atari
Latest
Alone in the Dark pics, unbelievably scary
Alone in the Dark 5 looks gorgeous. That's really all there is to say about these images. Well, that, and they're really scary -- almost as scary as Uwe Boll. After all, the game is set in Central Park, the scariest place on earth. If you haven't looked into this game yet, be sure and check out the official site for more creepy goodness. We have to ask, who wants this game, and who wants it right now?
Test Drive gets another...test drive
Test Drive: Unlimited lives up to it's name with a second demo now available on Marketplace. This one includes four new rides -- the Ferrari F430, the Ford Mustang GT, the AC Cobra, and a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R motorcycle -- plus new challenges and improved graphics. All told you should have this game thoroughly tested by the September 5 release date. [Thanks DapperDan]
Activision joins the return to retro
A slightly old news story about games that are very old. If you aren't sick of retro games yet, then Activision would like for you to read up on their offering of repackaged classics. Activision Hits Remixed will feature more than 40 games from the Atari 2600 era, such as Pitfall, Kaboom!, Chopper Command, Stampede, and Keystone Kapers. Thankfully, games that feature multiplayer will utilize the Game Share feature of the PSP, so that you and a friend can duke it out with a single UMD.The disc will also feature "modernized front-end graphics" (as fancy as the PS3's front-end?) and unlockables. I would get excited, but I'm too busy not caring.[Via Gamespot]
DBZ hands-on reveals info
Those guys over at IGN managed to get ahold of the latest build for Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and came away impressed. In going over the preview, they managed to pry loose tons of details about the game. The game will take the sandbox approach (free-roaming story mode) and offer 50 hours of gameplay to complete the single-player story. The entirety of the game's content will follow the manga, anime, and many movies, featuring over 120 characters. The game will allow fusion characters such as Gotenks and Vegito to join in on the action, along with a highly-customizable system for each character in the game. Customizing can be done on multiple levels, from cosmetic looks to combos, moves, and special powers. This is all done via an in-game money system allowing the player to purchase upgrades. All of the characters will have optional Japanese voiceovers and fight in interactive arenas twice the size of previous games. Also confirmed is that gamers will have a choice between using the Wiimote or plugging in their GameCube controller to play the game. Finally, the Wii version is to have enhanced graphics when compared to the PS2 game.
BioWare announces new NWN module
Even though Atari has officially dropped support for the original Neverwinter Nights, the mod community is still thriving. In fact, the database of fan-created modules is over 4,000 strong, according to NWN's developer, BioWare. And if you thought Infinite Dungeons was the last of the professionally-developed modules, a small Vancouver-based game studio is serving up another 25-30 hr. adventure in the Forgotten Realms. Ossian Studios is comprised of BioWare veterans and RPG enthusiasts, and while they had originally planned Darkness over Daggerford as a premium module release, this lengthy single-player campaign is now available as a free download at the Neverwinter Nights Vault. Check out BioWare's interview with Ossian co-founder Alan Miranda, and let us know what you think of Daggerford.See also: A touch of RTS in Neverwinter Nights 2 NWN2: new interview with Urquhart, more screens NWN mod creator on Atari, Infinite Dungeons
Test Drive a Maserati
Xboxyde posted this video of a Maserati MC12 in action from the upcoming Test Drive Unlimited. The car model looks great, but the video isn't exactly exciting -- unless you like watching cars drive both toward and away from the screen. The workmanship on this car is top notch, though: it survives a head on collision with barely a scratch. All kidding aside, car lovers have one more reason to look forward to this budget game. Check out Xboxyde for more screens. Anybody looking forward to this one?
First-ever Earthworm Jim video delights
The Atari love continues today, as impressions and videos from their "Atari Spotlight" slowly trickle in. Another PSP game featured at the event was Earthworm Jim. While the screenshots we've seen so far have looked really good so far, seeing the game in motion has elevated its desirability to an even greater level. Like Ultimate Ghouls 'n Goblins on the PSP and New Super Mario Bros. on the DS, 3D graphics have been really changing the look and feel of 2D games... for the good. Our pal Jim looks to animate quick brilliantly. The platforming looks absolutely spectacular, with Jim have access to a plethora of moves, including a super-charged jump aided by his suit. While the combat and hit detection appear to be lacking right now, this very early demonstration of Earthworm Jim shows a lot of promise.Download - Gamespot's VideoRead - Gamespot's Hands-OnRead - AMN's Hands-On
Wii launch: who's in, who's out
By way of the like-minded folks at Nwizard (see: they love Nintendo too!), we now have an updated list of the games that will be accompanying the Wii's launch later this year. Given all of increasing support the console is seeing, all the recent titles Ubisoft has said they're working on bringing to the Wii, as well as EA and Midway's support, we now have a list that combines the best from Nintendo with some excellent third-party titles. A full list of launch titles are available after the break. [Via Joystiq]
The confirmed Wii launch lineup
Nintendo gaming site Nwizard has put together a handy list of titles for Nintendo's Wii that are confirmed to be there at launch (whenever that is). So far, the total is set at 27, but of course that number can grow as time gets closer to the inevitable day the Wii comes to stores. While there certainly looks to be a nice, varied list of games there at launch, there are also a few titles on the way that are worth waiting for -- Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Bros. Brawl are just a couple. Check after the break for the full list.
Earthworm Jim on the DS
Yeah we remember Queen Slug for a Butt, Princess What's-Her-Name, Professor Monkey For A Head and the lucky little ordinary earthworm, Jim, who, luckily, had an Ultra high tech indestructible super space cyber suit fall on him from above thus entering him in an ultimate battle for the universe. How could we forget? Earthworm Jim was one of the best Shiny Entertainment games ever. Lucky for us, Atari is bringing it to the DS! Along with a nice list of release dates you will find Earthworm Jim next to a rather annoying TBD. Not much else has been said about the game and the questions are abundant. Hopefully good things are in store.
Alone in the Dark keeps the lights off a bit longer
Atari was dealt some pretty bad numbers the past year -- losses were at their highest in a while overall. This is partially why the next-gen iteration of Alone in the Dark has been pushed back to mid-2007, maybe into 2008. Atari does anticipate the title to be their big game for next year and let's hope they are right. Atari has even announced that the game will come to other formats not yet mentioned (and still haven't been named specifically) and that may help out. Not sure how a DS rendition of the game would do, but it's a cute idea.CEO Bruno Bonnell also talked about the likelihood of more console-specific titles and exclusives overall. He claims that "ports are going to be a little more difficult because the machines are becoming more and more specific." Ouch. That sounds like a shot at the cell processor for the PS3, but every machine is being built in very different ways (the Wii's gimmick innovative control style comes to mind). Also mentioned were game prices for the next generation. Surprisingly, Bonnell offered his thoughts that games won't cost much more other than a "massive title with crazy costs." If only he were right, but the 360 has already raised the bar by ten dollars and that will probably continue for a little while.
Bryan Singer to make a game with Atari [Update 1]
Bryan Singer -- beloved movie director (of X-Men, X2, and Superman Returns fame... not to mention The Usual Suspects) has recently announced his plans to make a video game, cooperating with Atari. What's the premise? A secret agent hired to protect the president! Don't yawn yet -- the game's hardly in production, if at all. Remember also, Resident Evil 4 had a lame premise at its surface: rescue the president's daughter. But that game turned out all right.Will the game be good, though? It depends. Is Singer able to transfer his ability of making decent to great movies into decent to great games? There aren't quite as many directors who decide to make a game instead of making a movie out of a game. Or making a game from a movie. The best way to put it is probably this: an independent project with knowledge of both the game and movie industry. Bryan Singer may have something good going, but we'll have to wait and see.[Update: fixed a typo]
Earthworm Jim swirms back to the PSP
My my, it's been a long long time since we last saw Earthworm Jim. I was still a kid when the Earthworm Jim craze had reached its peak: some excellent games on the Genesis/SNES, a freaky cartoon on the WB, and some pretty weird action figures. The series' unique gross-out humor seems poised for a big comeback, as the PSP is getting an impressively beautiful continuation. IGN grabbed some screens from a recent Atari event and had some pretty positive impressions: The spacesuit-wearing worm has indeed return. More importantly, he's returned in proper form. The game plays very much like its 2D predecessors... What makes it special, though, lies strictly with how developer Shiny Entertainment mixes those elements to form something altogether groovy and unique.You'll be sure to see more of this game on the Fanboy, as it still has a long time left in development.
Ding, dong, the Bullet Witch is published
As part of an ongoing initiative to bring us games with "mass market" appeal, Atari has agreed to publish Cavia's Bullet Witch. The agreement was made with AQ Interactive, the game's Japanese publisher. Atari noted that the deal signifies the beginning of an ongoing relationship between the two companies. Nique Fajors, Atari's vice president of sales and marketing said of the deal: "We are very pleased to announce this partnership with AQ Interactive Inc. and look forward to working with them on Bullet Witch and beyond. To offer an engaging and unique title such as Bullet Witch to kick start our partnership underlines Atari's commitment to bringing interesting and different titles to gamers all over the world."Good news indeed. Now how about a release date? Oh, and, Atari, there's this other game that could use a US publisher, too. Could you handle that? Yeah, that'd be greeeeat, thanks.
Atari says Driv3r was half baked
Finally, a video game exec who isn't afraid to say the truth for once. Games Radar is quoting Atari's sales and marketing vice president, Nique Fajors, as saying at a company press event that the Driv3r franchise was nothing more than "a half-baked product that was pushed out the door for revenue reasons." That's what we like to hear. Give us the truth. We all know half of the games that are released every year are nothing more than a quick money grab -- yeah, we're looking at you movie licensed games -- so it's nice to hear someone in the biz actually admit to it. Fajors seems to reflect a new attitude at Atari, which is hoping to turn around its financial woes as of late. He says the company "will be putting a stronger emphasis on quality control and so will be hiring teams who feel 'disgust with losing and disgust with being mediocre.'"
DBZ hitting Wii in November
Submitted to Go Nintendo, a Japanese scan shows that Dragonball Z Tenkaichi 2 will be releasing for the Wii this November. This estimated release date is obviously for the Japanese gaming world and does not apply to us lowly gamers outside of the Mecca of gaming that the nation is, so we'll have to wait a tad bit longer. No other information can be taken from the scan, other than the knowledge that someone apparently did not enjoy the figurines, choosing to angrily place a giant X across a majority of the scan. The magazine in which this scan comes from is also a mystery at this time.
Atari, like SNK, holds off on PS3 software
An interview with Atari CEO Bruno Bonnell has been summed up for us at GamesIndustry regarding Atari's decision to leave the PS3 alone until 2007, possibly near 2008. Bonnell brought up two pretty serious reasons for staying away from Sony's new console. One, he said, "It's just that we're lacking information about the PS3 at this stage, because we have basically a rough release date and a high retail price point." Seems Atari didn't get one of the 10,000 ugly dev kits, or they haven't had time to work with it.Bonnell also feels Sony is targeting the hardcore, passionate gamer market with the PS3 (and all those Atari collections won't feel at home on the PS3... poor Joust). Atari is currently planning on releasing some games for the 360 and the Wii this holiday season. Possibly some XBox Live Arcade titles if they want to push their classics (this could also be done on PS3's online service, but that's moot since it technically doesn't exist yet). If you want to read the full interview, check out the original article and there's a link to it at the bottom. Most of it doesn't pertain to the PS3, but it's still worth a look.
DDO: Litany of the Dead previewed
Turbine Entertainment has posted a preview of the next Dungeons & Dragons Online module, to be released this month. The appropriately titled Litany of the Dead will have players exploring various tombs and forming unholy alliances to combat the rise of a dangerous lich.Now that solo play has been added, do Joystiqers find this MMO more appealing? It's pretty big in China these days.
Atari CEO: No PS3 games before 2007
In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, Atari CEO Bruno Bonnell confirms that there will not be any Atari PlayStation 3 games before 2007. However, Bonnell assures us that the publisher will be there for the Wii and 360 this year.Perhaps because Atari is in a bit of financial trouble, Bonnell wants to wait to see if the PS3 will actually be a platform worth developing for. He tells the site:"It's just that we're lacking information about the PS3 at this stage, because we have basically a rough release date and a high retail price point. As far as the Wii and the Xbox 360 go, we'll be there for this season; for PS3, we'll probably have to wait a little later in the year before we release some new titles." "I think that by deciding to put the PS3 at this price, Sony has chosen to really differentiate itself from the other consoles. The fact that you have Blu-ray, and the fact that it's HD compatible -- all this is driving me to think that Sony is picking up the high-end of the market, the hardcore, passionate fans. There will be a time they can reduce the price and access more people, but clearly that's a technical choice that Sony has made to be selective on the field at stage one."
Test Drive price: no bargain for Europe
We broke the story earlier this month that Test Drive Unlimited would be available for the low, low price of US $39.99. This led some of our UK readers to hope and pray that the European price would be a bargain as well. Sorry, lads (and ladies), Test Drive Unlimited will cost £49.99 ($92.95, yikes!). The reason: prevailing market conditions, which translates as "not enough 360 owners." Interestingly, another factor mentioned by Atari was America's "much bigger Xbox Live Gold membership," making it easier to recoup costs -- through micropayments and in-game ads, no doubt. So much for affordable innovation for everyone.
