modnation racers
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Pinball Heroes adds Fat Princess, Wipeout, ModNation and Motorstorm tables
Pinball Heroes may be an odd way of cashing in on Sony's most successful franchises, but it works. The original release debuted on the PSP (via PlayStation Network) last year, and featured four tables based on Uncharted, PAIN, Hot Shots Golf and High Velocity Bowling. A new expansion pack, available next week on the PlayStation Store, will add four more tables to the mix: Fat Princess, Wipeout HD Fury, ModNation Racers and MotorStorm. All four tables will be bundled together for $9.99, and can be played with or without the original game. PSP Go owners have even more reason to check out Pinball Heroes -- it's one of the few games that can actually be played in closed system mode!
European PSN releases for May 19
Happy ModNation Racers day, everyone! A healthy portion of the European PSN update this week focuses on United Front's customizable racer on both its big and tiny platforms. There's also the launch of downloadable versions of Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands and Armoured Core 3 Portable on the PSP, the addition of the "Darkspawn Chronicles" DLC for Dragon Age: Origins and Aerosmith's "Love in an Elevator" finally gets added to Guitar Hero 5. We can sleep well tonight with that knowledge in our brains. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Kevin Butler hypes ModNation Racers, gets schooled by Tretton
The latest video from Sony's fictional Vice President of a whole bunch of things has everything you could ever ask for: Tons of Kevin Butler bon mots, some clips of gameplay footage from ModNation Racers, and an appearance by real-life Sony president and CEO Jack Tretton. Unless, of course -- what if Tretton's actually just a highly paid actor as well? Come to think of it, we've never seen him in any context except for ... on the stage! Check out the video above to see the line between fantasy and reality get blurred before your very eyes. Also, the video contains a sneak peek at Kevin Butler's custom Mod and race track -- both of which will be available to download when ModNation Racers launches next week.
Post-launch ModNation Racers patch will improve load times
If you have any interest in Sony's upcoming ModNation Racers, you've probably already read our review (and entered our giveaway). You're familiar, then, with our biggest grief with the early review code: obnoxiously long load times. Apparently we weren't the only ones to notice. According to Chuck Lacson, associate marketing manager at SCEA, developer United Front Games is "looking into further optimizing the game via a post-launch patch." That should be good news for those already sold on Sony's "Race, Create, Share" motto. The rest of us, though? We'll be able to download a playable demo in the next PSN Tuesday update, May 18. The demo will include one track, playable in both single player and split-screen modes. It will also offer creation tools -- and, best of all, any tracks you create and share in the demo will be available in the full version of the game.
Joyswag: ModNation Racers (and a PSP!)
+ Start your engines and get ready to Race. Create. Share. with ModNation Racers, exclusively on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable systems. RACE through over 25 outrageous tracks with Friends and Family. CREATE and customize your own tracks, characters and vehicles and SHARE your creations with the world! Available everywhere May 25. Rated E for Everyone. Leave a comment describing what kind of track you want to create in ModNation Racers. (Any mention of genitalia will get you disqualified!) You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec). Limit 1 entry per person. The entry period is now open and will end at 6:00PM ET on Tuesday, May 25. At that time, we will randomly select 1 grand prize winner to receive a copy of ModNation Racers for PS3 and one PSP console (ARV $229.98). 9 first prize winners will receive a copy of ModNation Racers for PS3 (ARV: $59.99). Games are promotional copies not for resale. For a list of complete rules, click here.
Take home the real-life, solar-powered ModNation Racers golf cart
Alright, stick with us, here: Last month, Sony collaborated with graphic artist Jeremiah Garcia to create a ModNation Racers-branded golf cart. It was supposed to be designed to look like it was created by the indie rock troupe Passion Pit (of LittleBigPlanet 2 trailer fame) -- whatever that means. The cart, which runs on solar power, was then displayed at the Coachella Festival to help promote the green energy movement in collaboration with the non-profit group Global Inheritance. But never mind all of that! What you do need know to is that you can win this golf cart by entering the "Get the Keys to Your ModNation Kart" sweepstakes over on the PlayStation Blog. You can try to get a better understanding of the vehicle's origins by watching the video after the jump, but c'mon, what more do you need to read then "hey, free golf cart."
ModNation Racers trailer showcases Career mode
Did you read our ModNation Racers review? If so, you know that the game's Career mode was a big hit with us. Unlike most other kart racing games, United Front Games has crafted an actual story (with cinematics and voice acting!) to flesh out the Pleasantville-esque world of ModNation Racers. This trailer from PlayStation Blog highlights some of the more memorable events from the game's Career mode. Don't forget -- the PSP version has the same story and cinematics as the PS3 version, and it also features the same multi-tiered objective system!
ModNation Racers (kind of) takes to the skies with 'Air Raid' DLC
What's that? DLC for a game that's not even out yet? Yes, that's how they operate over at Sony -- but don't worry. This isn't an unabashed attempt to nickel and dime you. Rather, PlayStation.Blog will be distributing vouchers through various outlets which will grant ModNation Racers players access to a new character, kart, and all his accessories therein. The racer in question is "Air Raid," pictured above in a sleek, vintage, non-flying biplane. Keep an eye on PlayStation.Blog to find out where the codes are being sent to. We'll try our darndest to get our hands on a few vouchers for you guys. Because, you know, we love you.
Review: ModNation Racers
Hardcore gamers tend to avoid kart racing games without Mario in the title -- and for good reason, too. Ever since the success of Nintendo's original SNES effort, the genre has been flooded with mediocre copycat shovelware, starring mascots of rather questionable origin. (Seriously, M&M's Kart Racing is a real game.) While it may be easy to write off ModNation Racers as just another kart racing game, I was surprised by how well-crafted and deep United Front Games' debut title is. While it has garnered a lot of attention due to its "play, create, share" gimmick, ModNation Racers stands out as a deep, satisfying racer through its gameplay alone. For better and for worse, ModNation Racers is cut from a far more hardcore cloth than the typically "family friendly" fare in the genre. ModNation demands skill, and no amount of luck will be able to compensate for sheer ability. The weapons are more balanced than in other games: almost no single weapon is as devastating as Mario Kart's blue shell and lightning bolt. The ability to enhance weapons by saving them adds an appreciable level of depth: do you use your weapon immediately, or save up for a better one? And the shield introduces yet another strategic element to the gameplay. These small additions to the gameplay add up to make a far more challenging (and satisfying) racer. %Gallery-64898%
ModNation Racers PSP demo due on May 11
If you're anxious to play ModNation Racers on the go but find the prospect of karting a PlayStation 3 around less than enticing, the PSP version might be a suitable alternative. You'll be able to deduce that for yourself if you download the demo, due to arrive on the PSP's online store on Tuesday, May 11th. SCEA San Diego producer Vernon Mollette gave PlayStation Blog readers a good idea of what to expect in the racing sampler. You'll find eight different characters 'n' karts, along with a few tracks and access to an Alpine theme in the Track Studio, which is where creative types can piece together their own tracks. It'll be trimmed compared to the final release (coming May 25th), but Mollette believes "you'll get the idea." If there's anybody you can trust to be honest about what's been cut, it's a Mollette.
ModNation Racers hardware bundles speeding to Europe
SCEE loves bundles, so it comes as no surprise that Sony is preparing special ModNation Racers packages for both the PS3 and PSP in Europe. The PS3 package, spotted by TheSixthAxis, is rather no-frills, simply bundling the game and a 250GB Slim system for €315. The PSP package is slightly more interesting, including a PSP-3000, a copy of the game on UMD and a ModNation-branded case for €150. Neither of these offerings have been announced (or are expected to be announced) for America. Expect a review of ModNation Racers tomorrow.
Sackboy joins the ModNation Racers
It seems United Front Games is taking more than just inspiration from Media Molecule for their upcoming "Play, Create, Share" racer. In fact, it seems to have actually kidnapped the star of LittleBigPlanet and made him bonus DLC for the PS3 version of ModNation Racers. According to the PlayStation.Blog, early copies of the game (marked with a special sticker) will include a code that unlocks Sackboy as a playable racer. Both pre-ordered copies and first-run copies purchased at retail will feature the bonus. Sony seems very eager to encourage pre-orders for the upcoming racer, as Sackboy is just the latest addition to an extensive pre-order bonus campaign. Has the tactic worked, or are you still on the fence? Check out a new trailer (featuring Sackboy!) after the break.
Sly Cooper makes glorious return ... in ModNation Racers
Sorry if we got your hopes up, but we couldn't help but highlight Sucker Punch's recent addition to the ModNation Racers universe. Using the character creator, the team was able to whip up a Mod recreation of its PS2 mascot, Sly Cooper. While he may not be thieving on PS3 quite yet, we're glad to see Sucker Punch hasn't completely forgotten about the anthropomorphic, rascally raccoon. Of course, Sucker Punch couldn't forget to also pay homage to its PS3 hit, inFamous. A new "Artist's Spotlight" video for ModNation features a Mod version of Cole MacGrath and his lightning-themed kart. However, more impressive is Sucker Punch's track creation inspired by Empire City, complete with blast crater. With play-testing and careful attention to detail, this addition could undoubtedly be one of the most polished tracks you'll be able to play in the ModNation online community. Check out the video after the break.
ModNation Racers makes appearance in NBC's 'Community'
Guess who's been playing ModNation Racers before its release? Yes, video game bloggers. But what about some more interesting people? The cast of NBC's sitcom Community have been getting their hands on Sony's upcoming PS3 (and PSP) racer. Three members of Greendale Community College (including Chevy Chase!) can be seen playing three-player split-screen in the brief clip available on Hulu (embedded after the break, available only for US readers). So, how did the cast of this TV series score an early copy of the game? The product placement comes courtesy of the show's producers: Sony Pictures Television. [Thanks, Marc O.!]
Kevin Butler gets his mustache on for ModNation Racers
It's official: Kevin Butler is the worst-case scenario for advertisements. Not only do we enjoy the pseudo-spokesman's pitches for Sony products, not only are we completely swayed by his visage, but now we actually care more about the ads than the products they're trying to sell us. Take this ad for ModNation Racersomethingsomething -- oh, who cares what it's called, Kevin Butler has a mustache! Please, Kevin, if you care about us at all, just hurry up and jump the shark so we can go back to respecting ourselves.
Pre-order Modnation Racers from goHastings, save $20
Online retailer Hastings is offering a pretty clever offer for United Front's upcoming kart racer, allowing folks who pre-order ModNation Racers to customize the game's price as they might customize its roster of characters, cars and tracks. However, this customization option is fairly limited -- your only choice is really just $39.99, which is a full $20 off the game's usual price. We know you've come to expect a broader scope when it comes to ModNation's customizationability, but it's hard to feel miffed with an extra Jackson in your wallet. [Thanks MLC!]
ModNation Racers PSP track editor works as it should
A new video on the PlayStation.Blog (posted after the break) showcases how easy it is to use the track editor featured in the PSP version of ModNation Racers. In fact, it works nearly the same way as the PS3 version. Yes, there are a few caveats (for example, the auto-complete feature is much more intelligent on the console). However, the track editor gives you all the bells, whistles and launch pads you'll need to create a fun race for portable players. But of course, you already knew that, right?
Insomniac CEO creates Ratchet & Clank girlfriends in ModNation Racers
Sorry to disappoint you, Ratchet & Clank yaoi fans (warning: link NSFW). But what if Insomniac's famed duo had girlfriends? Insomniac CEO Ted Price brings that concept to life through the character creator featured in ModNation Racers. To showcase the creator's versatility, Price created female companions for Ratchet and Clank (like the bikini-clad lombax pictured above). "I think over the next few years, we'll see more and more examples of really great player tools appearing in games," Price says in the video demonstration (embedded after the break). "I certainly hope that happens. I know that we're inspired by what [United Front Games has] done."
ModNation Racers promises better balanced weapons
Don't you hate it when you're in first place in Mario Kart and then ... BAM! A blue shell makes you lose the race in the final lap? Thankfully, United Front Games is promising better-balanced weapons in ModNation Racers. "No matter how powerful a weapon is, there is still a chance to evade it," the developer explained in a recent post on the PlayStation.Blog. Hopefully, the "chance" won't be as rare as this trick from Mario Kart Wii. The game isn't meant to appeal exclusively to the hardcore, though. "We also wanted to ensure a tight race, so the power of each stun is scaled based on your position in the race and distance from the player attacking. What that does is allow anyone in the pack to always have a chance," Nick Letzia explained. It certainly is an interesting design choice -- we wonder if it'll work as well as the developers expect when it comes out in May? Check out a trailer after the break.
Hands-on: ModNation Racers PSP
The PSP has become home to a growing number of PS3 ports, from Super Stardust to LittleBigPlanet, but rarely has a portable rendition of a PS3 game remained so faithful to the original as ModNation Racers on PSP. (Well, perhaps with the exception of PixelJunk Monsters.) ModNation Racers is launching simultaneously on PSP and PS3, and unlike many previous cross-platform titles, this racer loses almost nothing in its portable conversion. The career mode is nearly identical on both platforms, even featuring the same CG animated cutscenes in both. The much-touted creation tools also make an appearance on the PSP, allowing you to create and share levels rather easily. And most importantly, unlike LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers retains multiplayer options, offering both Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure connections. Even the control schemes between the two platforms feel nearly identical. The PSP version also uses the R-button for acceleration, just like its big console counterpart. It makes sense, but for some reason, I expected the handheld to use the X-button for gas, and Mario Kart players may need some time to adjust; especially considering ModNation's very different drift mechanic.
