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Batarang Controllers Announced For Oz and NZ

Joshua Spudic
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Batarang Controllers Announced For Oz and NZ

The guys at Bluemouth Interactive have announced that they will distribute the Batarang Controllers that will coincide with the release of Batman: Arkham City, the sequel to the 2009 hit Batman: Arkham Asylum. There will be two versions, one for the Playstation 3 and one for the Xbox 360. Both are licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive, publishers of the game. Batman fans will revel in the authenticity of the design of the Batarang, while gamers will appreciate the comfort and performance of these one-of-a-kind controllers.

Bluemouth also revealed the features of both controllers, listed below:

The Xbox 360 version also includes an Xbox Guide button, and a wired 10ft / 3m cable. The centre bat buttons (from left to right) are: back, LED colour select and start.

The wireless PS3 version also includes motion sensing technology, an internal rechargeable battery, a Batman-themed USB RF receiver and 6-foot USB charging cable. The four lights on the left side of the PS3 controller shows the remaining battery charge, the four lights on the right show which channel the controller is using. The bat buttons (from left to right) are: battery charge indicator on and off, select, home, start and LED colour select.

No pricing has been announced yet but expect both controllers to be in stores on October 19th, the release date for Batman: Arkham City.

Xbox 360 Batarang Controller:

Black Ops: Rezurrection DLC available now on Xbox 360, soon for PS3 and PC

Travis Bruno
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Some people play Call of Duty: Black Ops for the competitive multiplayer, a small amount play it for the story, but quite a lot of people play the game for its zombie killing goodness. Today Activision and Treyarch released a new package of DLC that caters directly to those who love killing zombies with their friends, as Call of Duty: Black Ops’ Rezurrection DLC contains only zombie maps.

The maps that will be included in the package are the remade maps of World at War: swamp, night, asylum, factory, and the new moon which you can see some gameplay for below, as well as a bit a hint as to why the zombies are on the moon in the first place. Those who purchase this package will be able to also receive a zombie soundtrack and moon theme that they can download seperately. The DLC is out now for the Xbox 360 and sometime in the future for the PS3 and PC, and it will cost the usual lovely price of 1200 MSP. Though if you bought the Prestige version of Black Ops, you will be able to get the content for free. You can add Black Ops’ Rezurrection DLC to your download queue here.

Gamestop: Used Games Sales Good For Business

Joshua Spudic
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When Gamestop released their second quarter results, they noted that digital distribution and used game sales were on the rise. Apparently, according to GameStop’s executive vice president Michael Mauler in an interview with game magazine Edge, used game sales are a good thing. He believes that, not only do used game sales will benefit the consumer, but also benefit the developer and publisher. I might be wrong, but doesn’t the retailer pick up 100% of the sale of a used game?

Anyway, here is Mr Mauler’s reasoning: if gamers didn’t have the chance to actually trade in their games, there was a less chance of them of picking up a brand new game. Now, retailers do embrace a trade it policy, but you usually don’t get that much in store credit or cash unless you trade a handful of games in. I talk from experience, everyone.

Here are Mr Mauler’s words on that issue:

“I can understand the feelings [but] we’ve sat down with developers and publishers and really gone through the data. I personally think there’s a lot of benefit to the publisher. A great example is sequels, where there’s a large percentage of people who are just not going to spend $60 every single year without being able to do something. They’ll look at their shelf and see ten FIFAs, Pro Evos or Maddens.”

“Being able to take the older one and do something with it in order to buy the next version is really important to consumers. That drives new sales quite a bit.”

Mr Mauler also goes into downloadable content and online passes. He believes that the sales of downloadable content rise with a growing used market, however, completely dismisses the idea of the online pass. For those who don’t know, the online pass is a growing trend to force used game customers to pay for basic online features. It was introduced to curb the sales of used games and, as we have seen, it isn’t working.

He also bemoans the fact that the scheduling of major titles are so compact. I tend to agree with him. Why are major releases so close together? There are twelve months in a year, why do we need every big game released in two months? Anyway, here is what Mr Mauler had to say:

“We the industry have done it to ourselves. We take all the great releases and put them all in a two-month period.”

“If you’re an FPS fan, you look at all the games that are coming out this fall, and you’d have to be pretty wealthy to buy all of them. There are going to be people who buy Battlefield 3, and they’re not going to have €60 for at least another month or two…they’re all coming out so close together.”

For the full interview, follow the link. You can have your say, as well. I’m interested on what the public thinks about used game sales.

Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition Released Today

Joshua Spudic
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If you are ready to take on the best of the best, then take out your wallets as Street Fighter III: Thrid Strike Online Edition has been released today. Available as a downloadable title on both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, the game will feature enhanced visual presentation and GGPO-netcode to provide an ultimate online experience. This is what Capcom had to say:

Capcom today announced the release of Street Fighter® III: Third Strike Online Edition for PlayStation®Network and Microsoft Xbox LIVE® Arcade. One of the deepest and most sophisticated fighting games of all time, Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition maintains an arcade-perfect experience while including additional features such as updated graphics, a robust online experience, and a deep challenge system allowing players to push themselves and reap rewards for accomplishments beyond wins and losses.

Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition will be the first pure fighting game to use GGPO-netcode – an often fan-requested feature. This online functionality allows for smooth pixel-perfect arcade play against online adversaries. In addition to facing off against friends online, players will be able to watch local and global match replays in-game as well as immediately upload replays directly to YouTube to share with the rest of the world. Gamers can have up to seven friends join them in the “Watch With Friends” in-game channel where they can search for and view specific matches that they can discuss together.

Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition features a slew of upgraded visual options. New and original art and menus create a fresh interface for the game. Carefully fine-tuned HD filtering options provide players several choices to fully customize their viewing experience both offline and online, including playing in a simulated arcade cabinet, optional scan lines, original arcade graphics, or widescreen in beautiful HD.

Players can stretch themselves beyond the matches with hundreds of different online and offline challenges that are updated real time on the side of the screen. These can be completed to earn Vault Points that are redeemable for a wide array of content ranging from fan art to original in-game movies. Players can also earn Vault Points in a trials mode, which helps new players learn more about Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition techniques such as parrying, while allowing experienced players to hone their skills. There is also a training mode for players new to fighting games and those wanting to re-introduce themselves to the basics.

Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition is available this week to download on PlayStation Network for 14.99 euros or Microsoft Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1200 Microsoft® Points. Additionally, today, eager players can unlock tough end boss character Gill or unlock dip switch functionality for .99 euros or 80 Microsoft Points each as an alternate to beating arcade mode with all characters. The YouTube share functionality will be available on both consoles within the first few days of launch.

For more information about Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition please visit: Capcom-Europe.com.

Expect a review from Capsule Computers soon.

Square Enix reveal Coral Tombs at PAX Prime

Darren Resnekov
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Hot on the heels of the release of Deus EX, Square Enix are busy as ever, this time at PAX Prime, where they will be releasing a first look at Coral Tombs, a brand new build for Heroes of Ruin. Anyone at the PAX event is urged to visit the Penny Arcade Expo to get the lowdown on this amazing looking new addition to the game.
Coral Tombs is an ancient graveyard that has been lost to time and is now under the command of the ocean. As such the area is alive with washed up debris from wrecked ships, floating driftwood, endless hidden buildings and caves to lose yourself in. For those brave enough to enter, the tomb holds rich rewards, loot and of course wouldn’t be worthy without buried treasure. But don’t think you are just going to walk in and help yourself to the goodies. Waiting in every dark nook and cranny is general nastiness in the form of fish beasts, shark men and giant crabs just waiting to chow down on your meaty flesh and bones.
As is quickly evident, the camps are made primarily from washed up driftwood, providing dwellers with protection from the elements as well as furniture and other items. Will you brave the near darkness and enter the tomb to hopefully find a cure for Ataraxis?

First full trailer for Aliens: Colonial Marines

Claire Phillips
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It’s been a long time coming, but Aliens: Colonial Marines finally has a full trailer! The game was first announced all the way back in 2006, and is actually the second title to carry the Colonial Marines title after a cancelled PS2 effort from EA in 2001. This one has survived however, and is being brought to the table by Gearbox Software and Sega.

Players will take charge of a group of United States Colonial Marines as they board a deserted spaceship to try and discover what has happened to the crew. If you’re a big fan of the movies, then the name of the ship should ring a bell – the U.S.S Sulaco. That’s right, it’s the ship that Ripley and the marines of Aliens use to make their way to a certain xenomorph infested colony…

What’s great to see is that the game tackles the Alien universe as it should be – free of Predators! Weapons and environments such as Hadley’s Hope and LV-426 are all drawn from the films, and there are a couple of Battlestar Galactica writers on board to flesh out the story. It sounds fantastic, and now that a trailer with some gameplay has actually landed, looks the part too, with plenty of ferocious xenomorphs lurking in the shadows (or not).

A release date is yet to be confirmed, but Gearbox and publishers Sega are aiming for a spring 2012 release for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. The game is also being developed on Nintendo’s up and coming Wii U, but there seems to be a bit of uncertainty as to when or if the game will be released on the new console. Fingers crossed that Nintendo doesn’t get left out of the facehugger party!

 

NHL 12 and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine demos arrive on Xbox Live

Travis Bruno
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Feel like playing the next big hockey game to come out of EA Sports but don’t feel like paying a whole lot of money for that Season Pass? Well there is a demo released today on the Xbox Live Marketplace which will allow you to get just a little taste of what to expect in a few weeks when the NHL 12 is released to stores. You will be able to check out the new goalie interaction as well as smashing your opponent’s players through the glass.

If hockey isn’t violent enough for you, there is also a very bloody and violent demo available today as well. The demo for Warhammer 40K: Space Marine went live today as well, which will let you get a bit of a taste of the title before it is released on September 6th. Now if only they made hockey sticks with chainsaws built in…

PlayStation Home receives major facelift this Fall with quests and themed districts

Travis Bruno
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The PlayStation Home service is either something you love, or tried once and ignored ever since. But Sony isn’t going to let you just forget about this free service, because they will be updating the PlayStation Home with a major overhaul that will not only provide a better experience to its users but be more enjoyable to use.

The service will now have a new Hub which will integrate games, quests, community events and user-generated content, while providing players with additional navigation, shopping, socialization and entertainment options.”

The Hub will allow players to do practically everything that they want to within the Home, including checking on quests or creating their own events on the Activity Board. The Hub isn’t the only facelift however, as there are now four themed areas where you can venture into. These are called the Action District, Sportswalk, Adventure District and Pier Park. Each will have their own theme and focus. This update will come alongside a client update (what else is new?) this Fall.

From Dust online-authentication to be removed by official patch

Travis Bruno
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If you have a PC and are a gamer, then the bane of your existence is always-on or even any type of DRM. From Dust was ported to the PC and has such a DRM service which requires that any time you start the game up you need to verify that you actually own the damn thing by being online. It seems Ubisoft has heard fan outrage because they will be releasing a patch in the next two weeks that will remove the boot-up DRM.

A statement from Ubisoft regarding the patch says that players will automatically get the update as long as they already own the title and “subsequent game sessions will be 100% offline.” While this fixes the problem with the DRM, there are still the massive amount of glitches and problems that may make PC gamers still want to avoid the PC version.

Sonic 4 Episode 2 blurs onto digital shelves in 2012

Travis Bruno
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Just the other day I was thinking that Sega has taken a long time to release the next episode in the Sonic 4 game series. It seems that it will take even longer however than it has now because in an interview with Eurogamer, Sonic Team’s Takashi Iikuza explained that Sonic 4 wouldn’t be seeing Episode 2 until next year because this year is Sonic’s anniversary.

The team is “focusing on the celebration title” which is Sonic Generations, and because of the teams focus on the title, Episode 2 will be “moving forward to 2012.” This is a bit of a disappointment to those who enjoyed the downloadable version of Episode 1, but at least it is good to know that the project hasn’t been scrapped, but simply shelved temporarily.

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