. "But never say never." The resulting, occasionally heated conversation with fans shed light on his perspective on the relationship between the developer and Need for Speed publisher EA. After being accused of not properly supporting Nintendo's console after launching the Wii U version of the game later than the others, Ward said, "Totally wrong. I did. Second, I complained when the company didn't even bother to press the discs with our game on." He added that the team at Criterion "worked our arses off. Neither [Nintendo] or EA gave a shit about it. A group of us did try" and that disappointed fans should "bitch and moan at the publishers not the developers." "We just did the coding," Ward said. "Like we had any choice over when it was released? Or the price? Everyone is so quick to blame the developers. Folks worked through New Year to deliver that. We tried to do our best. We even flew to [Nintendo] to personally demo in a bid for [marketing] support. There was none." Ward added that "the game was not even physically released initially in Europe. Members of the team could not even buy their own game." The frustration led to Ward's departure from the company in January. "Stuff like that pissed me off hence I left EA and have started my own company using my savings. So seeing as our families won't eat if we fuck up, we will choose our platforms carefully," he said. Ward was careful to state that "NFSU is certainly NOT the main reason I left EA" and that "it's two years ago and much water has passed under the bridge since. I just care about great games." He also took a moment to sing the praises of development teams like BioWare, DICE, Visceral and the FIFA team at EA Canada. [Image: Electronic Arts]
PSN Spring Fever franchise deals include Call of Duty, GTA
If the seven games debuting on PSN this month at discounted rates don't spice up Sony's Spring Fever sale enough for your liking, the sale will also include sales on four different franchises. Games and DLC in the Call of Duty, Need for Speed, BioShock and Grand Theft Auto series are on sale at varying points in March for all PSN users. The sale spans five games in the Need for Speed series, each down to $9.99 ($5 for PS Plus subscribers) tomorrow through March 10. Those games include Need for Speed: Most Wanted on both PS3 and Vita, Hot Pursuit on PS3, The Run on PS3 and Carbon on PSP and Vita. The Call of Duty series continues on March 11 through March 17 and features a variety of game and DLC bundles for Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, Black Ops and Black Ops 2. Both Black Ops games can be purchased together for $69.99 ($62.99 on PS Plus) as well as all three Modern Warfare games for $64.99 ($58.49 for PS Plus members). Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto series rolls in next on March 18 with sales lasting through March 24. The sale knocks GTA 5 down to $39.99, GTA 4 to $5.99 ($4.79 on PS Plus) as well as a handful of other PS3 and PSP games in the series ranging from $5.99 each ($4.79 for PS Plus) to $2.99 each ($2.39 on PS Plus). Lastly, the first two games in the BioShock series will also be $9.99 ($5 for PS Plus members) March 25 through March 31. Those games are joined by BioShock Infinite's Burial at Sea Episode 1 DLC for $10.40 ($7.34 on PS Plus) as well as Columbia's Finest Pack and Clash in the Clouds for $3.49 each ($2.44 on PS Plus). [Image: Rockstar Games]
Amazon game deals round up Dishonored, Skyrim and more
Dishonored and Skyrim: The Legendary Edition are co-headling the latest video game deals over on Amazon, each available for a limited time at a reduced price of $20 and $40, respectively. The Wii U version of Criterion's latest, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, is on sale for under $20 on Wii U, and down to $30 on other platforms. Other notable game deals include Epic Mickey 2 for between $20 and $25 across multiple platforms, Saints Row: The Third for $25 and under, Zone of the Enders HD Collection for less than $25 and the Mass Effect Trilogy for $35 on Xbox 360. There are also hardware deals up for consideration: DualShock 3 controllers are $40; one year Xbox Live Gold subscription cards are $46; and other Xbox 360 accessories are all on sale. If you feel like donning your savings spectacles, you can dive into the deals over on Amazon right now.
PS Plus in Europe to get NFS: Most Wanted, Spec Ops, Mafia 2
The August delivery of PlayStation Plus games in Europe is almost here, designed to further entice the continent to stay in front of its PS3s and Vitas and away from the ever-relentless sun. July 31 sees three more PS3 games join the Instant Game Collection, with a tough choice for headliner between Need for Speed: Most Wanted, Spec Ops: The Line, and Mafia 2. The same day brings two Vita entries to the Collection, namely the Nordic madness of When Vikings Attack, and the one block to rule them all that is Lego: Lord of the Rings. There's only so much space in the IGC inventory, and no amount of clever Tetris swappery will prevent the departure of five games in turn. That means you have until July 31 to grab Catherine, Battlefield 3, Malicious, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus, and Unit 13.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted DLC: Heroes and Legends reach Terminal Velocity
A trio of new DLC packs have pulled in to Need for Speed: Most Wanted's Fairhaven city, bringing a cadre of new cars and an entirely new game area with them. Terminal Velocity is the first offering and most substantial, bringing speeders to Fairhaven International Airport. The airport itself is under construction in-game, and features lots of launchers for high-flying antics, along with a new "nitrous jump" mod for extra pop off those construction ramps.Need for Speed Movie Legends is a DLC pack centered around iconic movie rides. Bond's Aston Martin DBS 2008 and Aston Martin DB5 are here – Smokey's Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am Special Edition 1977 is represented, as is Vin Diesel's chunky ride from the Fastion & Furious, the Dodge Charger R/T 1970. Rounding out the pack is the Shelby GT500 1967 from Gone in 60 Seconds.
Why hooligans have a place in Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need for Speed: Most Wanted's online play is equal parts chaos and confusion, going against the normal regimented competitions and controlled environments found in other racing games. Criterion Games creative director Alex Ward says this design is part of the studio's "philosophy" for online play.In Most Wanted online, players are called to a meeting area before an event starts, without much warning or information. Unless you've played the particular event before, you have no idea what to do and – as mentioned in Joystiq's review – there's nothing stopping other players from foiling each other before the event starts. "The philosophy there is that we know people are utter degenerate hooligans online," Ward says – and the actions of these "hooligans," as he calls them, is a "valid" part of the overall online experience.%Gallery-178663%
Co-Driving through Need for Speed: Most Wanted on Wii U
Since the tail end of 2011, a core team of engineers at Criterion has been working with the Wii U. The final hardware launched in November, and Criterion started to scratch its collective noggin and figure out how it would work for Need for Speed: Most Wanted.This meant missing the Wii U launch, but Criterion Games' Alex Ward was fine with that during a preview session last week – if Need for Speed: Most Wanted had been at launch, it would've lacked all online functionality."The reason we didn't do the game for launch is because the online side of it wasn't very clear to us," said Ward. "We weren't sure how much we could do online or how it was going to be, because obviously Nintendo were making a lot of changes up until their run-up to launch. So we didn't want to bring the game out at launch on Wii U with no online play."%Gallery-178663%
Need for Speed: Most Wanted slams Wii U in NA on March 19, EU March 21
Need for Speed: Most Wanted races onto Wii U on March 19 in North America, and March 21 in Europe. EA says the Wii U version adds an asymmetric co-op mode called Co-op Driver, in which one player uses the GamePad to aid another using the WiiMote or Wii U Pro Controller. In Co-op Driver, the GamePad-using player has access to a real-time map, which can be used to distract cops, boost car performance, select day or night, and control traffic levels.The GamePad will also supports off-screen play in other modes, or can be used by players to select cars, keep track of their records, and find stuff hidden across the city. EA also announced the game comes bundled with the Ultimate Speed Pack, which was released as DLC for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC last month. %Gallery-176645%
Best of the Rest: Dave's picks of 2012
Joystiq is revealing its 10 favorite games of 2012 throughout the week. Keep reading for more top selections and every writer's personal, impassioned picks in Best of the Rest roundups. Borderlands 2The first Borderlands quickly established itself as one of the best co-op experiences back in 2009, and succeeded despite being forgettable in the realm of story. Not so with Borderlands 2, which not only builds on the RPG systems and excellent shooting of its predecessor in practical ways, but tells a compelling story full of memorable, endearing characters. There are few arguments for a better time with friends in 2012.
PSA: Need for Speed: Most Wanted DLC reaches Ultimate Speed today
Criterion's latest racer, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, presents its first premium DLC pack today. The Ultimate Speed pack has five new rides up for grabs – the Pagani Zonda R, McLaren F1LM, Lamborghini Aventador J and Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse – with 25 subsequent challenges for each to overcome.Fairhaven also has one new Most Wanted rival prowling the streets in a Hennessey Venom GT Spyder, which you may then take down and claim for yourself. The Ultimate Speed pack is available on Xbox 360, PS3 and Origin right now for 800 MS Points ($10).%Gallery-172740%
Need for Speed: Most Wanted DLC goes for Ultimate Speed Dec. 18
Need for Speed: Most Wanted gets some new cars and events this month. A press release from EA's UK branch pulls back the tarp on the Ultimate Speed pack, a collection of new cars – the Pagani Zonda R, McLaren F1LM, Lamborghini Aventador J and Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse – and 25 new events to conquer. There's also a new Most Wanted car to take down and own, the Hennessey Venom GT Spyder.The Ultimate Speed pack will be available for download on December 18 in the UK, for 800 MS Points ($10) through Xbox Live, PlayStation Network and Origin. There is no specific announcement for North America yet; however, most of the time DLC launches worldwide so it's safe to assume we'll get the goods on December 18, too.%Gallery-172740%
Origin Black Friday sales include cheap Medal of Honor, Need for Speed, Command & Conquer
As a retailer, EA's Origin service is also obligated to participate in Black Friday craziness. If you have any money left, you could spend it on a selection of cheap EA games.For example, Battlefield 3 is $12 to download on PC or $20 physically (on PC, Xbox, or 360). Need for Speed Most Wanted is discounted a bunch ($25 on PC, $30 on PS3 or Xbox, $20 on Vita). Medal of Honor Warfighter is $30 on PC, Xbox, and PS3. The gigantic Command & Conquer Ultimate Edition is just $25. Browse all the deals here.Origin is also offering Black Friday deals in Europe, where the company felt it necessary to explain the concept of Black Friday: "Black Friday is a relatively new concept in Europe. It traditionally refers to the beginning of the Christmas shopping period and falls on the day after the American Thanksgiving day. On Black Friday, US retailers tend to open incredibly early and offer amazing sales deals for a limited time only."
Need for Speed: Most Wanted demo hits PSN, Xbox Live
If you're looking to sample Criterion's latest racer, Need for Speed: Most Wanted has a demo available on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network today. The demo tosses players the keys to four different vehicles: the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Audi R8 GT Spyder and Ford Focus RS500.During the Need for Speed: Most Wanted demo, players can earn up to 50,000 Speed Points, the in-game currency. These 50,000 Speed Points can then be applied to the single-player game proper.
Need For Speed: Most Wanted races onto iOS today
There are plenty of racing games available for iOS on the App Store, but few carry the name recognition of Need For Speed. Today, Electronic Arts released its latest game in the popular series, Need For Speed: Most Wanted (US$6.99, universal). Its arrival coincides with the console versions of the title, but this mobile version loses surprisingly little in translation. It has all the fit and polish of its larger-budget counterpart, no doubt thanks to the involvement of developer Firemonkeys, a team comprised of talent responsible for Firemint's exceptional Real Racing series on iOS. Need For Speed: Most Wanted features a bevy of 35 customizable real-world cars to drive at suitably breakneck speeds that are conveyed surprisingly well even on older devices like the iPhone 4. Of course, the game looks best on the third-generation iPad (or newer) where it supports the device's Retina display, or in widescreen on iPhone 5. No matter which hardware you choose, you'll find pitch-perfect handling and plenty of arcade-style challenge.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted review: Burnout, baby
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is Criterion's second crack at the Need for Speed series, EA's biggest racing brand. Unlike 2010's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Criterion's first shot at the series, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a game very much rooted in Criterion's past – not EA's.Need for Speed: Most Wanted is an open-world racer akin to Criterion's last effort for its most well-known series, Burnout: Paradise. Paradise's world felt larger than Most Wanted's city of Fairhaven, but Most Wanted is a more learned execution than Paradise, a game that doesn't take your time for granted and never takes you out of the driver's seat – literally and figuratively.%Gallery-157681%
Need for Speed: Most Wanted coming to Wii U in 2013
Criterion Studio's fuel-injected, open-world playground in Need for Speed: Most Wanted has joined the likes of Batman: Arkham City and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 as yet another current-gen title that will also make its way to the Wii U."In 2013, Nintendo fans will be able to experience what it means to be Most Wanted amongst their friends on the Wii U," EA told Polygon. The announcement came after the game was spotted in a list of pending European Wii U titles, tucked inside Nintendo's recent financial statement. No further information regarding potential Wii U-exclusive features was available, nor was a more specific release window. Think someone will make a WiiPad steering wheel?
Need for Speed: Most Wanted puts the 'car' in carnage
There's not an iota of Tonto in this non-live-action launch trailer for Need for Speed: Most Wanted, but we'll forgive that oversight just this once. But we'll never forget.
PlayStation Plus this week: Need for Speed, Medal of Honor, Hell Yeah!
No, that headline isn't our own exclamation of excitement over this week's PlayStation Plus update. Two pieces of Hell Yeah! DLC, Pimp My Rabbit and Virtual Rabbit Missions, are each 20 percent off this week for Plus members, $4 and $2.40, respectively.Need for Speed: Most Wanted comes out on October 30, but this week it's $54 for Plusers who pre-order, opposed to the standard $60. Plus members also get a one-hour timed demo for Medal of Honor: Warfighter in preparation for its launch tomorrow. Sega Master System's Wonder Boy in Monster Land is normally $5 on PS3, but Plus people get it for $1 this week.Check out the full details on the PlayStation Blog, and please, try to contain your hysterical joy.
Run down these 'Need for Speed: Most Wanted' Kinect commands
Using Kinect on Xbox 360, Need for Speed: Most Wanted will try its best to keep you out of menus and in the open world constructed by Criterion Games when it launches on October 30.In the video above, producer Chris Roberts shows off just some of the stuff you can yell at your television while racing away from authorities. The insta-modding is perhaps the most useful, allowing players to strengthen their car's chassis while being hounded by zealous coppers.
