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New games this week: Tomb Raider Anniversary edition
It's weird isn't it? It's like seeing an old flame that you heard got fat so you forget about them, only to find out that they're apparently hot again. Also we're not sure if we're talking about a Tomb Raider game being the top release or the fact that it's on PS2.The whole week is weird like that. Let's get to it. PlayStation 2: Tomb Raider Anniversary %Gallery-3623%
Tomb Raider and Anniversary comparison video
Next week sees the release of Tomb Raider: Anniversary, where Lady Croft goes to the salon and fixes her roots. The video above shows the transformation of the original Tomb Raider into Anniversary. Tomb Raider: Legend (now playable for free on GameTap) reawakened the joy for many in Tomb Raider and reinvigorated the franchise. We're hoping that Anniversary is a fitting tribute to the original but, and this was part of the design behind Anniversary, puts some modern concepts into the gameplay for gamers who are just joining the series post Legend. We're definitely looking forward to E3 and seeing how far along the Tomb Raider: Legend sequel is. Although not half as painful of a cliffhanger as Halo 2, the ending to Legend (which came about 8 hours too early) was excellent and we were ready to put down the cash for the sequel right there. If Anniversary continues the solid gameplay trend of the new Lara Croft, the future looks bright again for the series.
GameTap launches free ad-supported service
Today begins the next iteration of game subscription service GameTap. One of the key components of this new version is the free ad-supported service that'll have about 30 games on a rotating schedule, starting with titles like Metal Slug (which will have online co-op), Bust-A-Move, Bubble Bobble and Rampage. Best of all, part of this free service is being able to play the excellent return of Lara Croft in last year's Tomb Raider: Legend. Yes, for free. As part of their regular paying subscription service, GameTap is rolling out Panzer Dragoon, Metal Slug 2, Art of Fighting, The King of Fighters '95 and Tomb Raider: Legend. We're mostly looking forward to logging into the service next week and playing Tomb Raider: Anniversary as part of the normal subscription fee without having to experience the unwashed masses at retail. You can also purchase the full version digitally from Steam if you don't want to pony up the $10 for GameTap, or there is always the option to purchasing it directly from GameTap's new digitial distribution service, which is completely different from their subscription and free gaming sections. There's a lot of changes going on at GameTap, and we're more than happy to play classic arcade and console games free ... legally.
Joystiq interviews GameTap about big changes and Mac support
Joystiq recently spoke with GameTap's VP of Marketing, David Reid, and their VP of Content, Rick Sanchez, about all the major changes coming to the service this Thursday. Most notable is the introduction of a free ad-driven GameTap service, effectively turning it into a hybrid, adapting casual game site Pogo.com's model while offering more than just casual games. One of the big recent announcements was that Tomb Raider: Legend will be offered free by this ad-driven service and GameTap even created a Lara Croft mega-site to showcase all things Lady Croft. We got a chance to talk to them about what's really going on with the service, which is still very unique in the gaming space, and future growth including ... Mac support. So, let's start off with David [Reid, VP of Marketing]. GameTap has had some serious changes over the last couple years. The service has almost mimicked the life of a cable television station. Starting off by showing mostly re-runs geared to the demographic and slowly introducing original programming. Is this an accurate model of what we should expect in the future? Well, yes and no. You've got some of the history there pretty accurate. Internally, we look at Cartoon Network at how GameTap got started. Turner Broadcasting has this core competence in acquiring content. That's how TBS got started, Cartoon Network got started and how GameTap got started. The real difference is [GameTap] was Turner's first direct consumer business, its first games business and first broadband business. There has been a big push in Turner to get digital fast and build on the expertise they had on the licensing front. What you'll see more of is a less purist game business model and more of an overall broadcast model. Like our ad-supported games service. Providing publishers a much richer sense of opportunity to make money off their intellectual property. Right now, the games industry, it's very much like box office. Like a movie, you see the marketing, you go to the theater and get the experience. The digital retail business we're launching on Thursday is sort of like a box office premiere. Then our subscription business (what we've known GameTap as), which keeps getting better, is video-on-demand. Then the free service is your free broadcast television. So, our model, it's more like what film and TV does rather than what cable does. %Gallery-3513%
Croft's Anniversary gains Steam
Lara's throwing her big Anniversary bash and it looks like every conceivable outlet who can sell or run the game is invited to the party. We've got typical retail, GameTap and now Steam is in there too. Everyone into the pool on June 5 for Tomb Raider: Anniversary. Just make sure you take a buddy, because you might drown from all the people crowded in there. We can't help but wonder if this is the nature of things to come. This is the first explicit moment of a trifecta release. Retail, digital distribution (Steam) and subscription service distribution (GameTap). That's just for PC. The PS2 and PSP editions come in their standard box at retail format. We still find it strange that the game still hasn't been announced for the Xbox 360. If it gets announced for XBLA, that's it, we'll have officially entered a new era of game distribution. [Via Press Release]
GameTap's Lara Croft mega-site
If there's been any entity who has surprised us over the last year, it's GameTap. The online game service that started off as nothing more than a retro library repository is really turning into something completely different. Starting with Sam & Max, then URU, then their reinvention of sorts at the end of this month including a "free-to-play" service, topped by the leak of Grimm this morning, this isn't the GameTap we once knew. Their latest venture is a website fully dedicated to Lara Croft with a retrospective documentary and a conceptually amazing animated series beginning in July.Although the 10 year retrospective documentary is definitely interesting, the thing that really catches our eye is the "Re\Visioned" series that starts in July. An animated series of shorts all featuring Lara Croft by artists and writers well known in the animation field. The first three episodes are by Peter Chung, best known for Aeon Flux and a segment in the Animatrix (although his credentials really do go on and on). All the shorts will be available to view for free on this GameTap Lara Croft site. After the Lara Croft series is done, GameTap will apparently do more characters as part of this Re\Visioned series. Even if they stick with Eidos' characters it'd be cool to see Hitman and Kane and Lynch, but they're apparently going in a completely different direction.The website also includes a bunch of extra content like clips of all the models who have "been" Lara Croft, conversations with developers, sneak peeks at Tomb Raider: Anniversary (which will be "free" to GameTap subscribers on the same day it launches in stores) and just a mess of other stuff. Definitely worth checking out for behind-the-scenes geekery and if you're looking to get a feel for the franchise in a nutshell.
Armed cops burst into home to neutralize... Lara Croft mannequin?
Considering just how chaotic a police scanner can become when the crime lords decide to hit the streets, we can't fault the boys in blue for showing up at the wrong address or completely missing a shoplifter with a projector in his shorts, but this one's just absurd. Apparently, a Manchester man had his home invaded by squads of armed police after a pistol-wielding Lara Croft mannequin served as cause for concern. The officials mistook the ominous silhouette for an actual gunman, and took it upon themselves to rush in and attempt to save the day. Interestingly, the homeowner was actually arrested for "suspected firearms offense," but he's currently speaking to lawyers about "a possible claim for wrongful arrest." Man, publicly humiliating yourself and begging for a lawsuit -- now that's a full day's work.[Thanks, Dan G.]
Wii to celebrate Tomb Raider: Anniversary
In news that is sure to set tongues wagging and arms waggling, IGN reports that Lara Croft will soon raid a more modern tomb -- your Wii's game shelf. In a press release issued by an international Eidos branch, Tomb Raider: Anniversary is stated as being in development for Nintendo's popular console. Previously, the remake was only slated for release on the PC (including GameTap), PlayStation 2 and PSP. With Eidos holding out on costly PS3 releases until 2008 and with no Xbox 360 version of Anniversary in sight, it seems the Wii is benefiting for once by being lumped in a similar technological bracket as the PS2. It makes for a quick and financially sensible port, it's only challenge being the tacking on implementation of unique motion controls. We're hoping for an ice-cold virtual hand to poke Lara into position for those tricky jumps. No Anniversa-Wii date has been set, but other platforms begin festivities on June 5th.
Tomb Raider: Anniversary, day and date on GameTap and more
Referred to as May Day on their design blog, Turner's buffet-esque gaming service, GameTap, has some huge announcements today. The headliner of which is a real doozy. Through a deal with Eidos, the upcoming Tomb Raider: Anniversary will be made available on the service come launch day, June 5th, and at no extra cost to subscribers. The title will also be available to non-subscribers via their upcoming digital distribution store as well. GameTap has been offering brand-new, original titles at no extra cost for a while now (see: Sam & Max, Myst Online), but to take this trend and run with a third party is huge. Closing out May Day is May 31st where GameTap will crack open its doors a bit with a new free-to-play portal. Not regulated to chump titles, the new service will launch with games such as Metal Slug, Bust-a-Move and Tomb Raider: Legend. This will be made possible with their new three-tiers of membership and a handy-dandy chart to explain these tiers (two of which are free, by the way) has been made available after the break. In other GameTap news, both the press release and blog have mentioned the Metal Slug and King of Fighters series coming to the service. Nice.
Today's raidingest video: Tomb Raider
Some of us have been jonseing for each successive Tomb Raider adventure ever since Lara Croft decided that messing up archaeological sites wasn't just for Indy. (Where were the interns and study? No, Kurtis Trent and Short Round don't count.) The June 5 launch of the original, remade with updated graphics (and we can only hope controls), as Tomb Raider: Anniversary is just around the corner. The tombs aren't going to just raid themselves; our video pick is the latest trailer for the back-to-her roots game. We don't see much that we didn't already know -- surprise, the game has "mild suggestive themes" -- but we're sure fans will appreciate the latest look at Lara. See the video after the break.
Tomb Raider: Anniversary set for June 5th (don't forget!)
Those longing to don a pair of unreasonably tight pants, shoot up ancestral tombs and mow down innocent bears (without getting arrested) would be wise to circle the date of June 5th, 2007 on their official Rhona Mitra calendars. This day marks the release of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a Crystal Dynamics remake of the adventure that put the grave-robbing heroine on the map, the coffee mug, the magazine cover and the unfortunate t-shirt which proclaimed, "I raided Lara's tomb." Hearkening to a time (1996!) when Tomb Raider regularly induced drool as opposed to debilitating nausea, Anniversary sees reworked puzzles, improved controls and enhanced graphics injected into one of the greatest games of all time. Play it on your PS2, PC or PSP while you wait for a sequel to last year's surprisingly superb Tomb Raider: Legend to arrive -- and don't forget to do a graceful swan dive straight into a boulder. That's always good for a laugh.
Tomb Raider Anniversary to revive Lara's legend
The upcoming Tomb Raider Anniversary is a complete re-imagining of the original PS1 classic. Anniversary, for PS2 and PSP, will include a brand-new graphics engine, and many of the acrobatic moves from the last Tomb Raider game, Legends.We haven't seen any footage from the PSP version of the game, but we're hoping it'll look as stunning as what we see above. Anniversary hits stores this June.
Sony unfurls Q2 release list for PlayStation platforms
Prompted by a panicked glance at a nearby calendar, Sony has blasted out a list of "key titles" slated for release on all manner of PlayStation devices during the second quarter of 2007. Starting over two weeks ago and ending on the last day of June, this period of time sees us paralyzed by F.E.A.R. and having to resort to Calling All Cars to save us from The Darkness brought by ninjas, pirates and Transformers. We'll likely run the Gauntlet in a Final Fantasy of Harvest Mooning... oh forget it. Just read the list. PSN Calling All Cars -- 18 May Nucleus -- 25 May Super Stardust HD -- 15 June Championship Sprint Gauntlet II Joust Mortal Kombat II Rampage World Tour Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix Rampart [Note: PSN release dates as published by "semi-official", semi-accurate Sony blog, ThreeSpeech.]
Low install base to blame for no Eidos titles?
Eidos is, of course, referring to itself in the subject line. See, most of their PS3 titles aren't planned for release until 2008. That sucks. Why? They blame the low install base of the new console. Eidos may have new Tomb Raider, Hitman, and a possible Just Cause sequel in the works for the mid-2008 fiscal period.Eidos CEO Jane Cavanagh made these comments: "We believe that PlayStation 3 will be a successful platform, and are developing technology and products for this console...However, as we do not believe that the installed base will be high enough until the second half of our 2008 financial year, most of our major product releases on the PlayStation 3 platform are not scheduled before that date."To me, this says that Eidos doesn't have much faith in its games. They don't think they'll sell well, or they don't think they'll be nearly enough to move systems. Granted, they shouldn't think too highly of themselves, but no game developer should be complacent enough to make games that are "just okay". They need to work on something that will move systems! Something every dev should strive for! Revolution! ...Or, you know, get pumped up and stuff.
Tomb Raider Anniversary site online
Ever wanted to go back and play the original Tomb Raider, but couldn't stand the old control scheme or graphics? Well. you're in luck, because Tomb Raider Anniversary will give you the chance to replay Lara's first game adventure but redone by the folks at Crystal Dynamics. Interested parties can explore the Tomb Raider Anniversary site to see screens, a trailer, info on the game or just to find out more about Ms. Croft herself. Since the last Tomb Raider turned out so well, there's a very good possibility this remake could be better than the original.
The top ten girls of PSP
You've seen the top ten girls of Hooters. You've perused the top ten women of tennis. You may even have seen the top ten girls of gaming, but you haven't yet seen the top ten girls of PSP. Until now that is! The requirements are simple, to qualify she has to be a girl and has to be in a PSP game. But enough with the procrastinating, on with the ceremony! Top ten after the jump ...
Sequels! Eidos announces more Tomb Raider, Hitman, Just Cause
Rest easy, there will be more Tomb Raider, more Hitman, and another Just Cause. And just 'cause, Eidos has also confirmed that a new edition of its perennial footie sim Championship Manager will hit the pitch for (at least) one more go'round. Although development is currently underway for the follow-up foursome, release dates have yet to be issued. The expected sequels will be joined by Kane & Lynch and Crossfire, new IPs (they still bother with those?), along with Battlestations: Midway, which is due out next month.
The bottom of the barrel
What's this -- a list? Cue the frothing fanboys! But this latest list of the top ten worst DS games, as decided by the folks at Pocket Gamer, is definitely filled with some of the poorest examples of DS gaming. We're not sure if they're really the ten worst ever, though. Let's call them the "Ten Worst Titles Masquerading as Games You Might Almost Want to Play." Well, except for Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy. We actually did want to play that, but y'know, we need it to function.Check out the full list after the jump.
Nintendo holds key to franchise longevity, profitability
As noted earlier, a list published by UK newspaper The Independent reveals what many already assume; Nintendo's Mario is the best-selling franchise of all time. Coupled with the second best-selling franchise Pokémon (also a Nintendo property), the two series, which have sold a combined 348 million games worldwide, account for nearly 34% of the total sales of the top-twenty best-selling franchises; which include two additional Nintendo IPs ranked in the top ten, Donkey Kong and Zelda. So what's Nintendo's secret?Cross-culture appeal, spin-offs (e.g., racers, sports titles, puzzlers), brand saturation (e.g., apparel, card games, TV shows), and E-ratings all appear part of a profitable formula built for the long haul.
Best of the rest: Ludwig's picks
Sam & Max Episode 1 : Culture Shock (PC)I never thought I'd actually be grateful to LucasArts for assassinating their sequel to Sam & Max: Freelance Police. Now residing in the capable hands of Telltale Games, the series is setting the standard for episodic content and adventure gaming. Complete failure to laugh at Culture Shock's absolutely brilliant writing, memorable characters and off-the-wall puzzles indicates one of two things: either you're a robot, or you've recently discovered a dead kitten in your lap. (See also: My reviews of Culture Shock and Situation: Comedy.)
