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The Mog Log: Lightning fizzles in FFXIV
There's something a bit odd about playing what amounts to a promotional event for a game you won't be seeing for several months. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII promises to conclude the two-part trilogy that its predecessor created, but it's not coming out in the US until February of next year, leading to a minor disconnect. Still, it matters only in the broadest sense; after all, most of the references packed in hearken back to the first game in the set, and I didn't need a pre-order to know that I wanted a gunblade. So I've been following along with Final Fantasy XIV's event and dutifully progressing along the quest chain for the week. But I wasn't terribly impressed all around. I think there were some very nice touches coupled with some really baffling decisions here and there, and the overall effect was rather lackluster. It isn't really the fault of the event so much as a problem with popularity.
Final Fantasy worlds collide as FFXIII's Lightning joins FFXIV
A good share -- if not most -- of the folks playing Final Fantasy XIV are there because of previous ties to the FF franchise. And that fact is not lost on Square Enix. In fact, the studio just released a new video today showing the heroine of another Final Fantasy game joining the realm of Eorzea. While the title character of Lightning Returns: FFXIII, Lightning also appears and fights alongside players during one of A Realm Reborn's Full Active Time Events (FATE), the successful completion of which will net the player gear and weaponry modeled after those found in FFXIII. On the flip side of this cross-promotion, Lightning Returns players can acquire new Miqo'te costumes as well as weapons and shields themed from the city-states of FFXIV: ARR. Clues for getting the costumes are hidden within the world of Nova Chrysalia and the weapons and shields are obtained by clearing side quests. Check out the new outfit, weapons, and shields for FFXIII in the gallery below and watch Lightning join the FFXIV FATE in the trailer after the cut. [Source: Square Enix press release]
The battle is joined: Starting new and fighting through Final Fantasy XIV's relaunch
I know a lot about Final Fantasy XIV. This is surprising to no one; there's a reason Joystiq sent me to the preview event, a reason I write a weekly column about the game, and a reason I still have the Final Fantasy XIV collector's edition box sitting in my office. The net result is that I have spent a lot of time playing the game. As a result, I was more than a little nervous when sitting down to play the revamped version at the Final Fantasy XIV press event in San Francisco last week. Done incorrectly, playing the game could feel subtly wrong, like a stranger pretending to be your old friend. And even if I avoided that pitfall, the gameplay could feel inelegant or forced. I'm happy to report that none of that is the case. Make no mistake -- the game is very different from its original incarnation, but it also sports enough familiar stuff that you aren't left wandering around baffled.
43rd FFXIV producer's letter announces A Realm Reborn's first beta phase
Final Fantasy XIV fans who have been eagerly awaiting beta for A Realm Reborn only have a little longer to wait. In the 43rd producer's letter Naoki Yoshida announced that phase one of the beta will begin on February 25th -- barring any cataclysmic bugs, of course! Yoshida admitted that the testing is actually one week later than the roadmap originally indicated. He informed fans that the extra time allows for more system features and character options to be included in this test, such as the random public quest-type Full Active Time Events (FATE). He also noted that while phase one focuses on the areas around Gridania, a level 30 dungeon will be ready for testing. Players can also look forward to the new guildhest (previously behest) system. Beta invitations for this phase are already on their way, but folks can still apply on the official site. [Thanks to everyone who tipped us!]
Nokia 701 'Helen' gets a lookover from the FCC, likely includes pentaband support
If you like to play FCC bingo, pull your cards out for the next round; another Nokia phone has made it through the good graces of the US government. This time it's the Helen -- or, going by the new number scheme, the Nokia 701 -- which bears the identification tag "RM-774." This successor to the C7 is rumored to have a 1GHz CPU and come with Symbian Belle preloaded. While the veil that hides the Helen's secrets remains tightly draped over it, the filing indicates that it includes quadband GSM / EDGE and a pentaband 3G radio, a feature Nokia's opted to include in many of its recent smartphones. Of the four new devices on Espoo's leaked roadmap, we've already checked the Nokia 500 "Fate" and 700 "Zeta" off our FCC watch lists, leaving the 600 "Cindy" to bring up the rear at a future date. It's evident that the phonemaker is continuing to push forward with its Symbian plans at an impressive pace; after all, there's still five more years before the company's ready to wave goodbye to the platform, so why not milk it?
Nokia 500 'Fate' destined for Q3, 1GHz processor and Symbian Anna onboard
If you're a loyalist that hasn't given up hope on Symbian yet, behold the latest attempt to keep the OS alive and kicking. The Nokia 500 is the first handset to usher in Espoo's new numbering system and has a bit of firepower behind it: a 1GHz ARM11 CPU, 256MB RAM, and Anna are running the show on a 3.2-inch, 640 x 360 "nHD" display. It'll also sport a five megapixel camera and offer HSPA speeds of 14.4Mbps down / 5.8 Mbps up using a pentaband 3G radio. Respectable components for a device billed to be a "low-cost, full-function smartphone." Still intrigued? The black version will ship out sometime in Q3, with its white counterpart to follow in Q4. If you need to have more choices to select from the rainbow, several colorful battery covers will be sold later this year -- something you'll need to be aware of when accessorizing your latest Back to School shopping spree. More hands-on pics are available at Hungarian site Technet, and an official vid can be found after the break. [Thanks, Albona]
Nokia goes with a numbers-only naming scheme, thinks the alphabet is hard
There had been rumblings that Nokia was going to switch up its naming scheme and ditch the letter prefixes. Today, with the launch of the Nokia 500 (previously known as the Fate) that shift in convention has finally taken effect. The all-number nomenclature is brilliantly simple -- the higher the number, the higher-end the handset, and the higher the price. So, if and when Nokia unveils the 790 (which the Finnish company denies exists with a wink), you'll immediately know it will be costlier and more powerful than the 500 or the 670. Now we can all stop wondering what the "C" and "X" in C7 and X7 are supposed to tell us about our choice in Symbian handset and, by extension, ourselves.
Nokia 700 'Zeta' caught in spyshots, ready to give mobile makeovers
While we're busy recovering from a recent overdose of Nokia eye candy, secret agents are hard at work hunting down more visual goodness for us to ogle at. These shots above are of the Nokia 700 "Zeta," which appears to be a replacement to the C6-01. The photos show it running on Symbian Belle -- Anna's successor -- and packed with a 5 megapixel camera, LED flash, and NFC support. The source indicates the Zeta will house a 1 GHz CPU and 3.2-inch nHD AMOLED display, weighs a smidge over 80g, and measures out at 10mm thick. Oddly enough, we dug up a leaked snapshot of the Zeta's spec sheet claiming it'll be the "thinnest smartphone ever," which at 10mm isn't anywhere close to earning that title. Though no other phones were pictured, the spec sheet (shown below) brought attention to three other Symbian offerings on the roadmap: the Nokia 701 Helen has the best specs of the bunch with 8 megapixel camera and 3.5-inch ClearBlack display; there's the Nokia 600 Cindy with NFC, 5 megapixel shooter, and 3.2-inch AMOLED; also, we've likely seen the Nokia 500 Fate already leaked as the N5. There's no indication on when (or if) we can expect any of these phones to hit the market, but it looks like Mr. Elop is intent on keeping his promise. More photos after the break. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Fate/Unlimited Codes coming to PSN 'early September'
Antsy to get your hands on the latest installment of Capcom's cartoon porn-turned-fighting franchise, Fate/Unlimited Codes? Great news: a press release we received earlier today narrowed the game's launch window down from an ambiguous "winter" to a somewhat less ambiguous "early September." Considering PSN releases materialize on Thursdays, our money's on Sept. 3 or Sept. 10 -- but don't quote us on that!In case you're interested, the download-only title will run you $29.99. Then again, we bet you aren't that interested. In fact, we're pretty sure you're reading this because you did a Google search for "cartoon porn," in which case, shame on you.
Capcom bringing Fate/Unlimited Codes to US as PSN-exclusive
Looks like the PSP is getting yet another full download-only game. Following the footsteps of Patapon 2, Capcom has announced that its upcoming release of Fate/Unlimited Codes will be digital only. Coming to the PlayStation Store this winter, this fighter will be available for download for $29.99.We're a bit surprised by this news, considering the bizarre origins of the Fate series. The franchise has expanded to a number of mediums, but it originally started as an adult visual novel. (That's a classier way of saying "animated porn," folks.) Don't expect anything too risque in the PSP game though -- it's rated T for Teen.To check out all our previous coverage of the Japanese version of Fate, click here.%Gallery-51294%
Fate/Unlimited Codes: another PSP fighter you won't play
Capcom continues churning out the Fate games on PSP. Fate/Unlimited Codes is a PSP port of the arcade (and PS2) game that released in Japan not too long ago. The PSP version of the fighter will have new features, like "Reflect Dash" and new costumes. No Infrastructure play as usual, but it will feature Ad-Hoc.For more screenshots and details, check out Siliconera.
Cinemassively: Teaser for Fate, or the Story of Morgan Ladimore
If Durast's goal with his upcoming machinima, Fate - The Story of Morgan Ladimore, is to tug at our heartstrings, it sounds like it may work. It's hard to tell from the teaser, but the story, which is based around a World of Warcraft questline, is quite gripping. It centers around a soldier, Morgan Ladimore, that believed he lost his family, and was driven to madness. After committing suicide, he was doomed to roam Raven Hill, forever suffering and eternally avenging.If you have machinima or movie suggestions from any MMO, please send them to machinima AT massively DOT com, along with any information you might have about them.
The insane Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper MEGAmori Box
This premium edition of the upcoming PSP fighter Fate/Tiger Colosseum UPPER is well ... rather much. Called the "Megamori Box," you are getting a mega-more amount of stuff than you could possibly need. For $95 (via Play-Asia), the package contains the game, a 72-page book filled with interviews and comics, 23 tarot cards, binder, drama CD, and special DVD. This is quite possibly the most fanservice-filled box we could imagine. Too bad we're unfamiliar with the series -- perhaps if you're a Fate/Tiger fan, this package will have you going nuts.[Via PSPHyper]
Sing along with the Fate/Tiger Colosseum Upper trailer
There are only a few certainties in life. One of them is that an anime fighter will get a sequel, especially if its on PSP. Capcom's super-deformed fighter based on the Fate/Tiger series is going UP in this sequel. Expect just as much crazy fighting as the original, and maybe some fan-service (considering the franchise's origins ... ). Will this game (and its prequel) ever come out to the US?
WoW Moviewatch: Fate, or The Story of Morgan Ladimore Teaser
Either Durast has abandoned this project or it's going to end up quite epic, as the teaser for Fate - The Story of Morgan Ladimore was released three months ago. However, the video by itself is pretty interesting. We hope that it ends up getting finished!The movie will be based around the quest line of Morgan Ladimore, a soldier that, when believed to have lost his family, was driven to madness and a killing spree. After committing suicide, his spirit was never laid to rest and he roams Raven Hill, killing those who cross his path.[Via Warcraftmovies.com]If you have any suggestions for WoW Moviewatch, you can mail them to us at machinima AT wowinsider DOT com.Previously on Moviewatch ...
It's not as easy as you think
We all get frustrated with the Blizzard developers at one time or another. Sometimes we even post messages on the forums, rant in chat to our guild mates, heck, we might even blog about it ourselves. But as Fate pointed out recently on Apathy Inc., there's a few things you should consider when spewing your venom at the creators of WoW.As an example Fate shares with the readers an experimental talent tree for Wrath (and a very nice job, I should say), and references this as just one very complicated aspect of the design of the game. Analyzing every angle of a spec may go very well, until you open it up to the players and realize what you thought was balanced really is no where close. Things go from bad to worse, and the players begin to complain, and complain, and then they, you know, complain. Trying to keep everyone happy is really a thankless job, and this is only one tiny aspect of the game. It doesn't take into account building boss battles, creating loot tables, designing armor and weapons, or anything else that makes this Massively Multiplayer game so very massive.I haven't considered exactly how much work really goes into building this game, keeping it running, pushing through new content and keeping it balanced at the same time as not completely ruining the old content. Fate has put it all into perspective for me. Although I'm not much of a ranter or a railer when it comes to the Blizzard devs, I certainly from this point on will give them the benefit of the doubt.
Mazes of Fate getting ported from GBA
We're pretty inured to this kind of thing on the Wii, although we still enjoy getting outraged about it now and then. But now we're starting to see last-gen ports on the DS! Sure, we have the Phoenix Wright games already, but they totally get a pass since the ports are new to the US and Europe. RPGLand reports that Mazes of Fate, the first-person dungeon crawler developed by Argentina's Sabarasa Entertainment, is being prepared for a DS release by publisher Signature Devices and their in-house developer Graffiti Entertainment. Unlike Phoenix Wright, the GBA version of Mazes of Fate did come out in the US-- in December of last year. The DS is a good system for dungeon games, with its map-displaying second screen, and Graffiti is adding new dungeons, characters, and some touch-screen stuff. If you don't already have the game, this is the one to get. Or if you have a DS Lite and you get really embarrassed about the GBA protuberance.
Super ultra happy Fate! Tiger Colosseum movie
Capcom's upcoming anime-inspired fighter looks ultra-kawaii, doesn't it? The new trailer on the Japanese website turns up the bubblegum dial up to 11. We can't say we're too excited, but supposedly, there's a lot of hardcore Fate! fans out there. (And by hardcore, we meant to say ... )[Via PSPHyper]
Wii Warm Up: Tendencies
The sporting world is notorious for superstitious tendencies and odd behavior. Players always have the same meal preceding a game; they won't cut their hair until they lose; they'll wear the same jock str ... egh, never mind. The point is, despite overwhelming scientific evidence, people still continue to engage in silly habits for luck and good fortune.As a gamer, do you have any particular habits before tournaments? Barring competitive play, are there any strange habits you have while gaming in general? Some of us here tend to spin the Wiimote around our fingers when we perform something of note, and others blow on the DVD before insertion into the Wii, harkening back to the NES days. Man, we're weird.
Fate goes big-head chibi
Some of our readers expressed great hope for Capcom's newly unveiled PSP fighting game, Fate. The game, which is based on a popular anime series (which is, in turn, based on a popular adults-only hentai series). The series has captured the attention of a wide audience, some who have been allured by the maturity of some of the characters.A new magazine scan reveals that the Fate game is going in a completely new direction. Characters will be portrayed in the chibi artstyle, meaning they'll feature very large heads and eyes. This form, meant to be appealing to children, shows how this once adults-only series has transformed into something completely different. Will fans of the series approve of this startling new art direction for the series?[Via PSP-Vault]
