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Rumor: Free Game with 360 starts today
Video Game Jocks is reporting that Microsoft will begin giving away a free game with the purchase of a new Xbox 360. The promotion applies to either a Core or Premium console. The available games are: Project Gotham Racing 3, Kameo: Elements of Power, Perfect Dark Zero or Dead or Alive 4. Supposedly the deal begins today and runs through September 22nd. For now, take this with a grain of salt, as the article fails to link any source information whatsoever. If anyone can find the actual announcement, hit us up with a tip and see your name inside pretty brackets. [Like This]
Kameo pack adds versus play, achievements
New Kameo content on Marketplace, dubbed "The Kameo Power Pack," is set to add several features to Rare's platformer. The content adds three new modes of play including Expert mode, Time Attack mode, and Rune Battle mode. All modes support two players, the first two being co-op while the third is a versus mode. One interesting tidbit: the new content will actually add 15 new achievements and worldwide leaderboards to the game (anybody know if this gives Kameo more than 1000 achievement points?). Whatever your opinions of Kameo, it's nice to see Rare supporting the game with fresh content this far into its lifespan. Expect to see it hit Marketplace "soon." [Thanks, MumbleyJoe]
Kameo Power Pack announced
Rare has announced that a Power Pack will soon be available for their Xbox 360 adventure Kameo: Elements of Power. This represents the game's fifth downloadable offering via the Xbox Live marketplace. In previous packs, Kameo herself received a closet full of new duds, but this time her monster pals get to play dress up with some modified armor. Regarding gameplay enhancements, the Power Pack ramps up the difficulty for six of the original game's levels with Expert mode, while the Time Attack and Rune Battle modes offer new multiplayer support. Pricing and availability have not been made available, but earlier costume packs sold for 200 Microsoft points ($2.50), and the first co-op pack was free.
New Viva Piata species discovered
You know you're a fanboy when...you get all National Geographic about new species of psychedelic piñatas. Some would-be Jane Goodall at the Viva Piñata Wiki discovered two new species of walking, talking multi-colored freak. The new, never-before-seen species are the Dragumfly and the Sherbat. Before you go insane, remember, this is Microsof's most important game of the year.[Thanks Jimmcq]
Ad critic retro: Perfect Dark (N64)
One of the nice things about hanging on to old gaming magazines is the archive of classic ads they provide. I found this promo for the original Perfect Dark in the 10th anniversary issue of Entertainment Weekly (Spring 2000). Rare's sultry heroine is ready for war against the evil dataDyne corporation and those menacing Skedar -- notice the subtle alien presence in the upper right-hand corner.But how does this Joanna Dark model stack up (pardon the pun) against the lovely ladies who portrayed Ms. Croft? Her hairstyle and skin-tight, black leather outfit certainly seem to have inspired the wardrobe department for the Aeon Flux movie and game.It's interesting to note that a key promotional element persistent in today's gaming ads is absent here, which is a little surprising given the influence of the Internet on the gaming community at that time. Maybe Rare was too busy making a kick-ass game to bother with a web site (anybody remember if there was one?). In retrospect, it didn't really matter as Perfect Dark became one of the most popular and successful titles for the Nintendo 64. In fact, it was so good, I bet they'll make a sequel some day!Update: Thanks to RyanH for helping my tired old eyes. There is indeed a tiny "www.perfectdark.com" URL embedded in the fine print. Also, thanks to NothingShocking for posting URLs of the game's viral marketing campaign.
X06 in sunny Spain
Planet Xbox 360 reports that Microsoft has announced the official date and location for X06, the European Xbox convention. The event will be held September 27th and 28th in Barcelona, Spain, allowing industry members to soak up some sun and an unhealthy dose of Xbox branding. New invitees to the event include South Africa, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland -- Microsoft having announced 360 launches in these countries by the end of 2006. Regional vice president, Xbox, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Chris Lewis, said this of the event: "We are really looking forward to X06 in Barcelona and believe this will prove to be an amazing experience for gaming enthusiasts across Europe. We have some exciting announcements to make and even more to show people. X06 will firmly place Xbox 360 as the console of the next generation." This would be the perfect place for Microsoft to shed some light on its European projects, namely Viva Piñata and Fable 2. Here's hoping. [Thanks, Matt]
Video proof: FPS characters walk real funny
You know how, in first person shooters, you're running all the time while observing the polygonal world down the barrel of a gun? Yeah, good times. As clear and undeniable proof that not only are video games not realistic but they're totally funny, we point you towards this Goldeneye spoof-video where our would be James Bond kicks his feet so high in the air, it reminds me of ... well, me in high school gym class I guess. Check out the video (embedded after the break) while I drown my high school memories in round after round of XBLA UNO. Who's the nerd now?[Via Cathode Tan]
Rare's Jetpac rumored for Xbox Live Arcade
Eurogamer reports that the 1983 classic Jetpac could be in the works for Xbox Live Arcade. This simple title (the original version was just 16 KB), was created by legendary developer Rare, known then as Ultimate Play the Game, for the ZX Spectrum. Jetpac was reintroduced to the gaming public in 1999 as an unlockable extra in Rare's Donkey Kong 64. Will Jetpac fly as a standalone Xbox Live Arcade title? For some, sure, but maybe Microsoft should rethink XBLA's current pricing structure. Jetpac would be a lot more attractive if it was part of a 400-point ($5) bundle with 2–4 other super-retro games.
DS mega list shows Phoenix Wright 2, more
If you thought Reggie was skilled at assaulting posteriors and acquiring names, you'd best beware of the author of one highly comprehensive fact sheet that was pulled from Nintendo's press website. A tipster sent us the document in question and, upon reading the list of currently planned titles and their projected release dates, we experienced something that could best be described as a seizure of delight. If the epic list is to be believed, zany courtroom adventure (and DS Fanboy favorite) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is receiving a sequel in October. The rest of the document also contains a bunch of unannounced titles (none of them from Konami) and some specific release dates, including one for Star Fox DS. Another click will take you to the complete list. Trust us, it's a good read. [Thanks, Ryan F!]
Nintendo Briefing: announced, featured DS games
Though Wii is a big part of Nintendo's E3 campaign this year, the company made it clear today that Wii was only made possible by the commercial success and innovative development of the DS. In short, the dual screen portable has a lot going for it and is what Nintendo called the "current" leader in game innovation. Here's a full list of games that were presented at the briefing:
First looks at Viva Pinata
After the Microsoft press briefing today, we managed to get a demonstration of Viva Piñata, the upcoming 360 title from Microsoft and Rare. At first glance the game seems extremely colourful and inviting; the game is based around a single garden, which starts as a desolated area.By building up the garden and its ecosystem (of piñata creatures), more and more piñatas are attracted from nearby gardens to live in the player's -- the first piñata that will venture in is a worm, which needs nothing but some soil to flourish, but more demanding creatures come along later. By balancing all their requirements -- some creatures will want to eat each other, for example -- the player can create a happy environment.The game seems very much like a cross between Animal Crossing and traditional God-game titles like Dungeon Keeper. Although it looks to have immediate appeal to children and younger players, it's likely to reach out to Sims fans too -- possibly even the elusive female demographic. We'll have more on the title during E3.
New PDZ maps headed to XBL Marketplace, demo too
Microsoft has announced that a premium content bundle, containing four new Perfect Dark Zero multiplayer maps, will soon be available for purchase on the Xbox Live Marketplace — the price has not yet been revealed. A free playable demo will also be posted for download, featuring the Outpost campaign level (solo, split screen, and Live co-op modes supported) and a new multiplayer map, Plaza.In addition, PDZ will receive several free auto-updates. One update will install 8 new bot (AI) personalities, including judge bot, who attacks the player with the most kills; bully bot, who attacks the player with the least kills; venge bot, who attacks the last person to kill the bot; and DarkOps Bot, who is the 'baddest' bot of them all.[Via Microsoft press release]
Miyamoto a martinet making Metroid Prime
Allen Varney has written a fascinating look at the making of Nintendo's 2002 masterpiece -- and series reinvention -- Metroid Prime. By complimenting the community's fear of updating the venerable franchise with the story of a production environment that warranted such fears, you get a tangible understanding of the pressure and passion that is bound up in a title of Prime's quality. His characterization of Miyamoto as a brilliant, dedicated, and -- most interestingly -- demanding taskmaster stands contrary to many gamers impression of the designer as "a Gepetto whose genius and imagination turned a heap of technology into a living world of delight" (to quote the writers of Smartbomb). Take, for example, this description: "In 2000, Miyamoto himself visited Retro, an event compared to the Emperor visiting the Death Star." Ouch!It's tough love though. Reading about the storied excesses of Retro's founder and the studios subsequent mismanagement, then reflecting on the end result being the excellent Metroid Prime series is a welcome reminder: you have to squeeze coal really hard to make a diamond.
Free Kameo co-op, pricey Kameo costumes
Microsoft and Rare have dumped a trio of downloadable Kameo content packs onto the XBLM. The Kameo Co-Op Pack offers players a free patch that enables co-op via Xbox Live and System Link. The Masquerade and Warrior Packs each unlock a batch of new outfits. The Masquerade Pack includes 10 new Kameo ensembles, including some throwbacks to classic Rare titles. The Warrior Pack provides a set of "fright-themed" costumes (one getup for Kameo and each of the warriors). Both packs are priced at 200 Microsoft points ($2.50).It looks like 200 points is the going rate for a fresh look. Rare used this price for the Winter Warrior Pack back in November, and more recently, Bethesda caught some flak for tagging this price on a pair of horse armor outfits. So how many new wardrobe additions would you expect to receive for 200 points?
Microsoft's Lionhead acquisition official
The GDC rumour mill had its finger on the pulse where Lionhead and Microsoft were concerned; Microsoft has acquired the British developer, beating out rumoured competition from EA and Ubisoft. It looks as though Microsoft were especially keen to grab Peter Molyneux -- they'll be putting his innovative approach to gaming to use on the Xbox 360 and Vista platforms. This is good news for the struggling Lionhead, although whether it will help Molyneux's games sell any better is yet to be seen. As far as the UK games industry is concerned, international acquisitions like this (and Rare's before it) are interesting -- while there will always be smaller guys going it alone, there's a short supply of big-name British developers who are staying home-grown.
Don't expect any Rare games on the Virtual Console...
...according to Matt over at IGN, who claims to have spoken with some key Rare folk about the possibility of some of Rare's past greats to be in Nintendo's Virtual Console's starting lineup during GDC. While it's pretty much a given that this would be the case, what with Rare being alligned under the cold, Borg-like, Microsoft Game Studios, no-shows will undoubtedly be Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark, Banjo & Kazooie, Goldeneye 007, and Blast Corps. That last one hits this Blogger especially hard. I know many people would say the N64's strongest game was Goldeneye 007 or Perfect Dark, some might claim its stellar first-party offerings in Ocarina of Time and Super Mario 64 were superior, but for this Blogger no other experience on the console could top the sheer ecstasy of uppercutting buildings as a giant mech and bulldozing gas stations in Blast Corps. It was like a digital incarnation of my childhood with Tonka trucks and Transformers.
Viva Video
Here's the first gameplay footage of the "most important game of 2006," otherwise known as Not Halo 3. I feel like I've seen Viva Piñata somewhere before. Maybe the time I drank cactus juice and stayed up for 72 hours straight watching Telemundo.
Microsoft responds to PS3 news, plus more on Viva Piñata
In this interview with the UK's Official Xbox Magazine, Xbox General Manager Shane Kim holds forth on the upcoming title Viva Piñata while casually dropping in a few words on the PS3's November launch. Kim believes Viva Piñata to be a killer title for the 360, saying that he thinks "that families will buy an Xbox 360 because they want to play [it]", also saying that Microsoft will talk about future Halo plans "at the right time".On the PS3 launch, Kim was clear: "For us, it doesn’t change anything. We’ve had a very clear strategy for a long time now and we’re not going to change that. We’re not going to react to anything that they do." Entirely in line with a second official reaction over at Microsoft's gamerscore blog which claims that the "announcement certainly doesn’t change any of our plans."A lot of reassurances that things are the same as ever over in Xbox land, then; perhaps Nintendo will follow the crowd and post their entirely bland canned response to a competitor's plans next.
Viva la Viva Piñata, Rare's Pokemon-killer
Microsoft announced the secret identity of their collaboration with 4Kids Entertainment--the masterminds behind Pokemon--and... we already knew about it: it's Rare's Pokemon-killer, Viva Piñata! And like the Pokemon craze, Viva Piñata is going to be both a video game (on the Xbox 360, natch) and an animated children's cartoon!Described as "an immersive world where [players] are challenged to create and maintain a living garden ecosystem that grows in real time," it sounds very much like another Nintendo property: Animal Crossing. Can Microsoft grab the kiddie crowd, serving up heaping spoonfuls of Halo 3 firefights with equal time for Piñata cuteness?I found a bunch of stuff to check out for more:Read [Viva Piñata game information]Read [Viva Piñata press release]Read [Viva Piñata screenshots]Read [Viva Piñata press conference audio]Read [Viva Piñata press conference photos]
Rare to unleash Pinatas on 360s this holiday season
Rare's next project is apparently an original IP concerning living piñata animals that will be featured in a Saturday morning TV/3-D/CG show and then in an Xbox 360 game debuting this holiday season worldwide.
