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Krew Studios' 'Project Orb' is as close to CUBE as we're going to get
"It's coming. A game unlike anything you've ever seen. Prepare yourself ... for CUBE!"The still nascent Krew Studios isn't doing much to distinguish itself from the developer of the fictional CUBE, if you ask us. This week, the studio announced intentions to create an Xbox 360 title for release this year, currently named "Project Orb," and frankly, we can't help but draw comparisons to the faux game trailer of yore.For starters, we don't know a damn thing about Project Orb, other than some unbelievably ambiguous screens and a mention in the company's announce PR that the project "will indeed be a music title."That's not exactly surprising, given the pedigree behind Krew Studios -- co-founder Michael Yum was an executive producer at PM Studios, whose last project was DJ Max Fever. Even more importantly, however, is the other half of that duo: famed music industry exec Clarence Avant."Clarence and I really wanted to start with something that could revolutionize the music industry as well as help rebuild a market that was considered sinking as of late 2010," Yum notes in the announcement. We'll get our first chance to see exactly what Yum means in the not so distant future it seems, as he also said that "further announcements will be made shortly." For now, gaze upon the orbs above and below ... if you dare.%Gallery-147698%
New Megadeth tracks arrive for Rocksmith
Are the instructional tunes included in Ubisoft's Rocksmith proving too easy for your Malmsteem-esque digits? Don't rub it in -- instead, download and subsequently be punished by the Megadeth tracks which will be released today on PlayStation Network and tomorrow on Xbox Live. Folks with the patience and superhuman dexterity required to do so can now learn to shred through "Hangar 18", "Public Enemy No. 1", and "Symphony of Destruction." Each song will run users 240 Microsoft Points ($2.99), while thrifty musicians can buy all three in a 640 Microsoft Point ($7.99) bundle. That'll leave you with an extra buck to spend on replacing your destroyed picks (and fingertips).
Rocksmith: Schooled by rock
If I had Rocksmith when I was a kid, I would be a lot better off now. In 1995, I begged my parents to buy me a guitar. As you can imagine, I was swept up in the grunge fever that permeated a lot of the '90s. My idol, Kurt Cobain, died a year before and being the 12-year-old I was, I had it all figured out: I was going to be a rock star. My parents bought me a used Ibanez acoustic, with the promise of an electric guitar if I stayed at it. I did and, 16 years later, at an event for Ubisoft's Rocksmith, I discovered that my parents and I had wasted money on guitar instruction over the years. %Gallery-125828%
Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy looks pretty Flashy
Square Enix is known for making games that use their platforms to the highest possible graphical potential, often redefining what gaming hardware is visually capable of. In this fairly low-quality YouTube clip, Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy looks ... well, it it has Moogles, and that ain't nothing.
Guitar Hero to be resurrected, retooled, and launch reunion tour
Stop mourning wannabe rock stars -- Guitar Hero is coming back. We heard the rumors of its demise were greatly exaggerated, but now word has come straight from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick that the game is currently being reinvented for a modern, more demanding audience. As he told Forbes, "we're going to take the products out of the market, and we're not going to tell anybody what we're doing for awhile... we're going to use new studios and reinvent Guitar Hero. And so that's what we're doing with it now." So there you go -- Guitar Hero's retirement was only temporary. Like any good performer it'll be back before you've even had a chance to miss it. Looks like the franchise will keep rocking out well past its prime. What's the console equivalent of playing a state fair?
Former DJ Hero devs aim to rock the mobile space with 8linQ
Is "8linQ" a new form of L337ese spelling out "blink?" Inquiring minds want to know! Joking aside, 8linQ is actually a new mobile studio, a joint venture between three groups: Music in Colour, Reactify and Metropolis Group. The former, Music in Colour, is a music production company comprised of ex-Freestyle Games developers, who you may know from those DJ Hero games. 8linQ will aim on bringing music and rhythm games to the mobile space starting on July 20 with Say What?! for iOS, The Guardian reports. No, we will not repeat ourselves, we're not falling for it, guys! Say What?! is a tap-based rhythm game with licensed tracks from Sony, where players have to look for and identify icons associated with lyrics in the particular song they're playing. For example, when they see the word "I" in a lyric and an icon of an actual eye comes flying by, they'll tap that for points. As the player progresses in difficulty, the clues and correct icons become much more vague. Say What?! will be a free download when it launches next week, bundled with four licensed tracks -- eventually, other tracks will be added as micro-transaction downloads. [Image credit: The Guardian]
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy coming from Electroplankton devs, features characters from I - XIII
The plot description for Square Enix's upcoming 3DS rhythm game, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, goes beyond the regular "suspension of disbelief" requirements. According to the game's official site (as translated by Andriasang), "the space between the gods Chaos and Cosmos is known as 'rhythm,'" and as "the forces of chaos have disrupted the peace" the music-controlling crystal birthed by the aforementioned space ("Rhythm") is losing its luster. If that weren't enough, it seems that in order to return that shine "the music wave 'Ripzo' must be increased." Okay Square, you win! We give up! In a related but significantly less confusing bit of news, the game is apparently being developed by indieszero, best known for its work on Electroplankton and Retro Game Challenge. Gameplay still hasn't been defined in the strictest sense, but it seems that players will be able to choose characters from Final Fantasy I through XIII in stages based on the baker's dozen of primary FF titles released over the past quarter century. Each stage is said to be divided into three distinct pieces ("field," "event," and "battle") with three unique gameplay systems, though those systems have yet to be explained. Long time FF fans will be happy to hear that the four-person party system of past titles will return in Theatrhythm, and "major songs" from the series' history will accompany the gameplay. "The Sunleth Waterscape" from FFXIII and "One Winged Angel" from FFVII are specifically named, among several others. Beyond that, well, there's a chibi Behemoth (seen above). We've dubbed him "Purpular," mostly because he's adorable, but also, ya know, he's purple.
Child of Eden review: A momentary masterpiece
So, here's the thing about Child of Eden: It is quite short. That's a somewhat pedestrian complaint to leverage against a game -- and an extraordinarily pedestrian complaint to leverage in the very first sentence of a review -- but it needs to be said right up front to temper your expectations. You can beat it in a single sitting (or, as the case may be, standing), with the game's five chapters clocking in at a scant 90 minutes. It ends with a swell, and leaves you with a despondent, unanswered wish for more. It is also one of the most remarkable video games I've ever played. Not only does it represent the most complete realization of what the Kinect has to offer, it possesses the (perhaps childish) distinction of being, for lack of a better term, a "crying game." It will almost certainly conjure tears from its hardest players -- not because it is particularly sad or melancholic, but because it is stirring. %Gallery-103243%
New Rocksmith songs announced, Titus Andronicus, Best Coast and Pixies make the cut
For serious, you guys: Ubisoft's real-guitar rhythm game Rocksmith is shaping up to have one of the best soundtracks ever featured in a rhythm game. The company announced a whole mess of new play-it-yourself tunes today, showcasing the game's creators' indie rock credibility: Best Coast's "When I'm With You," Silversun Pickups' "Panic Switch," and Titus Andronicus' "A More Perfect Union" are just a handful of the college radio-friendly tracks included therein. Check out the full list of songs after the jump. Don't worry, grandpa, there's still some Cream and Rolling Stones in the mix which may better suit your old, old ears. Maybe if you ask really nicely, you might be able to get some Jelly Roll Morton and Irving Berlin into the final release, you super old grandpa, you.
Key pattern analysis software times your typing for improved password protection
The recent pilfering of PlayStation Network passwords and personal info shows that having a strong passcode doesn't always guarantee your online safety. However, key-pattern analysis (KPA) software from researchers at American University of Beirut may be able to keep our logins secure even if they're stolen. You create a unique profile by entering your password a few times while the code tracks the speed and timing of your keystrokes. The software then associates that data to your password as another means of authentication. Henceforth, should the magic word be entered in a different typing tempo, access is denied. We saw a similar solution last year, but that system was meant to prevent multiple users from accessing subscription databases with a single account. This KPA software allows multiple profiles per password so that your significant other can still read all your email -- assuming you and your mate reside in the trust tree, of course.
Rhythm/RPG hybrid Sequence out now on Xbox Live Indie Games
Iridium Studios' unique role-playing rhythm title Sequence has finally arrived on Xbox Live Indie Games. For the uninitiated, Sequence sees players conducting battle using a DDR-esque four direction input set to the rhythm of tracks from Michael Wade Hamilton and YouTube sensation Ronald Jenkees. On the RPG side, there's a ton of character customization, item crafting, pithy dialogue and also magic and stuff. The game's available now through the Xbox Live Indie Games storefront for 240 Microsoft Points ($3). If you're still confused on how this Frankensteinian genre-bender works, check out a launch trailer after the jump!
Harmonix says it had to 'carry' MTV's publishing operation
In a recent interview with Industry Gamers, Harmonix VP of Product Development Greg LoPiccolo remarked on the studio's time under the MTV Games banner. Though he explained he harbors no ill will towards the team's former publisher, he said MTV didn't have "a big enough publishing organization to achieve economies of scale." He added, "They had us, but essentially our games had to carry the entire publishing infrastructure of MTV games which was not particularly efficient." LoPiccolo said he's grateful for the partnership, explaining, "When they bought us we were a little developer and in collaboration with them we achieved a lot." Despite MTV's help in turning them into the studio they are today, LoPiccolo explained he wasn't worried about the two parties' split. "I think one of the things we've demonstrated to the world at large and to ourselves is that we have a demonstrated ability to make good stuff," he added. "And I think we had a confidence that somebody would see that and have that perspective."
Ten new, totally gnarly tracks released for GH: Warriors of Rock
Activision and Beenox have really outdone themselves with the 10-song February Mega Pack DLC for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock, available today on 360, PS3 and Wii. Acknowledging that this is the year's most tender, loving month, the two have eschewed the game's core musical genres, adding selections from gentle songsmiths like Nick Drake, Iron and Wine, Damien Rice, and -- oh? No, they're not doing that? The ten songs are from rock outfits Marilyn Manson, Children of Bodom and Black Label Society? Well then. Check out the full list after the jump to see what decidedly un-tender tracks you can grab for 1440 Microsoft Points ($17.99 or 1800 Wii Points) in the February Mega Pack.
Rock Band Weekly: Linkin Park six track pack
The first track pack from nu-metal group Linkin Park, featuring six songs from across the band's discography, will come to Rock Band 3 on January 11 for $10. All the pertinent details for next week's DLC release can be found just below the break. You'll note the selections differ from the newer ones available in Guitar Hero, so if you want to play as many Linkin Park songs as possible, you'll need to indulge both video game rhythm rivals.
Amazon doles out discounts on music games today
Amazon's on day 17 of its festival of discounts, ringing in the ultimate day with savings on music games across the board. We'll get right to what you need to know: Kidz Bop Dance Party The Video Game for Nintendo Wii is going for just $24.99! Okay, okay, yes, Rock Band 3 is also on sale for just $39.95 -- not to mention The Beatles: Rock Band going for a paltry $14. The sale runs until the end of business today, so get on that soon if you're looking to snag a heavily discounted copy of "the greatest rhythm game ever made." (Nice hyperbole, reviewers! Pfft.)
Kinect Hacks: Keyboard Anywhere slaps a keyboard almost anywhere
Finally, a chance to re-enact our favorite scene from Big -- and also watch two guys recreate it! The latest Kinect Hack is simply called Keyboard Anywhere, an apt title because that's pretty much what it does. You can size the keyboard based on your space -- the video past the break shows it being applied to several different surfaces, including a desk and the floor. Hit the jump to see it in action.
SingStar's European tracks come stateside, all releases worldwide from now on
SingStar fans living in the U.S. haven't exactly received equal amounts of attention as SingStar fans living in Europe. (Luckily we've got all this freedom and liberty to make up for it, right guys? Woo!) Tons of downloadable songs that arrived on the European PSN have yet to come stateside -- but thanks to a recent deal struck up between Sony and Universal Music, the two regions' musical selections will begin moving towards parity with a series of major content updates, the first of which is due out this Wednesday, December 15. This first update will add 64 songs to the U.S. SingStore, as well as 11 new tracks for SingStar Dance, all of which are listed after the jump. Also, all future DLC releases for the series will arrive at the same time in the U.S. and Europe. Finally, we can put this bitter jealousy to rest.
Music game sales continue plunge down the charts
If this sounds like a familiar tune, it is: Music game sales have plummeted for a second-straight year. But this year, the tune is way more off key. According to analysis by Gamasutra, which looked at the period from January through October in each of the past three years, music game revenues in the U.S. have taken a phenomenal nose dive from an epic height of $1.6 billion in 2008 to where they've landed today: under $250 million for the year. "Short of a Christmas miracle," concludes analyst Matt Matthews, "music games won't break $400 million for all of 2010." Ohhh ... so that's why Viacom's hawking Harmonix.
Miyamoto talks about Wii Music's future, hints at sequel
Last October, when the wounds of Wii Music's critical and commercial failure were still relatively fresh, Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned that "there may still be some possibility" of continuing the franchise. In a recent interview with Techland, Miyamoto went a bit further, explaining, "There's a lot of potential still in Wii Music, I think. Because we're going to change it up, a new interface is coming, and all of that." Them's sequeling words, partner. Miyamoto also addressed the possibility of Mario making an appearance in a Wii Music follow-up, stating "If we get more people to understand what's going on in the game concept, then he might appear in the game. I don't know." He added that a Mario cameo is somewhat unlikely, as "he can't play guitar" or saxophone using his stubby, gloved fingers. That's a good point, Mr. Miyamoto -- we guess he can't play too many instruments. But he can rap with the best of them.
We just can't get no relief from the Karaoke Revolution Glee launch trailer
We've caught a few glimpses of the ... unique HUD for Karaoke Revolution Glee in the past, but you really haven't seen anything until you've seen the game in motion. Check out the (partially) live-action gameplay trailer below -- or we guess you could just go buy the game, since it launches today.
