It seems more and more games are losing online support within the first year of release these days. Fans of Demon Souls won’t have to worry, well, at least until March. Atlus Games released a statement today promising they will continue online support for the 2009 release.
“We are proud to maintain our commitment to the Demon’s Souls online community by extending our support for the game’s servers, allowing current and new players to continue to enjoy the game’s vast online feature set,” stated Aram Jabbari, Manager of PR and Sales for Atlus. “One of the highest-rated, most talked about games of all time, Demon’s Souls is defined by its groundbreaking online functionality. No other game better marries suspenseful, claustrophobic solitude with unprecedented cooperative and competitive multiplayer connectivity. Each game world, each individual’s adventure, can be bridged with those of others’, making for one of the most startlingly grand yet deeply intimate RPG experiences ever created.”
To celebrate the news, the server’s World Tendency, a variable that can make the game more or less difficult and unlock secrets depending on its setting, will be shifted to Pure White for a couple weeks, making the notoriously challenging game slightly easier for newcomers while also allowing long-time veterans to reach otherwise inaccessible areas and items.
This bit of news is sure to keep the hardcore Demon Souls fans happy for now. The only bittersweet news is that server support may end in March of 2011 and this is just more of an announcement of the end rather than the start of an extension. Either way, players should enjoy the time they have for now and breathe easy for a while knowing that they will be ensured online for at least eight more months.
Gamerizon is no new player to the iPhone/iPad scene. Some of you may already have Chop Chop Tennis, Chop Chop Runner or Chop Chop Ninja. Gamerizon hit the jackpot with these three games, all of them reaching the 1 million downloads mark in over 40 countries. Chop Chop Tennis is currently in the top 5 of the most downloaded apps all over the world.
“Reaching the 1 million level is in itself no small feat,” states Alex Sakiz, CEO of Gamerizon. “But when you can do it three times in a row with your first three games, it’s clear you’ve got something very special going on.” So why not develop yet another game bearing the series title of “Chop Chop” ?
Chop Chop Soccer, a 3D arcade sports game with colourful cartoon graphics, is the fourth installment in the successful franchise, promising the same charming, addictive and yet simplistic gameplay we’ve all been acquainted to. It’s simplicity, however, hides a full set of “under the hood characteristics, in terms of gameplay, features and the way you evolve and organize your Chop Chop Soccer team.
All Chop Chop Games featured simplistic, yet elegant, controls, with no HUD, virtual pads or buttons blocking your screen. Chop Chop Soccer seems to adopt the same type of gameplay controls, specifically developed for the Apple Devices’ touch screen: just by using your finger.
In order to move, just slide your finger on the screen. To pass, shoot or tackle, a flick of your finger in the desired direction you want your player or ball to go is enough. Sounds simple enough for a soccer game? Sometimes you want to play some football without having to learn which button sprints, which one lobs, shoots or passess.
The developers promise frantic 3 vs 3 soccer action, four difficulty levels to get better and better and four tournaments to test your skills. Variety seems to be right at home in this little game, because you will have 12 teams to choose from (including World Cup Champions, Spain and Runner Up Netherlands), four stadiums (such as Egypt Pyramids and Paris Trocadero) and 5 tutorials in order to learn the ropes and get you started.
Every team is rated as per their respective strenghts, in 3 areas: offense, defense and Goalie. These ratings, obviosly, affect the AI’s behavior. Each rating is actually derived from a comprehensive set of criteria that differ from team to team, thus, no two teams will behave the same way even though their ratings may be similar. Examples of such criteria are:
Attack Style – short passing, long ball, balanced
Defense (effectivness against dribbles, short passes, long balls)
Like the previous titles, Chop Chop Soccer shows a lot of promise, and if Gamerizon delivers everything they’ve promised AND keep the addictive gameplay that made Chop Chop games so good, we’re in for a treat. I’ll leave you with a word from Gamerizon themselves, regarding the evolution of the current title:
“Chop Chop Soccer will constantly evolve: more countries, more modes and many many more surprises will be added with future updates.”
Chop Chop Soccer will be available in a few weeks on the AppStore.
Screenshots & trailer below:
“Reaching the 1 million level is in itself no small feat,” states Alex Sakiz, CEO of Gamerizon. “But when you can do it three times in a row with your first three games, it’s clear you’ve got something very special going on.”
Valve and 2K Games today announced an agreement to bring the highly antecipated Mafia II title with full integration on Steam. This means the game will have Steamworks features included in all PC versions, such as auto-updating, Steam Achievements, leaderboards, downloadable content, and more.
Using Steamworks to power Mafia II has been a great benefit for 2K Games and our development team,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “It’s meant that we can spend more time creating content and a great experience for our customers because we know that Steam and Steamworks are enabling these important features within the game.”
“Mafia II is joining Sid Meier’s Civilization® V as the next title to use Steamworks from 2K Games,” said Gabe Newell, President of Valve. “Our focus for Steam is on building services that create value for our customers and for creators, and Mafia II, with its all-new game engine and inclusion of Steamworks, is a great example of that.”
By pre-ordering the standard or Digital Deluxe Edition players will receive a free digital copy of the original award-winning Mafia game. Mafia II launches in North America on August 24, 2010, and internationally beginning August 27, 2010.
Some of you might have heard some rumors that a new Hitman game will arrive in 2011. These images helped that rumor evolve into a full blown internet storm, until now.
Don’t get your hopes up, because those images are actually mock-ups created by the artists at Great Graphics Inc. They specialize in these kind of things, thus the amazing quality and style of the pictures.
Taking the rumor further, IO Interactive (developers of the Hitman series) were questioned about this issue. Tom Stratton, PR Manager at IO Interactive, told ScrawlFX that “the images were just part of a portfolio and do not represent any new Hitman game.”
Too bad, in my opinion…it was about time the silent assasin made his entrance once again…
The internet is afire with the rumour of a possible Halo 4 being in development at 343 Industries after the leaking of a designers resume.
On the first of July this year Microsoft posted 15 new job positions for what we all assumed would be a new Halo project of some sort, of which there are now 25 positions posted for application.
It seems that one Paul Ehreth got one of these jobs, and that the next big project at 343 is Halo related as the excerpt from his resume has indeed outed the fact that development on a new Halo project has begun.
Ehreth is a former Sony Online Entertainment employee and has worked for Microsoft Games Studios since 2009 and has been ‘designing new levels and missions for the next Halo project’ at 343 since the beginning of July.
Bungie recently revealed that it contemplated continuing Master Chief’s saga with a full-blown Halo 4 before it came to the decision to do prequel Halo Reach:
“Even before the idea to build a game based around Reach came about, a lot of other concepts were explored, up to and including a proper ‘Halo 4,’ where Master Chief was going to wake up from cryo-sleep and we were going to tell that story,” community boss Brian Jarrard commented.
But, Brain continued that plan was ditched because, “It just wasn’t as interesting to the team to just pick up where that left off and all the baggage that came with it.”
So at this stage it’s anyone’s guess as to just what exactly, within the Halo Universe, is being tinkered on within 343 Industries.
This time around you, me THE WOLRD WORLD !! gets to Decide the Fate of Carmine in “Gears of War 3”
Now all you have to do is vote for the fate of newest Carmine brother through the purchase of Gears Avatar on Xbox Live Marketplace.
The fate of Carmine lies in your hands! For the first time in franchise history, Epic Games and Microsoft are giving fans the chance to decide the fate of a character in “Gears of War 3.” By purchasing avatar gear on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, fans and gaming communities around the globe will decide the destiny of the newest Carmine brother set to appear in “Gears of War 3,” with all the proceeds going to the Child’s Play Charity.
Keeping with the series’ tradition, Clayton Carmine will be introduced in the trilogy’s final chapter, and like Anthony and Ben, the newest rookie brother runs the high risk of meeting an early death. However, unlike in the previous games, the Xbox community will choose whether Carmine lives or dies by purchasing special “Gears of War 3” avatar gear on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Starting July 29 two new avatar t-shirts will be available on the Avatar Marketplace on Xbox LIVE – one shirt reads “Save Carmine” and the other reads “Carmine Must Die.” By purchasing the “Save Carmine” shirt, you’re casting your vote to let Carmine live in “Gears of War 3.” Conversely, purchasing the “Carmine Must Die” shirt means you want to see Clayton follow in the fate of his brothers.
Fans attending Comic-Con International in San Diego this week will also be able to cast their votes early by purchasing real life limited edition “Save Carmine” or “Carmine Must Die” t-shirts at the NECA booth (#3145) for $20.00. “Gears” fans can also visit the Xbox 360 booth (#5153) to be amongst the first to play “Gears of War 3” Beast Mode throughout the show. Finally, the team from Epic Games, including design director Cliff Bleszinski, executive producer Rod Fergusson and lead writer Karen Traviss, will be signing Comic-Con exclusive posters at the Xbox booth on Saturday, July 24 at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
NOW The Good part !!
Child’s Play is a community-based games industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world. Through their network of more than 60 hospitals and through the generosity of their community of donors, Child’s Play raises millions of dollars each year to donate games, consoles and toys to sick children. The proceeds from the sales of the “Save Carmine” and “Carmine Must Die” avatar gear and limited edition NECA t-shirts will go to Child’s Play, so cast your vote, donate to charity, and get cool “Gears of War” gear! Fans can get up to date information about the fate of Clayton Carmine by visiting www.gearsofwar.com.
Published by Microsoft Game Studios and developed by Epic Games, the “Gears of War” franchise has won over 30 “Game of the Year” awards, sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and redefined the third-person shooter genre for this console generation. The “Gears of War” series is exclusive to Xbox 360 and its riveting multiplayer action makes it one of the most popular titles on Xbox LIVE. The trilogy finale, “Gear of War 3,” will release on April 5, 2011, only on Xbox 360.
Now … I don’t know about you guys, but I think when all the dust settles and everything is said and done and Gears 3 comes to an end. Wouldn’t you also want to see one of the brothers still standing !! I memory of his other two brothers killed in action. I think we should all SAVE Carmine I think the Carmine family has suffered enough !! 😉 Let him LIVE !! LET HIM ride off into the sunset with the rest of GEARS … if that’s how it ends .. 😉
You’ve probably already heard about Seven 45 Studios’ new original music game, Power Gig, that for the first time, introduces a real guitar for you to play with. Unlike Guitar Hero or Rock Band, Power Gig’s guitar can be used as a 6-strings controller, but also as a fully working guitar. It is dated for October 2010 on Xbox360 and PS3.
But what you probably have’ t heard is that the game tells us a story, set in the world of Ohm, in which you, THE PLAYA, must have what it takes to unite all the divided clans in order to defeat the big bad guys, “the headliners”. The way you play and which character you choose affects the game world in real-time.
Design Director, Jack Davis can explain all of this a little better in the following video:
G’day everyone, Sorry for the delay this week. Been velly velly busy .. Playstation Store updates are up for this week for everyone to enjoy. Quite a few price updates to check out just below. Have a look around, there should be something for everyone this week. Let us know what your going to pick up this week.
Special note : Some interesting little extras for Playstation Plus subscribers and a whole lot of games permanently price dropped. Check them out below, grab yourself a bargain !! There are many other cool deals, demo’s vids, themes available this week so dig in and get cracking !!
Thanks SONY WE HEART YOU !! <3
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Playstation Plus
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days Demo (Free and Exclusive to PlayStation Plus)
Demo for Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, a raw and brutal crime shooter. Relentless action in single player and Fragile Alliance multiplayer.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.38 GB
echochrome (PlayStation Plus price $5.00, original price $9.99)
Resistance 2 Skin Bundle (PlayStation Plus price $2.00, original price $3.99)
Hamsterball (PlayStation Plus price $7.99, original price $9.99)
Heavy Rain Origami Swan Avatar (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers)
File size: 100 KB
Bloody Escape Theme (Free to PlayStation Plus Subscribers)
File size: 6.1 MB
Updates
Peggle Nights (Free with the purchase of Peggle)
Marvel Vs Capcom 2 – Sale (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
After Burner Climax – Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
TV Show King – Permanent Price Drop (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Obscure: The Aftermath – Permanent Price Drop (now $14.99, original price $29.99)
The Sims 2 – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $14.99)
Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Capcom Classics Collection Remixed – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Darkstalkers Chronicle: Chaos Towers – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Burnout Legends – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Medal Of Honor: Heroes – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Need For Speed: Most Wanted – Permanent Price Drop (now $9.99, original price $19.99)
Downloadable Games
Sam And Max Episode 4: Beyond The Alley Of The Doll (free with purchase of Episode Bundle)
In this last episode before our epic season finale, the indescribable forces that have been pulling the Freelance Police’s strings begin revealing themselves, in a tale that will change the way you look at Sam & Max … forever!
An onslaught of oversized canine clones akin to a zombie apocalypse has our heroes running for cover in a barricaded ramshackle diner as the episode begins. And it gets even stranger from there.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 376 MB
PSone Classics
Motor Toon Grand Prix ‘Playable on PS3 only’ ($5.99)
Motor Toon Grand Prix brings wild and crazy kart racing with eight unique cars to race, 10 complex tracks to master, and 17 weapons to blast the opposition with.
Created by Kazunori Yamauchi and Polys Entertainment, who went on to form Polyphony Digital and create the ground-breaking Gran Turismo racing franchise.
Download this PS one Classic today.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 251 MB
Add-on Game Content
ModNation Racers: Cowboy Mod ($0.99)
MOO-ve over! There’s a new Cowboy in town. If you don’t get out of his way, his truck will mow you into hamburger! This ModNation Racers Mod includes a fully-designed Mod as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create with. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB
ModNation Racers: Cowboy Kart ($0.99)
MOO-ve over! There’s a new Cowboy in town. If you don’t get out of his way, his truck will mow you into hamburger! This ModNation Racers Kart includes a fully-designed Kart, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create with. Download this pack today!
File size: 100 KB
ModNation Racers: Cowboy Mod and Kart ($1.75)
MOO-ve over! There’s a new Cowboy in town. If you don’t get out of his way, his truck will mow you into hamburger! This ModNation Racers Mod and Kart pack includes a fully-designed Mod, Kart, as well as several related parts and accessories for you to Create with in the Mod and Kart Studios. Download this pack today!
File size: 200 KB
LittleBigPlanet: Marvel – Thor ($1.99)
Now Sackboy can not only wield the Hammer of Thor, but do so while dressed as Asgard’s greatest warrior; Thor! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: Marvel – Spiderman ($1.99)
When Sackboy has the need to fight crime, sling web, and use his “Sacky-Sense”, only one costume will do – Spider-Man! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: Marvel – Elektra ($1.99)
Sackboy may not be renowned for his martial arts skills, but that’s not going to stop him from turning into the deadly Elektra with this great costume! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: Marvel – Ghost Rider ($1.99)
Some days Sackboy may feel like his skull is on fire, although those tend to be the days he’s wearing his legendary Ghost Rider costume. NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: Marvel – Human Torch ($1.99)
Sackboy is well used to flying through the air, and is more than accustomed to occasionally catching fire. He now has the ideal costume to dress up in while doing both – that of the Human Torch! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: Marvel – Costume Pack 2 ($5.99)
Look out “True Believers”, your favorite Marvel heroes and villains have landed on LittleBigPlanet! Grab this costume pack and you’ll be ready for action with 5 costumes of your favorite Marvel characters including Thor, Spider-man, Elektra, Ghost Rider, and Human Torch! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
Just Cause 2: Agency Hovercraft ($0.99)
The ultimate in amphibious transport!
File size: 2.36 MB
Trinity Universe – Godly Weapon Pack ($1.99)
“Wow! Our weapons got major upgrades!
I don’t like that the Demon Dog King’s weapon got upgraded too, but I guess I can deal with it just this once.
All right! Let’s solve the mystery of the Netheruniverse with this DLC product!”
File size: 100 KB
Trinity Universe – High Ability Pack ($0.99)
“They finally imported the super battle set.
5 units each of “Cure: Planet,” “Cure: Cosmos,” “Overdrive,” “Resurrection,” and “Trans.” Now we are invincible!
All right, Lucius. Let’s head out for more research!”
File size: 100 KB
Trinity Universe – Super Treasure Pack 3 (free)
“Ts-Tsubaki! Something really sparkly is being sold!
What’s this?! I’ve never seen this, but it looks like a great treasure!
Hey, gramps! Gimme all of these! What? Tsubaki’ll pay… hey, Tsubaki! Where did you go?
Can’t you buy me these? Hey, Tsubaki!”
File size: 100 KB
Disturbed Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Down With The Sickness”, “Indestructible”, and “Stricken” by Disturbed. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.
“1969″ – The Stooges ($1.99)
“I Wanna Be Your Dog” – The Stooges ($1.99)
“No Fun” – The Stooges ($1.99)
The Stooges Pack 01 ($5.49) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: The Stooges Pack 01. This pack includes “1969″, “I Wanna Be Your Dog”, and “No Fun” by The Stooges.
Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)
Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 ($29.99)
Build the adventure from Privet Drive to the Triwizard Tournament and experience the magic of the first four Harry Potter stories – LEGO style! Explore Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learn spells, brew potions, and relive the adventures like never before with tongue-in-cheek humor and creative customization that is unique to LEGO videogames!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 1.18 GB
Gravity Crash Portable ($9.99)
Gravity Crash combines old school arcade gameplay with next-gen visuals, delivering a simple yet addictive experience. Pilot a spacecraft and tackle a variety of missions, from taking out enemy installations to rescuing stranded astronauts. You’ll need quick wits and a precise, steady hand to survive the action in Gravity Crash Portable. Download this exciting game today!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 47 MB
Add-on Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Fruit Salad Costume (free)
Go bananas with this fantastic new free costume! NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.22 MB
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Fruit Salad Pack ($2.99)
This tasty new pack is full of delicious fruity stickers and costumes that will make your Sackboy and your levels look good enough to eat. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.36 MB
EA along with Visceral Games/Sumo Digital have uncovered more details regarding their Dead Space 2 prequel, Dead Space Ignition. As stated in our earlier article,Dead Space Ignition will be a comic-book based game with various hacking mini-games.
The game will take place on The Sprawl, when the necromorphs invade it, just hours before Isaac makes his entrance on the space station. The protagonists will be Franco and Sarah and, as the story progresses, the player will be responsible for most of the characters’ decisions in the comic-book game. Depending on which decisions have been made, Dead Space Ignition will have 4 different endings, each of them rewarding the player with an unlockable, usable in Dead Space 2.
The game will feature 4 interactive hacking mini-games, which you will have to successfully complete, in order to take the story further. Dead Space Ignition promises to fill in the gap between Dead Space 1 and Dead Space 2 with an intense story, preparing the player for the events that are to occur in Isaac Clarke’s adventure.
The date hasn’t been set yet, but most surely, it will release before Dead Space 2, Winter 2010-2011, on both PSN and Xbox LIVE.
Dead Space Ignition will be a comic-book based game with various hacking mini-games.The game will take place on The Sprawl, when the necromorphs invade it, just hours before Isaac makes his entrance on the space station. The protagonists will be
If you love playing local co-op but tired of that dreaded split screen, and can stomach the idea of 3D, you may be in luck.
Last year Sony filed patents for technology that would allow gamers playing local co-op (or versus) to ONLY see from their characters point of view, thus eliminating split screen.
Say what?
Let’s try this: Imagine playing Twisted Metal against your buddy, who is sitting right next to you. By wearing these glasses, you could only see from your vehicle’s point of view and surroundings. Your buddy cannot look on the same screen and see where you may be hiding, as he can only see from his point of view as well.
Digital Foundry’s Richard Leadbetter talked to Eurogamer:
“Stereo 3D is all about generating two different images – one per eye. The glasses work by making sure that the right images are sent to the correct eyes.”
“The theory here is that instead of having stereo 3D, the glasses each point to either the left or right “eye” view, which will be the view of each player in-game. So two screens are being generated, one goes to each player. Simple!”
Sign me up!
Notice the ear buds on the glasses as well? Interesting.
