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Calling All Cars preview overview... that works, right?
Well, we last spoke of David Jaffe's Calling All Cars game sometime last week. He was going to show the build to 1UP and like someone who keeps his word, he did just that. What did they think? What did they learn? We're going to talk about just that. But we'll say this: they had fun and that's a good sign.The premise of the game is fairly simple: choose a car, knock other cars out of your way (either bumping or weaponry works -- more on that in a bit), nab the criminal and port him off to the nearest prison drop-off. Bam! You receive points. There are other ways to get points, like nailing a helicopter or a paddy wagon instead of the regular prison drop-off point. Most points at the end of the game wins, just like golf! I always win at golf.Weaponry is a good assist when it comes to knocking your rivals out of commission. They're one-time use items, but they get the job done. First up is the Hammer: it's short-range and you can imagine what it does. If the car subject to your attack has a criminal inside, he'll pop right out. Next is the Magnet: it's medium-range and seems to suck the criminal right out of a car nearby. Handy. Lastly is the Missile: you can figure it out. Jaffe claims each weapon has defensive abilities too, but the 1UP staff didn't understand his hints. Like we said earlier: there's probably a rock-paper-scissors effect (magnet attracts missile, missile stops hammer, hammer crushes magnet is what this clever blogger is assuming). There's a bit more coverage about the game, but it's just the control scheme and their final impressions -- all positive. We're looking forward to this one![via 1UP.com]
WarHawk -- destined to go the free demo route a la Gran Turismo HD? [update 1]
This is a rumor, so let's not get out our pitchforks and torches yet, you crazy radical radicals! Seriously, the site originating/reporting on this rumor is called the Rumor Reporter. Anyway, it should still be considered, since the game, WarHawk, has had absolutely new news since that demo from way back when at that whatever show. You know the one. You also know our rule of thumb regarding these rumors: an anonymous source from high up in whatever says, etc etc.WarHawk has stalled completely in development. Infighting and lack of direction led to a halt of the game... but... only as a major retail release. There are still plans for taking what's been done on the game, finishing up whatever loose ends exist currently, and releasing the title as a download at the PS-Store. There has been a little controversy on this, as David Jaffe refutes this rumor, but only refutes the idea WarHawk will never be completed, not that it won't turn into a PS-Store item. Take this as you will, but if it's true, that's another high-profile title that's getting kicked between the legs and left to cry in the gutter. Sort of. We can still play it, eventually, either way.[update: Rumor Reporter ran a follow-up and it seems WarHawk for the PS3 is indeed turning into a PS-Store release, but will probably still feature 16-person online dogfights. Cool.]
More PS1 games announced for PSP
Gamasutra is reporting that Sony reps have confirmed the next PS1 titles that will be hitting the PlayStation Store. If racing fans didn't like the last offering, then this one should really excite them since the update will include both Wipeout and Jet Moto. Sony didn't give a firm release for the titles, but I'm betting by the end of next week or the start of the following week these games will be playable on your PSP. For those who are unsure of how to get these PS1 games on your PSP, right now the only method is to own a PS3 and buy them off the PlayStation Store. Sony has said eventually there will be another solution in place for PSP owners, but when people like myself are insane enough to buy a PS3 just for this functionality, they may take their time unlocking the feature.[Update 1: Changed the incorrect PSP to PS3]
David Jaffe's Calling All Cars is running smoothly, like a new car...
God of War mastermind David Jaffe has to keep busy between now and the release of God of War 2, so he's been working on a few independent projects. The first project, known only as Heartland, was cancelled. His other project, Calling All Cars, which is a PlayStation Store downloadable title (coming soon) has been rolling along nicely. All the tuning is apparently complete and Jaffe is going to let the folks over at 1up look it over this week.The game itself is a sort of nonlinear cops and robbers type game (from what I read, at least) with a multitude of cars to choose from. There are three different types of weapons to choose from for your car and if memory serves, each weapon acts as a sort of rock, paper, scissors deal -- one overpowers another, but is vulnerable to the third. It seems like a really fun game and would be a welcome addition to the original titles sitting in the PS-Store. We'll keep an eye out to see how the critics react to the game!Side note: David Jaffe looks cold. Lucky. I wish it would snow here in Athens.
Rumor: Warhawk to become PS3 download [update 2]
Rumor Reporter has confirmed that Incognito's Warhawk is the subject of the site's ominous story posted early this morning. An anonymous source working on the title has allegedly told Rumor Reporter that development has "stalled completely." Supposed "infighting and lack of clear direction" have led to a swelling budget; in turn, prompting layoffs and employee migration.SCEA has apparently brought in a new director who may be considering a significant change of direction for Warhawk. What was once a high profile title (the first to utilize functioning Sixaxis motion control), may now become a simple downloadable game. Rumor Reporter suggests that Warhawk's four complete missions could be destined for PlayStation Store. Another Gran Turismo HD? Perhaps. But, for now, this is strictly rumor.We did contact Sony for a statement. Here's the predictable reply: "We haven't made any official announcements regarding Warhawk since last year. At this time, we have nothing new to report regarding this title."Update 1: David Jaffe weighs in on the rumor; here and here. [Thanks, Kiel & Robert]Update 2: New info from Rumor Reporter.
Apple TV: games or no games?
We're confused about Apple's plans for games on their new Apple TV device. Marketing copy running across the top of the official "Apple TV" website promises "If it's on iTunes, it's on TV," yet small, grey text at the bottom of the screen takes that promise back: "iPod games will not play on Apple TV." Further confusion results from the image at right, showing a screenshot of a Harris Poll administered back in October in which consumers were asked what sort of content they might like to purchase for an Apple TV device. Games are listed. Is the absence of gaming from Apple TV an indication that poll respondents showed little interest in games? Is the absence of gaming due to technical limitations that might be fixed in future versions of Apple TV hardware? Is the absence of gaming an indication that iPod gaming itself might not be faring so well in the iTunes marketplace? (EA's embrace of iTunes gaming indicates otherwise.) Whatever the case may be, it looks like consumers will have to stick to their latest-gen consoles if they want to play inexpensive, digitally downloaded games from the couch... for now.
A few new PS-Store things to look into
All right, Sony snuck up and pulled the rug right out from under us again. This time, they present to us a downloadable costume pack for Genji and a classic title for the PSP, Rally Cross. It's Rally Cross, right? Memory is failing and, well, not really up for turning the PS3 back on. We'll assume that's right. Which it is. For those tightening their purse strings, we regret to inform one of these do in fact cost a coin or two. Or six bucks. It's not too much to pay for the PSP game, but the costume pack? Luckily, it's free. Enjoy.Anyway, we're all still waiting with our feet firmly planted on another rug to get swept off our feet by that dashing Sony fellow. These little things are nice, guys, but... how about another PS3 game? March is getting closer, true, but seriously. If PS3 games were water, we'd all be dead from dehydration. We'll just have to suck it up and wait for the big "second release"... no offense, those of you in Europe. You guys will practically have an overload of games to look into and we'll be scarfing them up like curs fighting over some filet mignon. Or two homeless guys fighting over a block of cheese.
Another PS1 racer comes to PSP
Rally Cross was just added to the Playstation Store and you can download it to your PSP through your PS3. Don't have a PS3? Well like a Sony exec, I'll tell you to go find a friend who has one and use them for it. Rally Cross goes for the usual price of $5.99, Sony operators are standing by!
Classic Midway madness to invade the PS-Store
Mortal Kombat II, Gauntlet II, Joust, Rampage World Tour, Rampart, Championship Sprint. Any of these titles ring any bells? They should -- they're all classic Midway arcade games and they're all coming to the PlayStation Store, eventually. See, Midway and Sony agreed to release the six games throughout the year. The first is hitting virtual shelves sometime early in 2007, so probably in the next week or two we'll see one of the above titles for download.The interesting thing about these titles is they all support offline and online multiplayer options. Sony picked these six titles specifically for their unique online offerings. This should bring some really fun old-school arcade-like challenges to online matches. Can you imagine trying to get the high score for MK2 posted when the masters of the game are wandering the internet fighting people? Awesome. No price quotes yet, but heck, these should prove to be fun downloads.
GripShift and Jumping Flash available on the PSN!
Well, seems they changed something in the PlayStation Store after a good friend and my 3 A.M. Resistance bout ended. What's so different? No, not the logo... it's not the color of the store, either... oh my goodness! Two more games to enjoy! The elation is not unwarranted -- one is a fairly celebrated PSP cross-genre title, GripShift, and the other is long celebrated as the very first fully 3-D platformer (and consisting of a robotic rabbit aptly named Robbit), Jumping Flash.The demo for GripShift is free -- so we're currently downloading it now to try it out. Feel free to leave any feedback you may have for the title here. Also feel free to talk about how much, or how little, Jumping Flash has aged since its original inception. Good stuff, Sony! Keep cranking out these downloadable titles and we'll have a sufficient online library of games in no time at all.[thanks to those who sent this in!]
Trick Sony, download Tekken 5
GamersReports has posted a workaround for PlayStation 3 owners eager to download Tekken 5.Unless you're living in Hong Kong or Japan you're forced to wait until Sony gets around to releasing Tekken 5 in other territories ... or you could cheat the system. This trick is relatively simple, if not inherently dishonest: Create a new user (not sub-user) When entering the credit card info, pick Hong Kong as country, and then a corresponding city After account is created, select 'Add Funds' (a sub-option within 'Account Management') Add $40 (Hong Kong dollars) to your 'Wallet' twice (total should now be 80 HKD); never add more than $50 in one transaction, as this will prompt a validation of the address registered with the credit card Now go to the PlayStation Store and select Tekken 5 Opt to add more funds (bringing Wallet total to 125 HKD) Purchase and download Tekken 5 Sony is no doubt taking measures to lock out this workaround as you read this. Act now if you must. Our advice: sit patient and wait for the official worldwide releases.
Tekken appears on PS3 with more features, for less money
I reported earlier that Tekken: Dark Resurrection would appear on PlayStation 3 as a downloadable title via the PlayStation Store. It looks like the game's finally out... in Japan. The monstrous 830MB download features all the functionality of the PSP version of the game, such as ghost battling, but now comes in glorious 1080P full-HD. To add insult to injury, there's multiplayer included (no need for multiple machines and discs!), and the cost: a measly 2000 yen ($17).Some of you disagreed with my prediction that the PS3 version would be cheaper. Looks like Sony's trend is to release PSP games... and then make them better and cheaper on the PS3. Does that sound fair to you?[Via Joystiq]
Our most wanted PSone games
We have faith that one day, the PlayStation Store will be accessible via PSP without the need for a PS3, and will flourish into a glorious realm of classic games, one that will be untouched by the competition. Of course, homebrew users will rip their own games ... but for the rest of us, this is my personal wishlist of PSone games that I'd like to see available for download.
DVD players finally more common than VCRs
The DVD celebrated its 10-year anniversary this fall, but DVD players have only just this week surpassed VHS players in number, according to a survey by Nielsen Media Research, as reported by the New York Times. Because Microsoft and Sony have entangled gaming in a new format war, we often blog on the HD-DVD versus Blu-ray debate that began this year. If DVD took ten years to reach this important milestone, how long will it take one of the new formats to "win," considering that the DVD didn't have to battle against a rival format? In 2016, won't the whole idea of physical distribution of digital content seem rather archaic? Will the DVD last long enough to bridge the gap to the all-digital utopia, or will we need a stopgap format like Blu-ray or HD-DVD? Nobody knows, but we do know that so long as games like fl0w and Geometry Wars exist, Luddite gamers can rest easy knowing that there will be at least some very good games that don't require a $200 gamble on stopgap formats.
PSOne to PSP transfer/install problem fixed?
This is an observation from a reader, but when any of you downloaded the first wave of PSOne to PSP games, did it take a long time? Chances are yes, yes it did. After firmware 1.32, however, we've received a few e-mails regarding a great increase in transfer speed. Installing games on the PSP initially took around twenty minutes, but with the release of MediEvil, some are claiming the process only takes a matter of minutes. This bodes well for the friendliness of the online service -- they are striving to make things convenient for us and not waste our time, waiting and waiting and... you get the idea. Cool stuff if it's true. Sadly, this intrepid blogger doesn't have a PSP (he doesn't take a back seat in road trips to get use out of handhelds anymore), so he can't test the validity of these claims. If you've experienced such improvements, drop us a comment and be glad Sony is starting to appear like they're listening to what we want.
Medievil appears on Sony's battered PlayStation Store
While Japan enjoys a healthy addition of PSone games to the PlayStation Store, including Dino Crisis and R-Type, Americans are left with Medievil, a questionable-at-best addition to the store. Why, you ask? Didn't they already make a PSP remake of this game? It seems like Sony has to stop giving us games that already have PSP-exclusive sequels and remakes available.This paltry update to the PSone library certainly doesn't make me want to jump and down and celebrate. However, for the sake of Retro Reviews, I would've downloaded it... if it was possible. The PlayStation Network is being hammered right now, most likely in preparation of the hotly-anticipated Gran Turismo HD demo.[Thanks, sean! Via PS3 Fanboy]
Even more stuff to download from the PS-Store
Is PS-Store too difficult to say? Sound like a greeting card company, just a little bit? It's easier to type than PlayStation Store, so it's sticking here. Join the bandwagon if you'd like, just make sure you can play an instrument in a moving vehicle. What are we talking about? Oh, stuff to download. As some of you may know by now, if you've surfed the PS-Store in the last day or so, another classic PlayStation title has popped up for your PSP-enjoyment. That title is MediEvil, which is a lot of fun for sure, but it's still just one measly game. More, please! Also, we can't remember for the life of us, but was that Resistance demo always there? If not, that's new.Here's a little tip if you want to download some other stuff not available in the American stores. Make a new account and say you're in Hong Kong. Bam! New stuff in the PS-Store, but it's in english! There's a lot of GTHD video clips, a demo for Ridge Racer 7, and the Japanese PSP titles we've loved so much more than our own. Enjoy that.[thanks, Colin!]
New PSOne downloads in Japan, new PSP firmware everywhere
Sony has dropped nine more PSOne games into Japan's PlayStation Store. The process is still tedious, the files still only playable on PSP (and only downloadable with a PlayStation 3). A new PSP firmware update (v3.03) is required to play the newest oldies; and although the update is available for all to install, it's useless to those outside of Japan -- or those in Japan without access to PS3's PlayStation Network.Here's a rundown of the PSOne games you won't be playing on your PSP today: Dino Crisis Gekitotsu Toma L'Arc: L'Arc-en-Ciel vs Tomarunner Global Force: Shin Sentou Kokka Migi Hadari U-SA Migi Hadari USA Mr. Driller R-Type Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure Taiyou no Shippo: Wild, Pure, Simple Life The Conveni: Anomachi o Dokusenseyo
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More PS-One games hit the PS-Store in Japan
Damn! Japan gets all the good games in the PlayStation Store (no offense to the ones available to anyone not in Japan). These games will go live on 12/21, which is to say, tomorrow. Let's take a peek: R-Types Taiyo no Shippo U-SA Dino Crisis Gekisou Tomaranna Global Force Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime Mr. Driller A really long Japanese hamster simulation game title Maybe we spoke too soon about all the good games... but, R-Types, Dino Crisis and Mr. Driller! Can we then safely assume we'll also be getting some new titles in the near future? Maybe not in time for Christmas but perhaps the New Year, since the last US batch arrived later than the Japanese titles, but we'll get some more soon. We'd bet a match on Resistance. Now then... when will we be able to download these and play them on the PS3, as opposed to the PSP? C'mon, Sony!
Lemmings & Sudoku appear on PS3 store
PlayStation Store's downloadable PlayStation 3 games catalogue doubled yesterday with the arrival of Lemmings and Go! Sudoku. These aren't exactly huge blips on the radar, but it's good to see Sony adding content, even if it's a sporadic effort.The updated version of Lemmings, trying players' leadership skills across 50+ levels, is being offered for $2.99 $5.99; the basic Sudoku package tops that. It's free. Additional puzzle packs (bundled by difficulty) are $2.99 a pop. The number of puzzles per pack has not yet been verified, but Sony hopes to offer roughly 1,000 grid variations in all.
