Latest Tony Hawk Title Announced
May 15, 2007
Activision officials have announced Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, the latest game in the popular Tony Hawk skateboarding franchise, which will debut for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, and Nintendo DS later this year.
Few details have been announced, but an official statement notes that Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground will give players “the freedom to define their character, story and style based on the choices they make, the paths they choose and the style of skating they use on the proving grounds from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Washington, D.C.”
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is also expected to feature deeper character customization than that from previous Tony Hawk games, and it will include a new video editor, as well as a customizable lounge area for players to meet up online and organize games.
In addition, the game’s online component will be featured prominently. Activision notes that players will be able to segue from Proving Ground’s single player mode to the online mode “seamlessly.”
Proving Ground will also offer players the ability to utilize new gameplay mechanics such as skateable terrain altering and building, and bowl carving, as well as more “Nail the Trick” moves “such as Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual intensifying the thrill of pulling off big tricks.”
Neversoft president Joel Jewett claims that Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is “largest, deepest and most compelling Tony Hawk game ever.” He added, “Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground drops players into the skateboarding world like never before…Proving Ground will throw you so deep into the lifestyle of skateboarding that you won’t be able to get out. Hands down, it’s the most exciting Tony Hawk title yet.”
PS3 Predicted as Next-Gen Victor
May 7, 2007
In his latest Entertainment Software Publishing and Retail industry report, video game analyst Michael Pachter says that the “quality and quantity of the underlying available content” will be the key decider over the next-gen, giving the slight edge to the PS3.
“We believe that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are far more similar than their predecessors were and believe that the economics of game development will serve as a disincentive to third party publishers to offer exclusive content for either console,” Pachter explains. “In a perverse way, the similarity between the two platforms will likely serve to lower the costs of porting software from one platform to the other, and we anticipate that virtually every third-party title produced for one will be produced for the other.”
That lack of differentiation, Pachter concludes, will give the Wii an initial competitive advantage, as by nature of its control mechanisms, publishers are far more inclined to create separate SKUs. Scoring that content exclusivity is the “wildcard” in next generation console sales, and Nintendo’s particular advantage, he says, is its “deep library of internally developed games/brands,” concluding, “we think that Nintendo’s Wii will gain the greatest share of the hardware market in 2007.”
However, while the analyst says Sony may struggle to secure third party exclusivity, he does expect that a combination of blockbuster internally-produced games, the growing installed base for the PSP and continued robust PS2 software sales will make up for the third party shortfall.
On top of that, Pachter also says that aside from game content, “we expect the ultimate outcome of the console wars to be decided by the motion picture studios. Should the studios embrace Sony’s Blu-ray standard for high definition DVDs, we think Sony will gain an insurmountable advantage over Microsoft; should the studios embrace Sony rival Toshiba’s HD-DVD format, we think that Microsoft can maintain its first mover advantage and will dominate software sales for years to come.”
By the end of the cycle, though, Pachter predicts, “we see Sony ‘winning’ the console war with 36% of the market, with Nintendo ‘capturing’ second place at 34% and Microsoft finishing third at 30%” — a virtual “dead heat,” with all three generating “significant profits.”
Sony Reveals 2Q Line-up
April 20, 2007
Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the key titles of their lineup for the second quarter of 2007 today, adding that “more than 100 first- and third-party PS3, PSP and PlayStation 2 titles will launch during the next few months of 2007.” The list so far contains mostly third-party titles, but Sony is still confident that their first-party studios will soon release content that will add depth to their library.
“Our second-quarter line-up […] demonstrates a continued commitment from both SCEA and third-party developers to the PlayStation family of products,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing, SCEA. “We are excited by the content being developed by our partners, but are also looking forward to launching PlayStation-branded exclusive games created by our own worldwide studios this quarter and throughout the rest of 2007.”
Sony has also presented a total of eight new titles consisting of both original and retro games that can be purchased directly from the PlayStation Store.
Sony’s list of key titles is as follows:
PS3
F.E.A.R.
Spider-Man 3
Ninja Gaiden Sigma
MLB 07: The Show
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End
The Darkness
The Bigs
Transformers: The Game
PlayStation Store
Calling All Cars
Championship Sprint
Gauntlet II
Joust
Mortal Kombat II
Rampage World Tour
Super Puzzle Fighter II HD Remix
Rampart
PSP
Alien Syndrome
Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars
Crush
Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy II
Harvest Moon Boy & Girl
Ridge Racer 2
Test Drive Unlimited
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas
Valhalla Knights
PS2
Dawn of Mana
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary
Manhunt 2
NCAA Football 08
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2
Odin Sphere
Ratatouille
Shrek The Third
Spider-Man 3
Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
Capcom Reveals New Titles
April 16, 2007
As part of its Gamer’s Day event, Capcom revealed a number of new titles for multiple devices.
Capcom dabbled in PC gaming but never made a strong commitment to PC games, so releasing Lost Planet for PC is cool. Lost Planet will feature DirectX 10 and Shader Model 3.0 support as well, making one of the best looking console games one of the best looking PC games ever made. Lost Planet is a good sign that we will be seeing more Capcom titles coming to PCs in the near future. Also coming to PC (and PSN and Xbox Live) is Talisman, Games Workshop’s hybrid board and RPG.
For many, Wii is making out the best with the new Capcom titles. Lets’s start with Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Using the Wii Remote as your boomstick, players will gun down zombies and other monstrosities. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition might be the best Resident Evil of all time! It includes everything from the previous versions, utilizing the Wii Remote to point and blow apart the armies of the undead. Also coming to Wii is Project Treasure Island Z, a series of puzzles and mini-games centered around the antics of a pirate in training, Zack, and his magical monkey, Wiki. Younger gamers will be entertained.
Newly announced titles for Nintendo’s handheld DS system include the third chapter in Capcom’s cult Phoenix Wright legal adventures, with Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations. Set for release in September 2007, Trials and Tribulations will continue the tradition of the first two chapters of the series, with a new “mysterious hard-boiled” prosecutor named Godot, and a return of the second game’s “pysche-lock” interrogation tool. Also coming to Nintendo DS, in October, is the latest in the decades-long running Mega Man franchise, Mega Man ZX Advent, which includes a new “biometal” system that allows players to change into different forms and utilizes the DS touchscreen to switch between ‘Biometal’ and map navigation screens. Not a bad way to celebrate 20 years of Mega Man, I’d say.
Capcom also revealed that it was working with Cartoon Network to deliver a game based on the Adult Swim original cartoon Harvey Birdman to both the PSP and PS2 by developer High Voltage (Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude), though no further details were yet revealed.
As for PS2, Capcom has announced that the company as acquired PlayStation rights to the motor sport MotoGP, and will be publishing its first PlayStation 2 game based on the sport this year, tentatively titled MotoGP 07.
Capcom also revealed a number of digitally distributed titles coming throughout the year for PC, Xbox Live, and the PlayStation network. Foremost amongst these is the return of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix coming to all three digital platforms this fall, including newly redrawn 1080p HD graphics from the backgrounds and blocks, handled by developer Backbone and all new character portraits, done by Udon Entertainment (the company responsible for the official US Street Fighter series of comics). The game will also see “improved game balance,” and, most importantly, online play — a feature fans of the cult puzzler have been asking for since it first appeared. The game will also be including the X, Y, and Z-’ism’ modes from the Dreamcast’s “For Matching Service” version.
Also coming are two more original titles, with WizKids’ Rocketmen: Axis of Evil arriving on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network as an arcade shooter as up to four players battle cooperatively through multiple levels in a struggle to ‘free the Solar System.’
Kojima Dishes on Metal Gear Solid 4 Exclusivity
April 6, 2007
Hideo Kojima, the brains behind the influential Metal Gear series, recently addressed in an interview the issue of whether Metal Gear Solid 4 remain PS3 exclusive?
In his circuitous but eventual answer, Kojima equated Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360 to a moviegoing experience: “The PS3 is like the theatre, it’s a little bit high-priced but it has to be high quality as well. The 360 is a DVD, it still needs to be high-quality, but you need more variations, while the Wii is almost like a TV channel, because every game you have is with your family.” Not a bad little series of similes, but how does this relate to PS3 exclusivity, you’re probably wondering?
Well, on the topic of Devil May Cry 4 going multi-platform, Kojima knew exactly where the conversation was going: “[L]ike I said, MGS4 is aimed for the movie theatre, it’s aimed for the PS3, so the game’s scenario and graphics need this theatre-type hardware. It’s when a producer has a game that can work on the ‘DVD level’ that a game will go multiplatform.” Kojima also stated his belief that any decision made regarding a particular game’s multiplatform status is mostly the decision of the game’s producer.
In response to whether MGS 4 would truly be his last Metal Gear game, Kojima offered the following: “If users want more Metal Gear, then I will probably step up as producer, like the James Bond series does. That way I can have new, upcoming directors making MGS while I oversee the project, and then perhaps I can move onto something new.”
‘WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw’ Confirmed by THQ For Multiple Platforms
April 2, 2007
Officials from THQ and toy maker Jakks Pacific have confirmed that WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008, the latest in the company’s long running pro wrestling franchise, is currently in development for multiple platforms.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 is being created for the Wii, Nintendo DS, PS3, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, and wireless devices. The game is expected to ship across all platforms simultaneously this fall.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2007, currently available for the Xbox 360, PS2, and PSP, was originally planned to debut also on the PS3 as well, but the game was later pushed back to “late 2007.” This latest announcement would seem to confirm 2007’s cancellation for Sony’s console, making 2008 the series’ first appearance on the PS3.
WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2008 will build upon the best selling wrestling franchise with a number of new features, headlined by superstar fighting styles. The game will include eight different fighting styles and a new struggle submission system, as well as updated rosters, more environmental hotspots, and a combined season and general manager mode experience.
“We are extremely pleased with the success of the SmackDown! vs. Raw franchise and its continued growth to a widespread audience, particularly in our European markets,” said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. “With the addition of fresh, innovative game play on the Wii, the tremendous capabilities of the PlayStation 3 system and unique handheld experiences for Nintendo DS and wireless devices, gamers can now truly live the life of a WWE Superstar and choose from numerous ways to play.”
God of War II Coming to PSP and (PS3)
March 14, 2007
God of War director Cory Barlog has officially announced that the God or War series will be finding it’s way onto the PSP this year and to the PS3 some time.
Barlog is very assertive of the fact that the game will not be a port, a common practice on the PSP, but will be an entirely new game: “We’re not gonna do a port. This isn’t gonna be God of War I on the PSP, this is gonna be an all new adventure that ties into the overarching story. So if we go on to make a God of War III, the PSP [version] will tie directly into what we’re doing in the overall story.”
Although the game will not be a port of any of the existing titles, there is a chance that Kratos will revisit some familiar locations from the last two games, but only superficially speaking; “We’re not reusing any levels. We’re not doing any of that stuff. It’s all original content,” Barlog said.
There will be a possibility of the control system being altered slightly for the PSP version, due to the handheld’s lack of a second control nub. “There are pluses and minuses to all of it,” says Barlog. The overall control system is still being debated amongst the internal development staff.
There hasn’t exactly been an official statement concerning the release of a God of War game on the PS3, but an unofficial announcement was made at the God of War 2 launch party. Barlog said that the future of the series “will be in 1080p with SixAxis and vibration functions” - despite the lack of rumble functionality in the PS3’s controller.
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.
Ghost Rider: Running on Empty
March 2, 2007
The movie was terrible (except for Eva Mendes), and I’m afraid the game, which picks up where the movie leaves off, might be even worse.
I came across one reviewer who felt Ghost Rider (available for PSP, PS2, GBA) was nothing more than a poor man’s God of War. Another reviewer described playing Ghost Rider as “gaming hell” and “deserving of banishment.” Harsh? Indeed. Right on? Unfortunately.
In the game, Ghost Rider (not really that cool a character to begin with, in my estimation) must prevent archenemies (Mephisto, Blackheart) from unleashing hell on earth in a flimsy storyline, but instead of live action, cut scenes are portrayed in panels, which scroll along as if you’re reading a comic book. The game flips between on-foot and bike missions, both of which grow extremely tedious. The lone objective on foot is to eradicate demons - all of which are predictable and unintelligent - and collect souls.
Once you start playing, you may notice that Ghost Rider does play like God of War in some ways: Ghost Rider’s whip of his chain conjured up memories of Kratos flailing swords chained to his arms, the combo system (in which Ghost Rider uses a series of moves strung together to achieve maximum damage) is similar.
Also like God of War, Ghost Rider features a Vengeance meter, which fills as you successfully land attacks. Each level has an evil word associated with it, meaning you’ll earn rankings of Damned, then Condemned, Brutal, and all the rest that aren’t really worth mentioning. Keep the Vengeance meter filled through to the end of the level and you’ll get a bonus; you’ll also earn more souls and power for defeating enemies while holding a Vengeance ranking.
The enemy will occasionally arrive wearing a vengeance shield, which might be marked with the word Brutal. This means that no damage will be done unto that creature until the shield is shattered (by hitting it while the Vengeance meter stands at Brutal). But this gets tired pretty fast.
To earn higher vengeance rankings, you’ll have to constantly switch up attacks, eventually running through pretty much every combo in your possession, some of which might not be optimal for the enemy currently onscreen. And since the Vengeance meter resets when Ghost Rider takes a hit, tackling a couple higher-level shielded enemies at once can be a massive pain.
Ghost Rider’s Demon Charge strike destroys crowds of opponents with a swift blow. Ghost Rider can also employ retribution, which gives him a brief boost in speed and power, enabling you to inflict the Penance Stare, draining as many souls from foes as possible.
Bike levels help break up the ground action, but they’re too simple. You’ll spend almost all your time jumping over and sliding under obstacles while mowing down enemies. Boss battles are slightly entertaining, but rarely challenging.
While there’s certainly plenty of action, the dull, monotonous settings and boring sound design make it easy to slump into tedium, bashing away at enemies simply because they are there. So if you’re not sure whether to get Ghost Rider, I strongly advise you to ride onto a more worthwhile game.
Over 1,000 PS2 Compatible Titles for PAL PS3
March 1, 2007
Last friday, a Sony press release indicated that only a “limited” number of PS2 titles would be compatible with the PAL PS3 (to be launched in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia on March 23), but Sony president of worldwide studios Phil Harrison has just declared that “over 1,000″ PS2 titles will be backwards compatible with the PAL version of the PS3, thanks to the removal of the PlayStation Emotion Engine from the hardware configuration and a new reliance on software emulation.
Nevertheless, European fans were pissed off wiht this news; the issue of backwards compatibility, for many, is secondary to the perception that PAL consumers were being forced to pay more for hardware that featured less functionality than its North American and Japanese equivalents. Apparently referring to the negative headlines produced by the news, Harrison responded, “It’s very easy to over-react. We’re working to introduce a resource on the Web to detail which titles will have backwards compatibility. And as we make firmware upgrades, we will be able to add to that list.”
Referring to suggestions from Datamonitor analyst Alex Kwiatkowski that the move to software emulation could see an earlier than expected PS3price drop, Harrison said that price reductions are “something that we wouldn’t comment on specifically. But you know the business model very well – we strive to get the cost of manufacturing down as soon as possible, and as soon as we can pass cost savings onto the consumers, we will.”
According to Sony’s own figures 2,451 software titles have been released in Europe in total, from a worldwide total of 8,571. Assuming that the figure of over 1,000 titles promised by Harrison includes a significant number of the more popular PS2 games, it seesm that the move to software emulation is unlikely to remain a contentious issue in Europe.
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