fatal-inertia
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Report: Tecmo Koei Canada closing
Tecmo Koei Canada will close at the end of March, according to a company official speaking with the Financial Post. The Toronto-based studio was responsible for console games Fatal Inertia and Fatal Inertia EX, and mobile games My Monster Rancher and Samurai Cats.We've reached out to Tecmo for confirmation of the studio's closure, and will update as we learn more.
European PSN update for July 15th
Yeah, it's July 16th in Europe right now, but we've been too busy to post the update until now. The fact we even know what's up on the store is a near miracle (thanks, Tom!), seeing as we're actually nowhere near a PS3 right now. With our excuses out of the way, we present to you today's update which, apart from a whole bunch of awesome E3 trailers, includes the SSHD Team Pack. Best thing about the Team Pack? Another potential trophy. Here's the full release list:Playable Content Fatal Inertia EX demo (free) Fatal Inertia EX Full Game (£14.99) Add-on Content Super Stardust HD "Team Pack" (£2.99) Videos Buzz! Quiz TV advert Buzz! Quiz TV "Sofa vs Sofa" advert Resistance 2 E3 trailer PixelJunk Eden E3 trailer PAIN E3 trailer LittleBigPlanet E3 trailer MotorStorm Pacific Rift E3 GT TV E3 trailer
Fatal Inertia EX arrives in Europe on July 15th
A press release sent out by KOEI states that WipEout clone, Fatal Intertia, will be available to download from the PlayStation Store in Europe next week. Their exact release date is July 15th, which falls on a Tuesday. So either KOEI is wrong and their game will be released on Thursday the 17th, or Sony plans on pulling a PlayStation Day on us and having two PSN Store updates. This seems likely considering the E3 trade show will be taking place next week. As for what else we can expect to see during that week, we'll hopefully find out soon and will keep you posted.[Via Press Release]
PSN Thursday: The MGS4 Database, Fatal Inertia EX
This week's PSN update delivers the MGS4 Database, a repository of information that should explain the MGS saga in great -- and hopefully simple-to-understand -- detail. Oh yeah, best part, it's free! Also being added this week is the racer Fatal Inertia EX and new Guitar Hero III tracks by Coldplay. Of course, the Rock Band DLC is there as per usual. The full PSN update can be found after the break.The European PSN update is over at PS3 Fanboy. We recommend caution, they're really upset about not getting the MGS4 Database.
Fatal Inertia EX crashes into PSN next Thursday
Koei's WipEout competitor strikes the PSN in next Thursday's update with both a free demo and the full game. The futuristic racer promises a massive amount of content, with over 50 tracks to race through. Originally an Xbox 360 racer, the PS3 version is a completely changed game, with new graphics and gameplay tweaks. With extensive multiplayer and online options, Fatal Inertia EX looks great on paper. Soon, we'll see if it's worth the $30 asking price.For more on Fatal Inertia, check out the official 1UP blog.
Fatal Inertia EX gets significant improvements on PS3
If you have a Japanese PSN account, you can check out a downloadable demo of Fatal Inertia, which is completely in the English language. This PSN downloadable racing game is coming to PS3, but with vast improvements over the critically lampooned Xbox 360 original. The visuals, while not matching the fidelity of the upcoming WipEout HD, do look nice, especially at the higher speeds. What we're most impressed by, however, is the incredible amount of content that's being delivered in this digitally distributed title.Co-op split-screen Career Mode sounds intriguing, as does eight player online races. What gets us most excited, though, are the number of tracks being delivered: 59 tracks total, across 7 different environment types. That's a lot of content for a game that will cost significantly less than a standard retail title.A demo will be available on the US PLAYSTATION Store soon, and players will be able to unlock the full game from within the demo. Hopefully, the ambitions of the Fatal Inertia team will translate into something truly worthwhile.
Come see futuristic racing in new Fatal Inertia trailer
Fatal Inertia EX is already out in Japan and there's also a demo available on the Japanese PSN (which just so happens to be completely in English). We advise you to check the demo out if you're interested in this title -- well, only after you watch this new trailer for the game. As for the North American release date, as far as we know, the game was supposed to come out late last month. That obviously hasn't happened. Perhaps we'll be seeing it soon.
Fatal Inertia demo available now on the Japanese PSN Store
That WipEout HD is taking its sweet time, isn't it? While Fatal Inertia may have got pretty bad reviews when it came out on the 360, the fact that it is getting improvements made for the PS3 version makes it almost tempting. Not to mention the fact that it'll be made available via the PSN Store for only $30. A demo is available right now from the Japanese PSN Store, along with the full game.MTV Multiplayer made it known that Fatal Inertia EX would be available by the end of the month, so don't be surprised to see it on the American PSN Store later today. With still no concrete release date for WipEout HD, will Fatal Inertia EX tempt you into a purchase? Probably not, we suspect.
It's not Wipeout, it's Fatal Inertia
It may not be Wipeout HD, but this new futuristic PSN racer has us strangely excited. Yeah, we know the original Xbox Fatal Inertia was a disaster. But can't we have hope that this PS3 revamp will do futuristic racing justice? The feel of Fatal Inertia certainly is different from Wipeout, as seen by this video. Instead of steel tracks in futuristic environments, we see a much more organic world to race through. This download will be rather pricey at $30, so it's far from an impulse buy. Hopefully, when we get our hands on it, we'll find it a suitable stop-gap until Studio Liverpool's futuristic racer drives on by.
Fatal Inertia EX coming to PSN next month
It's not often we get to report on beautiful, tearful reunions on Joystiq, so forgive us if we're a bit rusty, but here goes: Originally announced as a PS3 launch title, Fatal Inertia will return from its stint on Xbox 360 to the waiting, open arms of PSN next month (as was rumored in March). But, much like the ill-advised Spring Break tattoos sported by the returning prodigal son, the game will carry the brand of EX at the end of its title. That means it's extreme.Expect a souped-up version of the 360 game that dropped last September, with a new training mode, more tracks and less overall difficulty. The PSN-only title will sport a $29.99 price tag when it arrives on the service in late May.
Fatal Inertia EX becomes PSN download next month
Koei's upcoming futuristic racer, Fatal Inertia EX, is coming out next month. But don't look at retail store shelves. It'll be distributed exclusively via the PSN at the end of May. The downloadable title will cost $29.99, according to MTV Multiplayer."After the launch of the Xbox 360 version, we had a unique situation that allowed us to reflect on what could be done with the PlayStation 3 version," said lead producer Mike Bond in an e-mail interview with Multiplayer. "But having watched the growth of the PlayStation Network's user base and the game's multiplayer component, we felt the strength of this game would be in its online community."Although originally planned as a PS3 launch title, development of this Unreal Engine 3 title took longer than expected. Although the original Xbox 360 version was a critical disaster, the team says it's learned from its experiences. However, will it be able to get the attention of racing fans that are waiting for the also-downloadable WipEout HD?
Fatal Inertia won't stay dead; makes an appearence on ESRB website
We thought we'd heard the last of Fatal Inertia after problems with the Unreal Engine 3 forced it to be delayed indefinitely for the PS3. Though it was originally pegged as a PS3 exclusive an Xbox 360 version was released to a fairly mediocre reception. It was assumed that that would be the last of the futuristic racing game, but we were wrong. A new entry has appeared on the ESRB website for Fatal Inertia EX for the PS3. We guess the fact that the name has been updated (notice the extra "EX") that this will be an improved version of the game that shipped on the 360. Even so, we're not interested. Koei are insane if they think that this game is going to be able to compete with WipEout HD. Too little too late, Koei. Save yourself the effort and nip this in the bud right now. We don't want it. [Via Joystiq]
Fatal Intertia definitely coming to PS3 in 2008
Remember Fatal Intertia? The once PS3-exclusive that went feral, lost its PS3 release date and became a timed exclusive for the Xbox 360? Well apparently it's definitely still in production for the PS3. Koei have revealed that the game will finally be released sometime in 2008. As far as release dates go, that's pretty broad. The PS3 version will also utilise SIXAXIS controls.While it is nice to know that development is still going ahead, we're more looking forward to Wipeout HD than Fatal Inertia. With a release date as vague as "2008", we're not going to hold our breath. If you're excited about the game, however, then rest safe in the knowledge that you'll be playing it soon. Well - within the next year at least.
Fatal Inertia: back to PS3?
Koei simply can't make up their mind with Fatal Inertia. It was originally slated as a PS3 launch title, but was scrapped and moved onto the 360 shortly thereafter. Recently, however, at the PlayStation Premiere event, the game was showcased as a PS3 title once more, alongside Koei's other title: Dynasty Warriors 6. We're pretty confused at this point and haven't received word on any sort of release date other than the 360's tentative September release. This futuristic hover pod racer game has been, well, hovering for a while and we'd like a little concrete news on its plans. Koei?
Fatal Inertia hits Xbox 360 in September, 'delayed indefinitely' for PS3
Though the distinct lack of dynastically-inclined warriors may convince you otherwise, futuristic racer Fatal Inertia is indeed a product of Koei. The first game from the company's Toronto-based studio has now been assigned a release date on half of its originally intended platforms, with the Xbox 360 version arriving on 11 September 2007. The PS3 version, unfortunately, received no such date and has been "delayed indefinitely."The game's unfortunate status, as conveyed to Joystiq by a Koei representative, is as a result of developers awaiting completion of the game engine for the PS3 platform specifically. Fatal Inertia is built using Epic's Unreal 3.0 engine, which debuted on Xbox 360 last year in testosterone vs. chainsaw epic, Gears of War, and was more recently seen on PS3 with Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas. Koei explained that the game had not been canceled outright, but offered that progress on the PS3 engine was "out of our hands." We next talked to Epic's VP Mark Rein, who thought that the Unreal 3.0 engine was incomplete only in the sense that it's constantly being upgraded. "Unreal Engine 3.0 is running quite well on PS3 and people will have the chance to see that when we show Unreal Tournament 3 next week."
Fatal Inertia dated, now a 360 exclusive?
One of Koei's once PS3 exclusive games now seems to be headed to the 360 exclusively. Today, Koei released some screenshots and announced that their futuristic racer Fatal Inertia will hit retailers September 11th on the Xbox 360 console. But oddly enough developer Koei didn't mention any PS3 release date for the game. Surely it was a PR mistake, how could they forget about the PS3 version to which it was once exclusive to? Well, the Wired Blog crew contacted Koei to get an official response about the status of the PS3 version. Koei responsed by stating that the PS3 version is "delayed indefinitely" due to "progress of the game engine for PS3". Interesting enough, seeing that Fatal Inertia uses the Unreal Engine 3. No matter, September 11th is the street date on the 360 and that's all that matters.
Koei's 2007 release lineup, UK style!
We'll cut to the chase here -- the following are the releases planned by Koei for the UK audience in 2007. They've got titles for pretty much every console, including their entry into the Wii market. List, sha-bam! Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner - Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army (PS2, April 27) G1 Jockey Wii (Wii, June) Dynasty Warriors: Fighters Battle DS (DS, Q3) Orochi Warriors (PS2 and X360, October) Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War (PS3 and X360, Q3) Prey The Stars (DS, Q3) Fatal Inertia (PS3 and X360, Q3) Not only is SMT:DS-RKvTSA one of the craziest, longest, most aggravating titles to say (especially when someone asks "hey, what're you playing?"), it's coming out pretty late for you guys. If you're an Atlus fan, snatch it up because they only produced about seven copies here in the US. Otherwise, don't worry about it. Bladestorm and Fatal Inertia seem to be pushed back again, into the third quarter. Hmm. Perhaps they're perfecting the AI of the groups of people we'll undoubtedly slice through in the former?
Koei's Fatal Inertia, Bladestorm to miss Euro PS3 launch
Two of Koei's most notable PS3 games (particularly notable for not being Dynasty Warriors) have been delayed in Europe until Summer 2007. The developer has opted to miss out on the Euro PS3 launch, instead spending some more time on polishing futuristic racer, Fatal Inertia, and non-futuristic hack 'n slasher, Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War.No indication was given whether the delay affects the Xbox 360 versions.
Release dates for Fatal Intertia and BLADESTORM (why all caps, Koei?)
This news is coming straight from Koei's mouth and into your eyes as you read this post (eww). Again, we're continuing our strand of European-centric news as these release dates relate to Europe, but can probably be understood to entail North America as well. Summer of 2007 will see the release of both BLADESTORM and Fatal Inertia. Not sure why Koei has the caps lock on for the first title.Just in case you were wondering, Fatal Inertia is a futuristic racing game (not unlike F-Zero), except with a multitude of weaponry to assist in taking out the competition (not unlike Mario Kart). It should be pretty fun and we've got to hand it to Koei for finally stepping out of the "giant historical war" genre. Speaking of giant historical wars, BLADESTORM steps away from the Warring States period in China and focuses more on the 14th century war concerning succession to the French throne. The war would come to be known as the Hundred Years War -- the subtitle to the game. Even though it's a familiar road for Koei, perhaps the next-gen systems can provide more options, characters, maybe some actual AI, as well as plenty of on-screen peons to annihilate. Look for these games in the Summer!
Fatal Inertia screens -- what F-Zero would have been
Every Nintendo console since SNES comes with a new iteration of its high-speed racer, F-Zero. Sony may have their answer to the "hovering cars racing at dangerously high speeds" game niche in Fatal Inertia. While the game itself isn't new or "this just in", we do have some new screens for you to look at. It's hard to tell how the graphics really look since the blur on the ground is so intense (can't see texture all too well, etc), it's pretty amazing just how much these hovering heaps of badass can reflect. Initially, we thought this was camouflaged, but no... it's just reflecting a ton of trees and such. Plus some bright lights! Is this a game that'll put up a fight with F-Zero and other such games? Maybe. We'll keep you posted. Just remember: this inertia will be fatal.
