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The Daily Grind: What genres will never work as an MMO?
Lately we've begun to see the shooter genre creep into the massively multiplayer online game space. Titles like Global Agenda and All Points Bulletin are both equal parts shooter and MMO. Assuming the trend continues, we'll probably see more shooter MMOs in the coming years -- potentially even other genres, too. Obviously, this makes most of us wonder what other genres could hit the MMO scene. But, what we really want to know is which combinations you think are lost causes. Will there ever be a successful MMORTS? If not, why? Would anyone even want to play an MMO version of a fighting or racing game? The mind reels at the possibilities.
Packard Bell Dot VR46 gets the endorsement of Valentino Rossi, nobody else
Wow. You know a product's reached its tipping point when the only way to freshen it up is to go ultra-glossy and get a celebrity to spill some inspired paint upon it. Valentino Rossi, for those of you who don't know, is a nine-time motorcycle racing champion, which means he's not suffering from impaired vision and therefore lacks a valid excuse for the abomination above. Internal specs aren't yet finalized, not that they really matter, though you'd be safe to look at Acer's current lineup and cherrypick a suitable set of components. If you've been a bad boy or girl today and feel the need to be punished, there are two more snappy snaps of the VR46 after the break. [Thanks, Sal]
Criterion Games takes us on a tour of Burnout Paradise's Big Surf Island
Criterion Games has released the latest Crash TV episode looking at Burnout Paradise's upcoming DLC, Big Surf Island. In their classic style, the guys and gals at Criterion have given us a very in-depth look at the new content, showing off the new Criterion Dust Storm car, and even a building that one of the game's fans won the chance to name (he named it after his son, Taylor). Head past the break to check out Big Surf Island.
Sega gives Japan a Hummer (or three)
The average size of a Hummer vehicle can comfortably fit the confines of an arcade in it, that much we know. So, it's only fitting that the huge, monstrous automobiles would be recreated as huge, monstrous arcade cabinets for the Japanese public in Hummer, an arcade racer from Sega.It's not just a classy ride for Japanese arcade aficionados, either. The cabinet will rock back and forth while you play, and features modified H1, H2, and H3s for multiplayer racing for up to 8 participants. Of course, what the official site doesn't tell you is that each race only last 15 seconds before you run out of gas.[Via Kotaku]
Wii Fanboy Review: High Voltage Hot Rod Show
High Voltage Software's High Voltage Hot Rod Show is an arcade racer fetching 1,000 Wii Points on WiiWare. Is it worth that price? How fun is it? These questions, and more, are answered in our review past the break. %Gallery-34273%
Merry Christmas from WoW Insider!
It's Christmas Day today, so from all of us here at WoW Insider to you and yours, have a great and safe holiday, no matter where you are. Hopefully whatever you find under your tree, be it virtual or real, is exactly what you were hoping for.And don't forget that Winter's Veil presents go up ingame today as well -- the rumor going around is that it's a racecar (and who doesn't want a racecar, seriously), but the only way to find out is to head on into the capital cities and go look for Greatfather Winter's presents.As always, thanks for all you do for us -- your support throughout the year helps us deliver all the WoW news and views that we post every day. Posting will likely be a little light over the next few days, as our bloggers spend the holiday with their own families, but of course we'll be back soon with a brand new set of posts for you to come and unwrap every day.
High Voltage Hot Rod Show 'basically finished'
Even though it's the most recent High Voltage game to be revealed, there's a good chance High Voltage Hot Rod Show will beat both The Conduit and Animales de la Muerte to market. In an interview with WiiWare World, producer Josh VanVeld has revealed the game is "basically finished," and discussed the racer in quite a bit more detail.The games that influenced Hot Rod Show are enough to make us excited for the project; VanVeld namedrops the likes of R.C. Pro-Am, Micro Machines, and Racing Gears Advance (while criticizing the likes of Excite Truck and recent versions of Mario Kart for "losing some of their focus"). In Hot Rod Show, close quarters racing and the long-forgotten art of memorizing tracks will be the order of the day. Typically for a High Voltage game, loads of attention has been paid to the controls. VanVeld reports that we can use a horizontally positioned Wii Remote (as in Excite Truck), the Classic Controller, a GameCube controller, or add a Nunchuk and use the thumbstick for steering.After the disaster that was SPOGS Racing, there's definitely room on WiiWare for a cheap, well-made racer that can be enjoyed with friends (VanVeld says four-player splitscreen "could be the best experience you'll have with the game"); we can easily imagine High Voltage Hot Rod Show being that game. %Gallery-34273%
High Voltage announces new WiiWare racer
It would appear that High Voltage made a pretty penny or two from their last WiiWare release, Gyrostarr, as the company has announced they're working on a new game for WiiWare. Titled High Voltage Hot Rod Show, this game will be hitting WiiWare this fall and features a "unique stunt system" that gives players "multiple ways to build boost." The game will utilize the company's Quantum 3 engine technology and has support for up to 4 players via local split-screen, features 5 racers, and has 6 different tracks.After checking out the trailer above, be sure to hit up our gallery below, which has screens from the game, as well as some promo art and wallpapers!%Gallery-34273%
Wingnuts Moto Chaser also updated
I mentioned Super Monkey Ball this afternoon, but I neglected to mention Freeverse's update last week to Wingnuts Moto Racer -- now named Moto Chaser -- to version 1.1. The update adds new music tracks and pause functionality, as well as moves the "punch" button to the right side. The default difficulty setting is also lower. All the changes were made with feedback from users, with the exception of the name: that was due to an unspecified copyright issue. Our own Mike Schramm noted the app as one of his favorites for the iPhone. The updated Moto Chaser is now $5.99 for new users, and free for registered users. Freeverse lowered the price from $9.99. It's available in the App Store.
New Mario Kart tournament tasks you with avoiding the bananas [update]
This latest tournament (check out previous tournaments here) for Mario Kart Wii focuses on Diddy and Donkey Kong. And, as you might have guess from the images above, will take place on the track DK64 Jungle Park. There, you must avoid the bananas that both Donkey and Diddy Kong drop from atop their motorcycles. Sadly, there isn't any other info, so we assume you can use any control method you'd like for this one.The tournament starts today and ends on the 10th. Good luck!Update: Courtesy of WiiFolder, a video has been embedded past the break, to give you all a better idea of what to expect.%Gallery-20815%
System 3 drops Ferrari Challenge deets, first screens
Ferrari's rich historical connection with videogames alone is enough to make us curious about System 3's forthcoming Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, for which the first screenshots and further details appeared today.Even though the online mode has been confirmed as a PS3-only feature, the shots we've seen so far show promise, at least as far as 3D racers on the DS go. According to today's press release, the DS version of Ferrari Challenge will contain fifteen real-life tracks (including Italy's Mugello circuit), eight cars per race, fifty types of Ferrari, and, if this screen suggests what we think it suggests, wireless play. Thankfully, it doesn't control via a steering wheel plastered across the touchscreen, a la the awful Ridge Racer DS; instead, the touchscreen features a swanky dashboard interface.It's out soon, as well -- July in Europe; and during Q3 in North America. Rev into our gallery for your first look at the game!%Gallery-24804%[Via press release]
Ferrari Challenge motors onto the DS
Let's face it: you'll probably never drive a Ferrari in your lifetime (alas). Those of us in North America can't even have the satisfaction of driving one on a handheld -- not yet, at least. Thanks to a distribution deal with System 3, Activision is bringing Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli to the U.S. and Canada in Q3.Since this game is also coming out for the Wii, PS3, and PS2, the press release doesn't boast about the features of the DS version, sadly. We don't see why the DS game wouldn't include online multiplayer like some of its counterparts, though. Ferrari Challenge also features fifteen international circuits, which isn't too shabby.Hopefully the developers actually put time into the DS version (which releases in Australia and Europe on June 19th and 20th), as we can use some more fun racing games for our favorite handheld.Note: Image is from the PS3 version.
Wii Warm Up: Favorite tracks?
Okay, you've had some quality time with every Wii owner's latest obsession, Mario Kart Wii. Now that you've had ample time to play a few of the game's tracks repeatedly, we were hoping you wouldn't mind chiming in and telling us who's hot, and who's not, so to speak. Loving the newer tracks? Been enjoying some of the remakes? Weigh in!%Gallery-4772%
This is what taking Mario Kart online looks like
For those of you who don't want to settle for just some screenshots of the game's online menus, check out the video above. And, as you would imagine, the interface is slick (got to love that globe and player locator) and allows you to get your game on relatively easily. Oh boy, are we ever dying to get our hands on this!%Gallery-4772%
Revolutionary: This is Not the Star Wars You're Looking For
Every Tuesday, Mike Sylvester brings you REVOLUTIONARY, a look at the wide world of Wii possibilities. Ever since the motion sensing ability of the Wiimote was revealed, Star Wars fans have been pleading for a game that would let them live out their Jedi fantasies, swinging the Wiimote in command of an onscreen light saber. Well, Lucasarts recently announced that the Wii will be getting a version of the multiplatform title, The Force Unleashed, a game that's expected to fulfill all your fantasies of being an power-infused enforcer with a luminous sword. But Lucas & Co. haven't always given us just what we want. In 1999 they released the first chapter of the long-awaited Star Wars prequel trilogy, The Phantom Menace, to an audience that was expecting something more, well ... Star Wars-y. Jar Jar, midichlorians, and a pre-pubescent, mop-topped future-fascist didn't quite make for the hit we were hoping for, and the most exciting moment in the film was not a war or a fight scene, but a race. Lucasarts seemed to agree and developed a game based around that scene (albeit, filled out with more tracks and worlds). In this week's Revolutionary, we'll be using GlovePIE to see if the Wiimote and Nunchuk can keep up with the Jedi-like reflexes you'll need to stay in the lead in Star Wars: Episode I Racer.
XBLA's Mad Tracks passes certification
Mad Tracks, the arcade racer by Load Inc., has passed Xbox Live Arcade certification according to the company's website. GamingTalkHQ has confirmed that the title will be 800 points ($10 USD). According to Denis Bourdain of Load Inc. the game currently has no expected release date.If you're looking to get a taste of what Mad Tracks has in store for XBLA, you can always test drive the game on Load Inc.'s website. Another great little multiplayer independent title for XBLA can't hurt.
DK Bongo Blast fires off the screens
These new screenshots of Nintendo's Gamecube-turned-Wii racer haven't completely alleviated our fears over its new control setup, but we're excited to see that animal-riding has been included! With the game's Japanese release date (6/28) only a few weeks away, we can look forward to seeing a lot more revealing previews and gameplay videos soon. Head past the post break for rhino-riding images from DK Bongo Blast.
MotorStorm rushed to Japan (and it shows)
An IGN staffer calls the Japanese version of MotorStorm "the most featureless racer I've ever played." The hurried release lacks both online and offline multiplayer, time attack and free run modes, and basic settings for number of racers and lap count. But trim doesn't equal fast, as load times stretch to the 45-second mark; even vehicle selection is bogged down by model load-ins (and you'll have to break out the manual for vehicle stat comparisons).Still, IGN holds out hope for the "real" version of MotorStorm (expected to launch in March), anticipating "one of the finest racing experiences ever." How a racer can be both utterly featureless and "the most technically impressive game I've ever played" is a bit of an enigma to us, but IGN has certainly been impressed by MotorStorm's potential. PlayStation 3's first must-have? Not yet.
Your daily fix of funny
The "great and esteemed Ludwig" (his words, not mine) stumbled across this video today, and of course felt the need to validate his existence by immediately sending it to me. Though quite old (2003), the hilariously dubbed montage of several Nintendo classics has awesome to spare. Watch! And be merry.(A small warning: this is perhaps NSFW, due to a bit of profanity in the first few seconds.)
Ape Escape racer details trickle in
Details about the Ape Escape racing-themed game have been reported by Famitsu recently, and I must say, only the Japanese could come up with something this strange. The game, which in Japan is titled Sarugetchu Piposaru Racer, goes Go-Bot style by putting wheels on monkey's arms and legs and will have 46 different racers to choose from.But because of the ways these vehicular monkeys are built, a racer's speed and power-sliding can be altered by re-positioning the monkey's arms or legs during the race. In addition, the game will feature monkey-vehicle customization and upgrades. Look to get your monkey business on later this year.I really don't know what to say about this game, but it just might be the kind of game the PSP needs, and if it'sis successful, it could open the floodgates in combining monkeys or other animals with all kinds of different things. How about we tar and feather some monkeys, slap on some machine guns or harpoons on their heads and have a flying-based combat game? The possibilities are endless, my friends.(Via Gamespot)
