Guitar Hero III Confirmed for Online, Major Platforms
April 17, 2007
Red Octane reps have confirmed that the latest in its Guitar Hero franchise will be focused on online play and downloadable tracks, and it will hit every major platform.
Red Octane founder and president Kai Huang said that Neversoft would be working to bring the features to Guitar Hero III, the latest in the franchise expected to be released for Xbox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii, and the PS2 by the end of the year.
In an interview with GameSpot, Huang also confirmed earlier suspicions regarding a handheld version of the game, saying the company was “looking at a DS version, for early next year.”
Last September, Activision chairman and CEO Robert Kotick said at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia XV Conference that Guitar Hero will be released “on every significant new format.” The game was also recently announced to be in development for mobile phones by San Francisco mobile developer Hands-On Mobile.
Huang added that new Guitar Hero developers Neversoft would be “focusing on online play, of course, and that includes both co-op and competitive modes. We’re looking at more downloadable content, and more music, because we know that’s one of the things the fans want–as soon as they finish playing Guitar Hero, they want more music.”
Huang also told IGN that for the Wii version of the new game, while Red Octane was “really excited about the Wii game because there are so many options for the Wii remote,” players would still “play the game with a guitar peripheral and it will be similar to a guitar you’ve seen in the past.”
On former Guitar Hero developer Harmonix’s recently announced Rock Band, now positioned as an MTV- and Electronic Arts-backed competitor to the Guitar Hero franchise, with additional drumming and vocal features and full online play, Huang said, “I was very excited to hear about Harmonix and EA working on the game Rock Band. I think Guitar Hero was really the first big game that defined the music rhythm genre… So we’re excited that Harmonix is working on it. They’re a fantastic developer, we’ve had a great relationship working with them in the past, and we know that they’re going to do a great job with the game.”
Sony’s Harrison Unveils PS Home and Little Big Planet at GDC
March 8, 2007
The PlayStation Home, referred to simply as Home, is a free downloadable program that upgrades social networking as we know it.
Users can create a customizable polygonal avatar to suit their tastes, decorate their “apartments” with all types of furniture and accessories (tv, decorations, and music players, explore the insides of their apartments, invite their friends into their virtual room and play pool, watch movies or listen to music (streamed off the PS3 hard disc), or launch straight into online multiplayer games. The interface looked clean and simple, and the graphics were highly detailed.
Little Big Planet, Sony’s new virtual playground, really fired everyone up and was definitely the star of the show. Little Big Planet is a unique combination of side-scrolling, puzzle-solving, and create-your-own-game sandbox play in which players can quickly and easily create levels with the game’s powerful internal physics engine. After building a level, you will be able to upload your project online so that others can try out what you’ve created.
Overall, the graphics were high-end, the physics seemed realistic, the interface looked clean, and the simple gameplay was a hit; speaking of which, the Sixaxis plays an important role in gameplay. Little Big Planet will be available on Blu-ray disc as the key example of Sony’s new “Game 3.0″ initiative.
Harrison also hyped up the European sensation SingStar, which he claimed has sold over 7 million copies on the PS2 worldwide, and the upcoming PS3 version will greatly expand the game’s scope, thanks to the PlayStation Network. Users will be able to download new tracks at the SingStore, but will also have the option of posting videos of themselves singing their favorite songs. All you’ll need is either an EyeToy or a standard USB camera, and every single SingStar owner across the world will be able to download your handiwork. Oh Jeez.
Harrison also noted that users can also customize their games with in-game wallpapers and other optional items. SingStar for the PS3 will be available first in European markets in June and will debut in North American this fall.
In addition, Sony showed a brief video of in-game footage from the new PS3 Killzone title, which appears to be set on a far larger scale than the PS2 original and featured driveable tanks. The physics and particle system looked top-notch. Sony promised more Killzone details at E3 in July.
SNK: No Online Features for Third-Party Developers in ‘07
March 6, 2007
Ben Herman, head of SNK USA, has confirmed that third party developers will be restricted from including online capabilities in their games throughout the 2007 calendar year and that American Wii owners will be able to download and play NeoGeo games sometime in 2007.
Herman also added that Nintendo has all the games in the NES and SNES library safely hidden, ready to be accessed and released at any time: “I know that Nintendo has all the code for NES and SNES titles, all of the manuals and so on. They have a pretty good filing cabinet and all they have to do is seek permission from the IP holder to put the game out over Virtual Console, then share the income.”
Herman said that licensing issues may be the only obstacle in preventing Nintendo from releasing all of them at once, but the fear of oversaturating the market is also heavy on Nintendo’s mind, as are recent concerns brought up by third party developers (SNK, for one), who claim that that they still do not have the freedom to include online functions in their games. Herman believes that online features in third party Wii games won’t become a reality until after 2007: “[T]he best chance they have at building an online presence appears to be what they’re doing with Virtual Console.”
EA has issued similar gripes, specifically those concerning the current inability to implement Mii avatars into third-party games. EA producer Eric Chartrand states that developers have not yet received the development tools necessary to include the usage of Miis in their games. “If the company wants Miis to become a lasting sticky application, it’d be wise to acclimatize third-party developers sooner rather than later,” a report states.
DVD upscaling, Warhawk Conformed for PS3
March 5, 2007
In the finall installement of a Newsweek interview, Sony’s Phil Harrison discussed the company’s plans to deliver DVD upscaling to the PS3.
When asked about what needs to change in regards to the flow of information within Sony Computer Entertainment, Harrison said, “There is a cultural thing about our approach in Japan that has to change. Our approach in Japan is ‘Once it’s perfect, we’ll share it with everybody else.’ Whereas I think in order to engender trust in our users, we have to share some things that might be not quite perfect, but are ready to give you an indication of what’s coming. So we could say, ‘You know, we’re not sure when it’s coming, but we’re going to have DVD upscaling on Playstation 3.’ There you go. There’s a scoop for you.” And there it is, folks!!!
Harrison also implied that other goodies might be in store for PS3 users, suggesting that PlayStation head of platform development Izumi Kawanishi should write his own blog containing Sony’s latest developments. Harrison jokes that it would soon become the “biggest blog in the world,” which is probably not too far from the truth.
After plenty of speculation, Incognito Entertainment has confirmed that PS3 title Warhawk will be sold only as a downloadable title via the PlayStation Network.
Incognito’s Dylan Jobe indicated that the single player component for the game had been “phased out” in favor of an entirely online game supporting up to 32 players at a once. “The single player just really wasn’t up to par and we owe it to the players to not force them to buy something that’s not good enough. They deserve better,” Jobe stated.
At E3 last May, Warhawk was one of the first PS3 games to demonstrate the tilt controls of the Sixaxis controller. Warhawk was also used as a prominent example of downloadable content for PS3 games. Incognito has discusses new Warhawk maps, features, and weapons being available online at a later date.
Virgin Launches Download Game Service
February 12, 2007
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group plans to launch A World of My Own (AWOMO), a new games download service for the PC which is designed to “replicate the functionality of iTunes” and offer downloadable PC games on demand. AWOMO will apparently utilize a 3D community based interface, rather than the utilitarian designs currently favored by rivals such as Steam.
The service is to be run by subsidiary Virgin Games, which currently operates an online casino and British company Game Domain International (GDI). Apart from the 3D interface, the key advantages of the system are claimed to be fast download speeds, greater security, and improved ease of use for the customer. Kock Media is, so far, the only publisher announced as supporting the service.
“This is a really exciting development for us, as it gives us the opportunity to do for PC Games what iTunes has done for music. The GDI technology will revolutionise how the mass market will play games, and will give them more choice for less money,” billionaire Branson said of the deal.
Sony, Microsoft Deliver Downloadable Classics
January 8, 2007
Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) officials have announced the licensed the rights from publisher Midway for six classic arcade titles to be made available for digital download through the PlayStation Network.
The six titles licensed for download are as follows:
Mortal Kombat II
Rampage World Tour
Gauntlet II
Rampart
Championship Sprint
Joust
The first of the six games will be made available in the U.S. in “early 2007;” no price has yet been indicated. The titles will join an existing line-up of PS one retro titles for the PSP, such as the recently released Jumping Flash!, and original/upgraded titles such as PSP update GripShift.
Retro titles have already been successful on the Xbox 360 and Wii, and Sony officials have long since indicated the company’s intention to continue the trend on the PS3.
So far, Wii’s virtual console has not included any arcade titles, but a few home conversions have been made available including R-Type for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 and Altered Beast for the Genesis/Mega Drive.
“This is a great opportunity for SOE and Midway to come together to bring these arcade treasures to the next-generation of gaming on the PlayStation 3,” said John Needham, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Sony Online Entertainment. “SOE will continue to explore additional opportunities to bring fun and unique digital content to the PlayStation Network.”
PS3 Updates
January 3, 2007
Coded Arms Dropped?
It appears the reports/rumors of Coded Arms Assault’s demise originated in German online press, but nothing’s been confirmed or denied by official powers just yet.
Coded Arms Assault is an Unreal 3 engine-powered FPS that casts players as a hacker battling an evil corporation by entering virtual reality. The series has already appeared on PSP.
PS2 Predicted to Outsell PS3
Analysts are backing the PS2 to sell more than any other console in 2007, including PS3.
Chief operating officer at Sega, Simon Jeffrey, speculates that the PS2 “probably has the capacity to sell more than any other gaming console,” in 2007.
Michael Pachter, an analyst at LA-based Wedbush Morgan Securities says, “The PS2 will have legs well into 2008,” which is testament to the success of the console considering its competitors, the GameCube and Xbox consoles, have seemingly already died a sudden death.
New PS Games for PS3
Nine more PlayStation games have trickled onto the PlayStation Store for PS3 owners in Japan to download:
R-Types
Dino Crisis
Rhapsody: A musical Adventure
Mr Driller
Taiyou no Shippo: Wild, Pure, Simple Life
The Conveni: Anomachi o Dokusenseyo
Gekitotsu Toma L’Arc: L’Arc-en-Ciel vs Tomarummer
Global Force
Migi Hadari USA
New Games for Euro PS3 Launch
The following titles will be ready for the March European kick-off of PS3:
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2
Splinter Cell Double Agent
Rainbow Six: Vegas
Blazing Angels
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
EA Link
November 3, 2006
Electronic Arts has overhauled its download service for computer games and plans to officially announce the new portal, EA Link, today. EA Link, which was up and running on Wednesday, replaces EA Downloader, the company’s admittedly clunky year-old effort at offering downloadable content for its PC games.
EA Link enables users to download materials faster, search for products in a more organized 
fashion, launch purchased games directly, and have their payment information, including a new online payment option through PayPal, linked to their accounts.
The site currently has 16 PC game titles available for download. EA said that any upcoming PC games will be made available on disk at retail stores, as well as in a digital version at EA Link, at the same price and on the same day. Extra content (game demos, trailers, wallpaper, and software patches) will also be featured.
Digital distribution “is an increasing priority for us at EA and it’s a further step in EA’s commitment to have a one-on-one relationship with our customers,” said Chip Lange, vice president of EA’s online division. “The business has gone beyond a static model of ‘I’ve bought the game and I’m done.’ This keeps the games dynamic.”
More and more, video games are offering so-called “episodic” content, where users can tack on extra playing levels or chapters. Accessories used within games, such as weapons or other gear for game characters, are also commonly sold online. Traditional, packaged PC games in the U.S. retail market are declining with sales falling to $953 million in 2005 from $1.5 billion in 2001, according to the NPD Group. U.S. sales of PC game downloads, meanwhile, are expected to almost double this year to about $500 million and grow to $763 million in 2007, market researcher IDC predicted.
Sony Developing 40 Downloadable PS3 Games
November 2, 2006
Sony’s Phil Harrison has revealed that around 40 titles are currently in development for the PlayStation Store, the Xbox Live-like service that will deliver fully digitally distributed games to PS3 owners.
Worldwide Studios head Harrison said in an interview that Sony was overseeing development on “about 40 products” that fit its strategy to “create games specifically for us that we would fund, that we would publish, in the online sense of the word, and distribute online.”
Titles revealed thus far have included a console version of flOw, as well as God of War creator David Jaffe’s recently renamed vehicular combat title Calling All Cars (formerly known as Criminal Crackdown).
“My strategy,” said Harrison, “was to encourage developers to push the machine technically, creatively, artistically - to innovate in lots of different ways. But don’t be restricted by ghettoising games into a particular genre, or a particular display mechanic, because what we’ve seen on other systems tend to be retro 2D games and we’re pushing the 3D capabilities of the PlayStation 3.”
Clearly referring to the recent influx of arcade classics on Xbox Live, Harrison continued on the differences of PS3’s e-distribution strategy: “The fact that every PS3 has a hard disc drive means that we’re not restricted by the size of the download, and that has a huge impact on the kind of game design that you can do.”
In addition to the 40 titles in development for the service, Harrison has previously stated that over 100 titles are currently being developed for retail release on the PlayStation 3, and that “over 10,000 development kits have been shipped.”
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