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PAL Samba de Amigo missing out on pay-to-play content?
Monkeys. Sombreros. Maracas. Banjo-playing cheetahs. Everything about Samba de Amigo says: epic, joyful win. We'll tell you what isn't so worthy of celebration, though: PAL regions getting robbed of the pay-to-play content that will supposedly come with the North American version of the game. Go Nintendo user Ausgamer noticed that the PAL boxart was lacking one key detail that its U.S. counterpart had: that orange Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Pay-to-Play logo in the top-left corner.Obviously, we don't even know what the pay-to-play content is yet, so we'll hold off criticizing Sega for now. But let this much be said: if Europe and Australia do miss out on downloadable tracks, Sega better be ready to absorb the full impact of our internet petition.%Gallery-20601%
Tesla finally finalized its single-speed gearbox, on track for completion in August
Those Tesla folks are finally (almost) out of the woods on this whole powertrain nonsense. Its original two-speed design had many "durability, efficiency and cost challenges," but Tesla Motors decided to go with it in its first production run, and then swap in the new single-speed "1.5" powertrain once they get it just right. It's a bit funny Tesla 'fessing up to durability problems now, after denying them so vehemently before, but either way buyers of the first 40 cars that'll ship with the old powertrain won't have to wait long for an upgrade, since the 1.5 powertrain has been finalized and is slated for production in August. Tesla already has a 1.5 version they're driving regularly, and they're in the testing phase. 1.5 involves improvements to the motor, inverter and gearbox design, and improves torque among other things -- which gives that 3.9 second 0-60 spec they've always wanted.
Start your morning on a high note: Samba de Amigo trailer
Samba de Amigo is one of those things that will always inspire happiness. Even if you're not a huge Sega fan, the bouncy music, bright colors and manic monkeys will probably make you smile. And if you are all about Sega, few things represent everything great about the Dreamcast era like a game about a maraca-shaking monkey. While we may have criticized the new version recently for overdoing the onscreen clutter, we can't deny that this trailer made our morning a lot better. It's just joyful.It even works on paid professionals. You think that's acting? No, that chimpanzee is totally feeling it.%Gallery-20601%
Headache de Amigo: busy screenshots, possible maracas
We aren't sure if we've got our Dreamcast Goggles on or if we're remembering accurately, but while Samba de Amigo was always colorful and festive, we don't remember it being so headache-inducingly busy. Do not look directly into the new screenshots in our gallery-- we suggest a pinhole projector. Don't get us wrong: it's still Samba, and it's still yay, but we honestly didn't think that the Wii could produce so much brightly-colored clutter on one screen.Speaking of brightly-colored clutter, a Sega rep told Kotaku that they are looking into maraca attachments for the Wiimote, to enable accurate rattling. They've gone so far as to contact potential manufacturers. We hope it works out; what's Samba without loud controllers? A cover for the Nunchuk seems like it would be pretty awkward, however.%Gallery-20601%
Samba de Amigo features some kind of pay-to-play online content
The boxart for the Wii version of Samba de Amigo has now been revealed in tiny form on Gamestop's site. It is, as far as we know, the first game to feature the new red Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Pay-to-Play logo, which was first shown at GDC this year.Either this means that you'll have to pay a subscription fee to play Samba online, or (infinitely more likely) that downloadable songs will be available over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Which, if true, makes the Wii version of Rock Band (with its new lineup of expansion discs!) just that much more insulting. %Gallery-20601%[Via NeoGAF]
New Aliens: Colonial Marines Concept Art
Not a whole hell of a lot is known about the tactical squad based shooter, being brought to us courtesy of Gearbox and Sega. The licensed FPS, Aliens: Colonial Marines, was revealed in older issue of Game Informer, and then rather dropped off the radar until reappearing in UK's OXM. Colonial Marines is scheduled to hit this fall and sport four-player drop-in-drop-out online coop, and the new two pieces of concept art depict the heads of one of the aliens and one of the marines. They'll probably be used as some sort of promotional material for the game, so we're likely to see these images again.%Gallery-22130%
Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway in August, multiplayer redesigned
Ever since BIA went MIA last fall, we've been waiting for an update on the construction of Hell's Highway. Turns out the interstate paved with the hardened souls of the damned will open this summer, as a new trailer (embedded after the break!) announces Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway is "Coming August 2008." And yes, Nazi neck-stabbin' confirmed, finally.In addition to today's video announcement, Gearbox has apparently been working on a "totally redesigned online component" for the game, reports Eurogamer. Hell's Highway will supposedly feature "dozens" of players on each team and somehow incorporate the squad-based gameplay that defines the single-player campaign (that is, if you're willing to take orders from foulmouthed tweens).
Samba de Amigo missing some much-needed shake
Samba de Amigo on the Dreamcast was the most relentlessly cheerful game ever, and the Wii version won't be toning down the exuberance -- just looking at this latest batch of art and screens from Sega's shake-'em-up almost brought light to the recesses of our dark, cynical hearts. But there's something gnawing at us, something that prevents us from getting all giddy over Wii Samba: the controls.Apparently, we're not alone in this respect. A number of the recent "hands-on" articles that have appeared in the wake of the Nintendo Media Summit mention how Gearbox hasn't yet nailed this aspect of the game.We've already discussed Joystiq's experiences (choice quote: "[...] the Remote and Nunchuk just don't feel the same as the original maracas."), and Go Nintendo felt similarly ("Unfortunately, there are still some control quirks. There are times when the Wiimote/Nunchuck will lose your positioning. This didn't happen too often, but it happened enough to make note of it.") Meanwhile, GameSpot's Ricardo Torres was perhaps the most forgiving, claiming that "the control is on its way toward being solid." Call us demanding little so-and-sos all you like, but we want solid! Not "on its way toward being solid."The general feeling seems to be that the title is shaping up well, but that the maracas are sorely missed. If you're reading this, Sega, you know what to do.Read: Joystiq's hands-on impressionsRead: Go Nintendo's hands-on impressionsRead: GameSpot's hands-on impressions%Gallery-20601%[Screenshots via press release]
Gearbox Software defends in-game ad deal
Gearbox Software founder, Randy Pitchford, has commented on the developer's blog regarding its recent in-game advertisement agreement with Double Fusion, quelling concerns that Brothers in Arms would become Brothers in Ads. "We respect any contempt for exploitive advertising that negatively effects the integrity or the quality of the game because we, as hardcore gamers, share that same contempt," writes Pitchford. He further emphasizes, "We hate exploitive advertising that doesn't offer value to the gamer."In the category of advertising Gearbox doesn't hate, lies the kind that improves authenticity. Gearbox provides the example of a Philips factory in Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway, a historical site which would detract from authenticity sans the appropriate (and accurate to 1944) branding. Pitchford also lists increased budgets and out-of-game promotion as potential benefits that "we hope come from Double Fusion helping to connect Gearbox with advertisers." "If you see in-game ads for some stupid product that has nothing to do with the context in which it occurs and actually detracts from the experience, then you can feel justified in bashing the developer, publisher, or advertiser that made that decision," concludes Pitchford. Fair enough -- but we'd better not be stopping at a Burger King in our trek across Borderlands, mister.
Brothers in ads: Gearbox signs in-game ad deal with Double Fusion
Gearbox Software (Brothers in Arms series) has announced that it has inked a deal with Double Fusion to have them provide in-game advertising for upcoming titles (via Develop). Double Fusion has previously signed with Eidos, Midway and Take Two, among others.No details on what future Gearbox titles will use in-game ads. Sometimes we wish the in-game ad deals were as outlandish as our Photoshop jobs. Imagine if Borderlands was renamed Burgerlands and featured a dozen Burger King soldiers playing "Capture the Whopper" with futuristic guns and war machines. Or Aliens: Colonies could let you take heartburn medicine to ward off chest-bursters.
Aliens: Colonial Marines details, screens hatch
The UK arms of the Official Xbox and PlayStation magazines dropped fresh details and screens on Gearbox's upcoming first-person shooter, Aliens: Colonial Marines. Set three years after the events in the 1986 sci-fi action classic Aliens, Colonial Marines sets the stage for a rescue group in search of the team sent to investigate a human colony on LV-426 that had broken off communication.Details on the game have been scarce but GamesRadar detailed a few choice tidbits. The game will feature a mixture of claustrophobic indoor and outdoor environments where basic missions have been scrapped in favor of objective gameplay. The example given is something you can see in the image above. In certain predetermined areas of the game you will be forced to "Make a Stand" and survive an onslaught of enemy bugs.The four-player co-op we previously reported has been confirmed as drop-in and drop-out with system link, split-screen and online support. Also confirmed is that the enemies will have acid blood which will both harm players if they get too close as well change the environment in subtle ways. Lastly, the game will feature quick-time events that OPM thinks will take some getting used to. Well at least most of it sounds awesome.
Borderlands shifted to fiscal '09, 'better balance' cited
As noted in Take-Two's most recent guidance for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2008, Gearbox-developed Borderlands will release in fiscal 2009 instead of fiscal 2008. The publisher explained that the apparent pushback allows for "additional development time" and provides "better balance" in the release schedule of its triple-A titles. Previously, Borderlands was dated for 'Holiday 2008,' which, if after November 1, would fall into Take-Two's fiscal 2009 anyway. Today's notice looks to be less a significant launch delay then, and more a tweaking of financial projections.
GameplayHD's videogame animated series "Sacred Road" launches this fall
Voom's GameplayHD channel has a new 3D animated action series on the way, Sacred Road. As if we weren't already getting enough HD gaming in (CoD4 anyone?), the new series is being created entirely within a videogame engine, taking Red vs. Blue's concept to a whole new level. With graphical assets courtesy of Gearbox Software's Brothers in Arms game, Sacred Road is about a group of WWII soldiers caught up fighting Nazi's with an army of undead World War I fighters at their command. Check it out this fall, either on GameplayHD or via the website.[Via GameIndustry.com]
Aliens: Colonial Marines in late 2008, 4-player co-op
Sega has bumped up the Aliens: Colonial Marines street date to "late 2008," just a week after Game Informer revealed the game name and cited a vague 2009 release. The publisher also provided details of the title's plot, an original, penned by Bradley Thompson and David Weddle. As part of a United States Colonial Marine squad you and up to three additional friends will face a Nazi an Alien assault (yes, like we said, "original"). In co-op mode, players will have distinct roles to play in the completion of each mission -- we call flamethrower duty! The game also will include additional multiplayer modes not yet announced.With Gearbox at the helm, expect an authentic recreation of the films' fictional world from pulse rifles to the now abandoned Sulaco spacecraft. Aliens: Colonial Marines is in development for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.[Via press release]
Aliens: Colonial Marines, FPS, coming in 2009
So it seems that the long-announced, but not-much-discussed Aliens game, brought to us by Gearbox and Sega, has finally been revealed. As strange as it is to see a revival of the Aliens IP, the brand still does command plenty of loyalty and the idea of bringing it to the most played genre around isn't that out there. The game is unveiled in this month's issue of Game Informer and is formally titled Aliens: Colonial Marines. The title is an obscure reference to a scene from the second movie in which Ripley meets United States Colonial Marines. Evidently the colonies will be the focus of the game, as no details have been released regarding the game's story or canonical connection to the films. We do however know that the game will be squad based is due out after the end of the year.[Via Joystiq]
Samba de Video
Some random observations about this Samba de Amigo video, as shot at Sega's Gamersday event earlier this month: Gearbox, we're loving the maraca sound effects that emanate with each shake of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk. Given the Wiimote's in-built speaker, this is a feature we'd have totally expected (and even the Dreamcast maracas managed this, albeit with a more low-tech solution), but it's still great to see it in action. New level ahoy! A fairground really does seem like the perfect place for a spot of maraca-shaking. It's been a while since this blogger recklessly coughed up $250 of his student loan for the Dreamcast version of the game, but one thing I don't recall is Amigo being entirely detached from the levels. On the Dreamcast, the maraca-wielding monkey would dance his way through each stage, his colorful entourage in tow. Here, he simply floats free of the levels. This seems like a fussy/picky point to raise, but we're very fussy/picky people. Especially when it comes to Sega stuff. It pleases us immensely to see the return of both Samba de Janeiro and bouncing scenery. [Via NeoGAF]
'Aliens: Colonial Marines' is title of Gearbox, Sega FPS
Not much more than a name to go with previous confirmation that Brothers in Arms creator Gearbox is developing an Alien FPS for Sega, as Game Informer announces "Aliens: Colonial Marines" as the cover story in it's new issue. The brief teaser copy confirms that the game will be squad-based, ostensibly following some of the development cues from Gearbox's previous projects. The title alludes to the second film, Aliens, and perhaps specifically to the 'United States Colonial Marines' who accompany Ripley when she returns to LV-426. It's unclear what, if any connection the game will have to that film or others within the series.Sega's Alien license currently covers Colonial Marines and an Obsidian RPG. Aliens: Colonial Marines is slated for a 2009 release on PC and consoles.
Gearbox working on something 'big'
Gearbox president and CEO Randy Pitchford is awfully excited about his company's latest project, though he's not ready to mention it publicly. According to him, however, it's "big... 'look at our line up and imagine something even bigger' kind of big." Whatever you say, Randy.Word of the project comes from the Gearbox forums, where Pitchford is soliciting for artists and programmers to come on board for the unannounced title. Pitchford will be directing the game himself, which will be entering pre-production and will have at least two years of development ahead of it before release.Of course, part of Pitchford's excitement is purely to drum up interest in the title, and draw more potential employees to the project. Still, with promises of something incredibly exciting, we can't help but wonder what Gearbox might have up their sleeve. Original IP? Or a brand-new notch in an existing franchise? All we know is that between this new secret project, Borderlands, Samba de Amigo, and the Alien FPS, it's sure going to be a busy couple of years over at Gearbox.
Samba de Former Director
Play.tm's interview of Samba de Amigo (the first one) director Shun Nakamura reveals the depressingly cynical genesis of the game. With something as joyful as Samba, you'd expect the director to be motivated by love of Latin music and cartoon monkeys (and the universe), but as Nakamura puts it: "To tell you the truth, I'm not really a huge music fan. However I do like soccer, so I'd often hear Latin music/chants while viewing matches and thought it could work well in a rhythm game." As he describes it, Samba was born from an interest not only in soccer-related rhythm, but a directive from Sega to diversify the Dreamcast's library, and a need for accessible titles. Nakamura continues not to be a fan of non-Samba music games.Nakamura isn't in charge of the new Samba Wii game, though developer Gearbox consults with him regularly. In this case, it seems that the new developers, who begged for the project, may actually like the game more than the original director.
Gearbox kind of talks about Samba maraca controls
Kotaku's Brian Ashcraft interviewed Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford about their upcoming games for 2008, which include a bunch of shooters or whatever and also Samba de Amigo! Apparently Pitchford and the rest of the Gearbox folks approached Sega, hat in collective hand, begging to be allowed to create a version of the festive rhythm game for the Wii. "We totally told SEGA they had to let us do it. People want a Samba Wii game," Pitchford said, answering the question of why the developers of Brothers in Arms got assigned to a very Japanese rhythm game for the Wii.Pitchford briefly, and obliquely, broached the topic of potential dual-Wiimote maraca controls, which everyone talks about in relation to a Wii Samba. In a blanket statement about both the Wiimote/Nunchuk maraca scheme and the possibility of a dual-Wiimote scheme, Pitchford said "It's possible. You just need a lot of smart people who can do a lot of math." Like computer programmers, maybe?At least we know that the idea has been brought up at Gearbox. We'd like to see as many control schemes implemented as can be.
