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Kinectimals partners with Build-A-Bear to provide interesting but expensive DLC

Travis Bruno
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Kinectimals was one of the more successful Kinect launch titles, as it not only appealed to young children but also adults who loved small fluffy animals. Microsoft is hoping to capitalize on this fact by releasing Kinectimals Now With Bears on October 11th and they have chose to partner with one of the most iconic bear makers, Build-A-Bear.

Four collectible bears will be available, but the only way that they can be unlocked is to purchase an $18 doll from a Build-A-Bear Workshop to then scan into your Xbox 360 game with the Kinect. This can be a double purchase for parents, as not only do they give their children a new stuffed animal to cuddle but also can play with their teddy bear on the game as well. Though it may be a pain to their wallets.

Star Fox 64 3D has no online mode due to rushing

Travis Bruno
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Star Fox 64 3D was released earlier this month and was widely accepted as being a great representation of what the game was back in the day. However it may have been a bit true to past games, because it still didn’t have an online mode despite a multiplayer section basically begging for it. It seems that Nintendo chose not to include multiplayer for some rather ridiculous reasons.

Speaking with the Official Nintendo Magazine Nintendo representative Yusuke Amano revealed Nintendo’s reasoning which has to be pretty horrible sounding, basically admitting to releasing a rushed title so that they could show off “the appeal of the Nintendo 3DS as quickly as possible.” Read the full explanation below.

“Just making multiplayer parts of existing games playable online isn’t enough to create a satisfying experience for users. The popular online games work in lots of things, so they play well online – and if we wanted to satisfy everyone who bought the game, the costs required for including online support would be vast.

For this project what we needed to do was use Star Fox to provide users with a game that shows the appeal of Nintendo 3DS as quickly as possible. We put a lot of effort into the graphics, and if we had included online support then we couldn’t have reached this level in the time allowed.”

So Nintendo has decided that they should release the game as quickly as possible, despite not including a mode which would have delighted many gamers and truly extend the life of the title. Sure Nintendo may wish that everyone and their friends had a 3DS, but local multiplayer may as well have made playing against other people a non-existant thing.

Forza 4 to receive $30 season pass applicable to six DLC packs

Travis Bruno
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Forza 4 to receive $30 season pass applicable to six DLC packs

It seems like Microsoft has grown rather fond of their season pass now that they have released Gears of War 3. Another Xbox 360 exclusive, Forza Motorsport 4 will also be sporting such a pass which will provide a one time purchase for upcoming DLC that year. Turn 10 studios announced today that the season pass will cost $29.99 which will provide access to all six DLC packages that will be released for the title in the next year.

The cost is 33% less than what one would pay if they bought all packages separately, plus you will receive the American Muscle car pack as a bonus on launch day. The packages have not been detailed but they will most likely many any car lover rev their engine in excitement. The DLC will is set to be released between November 2011 and April 2012 so perhaps should start deciding whether or not this season pass is for you.

Battlefield 3 DLC to be timed exclusive for PlayStation 3

Travis Bruno
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It seems that Sony has decided to step into the ring with its own timed exclusive support now. Sony and EA have arranged to have any Battlefield 3 DLC arrive on the PlayStation 3 before any other console similar to what Microsoft and Activision have worked out for Call of Duty DLC. However unlike Microsoft’s exclusivity, the Battlefield 3 expansions will only be exclusive to the PS3 for a week instead of a month.

This promotion will start with the “Back to Karkand” DLC that will launch later this year and include four maps from Battlefield 2. Of course if you buy your copy during the game’s first release period then you will have access to this DLC for free regardless.

Diablo 3 game director says it “feels better” with a console controller

Travis Bruno
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Blizzard has been teasing a possible Diablo release on consoles for a very long time and today is no different it seems. Blizzard may not be ready for an announcement of any kind, nor are they willing to confirm anything it seems but game director Jay Wilson has had a bit of experience with Diablo 3 using a console controller.

Speaking with PC Gamer, Wilson revealed that the company has been holding experiments because the team seems to “feel that the controls and the style of the game lend itself to a console.” Things seem to have done well because the tests have been successful. “With some of our early experiments in putting a direct control scheme into the game via a 360-like analogue controller, I’ve been ‘Oh this feels even better, with direct control…'”

Of course there is still no confirmation, and in fact Blizzard may not even have gamepad support or anything similar to that when Diablo 3 is released on PC admits Wilson. Even if it is accepted at some point he says that “initially with release I don’t think we’ll be ready.”

Grand Knights History was XSEED’s teased game, releasing this Winter

Travis Bruno
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Yesterday XSEED began teasing their Twitter followers about a new project that they were working on and would be releasing in the near future. Once the hints began piling up, many people began making relatively accurate guesses it seems because XSEED has revealed that they are working on bringing Vanillaware’s RPG Grand Knights History to the PlayStation Portable in North America.

Grand Knights History is a turn-based RPG from the makers of Odin Sphere and contains hand drawn colorful graphics. Players will enter the world of Listia where three lands are battling against one another. The lands of Union, Avalon and Logres have long been at odds and you will take the role of a captain that must pick a side and fight for what you wish to.

When Grand Knights History is released it will be on both UMD and PSN download this Winter. European gamers will also be getting the title, except rather than XSEED publishing the title there it will be handled by Rising Star Games.

Xbox Live Newsbeat Vol. 37

Joshua Moris
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Hey peeps! The Poid Pipper is getting down and dirty with the latest Xbox Live newsbeat. Let’s take a look at the spotlights for Sept. 20 – Oct. 3.

Gears of War 3

Partnering with the U.S. Air Force for the release of Gears of War 3, Microsoft announced that Sept. 20 – Sept. 26 is “Golden Wings Week”. By playing any match online for this limited duration may result in unlocking the Golden Lancer or Golden Hammerburst weapon for online play. I want a golden weapon…

FIFA 12

I am not normally a fan of soccer games, but FIFA 11 was incredible. So the anticipation for FIFA 12’s release on Sept. 27 is building up. The developers changed to a “Player Impact Engine” that ensures each action to have real-world physicality. Beyond the physics, the online play will make for an interesting twist. Being able to develop your own team franchise by buying, selling, and trading players online opens the door wide open for possibilities.

Now that the spotlights burned your retinas, here are the new releases for the Xbox Box Live Arcade:

GameRelease DateMicrosoft Points
Burnout Crash (Electronic Arts)September 21800
Rotastic (Focus Home Interactive)September 21800
Mercury Hg (Ignition)September 28400
MLB Bobblehead Baseball Battle (Konami)September 28800

And for Game Add-Ons:

Game Add-OnRelease DateMicrosoft Points
Fallout: New Vegas Lonesome Road (Bethesda Softworks)September 20800
Dance Central songs (Harmonix)

  • The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes, “Don’t Cha”
  • Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson and D.O.E., “The Way I Are”
  • Rupee, “Tempted to Touch”
September 20240 (each)

Cannot forget the DEALS of the WEEK!

GameDurationMicrosoft Points
Gyromancer (Square Enix)September 20 – September 26600 (50% off)
Portal: Still Alive (Microsoft Studios)September 20 – September 26600 (50% off)
Bejeweled Blitz LIVE (PopCap Games, Inc.)September 20 – September 26200 (50% off)
Ilomilo (Microsoft Studios)September 20 – September 26400 (50% off)

That’s all for Vol. 37. This is The Poid Pipper bidding you all adieu!

Final Fantasy Versus XIII Details Post TGS

Joshua Spudic
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Yeah, it was a no show. Final Fantasy Versus XIII, a game that has been in development for half a decade at least, did not even have a one second tease at the Tokyo Game Show. No posters, cut outs or logos. They might have been some Noctis or Stella cosplays but who knows. (Phil?) It doesn’t mean Tetsuya Nomura can talk about it, however.

With an interview with Famitsu, Nomura decided to share some details. Firstly, he was in fact conducting a walkthrough of the map and dungeons in its entirety. As director of Final Fantasy Versus XIII, he was not only startled, but quite excited at the scale of the game’s broadness. The private walkthrough involved a look at the towns and the side areas of said towns.

The second bit of information is that Final Fantasy Versus XIII uses two game engines. The Luminous engine, Square Enix’s newly announced next generation game engine, will get its first outing in Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Well certain parts. Nomura pointed out that the lighting in the game has benefited with the use of Luminous. The mechanics, however, will be used by a engine built specifically for the game, meaning no other game will be able to use it. I wonder if that’s where those years went. Nonetheless, I am still excited for the game, despite that long wait. At least its in full production.

Get Up And Dance gains 3 Ministry of Sound tracks

Jack Joly
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O-Games has today announced that they have licensed three recordings from international music label Ministry of Sound Recordings, adding more chart-topping artists, Example, Wretch 32, Vato Gonzalez and Foreign Beggars, to the roster. Get Up And Dance is pitched as a dance game people of any dancing skill can play, and with more of the population’s popular tracks being added, it’s looking more likely they’ll want to.

The three exact tracks making their way onto Get Up And Dance are; Example – ‘Kickstarts’; Vato Gonzalez Feat. Foreign Beggars – ‘Badman Riddim (Jump); Wretch 32 Feat. Example – ‘Unorthodox’.

These add to the list of already announced tracks:

Apache Indian – ‘Boom Shack-A-Lak’
Barenaked Ladies – ‘One Week’
Billy Ray Cyrus – ‘Achy Breaky Heart’
Black Kids – ‘I Am Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance’
De La Soul – ‘Me Myself and I’
Gina G – ‘Ooh Ahh… Just A Little Bit’
Girls Aloud – ‘The Promise’
Gwen Stefani – ‘What You Waiting For’
Jessie J – ‘Nobody’s Perfect’
La Roux – ‘Bulletproof’
Marina & The Diamonds – ‘Hollywood’
Nicole Scherzinger – ‘Poison’
Noisettes – ‘Don’t Upset The Rhythm’
Pulp – ‘Common People’
Pussycat Dolls – ‘Don’t Cha’
Rizzle Kicks – ‘Down With The Trumpets’
Taio Cruz – ‘Come On Girl’
Timbaland featuring Katy Perry – ‘If We Ever Meet Again’

Get Up And Dance releases on Wii and PlayStation Move on PS3 on November 4th, 2011.

NCIS game is heading your way this October

Claire Phillips
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What has 20 million primetime viewers, #1 ratings in the US, nine seasons and (to date) no videogame adaptation? Assuming you read the article title on your way here you will of course know that I am talking about NCIS.

The police procedural drama is all set to make its debut in the video game universe, with a release coming to the Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Wii this October 27. Gamers in European, Middle Eastern and Asian territories will also have the option to play a Nintendo 3DS version of the game(there is no word as of yet on why it will not release on 3DS in the Americas and if this will remain the case).

As far as content goes the NCIS game will contain four original episodes penned by the writers of the show, with players able to take on the roles of their favourite characters to investigate crime scenes, perform autopsies and interrogate and crack suspects. Playable characters are set to include Ziva David, Tony DiNozzo, Abby Sciuto, Ducky Mallard, and special agents Gibbs and McGee.

The game is being developed (with the blessing of CBS) by Ubisoft, who have previously handled eight adaptations of the CSI franchise, so if some crime solving tickles your fancy check out the trailer below…

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