All Topics Gaming older than one year ago

#politics Six Days In Fallujah, a game based on the recent war in Iraq, was deemed too controversial by its publishers Konami and dropped. Developers Atomic Games still hope it'll see a release. Some day. More »

#the3rdbirthday The 3rd Birthday's protagonist Aya Brea is getting a whole host of embarrassing costumes: torn jeans, ripped stockings and a maid outfit. Her latest costume isn't anything to be ashamed of though. It's far too badass for that. More »

Jane Jensen's adventure game Gray Matter was last given a February release date, following multiple delays. That release date is still accurate ... however, the game is also available now. Allow us to explain.

While the launch date for the US and UK release is still months away, Gray Matter is now available in Germany, in both retail and downloadable formats. It features English voice acting, so you should be able to understand the story. In fact, the official site notes that the German version is "fully playable" in both English and German. The convenience of playing early doesn't come cheap, however: the Gamer Unlimited download costs €39.95 ($54).

Ken Block brings the skater mentality to DiRT.

#cosplay Good news, you're in luck. Japanese costume maker Cospatio is selling order-made Neon Genesis Evangelion "plug suits" Eva pilots wear. And boy, they're expensive. More »

#xbox360 You've seen the kind of cool stuff people can get up to when they hack their Kinect. Now you can too, with this simple rather complex guide. More »

If we were to wager a guess, we'd say the only way to really understand how that in-game CPU someone made in Minecraft operates is to actually get deep down in there and take a look through its gullyworks. Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of its creator, you can now do just that.

#culturesmash Publisher Jiyu Kokuminsha (via Pink Tentacle) revealed its annual list of the sixty most important Japanese words or phrases of 2010 that sum up the year's trends and events. More »

#art And I don't mean on one of those fancy fridges with the computer screens on them. I mean play PC indie smash hit Minecraft on a normal, everyday refrigerator, with this handy magnet set. More »

I’m not telling you the reference. I’m sure fans of the Game Boy will know it when they hear it!

With a name like Funky Lab Rat, we weren't entirely sure what to expect. Thankfully, it wasn't what we had feared: a cartoon-based PlayStation Move dancing game. Instead, French indie dev Hydravision has created a cute puzzle-platformer that has you in the shoes of a lab rat daring to escape the confines of his experimental prison. Thankfully, he seems to be gifted with the ability to manipulate time and objects. (Just what kind of lab is this?!) Essentially, the game combines one part Braid with one part Tumble.

In addition to Move support, Funky Lab Rat will also support standard DualShock controls. The PlayStation Network-exclusive is launching in Europe next week, November 24th, and on November 30th in North America. Check out the trailer after the break.

Imageepoch thinks that the JRPG genre is taking a bit of a beating lately, but they’re setting out to bring some love back to that branch of gaming. They’ve opened an official site dedicated to the JRPG genre, and they’ll be announcing some titles in the near future. I can’t wait [...]

Okamiden - takes place 9 months after Okamiden - Chibiterasu has inherited the Celestial Brush and sun powers Conduit 2 - game opens with a CG cinematic - this intro brings players up to speed with the events of the first game - game starts off right after the ending of the original - start off on an oil derrick in the [...]

#movies In North America, the PlayStation 3 currently plays host to Netflix, Hulu and Sony's own Video Marketplace. Now, Sony has decided to offer another video delivery service, bringing VUDU to American PS3s. More »

Here is the second edition of the revised (and less informative) NPD report. With the market research group no longer sharing specific hardware figures, it's noteworthy to point out that only Microsoft has (as of writing) released concrete sales numbers. Major Nelson tweeted that the console sold 325k consoles in October. Although the figure represents a 32% drop from the previous month, it was enough to secure Microsoft's spot as best-selling console of the month. Major Nelson also added that "it is the best selling console in 2010 w/ 3.5 million" sold so far.

Sony's response doesn't offer console sales numbers, but Patrick Seybold commented about increased momentum for its PlayStation Move motion controller. "The PS3 Move Bundle had a 15% increase in sales since launch last month, and we're working hard to keep the inventory up across the country to meet strong consumer demand." In addition, Seybold wanted to remind us of the impending launch of their big holiday game: "With next week's launch of the industry's most anticipated title, Gran Turismo 5, we're sure to carry the momentum through the holidays."

Nintendo, as of press time, had not offered comment.

Software sales jumped 6% year over year, to $605 million. The multiplatform release of NBA 2K11 helped it propel to the top of the charts, undoubtedly aided by EA Sports' cancellation of NBA Elite 11. Fallout, Medal of Honor and Fable all made strong debuts -- but Rock Band 3's 15th place position has us concerned. NPD analyst Anita Frazier did make a special note in the report, assuring us that "this game has the potential to perform well over the holidays."

The full chart is after the break.

The new "Deluge" DLC for Crackdown 2 adds a co-op arcade mode where players must protect designated city zones from Pacific City's worst. It'll set Agents back 560 points ($7) and also adds several Achievements, Avatar awards and a "Capture the Orb" mode for up to 16 players, spanning six arenas.

#crime A sad reminder tonight that video games don't always end up in good times: a 15 year-old boy from South Korea has murdered his mother then killed himself following "a fight over Internet games". More »

As we all know, the third season of The Next Generation was a real doozy. We mean, "Sins of the Father?" "The Bonding?" Oh, man -- they're classics. We've got understandably high hopes for the third "season" of free downloadable content for Star Trek Online, an update which will go live December 9, adding a mission replay option, unlockable Borg technology and a beta for "The Foundry," which allows players to craft their own episodes.

This, of course, means that someone needs to go through and recreate all the episodes from season three of TNG. Heck, how about all the episodes from TNG? We're not sure those wacky Holodeck episodes would be possible, but we're sure players can kludge something together.

#gt5 Having previously been restricted to Europe and Australasia, the Gran Turismo Academy is now open to North Americans as well. What this means is that the best GT5 players can now compete for a spot on a real race team. More »

Just in case you aren't content with the video delivery service offered by the PlayStation Network, Sony has announced plans to introduce a third party video provider onto the PS3 XMB. Starting November 23, VUDU will join a growing list of video apps available on the console, including Netflix, Hulu Plus and NHL GameCenter.

For those unfamiliar with the service, VUDU offers "more than 4,000 HD movies," which VUDU claims makes it the "world's largest HD library." The subscription-free service gives members access to on-demand rentals and purchases, in SD or the costlier "HDX" format -- 1080p HD with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. Prices are comparable to PSN's native video store, but thrifty PS3 owners will want to comparison shop. For example, VUDU's "$2 for 2 nights" rental specials generally undercut Sony's offerings, whereas PSN's "Deal of the Week" specials usually best VUDU's prices.

To encourage newcomers to try out the service, VUDU is offering a free $5.99 credit to new registrants, "enabling them to watch their first HD movie on the service for free." It's certainly an enticing offer, one that will encourage PS3 owners to make the switch. But remember to stop by PlayStation's video service once in a while, as well. After all, you can't get new episodes of The Tester anywhere else.

Whew… it’s been an exciting and busy couple of weeks on the PlayStation Network. Last week we shared the news that NHL will begin streaming live games to the PlayStation 3 and that Hulu Plus is now available to all PlayStation Network members and we’re not slowing down! I’m happy to report that beginning next week, VUDU, the HD movie streaming service, will be available to all PS3 users in the United States that are registered to PSN, making it the only gaming console to offer VUDU.

With VUDU, we’re adding another layer of great entertainment content to PlayStation Network and providing another choice for PS3 users to experience cinema-quality entertainment in the comfort of their living rooms. Access to VUDU doesn’t require a subscription. Simply pay-as-you-go for the content you want.

All of you with a free PlayStation Network account can get in on the VUDU action. Simply go to the PlayStation Store and download the VUDU app for free. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll see it appear in the XMB under the “Video” icon and from there, will have access to thousands of movie titles – available for instant viewing in HD and HDX 1080p formats with no buffering or downloading, and with Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Surround Sound. Many of the hit movies are available for rental or purchase right when they are released to DVD and Blu-ray, giving you the most instant access when you want it.

You can recommend movies for your friends to watch using its social network integrations or just peruse VUDU’s video store and discover what’s available. It’s quite simple. Check it out!

"The type of growth we're experiencing in Latin America, you don't see it anywhere else in the world right now," Sony's Mark Stanley told IndustryGamers. "That's key for the company as SCEI, as a global company. We've only begun to tap into the full potential in the region. Our sales and our growth continues to double and double."

The games industry has historically focused on the business of North America, Europe and Asia. However, with the global economic downturn affecting game sales all around the world, Latin America offers an enticing opportunity for Sony. "Talking about the pure economics, Latin America is very healthy and in a very healthy state right now ... This year Latin America was in a growth stage, where in the U.S. we're still recovering from that economic impact." As such, Stanley points out that "purchasing intent" has increased significantly in many emerging markets.

The average annual income in Latin America is still under $4,000, according to Stanley's own estimates, meaning the economy still has a ways to go before a product like the PS3 is accessible to the masses, and not just the affluent. Still, it appears Sony's focused marketing efforts are paying off. "The big advantage we have is our brand is synonymous with entertainment ... We've been able to successfully leverage that with the quality of PlayStation and been able to get even some of that percentage of the population that would not have traditionally spent on an entertainment device; we've been able to get those consumers on board, because they see the overall family entertainment value." As the PlayStation brand continues to draw awareness, and as the Latin American economy continues to grow, Sony might be able to reap the rewards of dominating a whole new gaming territory.

#clips It may not be the most efficient way, but this demonstration of how to play the Game Boy Advance version of Rhythm Heaven with a laser and a Japanese sword is definitely the most impressive. More »

According to Chart-Track, and reported by Eurogamer, Kinect is doing more than getting gamers off the couch; it's moving Xbox 360s off the shelves. The firm declared that sales of the console have surged in the UK since the motion sensor launched in Europe last week. Chart-Track offered no specific numbers, though Eurogamer reports that sales have doubled from the previous week.

Microsoft revealed yesterday that Kinect has sold 1 million units worldwide in its first 10 days of availability. The company noted further that it was "on track" to reach its goal of selling 5 million units by the end of the year.

Yesterday's quarterly review did not win over many investors. Ubisoft's share prices fell 22 percent, which Bloomberg calls the company's biggest drop "since at least 1996." Apparently, people did not respond positively to the company losing millions of dollars. In fact, a number of analysts have downgraded the stock, such as Deutsche Bank's move from "buy" to "hold."

The tumultuous fall of Ubisoft's stock price may provide some opportunity for other investors, though. Michael Pachter offered a more favorable analysis of the company's upcoming portfolio, telling Gamasutra that "Ubisoft has the potential to deliver much higher revenue and EPS going forward as it focuses on AAA-quality franchise games with a history of success (emphasis ours)." For better and for worse, that means Ubisoft needs to focus more on games like Assassin's Creed, and less on games like Beyond Good & Evil if it plans to woo investors back.

#teammeat The Steam version of brutal platformer Super Meat Boy has been infested with Half-Life Headcrabs, the latest addition to the list of playable cameos in Team Meat's guest star-rich video game. More »