All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

We talk to the legendary game designer about his new development studio.

#atomicgames With its Iraq War shooter Six Days In Fallujah still in publishing limbo, developer Atomic Games is working on a new plan of attack with its new multiplayer shooter Breach, a game that's about finding a new angle on warfare. More »

As if the thought of getting early hands-ons with Skate 3, Mafia 2, Red Dead Redemption, co-op Splinter Cell: Conviction and ... uh, well, tons of other games at PAX East wasn't enticing enough, we've just received word from Hydrophobia developer Dark Energy Digital that the game will also be available on the show floor. Moreover, the game has been announced as exclusive to Xbox Live Arcade (no word on whether the planned three-episode release will still get a retail counterpart). We'll be diving into Hydrophobia's flooded corridors this weekend and speaking with the developers, so feel free to dump a torrent of questions for us in the comment section below if you're so inclined.

#pax Don't worry, the party is still on, but due to some unforseen events we've had to move to a much cooler venue. More »

#clips Much like it did with Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft is making a short film to help promote the upcoming Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. This is a short clip from that film. It's amazing. More »

Atomic Games' Breach is a first-person, multiplayer shooter set to infiltrate Xbox Live Arcade this summer. The game mixes a cover system with destructible environments, and allows players to see their handiwork (or, umm, terrible aim) on walls, floors, ceilings and even single bricks.

Featuring four classes (five after mastering two classes), an experience points system to purchase gadgets, four maps, four game types, 23 weapons and more, Breach seems like it's going for the type of hefty multiplayer experience one would expect from a full-priced retail title -- though we hope it'll have a less traumatic trip to release than the same developer's Six Days in Fallujah did. We'll have a hands-on later today at PAX East.

#canada With the goal of one day offering 150 titles for checkout across its 38 locations, Toronto's public library has taken steps toward building a video game collection - but figures it needs $300,000 to make it happen. More »

#legal Attempts to stem used game sales at GameStop have just turned into a legal headache for the retailer who thrives on selling pre-owned video games. The company has just been hit with a lawsuit over "deceptive and misleading" sales practices. More »

Zynga, casual freemium enabler of FarmVille, MafiaWars and YoVille!, announced that pre-paid game cards recently arrived at real-life retail. Available in $10 or $25 denominations, the cards "make it easy for consumers who don't have access to credit cards or bank accounts to buy in-game items." No bank account, really? Well, maybe if they weren't obsessively buying in-game spice racks they'd still have a bank account.

The Zynga cards will be available at 12,800 locations, including 7-Eleven, Best Buy, GameStop, Target and doctors who deal in "prescription painkillers."

Yes, I know Navi gets a lot of hate from gamers the world over. We’ve all heard that before, but let’s look at things another way. Ocarina of Time wouldn’t have been nearly as amazing without Nintendo’s unique camera control. It was Navi that acted as that camera for lock-on enemy battles, [...]

#rumor Midway's classic speedboat racer Hydro Thunder may be making its way to Xbox Live Arcade soon. And it may be playable at PAX East even sooner—as in tomorrow. More »

We currently know very little about Level-5's console-based spinoff of the DS soccer RPG Inazuma Eleven. In fact, here's what we know about it:

• It might be called Inazuma Eleven Break

That's actually pretty much it. We don't even know which console or consoles it's being considered for, though the fact that it's based on a kid-friendly series suggests the Wii. As does the content of a Tweet sent by Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino (translated by Andriasang): "Meeting for the console version of Inazuma Eleven. Different from the DS version's RPG type, this has, maybe, the feeling of sports fighting. Perhaps those who like Smash Bros. will enjoy it." A sporty riff on Smash Bros. from one of the world's premiere RPG developers. How fascinating!

#tecmobowl This interview with the producer of the upcoming Tecmo Bowl Throwback delivers tons of gameplay video and tells us what to expect from the game - although it still doesn't tell us when it will release. More »

#northamerica We've got a bit of a traffic jam on our hands in this week's North American PlayStation Store update, with almost too much to highlight this Thursday, including Section 8, Blue Toad Murder Files and Cho Aniki Zero. More »

Click to see full cover art In just under two months, Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be on shelves. Today, Nintendo released the final North American box art so you can print it out, stick it in an empty Wii game case and pretend you have the plumber's latest platformer right now. Okay, so that's probably not what the Big N had in mind, but really, who doesn't do that?

Not you? Well then, you can at least use the art to help you spot the game at the store. Although, now that we look at it side-by-side with the original Super Mario Galaxy's box art, they appear strikingly similar. We've placed both after the break so you can study the subtle differences and not end up with the wrong game on May 23.

We're slated to play the latest build of SMG2 next week, so we'll have updated hands-on impressions of Nintendo's next big platformer soon.

We've played them so you don't have to. Five of the most wretched games on the service.

#screengrab Before Tecmo and Koei, before Square met Enix, before Namco found Bandai - this chart seeks to catalog the history of game studios - spinoffs, mergers, acquisitions, defections. It's also suitable for posterizing on your laundry room wall. More »

Debuting this week on the PlayStation Network store is the Blue Toad Murder Files series, an episodic puzzle-adventure from Relentless Software, makers of the BUZZ! quiz games. We also have the first (free) MAG DLC, the debut of the multiplayer-only sci-fi FPS Section 8 and two new PS3 dynamic themes -- Heavy Rain Forest A.R.I. and Mega Man 10 -- joined by some PSN-only games and plenty of DLC. PSP gets some full game download love, including Cho Aniki Zero.

Oh, and there's episode six of The Tester.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:
(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Hi Everyone – It’s time for the weekly PlayStation Store Update.

This week’s Spring Fever highlights celebrate Classic Shooters. Find Gravity Crash (PS3) & Everyday Shooter (PS3) & (PSP) for $4.99 (regular price $9.99 each). Offers good through 3/31/10.

Downloadable Games

Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 1 ($7.49)
A murder mystery puzzle adventure from the developers of BUZZ!. Played solo or up to four players locally, can you unravel the secrets of Little Riddle?
Episode 1 of 6.
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 420 MB

Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 1-3 Bundle ($14.99)
Purchase episodes 1-3 for a special discounted price. Played solo or up to four players locally, can you unravel the secrets of Little Riddle?
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 895 MB

Anarchy: Rush Hour ($7.99)
Put the pedal to the metal in this no-holds-barred arcade racing game that will challenge even the most experienced virtual drivers! Race across detailed cities modelled on real locations, battling your way through outrageous traffic jams. When the action heats up, an arsenal of adrenaline-powered devices will help you pull off gravity-defying stunts and obliterate your opponents!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 809 MB

Hamsterball ($9.99)
Take control of a hamster-in-a-ball and run the most frenzied race of your life! The clock is ticking and EVERYTHING is out to stop you – with crazy obstacles, unexpected twists and dramatic drops, each level will challenge you in new and inventive ways! Race solo, against a friend, or battle up to six buddies in Sumo Mode. You better buckle up, ‘cause this ain’t grandma’s hamster in a wheel.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 262 MB

Wakeboarding HD ($14.99)
Grab your board and hold on tight! Wakeboarding HD drops players into a high-speed, water-filled, arcade experience to maneuver through tracks, perform high-flying tricks, collect bonuses and avoid dangers from exploding mines to bloodthirsty sharks. Show your skills and wreak havoc as the bright and colorful tropical paradise resort transforms into an action-packed extreme playground.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 156 MB

Section 8 ($29.99)
Section 8 is a large-scale, sci-fi first person shooter where fast-paced action meets military strategy in the far reaches of the galaxy. Join the epic battle between the 8th Armored Infantry and the Arm of Orion by taking part in fierce squad-based combat across majestic alien worlds.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 3.54 GB

The Tester

The Tester Episode 6
In The Tester – Episode 6 “Focus, People, Focus,” the remaining five (Amped, Cyrus, Doc, Nauseous, and Star), are evaluated on their individual ability to keep it together under fire. And, to scrutinize if their aim is true, SCEA Managing Producer Kyle Shubel joins the panel to witness who’s in the ‘Killzone.’
File size: 567 MB (SD) 856 MB (HD)

PSone Classics

Perfect Weapon ($5.99)
Brawl through a myriad of alien moons as Captain Blake Hunter fights for his life. Find those responsible and unleash your fighting skills upon them!
ESRB Rated T
File size: 207 MB

Add-on Game Content

LittleBigPlanet Sonic Costume, Tails Costume, Knuckles Costume, Dr. Eggman Costume, Werehog Costume ($1.99 each)
Get costumes based on one of the most famous video games ever, Sonic the Hedgehog! Dress Sackboy up in costumes based on Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Werehog, and the evil Dr. Eggman!
File sizes: 1.04 MB (each)

LittleBigPlanet Sonic Costumes and Stickers Kit ($5.99)
Get costumes based on one of the most famous video games ever, Sonic the Hedgehog! Dress Sackboy up in costumes based on Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Werehog, and the evil Dr. Eggman!
File size: 1.04 MB

Hustle Kings Time Savers Pack ($1.49)
Can’t wait to complete Hustle Kings and unlock lots of extras? Don’t worry, download this Time Savers Pack to get instant access to 8 different avatars, 3 cues, 5 ball sets, 1 bonus game pack, and a set of trick shots!
File size: 100 KB

MAG Trooper Gear Pack (free)
When the enemy won’t surrender a position and a polite “excuse me” just won’t do, the Trooper Gear Pack is the ticket to entry. A lethal package of Special Edition Machine Guns, two new uniforms specifically tailored for urban and interior combat and the addition of flashbang grenades to blind and disorient opponents, the Trooper Gear Pack ensures your entry to every party…invited or not.
File size: N/A

Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 2 ($7.49)
Episode 1 required to play. The murder mystery continues with the second installment of the Blue Toad Murder Files. No sooner has one crime been solved when another begins with the burglary of the imposing Riddle Manor. Will solving this bring you closer to the truth?
Episode 2 of 6.
File size: 114 MB

Blue Toad Murder Files Episode 3 ($7.49)
Episode 1 required to play. The crimes in Little Riddle are stacking up, with two murders and a burglary, and the main culprit still at large.
Can you help the Blue Toad detectives with their latest mystery to solve this whodunnit?
Episode 3 of 6.
File size: 361 MB

High Stakes Poker Connelly Card Club ($2.99)
Play to win in High Stakes Poker – now featuring PlayStation Network trophies! Just log in to your game, download the automatic patch and complete your trophy collection! Get stellar hands and power your way through a Championship Season to earn great trophies. Also, purchase the new add-on for $2.99 to challenge a friend or the AI in four new poker styles and gain private access to the Connelly Card Club.
File size: 41 MB

ZEN Pinball Earth Defense Table ($2.49)
Hordes of hostile aliens are attacking Earth! Lead the united forces of Earth against the gigantic Flip-Bot and its minions. The fate of the world is in your hands!
File size: 48 MB

DJ Hero Jay Z Vs. Eminem Pack ($7.99)
Downloadable Mix Pack for DJ Hero featuring Jay-Z and Eminem.
File size: 47 MB

Guitar Hero 5
For all song credits please visit www.guitarhero.com.

• “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Motley Crue ($1.99)
• “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger ($1.99)
• “We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go’s” ($1.99)
• 80s Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Motley Crue, “We Got The Beat” by The Go-Go’s, and “Sister Christian” by Night Ranger. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.

File sizes: 26 MB – 51 MB (singles), 120 MB (track pack)

Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.

• “Am I Crazy”— Little Fish (free)
• “Bang Bang”— Little Fish ($0.99)
• “Darling Dear”— Little Fish ($0.99)
• “Outer Space”— Ace Frehley ($1.99)
• “All-American Girl”— Carrie Underwood ($1.99)
• “Stop and Stare”— OneRepublic ($1.99)
• “Blue Spark”— X ($1.99)
• “The Hungry Wolf”— X ($1.99)
• “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts”— X ($1.99)
• “Los Angeles”— X ($1.99)
• X Pack 1 ($6.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: X Pack 01. This pack includes “Blue Spark,” “The Hungry Wolf,” “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts,” and “Los Angeles” by X.

File sizes: 17 MB – 31 MB (singles), 93 MB (track pack)

Avatars

Heavy Rain Avatars (x14) ($0.49 each)
File sizes: 100 KB (each)

Game Videos (free)

Blue Toad murder Files Video 1
File size: 75 MB (HD)

Resonance of Fate Announcement Trailer
File size: 52 MB (HD)

Yakuza 3 Memories Trailer
File size: 54 MB (HD)

Section 8 Cinematic Trailer
File size: 35 MB (SD) 95 MB (HD) 167 MB (1080)

Section 8 Gameplay Trailer
File size: 16 MB (SD) 50 MB (HD) 83 MB (1080)

Medal Of Honor Extended Release Trailer
File size: 80 MB (HD)

Groovin’ Blocks Game Trailer
File size: 9.27 MB (SD) 34 MB (HD) 47 MB (1080)

Gran Turismo 5 Night Racing Trailer
File size: 38 MB (SD) 112 MB (HD) 190 MB (1080)

Major League Baseball 2K10 Sizzle Trailer
File size: 51 MB (HD)

Media

God of War III: Unearthing the Legend (PS3 only) ($5.99)
File size: 3 GB

PS3 Themes

Heavy Rain Forest ARI Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
File size: 3.16 MB

Miss Kawasaki Hook-Ups Theme ($1.99)
File size: 2.39 MB

Section 8 Theme (free)
File size: 3.53 MB

Groovin’ Blocks Theme (free)
File size: 3.38 MB

Nurse Girl Brandi Hook-Ups Theme ($1.99)
File size: 3.18 MB

AK Premium Theme ($1.99)
File size: 7.65 MB

Bare Elements Theme ($1.99)
File size: 3.93 MB

Mega Man 10 Dynamic Theme 1 ($2.99)
File size: 338 KB

Wallpaper (free)

Groovin’ Blocks Wallpaper (x2)
File size: 258 KB – 262 KB (SD) 1.0 MB – 1.2 MB (HD)

PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Adventures To Go! ($14.99)
It’s adventure served your way! Word on the cobblestone is that the king needs new heroes to keep the kingdom safe. But are Finn Courtland and his band of misfits really what His Majesty had in mind? Take on jobs and battle monsters at Adventures to Go, where daring and dangerous adventures are made to order!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 43 MB

Cho Aniki Zero ($19.99)
Cho Aniki Zero, take your pick of playing as Idaten, Benten, and more! Which Option (partner) will you choose to team up with to save the universe’s protein supply!?
ESRB Rated T
File size: 121 MB

Rengoku: Tower Of Purgatory ($11.99)
Set in a dark and distant future this game places you into the role of A.D.A.M., a battle android fighting your way up a great tower. It’s an intense fighing action. Your mission is to annihilate your enemies while improving your skills and armaments. Featuring strategic weapon configurations, a random level generator, and a competitive wireless multiplayer mode, there can only be one master at the top of the tower!
ESRB Rated M
File size: 159 MB

Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N. ($11.99)
This game, the sequel to RENGOKU: THE TOWER OF PURGATORY, expands upon the series’ trademark fast-paced action and incredible replay value with more than 300 unique weapons, diverse level design and additional multiplayer functionality. Set in a dark and futuristic world, the game tells a story parallel to events of RENGOKU.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 403 MB

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Alien Zombie Death ($3.99)
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 8.38 MB

Add-on Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)

LittleBigPlanet PSP Easter Costume (free)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere.
LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE”
experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new
Sackboy adventure.
Get this free bunny costume from the Easter Theme Pack.
NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 907 KB

LittleBigPlanet PSP Easter Theme Pack ($2.99)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere.
A fantastic new collection of Easter goodies including 4 costumes to
fill out your wardrobe, and 12 great new stickers to make sure your
levels are as fashionable as your Sackboy.
NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.13 MB

BUZZ! Quiz World PSP Space Quiz Pack ($2.99)
Isn’t it time a new star was discovered in the universe? Put yourself on the map and test yourself against this Space Quiz! This BUZZ! Quiz World PSP quiz pack features hundreds of questions about outer space to play in any of your favorite BUZZ! Quiz World PSP game modes. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown. Challenge friends and family and “Show ‘em Your Trivia!”
File size: 42 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Episode 6
File size: 133 MB

Gran Turismo 5 Night Racing Trailer
File size: 18 MB

Media

Batman: Arkham Asylum Digital Comic: The Road to Arkham (free)
File size: 11 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Miss Kawasaki Hook-Ups PSP Theme ($1.99)
File size: 287 KB

Nurse Girl Brandi Hook-Ups PSP Theme ($1.99)
File size: 331 KB

Vintage Comic Mickey ($1.49)
File size: 628 KB

#namcobandai Is it time to start age-gating screen shots? The newest Splatterhouse screens, full of blood-soaked ghouls, chunky guts and flying severed limbs, might be better limited to mature audiences only. Or are we overreacting? More »

An interview with Square Enix's Tetsuya Nomura, printed in the Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Ultimania guide book, outs the planning of three new games in the Disney/Square action RPG series. And one of them is, for real, Kingdom Hearts III. However, Nomura hasn't started the actual production of the title -- evidently he's busy with Final Fantasy Versus XIII, which is apparently a real game that people are working on.

"We won't take up KH3 until we've reached a certain target with FF Versus XIII," Nomura said, according to Andriasang's translation of the text provided by FF-Reunion. One of the two additional Kingdom Hearts games will be out this year. Another, due later, features multiple protagonists like Birth by Sleep.

Nomura also dashed any hope of another super-deluxe re-release like the Kingdom Hearts 2 Final Mix. "The voice actors for the overseas version are all high caliber, so it wouldn't be bad to release a Final Mix version," he said. " ... However, because for KH2FM+ we released Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories as a set, we have the feeling that people's expectations for the content of a Final Mix have become extremely high. I'd like to say this here -- we won't do anything that big ever again. (laughs)."

Invisibility cloak? Check. Shoulder-mounted rocket launcher? Check. Ready for war.

Live-action trailer gives a glimpse of the sweet gear available in the upcoming game.

#playstationnetwork PlayStation Network reality show The Tester continues today with its sixth glorious episode, with just five potential candidates gunning for a spot in the illustrious PlayStation QA department, ready to fulfill a dream of filing bug reports. More »

That’s a pretty fantastic looking origami tribute to Mega Man, don’t you think? You could make the same scene as well. All it will take is 1250 pieces of origami paper. Well, stop wasting your time here…hop to it!

#sports Upgrades to lighting and shadows have become something of a trend in sports gaming - we saw it in both baseball games that just released, and we'll see it improving the photorealism in July's NCAA Football 11. More »