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Here we go again: New Bungie.net countdown expires 7:07 a.m. PT tomorrow
Bungie's website has a new teaser front page and a countdown on it -- and wouldn't you know, it's the exact same teaser from the now-infamous E3 debacle. The countdown expires at 7:07 a.m. PT tomorrow (that's 10:07 a.m. Joystiq Time), which is unsurprising given the developer's fondness for the number 7. Also of note: the page is called "defaultsi", the "si" possibly being a reference to The Superintendent (and again, the same URL from before).As for what the reveal could be, we've got a handful of ideas. Two teaser transmissions on the other main Bungie page, including one from The Superintendent that talked about Tokyo (it should be noted the Tokyo Game Show is next month) and another from a soldier under fire. We know Bungie is working on at least "three distinct projects," although one of those could've been the recently-released Halo 3 Title Update 2. One of those is a new Halo game unrelated to the Peter Jackson project (could it be Halo Recon Advanced Warfighter?). Other potential candidates include HaloCon, a Superintendent Xbox Live Arcade title and/or the Mythic map pack dates. Or could it be something completely different. Or it could be nothing at all. Again. Let's hope it's anything but the latter. Update: Commenter Edward Dean below shows us what is purported to be a picture from inside Halo 3 that teases a teaser for a new game tomorrow. We're trying to confirm its validity at the moment. Picture after the break.
Cryptic officially announces Star Trek Online
We may have spoiled Cryptic's little surprise, but even though we were pretty sure we knew what this whole countdown business was about, when midnight pacific time rolled around, we headed over to Cryptic's website to see what would happen next. We were immediately met by errors saying the server failed to respond as geeks world-wide attempted to do the same thing, but when we finally got through, we received the exciting launch message above and the count-down link had been swapped for a banner linking to the Star Trek Online homepage. For those of you concerned by the thought of your favorite sci-fi franchise being shoddily moved to MMO territory (and, come on, if you're Star Trek fans you must be used to the name being a bit abused), we were reassured by Jack Emmert's letter to the community: There are few other fictional backgrounds that fit the MMORPG medium so well. After all, Star Trek was never about a single character, ship or even planet; Star Trek was always about an entire universe. And MMORPGs are uniquely suited to create such a thing and allow players to explore every inch. Admittedly, Star Trek has its challenges. We want to make a game that best captures the real essence of Star Trek. We see Star Trek as much about exploration as combat. As much about the variety of alien civilizations as it is about the core Vulcans, Klingons, Humans, etc. It's going to be an exciting ride over the coming months as we begin to unveil STO. I can't wait. For those of you who can't get enough STO news, on August 10th Cryptic will be unveiling the first gameplay footage at the Official Star Trek Convention in Vegas (if you aren't going to be there, never fear -- they'll stream it on the web, too!) and there are new forums packed full of fans for you to geek out with.%Gallery-28615%
The Daily Grind: What do you want from STO?
We were as giddy as any fanboy (or fangirl!) to discover that Star Trek Online was alive and well -- and in Cryptic Studios' capable hands. However, like any fanboy (or fangirl), we're never satisfied with the information we have... we always want to know more! What classes will we be able to play? What races will we be able to play? Will we be able to pilot our own starships? Will we be able to meet Kirk or Picard? What will space combat be like? What planets will be available? And, above all, when can we play it? So today, as Cryptic's not-so-mysterious countdown winds down, we ask you: what features do you hope to find in STO?
Chrono Trigger DS countdown ends, 'reveals' Chrono Trigger
After much speculation and painful hours of sitting on pins and needles, Square-Enix confirmed that their chronometric teaser was, in fact, counting down to the big reveal of a Nintendo DS adaptation of Chrono Trigger. The countdown just ended, revealing the first pseudo-trailer for the game; following Squeenix's promise for a "newly revamped" version of what many consider to be the greatest RPG of all time, our hopes were high for a 3D remake, ala Final Fantasy III and IV -- though the trailer shows that the visuals will retain their charming 16-bit aesthetic.The trailer doesn't show off the game's new features, like the new dungeon, wireless play and touch screen support -- though it does end by touting the Winter 2008 release window we'd previously heard. Hopefully, future media for the title will show us exactly why we'll need to purchase the game again (other than the fact that it's frakkin' Chrono Trigger) -- until then, we'll be anxiously awaiting Christmas morning, when we'll scurry to the foyer to discover that Ho-Ho has left us stockingfuls of heartwarming nostalgia.Update: We've got the post-countdown trailer posted after the jump, courtesy of GameVideos.
Y2K finally strikes, crushes Grand Theft Auto 2 fans' dreams
Those who spent New Year's Eve, 1999 holed up in a bunker beneath their house, eating astronaut food while your superterranean contemporaries amused themselves with the ramblings of Dick Clark and the chonologically appropriate jams of Will Smith probably felt pretty silly when, you know, the world didn't end. Perhaps a technical snafu on Rockstar's website will slightly justify these worryworts' absence from the centennial shenanigans.The snafu in question was an apparent countdown for Grand Theft Auto 2, leading many to believe the PS1 classic would soon be heading to XBLA and PSN Stores near you. Unfortunately, a quick check of the page's source code reveals that the timer was created in 1999, and that certain parameters have caused the countdown to malfunction in the 21st century. Rockstar confirmed that they have no plans to port the title, but reluctantly admitted that the countdown timer has become self-aware, and that today is, in fact, Judgment Day.
Diablo3.com hosts countdown for May 1st
Our friends at Blizzplanet sent along a mysterious little tip. Diablo3.com is not actually a Blizzard site (at least currently) -- it appears to be somehow affiliated with Blizzplanet's network (there are also links to WoW Radio, so we're checking with them to see what's up as well). But on both Diablo3.com and Blizzplanet, there is now a countdown leading up to thirteen days from now, which lands us squarely on May 1st. On Blizzplanet, there is a note that says "The Church of the Triune will be shaken in..." On Diablo3.com, the message is much more practical: "The number of days until half the web links to Diablo3.com. But why???"So what's happening on May 1st? Best case scenario, of course, is the official announcement of a third title in the Diablo series. I wouldn't hold your breath on that one, however -- while it has been rumored for a long time, it seems unlikely that Blizzard would break the news on an unofficial site. But then again, maybe it won't be an unofficial site by then -- if diablo3.com was sold to or otherwise obtained by Blizzard (they obviously own the trademark), and is switching over on May 1st, that would definitely be enough reason for "half the web" to link to it, even without an official announcement of the game.Either way, we'll keep an eye on it. Keep in mind, also, that Blizzard is having the WWI at the end of June (and both Diablo II and its expansion were released on June 29, of 2000 and 2001 respectively. We're not sure what this countdown means yet, but this summer definitely seems like the right time for an official Diablo 3 announcement.Update: Whois info on Diablo3.com shows that it's currently owned by Roger Barr, who runs I-Mockery, another link on the sidebar. So this could all just be a hoax or publicity stunt. We'll find out on May 1st, I guess.
WAR Europe's countdown not what we'd hoped
When an ominous countdown appeared on Warhammer Online's European site last Friday, speculation surged that the Mythic team might be on the verge a major announcement. Are we finally going to see a release date set in stone instead of mud? Are they going to announce the open beta that we've all been waiting for so long? Is the NDA finally going to be lifted? Left to their own devices, WAR fanatics are liable to start expecting all sorts of things.Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is far less exciting. No, as Mark Jacobs indicated in an overtly *hint hint* forum post, players should be able to read the writing on the wall and figure out what the countdown is for. To start, it's only on the European site, so it couldn't be something like a global release date or NDA lift. Second of all, photos of the European Collector's Edition were leaked last week. Third, developers have been talking rather openly about the content of the CE on fan forums. Without explicitly saying it, Jacobs indicated that the announcement would be the details of the Collector's Edition. Not as exciting as a release date, but what can you do?
Atlus countdown raises hopes for Persona FES
Atlus is up to something. We have a sixth sense about these things, though the ominous countdown on the company's website is a good indicator that something is up. Unfortunately we'll have to wait until the clock finally ticks down on February 26 to find out exactly what the something is. We have our own ideas, like a reprinting of Odin Sphere so maybe we could find the darn thing. However, many internet sleuths have another idea, citing the timer's background as having been lifted from Persona 3, and hoping against hope that when the timer finally reaches zero Atlus will announce plans to localize Persona 3 FES, a special 'director's cut' style edition of the company's earlier released niche RPG. The expansion to the original game was first released in April 2007 in Japan, but has since that time eluded North American players, despite numerous rumors that Persona 3 FES was indeed on its way. Now the Atlus faithful are left to wait a few more days, time enough to ponder just what the niche publisher has waiting in the wings. [Thanks Kenneth]
New Grand Theft Auto IV trailer today at Noon EST
This small note is just a reminder that the new Grand Theft Auto IV trailer, "Looking for That Special Someone" is going to be appearing here, here, and here and probably a boatload of other places at Noon EST today. It'll also be available through Xbox Live. To help get you totally pumped, we've included our gallery of GTA IV images below, and you may not have seen the first two before.We're reminding you, not just so you can get your latest fix of a high-res guy walking around a city in slow motion, but also so you can finish up any internet business you may have before then. So, if you have any important videos to watch or shopping to do online, get it done before the clock strikes 12. As for the trailer, we're just hoping to finally get a low-angle shot of a guy running towards the camera with a gun in his hand while something explodes behind him. What do you want to see?%Gallery-3442%
Wii Warm Up: SSBB Countdown to end in two hours?
According to this thread about a Nintendo Power from the future, the Super Smash Bros. Brawl countdown will wind down two hours after this very post is published, so we figured that was just enough time to get our last minute speculation in under the wire. Major speculation seems to center around some pretty basic new content (images and wallpapers) or an all new day-by-day blog by Masahiro Sakurai. At this point, we really have to say that anything could happen when this countdown wraps up. What's your take?[Thanks, hvnlysoldr!]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl site countdown
It might not be the final countdown per se, but that hasn't stopped us from dancing around our computer monitors to Europe's epic song, Nintendo's official Super Smash Bros. Brawl website displayed on our screens. The teaser page reveals little, but promises much after seven days time. Who knows what treasures the site will be laden with after its scheduled relaunch? Playable characters like Sonic or Tingle debuted? A new trailer as grandiose as the last?! 32-player online support, no friendcodes, and a free pony?!!!Ever the pessimists, we're not letting ourselves expect too much from the upcoming curtain-raiser. Still, we'd like to hear your predictions on what Nintendo will be showing off at the site a week from now![Via Joystiq]
Super Smash Bros. Brawl site counting down to relaunch
Countdown sites are so hot right now. You know what they are? They're this season's ARG. If you've got a hot property coming out, but you haven't gotten your countdown site in order, don't ever bother: We're not interested. Luckily for Nintendo, they wised up and finally got our attention for Super Smash Bros. Brawl, taking their site from regular, old, boring homepage (how 2006!) to a countdown to one week from today.Now, as countdown sites go, it's kind of lackluster. There are no hours or minutes or seconds, so we can't stare for hours on end, watching each second peel away as we breathlessly contemplate how meaningful our lives will be when the timer reaches zero. But there is a logo there (not just a number) so we don't forget what game we're counting down to in all the hubbub. Very practical. We suspect that Nintendo might be spilling the beans on this and some other hot properties next week (thanks in no small part to a press event hinted at by Matt Casamassina), but to get too hung up on what the countdown is counting down to is to really miss the point. It's a countdown, man: Live in the now.
The Island of Rhodes hides a God of War secret [Update 1]
What's hidden at the Island of Rhodes? A mysterious countdown shows Kratos staring ominously at the viewer through two walls of fire. The time seems to point to the pending European release of God of War II, but the site is registered to Sony Computer Entertainment of America. There are PS2 logos at the bottom, but we know the next two games are coming on PSP and PS3.So what's going on? Looks like we're going to have to wait and see.[Via IGN][Update 1: According to IGN, this website isn't related to the upcoming PSP version of God of War. Rather, "The website is for true God of War fans ... Think of the original God of War." A cryptic clue, no?]
Countdown to Burning Crusade: Vote for day 7 winners!
We had a ton of excellent entries for the Alliance caption contest on day 7 of our countdown to the Burning Crusade, we've narrowed the field down to ten finalists -- and we want your help to pick the winner! You have 24 hours to submit your votes, which gives you until 5:30PM EST on Friday -- so get voting, everyone! Who's the winner of our Alliance caption contest? Darwf: May I help you? Night Elf: Uh yes, where's Stormwind? Crap, you're a guy. From far away you all look the same. Ok, I'm only gonna tell you this one more time. Dancing like Michael Jackson will *not* get you hot Night Elf chicks. Donald Trump brings his army of real estate to bear against an increasingly chunky Rosie O'Donnell. You are the Barry Bonds of dwarves! Hey, where the gnome women at? 1960 called, they want their overalls back. My name is Inigo Montoya. you stole my shoulder pads... prepare to die. Dwarf: Actually, I prefer to think of myself as 'in weapons range of your groin'. I wish I knew how to quit you. Free polls from Pollhost.com
UK gets countdown clocks to Wii launch
Originally posted in the Wii Chat forums, there was supposedly a memo sent out where it was revealed that select UK Virgin megastores would be receiving countdown clocks, set to count down to the launch of the Wii. The memo says that Nintendo would be contacting the following stores from today onward about when to expect their clock's arrival: Megastore Piccadilly Liverpool Cribbs Causeway Kings Road Bournemouth Leeds Meadowhall Birmingham Over at Joystiq, Ross brings up a good point. With Nintendo's keynote at this month's Leipzig Games Convention, it's a natural venue for them to announce the date, which would see these stores having their clocks installed and functional on that date of August 23rd. While we'll chalk this one up to rumor at the moment, consider it an unusually interesting one.[Note: The graphic does not convey a believed release date. It is entirely made up on our part.][Via Joystiq]
Gawker updated with more camera support, desktop time-lapsing
Gawker, the clever app for recording, sharing and combining time-lapse movies, has been updated to version 0.70 with some unique features. It is now compatible with non-iSight cameras, including even DV cameras, and can record from up to four cameras simultaneously (when you consider the power of using other cameras through Bonjour, this gets pretty interesting). The ability to capture desktops as well as a countdown timer have also been added.Gawker is an open source project and available from its home at SourceForge.
