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Sega confirms Samba de Amigo getting DLC
Sega has confirmed earlier rumors that its upcoming Wii-vival of Samba de Amigo will support downloadable content. That's the good news. However, with the first pack of three songs scheduled to debut alongside the game's launch on September 23, the announcement feels less like a gift and more a reason for Sega to dip its hands in our back pocket by charging for content that should already be on the disc.While no pricing model has yet been announced, the first set of downloads will include 80's radio chant, I Want Candy, from Bow Wow Wow; Jet's Are You Going To Be My Girl?; and Lou Bega's Mambo Mambo, with future tracks expected to be made available "on a regular basis." We hope not too regular, unless a little thing called storage is sorted out first. Perhaps we should be diving into couch cushions, looking for SD cards instead of loose change.[Via press release]
Madden '10, other EA games to include downloadable songs
We're already getting used to downloadable tracks being a necessary addition to rhythm and music games. But are we ready for the feature to infect the soundtracks for other genres? Ready or not, EA Chief Music Executive Steve Schnur told MTV Multiplayer that downloadable background tracks will indeed be available in next year's version of Madden, with similar support added to "broader-based" EA games shortly thereafter.It might seem a bit silly for EA to offer a proprietary music download service when all current-gen consoles allow users to create their own custom soundtracks from their already-existing digital music collections. You have to realize, though, that EA needs to offer its own downloads so it can market promote push gently suggest the latest hot track from Kid Rock to their captive audience of millions of players. It's not yet clear if you'll actually have to pay for these downloadable songs, but as this idea is coming from a company that's charging for extra weapons in first-person shooters, we wouldn't exactly be surprised.
Joystiq hands-on: World of Goo (WiiWare)
Cute graphics and sounds: Check. Clever puzzle mechanic: Check. Irresistible gameplay: Check. World of Goo hits the required bullet points to be an indie game darling. And comfortable Wii Remote controls make it a perfect fit to be in Nintendo's WiiWare lineup.Players build simple structures by pointing and dragging living, bouncing goo balls. These spherical wonders extend a few arms to their closest neighbors, becoming rigid when the Remote button is released. Gamers have to figure out how to build bridges, towers, and other structures without toppling them over, all while trying to use as few balls as possible. In the end, they're trying to lead the remaining balls to a mysterious pipe that sucks them away at the end of the level.I tried the action-puzzler at the Nintendo Media Summit and am anticipating its release sometime this year. (Developer 2D Boy says its work will be complete in the Summer, and Nintendo will schedule the release after that.) World of Goo felt great and could be poised to be an indie game that crosses over into commercial success.%Gallery-20573%
WiiWare Japanese launch info round-up
The day you've been waiting for is here -- if you're a Japanese Wii owner with a hankering for downloadable games, that is. Yes, Nintendo's game download service WiiWare has finally launched in Japan and, with the help of our friends over at Wii Fanboy, we've rounded up a bunch of information on the roll out from around the web, including: Video of the download process (which is rather slow on Nintendo's currently overwhelmed servers). A description of the shopping process from SiliconEra. Impressions of a few launch games (including one that actually sounds fun) over at Wired's Game|Life. Screenshots galore from Famitsu. Videos galore, gathered by Wii Fanboy from NintendoWorldReport. We're also following news about the service's implementation of downloadable content, which has shown up in three games so far. Look for more on that in a bit.
VUDU review: the HD perspective
VUDU's self-titled set-top-box has certainly made quite the name for itself in the few short months that it has been on the market. Whether or not that name is positive one, however, is most certainly up for debate. Soon after launching at $399, reviews came pouring in that seemed to harmoniously shout "meh," but we still had hope for it. Upon speaking with company representatives at CEDIA, we knew that potential was still untapped at its coming out party -- the only question was how much support would it get from studios when pleading for their precious content in high-definition. Needless to say, garnering said backing still seems to be an uphill battle, but we managed to wrap our paws around the now-$295 device and put it through the paces that we HD junkies care about. Follow us after the break for the full spill, won't you?
Wizards partners with Carmageddon devs for downloadable game
Crazy rich card game, role-playing, and now social networking company Wizards of the Coast has announced that it is venturing into the downloadable games space with a partnership with UK developer Stainless Games. Both parties remain tight lipped as to the nature of the project, though Stainless CEO Patrick Buckland teases us by calling the game "one of the most treasured IP's in the games field." While we wait for more information to come in early 2008, it's anyone's guess what will come of this digital love in, especially given Stainless Games' eclectic development history. The studio's recent efforts have been focused on recreating Atari classics for XBLA, though its roots are much less tame, having been responsible for the "racing game for the chemically imbalanced," Carmageddon, as well as its road stained sequel.
Joystiq impressions: InstantAction (PC)
Do gamers need yet another platform? GarageGames hopes so. The company's latest project, the InstantAction "platform" -- that word was specifically used -- sits inside a web browser, creating a new environment for gaming. And unlike Flash's 2D limit, InstantAction will support a variety of developer-driven technologies and engines, scaling up to first-person-shooters that even utilize video hardware acceleration. (GarageGames had its hand in the Tribes games after all.)Like other browser plugins, InstantAction has cross-platform intentions. It's first launching for PCs in early 2008, Mac support will be coming as soon as possible, and a Linux version is under consideration. Gamers will be able to download several titles at launch with pricing to be determined. (Free content may be an option, while paid titles could follow subscription models, multi-game package sales, or single purchases.)We recently explored an in-development version of InstantAction to wrap our heads around the platform-in-a-browser concept. The execution impressed us, but we're still unsure if InstantAction attempts to solve a problem nobody has. Will 3D and developer-driven environments be enough to displace Flash, as GarageGames hopes?%Gallery-9494%
Capcom dates some downloadable games in development
Capcom announced ballpark dates and prices to go with some of the downloadable titles they plan to offer on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN and PC in the next half-year. The details were given in London, so to ere on the side of caution, we're going to call these Euro details until further notice -- we doubt that's the truth, but a little caution never hurts. The games are: Rocketmen: Axis of Evil -- Holiday '07 (XBLA 800 MS Points ($10), PSN $10) Commando 3 -- December '07 (XBLA 800 MS Points ($10), PSN $10) Talisman -- April '08 Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix -- Q1 '08, but actually "when it's ready." Capcom also said that (seriously these long titles need to stop) Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix on PS3 will be available on PSN "soon" and "global headset support" will launch with the European version. Now if we could just get a better video of SSFIITHDR we might understand what's taking so long for the prettified update.
Take Two got $50M for GTAIV episodic content
A telling exchange during last week's Take Two earnings conference call may have revealed a sizable price tag for the Xbox 360's exclusive rights to Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content. During the call, Pacific Crest Securities Analyst Evan Wilson inquired about a $25 million "deferred revenue chunk associated with the episodic content on Xbox 360." Take Two CFO Lainie Goldstein responded that the money was for "the first episodic content package that's supposed to go out ... in March of '08" and that another $25 million was being deferred for the second content pack, to be released later in fiscal '08.Many news outlets are reporting that this revenue came from Microsoft to secure exclusive rights to these content packs, but this is not explicitly confirmed in the conference call or any other sources we could find. Take Two spokesperson Meg Maise would not comment on the matter, telling Joystiq the financial arrangements for the downloadable content were confidential.Still, it seems highly likely that the money came from Microsoft. Deferred revenue is often used to account for money paid before a product is delivered, and Take Two deferring Microsoft's payment for downloadable content would be a prototypical example of the practice. It's hard to imagine where else Take Two would derive such sizable revenue before the product was released.So was this a good move for Microsoft? Downloadable content is definitely a selling points for the Xbox 360 version of the game, but $50 million is a lot of money to pay just to get some additional content. If you're prepared to throw your money around, why not go all the way and secure the entire franchise as a system exclusive?[Via NeoGAF]
Today's full of stuff video: Beautiful Katamari
While we fear the series has run its course -- and rolled up the shark -- seemingly Xbox 360 exclusive and XBLA downloadable title Beautiful Katamari wins us over for today's video pick. The extended gameplay clip looks nearly the same as what we remember from the PS2 until the camera keeps pulling back and the Prince rolls up countries and continents. That's a big katamari, full of so many dreams and so much stuff.See the video after the break.
Human Head CEO forms new development company
Former Human Head CEO and chairman Timothy Gerritsen left the house that built Prey in November of last year to graze in greener, more independent pastures. Today his new game development studio Big Rooster has been formally announced, plunking Gerritsen in the growing list of game development folk striking out on their own. Big Rooster will focus on developing original titles with an emphasis on "combining depth of design with top quality visual and audio game content". Digital distribution will be a major part of the plan and the studio has already begun work on its first game, Talisman, due at the end of the year.
Valve not charging for downloadable content
Despite the rise of micro-transactions and pay-per-download content in the PC and console worlds, Valve recently announce it has no intention of charging for downloadables in games such as Counter-Strike and Team Fortress 2. Designer Robin Walker explains their logic that gives Valve a big gold star in our book: "You buy the product, you get the content ... We make more money because more people buy it, not because we try and nickel-and-dime the same customers." Micro-transactions were innocent at first, but when we had to pay for horse armor in Oblivion and tutorials in Madden, the line had to be drawn. Kudos to Valve for a step in the "don't make the customers angry" (i.e. "right") direction.
Burnout Dominator downloadable content goes live
Burnout Dominator, EA's latest entry to the famed racing series, is getting a little bit bigger on PSP. New downloadable content is available for the game, available via in-game wi-fi (see video, above). For those without wireless internet, a quick visit to EA's official site will give you access to a brand new track, "Carnival City." It certainly looks great, and the price makes it all the more worthwhille. [Via PSP GadgetZ]
PlayStation 3 becomes a source of Pain
Click for a painfully larger version. var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/playstation_3/Pain_coming_to_PS3_s_PSN'; On Wednesday Sony revealed a new PlayStation Network downloadable game called Pain. After listening to all the "Ooooooooh" "Ouch!" "Dang" and "Man, that had to hurt" statements from bystanders watching the demo, the name seemed very appropriate. It's about what you'd expect from a game that cites Jackass as a major inspiration and rewards you for shots to the crotch.Basically, it's a simple approach that combines Havok physics with a big human-sized slingshot. You load up your player and launch him into a situation that causes the most pain, whether it be slamming into a moving car, hitting a propane tank (that promptly explodes, natch) or crashing through plate-glass windows. You can interact with the environment in a ton of different ways and in multiple (and curiously named) gameplay modes such as HORSE, Spank the Monkey, and Mime Toss.The game will also feature user-generated content (there's no escaping Game 3.0!) in the form of game replays that you can upload to the web, and possibly to YouTube, all directly from your console. They haven't announced a price point yet, but the developers told us it would be "reasonable." This title was a surprise hit at the Sony Gamers Day, so look for our hands-on with it soon.%Gallery-3175%
Worms Open Warfare 2 gets serious about online
Worms Open Warfare 2 is getting serious about online. Not only does it feature Infrastructure play, it will offer a plethora of other features that will make it one of the most fully-featured online titles on our handheld. IGN's recent preview notes that "you can even create clans, text chat, track your online stats, share battlefields you've created in the level editor." Of course, that's not all. Like Wipeout, the game will have a great deal of longevity thanks to its downloadable content. Players will be able to "download some of the classic maps from previous Worms games via the title's online capabilities." With all these new features, Open Warfare 2 looks like a substantial upgrade to the franchise's previous iteration.
Gauntlet II hits the PSN this Thursday!
Looks like this Thursday is gonna be a big one at the PLAYSTATION Store! SOE just sent out a press release stating that the updated version of the Midway classic, Gauntlet II, will be available May 3rd from the PlayStation Store for the low-low price of $4.99. For those of you too young to remember (or so old your memory has started to get hazy like mine), Sony included a nice little synopsis of the game:"Play as the Warrior, Valkyrie, Elf, or the Wizard in Gauntlet II™! Enter a dungeon with several hundred levels as players defeat monster generators that churn out wave after wave of enemies. Players can destroy them to clear the level and find their way to the exit! Collect food for health and magic items for power-ups while plowing through the dungeon. Brought back and available for download exclusively on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, it's time to re-experience this classic Midway arcade title."Highlights of the game include: Full online play Online leaderboards Over 100 unique levels! Looks like Calling All Cars! will have a bit of company this week when it finally hits the PLAYSTATION Store. I plan on picking up both, anybody else?
Look out PS3, it's raining ... PS1?
You know how Nintendo's Virtual Console Monday has become like this totally reliable weekly retro-release date? Well, apparently Sony's keen on catching up. Tomorrow, the Japanese division will release a PS1 title for every week PlayStation 3's been on the market, and then some; 25 games in all. While the list is cluttered with oldies you've never heard of -- Marl Oukoku no Ningyou Hime, Yaku Tsu Noroi no Game, etc. -- the massive outpouring is perhaps a sign that Sony's ready to settle into an e-Distribution rhythm. (Hopefully one not marked by random bursts of content.)It's possible that Sony sat on this stockpile in anticipation of PS3's firmware 1.7, which unlocks the system's "virtual console." But then, only 11 of the releases are actually compatible with PS3. Seemingly odd, until you consider that maybe Sony really has locked these downloads away for tomorrow's discharge; that is, perhaps the 14 games only playable on PSP are of the old, profoundly incompatible sort that will be straightened out by May. One thing's certain, working on PS3 or not, all 'Game Archive' titles are now subject to a new tax-inclusive price, bringing the cost per download up from ¥525 to ¥600 (about a 63-cent hike).[Via PSP Fanboy]
Super-cheap Ubisoft classics do well in England
Think $20 is a good price for a greatest hit. How's a couple of bucks suit you?Ubisoft is redefining the term "budget software" with the recent British release of three classic (read: old) PC games for just £1 (about $2 US). Thanks to the super-low price, Rayman 2: The Great Escape, Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30 and Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time all made the ChartTrack top 10 for the week despite their age. In an interview with MCV, a ChartTrack analyst predicted similarly-priced re-releases would follow suit from a variety of publishers.It makes you wonder -- if a couple of bucks is enough to cover manufacturing, packaging, shipping and retail space for these reissues, why do downloadable console and arcade classics that have none of these costs routinely go for more than twice as much?
UK gamers left waiting for PSone game downloads
I've complained from time to time about the selection of downloadable PSone games for PSP in the US, but right now the UK has it much worse. At launch of the PS3, there are zero PSone games on the PlayStation Store for download to PSP. Sony hasn't made any statement as to when they'll show up, but the US had to wait a little while for this feature. Still, since the UK launch was much later than in Japan and the US, one would think Sony would have titles lined up for day one. In any case, let's hope for the sake of UK PS3 owners that the wait isn't too long. [Via Games Radar]
Full downloadable games coming to UK?
YourPSP's official PSP Store is Europe's premiere destination for PSP downloads. It's provided us with a great number of downloadable demos and other goodies. However, it looks to be getting an overhaul. What new upgrades might the site be receiving? Full downloadable games, if this page from the UK PlayStation site is to be believed. To the right of the page, links to downloadable demos of Loco Roco, Killzone and Ridge Racer 2 can be found. But more interesting are the descriptions for Wipeout: Pure and Go! Sudoku: "Download full game now." Sony has promised that the PLAYSTATION Store would one day find its way to PSP. As they've shown with the PS3, full downloadable games are a crucial part of Sony's strategy. Could Europe be the first region to receive downloadable retail games? If so, how will it work? When will it expand to other countries? Was the web version of the PLAYSTATION Store the beginning of something bigger? Stay tuned for more. [Via Gamespot]
