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NHL 15 checks first screenshot, pre-order bonuses
EA Sports offered a first still image of the next entry in its hockey series today, NHL 15, spotlighting San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton in striking detail. The game was announced near the beginning of May as the first in the series for next-gen systems, and will include character models with three layers that behave independently: the athlete's body, their equipment and their jerseys. Thornton's jersey certainly seems to be wrapping well to his pads in the screenshot. EA also recently announced the game's retailer-specific pre-order bonuses. Those heavily invested in the game's Ultimate Team mode will want to pre-order their copy through either EB Games or GameStop, as they will receive $24 in Hockey Ultimate Team gold-level card packs, amounting to one pack per week for 24 weeks. All other retailers will include a similar offer, though limited to $15 in Ultimate Team card packs instead. NHL 15 will launch this fall for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PS3. [Image: EA Sports]
No midnight launch for Wii U at EB Games Canada
Before you pack up the 3DS, blankets and folding chair to go wait in line for Wii U in the Great White North, know that EB Games Canada has decided not to hold midnight openings for Nintendo's new console. Rather than opening in the evening for the Wii U launch, locations in five provinces across Canada plan to open early – at 9am or 10am local time – on Sunday, November 18.Joystiq has reached out to GameStop for clarification on its Wii U launch strategy stateside after several U.S. readers sent word that their local stores will not open at midnight for the console's arrival. We know of at least 500,000 people here who are directly affected by the uncertainty.
DmC pre-order bonuses slap some new paint on Dante's weapons
DmC Pre-order bonuses for Gamestop, Canada's EB Games, Best Buy and Amazon all "transform Dante's Shotgun, Scythe and Axe" into various re-skinned versions of themselves, Capcom announced today.Gamestop and EB Games get the Samurai Pack and three free upgrade points, while Best Buy gets the Golden Pack and access to the "Item Finder" (Guess what that one does?), and Amazon gets the Bone Pack and Orb Harvester, the latter of which allows faster weapon and combo perk enhancements. Personally, we think the Bone skin looks the coolest in trailer form, perhaps because it stands out the best in 720p. Check out the perks for yourself in the videos above and below.
EB Games Expo 2012: Guild Wars 2 interview
The highlight of this year's EB Games Expo in Sydney, Australia, at least for MMO fans, was surely the inclusion of QV Software, publisher of Guild Wars 2 in Australia and New Zealand. Naturally, Massively Multimedia Contributor David Desi (aka Psykopig) dropped by the QVS booth to chat with Dan Greentree, Product Manager and go-to guy for the Aussie edition of Guild Wars 2. Dan and David discuss the game's scope, painterly art styles, jumping puzzles, and community before answering the ultimate question: Asura or Norn?! Check it out after the break, and don't forget the Pig's other videos from the showroom floor!
EB Games Expo 2012: The people have a voice!
You may be thinking to yourself, "I saw yesterday's EB Games Expo highlights video, but I want to hear from the people in that wacky Sydney crowd!" Consider your wishes granted: Massively Multimedia Contributor David Desi (that's Psykopig to you livestream junkies) today submits his next video from this weekend's convention down under, and it's loaded with all the man-on-the-street interviews you can handle. What do Aussies want to see when they come to a con? Just how confused are attendees about the races in Guild Wars 2? Can Sydney cosplayers pull off a Mario accent? It's all there along with the Pig's usual dose of crazy humor. Check out the video just after the break, and stay tuned for the final video later today -- a full interview with some of the people responsible for Guild Wars 2!%Gallery-167739%
EB Games Expo 2012: Hello from Sydney!
This weekend, Massively's resident Aussie and livestreamer extraordinaire David Desi -- aka Psykopig -- was on the ground at the EB Games Expo in Sydney, Australia, marking the first time we've ever sent anyone to an Australian gaming con. It was jam-packed with goodness -- so much goodness that he had to make a video highlighting the weekend's adventures! You'll see some dancing, some silly faces, a whole bunch of cosplay... and maybe even a few surprises! Ever seen Deadpool and Darth Vader battle through dance? What about a flock (I think it's a flock?) of Pikachu jumping out from behind a host? If you are quick enough, you might even glimpse a wild Psykopig appearing and having a dance himself. Check out our convention overview video behind the break, and stay tuned for more videos and even a Guild Wars 2 interview later this weekend!
Rumor: Canadian EB Games stores merging used and new game shelves
Employees of Canadian EB Games stores wrote in to Kotaku to alert the site to an alleged new policy that will make your attempts to shop there even more difficult. According to the tipsters, Canadian EB's will no longer have dedicated areas for used and new games. For each platform, the two will share the exact same wall space. In addition, used games will be marked with white price stickers, just like new games. To make matters worse, one employee said that new games are to be buried behind the used ones. Another Canadian EB employee told Kotaku that these claims aren't accurate, and we have yet to see anything official from EB/GameStop, so don't start boycotting EB just yet -- at least not just in response to this issue.
Batman: Arkham City 'Steelbook Edition' exclusive to Australian EB Games, comes with classic costume
We'll be honest with you, folks -- we want nothing more than to dress as the pastel, '70s-era Batman while we prance around Arkham City. That'd just be tops. Unfortunately, we don't live in Australia, where the EB Games-exclusive "Steelbook Edition" comes with the blue-tinged DLC, along with a few more bat-themed goodies. Buyers of the "Steelbook Edition" also get their game in a fancy metal box, access to the "Joker Carnival" Challenge Map DLC, and a copy of the "Batman: Under the Red Hood" animated film on DVD (or Blu-ray, should you buy the PS3 version). And for $98 AUD ($107 USD), they'll be paying exactly the same price as Aussies buying the regular edition at other game retailers. [Thanks, Brad.]
Game retailers go back and forth on Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D sales policies
Used games retailers across the globe have adopted a number of uncharacteristic policies regarding sales and trade-ins of Capcom's one-save-only title, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. When news of the game's unrestartability first surfaced, North American Gamestops announced they would not accept the game as a trade-in -- a policy which reversed today. Speaking to IGN, a Gamestop rep explained, "GameStop did ask the U.S. store base to stop accepting trades on Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D as we evaluated the save system for the game." The representative added, "Upon further review of the process with our publisher partner, Capcom, GameStop will resume taking trades on the game effective Wednesday, June 29." Overseas, British retailer HMV has ceased taking trades for the title -- and EB Games Australia has apparently stopped stocking the game altogether. A representative on the EB Games Facebook group explained, "If you would like to purchase it with us then of course we will sell it to you, it will be a case of an order with our store." They added, "We made the tough decision to remove it from sale because we have everybody's best interests in mind, and don't feel its fair that you guys would be paying $60 for what is essentially a one use game."
GameStop will honor Duke Nukem Forever pre-orders from simpler times
This one goes out to Tommy (now "Tom") Meredith. In 1997, the then 17-year-old borrowed his parent's car and, with a big grin and five dollars, drove over to the local EB Games to pre-order Duke Nukem Forever. Now 31, with a receding hairline, three kids (only two of which he's sure are his), a defaulted mortgage, divorce and a vasectomy later, he will finally be able to redeem that receipt. A receipt that not only represents an innocent time, but all the hopes and dreams of his younger self. GamePro checked in with GameStop regarding pre-orders made back in the twilight years of Babbage's. The retailer simply encourages customers who pre-ordered over a year ago to verify their reservation with a local store prior to launch. As long as the customer has a receipt the company will "honor even those pre-orders taken long ago." All pre-order customers will receive Duke's Big Package. And Tom Meredith will learn to smile again.
Meet WoW Insider at midnight Cataclysm releases
The release of Cataclysm is upon us. There are launch events happening all over the world, from Blizzard's official midnight release event in Fountain Valley to the Exclusive Books release party in Johannesburg, South Africa. Despite the ease of purchasing a Cataclysm digital download, many members of the WoW Insider staff will still be attending midnight releases -- and we'd like to meet you! Don't be shy! If you see someone in a WoW Insider shirt, stop and say hello. If you don't see someone in a WoW Insider shirt at the locations listed below the break, it's probably because it's the middle of winter and we're all doing our best not to freeze to death. Just ask around! Oh, did I mention all WoW Insider staff members will be armed with Slashdance and Tiny loot codes from WoWTCGLoot.com? A list of attending staff members and their locations are behind the break. And below, pictures from the Wrath midnight launches attending by the WoW Insider crew. %Gallery-36715%
Retailer-backed pro-R18+ petition draws over 72K signatures in Australia
[Destructoid] Though new South Australian Attorney General John Rau seems to be straddling the fence on the prospect of introducing an R18+ rating for mature games in the land down under, a large force of gamers are attempting to pull him over to their side. A petition started by electronics retailer GAME six weeks ago has garnered over 72,000 signatures in support of the new rating, which would ostensibly reduce the number of games that are censored or outright banned in the region. EB Games and special interest group Grow Up Australia have started a similar petition, gathering over 46,000 signatures for the cause. GAME plans to bring its petition before the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting on May 7, though it's not certain that the R18+ issue will be on the agenda. If it is, however, the petition will be difficult to ignore -- according to GamePolitics' calculations, it's well on its way to becoming the largest petition in the nation's history.
EB Games endorses R18+ rating in Australia
Australia isn't just dangerous because of its abundance of deadly, poisonous wildlife, it's also not a great place to live if you're an adult gamer. See, the country's maximum rating for video games has long been MA 15+, meaning that a mature game must either be censored down to what the country deems is suitable for a 15 year old individual or outright banned from release in the country. This forces many gamers to navigate the seedy streets and back alleys of the importing scene. Nasty stuff, believe us. But, there's hope. A new rating of R18+ has been a hot topic as of late. Recently, the government has been receptive to a change in the legislature, despite South Australian attorney general Michael Atkinson's vehement disapproval. The public is able to weigh in on the proposed change right now, but retailer EB Games has also decided to join the fight for more mature titles. And like anyone else trying to get something done on the internet, it's started a petition. The "Grow Up Australia & EB Games" petition pretty much mirrors the same form found on the Aussie government's site here, so if you're a bloke or sheila who has already voiced your opinions on the government site, there's no need to fill out this new EB Games questionnaire. If not, get on it. The deadline is February 28. [Via IGN]
Halo: Reach screenshots leaked then pulled by EB Games website
Were you quick enough to catch the handful of Halo: Reach screens released via the EBGames website? Well it happened, we assure you, and luckily the folks at XCast Online snagged the whole lot of 'em. That said, if you've already got the February issue of Game Informer, chances are you've seen these screens before -- that's because a good deal of them are directly from that issue's cover story on the upcoming prequel. If EB Games has already gotten its hands on these screens, chances are we'll be seeing an official release from Microsoft in the not-so-distant future. In the meantime, we've pestered the publisher for some idea of when exactly that'll be. %Gallery-80182%
Analyst: GameStop sales safe from digital delivery until 2017
Even though GameStop seems to be accepting the inevitable digital future, one analyst says the major gaming retailer won't feel the pinch from online game delivery services until 2017. According to Broadpoint AmTech analyst Ben Schachter, limited storage capacity and bandwidth limitations mean it is "unlikely" that digital services will have a "meaningful impact" on GameStop's sales within this console cycle. Schachter doesn't anticipate the next console cycle to kick off until some time in 2014 and, even if future formats are completely digital, believes it will still take a number of years for market penetration to reach a threatening level to the retail business. For an example of "proof" to his claims, Schachter points to the "very disappointing sales" of the digital download exclusive, Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost & Damned. Confusing, considering all previous accounts have pointed to the downloadable expansion as seeing strong sales since release. "The bottom line is that retail still matters," Schachter told IndustryGamers. While some analysts are keen on throwing the brick-and-motar chain under the bus during the increasing digital age, Schachter claims Gamestop "continues to defy the naysayers." He went on to ask if we wanted to pre-order any future games industry analysis. [Image]
Absolutely hideous new Xbox 360 controller spotted online
We're not opposed to colors splashed on our favorite accessories, but a new Xbox 360 controller spotted online at EB Games is making us change your minds. Discovered by Chip Chick, this black and red abomination combines the sleek design of Microsoft's controller with a design only a color-blind person would find appealing. If its lack of style* isn't enough, the controller -- which is bundled with a charger -- will set gamers back $70. We'll stick with our solid colors, thank you very much.*If you happen to enjoy the controller's design, we apologize ... for your lack of taste. Ba-Zing![Via Gizmodo]
Australian Scribblenauts pre-orders get sweet hat
If you happen to come from the land down under, pre-ordering Scribblenauts at EB Games will award you with some Scribble-haute couture. More specifically, a pre-order will snag lucky gamers a hat (a Scribble-hat, if you will). You might be wondering on what occasions it would be appropriate to wear such a hat. The correct answer to that question is all of them.We contacted GameStop to see if the hat would be available for North American pre-orders as well. Should they be exclusive to Australia, we're assuming the only other way to obtain the hat would be to write "pre-order bonus" within the game itself.[Thanks, Klim!]
Buy 2 used games, get one free at GameStop
The bargain hunters over at Slickdeals.net have uncovered a decent sale at GameStop and EB Games this weekend. The deal is pretty simple: Buy two used games (or accessories), get one free. The deal is even valid online, which is a nice plus. To apply the deal online, simply type the code "BUY2GET1" in the promotion box. Slickdeals notes that you can also get free shipping by entering the code "SAVER."Given that we've more or less entered the spring gaming slump, now is the perfect time to pick up some older games you may have missed.[Via Slickdeals.net]
Tabula Rasa burial ground, behind EB Games
Despite the title of this Kotaku post, I still refuse to call Tabula Rasa a bad game. Sure it's certainly not an encouraging sign to see dozens of sealed TR boxes filling a dumpster behind an EB Games in Canada, but I am not going to jump on that wagon.In this Kotaku post, we see two reader-submitted photos of said dumpster, and it really makes me sad to think about where those games could have gone instead. I wonder if they first tried to give them away for free, or perhaps the EB Games upper management told them that it's not even worth the shelf space, considering their PC shelf space is shrinking every day anyway. Would you have taken a free copy of Tabula Rasa, just to play it out completely free these last six weeks? Am I being a complete fanboy? Yes, but I know I've never had a stronger compulsion to dumpster dive in my life.
Wrath of the Lich King breaks all previous records at GameStop
We weren't kidding when we said Wrath of the Lich King would be the biggest MMO expansion the industry has ever seen. This is reaffirmed in a recent article at Ars Technica written by Ben Kuchera, who writes, "This isn't a game as much as it's a juggernaut of money-making power..." Kuchera sources info from Massively's sister site WoW Insider, who got their hands on a leaked internal email from EB Games detailing just how significant Wrath has been, from a business standpoint at GameStop. Kuchera breaks down a few of the highlights: The week of the game's launch was the biggest sales week of the year. It was also the biggest sales week ever, outside of the previous year's Christmas sales. The Wrath launch was the biggest launch in GameStop's history. Wrath of the Lich King set a new record for presales. Wrath day-one sales exceed that of any game they've ever sold. See Kuchera's piece over at ArsTechnica for more on the record-breaking World of Warcraft expansion, and Mike Schramm's article at WoW Insider about Wrath of the Lich King's retail success. One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!
