November
Latest
Speculating at the patch 3.3 release date
All right. Nethaera says that Blizzard can't actually tell us the patch release date before it's out, because they don't want to be wrong. Fortunately, sites like ours don't have any such compunctions, so we're free to speculate on when we might finally see this patch on the live realms. Note that I said speculate -- this is not a guarantee, and we have no secret knowledge save lots and lots of experience at watching Blizzard create, test and release content. Don't use any dates we mention here to plan any vacations from work or family events -- as anyone who's ever tried to log in and do anything significant on patch day will tell you, you're going to be disappointed. And we don't want the patch to come early anyway, so Blizzard can delay as much as they want to. Anyone who complains otherwise has to go into the Octagon with Rossi. That said, testing is moving relatively smoothly on the PTRs, and lots of the content seems like it's pretty well put together. We aren't nearly done with testing yet, though -- we haven't seen most of the Icecrown raid, and we're still waiting on Halls of Reflection, the 5-man where we'll face Arthas. Gear still needs to go into the game and be tuned. There are around 15 different bosses and encounters in Icecrown (that we know of), and if Blizzard continues on the schedule of testing one or two per week, we're looking at six to eight more weeks of testing for just that content. The PTR itself went up just under a month ago, and it seems that we've got at least a month or, likely, more of testing and updating to be done.
Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection hits this November
Come this November 10th anyone with 20 bucks will be able to pick up the newly announced Final Fantasy XI Ultimate Collection. This low-priced packaging lives up to its moniker by coming with every single expansion and add-on released since Square Enix launched the game. So if you've been holding off all this time or just haven't played in a long while and wouldn't mind checking out that new content with an old character, this is definitely the release for you.We're pretty sure this is the final collection for Final Fantasy XI, as Square Enix's next MMO will be launching sometime in 2010. That's not to say there won't be any new add-ons, but we get the feeling those will only be offered through digital distribution. Oh, and the whole 'Ultimate Collection' makes it a little obvious, too.[via Joystiq]
250GB PlayStation 3 Slim coming to US November 3rd
It's no Uncharted 2 bundle (hello, Europe), but US gamers will indeed be getting their own 250GB PlayStation 3 Slim bundle, due to hit stores on Novvember 3rd for $349.99, just one Ulysses S. Grant more than the 120GB model. No other difference beyond the storage capacity, and of course you can always swap out the 2.5-inch SATA drive yourself with warranty kept intact. Holding out for some limited edition artwork or PS2 compatibility? Keep on dreaming.
The Crystal War continues in Final Fantasy XI
In addition to a new mini-expansion in the form of A Shantotto Ascension, the November update to Final Fantasy XI will also be continuing the missions of the Wings of the Goddess expansion, allowing players to live out the events of the Crystal War and help ensure the stability of present-day Vana'diel. While the overall scope of the conflict begins to shift to the world's northern hemisphere, setting the stage for events that led into the game's original missions, the individual nations each have their own issues to deal with and their own battles to fight. Square-Enix has released some of the details regarding these upcoming missions for the next update.San d'Oria's missions will focus around the proud kingdom's operations in Beaucedine Glacier and the unconvential strategies of the boy tactician Excenmille. Bastok will continue to deal with the aftershocks of the head of the Mythril Musketeers having made an attempt on the president's life, while Windurst has won a costly victory even as the beastman forces continue their march toward the nation's capital.One of Final Fantasy XI's greatest strengths has always been the emphasis and motivation placed upon its ongoing storyline, and these new missions promise to continue that tradition. The game may be entering its twilight years as it comes to its six-year US anniversary near the end of the month, but it still has quite a bit of life left in it.
Asheron's Call gets a slew of new enhancements for the 10th anniversary
When November rolls around, it's time for Asheron's Call to celebrate 10 years of being online. That's a pretty epic anniversary, so it makes sense that Turbine's preparing a pretty epic set of patches. This anniversary isn't being overlooked in the slightest.While details are still coming in as to what will be offered, already we know that magic users will be jumping for joy with the new magic infusing abilities in the new augmentations area. Mastering a school of magic will infuse you with its energy, letting you cast spells without holding the Foci or components to cast spells, although you will still need scarabs and tapers. Weapons will work relatively the same way, with new augmentations increasing effective skill with certain types of weapons.
Enter to win a Creative World of Warcraft wireless headset
Creative has announced their brand new World of Warcraft wireless headset, and you lot are the lucky ones -- they've set up a deal with us to give away one of these headsets every single week up until the actual release in November. So here's your first chance -- leave a comment on this post before next Wednesday, September 23, 2009, and we'll be picking one lucky commenter to win the best-looking WoW-related headgear since Warlocks rode single file.The contest is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada (excluding Quebec), and everyone who enters must be 13 or older. To enter, leave a comment on this post before Wednesday, September 23rd at midnight eastern, and please be sure to use a real email that you check often to enter, so we can contact the winners when we choose them. You may enter only once, and each winner will get a Creative World of Warcraft Wireless Gaming Headset, with a retail value of $150. Please note: winners will not receive the headset until it is released later this year. Click here to read the official contest rules.Good luck to everybody, and make sure to come back next week -- we'll be giving one of these headsets away every single week all the way up until their release later this year, so you'll have even more chances to win coming up.
Motorola CLIQ's November launch revealed in T-Mobile roadmap leak? (Update: new info points to October)
T-Mobile and Motorola weren't too forthcoming with a US launch date for the CLIQ, given only a ballpark estimate of "holiday." However, this supposed carrier roadmap pinpoints a November release for the social-equipped Android handset. No clue how long ago this slide was made or how valid the information is -- note the placeholder image and non-capitalized title -- but we can't imagine T-Mo would wait too close to Christmas to unleash it on the willing masses. Mum's still the word on price, but that previous $0.00 figure is probably too good to be true. Update: Boy Genius has clarified that the source who gave him this chart is claiming it to be an outdated roadmap, and that a newer, not yet seen one shows it for October. Guess we'll find out soon enough.
Darkmoon Faire France cancelled
Upper Deck has posted on their site that they have canceled the upcoming Darkmoon Faire event in France for the TCG. They've been having events all over the world of this kind, featuring tournaments, exhibitions, and interaction with the game's officials and designers (I checked out one such event when it was in Chicago last year). And while they had planned to hold a Faire in Paris in 2009, apparently it's not going to happen -- they say there was "complications" with the "venue," and the event has been shut down. They are still trying to come to France, however: they're hoping to hold an event called the Tournois du Voile d'Hiver ("Tournament of Winter's Veil" in English) in Toulouse in November.And this really does just look like a schedule conflict, as they are still holding events in Amsterdam, Austin, and Vegas later on in 2009, and from what we've seen at various conventions this year, Upper Deck's WoW-related TCG and minis games are bigger than ever (in fact, given what I saw at Gen Con and have heard from various UD employees, it's possible that the WoW games are the company's biggest-selling non-sports product). They're planning to bring the Darkmoon Faire back to Paris next year, and that's probably exactly what they'll do.
LG's 15-inch OLED TV on sale in Korea this November, overseas in 2010
LG bared the fruits of its OLED labor last week with a new set of photos of its gorgeous 15-inch screen, and now comes word from Reuters that it's gearing up to become consumer reality. The company will be showing off the model at next week's IFA trade show, and then expects to start selling it in Korea this November, followed by overseas sometime next year. Excited? You bet. Affordable? Price unknown, with Sony's two-year old 11-inch XEL-1 still retailing for $2,500 in the US -- and worse elsewhere -- you can expect to be sacrificing a pretty penny for small-screen bliss. LG also plans to show off a 40-inch OLED in the "not too distant future," but don't expect to be seeing that hit retail shelves for a good long time to come. [Via OLED-Info]
Waiting on StarCraft II? Blame WoW
Like many other Blizzard fans, you're probably super excited about the upcoming release of StarCraft II -- it was "about time" when we first heard about the game, and now, this close to actually having the game out, anticipation is higher than ever. So why have you been waiting so long? According to Eurogamer's latest interview with Rob Pardo, you can blame none other than World of Warcraft for the delay. He and StarCraft II's lead designer both confirm that quite a bit of the RTS team were called back in to working on Blizzard's MMO. Artists and class and map balance guys alike were put back on WoW, resulting in the StarCraft title's delay for more than a year. Taken at face value, they're saying you could have started playing the new RTS last November if it wasn't for the whole Azeroth thing.It's worth noting, though, that when they say "working on WoW," they don't mean developing the Crusaders' Coliseum or even Outland -- they're talking about the original design of World of Warcraft for the release way back in 2004. Even though Blizzard didn't announce the next StarCraft until a few years ago in 2007, production actually started seriously (with multiplayer first, strangely enough) right after the launch of WoW, in 2005. Which makes the choice all the more intriguing: they decided to delay the RTS even before they knew WoW would be the runaway success that it is today.Guess the choice paid off. The beta of StarCraft II should be kicking off any day now (you all got keys at last year's BlizzCon, remember?), so even though that year delay was caused by WoW way back at launch, we'll see if they've had the time since to make a game that'll meet players' expectations.
Guild Wars 2 marketing and release date speculated
When it comes to Guild Wars 2, you could say the folks at Massively are a bit excited about the game. You could also say we're a bit of a MMORPG news and features site, as well. The problem is that there just hasn't been much information to discuss about the sequel. Well, as it turns out, Kill Ten Rats has a little bit of meat for us to chew on -- but only a little.In a conference call held in early November, it turns out there was some discussion about Aion. How is this pertinent to Guild Wars 2? Well, it seems that NCsoft is quite pleased with the marketed generated through buzz and online viral videos for the game. As of right now, the game is having an enormously popular Korean beta. So, the reasoning goes then that they'd like to see this approach taken with Guild Wars 2, as it saves NCsoft money -- something they apparently need a lot of right now -- and created plenty of awareness.As for a release date, after being pestered by an uninhibited analyst about said date, NCsoft was willing to admit their interest in a holiday 2009 launch. The intriguing part of this whole shebang is that there appear to be "options" for the game's release, and the analysts aren't too pleased with the inevitable decline in Guild Wars' business. So, could we see the game earlier than next winter? Maybe next summer? Possibly, just possibly.
November sales data: Mac desktops down, laptops strong
The NPD data for November retail sales have arrived, and the news is not that cheery: year-over-year Mac sales were flat last month, while Windows PC sales grew 7 percent over 2007's total. Desktops on both platforms got hammered, with 20% drops across both platforms -- Windows machines down 15% and Mac desktop sales down a dramatic 38%. Some of this may be attributable to the long-idle Mac mini (soon to be refreshed, we hear), static feature set of the iMac, and reduced purchasing of Mac Pros and iMacs by education and corporate customers, but consumer buying is clearly down for the desktop. The tables are turned on the portable side: year over year, Mac laptop sales grew 22 percent for November vs. a Windows increase of 15%. This is good news for Apple's refreshed portables as customers do seem to be taking to the unibody models. It's not clear from the report whether the blossoming netbook category, which includes a sizable chunk of machines shipped with a flavor of Linux, counts entirely as Windows laptop sales or if it's chopped up by the shipping OS -- I'll try to find out. Update: NPD tells me that the Linux netbooks were included in the Windows sales number, but those configurations didn't make a material difference to retail sales. Did your microeconomic purchasing plans for year's end get derailed by the macroeconomic circumstances? Let us know below.
DS releases for the week of November 24th
This week, Japan gets what we desperately want -- another dose of Professor Layton -- but the pain of that is mitigated somewhat by Chrono Trigger and the rest of the North American lineup. Not a bad holiday week all in all! As ever, we're curious what you might be picking up now, and what you're interested in for later. Age of Empire: Mythologies All Star Cheer Squad Chrono Trigger Chrysler Classic Racing Cradle of Rome Emma in the Mountains Imagine: Gymnast Neopets Puzzle Adventure Personal Trainer: Cooking Syberia
DS releases for the week of November 17th
From big name releases like Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades to kids' games, at this point, the releases just aren't going to slow down. Everyone wants a piece of the holiday pie, even -- or perhaps especially -- in a flagging economy, but that just means a few agonizing decisions over what to buy. What will win for you this week? Bolt Cradle of Rome Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams Imagine: Ballet Star Imagine: Movie Star Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine Luminous Arc 2 Metal Slug 7 Need for Speed Undercover Petz Catz Clan Petz Monkeyz House Petz Rescue: Endangered Paradise Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Robocalypse Rune Factory 2 Skate It Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff Tomb Raider Underworld Tony Hawk's Motion/Hue Pixel Painter Ultimate Band Winter Sports 2: The Next Challenge
DS releases for the week of November 10th
Lots of games out this week that may have dropped off your radar, like Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff and Populous DS. If you like a wide variety of games, this one may be tough for you: there's a lot of different things out this week, and unfortunately, they all cost money. That one always gets us in the end.Europe is just now getting Dementium: The Ward? We'd feel bad, but you guys also have Flower, Sun, and Rain this week, so mainly, we're just jealous. Amazing Adventures: The Forgotten Ruins Avatar - The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno Call of Duty: World at War futureU: The Prep Game for SAT Guinness World Records: The Videogame Hello Kitty Daily My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr National Geographic Panda Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Pony Friends: Mini Breeds Edition Populous DS Sally's Salon Six Flags Fun Park Star Wars The Clone Wars: Jedi Alliance Tecmo Bowl: Kickoff TrackMania DS Winx Club: Mission Enchantix WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals
DS releases for the week of November 3rd
If you need a game, this week's for you. While we can't vouch for the quality of all the releases (or even, uh, half), but we can say one thing: there's a lot of 'em. And by a lot, we mean dozens. Well, if you add up all the regions, anyway. Look, don't get technical. It's a lot. See for yourself.As an aside, after seeing this week's releases, we should stop crying about not having any more Professor Layton -- the first title is only just now being released in Europe! And what's up with Korg DS-10? It's been turning up on releases for a while. Maybe we'll actually see it this week. Army Men: Soldiers of Misfortune Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Snow Princess Dragonball: Origins Exit DS futureU: The Prep Game for SAT Goosebumps HorrorLand Guitar Rock Tour Hello Kitty Daily Imagine: Interior Designer Imagine: Wedding Designer James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace Korg DS-10 Little Red Riding Hood's Zombie BBQ Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Monster Lab My Baby Boy My Baby Girl Petz Dogz Pack Pony Friends: Mini Breeds Edition Princess on Ice Real Soccer 2009 Theresia Tom Clancy's EndWar Winx Club: Mission Enchantix Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals
Breakfast Topic: The month of the Lich King
It's November, the onset of the cool months, the time when winter's chill begins its fast approach. In less than two weeks, the World of Warcraft will be transformed completely with the arrival of one of the most anticipated games of the year. We've been given a teaser through the game-changing Echoes of Doom, but most of the good stuff is in Northrend. It's an entire new continent with more quests, more mobs to kill, ten more levels, and one totally badass bad guy we eventually need to kill.There will be midnight launches all over the United States and select countries all over the world. Some of you have already pre-ordered, some will be lining up at the stores, while a few will wait out the initial rush of players who will be needing a bigger boat. Are you excited? How are you playing the game these last few days of The Burning Crusade? Are there things you wish to accomplish before Northrend opens up? Like reach Level 70, maybe? Well, you have about two weeks. Get hopping. The weather's about to get really cold.
The best of WoW Insider: September 23-30, 2008
As you can see, Warcraft's heroes look a little different lately -- both Varian Wrynn (the missing king of Stormwind, who hasn't been seen since the game started) is looking heroic and back on the throne, and Sylvanas Windrunner, queen of the Forsaken players, has a new hot look as well. Varimathas ("You think you can match the might of a Dreadlord?") is the victim of a bug, though -- he's just a placeholder graphic for now. For more beta changes and strangness, hit up WoW Insider -- we're on the home stretch to the WoW expansion, and we've got everything you need to know. News Spoiler: Angrathar, the Wrath GateDon't click that link if you don't want the story ruined, but s. is about to hit the f. in Northrend. if you know what we mean. Ask a Beta Tester: Multi-passenger mounts and EnchantingOur beta tester (one of them) answers your questions about what's going on in the Wrath of the Lich King beta. New items for old HonorBlizzard's about to wipe all Honor and marks off the map, so here's what they're offering to let you buy before everything goes bye-bye. Shaman changes in Wrath beta build 8982Class tweaks are coming faster than ever near the end of the beta, and our class columnists are keeping you updated on what's going on. Boss models updated in Wrath betaFinally, Sylvanas looks like the badass Blood Elf Banshee Queen she's supposed to be. Features First Impressions: 5-man healing in the betaWhat it's like to keep a group up in Northrend. Skill Mastery: Mind SearA look at an Area of Effect ability coming to Shadow Priests, Breakfast Topic: The last week of BrewfestThe in-game holiday of drunken Dwarves is almost over -- did you get your Brew of the Month membership yet? WoW Insider's preview of PopCap Games' Bejeweled addonHere's a first look at PopCap's official Bejeweled addon -- one addictive game inside another. Will Wrath really be ready by November 13th?Blizzard, a company known for polish, is still not done with some of Wrath. Will the game come out unfinished?
Gamestop listing for "WorldofWarcraft Gaming Mouse"
We got sent this picture by a rogue Gamestop employee -- he says he found a listing in their computer not only for the upcoming Zboards for Warhammer and Wrath of the Lich King, but as you can see, there's also a listing for a "WorldofWarcraft Gaming Mouse." There's no company listed, so we don't know who might be making it, and no other features are listed except the price, which stands at a hefty $99.00. There have been WoW mice available in China for a while, but with the price on this one, we're guessing it'll be a little less colorful and a little more "professional." Hey, if it's got extra buttons on it to help me level up fishing, I'll give it a look.Our tipster also says it's listed as a November release date, and as you can see above, it looks like we can expect it around November 3rd (a week before Wrath's release). If your mouse is looking a little old and busted lately, and you've got some of that tax refund check still sitting around waiting to be spent, it could be just the thing to help you run around Northrend.Update: Intrepid commenter Folinger found a cache of a Gamestop page for the mouse -- apparently it's also from Ideazon, and comes adorned with WoW art and 15 programmable buttons. Hopefully one of them will help me with my current goal of powerleveling fishing.
November NPD: Holy holidays, Batman!
Between the holiday demand and perhaps the influence of a few particularly sweet bundles, sales of the DS Lite tripled in November in the U.S. Yes, folks, that's like taking a Lite and turning it into Lite-Lite-Lite. Oh, and it must be said -- we're back on top, as well. But with 1.5 million units sold, how could we not be? Not only is the DS in demand, but it's actually available. We hear that's a huge plus.On a hilarious side note, no DS games made it into the top ten in sales. It's all about the hardware. Or maybe there are just so many games from which you may choose (though you wouldn't know it from our tastes) that no one game managed to crawl to the top. DS Lite: 1.53m 1.07m (234%) Wii: 981K 462K (89%) Xbox 360: 770K 404K (110%) PSP: 567K 281K (98%) PS2: 496K 312K (169%) PS3: 466K 345K (285%) Oh, yeah. Everyone else did okay, too.
