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Nielsen: In-game ads increase real-world sales
We hate to be the ones to break it to you -- but those in-game advertisements that some of you aren't terribly big fans? Well, they're actually pretty effective at boring into your subconscious and making you want to buy Axe Body Spray or Snickers, or whatever. A recent Nielsen study of six EA Sports titles, including NHL 10 and NBA Live 09, found that in-game ads for Gatorade increased household dollars spent on said beverage by 24 percent. For more information on how the study was conducted, you can check out Nielsen's press release. We'd normally take the time to summarize that process in this very post, but we've suddenly been struck by the strangest, most powerful urge to go out and just start slamming some sports drinks.
Best of the Rest: Xav's Picks of 2009
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Upon release, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars immediately found its way on my top five games of 2009. With its style, humor and variety it's clear Rockstar was trying to shine a new light on the popular franchise. Not only that, Rockstar took chances in hopes to attract a similar audience to a handheld GTA as it has on consoles. From a new class of criminal, fighting for honor and turf in Liberty City to an addictive (albeit, mostly cloned from Drugwars) illegal narcotic mini-game, Chinatown Wars felt like a breath of fresh air. Sadly, the game was a commercial disaster, relative to its console-based siblings. Be that as it may, Chinatown Wars was not only my favorite on-the-go game of the year, it was easily one of the best games to release across any platform in 2009.
PSA: Futureshop slashing prices on Dragon Age, Left 4 Dead 2, NFS: Shift
Hey Canadians! Yeah, you guys and gals huddled together attempting to maintain sustainable body heat. Just a friendly reminder that big-box retailer Futureshop is currently slashing prices on a slew of new video game titles. Dragon Age: Origins, Left 4 Dead 2, Brutal Legend and Need for Speed: Shift are all on sale for $39.99. Wait, what's this? NHL 10? Oh, Canada. You're so adorably predictable! The online and in-store sale ends on December 3, so make sure to defrost your car, dust off your skates and hit the store ASAP. And before you ask: Yes, Rock Band 2's special edition is priced at $99 and does include a free mullet kit. We don't know what that is, but we know we want it. More Canadian deals can be found after the break.Update: Best Buy Canada is offering similar discounts.
European PSN releases for August 27
Today sees the release of two new PSN titles with a simplicity of purpose that we find and heartwarming -- Smash Cars and Battle Tanks. No need for high-minded prose or character development here, folks. Give us vehicles running into each other really fast, and we will be satisfied.Also new this week is the totally free Batman: Arkham Asylum "Play as Joker" DLC, a batch of Crash Commando DLC (accompanied by a price cut for the full version of the game), demos for NHL 10 and F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn, and more content for Disgaea 3 than our minds can currently comprehend. Seriously, we're going to be contemplating the uses of an "Action Prinny" for the rest of the day. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Demos for NHL 10 and DiRT 2 join Lost Planet 2 and Mini Ninjas on Live
Need something to chew up your free time between constant attempts to sequence break Shadow Complex? Xbox Live Marketplace has been invaded by a slew of new game demos -- currently available to Gold members -- to help combat your boredom. With four demos hitting the Marketplace in the last two days, Xbox users are treated to a collection of completely different gaming experiences. Strap into the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and race the Trailblazer event in DiRT 2, lace up your skates and hit the ice in the NHL 10 demo, show off your ninja skills in Mini Ninjas or jump online with up to four players and attack the evil Akrid in the Lost Planet 2 Co-op demo. That, ladies and gentlemen, is what we call a diverse selection of video game demos. Queue up the DiRT 2 demo Queue up the NHL 10 demo (and check out Xbox Canada's exclusive Q&A) Queue up the Mini Ninjas demo Queue up the Lost Planet 2 Co-op demo
NHL 10 asks gamers to 'Battle for the Cup'
In a new producer-hosted NHL 10 trailer, EA Sports is showcasing the upcoming title's "Battle for the Cup" mode. Essentially, the mode boils down to kicking off a best-of 1, 3, 5 or 7 game playoff series from the main menu, but tweaks to the game's crowd, AI and other enhancements crank the pressure on high to perform.Also revealed (albeit last week) was the game's "Be a GM" mode (video after the break), where players take on the role of a team's General Manager and attempt to build a dynasty over his tenure as the man in charge. With so many additions and enhancements hitting the ice in NHL 10, we eagerly await more details on what rival NHL 2K10 has in store. We totally hope they drop the gloves for our hard-earned cash.%Gallery-63371%
EA Sports' fall soundtrack in full, from Alexisonfire to Zap Mama
What kind of crazy, block-bustin' beats are you going to be nodding your head to when playing this fall's EA Sports titles? The publisher wants you to know, in full, well before any of the games launch. Why? Well, we're not entirely sure. One thing that's clearly apparent from the various soundtracks: target markets. We're not exactly left scratching our heads over who wants Röyksopp rolling in the background while playing a rousing game of footie (hint: EUROPEANS) or who wants Alice in Chains pumping in Giants Stadium (hint: UNITED STATESIANS). Either way, head after the break for the whole list, including the tunes in Madden NFL 10, NBA Live 10, NHL 10, and FIFA 10. And then go out and buy a Röyksopp album. You'll thank us.
Video: NHL 10 producer showcases new gameplay features
In the latest "trailer" for NHL 10, producer David Littman shows off some of the upcoming title's new gameplay features. Having come off what was arguably the best sports game of 2009, EA Canada decided to refine the small things that happen during the "coolest game on Earth." Hockey fans can expect more detailed play around the boards and noticeable aggression from the AI after the whistle as a few of the added elements to keep NHL 10 fresh. First-person fighting is in there too, but we're taking a wait and see approach to the feature. Either it ends up fantastic or its the first thing we switch off in the game's options, along with the Dany Heatley-specific wahhhmbulance feature.
Patrick Kane dekes his way onto NHL 10 cover
Click for full cover EA's getting a new slapsticker for its NHL series of games, as the Chicago Blackhawks' right winger, Patrick Kane, will be gracing the cover of NHL 10. Drafted in 2007, the kid has been a great player since hitting the ice, and is a solid choice for the cover. But is he a better choice than the competition's cover guy? All we want to know is: where's the Sidney Crosby love? The Penguins did win the Stanley Cup this year, after all. Also, we looked that up on Wikipedia. %Gallery-63371%
NHL 10 to feature first-person fighting, gameplay 'refinements'
Players will be close enough to count an opponent's missing teeth when skaters square off to settle things with their fists in NHL 10. Electronic Arts announced that the game will shift the perspective from the third- to first-person during fights as players clobber each other in the forthcoming annual update. The change is among 200 "refinements" EA promises, including glass-banging crowds, a new board physics engine and scraps after the whistle. Additionally, EA adds that enforcers will now step in to throw down to protect skill players in a fight, meaning even virtual versions of Crosby or Sakic can breathe easy knowing someone's got their back. %Gallery-63371%
