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What if the next PSP doesn't support UMD?
Lately there have been rumblings that Sony will release another version of the PSP. Some say it may include a hard drive, an i-Tunes like downloadable games solution or even two analog sticks. These all sound like great additions to Sony's console if they're included, but if they do go all download with their next gen PSP what happens to UMD? I would personally prefer a downloadable solution as opposed to UMD (assuming the PSP gets a hard drive). Being able to download new PSP games from a PS3, computer or in store kiosk would not just add convenience, but would also reduce load times on the system. This would be important since one of the main gripes about the PSP is in fact the load times. Also, a gamer wouldn't have to swap a physical disc should they choose during their train ride to play a different game. The only issue with no UMD on the next PSP would only occur if there wasn't any kind of UMD slot on the system. For even if the PSP2 didn't manufacture new games on a UMD, Sony has a heritage in gaming when it comes to backwards compatibility. This would be even worse if Nintendo's next system played both DS and Gameboy games. It would have the potential to alienate the millions of current PSP owners and that's something Sony can not afford to have happen. Of course what should occur and what will occur can be very different things. Do you want the PSP2 to just use UMD again or would you like it to try either a cartridge or downloadable solution? Would you buy the next PSP if it didn't have a UMD slot at all?
Viral marketing infects GoW downloadable content [update 1]
It's that time of year when everyone gets to put on their speculation cap and their analytical pants to decode some viral marketing goodness. 2old2play found the site the above domain. The site is titled "RE-Emergence Day" and depicts the COG repelling down underground to take on the Locusts and a date 12-24-06 (that's Christmas Eve, FYI) plastered across the bottom. Not only is that exciting, but the website is registered to a JS Mining Corporation located on North Sera Road, Sera with administrative contacts of Baird, Cole. Getting that viral marketing feeling yet? All of this is speculated to be leading up to the release of downloadable content available Christmas Eve on the XBLM. But, the pessimistic side of me cries out hoax. This could easily be a fan of Gears messing with our heads, preying on our emotions, and ultimately making everyone depressed when the 24th rolls around and we get nothing. Anyone up for a little viral marketing?Update 1: Looks like this is fake. Mr. Rein, we just want some answers to what you're offering and when. Any info would be nice.[Via, 2old2play]
Gears of War to have free downloadable content
Speaking backstage at the Spike TV VGA awards, Epic Games President Mike Capps decreed that they will be providing downloadable supplements to Gears of War, free of charge. "We always take care of our customers," he said. "We always give them stuff for free and we're going to keep doing that forever."Capps' statement doesn't rule out the possibility that Epic will also release premium content, but this is a sign that the fans have more goodies -- likely maps, à la Halo 2 -- coming up. Rare, whose Viva Pinata seems intended for Gears' antithetical demographic, has gone on record stating hesitance at downloadable content, especially when money MS points are involved.Now that we have new downloads to look forward to, how about Epic gets that patch out before Christmas so we can put it behind us?
Rare reluctant to pursue Microsoft's vision
Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Rare's lead designer Gregg Mayles sounded reluctant about developing downloadable content for Viva Piñata. "We've got plenty of ideas for what we can do ... But the jury is still out," said Mayles. For now, Rare seems content to sit back and watch other studios' successes and failures. It's clear that if Rare is to continue to provide downloadable content, it doesn't want to go the EA route; that's not to say the developer is in the business of hand-outs. Ill-reception of Kameo's premium content has forced Rare to rethink its strategy, leading the studio to consider that resources are perhaps better spent on the 'next' project. Despite forming a branch of the Microsoft camp, Rare is having a difficult time adopting its parent company's content-for-now, content-for-later model.
The right price for XBL TV and movie content
November 22nd is coming up and is the magic date in which we'll be able to download movies and TV shows via Xbox Live. We've already touched on what is going to be offered, HD and SD content, along with movie rental and TV ownership. The only problem I foresee with this service is not how much content will be available, but how much the content will cost. If movies cost less than what I could rent them for at the local video store, XBL purchases could be a possible option. Same thing with TV shows. If they are relatively cheap based on what the cost per episode is if I bought the whole season on DVD, then I'd be inclined to make XBL purchases. My magic numbers are $2 SD movie rental, $3 HD movie rental, and $3 SD/HD TV show purchase. What are your magic numbers?
EA continues to exploit, charging $50 for Need for Speed unlockables
EA is determined to be the bully of Xbox Live Marketplace. Once again, the world's biggest games publisher is offering pay-don't-play content, inviting gamers to buy Need for Speed Carbon's unlockables.EA and Microsoft will argue that this is simply a matter of choice: choose to buy content; or choose to unlock content by playing. But this new set of choices defies our learned experience.Gamers want instant access to unlockables for all sorts of reasons (some are too busy to "earn" unlockables; some to lazy; others are inferior; and still others just have more fun when it's easy). There used to be a simple solution: cheat codes. But EA wants us to forget codes ever existed; wants to punish our wallets for not approaching its games with the Protestant ethic. All told, you'll burn an additional $49.25 if you want accelerated access to Carbon's goodies. Hey, you don't get to the top of the industry by offering handouts.See also:EA's premium ripoff: football tutorial videos on XBLMEA charging gamers to access unlockable contentEA charging twice for downloadable content
Tokyo Game Show and X06 footage on Xbox Live Marketplace starting tomorrow
Microsoft had a pretty good response (1.5 million individuals downloading 5 million pieces of content over several days certainly qualifies as pretty good) to their Bring Home E3 event on Xbox Live, allowing Xbox 360 owners to download large amounts of trailers, demos and high definition video direct from the show floor, so for the next nine days they'll be doing it all over again. With the Tokyo Game Show and their X06 event in Spain coming in the next few days, they plan on making over 100 pieces of content available including HD video from the show. Since our passes to the shows appear to have been lost in the mail, we're definitely feeling this. Add in the ability to queue up 5 downloads at a time added in the Spring dashboard update and it's even easier to get everything posted for the next nine days. Make sure that you do because some of it will disappear forever after September 29th. We're still playing the Lost Planet demo from E3, as good as reading about all the HD gaming coming our way is, we'll take actually experiencing it at home any day.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Kameo pack adds versus play, achievements
New Kameo content on Marketplace, dubbed "The Kameo Power Pack," is set to add several features to Rare's platformer. The content adds three new modes of play including Expert mode, Time Attack mode, and Rune Battle mode. All modes support two players, the first two being co-op while the third is a versus mode. One interesting tidbit: the new content will actually add 15 new achievements and worldwide leaderboards to the game (anybody know if this gives Kameo more than 1000 achievement points?). Whatever your opinions of Kameo, it's nice to see Rare supporting the game with fresh content this far into its lifespan. Expect to see it hit Marketplace "soon." [Thanks, MumbleyJoe]
More maps and modes for your Sin Episodes
Ritual Entertainment is about to release four extra maps and a new gameplay mode for Sin Episodes, at no extra charge for auto-download via Steam (the "no charge" bit will no doubt make many console owners jealous). The four new maps will be dedicated to the new mode called "Arena"--which is a single player experience akin to many games' survival modes--and will be designed around typically generic first person shooter situations like an office, a turbine room and a processing plant. Shawn, the lead game designer of Sin lays it down on his blog; "It's an infinitely repayable single player mode where you continually try and beat your high score". Our translation: "shoot loads of people and then obsess over the number of enemies you shot in the groin".Other bits mentioned on Shawn's blog include a comprehensive stat tracking system, enabling yourself and other players to compare their groinshot score, the mention of the impending release of a Software Development Kit (SDK) and a Sin development Wiki, and absolutely no news about when Episode 2 is going to hit Steam; Shawn got a little excited and forgot to give us any information beyond saying that he'd "be on the look out for some Episode 2 media in the near future" if he was you. We want dates dammit![Via EuroGamer]
Reggie confirms Wii microtransactions are possible, Nintendo won't commit
Speaking with Game Informer, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime confirmed that Wii would be equipped to process microtransactions.Whoopty-freakin-do. What else is new? Well, it's interesting to note that Nintendo hasn't committed itself to microtransactions*, rather, it's placed the ultimate decision in the hands of 3rd-party publishers. "If our licensee partners want to go in that direction, it's certainly possible in our system," Reggie told GI. Whereas Microsoft was gung-ho all along about microtransactions, Nintendo seems to be on the fence.Is leaving the decision up to 3rd-parties a sign that Nintendo is struggling to keep up with modern trends? Or is it just Reggie skillfully deflecting negativity towards the impending microtransaction standard?*Virtual Console downloads/subscriptions are not considered microtransactions.
Totally awesome E3 games that everyone missed
Lore Sjöberg of Wired took a look at the games from his imagination this year's E3 that no-one wanted to play. In his own words, all these games contained the best mini game of all "not standing in line." So did he find any gems in his mind at E3? Here's a selection of what he imagined saw: Sandbox -- playing off the popularity of open-ended GTA style games comes Sandbox, a game that's 100% true to its genre. Sandbox exposes children to the delights of a real life sandbox, sans the real life sand. The developers told Sjöberg that they'd like to include a shovel and bucket in the final game, "but that may not be a realistic goal." Mission: Marketplace -- this game progresses the demand for downloadable content and episodic games to its climax. Mission: Marketplace's innovation is that it requires players to purchase all the content separately -- alternatively you can just plunk down $200 and watch the credits roll. We can't wait for this one. That's not all: he also discovered Pac-Man Boulevard, a game that demonstrates the continued advantages of sequels over original franchises and Casual Game: The Game, a game so casual that engaging your brain (or even possessing one) reduces your overall enjoyment. We're like, totally hyped about these completely revolutionary games, so get your arse over to Wired and read all about 'em.[Image credit: art.com]
New GRAW DLC to be unveiled at E3
Ubisoft says new Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter downloadable content, rumored to included new multiplayer maps and a co-op level, will be playabe at their E3 booth. No word on when it will be available on XBLM.[Thanks Matt T.]
