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Kojima countdown reveals another countdown [update]
The countdown timer on Kojima Productions' teaser site for its next project -- launched one week ago today -- has reached zero, revealing ... another countdown! This one is set for a little more than 8 days, expiring on May 30, Tokyo time. It's also raining now, as if the sky itself is crying along with all of Kojima's patient fans. Given the news earlier today that Japanese gaming mag Famitsu will unveil a Metal Gear project for a PlayStation platform on its May 30 issue's cover, we're literally counting the days until it hits. Still, keep your eyes on the skies.Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Kojima and company were listening in on your theories of what the reveal might be. Maybe next time?Update: If you watch the scene on the site long enough, you'll see the characters "5," (what is likely the typeface's equivalent of) "@," "E" and "3" briefly flash on the screen, one after the next. "5@E3" it is, then! We've added a gallery showing the not-so-cryptic characters below. The timer has also been adjusted for 120 hours -- 5 days -- ending on May 26. Just maybe the sun will come out a little early?%Gallery-63917%
Palm Pre counting down to a June 6th launch?
Know what happens in the run-up to a major product launch? Rumors are mongered and advertisements are sold, lots and lots of ads. So we're not surprised to find the two colliding in the shape of an un-calibrated (not Pre calibrated, it's not yet in sync with the calendar) countdown timer that's destined for every tech and consumer oriented website on these here Internets. Since Engadget maintains a strict editorial separation from advertising, there's no way for us to know for sure if this is legit. However, we reached out to Notebook.com who gave us a very convincing backstory for how they came up with this timer (that we saw working) showing a June 6th launch -- smack in the middle of the June 5th and June 7th dates rumored. Still, a Saturday? How very un-Sprint-like. Come on Palm, out with it already -- make the date official.
Is this the Alienware 'Allpowerful' laptop?
Menacing huh? The slightly enhanced image above was uploaded to the NotebookReview forums by a jockey claiming to be from Alienware marketing in Costa Rica. The tease upon tease shows what could be the Allpowerful laptop already counting down for product launch in 15 days. Further image manipulation reveals the typical offset-left trackpad found in Alienware's current gaming rig lineup. One thing's for certain, with a name like "Allpowerful," we'd better be looking at a 17-inch screen (minimum) and heavy-hitting Core i7 or we're setting phasers to kill. Pew pew. Fully enhanced image with added fanart by forum member Quicklite after the break.[Thanks, Sneaky]Read -- Original postRead -- Image dissection
Kojima website updates with countdown and mysterious '5'
The mysterious Kojima website, which was first revealed via emails sent to members of the gaming press, has been updated today, just like the Japanese magazine advert suggested it might. Unfortunately, there's no big announcement -- just another link in what is fast becoming the longest teaser-chain we've seen in a long time. The whole image feels a little more sinister now that the clouds have begun thundering as they move overhead. There's also the addition of a countdown timer, which would appear to end on May 21 -- or 22 depending on where you live. Finally, you'll notice that the number five can be seen during some flashes of lightning. Obviously, our first thought was that Kojima's next game will be Metal Gear Solid 5, but that almost seems too obvious ... [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Kojima Theories Solid: Funs of the Patriots
Despite our best efforts, we just can't get you people to take your important assignment, combing through Kojima's teaser ad and site for hidden clues, seriously. You think when Sherlock Holmes stared at a daguerreotype of clouds that almost certainly had no hidden clues in it he just got bored and drew pictures of Duke Nukem? We're here to tell you he did not.So that's it, we're done, we quit. To those of you who took this as seriously as it was intended, we thank you. To the rest? Well, you'll just have to live with the knowledge of what you did, won't you?%Gallery-63387%
Splinter Cell Conviction's new teaser site opens, reveals emo Sam
"I lost my daughter. I shot my best friend."Boo hoo, Sam Fisher. Are you going to get some black lipstick now to match your totally emo beard?In all seriousness, though, it appears the long-delayed Splinter Cell Conviction might, y'know, actually come out. Ubisoft has opened a second teaser site for the game, promising even more updates on May 20th and May 28th. This is great news for the Joystiq staff, as we've been relegated to using the same screenshot for nearly every Splinter Cell story for the last two years. Finally! Something new to Photoshop.
'Next' Kojima project teaser site now open
The Kojima Productions teaser website is now live. It may seem like a day early, according to the mysterious email that was passed around, but don't forget that Japan is generally a day ahead of the rest of us. The site looks very similar to the Japanese magazine teaser, in that it shows a field under a sky of storm clouds which meander wistfully across the screen.Other than that, there's very little to see. No doubt it will be updated again on May 18 (May 17 for the rest of us) as the magazine teaser suggested. The only thing we have to go on -- and it's not much -- is that the webpage source code lists "MGS" and "Metal Gear" in the meta description. In contrast, the main page of the Kojima Productions website lists all of Kojima's previous games, even Policenauts and Snatcher. Confirmation that this "Next" project is a new Metal Gear title? Hardly -- though it does make it that little bit more likely.[Thanks, Matthew!]
Alienware prepping "Allpowerful" laptop for next month
When it's not busy perpetrating negative stereotypes about alien cranium sizes, Dell's Alienware has been known to throw together a product teaser now and then. This latest one points to 20 days in the future, when Alienware will presumably unveil a "new gaming laptop & computer" (according to the header) dubbed "Allpowerful." Seems a little pretentious, sure, but we wouldn't expect anything less. We'll see y'all in June.
Champions Online wants you under its Sorcerous spell
If you've been disappointed by the lack of information in regards to Magic origin characters for Champions Online, you're in luck! Cryptic has released a tantalizing new video that we're sure will those who have plans for creating a magic-based character. In this new video titled Sorcery, we're treated to a first look of some of the magic-based powers in play - and they look sweet! Like we really needed a reason to be any more excited about Champions Online, eh?If you're curious, the video is behind the cut for your shiny viewing pleasure. Now if you'll pardon us, we've got some magic super-hero backstory brainstorming to do!
Square Enix's new mystery game could be Front Mission 360
Square Enix has launched a Japanese Flash site for a new game, but we don't know what that new game is. The URL is "http://www.square-enix.co.jp/mystery/" and the page is merely titled "NEW GAME," so it seems that we're looking at your basic countdown teaser site ... with no countdown. That means we'll have no idea how early Famitsu's early reveal will be.The site features a rendered cityscape with a giant industrial-looking structure and little animated explosions all over the place. A John F. Kennedy quote appears above the city: "The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life."The same image was used in a teaser at the end of the June issue of OXM, according to 1UP. That teaser's text made it as clear as possible (while still being a teaser) that the game referenced was a new Front Mission for Xbox 360, to be revealed at E3. [Via CVG]
Assassin's Creed 2 teaser lacks gameplay, oozes melodrama
Following an unveiling in Game Informer and the launch of an official website, Assassin's Creed 2 has spawned its first teaser trailer. This is typically a time of great excitement in the build-up to a highly anticipated game; it's when we usually get a sneak peek -- however brief -- at gameplay. Not so for AC2. How would you like some fancy da Vinci-esque sketches of random objects and a narrator who's been paid by the word in cheese?Here's what we now know, based on the teaser: It's the Renaissance (yep, had that), science is big again, but the real truths? They "lie in the shadows ... written in blood." We're left to wonder if this is some sort of code. Do we need to do something involving shadows (we can handle that) and blood (no way!) in order to see the real teaser? Or, maybe, we simply resign ourselves to the fact we just got handed a heaping plate of letdown.
Assassin's Creed 2 teaser site launches, includes severed arm [update]
It appears that the ANIMUS has been fired up once again. A teaser site has appeared for Assassin's Creed 2, along with a host of clues about the future of the franchise. While the teaser leaves a lot to the imagination, it does feature Leonardo da Vinci's famous Vitruvian Man quite prominently, lending credence to the rumor that the sequel is set in the Renaissance era. Beyond snippets of 15th century artwork, the teaser site doesn't reveal any other details for the Assassin's second outing. The website does, however, include an interesting bonus: Printing off a logo of an artifact that displays at the end of the teaser video and holding it up to a web cam while on a special section of the website reveals a 3D model of Altair's hidden blade weapon -- which appears to be one of five images available. Spooky ... but, hey, marketing team! Wasn't Altair (and the rest of his assassin brethren) missing a finger?Update: Thanks to our commenters who pointed out a backwards message that says "Game Informer 04.16.09." Expect more Assassin's Creed 2 news soon!%Gallery-49391%[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
The Secret World approaches revelation
If you're unaware of Funcom's newest project, The Secret World, it's about time you knew that the secret is about to be unveiled. Forget the stigma associated with Funcom and Age of Conan, and consider the fact that The Secret World comes to us from Ragnar Tørnquist, the man behind The Longest Journey and Dreamfall. The unraveling of clues that lead up to this game's reveal is impressive, but not as impressive as the fact that The Secret World's community is comprised of some of the most intelligent gamers you'll find this side of EVE. We have games that are hardcore for strategists, games that are hardcore for economists, games that are hardcore for the combat-savvy, but with The Secret World, we will finally get an MMO that was made for the hardcore conspiracy theorists, history buffs and puzzle solvers out there.Case in point, a recent teaser video was released showing certain decipherable codes that led to a new Alternate Reality Game website called Sanctuary of Secrets. Leave it up to the TSW community to crack the codes and discover the hidden secrets. Of course Funcom has not officially commented on their involvement with this site, but it goes to show the passion brewing in the people anticipating this game. Ever since our demo at GDC last month, we've been itching to let our readers know what's in store. Tomorrow the embargo will lift and everything we know will be revealed, so stay tuned!
How to tease the imminent announcement of a new Japanese RPG
Step 1: Launch a maddeningly unhelpful teaser website If there's one thing that generates more anticipation than a new game announcement, it's the announcement of a forthcoming new game announcement. Though it may draw some opprobrium from know-it-all blogs (who will write about your tease even whilst bemoaning it), a teaser website is the ideal catalyst for heated speculation. Be miserly with your information, but be sure to cover some basics: Mention the developer (eg. tri-Ace), the targeted platforms (eg. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) and, of course, whether or not the RPG in question is new (see: www.newrpg.jp) or old (see: Square Enix). Step 2: Initiate a countdownWhat good is anticipation if it's not represented through a visual countdown? Modern web technology accomodates a wide range of temporal measurements for your countdown, allowing you to mark the agonizing wait with as much precision as you prefer. If your game's reveal is around the corner, why not opt for days? Of course, you can also resort to counting down the years if your project is a little early or Final Fantasy XIII. Protip: Make the most of your countdown before it's down for the count by counting down to another countdown!Step 3: Toss fans a fricken boneYour unflappable fans deserve something special for visiting your teaser page. Now, be careful, you don't want to give the whole thing away! Why not titillate with a piece of art from your RPG? Go with something ambigious and comforting, like a ruined fantasy landscape or a team of pointy-haired adventurers battling a recently unsealed ancient evil. Next week: How to promote Famitsu review scores, which will be much higher than anyone else's![Via Infatuated Gamer]
Palm announcement coming later today?
We don't know what it'll be, but Palm is teasing an announcement for later today. As stated on the official Palm blog:"check back later today (or follow palm_inc on Twitter) for an update direct from the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco."Palm assures us that this isn't some kind of lame April Fools. As such, we're hoping for a release date (by country) and price or at the very least a free, general release of the Mojo SDK. Whatever it is, you'll find the details here just as soon as they are announced.
Fallen Earth comes to life in new trailer
We've seen this game hit content concentration; be retooled; offer holiday greetings; had a chance to talk to the developers just a few days ago at GDC about how Fallen Earth is progressing, and now, we have a shiny new trailer to drool over. With all the news about different mounts, all about the deep, evolving storyline, PvP and so much more, we're ready to step into 2156 and start kludging our equipment together already. Until then, it looks like we'll have to content ourselves with checking out the most recent video from the Fallen Earth team - placed behind the break for your viewing enjoyment - and hoping we get lucky enough to be selected for the closed beta.
Teaser trailer reveals 'Xi' for PlayStation Home
If you can stand watching this minute and a half of annoying flashes, then you just might get an early glimpse of "Xi" for PlayStation Home. The new teaser trailer from Videogamer.com features a series of random images meshed together by blurry transitions and it's accompanied by the most painful shutter sound effects ever. Be warned, you might feel dizzy watching it. Check it out here, if you wish.We don't learn much from the teaser, though we can spot some clues pointing to what it could be. A symbol (image above) is seen as wall graffiti in Home. Given the distinct, enigmatic nature of the trailer, we're assuming this could be some sort of mystery-thriller/puzzle clue hunting game within Home. It could also be related to that odd message discovered back in February. Whatever it is, it looks like it'll give Home users something new to do.
Rumor: Pure devs tease new racing game [update]
With off-road racing suitably redefined, Pure dev Blackrock looks to be taking its show on the road. A new viral video seemingly for the studio's next project has pulled out onto the internet, teasing street racing, crashes and more than a passing resemblance to Burnout Paradise. In fact, assuming the video itself was posted by Blackrock, the fact that it is tagged with both "burnout" and "paradise" seems to indicate that the former Climax Racing studio is looking to Criterion's open-world racer as a template for its next sprint to the finish line. Nothing else is known, though the brief glimpse concludes, "To Be Continued March 11, 2009," leaving us time to run to the concession stand for popcorn before finding out more.Update: This is no longer a rumor, folks -- check it out.[Thanks, Chris]
Great, another Sega countdown; Marvelous, too
Sega's got another teaser page up, with a countdown set to expire in 10 days and a handful of hours. All we know is that there's a pixelated mushroom and that the "produce" belongs to Phantasy Star Universe's Takayo Myoshi. Perhaps it'll be the first game that mushrooms can play. If that's not enough countdown for you, Marvelous has one, too. The page features a floating Triforce-infused medallion, which means that whatever the announcement ends up being, you'll be disappointed that it's not Legend of Zelda.Source - Sega teaserSource - Marvelous teaser
Nintendo Power teases ... Indianapolis?
How does a satellite image of Indianapolis link to imminent Nintendo news? That's the question posed by Nintendo Power's latest "Next Month" teaser. Seemingly yanked straight from Google Maps, this is one of the vaguest hints we've seen from the magazine for some time, and one that has predictably set message boards and comment threads alight.The most popular guess we've seen concerns some kind of Google content appearing on the Wii, which doesn't sound implausible, but is that really worth building hype in this way? Other speculation ranges from a localized Disaster: Day of Crisis to a Pilotwings game to (with absolutely crushing inevitablity) Earthbound. Your speculation, show us it!
