gamescom-2010
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Dragon Age 2 'Destiny' debut trailer tears us apart
The debut trailer for BioWare's next, arguably even bloodier installment in its newest RPG franchise, Dragon Age 2, recently saw the light of day during EA's Gamescom press conference. Though trailers for the first installment focused on the game's menagerie of protagonists, this clip focuses on just one: Hawke, the spear-staff wielding badass who can apparently hold his own in a fight against the burliest of demons. Then again, when you can summon demon hands to literally rip enemies in twain, we suppose your fighting prowess isn't all that important.
Live from EA's Gamescom keynote
We're live at EA's Gamescom press conference in Cologne, Germany and things are just getting underway. We're going to be following along at home on EA's livestream here, and giving you our impressions live from the show. Find it all after the break.
Dragon Age 2 arrives March 8 in US, March 11 in Europe
Dragon Age 2 has been given a March 8 release date for the US and March 11 in Europe at this morning's EA press conference at GamesCom. That's about one month late, according to the liner provided with Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening! GamesCom attendees will be among the first folks to get their hands on the game, as it's publicly available to try out at the event this week in Germany. With any luck, the PS3 folks who have yet to play BioWare's other epic RPG sequel -- Mass Effect 2 -- will be ready to move on to DA2 by the time March rolls around.
Mass Effect 2 out on PS3 January 2011
"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite announcement from Gamescom." The official reveal of Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3 comes after this morning's appearance of an Amazon listing for just that. The retailer's January 31 date matches with the official "January 2011" timeline given at the presentation. According to an EA press release, the PS3 version will include "hours of bonus content" (the existing DLC, perhaps?). BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka classified the announcement as "friggin' awesome," and we're inclined to agree. Check out the official reveal trailer and press release after the break.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 includes a Kinect mode
EA just announced at its GamesCom 2010 conference that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 for Xbox 360 will magically lift butts off of couches, with some Kinect support. EA didn't put it exactly the same way, of course. The game features an on-rails mode in which players gesture to cast spells, moving automatically from location to location, and competing to achieve the highest score. This would explain why Walmart offered Deathly Hallows: Part 1 in pre-order Kinect bundles. The game has, however, since been removed from the promotion.
Achtung! How to find Germany's list of edited games
Australia may get the press for censoring games, but Germany's been doing it for a while and it's a relatively common practice required to release most violent games in the country. At GDC Europe, the Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK), gave a very detailed explanation on how the organization goes about rating (and banning) games. As the rules are government-enforced under criteria determined by the BPjM (German Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons), any game that is judged by a panel to have extremely gross depiction of violence against human-life enemies, "autotelic" violence, complete lack of non-violent gameplay elements, unsanctioned killing or serious injury of innocent bystanders or children automatically gets the non-rating banhammer. The USK representatives themselves clearly recognized the system isn't perfect, but noted that they have to follow the government rules; therefore, before ponying up the couple thousand Euro submission fee, many publishers preemptively provide an edited version of their games to the board. To check out the list of edited games yourself, go to USK.de, click on the last option in "Alterskennzeichen" and type "dt. version" under Titel.
Kinect launching on November 10 in Europe, Africa, Middle East
Kinect will be ready to interface with European, African and Middle East body controllers on November 10. Microsoft announced the release date this morning in preparation for GamesCom, which kicks off tomorrow in Cologne, Germany. The Xbox 360 device will debut with "more than 15 exclusive Kinect titles," with Kinect Adventures bundled with the sensor for 150 Euros. The launch games appear to be the same ones already announced for North America, where Kinect will launch on November 4.
Microsoft announces Age of Empires Online
The first bit of interesting MMO news from Gamescom 2010 belongs to Microsoft, as the software giant has announced the latest entry in the venerable Age of Empires franchise. Age of Empires Online will offer players the chance to take their city-building adventures to the next level via a persistent online capital that grows even when its owner is offline. The new title also features co-op multiplayer questing, trading, and a leveling mechanic in addition to story-based gameplay. Age of Empires Online will also feature free online gameplay via the Games for Windows platform, as well as a new graphical style that represents something of a stylistic departure from past titles in the series. Interested in what the new title looks like? Check out our gallery of gameplay screenshots below, and be sure to watch the trailer here! %Gallery-99582%
The Red Steel 2 director's field guide to Wii Remote swingers
If there's one thing Ubisoft Creative Director Jason VanderBerge learned in playtesting Red Steel 2, it's that different people respond to the simple direction "swing the Wii Remote like a sword" in very different ways. At his talk at GDC Europe today, VanderBerge showed off just how different those swings can be, using a cane to demonstrate the movements of the seven major types of Wii Remote swingers he's identified. Besides being highly entertaining, the demonstration showed just how hard it is to train motion control players to perform even simple actions the way a developer expects. We weren't quick enough to get a video of the hilarious, high-energy performance, but we did manage to snap some pictures that show off the intensity of VanderBerge's flailing. Hit the break and see how many of these specimens you've encountered in the wild.
EEDAR: consumers have greater interest in DLC a month after game's release
Click to engraphisizeEEDAR CEO Greg Short previewed a new report today at GDC Europe, indicating that a majority of consumers want DLC one to three months after a game's launch. That detail is just one part of the company's "Deconstructing DLC Report," which should be available later this month (to those with the cash). Comparing data from 2009 and 2010 revealed a significant uptick in the percentage of those who want DLC a month after a game's release, and a decrease in those who want it at launch or a year later. Given the data, Short notes that developers need to make DLC releases "part of the build plan" for games. Comparing when consumers check for paid vs. free DLC for a game, the figures are incredibly similar. The report indicates 35 percent never check for paid DLC, compared to 29 percent of consumers who never check for free DLC before purchase. On the other hand, an average of 20 percent check up on free or paid DLC before purchasing. As for those who check for paid or free DLC during purchase, after purchase or after finishing the game, they all have very similar percentages. It appears that DLC is important to consumers, but whether it's paid or free, they seem to go looking for it at similar times.
Cage: Lack of additional Heavy Rain DLC 'unfortunate' but 'understandable'
With the chances of further downloadable episodes of Heavy Rain's "Chronicles" DLC looking all but nonexistent, we wondered how Quantic Dream CEO and creative head David Cage felt now that his game has been folded up like an origami crane. We caught up with Cage after his talk at GDC Europe today to find out. "I understand why the decision was made," Cage said of the cancellation of the planned DLC. "From a creative point of view it was not my choice. I would have really preferred a thousand times developing the Chronicles. I thought we had a lot to say about these characters, about their background. Things that were just mentioned in the game that had a true explanation in the background, and it's a little bit unfortunate that we won't be able to tell you the full story." But at the same time, Cage said he's looking forward to working on something new. "I didn't want to do everything, I wanted to move on," he said. "I didn't want to spend another two years on Heavy Rain developing Move and Chronicles and stuff. ... So a decision had to be made and it's a decision I respect. Honestly, it's not like I'm upset about it, I would have preferred to do it differently but, you know what, it makes sense." So, to sum up, Cage says he really want to finish the story through DLC, and that it's unfortunate that he didn't get to. But he also says he didn't really want to spend all that extra time on the game, and that he's happy to be moving on. So... that clears that up, yeah?
Waging WAR: Gamescom and Mythic's anti-hype
In light of Gamescom coming next week (August 18th - 22nd), this week WagingWAR looks forward to what could be coming for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. But beware: Since Mythic has been so secretive about the future of WAR, we've been forced to compromise and offer mere conjecture. Unchained by reason or fact, we follow in the wake of that terrible beast known only as "Greg's Imagination." With less than a week left until Gamescom, I find myself more and more excited by the potential of what Mythic could be set to reveal, regardless of the fact that it's given me nothing to chew on. I am hyped by the anti-hype. What follows is the result of that hype. There are no facts, rumours, hints, or tips to back up what amounts to totally unbarred speculation. I have organized the aftermath of my brainstorm in terms of what would excite me, from most to least, followed by why I believe these additions could make sense, and how they might be implemented. Keep in mind that some of what follows could simply be passed off as madness; it might be totally unfeasible, even by the most adept and well-financed of development teams. I'm fully aware of that. The point here was to just "let it go." And I did. Crazy, or uncanny -- you decide. Follow along after the break.
ArenaNet preparing for gamescom and PAX
As gamescom and PAX approach, a fair amount of attention is on ArenaNet -- specifically Guild Wars 2. The prospect of being able to play GW2 for the first time is an exciting one for fans. ArenaNet has released a few details of what we'll see during gameplay over the past week, including the information that we'll be playing with some staff back at the ArenaNet offices. In the most recent blog post, we hear directly from four of those staffers. Bob Green, Joe Belousek, Anthony Ordon, and Joe Longworth are members of the Guild Wars 2 QA team, the group working to make sure the demo runs smoothly. Check out the latest ArenaNet blog entry to see what they're most looking forward to in the demo. While the demo is easily the main focus of ArenaNet's presence at these events, there is more to check out while you're there. The event schedule for PAX Prime was finally released yesterday, and it includes a Saturday morning presentation entitled "Guild Wars 2: Designing Dynamic Events." Eric Flannum and Colin Johanson will give insight into how the dynamic event system in GW2 was created -- it's a talk that fans won't want to miss. It's a ticketed event, so be sure to check the schedule for details on how to attend.
Frogster announces gamescom activities
Gamescom is just a few days away, and Frogster has big plans for the event. Whether you're interested in TERA, Runes of Magic, or Mythos, Frogster will have something for you to enjoy. Frogster will have 30 terminals set up to play all three games, but there's much more to the schedule. There will be planned RoM raids, a costume contest, a live performance from VanCanto, and more. The events will take over two exhibition stands, and if you can't attend don't feel too bad. The events will be streaming live from the booth beginning on the 19th to keep even those at home up on the latest news. Check out the full schedule of events, and have fun!
GamesCom 2010 and GDC Europe expecting more exhibitors, foreign support
GamesCom and GDC Europe are set to be even bigger in their sophomore years when both shows kick off next week in Cologne, Germany. After GamesCom's successful first year, which had about a quarter million attendees, the expo will welcome an incremental increase in the number of exhibitors, foreign companies (up 8.3 percent), foreign exhibitors and "country specific pavilions." GamesCom organizers also note that the show expects 200 "world, European and German premieres" and mention having 100 last year -- though most people likely only remember one. GDC Europe, which is expecting a couple thousand attendees, will start next Monday, leading into GamesCom. Speakers include representatives from BioWare, Remedy, Crytek, Quantic Dream and Sony Europe (among many others). Joystiq will be at both shows and we'll be sure to deliver the latest info, while hyped up on our nutritional Nutella-covered pretzel breakfast.
Dragon Age 2 featured in EA's GamesCom lineup
EA has announced its lineup for GamesCom, both to be shown on the show floor and behind closed doors, and Dragon Age 2 is on both lists. If you plan to attend the August 18-22 event, you'll be able to meet (someone's version of) protagonist Hawke for the first time. Other games on the floor include Rock Band 3, Darkspore, the newly dated Crysis 2, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Meanwhile, EA will have private showings for Bulletstorm, EA Sports Active 2, EA Sports MMA, The Sims Medieval, and more. Perhaps press will get an opportunity to interact with whatever Epic's "Bulletstorm-sized unveil" is -- though we don't necessarily want any of our colleagues' heads to explode. See the full list of showings after the break. Your head will ... be perfectly fine, but intrigued!
Play a lot of new Nintendo games at GamesCom
Nintendo announced its lineup for this month's GamesCom event (August 18-22). Finally, those of you attending the convention in Cologne will have something to do there! And that something is "see Charles Martinet." Or, you know, play The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Metroid: Other M, Donkey Kong Country Returns, Wii Party, Professor Layton and the Lost Future, Tetris Party Deluxe, Golden Sun: Dark Dawn, Kirby's Epic Yarn, Art Academy, and Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Miniland Mayhem. If Mr. Martinet is busy. Nintendo is showing pretty much its whole E3 lineup, with the exception of Mario Sports Mix.
Final Fantasy XIV confirmed for Gamescom 2010
So, despite your best efforts, you still are not currently able to play Final Fantasy XIV. Not that your computer can't handle the system requirements -- no, it's simply an issue of the release date being painfully distant and your need for the game not subsiding. You've applied for the beta, but no luck. You entered the fansite contests for beta keys, and still nothing. You tried building a time machine, but you ran into problems when you went shopping for a DeLorean. What else can you possibly do? Well, you could try running off to Europe. Specifically, Cologne, where Gamescom 2010 will be held. Square-Enix has confirmed that they will be presenting several games at the convention in a playable state, one of which will be Final Fantasy XIV. Most likely it will be from the newest testing build, although there's no word on whether or not the game will be playable by the public or just for press. Keep your eyes peeled to see if any new information comes out of the convention, taking place between the 18th and the 22nd of this month.
Michael Jackson: The Experience will be playable at GamesCom
If you're anything like us, you've been wandering the streets at night ever since Ubisoft announced a Michael Jackson game at its E3 2010 presser, waiting for news on when you can get some time with the "experience." Here's hoping you've been wandering around Cologne, Germany, as that's the first place anyone will get a chance to go body-on with Michael Jackson: The Experience during this month's GamesCom 2010. Sure, Ubisoft will also be bringing Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Driver: San Francisco and Raving Rabbids: Travel in Time, but those are all, like, games about other stuff. Aren't you more excited to play a game featuring the King of Pop? Maybe you'd be more interested to know that Just Dance 2 will be playable? Oh ... right ... Europe -- you're definitely more excited about Just Dance 2 than anything else. Who're we kidding?
Codemasters offering free LotRO store points at Gamescom
If you're attending Gamescom this year, you've probably got a pretty heavy schedule planned. There will be plenty to do, but you might want to carve out some time to head to the Lord of the Rings Online booth, because Codemasters has a nice gift for those attending. The news of LotRO's impending free-to-play status was pretty big, and Codemasters will be offering signups at its booth this year. If you've not signed up to join the game when it becomes F2P, do so at the Codemasters booth in hall 8.1, booth A31 and get a little thank-you gift in the form of 10 € worth of LotRO store points. The offer is available every day of Gamescom.
