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Adventure's waiting just ahead in Speed Racer
MTV Multiplayer has some exclusive gameplay footage of the upcoming Speed Racer game (embedded above), and we're actually more impressed than we thought we'd be. We do, however, have some complaints: The constant barrage of comments from the other racers -- is that really necessary? It might be fine at first, but we can foresee our patience wearing thin if that continues throughout the whole game. The tracks look a little on the dull side. Where's the music? Obviously the actual game will have it, we just wish we could've gotten a taste of it in the gameplay video. Since we haven't heard any news of an F-Zero title heading to the Wii, though, this seems like the next best thing. We definitely don't get the sense of polish and utter awesomeness that F-Zero games tend to bestow upon us, but considering this is a license-based game that's being targeted to kids, Speed Racer isn't looking too bad.(Note: MTV's videos are region-locked, unfortunately, so we're sorry if those of you outside of the U.S. can't watch it!)
He's Speed Racer and he drives real fast
Drives real fast -- he's gonna last. New screens of the Speed Racer movie tie-in game (which looks more like F-Zero Wipeout than anything else), revealing pretty much the same kind of roller-coaster-like tracks we've seen in the Wii version. We aren't sure what's going to happen on (the rest of) the touch screen -- will there be a steering controller, Ridge Racer/Indianapolis 500 Legends style? Warner Bros. Interactive is hiding that particular detail carefully, going so far as to release screenshots like the one seen here with part of the bottom screen visible.The screenshots also reveal that "car-fu" is really the name the producers have given to the racing action, in this case seemingly some kind of car-to-car combat. We thought -- and hoped -- that it was just an informal term for some kind of especially acrobatic racing.
Video: Shooting Project Origin's crab people
Nothing says happy Friday like seeing a twisted and freaky bloody monster-thing doing the crab walk all while he tries to eat off your face. Lovely. Embedded after the break you can view the latest "Abomination" trailer for Monolith's F.E.A.R. sequel Project Origin and between the freaky crab person bits, we get to see actual gameplay. And if we ever mocked Project Origin's graphics before, we take back those statements because (visually) it looks dandy fine. Okay, back to watching the bloody crab walk ...
Project Origin trailer: Alma just wants to play
After watching the latest "Swingset Trailer" for Monolith's upcoming Project Origin, we have absolutely no doubt that the Lith are experts at creating crazy, twisted and totally freaky experiences. Then again, have we ever doubted them? Go ahead, give the latest Project Origin trailer a looksy and try to tell us Alma doesn't send a chill up your spine or that the swingset doesn't freak you out. Yeah, we've been harsh on Project Origin because of its "dated" graphics, but when it comes to building tension and totally messed up story lines ... well, Lith gets our seal of approval.
Speed Racer ... you know, for kids
If you spent your days as a youngin' watching cartoons, you're probably familiar with Speed Racer. Yet, most fans of the series are all grown up now, considering that it aired over a decade ago. (Yes, Speed Racer X was around more recently, but that doesn't count since it got yanked after only a few episodes.)That's why we were kind of baffled after watching this interview with the game's producer, Jeff Nachbaur. Nachbaur explains that the target audience for the upcoming Speed Racer title is 8-12 year olds, so the developers focused most of the game's testing on them. He also mentions that kids will love the roller coaster-esque tracks, in case you weren't sure that this game was made for kids. While we can definitely see those in a young age group becoming enamored with the new movie (which is what this game is based on), what about the gaggle of oldschool Speed Racer fans (like this blogger)? Will we enjoy it, too?Perhaps -- after all, Mario Kart is an all-ages racer -- but the constant emphasis on this being a kids game has us a little less excited.[Via GoNintendo]
Warner pops extras into digital edition of Nancy Drew: Drew's Clues
One of the criticisms leveled at digital distribution over old fashioned discs is a lack of extras, but Warner Bros. has something for that with its latest release, Nancy Drew: Drew's Clues. Available digitally (VOD, Amazon Unbox, iTunes, Xbox Marketplace) from the same day as the DVD release, viewers can either get the regular movie, or the Drew's Clues edition with "Movies that Pop" pop ups for trivia facts, quizzes and behind the scenes info. This is aimed primarily at the teen-girl sleepover crowd, and while the regular flick is out in HD on all services, Drew's Clues is SD only, plus, to watch it both ways, you would have to rent (and pay for) both versions separately. Key advance that increases the appeal of downloads, or one more reason to take the remote when you leave your tween home alone, we can't decide. [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via Variety]
Project Origin community website launched
Since delivering on expectations at last E3 and being later christened with a new, acronym-deficient title, developer Monolith has been eerily quiet regarding its upcoming horror-themed follow up to 2005's F.E.A.R. Now the company has launched a community website for the game, offering a one-stop buffet if you will for all things F.E.A.R. 2 Project Origin. The site is currently light on content, offering just a smattering of developer blog posts (lead engineer Russ P says the game is "coming together nicely") alongside some backstory and information about the game's various weapons. However, it's the included gameplay trailer that proves the most interesting addition to the website, showing an early look at the sorts of nasties Alma Wade has in store -- though most of all we just hope that Project Origin will bring the chills that the first game promised but never delivered.
Lith to improve upon everything with Project Origin
Now that they've sent Condemned 2 on its merry way, Monolith will now be focusing all its energy towards F.E.A.R.'s not-so sequel Project Origin and that crazy, crazy Alma. IGN sat down and chatted with Project Origin lead designer John Mulkey to get the dirt on how development is progressing, what Monolith's goals are with Origin and what we can look forward to. And the general theme we're hearing is that Origin will take what was offered in F.E.A.R. and add more. More enemy types, more weapons, more locations and more variety. We can't be sure if more variety will equal commercial success or if Origin will still be looked at as F.E.A.R. 1.5, but we can be sure that Monolith is confident and that gives us some comfort for now. Our only gripe thus far is the game's "soft" and "flat" graphics, but maybe that's just us being nit-picky.
Warner's $400 mil payoff rumor rides again
Some rumors never die, and this one we heard even before the official Warner press release was issued. Now that the format war is officially over, newspapers and magazines everywhere are looking back on the events preceding Toshiba's announcement. While no one really knows why each studio made its decision, The Globe and Mail cites "analysts" who think the payoff was a factor. Well, we asked Warner point blank about the payoff rumor and Kevin Tsujihara, president, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group said that it "was not a bidding war" and that it really came down to Q4 sales. This answer leaves us with the impression that while some money probably changed hands, the real reason why Warner went Blu was because during all of 2007 the Blu-ray versions of Warner's titles always outsold the HD DVD. The bottom line is that regardless of any single payoff, since Warner owns most of the home media market, it had the most to lose if it waited too long to chose a format. [Disclosure: Engadget's parent company's parent company is Time Warner]
Blu-ray players grab 93 percent of market after Warner went Blu
According to the latest NPD group report, during the month of December Blu-ray players held 60 percent of the HD media player market -- despite the fact that HD DVD players were considerably cheaper. While that might've helped Warner in its decision to go Blu, the move has definitely had a dramatic effect on player sales since. According to the same study the week after the announcement, Blu-ray players were able to grab 93 percent of the market, which puts the year to date (short, we know) share for Blu-ray players at 70 percent. Granted, it's hard to put too much stock in just a week or two of data, but if this and the recent media sales numbers (85 percent) becomes a trend, maybe this won't be such a slow death for HD DVD after all.[Via Blu-ray.com]
Domestic marketing executive booted from Warner Bros.
Shortly after the selection heard 'round the world was made, one of Warner Bros.' (owned by Time Warner, which also owns Engadget's parent companies) own has been given the boot. Granted, this wouldn't be nearly as surprising if it were happening on the red side, but we digress. Dawn Taubin, the head of domestic marketing at the studio for six years, was recently ousted after Jeff Robinov -- who reportedly didn't exactly get along with Ms. Taubin -- was promoted to president. Currently, no replacement has been named, but whoever manages to grab the role should have a much easier time now that the studio can focus on one side.[Via AdAge, thanks Rye C.]
To the LEGO-Cave!
We're not really sure what's going on in this picture, but they sure do look guilty, don't they? Or perhaps just annoyed that we're watching while they attempt to sneak up on some villain types. From the latest screenshots from LEGO Batman, there are plenty of those running around. See for yourself in our fresh new gallery!%Gallery-13236%
Warner preparing Blu-ray profile 1.1 movies
Having announced that they have gone Blu-ray exclusive less than a week ago, Warner Bros. has told High-Def Digest that they will soon be releasing profile 1.1 compatible movies. Warner have been slow to release movies on Blu-ray in comparison to HD-DVD because they have been waiting for picture-in-picture commentaries and other such features which have only recently been made available to Blu-ray players via profile 1.1. While no dates have been given for any upcoming releases, Batman Begins and The Matrix were both mentioned as being prepped for Blu-ray release. We can't wait for profile 1.1 movies to start hitting the shelves and if one of the first is going to the The Matrix, we're doubly excited. The format war may be fun to discuss, but we shouldn't forget what it means: more disc releases on Blu-Ray. Bring them on.
The NY Times asks: is HD DVD dead?
Warner Brothers' surprise announcement of Blu-ray exclusivity may have effectively ended the format war. At least, that's what analysts are thinking. Richard Greenfield, the media analyst with Pali Research, wrote a pretty sharp comment about the state of the format wars. It's over. "We expect HD DVD to 'die' a quick death," he said.According to Greenfield, NBC Universal did not commit to backing HD DVD exclusively, which means their catalog of products can move to Blu-ray in the future. Fans of Heroes and Battlestar Galactica, among other series, can breathe a sigh of relief. Paramount and Dreamworks, on the other hand, do have an exclusivity agreement, but may have a potential "escape clause" to abandon their support of the format.Toshiba and Microsoft are the big backers of HD DVD in this format war, and it appears that WB's announcement caught the electronics manufacturer off-guard. According to GameDaily, the company released a statement: "Toshiba is quite surprised by Warner Bros.' decision to abandon HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray, despite the fact that there are various contracts in place between our companies concerning the support of HD DVD ... We were particularly disappointed that this decision was made in spite of the significant momentum HD DVD has gained in the US market as well as other regions in 2007."The next steps are unclear at the moment. Will Toshiba and Microsoft raise the white flag, or will they bust out the moneybags to continue the battle? "We will assess the potential impact of this announcement with the other HD DVD partner companies and evaluate potential next steps. We remain firm in our belief that HD DVD is the format best suited to the wants and needs of the consumer."[Sources: GameDaily, The NY Times]
Warner Bros goes Blu-ray exclusive
The formerly neutral Warner Bros. has thrown its exclusive support behind Blu-ray as its next-gen disc of choice. HD DVD films will still be produced through May 2008, said Warner Home Video. That means now Disney/Pixar, Warner Bros., Fox, Sony, MGM, and Lionsgate are all Blu-ray exclusive, while Paramount/Dreamworks and Universal are HD DVD-exclusive (porn is still taking both sides).What does this mean for the fate of the so-called format wars? The New York Times is suggesting Warner Bros has ended the war, quickly putting an end to HD DVD. Toshiba has released a statement expressing its surprise and disappointment with the decision. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Warner drops HD DVD, goes Blu-Ray only
The question we find ourselves asking is "what does Michael Bay think?" Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced that the company will discontinue releasing its movies on HD DVD beginning in May of this year in favor of Blu-Ray exclusivity. The decision comes as Warner Bros. CEO Bary Meyer airs concerns that "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger." In other words, if one format doesn't win out soon, a newer format could dominate them both. Digital downloads, perhaps? Maybe Michael Bay was right after all. Whatever your position in the format war (we're happy with our DVDs, thanks), this represents a big blow to HD DVD, and rumor has it that Warner Bros. received a hefty chunk of change in exchange for Blu-Ray exclusivity.So, starting this summer, your 360 HD DVD player might be feeling a bit lonely (except for the fine films from Paramount and Dreamworks, of course). We're guessing you'll still be able to pick up Warner Bros. movies off of Video Marketplace though.[Via EngadgetHD]
Warner's Noonan denies Blu-ray exclusive, which is nice
Freeze gopher! That Warner Brothers rumor which seemingly pre-dates the availability of both Blu-ray and HD DVD gear has returned. A week after Warner was to dirty HD DVDs swimming pool with their exclusive Blu-ray doodie, Jim Noonan (Noonan!), Warner Bros. Senior Vice President and General Manager, returns with this peach of a response, "We have made no decision to change our present policy which is to produce in both HD DVD and Blu-ray." And that's all she wrote.
The Daily Grind: MMOs that didn't click
You know how it goes. You hear about a great idea for an MMO -- perhaps based on a book, movie, or game you loved. You devote time and effort to following forums, reading up on developer notes, and trying to get into the beta. But somehow, the idea translates poorly. Even if it's a good solid MMO, it just doesn't click with you for some reason. Or maybe they looked at the source story/information and then ran screaming in the totally wrong direction with the game's storyline.Personally, such was the case for me with The Matrix Online. I remember chasing every scrap of information I could get about it, watching videos and all of that. I did manage to make it into the beta, and what I saw there both exhilarated me and saddened me. The game was so very cool looking. The ability to decompile items into code and recompile the code bits into other items struck me as being perfect for someone truly aware that they are living in the world of MxO. But despite all the things I loved about it, I just couldn't handle the combat system; I'd describe it as rock-paper-scissors with Bullet Time. I understand they've since reworked it, and I'll probably give it a try again before long knowing how much I love MMOs. Of course, I'd counter with the fact that had they just used a more traditional MMO combat system from the word go, I'd probably never have left in the first place. How about you? Were there any games that you were excited about but just didn't work out for you? What things about them made you step back? What would you change if you could?
Lego Batman to hit Wiis next year
TT Games officially announced today that the next game in the LEGO franchise, LEGO Batman: The Videogame, is coming out on the Wii (and pretty much every other system). The game will be made by the same development team that made the popular LEGO Star Wars games.LEGO Batman not only lets you play as Batman and Robin, but you can also play as the bad guys. The press release didn't specify whether or not villain control will be limited to certain sections of the game or available throughout, but it's still a nice feature to add. More things to look forward to include the vehicle construction feature, utilizing Batman's gadgetry, and a two player co-op mode. We're 100% convinced that this game is going to rock our world. The game is schedule for a Fall 2008 release, though, and we just don't know how we're going to wait that long. Ah, the sweet, sweet torture of it all.[Via press release]
Lego Star Wars developer travels to Warner
Travellers' Tales, the British developer most recently known for their Lego Star Wars series, will soon be acquired by Warner Bros. Luckily, this does not spell the end of their popular series, as they have announced that they will maintain their current partnerships with Lego and LucasArts. Quite a relief for those looking forward to the upcoming Lego Indiana Jones game.Just about the only relationship this new acquisition calls into question is that between Travellers' Tales and Sega. TT has had a longstanding partnership with Sega, developing high-profile games like Sonic R, Sonic 3D Blast and Super Monkey Ball Adventure. Of course, those aren't the best three Sega games, so maybe it's not much of a problem for them to be off the market.
