Archive for the ‘Xbox 360’ Category
2009 Video Game Awards nominees announced for December 12 event
Spike TV has announced the nominees for the 7th annual 2009 Video Game Awards or VGAs, which will broadcast live on December 12th at 8:00PM ET (Eastern Time - USA, tape-delayed for West Coast).
This show will be the biggest ever with broadcasting in over 180 countries and territories worldwide and will include appearances by “megastars” from the videogame, movie, music, sports and other industries, all gathered to celebrate the videogame medium.
The show will also include some big-time premiers including the debut of Halo: Reach! Other never-before-seen games will debut at the show, which promises to “break international news with announcements of new games from the industry’s leading publishers”. Included on that list are 2K, Activision, Disney Interactive Studios, Electronic Arts, LucasArts Entertainment, Microsoft Game Studios, THQ, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and more. There will be over TWELVE world premiers in all!
“The global appetite and response from the fans internationally has been astounding,” said Casey Patterson, executive producer and senior vice president, Event Productions Spike TV. “Video games, like movies and music, are a universal language and Spike is thrilled that we will now be showing gamers all over the world a glimpse into their future with more than 12 mind blowing world premieres.”
Leading the way with eight nominations this year, including nods for Game of the Year and Studio of the Year, is Naughty Dog’s cinematic adventure Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Batman: Arkham Asylum, Rocksteady Studios’ dark and gritty Batman game, racked up seven nods, including Game of the Year as well as Best Voice for Mark Hamill’s portrayal of The Joker. Infinity Ward’s military shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Valve’s zombie thriller Left 4 Dead 2 each landed six nominations.
Nominees for Spike TV’s 2009 “Video Game Awards” were determined by the VGA Advisory Council, made up of a group of the most well-respected experts in the industry for leading game media outlets such as GameTrailers.com, Game Informer, USA Today, Wired, Penny Arcade, GameSpot and IGN. Games released between December 2, 2008 and November 23, 2009 were eligible for nomination.
Following are several of the nominees and categories for Spike TV’s 2009 “Video Game Awards.”
GAME OF THE YEAR
• Assassin’s Creed 2 (Ubisoft / Ubisoft Montreal)
• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Eidos Interactive - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment / Rocksteady Studios)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision Publishing / Infinity Ward)
• Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve)
• UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves (Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog)
STUDIO OF THE YEAR
• Infinity Ward
• Naughty Dog
• Rocksteady Studios
• Valve
BEST MUSIC GAME
• DJ Hero (Activision Publishing / FreeStyleGames)
• Guitar Hero 5 (Activision Publishing / Neversoft Entertainment)
• LEGO Rock Band (MTV Games - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment / Traveler’s Tales Games - Harmonix)
• The Beatles: Rock Band (MTV Games / Harmonix)
For a full list, please go to VGA.Spike.Com.
1 comment »Bioshock 2 Special Collectors Edition announced
A Bioshock 2 special collector’s edition has been announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. It will be released on February 9, 2010 at a price point of $90 (on PC) or $100 (Xbox 360, PS3) alongside the normal versions of the game.
So what do you get for your extra buck?
* A 164-page hardcover art book.
* A 180g vinyl LP of the original Bioshock orchestral score.
* A Bioshock 2 Orchestral Score audio CD
* Three vintage Rapture advertisement posters.
* And a copy of the game in a collector’s case.
Not bad at all. I do love me some videogame soundtracks, so it’s always good to see them adding these kind of music bonuses to these special editions.
Via Shack News
Left 4 Dead 2 downloadable content teased? May feature The Midnight Riders
Left 4 Dead 2 DLC may be coming that features the fake heavy-metal band Midnight Riders.
This is according to a new web-site that has gone live that is aptly named, www.midnight-riders.com and features a ton of information on the band and hints at possible DLC.
While this is anything but confirmation of . . . well, anything, it would make the most sense and it’s quite easy to deduce that any new content released for Left 4 Dead 2 would be in the form of downloadable content.
Although what exactly that would entail is anyones guess. It could be alternate playable characters or a new campaign.
Via Evil Avatar
More Dragon Age: Origins DLC “Return to Ostagar” on the way for December 2009
Additional Dragon Age: Origins downloadable content has been announced by BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts for Xbox 360, PC and PS3.
This newest DLC is called Return to Ostagar and is the third piece of DLC to hit for the game this month. Which is mighty impressive and definitely a great thing for owners of the game. Who doesn’t want more new content? So kudos to BioWare for keeping up the support at such a rapid-fire rate. Of course, when Dragon Age: Origins downloadable content sells over 1 million, a company has good reason to keep it coming.
As the name implies, players will return to Ostagar, the “site of the Grey Wardens’ darkest hour.” There it seems that it will be possible to “discover King Cailan’s top-secret political agenda” in this newest piece of additional post-game content.
It will be released “this Winter” on Xbox 360 for 400 Points, on PS3 for $5 and on PC for 400 BioWare Points.
Via 1UP
Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days announced for Xbox 360, PS3, PC in 2010
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days has officially been announced for release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in 2010.
Developed by IO Interactive and published by Square Enix/Eidos, Kane & Lynch 2 promises a “raw and brutal crime shooter” which is being designed to “take players on an even more intense story experience, following two of gaming’s most disturbed criminals, through the gritty Shanghai underworld.”
The most interesting aspect of this sequel is how the game will encorporate youtube-like amateur video “inspired by documentary filmakers and the user-generated era” which promises to give a “fresh perspective to the words ‘intensity’ and ‘realism’ in video games. “
It’s hard to decipher what exactly this will mean, and how it will be used or function in the game, but it’s definitely intriguing.
“Gamers are always looking for something new and that is exactly what they are going to get with Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days,” said Niels Jorgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. “A special thanks to gamers worldwide for their feedback. They are certainly in for a shock as we, with immense pride, welcome back our two dear, violent and somewhat unfortunate friends.”
Here is one example of the kind of “amateur video” you can expect to see in Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days.
And here is another example, via a leaked viral video before the game was announced.
Supreme Commander 2 release date is March 2, 2010
Supreme Commander 2 will be released on March 2, 2010 for Xbox 360 and PC announced publisher Square Enix (yep, Squeenix) and developer Gas Powered Games.
Set 25 years after the original award-winning Supreme Commander 1 game, Supreme Commander 2 features numerous gameplay enhancements, an in-depth campaign mode, online multiplayer and a unique storyline.
Boasting intense battles on a massive scale, players will wage war, creating enormous customizable armies and experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Assume the role of one of the three enigmatic commanders, each representing a unique faction with a rich story that brings a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre.
“The partnership with Square Enix has been a highlight of my career,” said Chris Taylor, Founder and Creative Director of Gas Powered Games. “I couldn’t be more proud of what the team has accomplished, as the game has continually exceeded all of my expectations throughout its development.”
“Supreme Commander 2 is a shining example of our strategic partnership with Gas Powered Games,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. “Square Enix’s expertise in character development and storytelling, combined with the real-time strategy experience of the creative talent at Gas Powered Games, promises to deliver a feature-rich product that we hope gamers from around the globe will enjoy.”
Set 25 years after the end of the Infinite War, SUPREME COMMANDER 2 starts with the galaxy reeling from the recent assassination of the newly elected president of the fragile Colonial Defense Coalition. The members of the Coalition – the United Earth Federation, The Illuminate and the Cybran Nation -blame each other, and the early rumbles of war can be heard throughout the galaxy.
Here is a look at some of the units in the game.
Key features of Supreme Commander 2 include:
* Take on the role of three enigmatic commanders; former friends from each of the unique factions: The United Earth Federation (UEF), The Illuminate and the Cybran Nation, who get dragged into a conflict of galactic consequences.
* Explore a rich, character-driven single-player game which spans over 18 missions and delivers a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre, or take the battle online for an exhilarating multi-player experience. * Fight action-packed battles on a massive scale, waging war with enormous land, air and naval units in visually spectacular environments, brought to life by all-new rendering technology and a true evolution of RTS controls on both platforms.
* Upgrade and customize armies with new weapons and technology and deploy them instantly on the battlefield, turning a base-level tank into a high-powered, multi-barreled, anti-aircraft-sporting multipurpose battle unit .
* Deploy wild experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Experience a streamlined economy and redesigned UI that put the focus squarely on combat, battlefield tactics and high-level strategic decision making, and give improved player feedback in Strategic Zoom view.
PES 2010 downloadable content coming on November 24
PES 2010 DLC has been announced by Konami for their latest Pro Evolution Soccer football game. The downloadable content wil be released on November 24th for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC versions of the game (the day of my b-day, yay!).
Among the additions to the game that are coming due to this update are:
* Revised club team rosters for all current transfers.
* Enhanced gameplay elements.
* Four new teams added to UEFA Champions League mode: Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos, Lyon and Fiorentina
* Updated home kit for the Japanese national team, which was changed recently.
Konami ended on a positive note as well, saying that more DLC can be expected further down the line as they continue to evaluate what players want and work with the community to give them what they desire. Good on them.
Via Videogamer
On Xbox Live Arcade today: Diner Dash and Gyromancer
From today, at 9AM GMT (2AM PDT), you can play Hudson’s Diner Dash on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360. Diner Dash will be available worldwide (except in Korea) for 800 Microsoft Points (that’s US$10 / €9.60 / £6.80 / CAN$12.40 / AU$13.20).
Ditch your desk job and serve up some grub! Help Flo grow her fledgling diner into a five-star restaurant in this game of skill, speed and savvy. Let’s Diner Dash!
Game features include:
Watch the Diner Dash launch trailer:
Also available today is Square Enix’s Gyromancer on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360. Gyromancer will be available worldwide (except in Korea) for 1200 Microsoft Points (that’s US$15 / €14.40 / £10.20 / CAN$18.60 / AU$19.80).
Gyromancer: A fusion of puzzle and RPG gaming. You are Rivel, a powerful mage who leads fearsome beasts into battle as he explores the depths of Aldemona Wood. Master a deep — and deeply addictive — battle system. Twelve stages of play against dozens of unique foes. The full version allows you to play all stages of the game.
Game features include:
Watch the Gyromancer launch trailer:
The deals of the Week is: 3 on 3 NHL Arcade (50% off)
“Xbox LIVE Gold Members can save 50% this when they purchase 3 on 3 NHL Arcade. Normally 800 points, this week it’s only 400 points.”
The new Xbox 360 Games on Demand are: Grid.
Content: GRID
Price: Check pricing for your region
Availability: Not available in Japan
Dash Text: (Online Interactions Not Rated by the ESRB) Race Driver: GRID is all about the race. It’s a stunning world of motorsport brought to life, from racing muscle cars through the iconic streets of San Francisco and competing in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race to drifting around the docks of Yokohama. Jump behind the wheel of exhilarating racing cars in the most aggressive, spectacular wheel-to-wheel races you’ve ever experienced - then prove yourself online. Welcome to GRID: racing just got exciting again. This game supports English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Download the manual for this game by locating the game on http://marketplace.xbox.com and selecting “See Game Manual”.
The most recent demo released on Xbox Live was for Tropico 3.
“The time is yesterday and the Cold War is in full swing. Through means devious and dubious you have seized power in the Caribbean island country of Tropico, where you now rule as the all-powerful “El Presidente”. You decide whether you want to use your army to secure your power base in the best traditions of corrupt, unscrupulous tyrants everywhere or lead your people to prosperity in your role as generous elder statesman.”
New Xbox 360 features now available (Twitter, Facebook, Zune Video and Last.FM).
Here is how to find the new features: Facebook and Twitter will appear automatically on your dashboard in the new My Community channel, Zune Video is in the Video Channel and Last.FM will be found under the Music Channel. Availability of these features will vary by region.
No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 in Japan
The original No More Heroes game is being ported to the Xbox 360 and PS3 with the title No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise, as revealed by the Japanese Famitsu Weekly magazine.
The new game will bump the graphics up significantly to high-definition levels, will include a new “Very Sweet Mode” that has the female bosses in the game dressed in very revealing clothing, a new Japanese dub and a special “Erotic Picture” preorder bonus with a different sexy picture that is unique to each version (pre-order them both to collect all the soft-core porn!).
The game will be released in Japan on February 25th and will most likely not include Natal/Sony Motion Controller support.
Personally I think this is a good move. The game deserves to be played by more people. Also note that this game is only the first one. The true sequel is still Wii-bound with No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle, which releases exclusively for Wii on January 28, 2010.
Via Gamegrep
Modern Warfare 2 Ghost spin-off in discussion at Infinity Ward
The Ghost character from Modern Warfare 2 just may be getting his own spin-off game. This according to the fellow who does his voice acting, Craig Fairbrass, who spoke on the subject at a Modern Warfare 2 launch event in the United Kingdom.
Although this should still be taken as rumor, it’s interesting and not beyond the scope of plausibility when you consider Activision’s tendency to milk as much as possible to make the most dough.
To quote Fairbrass:
“I did in the last game a voice for a character called Gaz and in this game I’m now voicing a guy called Ghost, who now just got a spin-off comic of his own and they’re talking about another little game to go with it. So I’m quite excited about it. It’s grown and grown and grown.”
And when he was asked about why people get excited for his character, he replied, “I don’t know. It’s the whole thing I suppose of not knowing who he is. He’s like the head of the SAS and… I’m just so thrilled to be a part of it, I mean it just gets bigger and bigger each year.”
The video interview is available on Xbox Live or you can watch it below.
