America’s Most Rented
August 25, 2006
Here is the latest top-rated title list, courtesy of Rentrak Home Video Essentials:
1. NCAA Football 07 (PS2)
2. Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (PS2)
3. Dead Rising (Xbox 360)
4. FlatOut 2 (PS2)
5. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PS2)
6. NCAA Football 07 (Xbox)
7. NCAA Football 07 (Xbox 360)
8. Cars (PS2)
9. FlatOut 2 (Xbox 360)
10. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (PS2)
The New Microsoft Habu
August 23, 2006
Microsoft and Razer, a computer gaming peripheral team, have joined forces in creating Microsoft Habu, a gaming mouse that, says MS, “allows gamers to experience PC gaming as never before.” Microsoft Habu is a super-precision, pleasant-to-handle mouse with virtually no skipping or pixel jumping or negative acceleration. Microsoft Habu is due out in October and its features are as follows:- Interchangeable side button panels provide gamers with two options for different hand sizes or preferences.
-2,000 DPI laser engine, powered by Razer Precision, delivers super-fast response time
- On-the-fly DPI lets players adjust DPI for controlled sensitivity
- Always-On mode pioneered by Razer gives gamers virtually no latency
- High-speed motion detection lets gamers get their speed on with movement of up to 45 inches per second and 20G acceleration
- Seven programmable buttons with Hyperesponse allow gamers to program their button functions; Razer’s Hyperesponse technology reduces latency
- On-board profile memory enables gamers to store up to five game control profiles on the mouse
-Ultra-slick Teflon feet let gamers enjoy smooth and quiet gliding
- Ergonomic design features GlowPipe side rails and large, rubber-coated buttons
- Thin, flexible wire provides gamers with the speed of a wired mouse with the feel of a wireless device
EA Boss Maps Out Future Plans
August 22, 2006
Elecrtonic Arts’ David Gardner discussed a seven-ppoint plan at the EIEF Conference in Edinburgh regarding the future of EA game development.
Gardner acknowledged the value of making inroads to the female market, citing the success of The Sims with female gamers. The Sims, he claims, was “about building relationships, not developing motor skills or honing twitch abilities.” About in-game advertising, Gardner conceded, ” We just have to get on with it, and as creators, we must fit in in seamlessly.” He also acknowledges that new forms of media are demanding attention and that the casual game wants a more succinct gaming experience, perhaps onein which “players can achieve a sense of accomplishment in an hour instaed of over a period of three hours.”
Gardner also praised the influx of new industry talent: “Writers and artists from other media will make a bigger impact. Students from universities who have grown up with games are creating great innovations.” Finally, he acknowledged the likelihood of more anti-games legislation, warnign that video game creators must “understand what we are building and explain that to consumers and to their parents. Most of this legislation is sponsored by politicians who have never played a game.”
August 21, 2006
The highly anticipated Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera, according to an edition of Official Xbox Magazine, will be released in the U.S. on September 19 release date and will be available in two bundle deals:
Standard Kit (expected RRP $39.99)-Xbox Live Vision Camera
-Xbox Live Headset
-One ‘free’ month on Xbox Live Gold
-TotemBall Live Arcade Game
-Uno Live Arcade GameGold Kit (expected RRP $79.99)
-Xbox Live Vision Camera
-Xbox Live Headset
-’Free’ Xbox Live Gold subscription for a year month
-TotemBall Live Arcade Game
-Uno Live Arcade Game
-A third Xbox Live Arcade Game (tba)
-200 Microsoft points
The Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera is designed to assist online gamers’ communicative methods with video messaging for games compatible with the device. Although such games seemed focused towards specific Live Arcade titles, certain developers have begun tinkering with its capabilities in mind. Ubisoft, for example, is integrating support in its “Rainbow Six: Vegas” for visual hand gesturing.
The camera will also be used in games such as Activision’s “World Series of Poker: Tournament of Champions,” and several Xbox Live Arcade games, including some gesture-based games, a pinball game, and TotemBall. For WSOP, as well as RS: Vegas, the camera will model users’ whole heads, with both portrait and profile shots being used to help add depth to the mapped image.
Messages will also include photos taken with the camera. When the camera is released later this year, gamers will be able to message each other with text, voice, photos, or all three.
Ubisoft’s New Star Wars Game for DS & PS3
August 18, 2006
In partnership with LucasArts, Ubisoft will release Star Wars: Lethal Alliance for Nintendo DS and PS3. Lethal Alliance takes place between Episode III and the original Star Wars installment. The action occurs across several Star Wars locales, and players will encounter a number of Star Wars regulars on their journey. You play as Rianna Saren, a young Twi’lek, whose mission it is to uncover the Death Star, the Empire’s most deadly weapon. You must also infiltrate the Imperial bases and blast through stormtroopers - lots of them. Helpful hint: it is essential to work closely with your droid counterpart! Star Wars: Lethal Alliance will be released for Nintendo DS and PS3 in December, so be sure to check back for more details.
Nintendo’s Big Wii-lease
August 16, 2006
The Wii console will come out of the gate strong, boasting no fewer than 26 titles in its release date. The quality and quantity of games is there, making the Wii debut line-up one of the most highly anticipated ever. CVG reports that Wii’s launch line-up will consist of the following:
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Metroid Prime: Corruption
- Wii Sports
- Red Steel
- Elebits
- Call of Duty 3
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
- Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam
- Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
- Far Cry
- GT Pro Series
- Open Season
- Rayman Raving Rabbids
- Excite Truck
- EA’s Need for Speed: Carbon
- Madden NFL 07
- THQ’s Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Cars
- Spongebob Squarepants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
- Blitz: The League
- Atari’s Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2
- Dragon Quest Swords: The Masked Queen and the Tower of Mirrors
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers
- Sega’s Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz
- Trauma Centre: Second Opinion
- Metal Slug Anthology
There are also another 151 games that are reportedly in development at this time!
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