All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

Are you ready to ride again?

New ways to express your love for sushi.

Made to order characters make Dungeon Fighter Online more than just an arcade game.

This Saturday, January 23, the PlayStation Store will be updated with a free pilot episode of the new Battlestar Galactica spin-off, Caprica. It's a great way to catch up, in case you miss the first broadcast tonight on SyFy at 9PM. (Of course, you could just watch it right now on SyFy.com.) While you're downloading Caprica, you might want to consider some of the other free TV offerings on the PlayStation Store. Pilot episodes of The Deep End, a new ABC law drama, and The Buried Life, a new MTV reality series, can be downloaded right now. There are also seven free webisodes of the Crackle original series The Bannen Way. Remember that SD content will play on both your PS3 and PSP, while HD content can only be played on the PS3.

Build an empire that spans the New World.

"You may not even see the impact of a decision in Mass Effect 1 in Mass Effect 2, but in Mass Effect 3," BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk told us while elaborating about the whole Mass Effect franchise. The pedigreed co-founder of BioWare isn't simply set on promoting the upcoming Mass Effect 2, but a vision for the entire trilogy. "In planning out the overall trilogy, we know what general story beats we want to hit along the entire thing. So we know the key events we want to have in 3, and right now the team is starting to flesh that out, fill in the spaces. And of course, we're going to be waiting for the fan response to Mass Effect 2, to see what works and what didn't work, what we can strengthen." Fan reaction is a huge part of the BioWare design, but according to Zeschuk, the Mass Effect team still goes with what they want to do. "Fan reaction is usually a really important part of what we do. We listen to everything the fans say, everything the press says. And when we make a sequel, that's one of the guiding things. Overriding that though really is the team's choice. And I think that's interesting because obviously the fans have been very vocal about who they want to see and how they want to see them. We've made our choices, and they may or may not be happy with what we did. But at the end of the day, they're going to think the experience was incredible. And you have to remember there's a third part, as well. Hey maybe you didn't see who you wanted to see in number two, but maybe you'll see them in number three. We're going to keep fans guessing."

Ready your harddrives.

With a rapidly approaching "Spring" release date and only one game with confirmed support for the device, Sony has made the presumably wise decision to delay the release of the as-yet-unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller until "Fall 2010" in order to "offer an exciting and varied line-up of software titles that will deliver the new entertainment experience to PS3 users." The single game with confirmed support: Resident Evil 5: Alternative Edition, shown off at last year's Tokyo Game Show with Motion Controller support on PS3 (here it is on video). RE5: Alternative Edition is coming to North America as "Gold Edition" in both retail and DLC formats, beginning in February. We asked Capcom US how the delay of the Motion Controller would affect the release of Alternative/Gold Edition and here's what the publisher told us: Capcom has not announced any compatibility between Sony's motion controller and Resident Evil 5 in North America. The release of this product will be unaffected by the delay in our territory and is still on track for a March 9 release with the individual pieces of downloadable content released prior. Of course, that doesn't answer if the already demoed Motion Controller support will still be a component of the Japanese "Alternative Edition" release, whether that support will be patched into any of retail and DLC releases upon the arrival of the Motion Controller in the Fall, or whether Capcom's just giving up on the idea entirely. We're following up and will let you know if Capcom's sharing anything beyond the above statement.

The announcement of Mass Effect 2's in-game DLC pipeline, "Cerberus Network," left some details unclear. For example, will DLC through Cerberus be free, since the network itself costs money to install for those without a code from a new copy of the game? And will DLC only be available through Cerberus? In a video interview with Joystiq (to be published later today), BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk cleared up some of the confusion around the DLC portal. "We'll definitely have for-pay DLC down the road too," he said, revealing that the DLC through Cerberus will be free. "It's not going to be all free DLC for Mass Effect 2 -- far from that. There'll be paid DLC packs, and there'll be stuff available through Cerberus as well." The way Zeschuk puts it, there will be two separate types of DLC: free material that is offered through the Cerberus Network and paid DLC that can be purchased without Cerberus (through BioWare or Xbox Live Marketplace).

In very clear and certain terms, the PAX East site states: "FACT. We will sell out of badges for PAX East Coast 2010." What this means is that there will, oh wait, they get all caps-locky about this one too: "There will be NO BADGES AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR." For those who plan to attend and don't want to be left out in the cold (literally, it's freakin' March 26-28 in Boston), get registered now!

Click image to sneak into our gallery We hope you didn't have anything planned for the next hour or so, because we've got quite the mission and you're the only person who can get the job done. See, Konami deployed a bounty of new screens (63 in all) for Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and we can't possibly get through them all. There are some multiplayer screens, art of various characters and equipment shots, and even a few screens of Peace Walker's progressive recruitment system we've dubbed "the smart balloon." As if we weren't frightened enough by stranger danger, now we have to know that the military has had auto-piloting balloons that can whisk us off to "re-education" centers at will since the 70's. It's just a video game, right, guys? Right?

It seems that the yet-to-launch Green Man Gaming website has figured out a way for consumers to make back some of the money spent on digitally distributed games. According to a press release from earlier today, the company will accept digital trade-ins of used "digitally purchased and downloaded games," though nothing explicit is spelled out in terms of what exactly you'll get for your trade-in. The company's COO (and ex-Play.com head) Gian Luzio claims in the release that publishers will receive "substantial remuneration" from Green Man Gaming (that means money, folks) and the site is planned for a "Q1 2010" launch -- it's said to open up with 400 games and grow to "over 2000" by the end of the year. We've contacted GMG for more info on how this whole thing will work and will update you when we know more. [Via Big Download]

Mystery title to be announced next week.

Follow the bouncing ball.

During tonight's season premiere of Gametrailers TV, EA's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 was at center stage with first footage and details of the game's single-player experience. The episode revealed the original B Company would return, with players reprising their role as Private Preston Marlowe. The single-player story, which takes players from Alaska to South America, sees the rambunctious squad attempt to locate a devastating weapon system the Russians have uncovered. Of course, destruction once again plays a major role in the game, but sadly the smooth soundtrack that accompanied the original game seems to have been replaced by a generic "epic" score. Hopefully it'll be the least of our concerns when the estimated "10 hour" experience lands on consoles and on PC on March 2, 2010. According to the episode, a new multiplayer demo will land some time in February (perhaps the rumored demo date is accurate?) When contacted for an actual date for the new demo, an EA representative told Joystiq details would be revealed soon. Check out the single-player trailer after the break.

A mission is revealed that only Bad Company can handle in the campaign reveal trailer!

It can be hard being a a total outdoorsman every now and then -- don't we know it! Sometimes it snows, or there are vicious bears, or maybe we're just feeling like snuggling up inside with a warm mug of hot cocoa instead of mercilessly hunting down animals for sport. Thankfully, development studio Beast understand our predicament and has announced a March release date for upcoming Xbox 360 hunting sim Field & Stream: Total Outdoorsman Challenge. Finally, a solution! At last, we can "brave the elements" of the wild without having to actually experience the raw elements that make us want to stay safely indoors. And considering that the closest we get to "the wild" is the local zoo, it's good to know that the game will feature "more than 30 big game, native, and fowl species across multiple environments." Heck, we can even polish up our lacking rifleman skills with F&S:TOC's free hunt and practice modes. How could we go wrong! What's this about Cabela's somethingorother, you say?

Valve has announced that this weekend will see Company of Heroes receive a steep discount on Steam. The original game as well as the Opposing Fronts and Tales of Valor expansions will be available for 75 percent off the usual price. All three, usually packaged for $49.99, will be available for a paltry $12.99. For those out there looking for a real-time strategy fix, it looks like your weekend is booked.

CUUUUUUUPS It's going to be a long time before mankind invents Replicator technology. Until then, we're all forced to fill our Geo Metros with dead dinos and drive on down to the Del Taco for sustenance like jerks. But, the usual reward of a scrumptious combination of tortilla, beef and spices won't be the only thing to greet you at the end of your trek: Star Trek Online is teaming up with Del Taco to offer some collectible game cups. You know, the same kind that you got for every other thing that ever launches ever. Oh, you also get a free game trial, but oh man cups with ships on them! In addition to this megaton news item, we've also got two new Star Trek Online trailers, featuring the Cardassians and the Vigilant Class Starship. Set your mouse to click and you'll find them past the break. Source - Press release Source - Del Taco promotion page

Classic RPG style action is coming to PSP in Japan.

As the release draws near we take a look back at the best trailers of Mass Effect 2.

Analyst Michael Pachter claims publisher can't wait to go multiplatform.

Speaking to Nintendo Life in a podcast, Gaijin Games's Alex Neuse spilled plenty of details about the fourth Bit.Trip game for WiiWare, Bit. Trip Runner. Neuse calls the game a "rhythm platformer," a genre populated, in his estimation, only by Vib-Ribbon. Which means that players will move Commander Video through side-scrolling environments to the beat of new chiptune songs, two of which are provided by chiptune superstars Anamanaguchi. The game's 50 levels will make use of user-submitted fanart, for which the developer is still soliciting entries. The universe of Bit. Trip will also expand a bit: "We're going to be adding a lot more to this game," Neuse said. "There's going to be multiple characters - not playable characters, but we are going to introduce some new characters into the franchise." Runner is around 2/3 complete, and is expected to release on WiiWare sometime this spring.

Nippon Ichi releases the debut trailer for their next PSP title.

Gamer Graffix makes giant wall stickers out of your favorite gaming characters. Fathead makes giant wall stickers out of your favorite sports stars. See a connection between the two companies? Fathead may have, because a rumor points to the sports company snatching up the game specialist. These two companies working together [...]

Tekken 6 rumbles onto the PSP in Japan.

Though we've already twice confirmed EA's steadfast dedication to Tiger Woods -- and, subsequently, sequels to his popular sports franchise -- EA Sports has gone ahead and announced Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11. Coming in "June 2010" to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and iPhone, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 features the philandering golf star (as per usual) and others from the PGA Tour circuit. No screens or an official release date were given out, but ... umm ... you could always play Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online for free right this minute! It's a browser-based version of the game you know and love! Wait, where are you going?

CAUTION - CONTAINS SPOILERS No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle at IGN.

Though Capcom's jetpack-infused action title Dark Void may be getting universally panned by critics, one element of the game seems to be garnering praise from reviewers: Its Bear McCreary-composed soundtrack. Thanks to an announcement from music publisher Sumthing Else Music Works, we now know when said soundtrack will get its own release: February 9. Unless, of course, that's when Modern Warfare 2's soundtrack gets released, in which case they'll probably push it back a little bit. Personally, we can't wait to pick up the album, which will be shipped to retailers and available for purchase on Sumthing Else's site. Soon, we'll be able to sit back, close our eyes and listen to McCreary's orchestral jams without worrying about jetpacking into a cliff face.

This special Heavy Rain doc is mostly in English but subtitled in Japanese. Learn new details about the story and its characters, along with gameplay mechanics and design goals.