march
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Predicting patch 2.4
So it's time for WoW Insider to do you all a favor. It seems like whenever we attempt to predict the timing of a certain patch, Blizzard ignores whatever we say, and drops it right away. With patch 2.2, we predicted in early September that it would take "weeks" longer, maybe even last November, and instead they had it out within the month. And with patch 2.3, we guessed that Blizzard wouldn't drop it before Thanksgiving, and just hours later they proved us wrong, and released it before the holiday.So here you go: with everything we've seen on the forums lately, including the CMs a little giddy with excitement, and all of the news that dropped last week, we're going to officially predict that patch 2.4 will drop on the PTRs this coming Tuesday, and that it will hit the live realms sometime in early March (probably before Noblegarden, which starts on March 23rd).There. Now, Blizzard has plenty of chances to prove us wrong by releasing the PTR sometime this week, and getting the patch out to live realms before March 1st. That's our favor to you-- if Blizzard follows their past pattern, they'll make us completely wrong again, and get you on the PTR and in the patch even sooner than we thought.
Ron Paul supporters plan rally in Azeroth
Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul's internet regiment has come to World of Warcraft-- a group of his supporters are planning to form a guild on Whisperwind and do a march from IF to Stormwind (which means they'll probably be Gnomes or Dwarves, which is too bad, because I liked the idea of "Trolls for Ron Paul") on New Year's Day at 8:30pm EST.Now, we here at WoW Insider are politically neutral when it comes to Warcraft, so we won't advocate joining these guys (and we also won't advocate forming a "Horde for Hillary" guild to oppose them). But we are 100% in support of bringing widescale opinion expression of any kind into the game itself, so this should definitely be a fun event.As always, if you go, take pictures and send them to us. And if you hear about any other political rallies in World of Warcraft this coming election year, let us know about those, too-- we'd love it if a presidential candidate (any of them) somehow got some extra buzz just because he (or she) was able to get out "the Orgrimmar vote."Thanks, Paul!
LotRO quarterly wallpapers available for January through March
We're approaching the end of December, and if you downloaded the Lord of the Rings Online calender wallpapers last quarter, then you may be worried about what you're going to do when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, rendering your wallpaper obsolete. Thankfully, Turbine has come through for you once again, releasing 3 brand new wallpapers with overlaid calender for you to start the year off on the right foot. As with last time, the old wallpapers can now be downloaded sans calender, so that you can continue to enjoy the imagery without looking like a behind-the-times slacker.We have added the new wallpapers to our LotRO wallpapers gallery, and you can download all wallpapers past and present in ultra-high quality at the official wallpaper page.%Gallery-8208%
DS Daily: Nintendo on top
So, the March NPD numbers prove that Nintendo continues to simply destroy the competition. Every system and company may have its own rabid fanboy contingent, but when it comes to the sales charts, Nintendo is on top. What we want to know is: are you surprised, or did you expect both the Wii and the DS to turn in amazing numbers? We ask because a lot of people had some doubts after the GameCube, at least regarding the Wii. With the DS, playing the prediction game was a little easier. Nintendo plus handheld tends to equal success. But the DS has reached truly epic levels of success. Did you call it, or did you suspect the two gaming systems might be a little gimmicky?[Hilarious shirt found here.]
March NPD reveals improving PSP sales--is it enough?
Sony issued a statement today, reminding gamers that the PlayStation brand continues to get stronger. According to NPD data, "March 2007 showed a 24% increase in retail dollars generated year-over-year for the PlayStation brand in North America with total sales of $447 million." The three-pillar strategy seems to be quite successful for Sony: sales from PS3, PSP, PS2 (and God of War II), are all adding green to Sony's wallet. PSP hardware has gained some momentum in March: up 2% over February with sales of 179,796 units. More importantly, software sales have experienced a 13% jump.With a price drop at the beginning of April, next month's figures should prove even better for Sony. However, one has to question if the price drop will be enough. Nintendo DS sold through over half a million units in the same period--easily more than twice that of PSP. Sony may not be number one, but as long as it maintains steady growth and profitability, does it really matter? And most importantly, does it matter to gamers?
Japanese hardware sales, Mar. 12 - Mar. 18: Epic fantasy edition
'Cross the sultry plains of Elmer'terath Plains, a cold dust blows at the feet of the barbarian, Golgawii. He sniffs the air, reveling the fresh scent of blood. He did not think much on it, though, for he was a barbarian, and muscles are always inversely proportional to intelligence. He had just traversed the ultimately inconsequential Amriel mountains range in the far north of the Dractonian lands, in which the Eighth War of The Ages of the Third Rule of the Kings of Men was waged between the elves, ocrs, dwarves, dragons, faeries, gnomes, trolls, ogres, and various other creatures found in Shrek. It totally ushered in a new age.Golgawii grasped his magical pendant, which contained supermegaawesome power. He received it after trading in his magic ring carved from the Stone of Ancient Wisdom using the Blade of Strength in the ...Will Tolkien's soul stab us after this? Maybe. The Wii triumphed in an upset victory over the top seeded PSP, which is excellent, and the disqualified DS Lite predictably demolished any possible competition. Enjoy the remainder of the (real) tournament, everyone!- DS Lite: 121,471 12,959 (11.94%)- Wii: 67,070 22,575 (50.74%)- PSP: 43,769 12,406 (22.08%) - PS3: 21,635 10,480 (32.63%) - PS2: 13,321 1,264 (8.67%) - Xbox 360: 2,910 423 (12.69%) - Game Boy Micro: 727 85 (10.47%) - GBA SP: 557 122 (17.97%) - Gamecube: 367 127 (52.92%) - DS Phat: 159 40 (33.61%) - GBA: 9 4 (30.77%)[Source: Media Create]
DS releases for the week of March 19th
It seems like we only just found out about Theme Park DS and here it is, shipping to stores everywhere this week. We're willing to bet that a few of you will be bending the stylus in the pursuit of your dream park by the weekend. But hey, if parks aren't your thing, there's a ton of games out this week. Helps to make up for some of the recent lackluster weeks, eh?DS releases for the U.S. Custom Robo Arena Major League Baseball 2k7 Puzzle Quest: Challenge of WarLords Steel Horizon Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Theme Park Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2007
DS releases for the week of March 12th
After a jam-packed week, it looks like we're back down to our regular schedule. That means a lull in releases and a distinct lack of information on weird Japanese housewife sims. We're as sad as you are, and we know you're sad ... unless you're not in the U.S. You guys get no less than 8 million DS games this week (just replace "8 million" with "several" for that pesky accuracy).This week in the U.S.: Mind Quiz: Your Brain Coach Herbie Rescue Rally DS For the rest of the globe, check after the jump.
DS releases for the week of February 26th
Hate to be the one to break it to the U.S. gamers, but ... there are no DS games this week. Let us all weep in unison, and then raise our fists in protest.Then again ... if there's nothing new this week, we can spend precious time finishing up some of those neglected titles that we haven't yet touched! Quick, everyone, start unwrapping. Ready, set, play!For the rest of the globe, hit the jump.
Today's most inspiring game video: the 1000 Mii March
More Miis than you can shake a stick at in this virtual onslaught of avatars. Would it be annoying or funny if we actually made sounds like that in real life if we walked ... nay, paraded around town? We can only imagine that it would get extremely boring after awhile. Plop, plop, plop.No one knows what these Miis are marching for, but let us all hope that it's for a good cause. If these Miis turn evil, there will be no stopping them. Miis rampaging in the streets, wrist straps torn off left and right and being used to garrote people, mass hysteria.And Joystiq, for one, welcome our new Mii overlords. We'd like to remind them as a trusted gaming website, we can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in their plastic, shiny utopias.
Sony Europe sez PS3 still coming in March, not April
Sony execs have been known to say a few less-than-recommended phrases in the past, and while usually it's all fun and games poking fun of their blunders, things get serious when the giant starts talking delays. In a recent interview with CNET, Sony's latest CEO -- Sir Howard Stringer -- somehow got his wires crossed up and proclaimed that "the European launch [of the PS3] would be in April," and that this momentous occasion "is very important to us." As expected, more than a few minor uproars ensued, but apparently March is the new April, as a SCEE spokesperson has now stated that the official PlayStation 3 European launch is "still on track for March, despite suggestions from the CEO proclaiming otherwise." Of course, no actual day in March has been officially selected, but that number could come as early as next week, and if Mr. Stringer is to be the one delivering the news, please, somebody get the man a cue card.
Ubisoft pledges fourteen games by March
Ubisoft has shown perhaps the staunchest third party support for the Wii, previously pledging a ridiculous eight games at launch. As if that wasn't enough, the go-get-em' developer has stated in a recent financial report that they will be releasing no less than fourteen games by March 2007. Since Ubisoft has announced no other games then those coming at launch, the additional six are completely unknown.Though we may not know much, apparently one of the six is a "non-announced new brand", implying an original IP. Are the others, then, mere sequels, ports, and remakes? Well, the more the merrier, we say. A particularly sad detail, however, is that the report specifically mentions only seven games at launch, which means one of the original eight may not be on the streets come November 19th after all. Which is it? Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII, and GT Pro Series are the likely candidates, though we won't know for sure till close to launch time.Now remember, kids, say your prayers for love, peace, and Beyond Good and Evil 2 every night, and maybe one will come true. You know which one we want.[via Joystiq]
Metareview: Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis
In the sequel, the roles have reversed and now the Mini Marios must save the day. With several obstacles in their path, players must guide the Mini Marios using the stylus and touch-screen. More interesting, however, is the ability for players to create custom maps and send them to other users via Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connect service. Overall, the game has received favorable scores: Gamespot - 82%: "Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2 may not play quite the same way the original game did, but the new take on the formula is a fun and refreshing one. The touch-screen controls are easy to get a handle on, and with more than 80 different stages to play through, as well as the construction mode, you'll find yourself with plenty to do. It's simply a great time for Mario fans and puzzle fans alike." IGN - 70%: "The original Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a far better puzzle game than March of the Minis is, but that doesn't make this game a bad one. It is a clever Lemmings-inspired, touch screen design with a great focus on user-submitted content to keep the game going on and on. Its similarities to the first game are only in looks; the concept goes in a refreshingly different -- but just not as successful, addictive or challenging -- direction for Nintendo DS gamers." Gamepro - 85%: "As a sequel, Mario vs. Donkey Kong: March of the Minis surpasses the original by leaps and bounds backed by the capabilities of the Nintendo DS, however the new control scheme does take some getting used to." So there we have it. While many agree it's not as good as the first game, would you be inclined to agree, fine reader? Or has Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis surpassed the greatness of the first game?
Mario vs. DK 2 Wi-Fi details and site launch
The site for Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis over at nintendowifi.com has launched and in the process reveals some of the specific features that will utilize the Wi-Fi functionality of the title. In being able to design and upload/download custom-created levels over the service, Nintendo will include unlockable templates, some including hidden characters. Players will only need to use the touch-screen to do everything from drawing platforms and bridges, to including elevators and enemies in these templates. Upon successfully creating a level, the player may save it then log onto the Wi-Fi Connection service to either upload the map for their friends to download or peruse their friends' created maps.
Nintendo: ready to pick up the slack
Sony's announcements this week about PS3 delays were certainly big news, though they can't really be called surprising. Dark rumors of manufacturing troubles have haunted the company for weeks. What with outcries over advertising campaigns and their less-than-stellar showings at the trade shows, Sony's problems have cast a pall over their entire year. Regardless, confirmation that there were delays, that the number of consoles at launch would be cut to only 500,000, and that launch would be delayed for months in Europe -- until March, in fact – almost seems like the nail in the coffin of their image.Now, just to clarify -- while we may trade jibes with the other fanboys from time to time, in the end, we're all in this together, bound by a mutual love of games. Any true gamer appreciates a good game simply for its goodness; we savor smooth controls and smoother heroes, mouth-watering graphics and addictive gameplay. And we salute Sony, because they have brought us some of our most cherished gaming experiences. Sony isn't home, but it's a nice place to visit now and then. But having granted that we bear Sony no grudge, it's impossible to ignore the fact that the news of the week will affect Nintendo, and so we have a stake in the fallout.
Sega speaks (Sonic in March?)
Scott Steinberg, VP of Sega's marketing division, recently spoke to GameDaily about the next generation of consoles. There was a good amount of Wii-speak, including a reaffirmation of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz at launch and a tentative release date of March for Sonic Wildfire. From the interview: "There's a bit of a design, creative learning curve on how to fully exploit the nunchuks and Sega is already thinking about its second generation software. So if they're not already here, they probably weren't on board at the beginning and the companies are going to have a harder time thinking about ways to innovate and Sega's already thinking second generation." Sega's quite a supporter of the Wii, but Scott does comment that he hasn't seen a metric ton of Wii games in development from third parties, contrary to the raving Nintendo fanboys. Hopefully, games like Banana Blitz and Wildfire can create a large enough install base to make those third-party games worthwhile for developers. More delicious interview in the link.
Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis opening CG
This video shows the intro movie, taken straight from the show floor of E3, for the upcoming Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis. All I want to know is what do I have to do to get a couple wind-up toys like those?[Via Go Nintendo]
