All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

The internet is running rampant with speculation that Nintendo is working on a follow-up to its current home console, tentatively dubbed "Zii." Siliconera discovered a Japanese trademark for the Zii, and many wondered if this was the official name for the fabled Wii HD. Conspiracy theorists will want to settle down, though. Our friends at Engadget discovered that the Zii trademark request is simply a renewal of a 2006 request. In fact, in addition to the Zii, Nintendo has applied for trademarks covering Bii, Cii, Oii, and Yii. Unless Nintendo is planning on making five new consoles, each with a different name, it seems as though the company is just covering its bases. Source - What Is The Nintendo Zii? [Siliconera] Source - Nintendo trademarks 'Zii' all over Japan [Engadget]

WWII yields to ijji's imagination, nightmares.

The dev blog for Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom has updated with some sketches from the game, including what looks to be an original boss that was originally tossed around as an idea for the game. Looks like this fiery lady didn’t make the cut.

Digital Leisure is excited to announce that arcade classic “Dragon’s Lair” will soon be available on Nintendo’s DSiWare™ service. No quarters needed! You’ll soon have your chance to take on all the “Lair” has to throw at you, right in the palm of your hand. For the first time on any handheld Nintendo® system, you’ll [...]

The 'Gates of the Acropolis' are opening.

Rise from obscurity to rule the world.

Ring-road racing.

We know there's a temptation to freak out, but just stick with us until the second graph, okay? When asked by Nikkei Japan how the company managed the cost of maintaining the free PlayStation Network, Sony Computer Entertainment executive VP Masayuki Chatani highlighted the possibility of new revenue streams, saying, "In addition to single-payment packaged software, there are also schemes like monthly fees or per-item charges." As GameIndustry.biz points out, Chatani could be talking about any number of different items and monthly-charged services delivered via PSN -- as was vaguely referenced in a presentation last month. Viewed together, the comments may seem troubling, but additional services don't necessarily equate to PSN itself becoming a subscription service. If Sony wanted to lose the biggest advantage of its online service just as the PS3 builds up a good head of steam, a funeral service might become more appropriate.

It’s that time of the year…the time when various gaming sites start rounding up the best of the best that hit every console and portable on the market. You can get in on the first round of guides below.

A portion of a SPOnG review… Jambo! Safari is a good way of giving your kid something different for Christmas, and its theme makes it a very accessible game. It’s also adequate for the animal lover, but more care and attention should have gone into the code to ensure it was a less buggy experience. Anyone [...]

First title will be for Nintendo DS, coming Spring 2010.

Joymax announces a Fortress War update and a trio of holiday events for fantasy MMORPG Silkroad Online.

A portion of a Nintendo Life review… Playstos should be commended for putting out a nicely constructed piece of bug-free software that will occupy platforming fans for several hours. In the end, the biggest issue is that it’s just not special enough to give a firm recommendation when there are other, better games in the same [...]

Guildhall students set to become warrior poets.

New in-game events coming.

We know that we've approached that proximity to Christmas where you feel bad buying things for yourself, but Amazon's got a pretty enticing offer running today. For just $39.78, the online retailer will let your grab a copy of Assassin's Creed 2 for the 360 or PS3. Yeah, it's probably money you should be spending on presents for your stupid family -- but once they see Ezio's first double-blade assassination, we're sure they'll understand. But wait, there's more! Today's Gold Box offers are all for games on the PS3 platform. You can find a full list of the clues for each of these time-released sales after the jump. The next clue, which goes live at 12 EST, references "an electrifying adventure in Empire City," so we're guessing that a discount for Hannah Montana: The Movie: The Game is right around the corner. What? Her concerts are freaking electrifying.

In a tersely worded press release, ZeniMax Media - parent company of Fallout 3-dev Bethesda Softworks and, as of June, FPS hall-of-famer id Software - has "announced today that it has picked up the publishing rights for Rage, the video game under development at id Software." First announced in July 2008 during Electronic Arts' E3 press conference, Rage was to be published under EA's successful EA Partners program, home to other major titles from outside developers, like Rock Band, Left 4 Dead 2, and Brutal Legend. Unlike ZeniMax's other development studio, Bethesda, id Software will not be self-publishing Rage; instead, "Rage will be published by Bethesda Softworks," the press release states. It concludes, "As a result, Electronic Arts Inc. ... will not be involved in the sales and marketing of Rage. The ongoing development of Rage is unaffected by this development." With EA out of the picture and publishing duties for Rage in ZeniMax's hands, the partnership between the two companies can finally be consummated without having to wait for Doom 4, or whatever's next in the Wolfenstein franchise. Ah, love.

Electronic Arts no longer primary publisher.

With plenty of actual controversy surrounding Modern Warfare 2, the issues of colorblind gamers seem a relatively innocent (and common) oversight. An ongoing petition and Facebook group is requesting a patch for the game. According to the petition, those with a particular type of red/green color blindness "cannot tell friend from foe in the online matches, as their names appear in these colors, and the radar uses the colors too." Infinity Ward's community manager has acknowledged that he will bring up the concern to the team. Our very own red/green color blind Ben Gilbert, who doesn't have a particular issue with MW2's spectrum decisions, noted, "I can think of about 20 other games that need a solution for this before MW2. How about every puzzle game ever made that depends on color matching -- I'm looking at you especially, Super Puzzle Fighter, you heart breaker." Considering color blindness is relatively common, especially among males, it's surprising that it isn't tested for more regularly. Any QA folks who can give better insight into whether color blindness is tested for (and how) should feel free to drop a note in the comments. [Via Escapist, Evil Avatar]

We posted up this Gamasutra analysis the other day, but this particular section is being called out. The Wii suffered the worst year-on-year software sales decline out of the current gen consoles, with only the PS2 and PSP seeing worse declines. I have to admit, an 18% drop in one year is huge, [...]

If you’re dying to get your hands on the upcoming Contra 4: Rocked ‘n’ Loaded, you’ll be happy to know that it’s set for a January release. That’s not far off at all! After hearing the sampler above, I’m sure you’re ears have perked up, and wallets are starting to open.

Our friends at Ignition wanted to share some brand-new screens from Arc Rise Fantasia with you guys, and it’s my pleasure to post them up! This game has been a long-time coming, and I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait!

We know that the title is coming out in May, but Amazon seems to think that May 11th is the official date. That’s a Tuesday, so it certainly falls in line with releases in the states. Thanks to Supa_S for the heads up!

That tag is fine by me! Layton has certainly appeared in some great games, and I always look forward to the next outing. If there were only a way we could speed up the localization process for the other titles!

We linked to these screens last night, but I just wanted to make sure everyone saw this screen of the map. This is how you’ll be doing travel now, as it appears that there’s no overworld hub anymore. This should certainly streamline the experience. Did anyone really enjoy driving around Santa Destroy? Check [...]