q1-2011
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New Rhythm Heaven, Fatal Frame games announced for Wii
Nintendo's conference today wasn't all about the 3DS. The publisher has also announced new DS and Wii titles. Mistwalker's The Last Story was given a January 27 release date, but more excitingly, two new Wii sequels were announced -- one for the GBA/DS Rhythm Heaven series, and one for Zero, known here as Fatal Frame. Both games are scheduled for 2011 releases, and screens of both are available in our galleries.%Gallery-103585%%Gallery-103584%
Nintendo 3DS available February 26 in Japan, priced at 25,000 yen
The Nintendo 3DS will be released in Japan on February 26, 2011 with a 25,000 yen ($299) price point. Nintendo officially unveiled the launch details at an event today in Tokyo. The final design differs noticeably from the E3 version only in the analog slider, which is now no longer color-matched to the hardware. Speaking of colors, the 3DS will launch in Japan in "Aqua Blue" and "Cosmo Black." Several "AR Games" (Augmented Reality) will be pre-loaded on the hardware, as will a new Mii Plaza for Miis collected using the passive communication "Tag Mode." Other downloaded apps can be stored on 2GB of flash memory. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said that a Western release would occur later. Probably before March 31, as per Reggie Fils-Aime's prediction.
LittleBigPlanet 2 delayed until Jan. 2011
Sony-owned studio Media Molecule has announced that LittleBigPlanet 2 will miss its original November 2010 release date and arrive sometime during January 2011. Writing on the official website, the development team expressed disappointment, but deemed the extra time necessary to deliver "the experience that our great fans and community deserve." "We've all been working like powered-up space ninjas and we're almost there, but because we love what we've made, and we love our little sack-friends, and most of all we love all our fans out there, we couldn't let you all get together until we knew we were giving you the best experience imaginable." Considering the complexity seen in some of the game types and levels in the LBP2 beta so far, fans can clearly imagine some impressive experiences already. We'll see you next year, Sackboy. [Update: We'll see you on January 18, to be precise.]
Magicka trailer adorably announces game's delay
Few games have announced their own delays as cheerfully as Arrowhead Game Studios' Magicka. The latest trailer for the game -- the first we've seen in many moons -- tells a cute tale about why it's been pushed to "Q1 2011," alongside a handful of gameplay clips. See for yourself below the fold.
TimeGate judges Section 8: Prejudice ready for debut, 'early 2011' release
TimeGate Studios has just announced a sequel to its multiplayer-focused 2009 multiplatform FPS, Section 8. Titled Section 8: Prejudice, the game -- destined for yet-unknown platforms, though the original hit PC, 360 and PS3 -- is targeted for an "early 2011" release. Based on the first trailer (which you can find after the break), we're looking at new abilities, locations and weaponry. The title, as the clip's narrator so gruffly puts it, comes from the fact that in the game's universe, wars are being fought based on -- wait for it -- prejudice. In this universe, we do our best to combat prejudice through tolerance, understanding and generally not pre-judging people. We don't need fancy power-armor, though it's admittedly pretty damn cool.
Killzone 3 wrecking Helghast shop on February 22, 2011
PlayStation Blog has announced a February 22, 2011 North American release date for Killzone 3, the fourth installment in Guerrilla Games' FPS series (we know, we still find that confusing too). For those of you keeping score, that's almost two years to the day after the release of Killzone 2. We guess the last week of Feburary holds some kind of secret significance to the Amsterdam-based developer. If you happen to be attending the Penny Arcade Expo at the moment, you can get your hands on the game much, much sooner -- a playable 8-on-8 multiplayer demo is currently set up at Sony's booth on the PAX show floor.
Plants vs. Zombies taking root on DS January 2011
This January, you'll be able to play Plants vs. Zombies on two screens without running two simultaneous games on your iPhone and computer. PopCap Games revealed plans today to publish the tower yard defense game on DS in January of next year, at a suggested $19.95 price point. The DS version will have all the content of the original release, "as well as new and exclusive game content." The DS port of Peggle added entirely new, entirely weird levels under the existing levels, but there's no telling how extensive or insane the additions to Plants vs. Zombies will be.
Lenovo sees $54.9 million net profit in Q1 earnings, hits double digits in global market share
Look out, world -- Lenovo's on a serious tear, and it doesn't look to be stopping anytime soon. In the company's latest earnings report, it proudly announced its first-ever double digital market share of 10.2 percent. As if that milestone wasn't enough to make upper management grin, the outfit also nailed down just under $55 million in net income (a pre-tax income of $75 million) on sales of $5.1 billion. This quarter also marks the third in a row that it has been the fastest growing of the top five PC makers, and the fifth consecutive quarter that it outgrew the industry. Specifically, the outfit's PC shipments increased some 48.1 percent year-over-year, and consolidated sales for its fiscal Q1 saw an insane 49.6 percent uptick from last year. As of now, things are looking mighty rosy for Lenovo, and it just seems logical for the company to revive the Skylight in celebration. Who's with us?
The Sims Medieval will be in stock at retailers March 2011
We are now less in the dark about the Dark Ages version of The Sims. During its Gamescom 2010 presentation, EA announced a March 2011 release date for The Sims Medieval. This iteration of the mega-popular life adds more than the poor plumbing and widespread illiteracy of the age: it also adds quest-based gameplay that allows you to gradually expand your kingdom with the help of a user-created "hero."%Gallery-99636%
Dragon Age 2 arrives March 8 in US, March 11 in Europe
Dragon Age 2 has been given a March 8 release date for the US and March 11 in Europe at this morning's EA press conference at GamesCom. That's about one month late, according to the liner provided with Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening! GamesCom attendees will be among the first folks to get their hands on the game, as it's publicly available to try out at the event this week in Germany. With any luck, the PS3 folks who have yet to play BioWare's other epic RPG sequel -- Mass Effect 2 -- will be ready to move on to DA2 by the time March rolls around.
Mass Effect 2 out on PS3 January 2011
"I'm Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite announcement from Gamescom." The official reveal of Mass Effect 2 on PlayStation 3 comes after this morning's appearance of an Amazon listing for just that. The retailer's January 31 date matches with the official "January 2011" timeline given at the presentation. According to an EA press release, the PS3 version will include "hours of bonus content" (the existing DLC, perhaps?). BioWare's Dr. Ray Muzyka classified the announcement as "friggin' awesome," and we're inclined to agree. Check out the official reveal trailer and press release after the break.
SouthPeak publishing Stronghold 3 in early 2011
Update: SouthPeak has confirmed that Stronghold 3 will be released simultaneously online and at retail. SouthPeak Games and Firefly Studios hope you're ready to build a third, really strong building for ... um ... holding stuff, as the two companies announced this week that they'll be bringing out Stronghold 3 in "the first quarter of 2011." The game is said to feature an "improved building system" and new "dramatic nighttime sieges." The physics engine has also been given a refresh, with castles that "crumble into ruin before your eyes" -- hopefully not yours, of course! Stronghold 3 will get an "initial" digital-only release in early 2011, which SouthPeak says could be bolstered by a retail SKU. "A retail release is definitely not out of the question," the publisher said. "We want to deliver according to demand from the fans." So, what SouthPeak's saying is it depends on whether the game's digital release takes a strong enough hold on consumers' hearts, if you will? Ba-zing! %Gallery-99288%
Test Drive Unlimited 2 delayed until Q1 2011
Atari and Eden Games' Test Drive Unlimited 2 has pulled into the slow lane for now, with the open-world racer missing its September debut in favor of an "early 2011" launch. Consequently, the planned beta period has also been pushed back, although players who already signed up will apparently be rewarded with "exclusive in-game content" when the final game arrives (and they'll still participate in the multiplayer test drive). According to a message posted on the official website for Test Drive Unlimited 2, the delay will allow Eden Games to apply "a few extra months of polish" and ensure "that we deliver a robust and reliable online service from the day we go live." The new beta dates are expected to be announced "shortly."
Double Fine's second THQ game coming in early 2011
Yesterday, Double Fine and THQ announced Costume Quest, the first downloadable project in a two-game deal, due this Halloween. According to THQ, the unnamed second project is a third-person adventure and is "scheduled to be released in early 2011." It's not clear whether this game (one of four "smaller" games from Double Fine) comes from the mind of Lee Petty, Nathan Martz, or Brad Muir -- the other three developers listed during Double Fine head Tim Schafer's talk at Develop -- but we've asked THQ for clarification. Given what we know about the three other titles, the unnamed game could be anything from "sort of retro but also new" (Petty's) to one that "focuses on gameplay mechanics" (Muir's). Frankly, we can't imagine why anyone would base a whole game on the lives of gameplay mechanics. Do they just come in and fix your gameplay?
Need for Speed: Shift 2 crossing finish line in early 2011
Another Need for Speed game entering the world is, at this point, less like the birth of a child and more like locating a new star. Sure, we're going to name it, but there's no need to Skype your Gram-Gram about it. It is in this spirit that we soberly yet respectfully report that a new star, NFS-2332, has been discovered in an EA financial report. It's being commonly referred to as Need for Speed: Shift 2 by scientists, and it's slated to crash into Earth between January and March of 2011, as rumored early last month. (Sorry, we didn't consider how horrifying that would sound when we started the analogy). Though we can assume the sequel will keep to the simmier aspects of its predecessor, we know diddly else about the title at the moment. Here's hoping an ongoing EA earnings call sheds some light.
Crysis 2 falls to 2011 in EA financial report
Crytek's apocalyptic FPS appears to have slipped into next year. Although previously planned as a "holiday" release (Q4 2010), EA's latest financial report places Crysis 2 in the first quarter of 2011 (January–March). Barring any further changes, Crysis 2 joins a rather crowded lineup for early 2011, including EA's own Dead Space 2, Bulletstorm, Darkspore, Fight Night Champion, and the newly confirmed Need for Speed: Shift 2. It appears next year's first quarter will be just as hectic as this year's was. EA may offer further insight into the delay during its investor call, happening now. Stay tuned for updates.
Left 4 Dead's 'Tank' figure unveiled, busting through bank accounts
We've got some mixed emotions about the just revealed Tank mini-statue (statuette just doesn't seem fitting for a giant terrifying zombie), created by Gaming Heads for Valve. Sure, its detail is marvelous and it comes with a totally sweet, albeit miniature, pump-action shotgun, but it's also 325 real-life actual dollars for the "exclusive edition". At 15 inches tall, you'd better have a real special place in your heart (and in your house, preferably a cage) to shell out that kind of cash. If you'd like to save yourself a bit of money, there's a less-exclusive version (limited to a run of 750) for $300, but unfortunately it comes with no mini pump-action shotgun. And frankly, we both know that's completely unacceptable. How else will you fight off the little monster when he goes after your throat? Hmmm? Interested parties will be glad to know that orders appear to be open as of right now, though the statue won't be set free until "Q1 2011."
Nikkei: Sony enters the black in fiscal Q1, game division turns a profit
According to a report from Japanese newspaper Nikkei (translated by Andriasang), Sony will be reporting its fiscal 2011 first quarter results (April 1 through June 30) in the coming days, posting an operating profit somewhere between 10 billion ($114.63 million) and 30 billion yen ($343.89 million). Among the factors contributing to Sony's reported profits was the games division, apparently achieving as much through "cost-cutting measures." If this report is accurate, the company will be improving year-over-year profits by anywhere from $382.63 to $611.89 million -- not to mention enjoying a rare, profitable quarter for the gaming division. Sony refused to comment on the report, and the company's official release and conference call won't take place until this coming Thursday.
Breach delayed until January 2011
It seems alleged Breach code thief Justin May could have gotten a sneakier peek than even he would have expected. Atomic Games has just announced that its XBLA shooter won't arrive this summer as previously announced, but rather in January of 2011. Though Atomic says the game is finished now, the company missed Breach's originally slated June date, and the XBLA schedule was apparently just too full to slip it in any sooner than January. In the interim, the developer will be adding a "Hardcore" mode, which is apparently lifted from more realistic versions of the game that outside organizations commissioned for training purposes. Well, you're welcome, Jack Thompson. %Gallery-88941%
Updated 'God Eater Burst' out in North America and Europe in 2011
D3 Publisher no longer plans to release God Eater in North America or Europe. But it's all right, because we're going to get the updated version of the action RPG, God Eater Burst, instead. Now scheduled for a first-quarter release in North America next year and for an unspecified date in 2011 in Europe (published by Namco Bandai), God Eater Burst includes "more than twice the number of missions in the original God Eater," along with a new "Burst Mode" that can be used to temporarily power up characters' "Devouring Attacks." "If you've ever wondered what a god tastes like," the press release teases, "you won't have to wait long to find out." And we thought it was just a clever name!
