Duke Nukem Forever is a game that has appeared and disappeared numerous times through the last bunch of years.
Once again more rumours for the game that doesn’t stay dead appeared today. Sources state that the game is actually still under development, but now at Gearbox (Developers of Borderlands).
Little is actually known about the game and has been in development for a VERY long time. Take-Two took 3D Realms to court for failing to complete the title in a reasonable time frame (reasonable being an extreme understatement).
The source has stated that Gearbox has picked up development of the title where 3D Realms had left off. Supposedly studio head, Randy Pitchford, indicated that he may be able to clarify the situation at this year’s PAX in Seattle.
Along with all this a supposed playable demo of Duke Nukem Forever would be available later this year.
Rumours are abundant around games, but this is a rumour that many people are hoping will finally be true. Do you see that “Rumour” tag in the title? That means we aren’t responsible for giving info that turns out to fall through the cracks, so no getting mad at us when you get disappointed once again.
Music games really do seem to touch base with every fan out there from rock to pop, country and now even music now coming from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musicals. Music from the famous “Cats” or the “Phantom of the Opera” will now be joining the already huge collection on content in the popular singing game.
Douglas Glen, Head of Digital for The Really Useful Group says: “With the video gaming sector having evolved from its male-dominated roots towards a more family-oriented demographic, we’re very pleased to partner with Microsoft in releasing some of the best-known brands in musical entertainment to their global Lips audience”.
From August 13th 2010, Lips players will be able to access the Andrew Lloyd Webber song packs through the ever expanding “Lips Music Library” (accessible through all titles in the “Lips” series) through Xbox LIVE, for as little as 160 Microsoft Points.
The following Game Add-ons will be available to download via Xbox LIVE:
August 13th
“Memory” – Elaine Paige (Cats)
“All I Ask of You” – Cliff Richard & Sarah Brightman (Phantom of the Opera)
“Love Changes Everything” – Michael Ball (Aspects of Love)
September 10th
“Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” – Elaine Paige (Evita)
“The Phantom of the Opera” – Steve Harley & Sarah Brightman (Phantom of the Opera)
“Any Dream Will Do” – Donny Osmond (Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat)
Someone needs to also send a note to Microsoft for classic TV themes to join the mix. Ya know, Chip & Dale, Duck Tales, or any theme from any 80’s sitcom. With the way releases are looking, anything seems to be possible at this point.
The Nintendo Wii has been dominate of the gaming market since it’s release. It seems like the first two years you couldn’t even find one in stores. Thanks to a recent press release, we now know that the Wii has now sold 30 Million units since the 2006 launch which is certainly a huge accomplishment.
Wii launched in November 2006 and ushered in a new era of video games. The built-in motion controls of the iconic Wii Remote controller drew millions of new players to the world of video games. Kids started playing with their parents and grandparents, people got up off the couch and got active, and seniors and baby boomers formed virtual bowling leagues.
“More than any other video game system in history, Wii has expanded the world of video games to new audiences,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “This milestone is another reminder that people want fun games they can play with others – all at a value-minded price.”
What I find most interesting is how the Wii has been a casual gaming system since release for the most part, shunned by a majority of the hardcore gamers. Since this year’s E3 though, we have seen a huge shift though with nearly all of this year’s remaining releases focused on the titles that made Nintendo famous to start with.
Here is a list of the top 10 Nintendo releases since launch as of June 2010:
1. Wii Play
2. Mario Kart Wii
3. Wii Fit (with Wii Balance Board accessory)
4. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
5. Wii Sports Resort
6. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
7. Super Mario Galaxy
8. Wii Fit Plus (with Wii Balance Board accessory)
9. Mario Party 8
10. Link’s Crossbow Training
The third party top 10 list as of June are:
1. Guitar Hero® III: Legends of Rock from Activision
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games from SEGA
3. LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga from LucasArts
4. Carnival Games from Take-Two Interactive
5. Game Party from Midway
6. EA Sports Active from Electronic Arts
7. Just Dance from Ubisoft
8. Rayman Raving Rabbids from Ubisoft
9. DECA SPORTS from Hudson Entertainment
10. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games from SEGA
With Metroid Other M, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, and Donkey Kong Country Returns still slated to all launch later this year, things should only go up for the beloved developer.
Everyone had that one experience where they were in a band in high school or college or they knew someone who was in a band, maybe you went to a show, saw some kids playing, thought “oh, hey, that’s something”, but admit it, it was all the same. Two guys playing guitar, maybe one of them singing, one bass player, and a drummer. Maybe someone on keyboards, if you knew anyone good enough. Simple right? They play a few shows, put out an album on a small label or even just self release it, nothing happens, they move on and get real jobs. Well what if I told you there’s a band that wasn’t like any of those? Maybe, just maybe, the main draw of the band wasn’t the lyrics and the vocalist’s voice, but maybe it was a hacked NES and an old Gameboy? You’d think I was crazy wouldn’t you? But I’m not, and if you don’t already know who I’m talking about, then you, sir, are the crazy one.
I’m talking about Anamanaguchi, Brooklyn’s own resident chiptune punk band that doesn’t rely on such overrated things as “lyrics” to get their mood across. This purely instrumental band rules simply because of one thing: they’re not a chiptune band, and they’re not a rock band, they’re somewhere in the middle. They have guys on guitar, they have a guy on bass, they have a guy on drums, but what sets them apart is they also have a guy on NES and a guy on Gameboy, making for a truly unique sound unlike any other Chiptune or Punk Rock band.
Their live shows are nothing short of AMAZING. These guys have great stage presence and have a set up where they actually play the NES and Gameboy along with their instruments. They’re not using MP3’s in iTunes hooked up to the PA (like I used to do), they’re actually using the systems themselves, which I think is honestly one of the coolest things on a technical level that the band does. Their shows aren’t just about the music though, as they usually have a screen behind them featuring amazing pixel animations. Just look them up on YouTube real quick, I promise I won’t go anywhere, and you’ll know what I’m talking about after you see them in action.
Recently they did the music for the recently released (for PSN, XBLA gamers get it August 25th) Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, the new game from Ubisoft based on the long loved comic series Scott Pilgrim and the upcoming movie Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (out Friday, August 13th), and I can sincerely say that I’ve never heard of a better band/composer to do the soundtrack for that game.
I first heard about Anamanaguchi from an mp3 my friend sent me as an example of where I should take my music. If you know me, then you know I’ve been in the video game music scene since 2007 doing parody songs. My friend Nick was telling me I should look into doing chiptune music, and he said “check out this band” and I was blown away. So blown away that I didn’t pirate their music, I actually BOUGHT it. Their album Dawn Metropolis has been a main fixture on my iPod for the past few months and when I heard they were doing the music for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, I was immediately excited.
The band is currently having a Summer of Singles thing on their website where every two weeks they release an old fashioned single, complete with artwork, an A-Side, and a B-Side, for free on their website (http://www.anamanaguchi.com/). You can also download their first EP Power Supply and their LP Dawn Metropolis off iTunes! Check ‘em out!
One of the hottest titles coming out this year is the new Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. The most interesting addition to the already well established franchise is the new online multi-player. If you own a Playstation 3 console, you are now have a chance to get in on the multi-player beta.
Ubisoft has now announced that customers who pre-order Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood on PlayStation 3 will receive exclusive access to the multiplayer beta. For a determined period, players will be able to experience Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood’s major innovation, the multiplayer mode, choosing their own character and fighting online to become the greatest of all the assassins.
There are of course three different versions to choose from, the standard edition, Auditore Edition, and also the Limited Codex Edition.
If you want in on this limited beta, make sure you head to your local retailer and pre-order quickly, as it is set to launch in September.
Nintendo has quite a line-up of titles coming out this week for the DSiShop and WiiWare Marketplace. From fish to Chess and even a game for the toddlers of the family this week there seems to be quite a variety. Here is a quick run-through of everything that is now available:
My Aquarium 2 Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points™
Description: My Aquarium 2, the sequel to the hit WiiWare title My Aquarium, is here. This time, the theme is the mysterious deep sea. With a single Wii Remote™ controller, you can raise fascinating creatures of all shapes and sizes, including deep-sea fish and glowing jellyfish. As with the original My Aquarium, you can customize your aquarium, by choosing which fish to include and where to place various decorations. You can also choose from a variety of colored lights to illuminate your aquarium. In time, your fish might breed to give you a whole new school. Create your very own aquarium for endless hours of relaxing fun and entertainment. This sequel features a larger selection of fish and objects than the original. You can also link up to the Forecast Channel to have your aquarium’s appearance reflect the actual weather, or send your aquariums to registered friends via WiiConnect24™. Additional content will be available for purchase at a later date. Dive in and see all the wonderful creatures of the deep blue sea!
Enjoy your massage! Publisher: Microforum
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: Congratulations! You have just been hired as an apprentice masseur at Giselle’s beauty farm, one of the most famous in the city. Learn new relaxing massage combinations and use them on your stressed customers. As an apprentice, you’ll have to do your best. If your client gets angry, no one will save you from losing your job, but if you prove capable, you might even become the director of the whole beauty farm. So, what are you waiting for? Six clients are waiting for your help!
TURN: The Lost Artifact Publisher: Creative Patterns
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: TURN: The Lost Artifact is an adventure puzzler with fun, intuitive game play. Kurt and Camila are explorers on a mysterious journey to find a lost artifact. You guide them through rooms filled with various dangers, from enemies to rolling boulders. Your main power is the ability to rotate the rooms 90 degrees to the left or to the right. Mastering the law of gravity is essential to your success. Everything and everyone in the room is subjected to gravity and falls when you turn the room. Watch your head! Featuring three worlds with nine levels of about 10 rooms each, the game promises a whole lot of brain-twisting fun on your Nintendo DSi system.
Rhythm Core Alpha Publisher: SoftEgg
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Make music with your Nintendo DSi system! Rhythm Core Alpha is an advanced music creation system, designed for creating and performing live music in front of an audience. Rhythm Core Alpha makes it easy to build drum and instrument loops, and then allows you to play solos over them using the stylus. It automatically detects the key and scale of the music you have created and allows you to change chords at the press of a button. All notes in the solo match the selected key and scale, so you can never hit a wrong note. Rhythm Core Alpha also includes a powerful pattern mode that allows you to set up chord changes and arrange your sequenced parts, enabling you to build a whole song or make sections that you can play back as you desire. Hundreds of adjustable drum and instrument sounds are included. You can edit while the song is playing, so you really can build the song in front of an audience.
Absolute Chess Publisher: Tasuke
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: This easy-to-understand chess game explains everything from basic rules to aggressive strategies. There are two modes of play. In Free Play, you can play against a number of preset characters, ranging from a young kid to a grouchy old man. The Challenge mode gives players multiple levels and missions to complete. Player support features include a function to indicate possible moves for the player and the opponent, as well as the ability to undo your previous move. You can also enjoy matches with friends via DS Download Play.
Did It Myself ABC123 Publisher: Powerhead Games
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Did It Myself ABC123 is packed with different activities to stimulate your young child’s brain, including counting, colors, letters, drawing and music. The target age range is roughly 2 to 3, but kids aged 1 through 5 should be able to enjoy Did It Myself ABC123. There are options for parents to adjust the counting range, the amount of games to play in “shuffle” mode, and the overall game speed. “Slow” and “medium” are recommended for younger kids, while older kids may enjoy “fast” and “ridiculous.”
And that’s your weekly round-up, Turn: The lost artifact and Absolute Chess seem to be the titles catching my eye this week. Let us know what interest you as well below.
In addition to the 9 new multiplayer map locations, 8 new multiplayer characters from Red Dead Revolver, and the devastating new Tomahawk weapon for single and multiplayer, tomorrow’s downloadable Legends & Killers Pack for Red Dead Redemption is also set to feature 10 new Achievements/Trophies to unlock and add to your collection.
We should start seeing the Legends & Killers Pack up for download on XBL & PSN starting tonight at 12.00am ET.
The descriptions for these new in-game accomplishments are below, so look away now i you’re crazy and don’t want them spoiled!
AXE MASTER
Complete all Tomahawk challenges in Single Player.
CALL IT A COMEBACK!
Come back from a 2-0 deficit and win a Hold Your Own game.
DOUBLE BAGGER
Double capture 3 times in a single Gold Rush map.
HAIL MARY
Get a kill greater than 35 yards with a Tomahawk.
HEADHUNTER
Kill 5 players via headshot in a single Shootout or Gang Shootout.
LEGEND OF THE WEST
Reach level 50 and pass into Legend.
ORIGINAL GUNSLINGER
Get 25 Deadeye kills with Red.
REEEEAL GOOD
Get 25 Dynamite kills with Pig Josh.
STICK AND MOVE
Get 3 kills with knives or throwing knives in a single competitive match.
WHO NEEDS DEADEYE?
Kill 3 or more players in a standoff or showdown.
Recent images and videos from Dragon Ball: Raging Blast 2 made it look like more of the same as the first game, but today’s piece of news actually has me interested in Raging Blast 2. According to Anime News Network, Namco Bandai has ordered about 30 minutes of animation for Raging Blast 2 from Toei Animation, that 30 minutes being the animated segments from the Bandai Playdia game Dragon Ball Z: Gaiden – Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku (Plan to Eradicate the Saiyans), which is based on a Famicom game of the same name.
The new remake is apparently called “Dragon Ball: Super Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku” (Dragon Ball: Plan to Destroy the Super Saiyajin), but what I’m wondering is how this new animation will be implemented. Will it be the main story mode in the game? Will it be an extra you unlock later in the game similar to The Legend of Hercule from Dragon Ball Z: Budokai for PS2? If it is an extra, will it just be something you could watch like a DVD or will it be a “Choose Your Own Adventure” type FMV game like the PlayDia original? Let us know what you think, or what you’re hoping for in the comments!
Overview
I recently got my hands on (quite literally) the newest product from CompuExpert, Grip it!. Grip it! is an analog stick cover for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The promise of the product is to get better control providing comfort and slip prevention. When I play a game, I play for hours at a time usually, so I know all about the problem of comfort and grip with the Xbox 360’s curved inward analog scheme. The main question I had for Grip it! was if it was just a gimmick or does it actually work. Now after many hours of usage, I can give my final answer. For this test I used an Xbox 360 and couple of other controllers for various systems..
Appearance
When you first get the product, the bright colors from the package are visually appealing and I’m sure will make for an easy sale for anyone in need of the accessory. Inside the clever packaging is 4 small covers, 2 black and 2 blue with the frog hand-print logo on each. The appearance isn’t really what matters with Grip it! though, so let’s move on to the next topic.
Application
Applying Grip it! can be a chore for the 360’s analog. The rubber seemed to not want to stretch over it at first. Once I flipped it inside-out, it was easy to simply fold over the analog stick. Once it’s on there it is quite easy to remove if you need to add it to any other controllers and overall once you learn not to fight with it, Grip It! applies quite easily. Once it is applied it does not slip whatsoever and will stay firmly in place. This also applied with perfection to the Gamecube and Playstation controller analog.
Feel
This category is very important as the comfort factor is what this product is all about. I played for hours with a few fighting games and other games with Grip It! attached. I must say I was very impressed as these covers were extremely comfortable and did seem to make things feel more precise which is very important with many games. I have used some covers in the past that actually can be horribly sticky and bulky. This was not the case for these though. The longer I played I soon forgot the Grip-It! covers were even on the controller. The Xbox 360’s analog has a dip in the top which can be it can be easy to slip up on certain commands due to this minor problem, and Grip It eliminated this making it feel full and still remaining comfortable. The Gamecube experience was probably my favorite though as I have never cared for the ripple design on the analog and this option made the stick feel like a whole new experience.
Final Thoughts
Grip It! brought a simple idea of analog covers and truly changed my opinion of the product that I’ve always found to be more of a pain and hassle. The fit is snug and goes on simple for the most part to each analog and I love that older controllers can be used as well. The rubber is also soft and doesn’t cause your fingers to get hot or sweaty allowing for many hours of gameplay you may get to add without discomfort. Like I mentioned, I also felt like Grip It! completely reformed the 360 analog scheme, making it feel more complete and precise with small movements. My true recommendation is for the 3rd party controllers which have the hard and stiff feel to the analog sticks which this product can completely transform the comfort level for instantly. Overall, I am happy I gave this product the time of day as I think I will be adding Grip-It! to all of my other controllers as well. At a price of only $4.99 at many retailers everywhere, these analog grips are perfectly priced to enhance any gamer’s overall experience.
Yes, that is the name of a new racer from Candella Software Ltd and Saga Wonderworks. Cargasm promises to be the next big thing in racing games while bringing back the arcade racer to consoles with many new features. Cargasm gives gamers a host of supercars which they can enter into different races which can be used in locations all over the world such as San Francisco, London, Yosemite National Park, Egypt, Switzerland and Mount Kilmanjaro. Based on the press release, extreme realism seems to come into play with every environment.
The central London levels in Cargasm are the most photorealistic in the history of videogames. Created using laser scanning, the buildings and monuments in the London levels are accurate to within inches. This level of accuracy means that every window, doorway, balcony and lamp post is exactly as it is in the real city.
Of course you won’t be alone as the Cargasm girls will be right there cheering you on. If they are fast enough, players can collect these ravishing maidens for their own personal Cargasm Harem. As the players win races, new cars, Ecstasy points and trophies can also be unlocked and uploaded to an online global leaderboard.
Of course one of the biggest things out there is social networking, which this title uses to it’s full potential. Players can upload race statistics to sites such as Facebook and Hi5, update friends about their in-game achievements and invite them to multiplayer sessions. The game will also be playable inside a browser.
“Our focus is on pure racing fun rather than simulation.,” says Ajith Ram, Creative Director of Cargasm. “We are expecting gamers to go oooh aahh aahhh……….with gaming ecstasy.
Sex, women, cars and speed with an old school feel and a promise to make this game actually fun instead of worrying about making it a sim, Carasm is sure to be “ribbed for your pleasure” no matter what console you have. No date has been released yet but Cargasm will be coming to for the PC, Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PSP, Nintendo Wii and IPhone (no pun intended).
