Randy Nelson
Articles by Randy Nelson
PlayStation emulator pulled from Android Market, dev suggests Xperia Play to blame
With the launch of Sony Ericsson's Android-powered "PlayStation Phone," the Xperia Play, supposedly right around the corner, Google has pulled the plug on a prominent PSOne emulator for its mobile OS. According to its author, "zodttd," PSX4Droid was removed from the Android Market without warning due to a "Content Policy violation," though he suspects it has more to do with Sony's imminent smart phone offering. "Sony's Xperia Play must be coming soon," tweeted the dev, adding that, "The timing is suspicious with no remedy." As for alternatives to the Android Market, PSX4Droid's maker says he's a "bit worried to go to Amazon App Store" since "people who own the Market version would have to buy it again to update." Meanwhile, another PSOne emulator for Android, fpse, remains available on the Market. We've contacted Sony for its response to the app's removal and are awaiting comment.
Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions packs in Championship Edition, Legions
Though still not announced for release in North America, Namco Bandai's first (of what will likely be many) iterations of Pac-Man and Galaga on 3DS has already gotten more attractive. The latest issue of Famitsu reports that, in addition to newfangled gyroscope-controlled versions of the two classics, Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions will include Pac-Man Championship Edition and Galaga Legions, plus the original arcade versions of Pac-Man and Galaga. The arcade ports will make use of the 3DS's autostereoscopic effect to create the illusion of looking down on the original coin-op machines -- though purists can always turn down the 3D slider, we assume. Players will also be able to choose between multiple cabinet variants. Of course, this will all seem quaint when we're writing about the seventh repackaging of Pac-Man and Galaga for 3DS four years from now.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 'Reverie' DLC delayed for Xbox 360
We just did a double take when we heard that Konami has delayed its "Reverie" DLC for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow -- hadn't we heard this before? We had ... just one month ago when the add-on, originally slated to arrive in February, was delayed until March. Now it's been delayed until -- well, Konami isn't saying exactly. Once again using Facebook as its conduit for bad news for Lords of Shadow fans, the publisher cites "a last minute issue which we hope to have fixed shortly" as the cause of the delay. "[W]e are working with Microsoft to resolve it as quickly as possible and give you the level of polish you deserve," the statement reads. Given that the PSN version of the DLC hit the North American PlayStation Store a week ago, the issue must be platform-specific to Xbox Live (though European PS3 players are still waiting on Reverie, too). Whatever the cause, Konami will send word "as soon as a release date has been finalized."
Rumor: Warner Bros. joining 'online pass' camp with Mortal Kombat
Warner Bros. may be following in the (very large) footsteps of Electronic Arts and THQ when it comes to discouraging -- or at least profiting from -- the sale of used games. Joystiq has learned from a tipster that when Mortal Kombat hits shelves on April 19, its box will include an "online pass" token that must be redeemed before playing online. At present, WBIE evidently intends to do the same for its high-profile releases F.E.A.R. 3 and Batman: Arkham City. Since the latter won't feature multiplayer, though, the token would have to unlock some other (equally attractive) content. According to an email obtained from our source, which appears intended for retailers, WBIE won't be promoting the pass -- in fact, no reference to it will appear on the game's packaging. Instead, it is apparently providing retailers with details on the pass, including how to purchase a new one if you're buying a used copy of the game. Unsurprisingly, a new pass will run 800 Microsoft Points / $10 for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. As with EA's titles, there will be a free two-day "trial period" before players are prompted to either enter the code or purchase a pass. We've contacted WBIE for comment on this information. You can find an excerpt from the retailer email past the break.
Latest Xbox Dashboard preview to test 'updated' disc format; testers get free Halo: Reach
Major Nelson has revealed on his blog that Microsoft is preparing to conduct another seasonal Xbox 360 Dashboard "preview program," this time to kick the tires of an "updated Xbox 360 disc format." For participating, testers will receive a copy of Halo: Reach in addition to "other possible rewards." Sign-ups are now open at Microsoft Connect, with Major Nelson saying that the company is "looking for multiple thousands of participants, so your chances of making it in are good." Unlike with last fall's update preview, there's no mention of this update prohibiting participants from playing online or voice chatting with Xbox Live members who aren't part of the beta program. The preview is restricted to US residents, though both Gold and "Free" Xbox Live members can sign up -- with Gold members given the priority come selection time. As for the new disc format: Since it will need to remain compatible with current 360 disc drives, the update is likely just related to copy protection -- in which case, the free copy of Reach probably uses it. We've contacted Microsoft for more details and will update as we get them.
Ridge Racer 3D review: Classic car, new finish
It's difficult to imagine a new hardware launch that isn't accompanied by a new Ridge Racer game (sorry, Wii). So, with the dawn of glasses-free portable 3D gaming upon us, the seminal 3D -- as in polygons -- arcade racing series is idling at the starting line, ready for you to take the wheel. It may seem like a cash grab, with the game arriving at launch more or less unchallenged and bearing a well-known name, but while there's probably some element of that at play, there's no denying that Ridge Racer 3D is as strong an entry in the series as there's been in years.%Gallery-114688%
Report: Squad-based 'Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City' detailed in new OXM
As we first heard late last year, Capcom is apparently putting a new twist on the Resident Evil franchise with the help of SOCOM: Confrontation dev Slant Six Games. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, a squad based shooter, is reportedly the cover story of Official Xbox Magazine's May 2011 issue. The issue, which StickSkills claims to have obtained from an unnamed newsstand (pictured above) that routinely sells issues early, supposedly details a game in which players take on the role of Umbrella Corporation special forces on a mission to clean up Raccoon City following the events of Resident Evil 2. According to the site, the team will have access to "big guns" and employ a number of tricks to fool and manipulate enemies -- human or otherwise. Trying to kill series hero Leon Kennedy is said to factor into the game, with the possibility of friendly forces being deployed to protect him. Operation Raccoon City is reportedly in development for Xbox 360 and PS3, and is scheduled for release this winter. When contacted, neither Capcom nor OXM could comment on this report. You can see the full cover image, provided by StickSkills, after the break. The issue is scheduled to hit newsstands, officially, on April 5.
SpongeBob SquigglePants migrates to 3DS this May
The most absorbent cartoon character ever (sorry, Towelie) is getting his own game for Nintendo 3DS. SpongeBob SquigglePants, due this May, places the porous protagonist in what publisher THQ calls "nanogames" -- we're guessing they're something along the line of WarioWare's similarly monikered microgames. Like its console counterpart due April 12, the title will rely on hand-drawn input, although the Wii's uDraw GameTablet version features "totally unique" gameplay. This one's obviously in 3D -- though we wonder if that extends all the way to the live-action story sequences hosted by Patchy the Pirate. That might just be too much.
Sony Ericsson: Xperia Play games could top $15
The game lineup for Sony's Xperia Play (aka PlayStation Phone) -- which includes 10 titles from Gameloft at launch -- will range in price from $1.50 to upwards of $16, this according to an interview with Sony Ericsson UK head of marketing David Hilton. 50 titles are expected to be on tap at launch, some PSOne classics and some "repurposed for Xperia Play" from other platforms. This price range is more or less what we've come to expect from modern mobile gaming -- iPhone and Android, specifically -- but, as Hilton was keen to point out, "the hardware allows you to play far more complex games." Let's hope that isn't also marketing-speak for "far more expensive games."
Pica Pic resurrects classic LCD handhelds ... that you should play right now
Long before there was a 3DS, there was the Game & Watch series of LCD games from Nintendo. It wasn't alone: numerous other companies produced single-game handhelds that may look primitive when compared with today's portables, but still manage to out-fun some modern games. It's excellent, then, that Pica Pic exists. This slick site is home to a dozen or so fully playable recreations of classics such as Donkey Kong Jr. and Sub Attack, with the promise of more to come. Designed by Hipopotam, the site may not be entirely legal due to its, er ... reproduction of copyrighted games, but we certainly won't tell if you want to give it a visit. Which you should. Now.
Dead or Alive Dimensions box art deemed too leggy by ESRB [update]
The artwork adorning the cover of Dead of Alive Dimensions for 3DS when it hits the US this May will look more or less like it did on the Japanese release, with one change: no inner-thigh. Tecmo tells Joystiq that the ESRB found the original art (left) too racy because it showed too much of Kasumi's right leg. In response, the company's art department whipped up an alternate cover (right) with more, well ... coverage of the highly offensive area. Whatever -- we'll still like this vetoed cover much better. Plus, it's completely leg-fee. Update, March 24: In what seems like some backpedaling in order to make nice with the ESRB, Tecmo has told 1UP the following: "[T]his whole thing is getting blown way out of proportion. The truth is that when we submitted the box art as-is from Japan, there were a few parties both internal and external who thought there might be some issue with the image. Nobody 'demanded' anything be changed, it was just pointed out. You have to pick your battles, and covering up that small bit of the image seemed to be harmless. Honestly, if you look at the comparisons between the Japanese and US box shots, it's not like the image loses anything after the edit. "The ESRB has been very helpful working with us on recent projects. If the box art was something we felt really strongly about, we would have kept it as-is. But we just didn't really see the harm in editing it to make it appropriate for everyone involved." [Image: aussie-nintendo]
Splinter Cell Classic Trilogy sneaks to June 21, Prince of Persia HD on Blu-ray also delayed
Originally due to be released today on both Blu-ray disc and PSN, the HD-ified Splinter Cell Classic Trilogy has slipped off the radar and into the shadows. IGN reports that it'll wait there, for undisclosed reasons, until resurfacing on June 21. It's not alone -- the retail release of the Prince of Persia HD trilogy, also expected today, has been pushed to April 19. Both trilogies will retail for $40 when they finally arrive on Blu-ray. The three high-res Prince of Persia games are already available via PSN at $15 a pop.
See why Portal 2's panels are the 'planks of the future'
In this first of four Portal 2 clips promoting Aperture Laboratories science, we get a look at the motorized floor, ceiling and wall panels that "assist test subjects every step of the way," according to company founder Cave Johnson. And by that, he means "impede and/or kill them."
X-Men Destiny's new character has the power of petulance
Aimi Yoshida is an all-new mutant created for X-Men Destiny by developer Silicon Knights. According to her bio, she "feels only the bitterness and anger of abandonment." She also feels the need to dress like Gogo Yubari from Kill Bill. See what we mean in these new screens.
Crysis 2 review: More than just a suit
Crysis 2 running well and looking fantastic, even on the half-decade-old Xbox 360, is now a reality. Gone is the question of "Will it run?", replaced by the really big one: "Is it any good?" Make no mistake, Crysis 2 answers the "Will it run?" question definitively. Though about the millionth FPS built around a plot of an alien invasion, give or take a few, it's also the most beautiful. Its depiction of a disaster-ravaged New York City is the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters, with layer upon layer of impressive visual effects, animations and large-scale destruction.%Gallery-119374%
Japan relief roundup: League of Legends and a special Final Fantasy Tactics
Companies, organizations and individuals connected to the games industry continue to come forward with offers of support for the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Japan. We'll be collecting the latest opportunities to lend a hand in end-of-day roundups like this one as they're announced. Head past the break for details on the today's happenings. If you'd prefer to donate to the efforts directly, you can always do so through the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org).
Heavy Rain director encourages more 'personal' stories
Speaking to The Guardian about storytelling in games, Heavy Rain director Cage singled out the FPS genre -- its use of WWII and sci-fi settings in general -- as an example where that aspect of the medium is stagnating. His advice for other game writers: " Don't write about being a rookie soldier in WWII, because you don't have a clue what that's like." Heavy Rain has drawn accolades, Cage says, because the inspiration for its story is personal and relatable. "Talk about yourself, your life, your emotions, the people around you, what you like, what you hate," he advised. "This is how the industry will make a huge step forward. I'm fed up with space marines." In his case, inspiration came from something much more down to earth. "It was not about space marines fighting aliens, it was about my relationship with my first son and how he changed my life –- and also about how loving someone without expecting anything in return was something totally new." So, Modern Warfare 3 writers: instead of "how many people can you shoot?," why not try asking players "how many people would you shoot to save someone you love?"
Joyswag: Dreamcast Collection, soundtrack vinyl and 'Still Thinking' hoodie
How does one pay tribute to such a great console as the late Sega Dreamcast? With cool swag, of course. To celebrate the company's final console -- and the release of Dreamcast Collection -- Sega manufactured a limited run of the title's soundtrack on vinyl. This snow-white record was intended only for Australia, but we got our hands on a few to give to you (because we kinda, y'know, like you). Some really sharp Dreamcast hoodies were also made. They're zip-up, with orange hood lining and draw strings, plus an embroidered Dreamcast logo on the front and the Dreamcast swirl above the words "Still Thinking ... " on the back. Four lucky readers will win a package consisting of one soundtrack vinyl, one sweatshirt and one copy of Dreamcast Collection for Xbox 360. Head past the break for the full contest rules, and good luck!
'Fiv5' could be the title of Quantic Dreams' next game
David Cage, director of the soggy serial killer interactive drama Heavy Rain, has already said there won't be a sequel to that game, telling the PlayStation Blog, "We're going to be exploring a different direction, which will still be very dark and still for adults, but completely different to Heavy Rain" for Quantic Dreams' next project. That game's specifics may be a secret, but it may have a title: "Fiv5" ... yes, in the style of David Fincher's film Se7en. Gaming trademark sleuth superannuation has turned up several clues supporting this theory, including a trademark filing with Europe's Office of Harmonization for the International Market. There's also a domain name registration by Quantic Dream, and a new hire at the developer has listed themselves as "Concept Artist: Video Game "FIVE" & "INFRAWORLD" on LinkedIn. Infraworld? Where'd we put our deerstalker hat and magnifying glass?
Steel Diver review: Thrown into the deep end
At first glance, Steel Diver might look like a fairly standard side-scrolling shmup. Truth be told, its an extremely challenging side-scrolling ... well, it's part shoot-'em-up, part submarine simulator and part strategy game. The sum of these parts is actually a lot more compelling than the game taken at face value. Putting the 3DS' capabilities to thorough use, Steel Diver presents a side-view slice of the ocean that's as deep into the screen as it is from the surface to the ocean floor. It's in this miniature sea within your handheld -- complete with schools of fish, air bubbles and volcanic vents -- that you pilot three submarines, each with their own strengths and drawbacks, on increasingly difficult missions.%Gallery-114685%