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Koller says UMDs "always been a steady growth"
Senior Marketing Manager John Koller has had a lot to say about PSP in the past few days. The system, which is now two years old, has seen its share of successes and problems. One undeniable truth has been the lackluster sales of Sony's proprietary movie format, the UMD. Although the format is considered dead by most, Koller claims that the format has "always been a steady growth."The problem with UMDs, he notes, is the inappropriate selection of movies in its catalog: "There hasn't been the drop off that's been reported. The movies that have had some selling problems, quite honestly would in any environment, are the ones that weren't targeted against that 16-24 year old demo, or even now as we get a little bit younger the 13-24 year old demo. They're not looking for the older catalog late 70s early 80s kind of movies. A lot of them weren't alive then."Looking at the top UMD movies (pictured, above), it's clear that successful UMD movies target a very specific demographic. However, considering the scarcity of movies in our weekly PSP releases, it's clear that the format is not experiencing the "growth" that Koller is hinting at. There's more to read at Game Informer, but note that the interview reiterates many points that we covered at GDC.
Oops: Game Informer says Mercenaries 2 Xbox 360 exclusive
Just to clear up present and future tips. You know when you hear something long enough, you begin to think it's true? Well, that's what apparently happened to everyone in the chain of command at Game Informer when it came to the ongoing rumors that Mercenaries 2: World in Flames was no longer a PlayStation 3 exclusive. Heck, they believed it so much they just went ahead and made it an Xbox 360 exclusive in their March issue(as seen in the photo above). GI has since corrected themselves and, honestly, the error is totally understandable.The whole Merc. 2 Xbox 360 kerfuffle started last July when a Pandemic representative said, "Right now, we have PS3 development kits and it's on PS3, and there is no announcement, but we're definitely considering Xbox 360." Then came the shots of Merc. 2 developers having and using a considerable amount of Xbox 360 equipment. Finally, there was the "oops" by IGN, when they announced the game for Xbox 360. This is laughably becoming one of the worst kept secrets in the industry.
Mysterious Wii 'Sadness' explained!
Has the mysterious Sadness weighed down your soul, pervading every fold and crevice of your aching heart? Well cheer up, Game Informer brings the first illuminating details of Nibris' dark horror adventure: It's pre-WWI, and you are Maria, a woman desperate to protect her son Alexander after a train derailment lands the two of you in the always-creepy Eastern European countryside. Alex has been blinded in the accident and is starting to act "odd." Your subsequent fate will share eerie similarities to ... Slavic legends!Nibris estimates that Sadness will provide 15 heart-pounding hours of "No Alex! Not that way!" action, in addition to 10 tear-jerking endings. You ready to unleash your inner-mother? We hear Cooking Mama is a great way to stir up those maternal instincts ... try starting there.
2006 belongs to PS2, rules Game Informer [update 2]
The new issue of Game Informer (#165) offers the editors' vision of the 'Top 50 games of 2006.' According to GI, while Wii and PlayStation 3 overpowered our attentions, PlayStation 2 quietly enjoyed the year's most fulfilling lineup, trumping Xbox 360's solid first year.Here's a breakdown of the number of Top 50 games per system (includes multi-platform titles): PS2: 20 (8 multi-platform) Xbox 360: 16 (10 multi-platform) PC: 15 (8 multi-platform) PS3: 6 (5 multi-platform) Xbox: 6 (all multi-platform) DS: 6 PSP: 4 Wii: 3 (GI lists 3 in table, but only highlights 2 games in article) GameCube: 0* Despite Sony systems featuring 30 of GI's 2006 favorites, Nintendo was selected as both top publisher and developer of the year; and Twilight Princess (for Wii) was elected as 'Game of the Year.' It's also worth noting that while PS2 featured a wealth of top-rated games, the console was also home to the majority of lowest-rated, compatible with six of the 'Top 10 Worst Games of 2006.'Update 1: because you all demanded it, here are GI's picks for PS3 games included in the year's Top 50 (in no particular order): Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, Need for Speed Carbon, Call of Duty 3, Resistance: Fall of Man, Tony Hawk's Project 8, and Fight Night Round 3. Only Resistance is a PS3 exclusive.Update 2: specified number of multi-platform titles per system in Top 50 breakdown.*Twilight Princess was not included in the GameCube category.[Via print edition]See also: Winner of strongest fall lineup is ... PS2?
New Zelda for Wii "deep in development," Phantom Hourglass delayed
The new issue of Game Informer (#165) reportedly alleges that the next Wii installment of The Legend of Zelda has been "deep in development for around a year." Admittedly, this rumor comes as little surprise, since consistent first-party support is crucial for Wii's success.We needn't remind you that Twilight Princess is a GameCube game with tacked on Wii functionality. While no doubt a key asset to the Wii launch, Twilight Princess is not a showcase for the new platform. Rest assured Nintendo has been working on 'that' particular Zelda entry since the moment the Wii concept was birthed. That's not to say we expect a true Wii Zelda before 2008. Remember, Metroid and Mario are holding it down in '07.Game Informer also reports that Phantom Hourglass for DS as been delayed until October 2007; a full year after the Wind Waker sequel was initially expected. Sound familiar?
Metareview: Killzone: Liberation
The second half of October is going to be an expensive month for PSP owners. October 31st will be an especially expensive time, with two of the PSP's biggest heavy-hitters launching simultaneously: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Killzone Liberation. The early reviews of Killzone are in, and so far, it's good: IGN (90/100) - "It seems wherever Liberation can go the extra mile, it does. It delivers on all fronts, from a thoroughly engrossing single-player campaign to an addictive multiplayer component. Liberation also shames most other PSP offerings through its presentation, which blends excellent visuals and sound with a clean and user-friendly interface. It has a few quirks, but in the end, they seem almost negligible. Definitely recommended to fans of the action genre, but also to anyone who dislikes bad games." Game Informer (73/100) - "Killzone is a franchise that has generated a lot of hype based on one average console FPS and a really wicked E3 video a couple of years ago, but Liberation is a PSP title that has some real meat on its bones... The basics here are all done well; I just wish there was a better auto-targeting system in place, a flaw that really limited my enjoyment of this game. Still, when portable versions of shooters so often feel like product for product's sake, it's good to see a company that's actually trying to do some quality work on the PSP." UGO (90/100) - "Gameplay-wise, Liberation is one of the best overhead shooters we've ever played... We would've liked to see a slightly meatier single-player experience, but the promised downloadable chapters and maps should help that. Mutliplayer, on the other hand, is top notch, and if you've got a couple friends with the game, it'll be a sure way to kill a few hours." Meaty? Not meaty? Game Informer and UGO seem to disagree and the meatocity of the game, but one cannot forget that much more content will be made available later on in the year as free downloads, such as the highly coveted Infrastructure multiplayer. Our very own Chris Powell gave the demo an 8.5 earlier in the year, and it appears that the final version of the game is well represented by the demo. So, dust off your demo UMDs, and give the demo a spin. Chances are if you like the demo, you'll like the game.
Ubisoft confirms Red Steel redesign in the works
Despite confusion over Game Informer's latest Red Steel impression, Ubisoft has revealed that a redesign of the game's mechanics is in development. The E3 build of the game was harshly criticized for its poor swordplay controls, and Ubisoft Paris has appeared to take notice of those complaints.According to French press sources, the development team is hard at work refining a number of Red Steel's elements, specifically the sword-fighting, which Ubisoft admitted was difficult to program. Thankfully, the team likely has several months before Nintendo comes calling for the final build, unless the title slips out of the Wii launch window -- in that case, Ubisoft would have all the time in the world...
Wii's final secret? Reggie opens mystery flap
Speaking with Game Informer, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime has reconfirmed that Wii will use SD cards to store data and indirectly denounced rumors that the mysterious flap conceals Wii's 'last big secret.'When questioned about the flap, Reggie responded, "That is where an SD card goes ... And on top are the attachments for the GameCube controllers." However, Reggie did hint that SD cards wouldn't be the only compatible memory option. "It will be one of the memory mediums, and it's the only one that we've announced," he cryptically told GI. Does Nintendo stil have an ace up its sleeve?
Buy 2 used games, get 1 free at Gamestop/EB
The July issue of Game Informer has a "Buy two used games, get one free" coupon for use at Gamestop/EB, pictured above in post rip-out condition. They discount the cheapest game so you need to buy three $55 games to get the full value out of it. There's also a $20 extra trade-in credit coupon for when you trade in that crusty old system.
Red Steel improved, reports Game Informer [update 2]
According to the July issue of Game Informer, the latest build of Ubisoft's Red Steel seems to feature markedly improved controls over the much-maligned version that was playable at E3. GI reports:"Not only did the remote replicate our actual sword-slashes, but the recently unveiled motion sensor in the Nunchuck could be thrust forward for parry attacks ... [It] felt just like the mock-saber duels nearly everyone had as kids."[Update 1: It turns out the GI impressions are, shockingly, from the E3 build. Were these guys playing the same game we were? 'Cause the Red Steel we tested was broke.][Update 2: Ubisoft apparently told "the French press" they would be tweaking the gameplay based on the E3 showing, specifically the much-maligned swordplay.]
