All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

A new Blizzard game that isn't World of Warcraft?

Spooky chills just for you.

PlayStation Blog has dropped the European advertisement for Heavy Rain. The ad, which you can watch after the break, places a heavy emphasis (geddit?) on the various choices that players make throughout the game. Specifically, it asks players to "start a journey that changes with every single decision." The PS Blog post notes that different versions of the ad will be airing in several countries over the next few weeks, so be sure to keep an eye out for it.

If there's any justice in the universe, the US version will feature Kevin Butler.

Black Rock's stuntastic, straight out the plastic (NSFW) ATV racer Pure has vaulted onto the Games on Demand service. The price of admission into Pure's amusement park of big ramps and bigger air will set you back $19.99. Not sure if that's worth it. Check out the demo through Xbox Live.

And, now that we're on the subject, could someone undo the supposed cancellation of Pure 2? Thanks!

Shortcut: Add Pure to your download queue [Xbox.com]

Battle Kid: Fortress of Peril, the new NES platformer (!) by Sivak Games, was officially released on an honest-to-goodness NES cartridge yesterday. The game, inspired by super-hard games like I Wanna Be the Guy, contains over 550 rooms and 8 bosses, and comes on a translucent green cartridge that is designed to work in any region's NES.

Unfortunately, only a day after its release, the game is "temporarily unavailable" on the RetroUSB site. It's not only difficult, it's now difficult to find! We're contacting RetroUSB to find out if a second printing is planned.

[Thanks, Levi!]

Exciting update includes an increased level cap, dangerous dungeons, and plenty of new adventures for players of Silkroad Online.

A recent tweet from Team 17's Martyn Brown has revealed that everyone's favorite combative invertebrates will soon star in a new 2D outing on Steam, titled Worms Reloaded. That's literally all we know about the game at the moment, though Brown's tweet promises more details soon. Until then, we're left to worry that it's going to be an all-annelid remake of The Matrix: Reloaded, which would be totally awesome, until, of course, the big rave/orgy scene.

Update includes a portable dresser, 2 new songs, and 20 new story mode episodes.

The ultimate creative photo application for the Nintendo DSi that allows users to personalize, mix and "give life" to their photos now available through the Nintendo DSi Shop.

New wholesome fashion simulation game gives girls the chance to show off their talents.

That may not happen, but I can’t lie and say that I am not interested in Red Steel 2. Although the first didn’t live up to the hype, I’m glad someone is finally using the Wii Motion Plus and I am very positive about the sequel. Also, the hidden moves trailer looked great! [...]

The not-so-super heroes of the upcoming movie, Kick-Ass, are brawling their way to two platforms: iPhone and PlayStation 3. Like the movie, the game adaptation follows the adventures of ordinary people who decide to dress up in costumes and fight crime ... in the goriest way possible.

While we're getting a Watchmen: The End is Nigh vibe from the entire project, Kick-Ass does bring some innovation to the table. The press release promises an "unsurpassed integration of Facebook and Twitter to the PSN Network," making it the first game ever announced to take advantage of PS3's Facebook feature in a way that's more meaningful than syncing your Trophies and PlayStation Store purchases. It appears Facebook will play a vital role in the game, with the official site promising "Facebook missions."

Kick-Ass: The Game is expected to release on April 15th, the same day as the film. You can check a trailer for the movie after the break -- and if you're not at work, you can catch the uncensored red band trailer on Youtube.

Game based on animated TV series coming this fall.

It’s simply amazing how long video games have been around now and how the technology is snowballing faster than ever. It’s amazing how far we’ve come and it blows my mind to think about some things that have come to pass (some even before I was born). Weird and crazy. This Week in Nintendo [...]

Historic strategy game heading your way.

With the conclusion of another 1 vs 100 season on Xbox Live, it appears Microsoft still has some kinks to work out of its grand (and fun) online game show experiment. After receiving several tips and reviewing forums, it was made clear that some players were having problems obtaining their awards.

Joystiq followed up with Microsoft and was told, "We are aware that some people have experienced delays in receiving 1 vs 100 prizes. We apologize for the delay and are actively working to improve the prize fulfillment process. We encourage Xbox LIVE members to ensure all of their account personal information is up to date so Microsoft can determine prizing eligibility. If you have any further questions, please contact your local customer support."

A major issue with the 1 vs 100 prizing seems to be the number of minor details of which players may be unaware. For starters, prize winners should wait up to six weeks before hitting the panic button. There's also the issue of location: Remember that residents of Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Vermont, and Quebec can't receive prizes (and shouldn't even participate in the live shows). Prize winners (actually, all Xbox Live users) should also make sure their email and contact information is current. It also helps to review the game's Mini FAQ. Before the next season of 1 vs 100 starts we'll follow up with Microsoft to see what improvements it has made to the process. Just letting players know if they are even eligible for prizes -- before starting them off in their first 1 vs. 100 Live show of the season -- would likely alleviate several issues.

Taking the open world genre from the town to the country.

THQ*ICE call on all free-to-play MMO players to put their game to the test and claim their piece of $50,000 toward their current free-to-play MMO.

Electronic Arts has announced that new Army of Two: The 40th Day downloadable content is on the way. Entitled "Chapters of Deceit," the pack contains two campaign maps (once again set in the city of Shanghai) where "players stumble upon information that could lead to ending the invasion by Jonah and his 40th Day Initiative army." The DLC will arrive for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on April 1 and will cost $9.99 and 800, respectively.

Since the game flaunts its strength as a co-op shooter right in the title, EA Montreal's new content seems like a natural extension. Here's hoping it maintains the impressive level design and high degree of polish we experienced the first time around.

A portion of the Gaming Nexus Review: D+ Comprised of several well loved classic games, including the historic Operation, Hasbro Family Game Night 2 should be a lot better than it is. Other than Connect 4×4, which holds up relatively well, the board games just don’t convert well to the Wii.

Innovative features and Hollywood-style cinematics combine to bring a unique experience where player decisions shape the story.

SCEA's Senior VP of Publisher Relations, Kevin Butler Rob Dyer, has some pretty lofty expectations for the still-unnamed PlayStation Motion Controller. Set for release this Fall, it must not only compete against the Wii, but Microsoft's controller-free foray into motion gaming, Project Natal. Dyer obviously believes that Sony's offering has an edge, and expects more games to take advantage of the controller: "My feeling is that we're going to have a lot more games, a lot more innovation," he told IndustryGamers.

"It's easier to develop for," Dyer explained. "You can use the same code base that you currently use for PS3 or 360 or even the Wii in order to get a motion controller game out. You can't do that with Natal." While Microsoft treads new territory with its Project Natal offering, Sony's motion controller does seem to play it safe, offering an experience not unlike the one offered by Nintendo. Last year, Resident Evil 5's Jun Takeuchi commented about the theoretical ease of porting Wii games to the PS3, a trait that should expedite the number of games available on Sony's platform.

Even the announced offerings have played it safe for now, with familiar titles like LittleBigPlanet and the aforementioned Resident Evil 5 representing a large majority of the Motion Controller's upcoming library. However, while Dyer may tout a larger library of titles, gamers are likely to be disappointed if Sony's line-up is little more than "Wii games in HD" and "old games with tacked-on motion controls." Perhaps Sony's upcoming GDC presentation will assuage some of our concerns.

It didn't take long after the announcement of Rocksteady's acquisition for WBIE to reveal the next Batman game. In fact, it's just really weird timing, because the next Batman game has nothing to do with Rocksteady and probably won't be anything like Arkham Asylum. But there's a chance that this Batman game will be surprisingly good, as well: it's being made by A Boy and His Blob/Contra 4/Shantae developer WayForward.

The publisher announced a Wii and DS game coming this fall based on the comedic Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon. The cooperative game will allow a second player to control another DC Comics hero, from a group including the Blue Beetle, Green Lantern, Robin, and Aquaman. Encouragingly, Plastic Man also appears on the box art and the splash image for the game's website. Connecting the DS version to the Wii version will allow a friend to use the DS to control the 5th Dimensional fanboy Bat-Mite in the Wii game.

Yes, Bat-Mite's in the (mass-market) game, and Blue Beetle and Plastic Man are both on the cover. Somehow, when we weren't looking, the world became a wonderful place for DC Comics nerds.

Holy strategic acquisition, predictable Batman reference! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has announced its purchase of a majority stake in Rocksteady Studios, the developer responsible for towing Batman's star vehicle out of a muddy Gotham ditch. Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum debuted in 2009 to critical applause and has since shipped over three million copies.

Jamie Walker, studio director of Rocksteady Games, expressed pride in the deal -- the cost of which has not been disclosed. "We are proud to strengthen our association with WBIE, a world class publisher that we have enjoyed working with since we began developing Batman: Arkham Asylum," he said. In addition, games director and excellent sniper position Sefton Hill noted, "The Rocksteady team is very much looking forward to creating more great games based on widely recognized Warner Bros. brands like Batman."

What Warner license will Rocksteady revive next? Whatever it is, it'll have to wait until construction is completed on the unnamed Arkham Asylum sequel.

[Update: Square Enix Europe (Eidos) has confirmed that it still retains a 25.1 percent stake in Rocksteady.]

Do you want to get in fighting shape for your pro gaming debut? Turn to Doritos! The "bold, intense snack brand" announced a "Pro-Gaming Combine" -- essentially a training camp for kids who want to play Halo 3 for a living. During the three-day event, players who show promise in the areas of "slaying power, teamwork/communication, leadership, objective play and support play" will undergo further evaluation by the "MLG Scout Team," just like in sports! One four-person team and four individuals from each location winning a trip to the Major League Gaming Pro Circuit Event and National Championship Competition.

Team passes for the first event, in Nashville, Tennessee, go on sale at 7PM EST tonight, with individual passes available tomorrow at the same time. The full schedule of Combines is available after the break.

Holy strategic acquisition, predictable Batman reference! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has announced its purchase of a majority stake in Rocksteady Studios, the developer responsible for towing Batman's star vehicle out of a muddy Gotham ditch. Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum debuted in 2009 to critical applause and has since shipped over three million copies.

Jamie Walker, studio director of Rocksteady Games, expressed pride in the deal -- the cost of which has not been disclosed. "We are proud to strengthen our association with WBIE, a world class publisher that we have enjoyed working with since we began developing Batman: Arkham Asylum," he said. In addition, games director and excellent sniper position Sefton Hill noted, "The Rocksteady team is very much looking forward to creating more great games based on widely recognized Warner Bros. brands like Batman."

What Warner license will Rocksteady revive next? Whatever it is, it'll have to wait until construction is completed on the unnamed Arkham Asylum sequel.

It looks like Dragon Age fans hoping to delve further into its fantasy realm will have to wait a little bit longer. IDW Publishing editor-in-chief Chris Rydall tells Big Download that the planned March release of its Dragon Age comic has been pushed to April. Furthermore, the second issue will release in June.

The comic was announced last year, and is slated to feature a story written by Orson Scott Card. The plot itself focuses around a band of rogue mages that "will defy the rules of the Templars and change the course of the world forever."

Get ready for Arkham Asylum 2.

It looks like Dragon Age fans hoping to delve further into its fantasy realm will have to wait a little bit longer. IDW Publishing editor-in-chief Chris Rydall tells Big Download that the planned March release of its Dragon Age comic has been pushed to April. Furthermore, the second issue will release in June.

The comic was announced last year, and is slated to feature a story written by Orson Scott Card. The plot itself focuses around a band of rogue mages that "will defy the rules of the Templars and change the course of the world forever." Presumably, it will also feature lots of sex.