Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance‘s Blade Wolf DLC has been issued a release date. Featuring “multiple hours of gameplay,” the add-on stars LQ-84i, a robotic wolf. It is set for release on May 14th and will set you back about $7.00 (560MSP).
Microsoft is stirring the rumor pot a little more. With the announcement of their next-gen console scheduled for May 21st, they’ve recently purchased every domain variation imaginable for XBox Fusion (.com, .biz., de, etc.). Currently some of those domains are rerouting to XBox.com, while others a routing to Bing, which is the only reason anyone would end up on that search engine. XBox Fusion was first noted as a term when trademarks were filed back in 2011. But what is it? Is that the name of the system? Or is it the name of the rumored XBox lite that will handle all of your “other” media, possibly even functioning as a cable box and/or DVR? I imagine we’ll know in a little less than three weeks. [Damn, I just realized I’ll be on an airplane during that press conference.]
A recent Time Warner job listing is raising some eyebrows. According to the listing, they need Creative Director that is “Expert in next-generation AAA action/adventure games” to work with a game development team “responsible for expanding the DC Comics universe in the interactive space.” The position is at WB Montreal, the studio currently developing Batman: Arkham Origins, a prequel to the two very successful Arkham games from Rocksteady. Is the posting related to that game, or to a possible new project with a different IP for next-gen systems?
The first two Grand Theft Auto titles, the top-down ones from the PSOne era, have reportedly gotten ESRB ratings to be released on PSN. It would appear both games will be available as PlayStation Classics and playable on PS3, Vita, and PSP. When this happens, am I correct in thinking that GTA London is the only part of the franchise not available on a current Sony product?
Zen Studios is celebrating May the Fourth with a 50% price reduction on Star Wars Pinball. Frankly, I’m a little disappointed that they aren’t doing it by releasing more tables, but a discount will have to do.
Crystal Dynamics, the developers of the recent Tomb Raider reboot are apparently working on a new IP for next-gen systems. This comes from the LinkedIn profiles of a few employees. Level artist Matt McCulloch is “creating wildly cool environments for a soon to be announced title for Crystal Dynamics.” Combine that with a job listing from last year asking for help on a “cutting edge, original IP” for “future consoles” and you have the makings of a big announcement soon. A January blog post from Square Enix’s community manager says they are “hard at work preparing to reveal exciting new intellectual property to the world.” I’m guessing this will be revealed shortly after Microsoft’s announcement on the 21st, unless it’s announced at their conference. At the latest, we should see something by E3.
As expected, Rockstar unleashed a torrent of information about Grand Theft Auto V. It’s kind of overwhelming, so here are a few highlights, starting with each character’s own special ability:
- Michael has John Marston style bullet time.
- Franklin’s time dilation is similar but with cars, helping evade or cause crashes.
- Trevor has a berserker-like rage that doubles inflicted damage while cutting his own in half.
- Switching characters is not location-sensitive, effectively making it a fast travel option.
- The map, including underwater areas, is five times the size of Red Dead Redemption, all available from the start.
- a modified version of the San Andreas‘ skill system returns (Stamina, Shooting, Strength, Stealth, Flying, Driving, Mechanic and Lung Capacity).
- Vice City’s property buying also returns (garages, businesses, night clubs, marinas and houses).
- All three characters can be personalized (haircuts, tattoos, and clothing).
- Vehicles can be customized (grills, spoilers, etc.) at Pay ‘n’ Sprays.
- Weapons can have silencers, scopes, etc. added.
- Off-mission activities include: picking up hitchhikers, BASE jumping, hunting, racing, golfing, hijacking, robberies, tennis, diving, and more.
- On the combat side, a rolling maneuver to move in and out of cover is also included.
- You already know it’s coming September 17th and have it pre-ordered. Right?
The fourth, and likely final, story DLC for Borderlands 2 is scheduled for June 25, 2013. “Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dungeon Keep” appears to pit player characters in live roles during a game of Bunkers & Badasses, the Borderlands spoof of Dungeons & Dragons. Tiny Tina will be the dungeon master. I just realized how little sense that makes. You are a person, playing a video game. Your video game character is playing a game within that game, but for real (or at least fake real since the game is fake), and that game is a spoof on a real game (that’s really real, but takes place fictionally). Oh, and a fake person is really (but not) controlling the real (but fake) game in the fake world where the fake character you’re really controlling (assuming you’re real) is playing. Aaaahhh, video games.
A bug, since fixed, seems to have accidentally exposed Injustice: Gods Among Us‘ follow-up to the Lobo DLC. For a short time, users were apparently able to see Batgirl as an option on XBLA when looking at DLC through the in-game store. I’ve yet to see anyone who was actually able to download the character, but some Youtube users did manage to capture some video, which looks legit. Also, Batgirl seems like a reasonable addition to the roster. Still waiting for an official confirmation, but I’d put this one a little beyond the realm of rumor. Assuming it’s true, there are still two more planned characters yet to be revealed for inclusion with the $12 season pass. Personally, I’m pulling for Martian Manhunter. He is, after all, the UFC Light Heavyweight champion.
That seems to be a bit for the weekend. Hopefully you’re in a part of the world where you’ll be able to enjoy some nice Spring weather this weekend. If not, do what I’m doing: watching Iron Man 3 and visiting my local comic shop for some free comics. How wonderful that Free Comic Book Day just happens to fall on May the Fourth this year?