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Eurogamer 
Sun Jan 24 11:36:00 EST 2010
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Retrospective: Mutant Storm Reloaded -
The art of blasting.
I tell myself that I pretty much hate Achievements. Sure, a few games have used them beautifully - to guide the eye of the player, to offer a gentle shove towards hidden fun - but so many more seem to delight in getting it all wrong.
They either dole points out for ludicrously simple tasks, leaving you faintly patronised, or they use them to tempt you, vindictively, into empty displays of mindless repetition: treasure hunts that never end, or kill-counts only obsessive-compulsives will ever notch up. You want me to shoot 100,000 enemies in the nuts? You shoot 100,000 enemies in the nuts. Hey, and start with yourself, eh?
Pa-plink! I hate the way they pop out just in time to break the spell of those rare dramatic moments (You've found out you were adopted! 50 points!). I hate the way they turn up to distract you or obscure your view of the radar at crucial points in a battle. Most of all, I hate the way they seem to want to change the way you move through games, turning everything into a grind, into an inventory list, turning play into a particularly energy-intensive form of shopping.
Article: Points Mean Prizes -
If console currencies aren't designed to mislead, what are they for?
GamesIndustry.biz, the trade arm of the Eurogamer Network, recently completed the next step in its evolution toward greater support for the videogames business with the implementation of a full registration system.
Readers are invited to register with the site to read the market-leading content, including earlier access to the GamesIndustry.biz editorial column below. Registration also allows readers to take advantage of the extensive range of networking functions on offer.
Almost all of you, I'm sure, will have experienced the odd disconnection from currency that comes in your first few days abroad. The money in your hand doesn't feel real, its value impossible to quantify on a meaningful level - mathematically, you know that your home currency converts into the local paper at a relatively fixed ratio, but handing over 10 dollars for something just doesn't carry the same mental significance as paying seven pounds back home.
Hands On: PlayStation 3D -
Today MotorStorm, tomorrow the Holodeck?
This is it. It's happening. Having had a strong interest in stereoscopic 3D pretty much since the Digital Foundry blog launched, today is the day I'm finally going to be able to try my hand at the first mainstream adoption of the technology: Sony's fledgling stereoscopic system for PlayStation 3.
I'm under no illusions that this is going to become a mass-market game-changer for the Sony console or anything, but I am intrigued by the potential of the technology. While its short-term impact is going to be limited, in the long term I'm convinced that proper stereoscopic vision is the future of the television set.
Just as HDTVs are replacing the old CRT and are slowly becoming the norm, so - in the fullness of time - will 3D TVs replace them. In these early days the glasses are something of a hindrance, but solutions are already in progress to refine this element of the technology and eventually remove it entirely.
News: PlayStation 3 tops 3 million UK sales -
Most of them sold in the last six months.
The PlayStation 3 has now sold over 3 million units here in the UK.
That means there's been a significant leap of 800,000 units since July 2009, when the console had reached 2.2 million sales.
But there's still catching up to do, as early last December the Wii had sold six million units in the UK and, as of last July, the Xbox 360 had sold 3.9 million units.
Gallery: New Nier screenshots are here -
Cavia and Square Enix's action adventure.
News: Splinter Cell Conviction coming in April -
Not delayed for too long, then.
Delayed sneak-'em-up Splinter Cell Conviction has reappeared on the radar with an April 2010 date.
The PC and Xbox 360 game was delayed from a pin-pointed 26th February date earlier this month, with publisher Ubisoft citing "a bit more polish" as the reason for the move.
Conviction follows Sam Fisher on a journey of revenge - a fire he fuels by smashing people's heads into crusted urinals on his hunt for information.
News: Batman not so popular in Japan charts -
PSPgo also struggles to make an impact.
Batman: Arkham Asylum got off to a bad start in Japan this week, managing to enter the chart at 23rd on PS3 and 42nd on Xbox 360.
The arguably less alluring Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising faired better and debuted at 20th on PS3 and 26th on Xbox 360, according to Media Create data (helpfully compiled on NeoGAF - thanks!)
This week's (ending 17th January) software champion was PSP game Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, again. Highly placed newcomers included Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles on Wii (3), Tekken 6 on PSP (6) and The Last Window: Mayonaka no Yakusoku on DS (7).
News: Samurai Showdown Sen here in spring -
SNK's weapon-based fighter for 360.
Rising Star Games has plucked the European rights to Samurai Shodown Sen and plans to release the Xbox 360 fighting game over here in spring.
You'll be transported to historical Japan (1608 - 1868), where people stupidly fought with swords and not GLOCKS YO. [Bertie's breakdancing lessons have gone to his head I think - Ed.]
Familiar faces will include Takechiyo, Suzu, Haohmaru, Galford, Hanzo Hattori, Nakoruru and Ukyo Tachibana.
Gallery: Samurai Showdown Sen -
News: Bungie: "Halo: Reach for us is not Halo 4" -
A standalone title in more ways than one.
Bungie has reaffirmed Halo: Reach as a standalone entry for the series, stating that both spiritually and in terms of content, "Halo: Reach for us is not Halo 4."
"It's not a continuation of the Master Chief story, nor is it the start of a new trilogy. For us, it's a completely standalone game," executive producer Joseph Tung told the latest issue of Edge Magazine.
"We desired to make a standalone title, something that is the culmination of a decade of our efforts building halo titles," creative director Marcus Lehto added.
Hands On: MAG -
Army of Two-Fifty-Six.
It's a MAG press event just off Baker Street. PS3s and huge HD screens are lined up in a subterranean hall, waitresses move through the crowds with bullet-studded belts, nobody during a presentation ever misses an opportunity to refer to the assembled gaming press as 'operatives' or exclaim 'Let's DO IT!' and a nice Sony PR lady has just taken to the stage to set things rolling.
"I'm going to call people to the demo pods in waves," she says. "So if you've been assigned a number lower than 39 - that's lower than 39 - please make your way over to the play area immediately. I'm going to--"
Actually, we never find out what she's going to do, as everyone in the room has just started heading over to the demo pods, quickly resulting in the kind of charming pile-up Sony probably hoped to avoid. This isn't necessarily because people are unusually excited to get their hands on Zipper's massively-multiplayer FPS - although there is a quiet buzz about the room, actually - but because crowds don't generally listen to orders. They hear "demo pods" and "make your way over" and then they make their way over to the demo pods. It's astonishing that we ever got to the moon, really.
News: PSN update has new special offers -
Plus: Comics! ModNations beta! Songs!
This week's PSN Store brings a whole new batch of special offers for PS3 and PSP downloadable games.
LocoRoco and Super Stardust Portable are cheapened on PSP, while Digger HD - among others - sheds pounds on PS3.
There's the ModNations Racers beta client to download, but only for the first 100,000 people (for whom testing starts today), and the usual slew of Rock Band and Guitar Hero songs.
News: New Borderlands DLC ups level limit -
Biggest add-on yet, says Gearbox.
The next batch of Borderlands DLC will increase the level limit over 50 and star Scooter, the potty-mouthed mechanic from New Haven.
After outing the news, level designer Jason Reiss wrote on the Gearbox forum (via Kotaku) that this upcoming add-on will be "the biggest DLC we have made".
Mikey Neumann, Gearbox's creative director, Tweeted that we'll see "More Scooter!", in response.
News: Uncharted 2 getting new skins in Japan -
Killzone! Resistance! InFamous!
Update: Naughty Dog has Tweeted (thanks, Zero_) that this information may not be right at all. There's no word on what is, however - only a warning:
"What a morning! We've read some inaccurate news regarding our DLC making the rounds. More - and accurate - info coming soon, stay tuned!
Original story: Sony Japan has revealed plans for three bouts of Uncharted 2 DLC, starting with skins based on characters from Killzone 2, Resistance 2 and InFamous.
Gallery: Uncharted 2 - new multiplayer skins -
Gallery: Shiren the Wanderer -
News: Cowboy duels on WiiWare today -
Laserdisc's Fast Draw Showdown returns.
There's a 2D platformer on WiiWare today called Max & the Magic Marker that looks wholesome and accomplished and worthwhile. The idea is to traverse the eye-pleasing levels and overcome puzzles by drawing shapes using the Wiimote and they'll become real objects in the game. It costs 1000 Wii Points (£7/€10), and there's a PC demo on the proper website to try.
But I don't care: not when there are cowboy gun duels on offer. Because today - fresh from the laserdisc vaults - arrives Fast Draw Showdown, where filmed actors await a quick-draw shoot out. Just don't expect depth and substance. Costs 500 Wii Points (£3.50/€5).
On DSiWare today, there's more Electroplankton. This time it's the Nanocarp and Trapy creatures you'll be able to tap and make sounds with, providing you pay 200 DSi Points (£1.80/€2) apiece.
Video: Superstars V8 trailer -
News: New PAL Releases Roundup -
Dark Void, Resi Zero, ModNation beta.
While it is often said that there are not enough hours in the day, sometimes there are too many hours in the day, such as in any day that exists between a level-50 infiltrator and his next mission. But that's one for another time (such as next Friday).
In the meantime, this week offers a few curiosities to fill the hours, like the Wii release of Resident Evil Zero - a straight port of a traditional instalment in the series, back before the Resi 4 reboot.
Capcom also has 5/10-scoring Dark Void to offer, which may appeal to those with a persistent itch for cover-based shootery, although if it still sounds compelling under the circumstances then you may have a rash, and should perhaps seek medical assistance.
News: Tricell CEO playable in Resi 5 Gold -
Elegant villainess stars in Mercs Reunion.
Capcom has revealed one of the new playable characters for Mercenaries Reunion, the new version of the Mercenaries mode included in the Gold Edition of Resident Evil 5 or in a series of DLC releases over the next few months.
The new character is Excella Gionne, who is corrupt chief executive of the Tricell corporation, and who also happens to be a curvy lady in a revealing cocktail dress. Screens show her dispatching zombies with high-heeled kicks and an SMG.
We don't yet know which of the four upcoming DLC packs she'll be included with: Lost in Nightmares or the attendant Costume Pack 1 on 17th February, or Desperate Escape / Costume Pack 2 on 3rd March.
Gallery: DOA: Paradise arrives in spring -
Girls in bikinis. Sorry. Shallow.
News: Tiger Woods 11/Online this summer -
EA stands by its man.
EA has decided to stick with Tiger Woods, announcing a new PGA Tour 11 game for release this summer.
The game is in development for iPhone, PS3, Wii and Xbox 360.
The rest of EA's press-release-breath was spent on Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online - the new, browser-based interpretation of golf.
Video: Gran Turismo 5's Data Logger technology -
Video: Setting up the MAG event -
Video: Supreme Commander 2 - Faction trailer -
Video: God of War III - Dev diary -
News: European Heavy Rain demo dated -
Out a couple of weeks before the game.
PlayStation 3 owners will be able to download a demo of Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain on 11th February.
That's according to PlayStation Store team chappy Mike Kebby, who said so in response to a comment on yesterday's Store update thread (thanks Kotaku).
"Heavy Rain demo should be on the store on the 11th of Feb," is what he said, in case you were wondering whether it was ambiguous.
News: BioShock 2 PC DRM explained -
Infinite installs, limited activations.
2K community manager Elizabeth Tobey has been busy on the label's forums (via VG247), clearing up exactly what form the digital rights protection on the PC version of BioShock 2 is going to take.
BioShock 2 uses the infamous SecuROM DRM system, but as a disc check for boxed copies only. "That is its only use," Tobey said, and following an incorrect posting on Steam clarified that it would set no limit to the number of installations, or the number of computers it can be installed on.
However, the game also uses Microsoft's Games for Windows Live platform, and this, Tobey said, only allows it to be activated 15 times. If you use all those up, you should be able to get the key reset by contacting Microsoft.
News: New games based on BBC shows coming -
Doctor Who! Night Garden! Top Gear.
The BBC is set to have another go at producing games based on its most-loved TV shows.
According to MCV, BBC Worldwide is hoping to work with developers and publishers to knock up tie-ins for Doctor Who, Top Gear, In the Night Garden and more. The games will be produced for platforms such as iPhone and Facebook as well as Wii and DS.
"We are open to conversations with anybody in games about all kinds of business models to see how we can extract more value," said children's and licensing MD Neil Ross Russell.
Video: GTA: Chinatown Wars - iPhone trailer -
News: Tony Hawk working with Ride dev again -
Could it be anything other than a sequel?
Tony Hawk's revealed that he is working with Tony Hawk: Ride developer Robomodo again.
On what, his Tweet didn't verify, which means this may be something other than Ride 2.
"Just met with @robomodo about our next project and it's already much better than I expected. Details soon. Chicago is not warm," Tweeted Hawk.
Video: Skate 3 - Joey Brezinski -
News: Big LA Noire reveal coming next month -
"In-depth" details in magazine cover story.
Rockstar has said that February will see the first "in-depth" details of LA Noire released to the public.
"There will be something great to see soon - a proper in-depth look at the game and why it is so ground breaking and innovative, both in terms of the game's design and the amazing new technology to support it," the publisher wrote in a Q&A on its website.
"Expect to see a long-awaited reveal via a big cover story next month."
News: Rockstar denies San Diego accusations -
Blames them on anonymous ex-employees.
Rockstar has finally responded to accusations about working conditions at its San Diego studio, which is producing Red Dead Redemption.
Having first reconfirmed that the game will ship for PS3 and Xbox 360 on 30th April in Europe, the studio replied to inquiries in a Q&A on its official website.
"Unfortunately, this is a case of people taking the opinions of a few anonymous posters on message boards as fact," the publisher protested.
Review: Xbox Indie Games Roundup -
Homebrewing up.
The Xbox Live Indie Games channel is now over a year old, and more than 700 games have made their nests amongst its nurturing branches. While it would be nice to say that the service has blossomed over time, that wouldn't be entirely accurate. The good stuff is arguably better than ever, but there's still an awful lot of pointless dross clogging up the shop window with joypad massages and other daft widgets.
There's still a lack of the sort of truly innovative games that sum up the homebrew ethos - the Canabalts, Darwinias and Samorosts - with most indie devs still preferring to trial their wares as Flash games on websites rather than making use of Mr Microsoft's indoor market hall. Of course, when even the best-selling Indie Games are apparently only shifting a thousand copies or less, you can hardly blame them.
That's not to say that gems can't still be found among the swill, however. Since it's been a long time since Eurogamer cast a critical eye over the Indie Games selection, consider this a roundup not only of the more interesting new additions, but the cream of the crop from last year as well.
Gallery: Tatsunoko vs Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars -
Gallery: ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead -
Gallery: Fez -
Gallery: Sin & Punishment 2 -
Video: Mass Effect 2 launch trailer -
Gallery: LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1 - 4 -
Video: The EGTV Show: Silent Hill Shattered Memories -
News: MGS Peace Walker has base building -
Competitive MP and singing tanks.
The upcoming PSP Metal Gear Solid game, Peace Walker, has base building, competitive multiplayer and singing tanks.
When enemies are killed in the game - due out 28th May - they die and go to Mother Base: your sea rig. Using the Fulton Recovery System they're put back on their feet and join your cause, gaining unique attributes to help Snake out.
The more you collect, the bigger Mother Base grows, gaining new functions as it does so. Snake's weapons can be upgraded or transformed into all-new armaments there, too.
Gallery: Racket Sports Party -
News: Ubisoft reveals Racket Sports Party -
Multi-sport Wii game planned.
Ubisoft is combining Tennis, Table Tennis, Squash, Badminton and Beach Tennis into one Wii game. And it shall be known as Racket Sports Party.
Due on 26th March, RSP uses Ubisoft's Wii camera (launched with Your Shape) and Wii MotionPlus to help you smash balls around and enjoy an "unprecedented experience". You'll be able to pick up either the game alone or as part of a camera bundle.
There's multiplayer split-screen, six game modes and a host of extravagant locations to play at - a Morrocan palace, a Las Vegas casino, a Nile cruise ship, a New York loft, and on and on.
News: Yakuza 3 gets March date for Europe -
Tattoo this one in your diary.
SEGA's stamped a 12th March date on the European version of Yakuza 3.
It's been available in Japan for a while, but to Westerners this will be our first taste of the series on PS3.
You can catch-up with our Japanese import review of Yakuza 3 to find out more.
News: Green Man targets digital game-trading -
"Significant royalties" will keep pubs quiet.
New company Green Man Gaming has said it wants to offer pre-owned digital games for sale.
The frowns of publishers will be ironed out by ensuring "substantial remuneration" every time a used file is sold, and Green Man intends to have a beefy catalogue of over 400 games available at Q1 2010 launch. Its next milestone will be 2000 games by the end of the year.
"Previously the minute you had paid and downloaded your game it had no resale value," said Gian Luzio, COO of Green Man Gaming. "This is extremely expensive for the gamer and does not encourage the consumer to try new genres or franchises. Our leading edge technology gives downloaded games a value that gamers can trade-in at any time."
News: Exploiting Rock Band Network "isn't easy" -
Says company offering to do it for cash.
Corbomite Games CEO Oded Sharon has told Eurogamer that the majority of bands will struggle to fulfil requirements for getting a song published on the Rock Band Network.
"The difficulty and level of experience required from authors to successfully create a fun and approved Rock Band song arrangement isn't easy. You've got to deal with authoring multiple instruments with multiple difficulties; deal with vocals, lighting, cameras, animations, sound mixing; and you have to do it well enough for it to pass the playtest and review process," said Sharon, who has set up a company to take care of these difficulties for musicians.
"Let's not forget that getting a song to Rock Band sometimes also involves other behind-the-scenes issues like legal and copyright ownership," he added. "A lot of bands are signed with labels or don't own all the rights for their songs. Or there are ego wars - I've had a band of five people that couldn't sign because their keyboard player refused as there's no playable part for a keyboard player [in Rock Band]."
Hands On: White Knight Chronicles -
What's changed for the international version.
Coming back to White Knight Chronicles' world after nearly a year to see what's changed for the international version has been altogether very confusing. I'd forgotten that the game makes you bumble through about two hours of introductory nonsense before letting you play with the excellent, creative combo system and rockin' giant robot transformations that I fondly remember, and lost 20 minutes hunting around in menus for all the missing options like a halfwit.
It takes a while to get going, but once it does the game's as likeable now as it was last February when it picked up an 8/10 on Japanese import. It's full of the sort of colourful light-heartedness and creativity that are unfortunately rather hard to find in the genre nowadays.
A whole year, though. As you may have guessed, it doesn't take this long to translate some nonsense about kidnapped princesses and possessed sets of armour - what we're getting is a bigger, more complete version of White Knight Chronicles than it was at launch, bolstered by all the patches and online content that Level-5 has been drip-feeding the Japanese audience since then. Given that the online multiplayer was disappointingly half-baked at launch, full of potential that was never realised, this is potentially significant.
News: Tournament players give verdict on MAG -
Eurogamers compare charms to MW2.
A quick survey of attendees at last night's MAG tournament revealed 9 out of 10 Eurogamer readers prefer the game to - gasp - Modern Warfare 2. And would in fact give it 9 out of 10.
"I got to play the MAG open beta and that was fascinating, it was completely different," said Sasha, a 37-year-old Londoner. "I was playing Modern Warfare 2 before that and this is just a cut above. I'm more of a person that's into chaos, bigger squads, bigger maps. I'm not a small map person."
So what scores would you give each game, Sasha? "Modern Warfare, for the twitch gaming, it's a 7/10. MAG, for the amount of strategy you can incorporate into the game - I'd give it 9/10."