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Homefront intro cuts Kim Jong-il images for Japanese market
After bringing Metro 2033 and Red Faction: Guerrilla to Japanese retailers, Spike has been tasked with adapting THQ's Homefront as well. Unlike the previous titles, however, Homefront's main themes clash with acceptable game content standards in the country, according to Japan's CERO game rating guidelines. In order to bring the game up to code, Spike has detailed three main changes on the game's official Japanese website (via Andriasang): In one live action sequence in the game's opening movie that depicts North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as having died, the image of Kim Jong-il has been removed. In scenes that have been deemed malicious to an existing country, said country is now referred to as 'A Certain Country to the North.' In scenes that have been deemed malicious to an existing person, said person is now referred to as 'Northern Leader.' We've dropped edited and unedited versions of the game's opening after the break for comparison's sake. Glory in the Great Leader or not -- the choice is yours!
OpenFeint sees giant spike in Christmas users and downloads
Here's some more evidence that the App Store had a really amazing holiday weekend last week. OpenFeint has announced that it saw a 184% spike in new users on Christmas Day last week, the largest single day in the service's history for new users. Over the four days around the holiday, OpenFeint reportedly added more than 1.4 million new users to the service. Downloads were also really high, with 5 million OpenFeint-enabled games downloaded over the holiday weekend. That includes Android games, which saw 73% growth, and iOS games, which spiked by 187% over the weekend. That's a lot of new games and new players. We've heard other evidence already that last weekend was really busy for the App Store. Apple hasn't released any stats so far (and we've got a line in to EA to try and find out if it can share any of its download figures from the weekend), but we can tell you with some certainty that last weekend saw plenty of new traffic for the App Store and its apps.
Spike VGAs 2010: The liveblog
God, are we really doing this again? OK, fine. For the fourth (yes, fourth) year running, my brother (and fellow Joystiq editor) Griffin McElroy and I are going to watch the VGAs so you don't have to. Traditionally, we make fun of them in the cruelest and most profanity-laden way possible, but maybe they'll, you know, be really great this year? Like, super duper classy? ... Maybe? Bookmark this page and let's find out together after the break at 8 p.m. EST. %Gallery-110364%
VGAs 2010: Pictures from the red carpet
Spike's Video Game Awards are about an hour away (we'll put up our liveblog shortly), but our own Mike Schramm got to the red carpet early to snap some shots and dish with the celebrities attending this year's event. As he forwards us more pics, we'll be sure to add them to the gallery below. In the meanwhile, let us know what you're looking forward to most at this year's show. Is it the Guillermo Del Toro game? Is it Batman: Arkham City? Mass Effect 3? It's, uh, it's Mass Effect 3, isn't it? %Gallery-110364%
Neil Patrick Harris to host VGAs, hopefully in a legen- (wait for it) dary manner
There are few people on this planet we admire more than one Mr. Neil Patrick Harris, the length of whose name is matched only by the depth of his comedic talent -- which is to say that there's a lot of it. However, we're of two minds about how to react to the announcement that NPH would be fulfilling hosting duties for the 2010 Spike VGAs, which, once again, we have been dragooned into watching and reporting on this year. (Man, this job sometimes, we swear.) Again, we're big, big fans of Neil (who provided one of the four Spider-voices in Shattered Dimensions), and his bit during last year's VGA ceremony was one of the highlights -- but the first time he busts out some unconvincing nerd-speak, or gets danced all-up-on by models with award winners' names painted on their torsos, we're going to have a full-on panic attack. We've got all our fingers crossed that those won't occur, though leaving our fingers in that position might make it a little difficult to type snarky comments about the rest of the show. Hmmm.
Spike VGA 2010 commercial hints at 'Infected' game revelation
Once again, some sneaky developers are hinting at a big game reveal during the Spike 2010 VGAs using extremely surreptitious methods. A commercial for the awards program (posted after the jump) flashes the above image for a fraction of a second, seemingly indicating the premiere of some kind of game featuring "Infected." A couple years ago, we would have taken this as evidence of a new Left 4 Dead, but considering how zombies are now somehow included in every piece of popular media known to man, we can't be quite so certain. Also briefly flashed during the ad is a QR code -- much like those dropped by BioWare, which hinted at its own VGA reveal last Wednesday. However, scanning this particular bar code leads you to another VGA teaser site, featuring the words "Look Closer" and "Murder." We have no idea what this means, but if someone's working on some kind of snuff film game, then they should probably stop, because we're so not down.
2010 Spike VGA nominations are in, appropriately preposterous
Spike! Oh, man, Spike. You guys have really outdone yourselves this year. Don't get us wrong, we've got high hopes for this year's installment of the annual Video Game Awards -- if you'll remember, they weren't completely unwatchable last year -- but the recently released list of nominations doesn't exactly fill us with unbridled confidence. Rather, it fills us with confusion juice, as well as a healthy portion of plain ol' anger fluid. Our hang-ups with the list can best be identified in a fun game we like to call "Really?" We think you can probably pick out the rules to this game yourself -- feel free to play along with the full list of nominees posted after the jump! Danica Patrick as Herself in Blur for "Best Performance by Human Female?" Really? Emmanuelle Chriqui as The Numbers Lady for "Best Performance by Human Female?" REALLY? Take a look at everything in the "Best Song in a Game" category. Really? Nathan Fillion as Sergeant Edward Buck in Halo: Reach? We love us some Fillion, but wasn't he in that game for like, a second? By which we mean, really? Bear McCreary's musical accompaniment for Dark Void didn't make it into the "Best Original Score" category? Really, guys? Really? This is where we are? As a people?
Way of the Samurai 4 is exclusive to PS3
Way of the Samurai 3's North American release was handled in an unorthodox manner, with Agetec publishing on PS3 and UFO Interactive publishing on Xbox 360. That may not be an issue with the newly-announced fourth entry in Acquire's free-roaming samurai action series, because it's been revealed as a PS3 exclusive. Of course, the Xbox 360 port followed the PS3 version in Japan by four months, so Xbox players may still see the way. According to Siliconera, the exclusivity was announced in a Famitsu article, which also offered some details about gameplay. You'll be able to choose your samurai's age, and then, through actions, choose to align them with one of three feuding groups. You'll also have more available actions within event scenes. Of course, during the gameplay scenes you'll always have the "slash" action.
Fire Pro-Wrestling pins Xbox 360 release with Avatar support
Microsoft is hitting Japan right in its beloved franchises. Along with Radiant Silvergun, the company announced a new version of Human/Spike's long-lived wrestling series Fire Pro-Wrestling. The twist this time is that instead of (legally distinct) simulacra of your favorite wrestlers, you'll be able to take to the mat with your Avatar. If you make a really big Avatar, do you have an advantage? %Gallery-102405%
Japanese gamers split on subtitles vs. dubs for Western games
Hong Kong action aficionados and anime fans have long debated over subtitles and dubs. While some prefer the ease (and comedy) of listening to English dubs, purists believe original language tracks should be preserved. The debate rages on with video games, as evidenced by the complaints of many Final Fantasy XIII fans, upset by the lack of the game's original Japanese track. The debate seems to garner the same kind of division across the Pacific, where Japanese gamers are equally conflicted about the use of subs and dubs. In fact, according to a poll conducted by games publisher Spike, the opinion amongst gamers is essentially split. The poll quizzed over six thousand individuals over the course of two years, and 49% of respondents said they prefer subtitles while 47% said they prefer dubs. With such a divided opinion regarding the subject, it seems like the best bet for publishers would be to find a way to squeeze multiple audio and subtitle options into their games. That way, gamers on both sides of the fence can be appeased -- and our sick dream of playing Gears of War 3 in Finnish with Chinese subtitles can finally come true. [Via Andriasang]
Puppets promote Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan
Shiren the Wanderer 3 hits North America on February 9, but Chunsoft and publisher Spike are already preparing to release Shiren the Wanderer 4 in Japan. There, the roguelike dungeon crawler is a big enough deal to warrant television advertising! And that's a good thing, because these TV ads for Shiren 4 (after the break) are absolutely wonderful, featuring puppets(!) of Shiren, Koppa, and monsters in the new tropical island setting. Of course, if you were to go into this game based on the sunny commercials, you might be a bit surprised when you're murdered repeatedly by monsters, losing all items and progress each time. We hope someone gets the idea to sell Shiren puppets. [Via GoNintendo]
Deadliest Warrior video game announced during VGAs
Oh, you've never heard of the television show known as Deadliest Warrior? We'll break it down for you: Each episode pits two different types of warriors from different time periods against each other to see who would win in various forms of combat. For instance, one episode might show the results of a Ninjas vs. Spartans throwdown. One might show how a conflict between Marines and Medieval Knights would resolve itself. Robots vs. Wizards? A bit less likely, but still within the realm of possibilities. The VGAs brought great news involving this series -- Pipeworks Software is making a downloadable video game based on it. The announcement was accompanied by a lava-hot trailer showing a battle between a ninja and a heavily armored knight, which we've posted after the jump. What? Who wins? The ninja does. Of course.
Reminder: Tune in for Joystiq's VGA liveblog tonight at 8 EST
We've been hurt so many times in the past, but we're holding out hope for this year's Spike Video Game Awards. It sounds like it will be absolutely rife with scoops, including footage from Halo Reach, the reveal of a new Star Wars game and a metric ton of new trailers. As is our custom, we'll put our hearts out on the line in order to liveblog the show for you, dear readers -- an exercise that will likely result in unrelenting anguish after the first ex-Mad TV cast member starts making the obligatory drug-or-fart-related jokes. Join us at 8PM for the festivities. Unfortunately, Justin won't be fulfilling his usual role as MC, but we'll have more than enough Joystiqers on hand to make up for his absent humor. Also, we'll be doing shots anytime someone utters the words "World Exclusive." We expect things to get really weird, really fast.
New Star Wars game debuting during Spike Video Game Awards
Well, crap. Now we have a reason to watch the Spike Video Game Awards. See, while we can live without the WORLD EXCLUSIVE trailers for next year's big releases, we don't think we can skip out on the unveiling of a new Star Wars game in good conscience. According to the latest teaser, viewers of the 2009 Spike VGAs will be able to find out "what's next" for the Star Wars gaming franchise. We've got our fingers triple-crossed for a new Jedi Outcast entry, but have also prepared our hearts for the icy embrace of Super Bombad Racing 2.
VGA 2009 nominees revealed, Uncharted 2 head of the pack
The 2009 crop of nominees in Spike's Video Game Awards is out, and we've got a big announcement to make. We're not going to make fun of them. For starters, most of the categories seem pretty on point, with eight noms for Uncharted 2, seven for Batman: Arkham Asylum, and six for both Modern Warfare 2 and Left 4 Dead 2, which all seem pretty deserving. Furthermore, we don't want to rob you commenters of the fun of individually savaging the few embarrassing sections of the list, which honestly, make their own comedy gravy. Stymied? Okay, we'll get you started, but just this one, cool? Borderlands is up for Best RPG, huh? That's the best pick since Serious Sam won for "Best Dating/Train Conducting Sim." We're assuming you can take it from there.
Kenka Bancho 4 laser-eyes a PSP release
Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble isn't even out in North America yet (next week!), but in the period between its announcement and release, publisher Spike has already announced two more Kenka Banchos for Japan: a port of the original, and a new sequel. Kenka Bancho 4: One Year War takes place in an inexplicably violent high school, as Yuuto attempts to become top "bancho" among the toughest kids in class. By beating everyone else up, of course. The "smashtalk" taunt system will return with unidentified updates. The school fight will start in spring 2010 in Japan. Stare down some screens at GAME Watch. [Via Siliconera]
Suda 51 wants to remake Grasshopper Manufacture's 'Michigan'
Not the state -- we don't know how he feels about that, nor do we think he'd have the power to remake it. Michigan (the game) was a 2004 PS2 adventure developed by Suda's Grasshopper Manufacture and directed by Contact's Akira Ueda, in which the player controls a cameraman who follows, and indirectly influences, a reporter investigating mysterious phenomena."There's a Spanish horror film called REC," Suda told Gamasutra, "and when I watched it, I realized it was pretty much Michigan, right there. I still have a lot of ideas along those lines, and I'd love to work with Spike sometime to make a new Michigan or a remake." Interviewer Brandon Sheffield discussed talks he'd had with US publishers about the game, who told him Sony declined it due to a lack of gameplay. So a remake would probably include more direct gameplay or ... would be for another platform.Suda also said that he never expected to become a superstar game designer as a kid. "I wanted to become a sushi chef or an astronaut."
Keighley promises even better exclusives at the VGAs
We're not convinced that Spike TV had the most quality people handling their interviews on the red carpet of the Scream 2009 awards. As you can see in this video interview, the ham 'n' egger behind the camera actually asked Geoff Keighley how he gets so many exclusives when everybody knows Geoff Keighley secretes exclusives glandularly. The interviewer does do one thing right though, getting Keighley to promise that he'll have even better exclusives than last year in the 2009 VGA ceremony. He's made similar promises in the past and delivered, most notably during last year's show in which God of War 3 debuted. We just can't imagine how much spicy food he'll have to eat to pull that off. That's right ... Geoff Keighley is basically Turbo Teen. [Via BigDownload]
Kenka Bancho: Banana Suit Rumble
How tough are the badasses of Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble? So tough that they can look intimidating in banana costumes, as demonstrated in these new screenshots. Not convinced? These dudes are so hardcore that the game's release date was moved up to face off with Modern Warfare 2. You have to be pretty ice cold to stand against that as a niche PSP game. We respect that.Atlus sent an email detailing the game's inventory system, which is pretty simple: every item of clothing includes a certain number of pockets, up to a total of eight per complete outfit. Which means you have to be super tough to take on rival gangs in just your undies, because not only would that be really embarrassing to anyone but the most confident of fighters, you can't carry healing items.%Gallery-75587%
MadWorld headed to Japan, not being published by Sega
Even though Sega was kinda proud of MadWorld's initial sales performance, the company has decided it won't handle publishing duties for a Japanese version of the game. Famitsu reports that the game will be available in Japan sometime this Winter courtesy of Spike, a company well-versed in violent video games. Hopefully it won't get a crash course in lackluster sales. [Via Go Nintendo]%Gallery-22964%
