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February NPD: Total sales up, new games come out swinging
Here's something we didn't expect to say in a non-holiday month or one without the launch of a new DS or something: Total US game revenue is up year-over-year, from $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion. Hardware and accessories both saw gains, while software dipped a bit between February 2010 and 2011. There's also good news in software top ten chart -- at least, good news for people who like the charts to look different every month, with top-ten debuts for Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Killzone 3, Bulletstorm, and Mario Sports Mix, all of which launched in the month of February. The dance genre continued to dominate, with Just Dance 2, Michael Jackson, and Zumba Fitness holding on.
Killzone 3 holds off Bulletstorm for top UK sales spot
Killzone 3 beat out the other high-profile FPS premiere, Bulletstorm, on the UK charts last week, but it didn't out-debut its predecessor, Killzone 2. According to Chart-Track, Killzone 3 is the "14th fastest-selling" Sony title in first-week UK sales -- Killzone 2 is the fifth. More shooting, and some kicking, got it done for third and fourth place in last week's sales ranking, as Call of Duty: Black Ops and FIFA 11 took the spots below the two debut shooters. The previous week's almost top title, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, slipped from second down to seventh. Where's Just Dance 2, you ask? In fifth, of course. Unstoppable beast!
Killzone 3 & other pre-orders net $20 credit on Amazon
The frugal folks at Thrifty Nerd have informed Joystiq that Amazon has upgraded some of its pre-order deals; specifically, pre-ordering Bulletstorm, Top Spin 4 or Killzone 3 will now snag you a $20 credit instead of $10. The credit will be applied to all Bulletstorm pre-orders regardless of when they were placed, so don't worry if you pre-ordered before the deal went into effect. Thrifty Nerd notes further that both Gears of War 3 and FEAR 3 pre-orders are good for a $20 credit, and there are a number of $10 credits available as well. Check out Thrifty Nerd's pre-order credits page for all the deals.
Kevin Butler becomes peripheral to Killzone 3 marketing
Armed with our Killzone 3 review, you should have no trouble entering, enjoying and escaping Kevin Butler's charismatic marketing aura. Well, you might pick up some office decorations while you're in there.
Guerrilla details Killzone 3's post-launch multiplayer updates
Worried that some of the Killzone 3 beta's unsightly blemishes might persist into the game's proper retail release? Well, there's no need to fret -- provided that said blemishes are included in the hit list posted after the jump. Guerrilla has announced the changes which will go live shortly after the title's February 22 release date, from the esoteric (Medics can now revive more often and from farther away!) to the damn near necessary (inviting a player to a group is now a one-button process). The developer also announced a number of updates that will go live after the game's release -- super important updates, too, like "support for color-blind players," and "overly enthusiastic death screams will be toned down." In case you were wondering, that's one of the best things we've ever read. "Excuse me, sir? You're dying too loudly."
160GB PS3 with Killzone 3 bundle coming Feb. 22 for $300
Sony is hoping you'll find its latest hardware bundle a killer deal. It's at least a Killzone deal -- the $300 package includes a 160GB PS3 console and a copy of its latest sci-fi FPS, Killzone 3. Considering that this PS3 model usually costs the same price by itself, it's technically a $60 savings. Y'know, if you don't have a PS3 and want Guerilla Games' new shooter. If you're in that camp, visit your store of choice on February 22 -- the same day Killzone 3 hits shelves -- since that's when the pack goes on sale.
Killzone 3's (non-hidden) Trophies revealed
Admit it -- your position as a defender against the ever-encroaching Helghast is really just a gig, isn't it? It's just a means for you to acquire precious, digital accolades. Well, you might as well study up on Killzone 3's 31 non-hidden Trophies (out of a total of over 50) posted below.
Guerrilla considered 'on-rails version of Killzone 2' for PlayStation Move
In an interview with Ars Technica about implementing PlayStation Move support in the developer's latest FPS epic, Killzone 3, Guerrilla Games lead programmer Tommy de Roos revealed that it once toyed with the notion of a motion-controlled Killzone 2. "One of the first ideas was to create an on-rails version of Killzone 2," he told the site. (We can see it now: "Killzone 2: Extraction.") What killed the idea was a simple matter of practicality. "Once we realized how much work that would be, since all encounters would have to be re-scripted, we decided against it," Roos said. While that's a valid reason for sure, maybe Guerrilla should have at least considered making an FMV light gun game out of the original, pre-rendered Killzone 2 trailer. After all, it was practically born for the part.
Metareview: Killzone 3
You've got ... way too much time to pore over the Killzone 3 reviews from front to back and between the lines -- the game's not out until February 22. But here's the secret: The quickest way to an informed opinion is to jump to conclusions, and then just read the comments below them. Got it? Okay ... Jump! 1UP (B+): "It's definitely one of the better multiplayer games available on PlayStation 3 and easily one of the best-looking games available to console gamers today." Destructoid (10/10): "Killzone 3 is the shooter to beat." Eurogamer (8/10): "Killzone 3 is a powerful, impressive game that sets an imposing standard for Sony's 3D, Move-enabled future output; it's just a shame that in doing so, it's lost just a little of what made the series stand out in the first place." GameSpot (8.5/10): "Killzone 3 isn't the game it could have been, but when it comes to capturing the madness of larger-than-life planetside battles, few games do it better." GameTrailers (9.4/10): "Killzone hasn't forgotten its roots -- it's just improved its fundamentals in every way that matters." IGN (8.5/10): "This may not be the best game on the PS3, but it's a fantastic option for shooter fans, and the type of title that non-PS3 owners are sure to envy."
PS Plus users to get free download of Stacking, Killzone 3 demo
February's list of PS Plus goodies has been published on the PlayStation Blog, and there are some real doozies. First up is a free copy of Double Fine's latest, Stacking, which will be available to PS Plus subscribers on its launch day, February 8. For those keeping score, Stacking's usual asking price is $15. Subscribers will also be treated to an automatic download of the Killzone 3 demo on February 8. On February 18, PS Plus users will be treated to a free download of the PlayStation Mini Let's Golf. As revealed previously by Sega, PS Plus can also snag the Yakuza 4 demo a week early on February 15. Head over to the PlayStation Blog for the full rundown of upcoming PSN and PS Plus content.
Killzone 3 review: Third time's the harm
The Killzone franchise has always been caught in a struggle against early expectations. The first game fell short of its "Halo killer" billing, and the next console outing had to match a lofty, pre-rendered visual "target" -- while it came close, it couldn't silence sharp-eyed critics. With Killzone 3, developer Guerrilla has no new benchmark to beat except for the one it already set for itself: be better than Killzone 2. Critics, myself included, praised that last game, even though a few turn-offs still slipped through. Killzone 3 systematically addresses every complaint voiced: the graphics have become more colorful, the story has been greatly expanded, and the controls have been tweaked to feel less sluggish. But reactionary development doesn't always work. Fixated on correcting what wasn't necessarily broken, Guerrilla has forgotten to focus on what really matters in the solo game: making it fun.%Gallery-93599%
Killzone 3 beta delayed (very slightly) to tomorrow
So that Killzone 3 multiplayer beta that was supposed to open today? That ain't happenin' -- not just yet. The beta has been pushed back to the far flung future of tomorrow (beginning at 1PM ET), according to PlayStation Blog. The humanity! In the hopes of subduing your rage over this slight delay, Sony is giving away 60 "Limited Helghast Edition" copies of the game. Any player who accesses the beta this weekend will be automatically entered for a chance to win. The LE, you know, is the one with the crazy replica Helghast helmet that isn't sold in stores. Yeah, that one. Looks like our weekend just got booked!
Killzone 3 dev diary is gameplay-filled, genuinely upsetting
There's a massive amount of gameplay in the Killzone 3 dev diary posted below, so fans of the series should definitely scope it out. However, fans of not seeing dudes get their faces, necks, eyes and chests absolutely ruined by knives might want to go look for slightly friendlier videos.
Killzone 3 trailer shows off some stellar voice talent
Killzone 3 isn't just built upon a solid foundation of lookin' pretty -- it's also backed up by an impressive voice cast, including The Departed and Sexy Beast actor Ray Winstone, and Malcolm McDowell, who's been in everything. Check out these guys doing some mocap work in the video after the jump.
Killzone 3 single-player demo packed into PSN update on Feb. 15
By the time the Killzone 3 single-player demo pops up on the PlayStation Store, many millions of Helghan and Human alike will have fallen in the game's open multiplayer beta. According to the US PlayStation blog, a slice from the middle of the game's single-player campaign ("Icy Incursion") will arrive in demo form on February 15; PlayStation Plus members nab it one week earlier on February 8. Meanwhile, Europeans will get the demo on Feb. 9 and 16, respectively. You'll be ready for the yellow-eyed hordes by then, right? Also of note: the demo will arrive in 3D and 2D-only iterations as separate downloads, both equipped with Move functionality but only allowing for split-screen co-op in the 2D version. We're going to take it one step further by grabbing an all-syrup Killzone 3 Slurpee from 7-Eleven, downloading the 3D demo, and playing it while losing our minds.
Killzone 3 to include 'total' PlayStation Home integration
If you happen to wander into PlayStation Home's Central Plaza after this Thursday, January 27, you may not find it as antiseptic and serene as you remember. As part of a Killzone 3 promotion, Sony is going to transform Home's main meeting area into "the last ISA stronghold," wrecked by a Helghast attack. Players can fight back in three "levels" of Home minigames, earning points that can be used to unlock content in the real game's multiplayer mode. Sony is also adding the somewhat impractical functionality of a Killzone 3 pre-order from Amazon ... from within Home. For the first time, you'll be able to reserve a game from within Sony's virtual world, securing an exclusive jet-pack "costume" for your avatar (are you really asking -- not a chance it actually works!); in addition to Amazon's standard pre-orders bonuses, including more multiplayer points and the "Retro Map Pack" (two maps from Killzone 2 playable in the new game). So, you're supposed to go to the fake Killzone to buy the real one -- is that right?
Killzone 3 open beta starts February 2nd or 3rd (depending on what zone of killing you're in)
Killzone 3 is bringing its particular brand of first-person shooting (the "killing in a zone" brand, we presume?) to retailers in North America and Europe on February 22 and 23, respectively. Unfortunately for those of you who reside in the zone of killing known as Europe, the upcoming "beta" gives North American players the same one-day lead, according to the regional arms of the PlayStation Blog family. For 12 days beginning February 2 in North America, all PlayStation 3 owners will be able to download the "open beta" (read: demo) and treat themselves to stereoscopic 3D, Move support, and access to just one map, titled "Frozen Dam." Inside that one map, you'll at least be able to try out all three online multiplayer modes – 16-player "Guerrilla Warfare," 24-player "Warzone," and 16-player "Operations" – in addition to the bot-based, offline mode cleverly titled "Botzone." Because it's Killzone ... with bots. But look on the bright, less-killy side, Europe: When North America's open beta access cuts off on February 14, you'll still have one more full day of jetpack-enabled fun. While you wait, take a look at the latest multiplayer video after the break, showing off killstreaks in the game.
Killzone 3 includes admission into SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta
Yo, readers: Sony heard you like shooting, so it put a shooter in your shooter so you can shoot while you're shooting. More specifically, the publisher has announced that both regular and Helghast Edition copies of Killzone 3 will include vouchers which give early access to the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like the beta will arrive at the same time as Killzone 3's launch -- Zipper Interactive's Chris Roper explained on PlayStation Blog, "To find out when the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta begins, be sure to check back at SOCOM.com once you pick up your copy of Killzone 3, hitting shelves on February 22nd." Perfect; so we'll have some time to get really used to Killzone 3's control scheme before switching over to SOCOM 4's presumably wildly different control scheme. We anticipate that we'll be eating quite a few of our own accidentally-thrown frag grenades.
Killzone 3 contains over an hour of cutscenes
The "3" in "Killzone 3" might as well stand for the quantity of cinematics in Guerilla's latest shooter -- three times the amount employed by Killzone 2. The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) said in its bestowing of an "18" (mature) rating on the game that its cutscenes total 70 minutes. Its predecesor, by comparison, contained 25 minutes worth of story sequences, according to the BBFC. Let's see: We know that characters voiced by Malcolm McDowell and Ray Winstone will be chewing up the scenery for a good chunk of that hour and 10 minutes; the rest will therefore be composed of shouting space marines and other guys who are also shouting but have red "eyes." Someone get Michael Bay on the phone!
LittleBigPlanet 2 and Killzone 3 getting promo Slurpees at 7-Eleven
Last year, Sony and 7-Eleven teamed up to bring thirsty gamers a delicious, synergized beverage experience: The God of War 3 Slurpee. Apparently, the promotion was a hit, as the companies recently renewed their vows, and will bring another round of PlayStation-branded frozen drinks to stores in the coming weeks -- this time, though, they'll be themed after upcoming PS3 blockbusters LittleBigPlanet 2 and Killzone 3. Each limited edition cup features a promo code which can be exchanged on the official Slurpee site for various prizes, including strategy guides, premium themes, downloadable content and more. Really, though, the best prize you can hope to receive is that good, good Slurpee flavor.
