leipzig-08
Latest
GC 2008: Prince of Persia gameplay (featuring dude's head)
Down in front! Watch as some guy's head almost steals the spotlight from the Prince ... almost. Be sure to stick around for the slick Okami-esque effects near the end (warning: they're after the lame voice work.).
GC 2008: Joker, Green Lantern duke it out in new MK vs. DC screens
Let's put a smile on that face by checking out Midway's latest batch of Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe screenshots, rife with cross-dimensional brawling and enough continuity issues to drive fanboys round the bend. While you enjoy the sight of The Joker blasting Scorpion right out of the Batcave or the Green Lantern putting the squeeze on Shang Tsung, we'll frantically attempt to figure out how Ed Boon managed to steal all our closeted fan fictions. If these guys don't pummel your fancy, Midway has also informed us that series stalwarts Raiden and Kano will join the game's kombatants, along with the DC universe's Wonder Woman and Deathstoke.%Gallery-30030%
Microsoft: Grand Theft Auto IV DLC coming this Autumn
In the midst of the Leipzig Games Convention, Microsoft has issued a statement (via IGN) about the much-ballyhooed and long-delayed Grand Theft Auto IV downloadable content. Said Microsoft, "In autumn there will be news from Liberty City; the first episodes of GTA IV will be available for download exclusively on Xbox LIVE, underlining Xbox 360's leadership role in the field of digital entertainment." While we're fairly certain "news from Liberty City" is indicative of an Autumn launch, the "news" could just be a more confirmed release date for later this year. Take-Two previously noted that the DLC is expected in Fiscal Q109 (between November 1, 2008, and January 31, 2009). We've put in a call to Microsoft for clarification, who may or may not be too busy booking tickets to San Andreas. Update: Heard from Microsoft who confirm that the exclusive DLC itself is coming this Fall.
GC 2008: Konami rolls Kororinpa 2 our way
Along with Dewy's Adventure, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, and the massively under-rated Mercury Meltdown Revolution, Kororinpa proved that the Wii was the only place to be for enthusiasts of rolling. And now it's rolling back! Konami just announced a sequel to its vowel-heavy game at Leipzig, carefully tilting a trailer and 20 screens in our direction. Finally, another use for our Ball Bearing Maze Special Salver!Over 100 stages will feature in Kororinpa 2, as well as multiple difficulty levels (maybe even difficult levels of difficulty this time), a swish-looking course editor, multiplayer for you and three fellow rollers, and Mii integration (which is now as important and common as having graphics). So long as it also has a better camera, we're already on board. Oh, and boxart that is half as wonderful as that of the original PAL game. Like, seriously, how perfect is this? Expect it early next year.%Gallery-30046%[Via press release]
GC 2008: Pour over this in-game Heavy Rain footage
take a look at these screenshots Well, consider us intrigued. From the creators of Indigo Prophecy (aka Fahrenheit) comes Heavy Rain, an atmospheric new adventure exclusively for the PlayStation 3. This in-game footage, first unveiled at Leipzig's Games Convention, depicts our finely rendered female protagonist investigating a distinctly unsettling house. Be sure to keep watching until the stunning scene at the end, where she bursts out the door and screams to the heavens, "Gotcha, suckas!" We're sure to learn much, much more as we draw closer to Heavy Rain's forecast 2009 release. %Gallery-30067%
GC 2008: PS3 getting free 'VidZone' music service in Europe
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced that VidZone, "the online destination for music videos" that we've never heard of, will be offering a free, streaming music video service for the PlayStation 3. The "trial service" is expected to launch in early 2009 in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Featuring a "full playlist of videos from hip-hop to punk and heavy metal to classics," VidZone will allow PS3 owners to build playlists and download songs, music videos (!!!) and ringtones "for a small charge." The best part is that the service will support remote play via the PSP, ideal for those awkward situations when you're out in public and simply must subject yourself and those around you to Kylie Minogue.
GC 2008: Rock Revolution late to the stage?
We may have to deal with the rock status quo for a while until the Revolution arrives. According to IGN, Niais Taylor, associate producer of Konami's Rock Revolution, provided an "early 2009" release window for the music game during a demo of the drum kit (which the Wii version does not use). However, there is a bit of potential confusion.If this unspecified release period is worldwide, or for the US, then the game has been delayed from its previous "2008" release. However, if this is the European release date -- which seems likely, since this information was presented at the Leipzig Games Convention -- then the European release, at least, is on track and we don't have any more information about the US release. But the possibility of a delay, we felt, was worth passing on.
PSP-3000 also coming to North America this fall
click, you know you want to... If those promises of a sexy new screen and built-in mic in the PSP-3000 at the Leipzig Games Convention left you North Americans feeling left out, fear not: Sony has just let us know that the system will also be coming stateside, providing all of you the chance to buy the PSP ... again.It'll be available both in the previously announced Ratchet and Clank Entertainment Pack on Oct. 14 and in a new PSP Core Pack coming in November with: Updated Piano Black PSP system 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Everyday Shooter PLAYSTATION Network voucher You'll be able to pick either up for $199.99.%Gallery-30061%
GC 2008: Revised 360 controller is 'limited edition,' 'promotional item'
No sooner had we ecstatically bid the old d-pad adieu than Microsoft advised that its tweaked Xbox 360 controller is not yet destined for mass distribution. While confirming an October 24 release date with Eurogamer, the publisher noted that the new controller, sporting an "optimized" and not-entirely-awful d-pad, will be released as a Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 tie-in product. As such, it will be "a limited edition promotional item that is only available in Europe, Asia and Latin America while supplies last." It's also a revolting green.We've contacted Microsoft in the hopes of ascertaining its US plans for the improved controller, if any.
GC 2008: 160GB PlayStation 3 hitting Europe Oct. 31
With game installations, downloadable content and digitally distributed titles cluttering up our PlayStation 3's brain, it comes as little surprise to see Sony announcing yet another SKU with increased storage capacity. The word from its 2008 Games Convention press conference is that a 160 gigglebyte model -- which is otherwise identical to others units -- will be hitting Europe on October 31st, complete with €70 worth of downloadable game content. But is the €449 price tag a trick or a treat?We're checking with Sony regarding any plans to release this model elsewhere.
GC 2008: New firmware to allow PS2 disc-swapping in PS3 SingStar [update]
Update: We just got word from MTV Multiplayer that makes this news decidedly less cool. Turns out there will be no song exporting; rather, you can pop in your PS2 disc into your PS3 while playing the new-gen version of SingStar and play the songs on that disc. It only works while the disc remains in the console, although disc-swapping works on any PS3, regardless of its current state of backwards-compatibility.Tearing a page straight out of the Rock Band 2 playbook, Sony announced a new service – to be made available through a firmware update – that will allow folks to essentially rip the tracks from PS2 versions of SingStar onto the PS3. IGN gives us a play-by-play of the service: "Just throw in the PS2 disc and you can grab the tracks!" Epic! We're curious about the details: What's to prevent you from borrowing or renting games? Will this work on all PS2 versions of SingStar? Will this work on all PS3s (even those without PS2 backwards compatibility)? Is this enough to compete with Lips' play-your-own-music functionality? More as we know it.
GC 2008: PS3 wireless keypad with mouse input [update]
click for extreme closeup At its Leipzig Games Convention press conference today, Sony unveiled a wireless keypad peripheral that attaches to the top of the PlayStation 3 controller (presumably into the mini-USB port). The keypad also features a "touchpad mode" for mouse input. Pricing was not revealed, but the device will be released in 8 different languages. It's worth noting that MadCatz released an attachable thumbpad for PS3 in April 2007.Update: Added official keypad images (see gallery below). Does this thing double as a codpiece?PlayStation.Blog clarifies that the Wireless Kepad includes a mode that turns the key area into a touchpad, allowing users to control an on-screen cursor with their fingertips, tapping to activate a link. The keypad also features two short-cut buttons, enabling quick access to the XMB's "Friends" icon and the "Message Box." The pad also can be paired with other Bluetooth devices (e.g., a smart phone) and will be released in late November.%Gallery-30063%
GC 2008: Sony officially announces PSP-3000
Sony has taken the opportunity of the Leipzig Games Convention to reveal the brand-spanking new PSP-3000, arriving Oct 15 in Europe for €199 (around $250), according to our main man Jem Alexander who's currently on site at the press conference.Though it will look the same as the PSP-2000 (that's what the pic above is of, actually), you can expect an improved screen that's better outside with no glare and a built-in mic. This jibes with rumors we've heard previously, and but we don't know if the new "PS Button" is part of the package. We'll keep you posted.[Update: We've got an actual pic now, as you can see, the PS Button is in there]%Gallery-30061%
GC 2008: Miis to rock out in Guitar Hero: World Tour
The Wii version of upcoming Guitar Hero: World Tour just got a bit more unique. The title will apparently include Mii support, allowing those of you who don't want to go through the pain of modeling yourself in the custom character creator to still get your likeness into the game. No other details about the Mii implementation are available right now, sadly, but we're sure they'll shed some light on it soon enough.For those of you that don't get the joke in the image above, be sure to head past the break for a brief explanation.%Gallery-23491%
GC 2008: Guitar Hero World Tour to work with all instruments on PS2, 360 and PS3
Well, this should make the patented Joystiq Instrument Compatibility Matrix a bit easier to memorize. Straight from our special Leipzig correspondent Jem Alexander, Activision says that If you play Guitar Hero World Tour on PS2, PS3 or 360, your instrument is going to work. Whether it be from Rock Band, Rock Band 2 or whatever, it works with Guitar Hero World Tour.Now, what does this mean for the Wii version of the game? We have absolutely no idea. But hey, what are you complaining about: It's got Miis in it! Isn't that enough?
GC 2008: Xbox 360 controller's d-pad d-leted
Finally. After molesting countless thumbs and ruining everybody's Pac-Man CE scores, the Xbox 360 controller's dismal d-pad looks to be replaced by, well, a functional d-pad. IGN's Martin Robinson claims to have played with a redesigned controller at Leipzig's Games Convention, describing it as "aesthetically identical" to the original (it's actually a sickly green), with "the d-pad sitting in a larger rocker and proving more tactile." The new controller is expected to debut alongside Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and is thought to have been prompted by the upcoming release of Street Fighter IV.Good riddance, you worthless, clacking agent of spongy misdirection. Oh, and tell The Duke we said "Hi." Update: Curses! The pad is a "limited edition, promotional item" for now.[Thanks, Fenix]
GC 2008: EA looking to start up tennis franchise on Wii
For those of you who're fans of tennis, rejoice. EA is poised to present their own tennis title. And, as if that wasn't enough, it will take advantage of Nintendo's new MotionPlus peripheral, joining Ubisoft in proclaiming it's totally awesome. EA also mentions that this will be the first tennis game to include the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which is where Wimbledon is played.So, how many of you are looking forward to seeing this one? A tennis game that takes advantage of MotionPlus? We're excited![Via Joystiq]
GC 2008: The first trailer for LocoRoco 2
Do us a favor, just for safety's sake: If you've recently been eating sugary foods (Blueberry Muffintop cereal springs to mind) do not watch this Leipzig Games Convention trailer for LocoRoco 2, which is so adorably, pinchably sweet that combining it with other glucose-rich product is a one way ticket to diabetes.We don't learn much from the trailer, just that it looks like LocoRoco 2 will be sporting a lot more gameplay variety ... oh, and that we'll never ever get that song out of our heads.
GC 2008: Miis go on Wii's Guitar Hero World Tour
We've just heard from our man at the Leipzig Games Convention Jem Alexander, and he's got some exciting news for fans of pint-sized rocking: Miis will be used in Guitar Hero World Tour's Wii version of the game. He didn't say how, so we're hoping that they'll play Oompa-Loompa-like minature roadies who rush onto stage and fix broken strings for the full size rockers. But we doubt it.Oh, Jem also passed along that all versions of the game would include exclusive European tracks, which is secret code for "you'll have to buy them later through DLC."
GC 2008: EA to serve up new Wii tennis franchise
With all the recent announcements and pick-ups, you'd think EA would be bursting at the seams with upcoming titles, but it's just crammed one more under its belt: A new tennis franchise that will debut on Wii (though it will later come to other platforms) and take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus accessory.Besides the control gimmick innovation, its other claim to fame is being the only video game that includes the All England Lawn Tennis Club, where Wimbledon is played. So, with tennis added to the list, what's left for EA Sports? Curling? Cup stacking?
