There were some big announcements from Siren Visual at Supanova Sydney today. With new anime out on DVD and streaming this upcoming anime season, Siren was definitely on the ball with these announcements. Here’s what was announced:
Dennou Coil – Will be streaming on ANN this July and it’s first DVD is set to be released in September .
Bunny Drop – Will be streaming on ANN this July and it’s DVD release is as of this writing, to be determined.
Angel Beats – Will be released to DVD this September, the status of a Blu-Ray release is unknown at this point.
Siren have definitely got a great line-up here and are proving themselves to be a great alternative to anime fans, looking for something different and unique, that they can’t find elsewhere in this country.
Parrot had quite a showing at this years E3, announcing Android support as well as new games AR.Race, AR.FlyingAce and AR.Pursuit in addition to an international competition for pilots who can record their flights to enter. If you’re top gun enough, Parrot will even send you to Paris for the finals. Capsule Computers EIC Philip Federico got a chance to catch up with with Parrot and discussed their announcements as well as upcoming accessories and monthly firmware updates.
If you were concerned that you would never be able to play the third game of the F.E.A.R. series than you have nothing to be afraid of anymore. Well other than the game itself maybe, because F.E.A.R. 3 has finally seen a launch trailer, especially since the game will be released next week on June 21st for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
The launch trailer shows off plenty of the creepy moments that you’ll be seeing in the game as well as Point Man and Paxon Fettel working together. All set to the tune of a Marilyn Manson song which certainly fits the whole F.E.A.R. mindset. Who will be picking this game up next week? Or has the series grown a bit too stale for you after three games and a number of delays?
If you thought you had seen the last of Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51’s strange but hilarious Shadows of the Damned developer diaries then you are sorely mistaken my friend. They have released another developer diary and this time around they are talking about the game’s sound effects and what sets Shadows of the Damned apart from other games in that category.
In my opinion they could have had the voice over actors do most of the voices in the game because they certainly would fit right in. Besides the spooky sounds of the environment we can’t forget that you’ll be also treated to your Johnson talking non-stop. Your gun Johnson that is…. You can catch the video below and also catch Shadows of the Damned when it is released next week on June 21st for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Unfortunately the news of gaming websites and game developer services being hacked has become commonplace and today is no different. Sega sent out emails today to member who use the Sega Pass online network to warn them of a recent breach in the data security of their system.
Sega does not know the extent of the breach at the moment but does say that a “subset of Sega pass members email addresses, dates of birth and encrypted passwords were obtained.” The encrypted passwords means that the passwords are not going to be easily used by others. The recently in the news hacker group known as Lulz Security has said that they are not responsible for the attack and no other group has claimed responsibility.
The below letter is the email that was sent out to affected users:
Dear XXXXX,
As you may be aware, the SEGA Pass system has been offline since yesterday, Thursday 16 June.
Over the last 24 hours we have identified that unauthorised entry was gained to our SEGA Pass database.
We immediately took the appropriate action to protect our consumers’ data and isolate the location of the breach. We have launched an investigation into the extent of the breach of our public systems.
We have identified that a subset of SEGA Pass members emails addresses, dates of birth and encrypted passwords were obtained. To stress, none of the passwords obtained were stored in plain text.
Please note that no personal payment information was stored by SEGA as we use external payment providers, meaning your payment details were not at risk from this intrusion.
If you use the same login information for other websites and/or services as you do for SEGA Pass, you should change that information immediately.
We have also reset your password and all access to SEGA Pass has been temporarily suspended.
Additionally we recommend you please take extra caution if you should receive suspicious emails that ask for personal or sensitive information.
Therefore please do not attempt to login to SEGA Pass at present, we will communicate when the service becomes available.
We sincerely apologise for this incident and regret any inconvenience caused.
We are contacting all our members with these recommendations.
If you have any further questions please contact SEGA customer support on [email protected]
Codemasters announced today that they will be ending the online play in GRID for the PlayStation 3 and PC. The title was released over three years ago for the PS3 PC and the Xbox 360. For some reason the Xbox 360 version of the game is still going to be supported online for the moment.
Codemasters released this information in their own forums saying “After three years of service, 2008’s Race Driver: GRID’s online play service has been discontinued for the PS3 and PC editions of the game” They went on to say that the decision was not their own but in fact “the decision by a third party provider to decline the offer of an extended contract to continue online play on these platforms. Race Driver: GRID for Xbox 360 is not affected.”
They went on to thank their users and also apologize to anyone who still played those titles online. Of course this is going to make at least a few people upset, but at least it sounds like Codemasters tried to keep the game online. Though after three years perhaps its time to move on.
If you are a big fan of Portal 2 on the PC then you may want to keep reading. Portal 2 and the Razer have teamed up and are going to be offering a new Portal 2 DLC package exclusive to anyone who owns a PC. Well anyone who owns a PC and the new Sixense motion controller device that Razer recently released.
Also you are going to have to be willing to pay $140 for the content. The actual pack is the “Sixense Motion Pack” and will include six new levels and stretchable blocks that can be modified to whatever use you’ll need them for. You can order the controller itself through Steam and comes with the DLC and a copy of Portal 2. If you feel like paying a ton for something that only has one real use at the moment, then you can do so at the Steam page. Anyone see a bit of a likliehood this could be released on the PlayStation 3 with Move compatibility in the future?
PlayStation Home may not be the pinnacle of entertainment that Sony wants it to be, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have the occasional hot bit of content every once in awhile. Namely the PlayStation Home virtual E3 booth that they held this year. There were over 500,000 users that stopped in to check what Sony was showing off during the show says VentureBeat.
The PlayStation Home version of the booth offered some game demos and floor coverage of the show and even a press conference. There apparently was also some sort of hands on of the PS Vita, though exactly how they did that I have no clue. It is interesting to note that this number is double of the virtual attendees which showed up at last years E3 Home conference.
Mortal Kombat’s first kombatant available for DLC, Skarlet, becomes available on June 21st to purchase at the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 400 Microsoft points, but she won’t be the only new downloadable content to enjoy! Cyrax and Sektor’s Mortal Kombat 3 alternate constumes will be available as well for free! And the most exciting part is you can expect ALOT more of this free stuff as well coming soon!
Warner Bros. Interactive and NetherRealm recently announced that four DLC fighters will be available to download over this summer (or winter depending on which side of the world your on) with Skarlet being the first on Tuesday, and Kenshi, Rain and another unannounced fighter soon to follow. These new free cyborg costumes aren’t coming on the same day as Skarlet by coincidence though, it’s been announced that with each fighter coming to DLC for purchase, a compatibility pack which will also be released on the same day, which will include 2 FREE klassic skins!
The value gets even better though, because the Mortal Kombat Season Pass has been announced, which will give the player all four fighters for the price of three. So instead of buying them all individually for 400 MSP, you can save 400 MSP by buying the pass for 1,200 MSP. Unfortunately there’s no news on a season pass for PS3 owners, so they’ll have to purchase the fighters individually for $4.95, but the klassic skins are still free!
If this isn’t enough news to get you excited, NeatherRealm has also released a trailer for Sektor and Cyrax’s klassic skins, which you can see in it’s robotic gory glory below!
Williams Pinball Classics
Publisher: System 3
Developer: FarSight Studios
Platform: Xbox 360 (PS3, Wii, PSP)
Genre: Pinball/Arcade/Simulation
Released: 17th June
Some time ago, System 3 released a game by the name of Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection in North America which compiled a number of classic pinball tables manufactured by the Williams group in video game form. Since then, the developers have been busy at work refining the game and improving some aspects they weren’t completely happy with for the PAL release of the game. And voila – it has resulted in the game before us now, Williams Pinball Classics, which features subtle tweaks but ultimately provides a similar dose of the classic pastime.
Among the improvements are adjustments to the ball physics and camera angles, and the added detail given to the graphics and the design of table models. I must say, the ball physics are spot-on and when combined with the authenticity of the tables due to the developers’ devotion to detail, they come together to create a realistic pinball experience. The camera angle can be altered using the X button to toggle between views, although the camera will auto-adjust to suit the current situation, following the ball and zooming in to give you a better few of certain scoring areas, but generally sticking to a comfortable default overview of the table, or panning out a little when multiple balls are active on the table to allow you to keep track of them all.
The tables themselves have been lovingly recreated, with machines dating back to 1970 but all the while maintaining their original sound and design. While pinball enthusiasts may recognise some of the tables, fortunately prior knowledge of the tables is by no means required to enjoy the tables. That said, for those interested in the history there are a couple of small touches put in place, such as the ability to view each tables original flyer, plus the general level of authenticity to the point where even the digit match mini-game at the end of each game has been carried over. Of the 13 tables, only a couple show their age and seem a little less action-packed than others, and each one in their own right is a classic. Pinball is so soothingly simple and addictive that it’s so easy sink a few hours into a single table in one play session without being fully aware of the passage of time. Considering this is only one table and after this time it’s likely that you will have still barely scratched the surface in terms of places to explore on the table, 13 tables is a huge amount of entertainment.
Each table carries its own set of tasks for you to complete known as ‘Table Goals’, which make up the achievements of the Xbox 360 version. These can be individual challenges related the table and its scoring areas, or straight forward challenges like earning an Extra Ball and meeting a high score-based requirement. Completing all Table Goals for one machine allows you to unlock one system in your ‘Arcade’ for free-play and then presents you with a new set of harder goals called ‘Wizard Goals’, also linked to the achievements in place.
Controlling the game is completely intuitive, and is as easy for someone new to pick up as it is for someone used to the real thing to adapt to. The left and right flippers are controlled with the respective triggers, while pulling back the plunger to launch the ball and start the game is executed using a similar motion on the right control stick. The left control stick serves as a nudge function – a useful weapon in any pinball player’s arsenal if used correctly – and like in real-life, overuse of this can cause the table to enter ‘tilt’ mode where the flippers and table mechanisms are disabled to punish you for abusing the machine too much. If the ball gets stuck and even nudging can’t free it up, there’s even an option located in the pause menu to ‘Call Attendant’, who will then reset the stationary ball to let play continue, and although the ball didn’t get wedged once during my time with the game, it’s great to see the developers have put thought into potential problems that may arise and, in turn, provided the player with solutions.
There are three separate modes on offer, all delivering pure pinball with no nonsensical story shoe-horned in-between. The first of which is ‘Arcade’ which sees you shift from machine to machine in an arcade complex, before choosing one you want to settle down on and play. You can then either insert credits for one play, or provided you’ve amassed enough credits, you can purchase the table for free-play and never have to spend credits to play it again. You start out with only a small number of credits, but they are readily made available, with you earning more based on your score, the aforementioned randomised digit-matching game which provides a bonus 1-in-10 chance of bagging an extra credit at the end of each game, two tables unlocked for free-play from the off, and the other two modes available for play without using up any credits.
As well as the Arcade, there’s ‘Tournament’ mode and the ‘Williams Challenge’. Tournament mode is where you can indulge in a spot of multiplayer, albeit turn-based multiplayer. The cycle of tables is limited to those unlocked for free-play and the mode pits players against each other, alternating turns to see who can achieve the highest score at the end. Alternatively, you could go old school and opt for the more intimate multiplayer experience of sharing one controller and manning a paddle each, which is always good fun. The Williams Challenge, on the other hand, is a test of your pinball ability, offering the task of completing each of the tables with a score above the one specified consecutively, with only two retries for each table. Don’t be deceived by the two retries because this is a gruelling test of your skill, and in some cases, luck, as there are no save points – failure means starting from the beginning. Williams Challenge mode will be a worthy adversary and formidable hurdle for everyone and is thrilling while it lasts, but given nature of it, holds little replay value as most won’t bother to play it through again and will instead invest their time in the Arcade or Tournament mode.
Williams Pinball Classics is one of the finest pinball games around, with hours of entertainment promised by the 13 varied pinball tables. While it can be a little rough around the edges in that the interface seems dated (feeling quite a lot like a grimy back-alley arcade from the 90’s thanks to the mix of classic rock guitar riffs and grungy setting for the opening menu); it delivers where it needs to: the gameplay. Authentically crafted tables with the original, occasionally even amusing sound bytes provide enjoyable arcade action, and the simple nature of play means anyone can pick up the controls. Wager in a reduced price-point and System 3 have a winner on their hands.
