If you’re living in a cave, San Diego Comic-Con happened this past weekend. Since that event has long since evolved into covering all pop culture, not just comics, there was plenty of gaming excitement as well. While there were a few announcemetns and breaking news, the real meat of the gaming presence were the demos available on the show floor. Many of these showings were the public’s first access to things shown to the press last month at E3. I wasn’t able to go the show this year, but I think I’ve got the major newsbreakers covered:
The much-anticipated Gears of War Judgment has been rumored for a February 2013 release for sometime. Turns out that rumor wasn’t exactly correct, but it was damn close. The official date of March 19, 2013 was unveiled over the weekend at San Diego Comic-Con.
It appears EA is looking to hype their Origin service a little more with exclusive beta access. According to a recent advertisement on the service (that apparently went up early because it’s since been pulled), pre-ordering Medal of Honor Warfighter for $69.99 will get you a code for access to the Battlefield 4 beta when it begins, probably mid to late 2013. Obviously Origin is PC only, so it’s unclear if the beta offer will extend to consoles. The beta offer isn’t a surprise, and seems like EA is simply fulfill ing expectation. What really seems shocking is the $70 price tag on a PC game. Warfighter is available October 23, 2012. Battlefield 4 is expected in October 2013.
Apparently the re-skinning of last-gen games in HD is a lucrative business, because we haven’t reached the end. SEGA recently had two items listed for December 2012 on their schedule, Yakuza 1 & 2 HD. Both games have now been removed from the schedule. Yakuza 5 is planned for December in Japan, so an HD re-release of the original games would not be unusual. It’s a safe bet this is happening, but apparently SEGA didn’t actually want us to know yet. Just in case, the list price was slightly over 5,000 yen, presumably for the two game combo.
It appears the rumors about a Hit Monkey game from High Moon (Transformers: Fall of Cybertron) were false. In fact, they may have been an elaborate ruse to lend weight to the announcement of their actual next game. Revealed in San Diego over the weekend at a small event for comics and other pop culture, the developer is actually working on a Deadpool game for Marvel, starring Nolan North. Vital details, like date, platforms, etc. have not been announced. I’m definitely watching for more information on this one and I’ll pass it along when I get it. I get the feeling Arse-bot will be all over this one instantly.
I recently had a small bit about a new PS3 model being rumored for Gamescom, but I didn’t give it much credit. Now there are apparently leaked images surfacing. Supposedly these images come from a Sony filing with a Brazilian telecom regulator. Until I hear confirmation from Sony, probably at Gamescom, I’m keeping this as rumor. Though a very cool-looking rumor. The new “super slim” will have a flip top disc tray, a la PS2 Slim. There are apparently three SKUs: 160GB, 250GB, and 500GB. [The actual leak said 16GB, but that’s got to be wrong. 160GB just makes more sense.] I wouldn’t be surprised if these include a free PS+ membership, possbily for a year but probably only three months. Seeing a few retailers recently offering gift cards with purchase of a new PS3 does add a little weight to the rumor, as those offers usually indicate an impending price drop. Then again, PS4 is rumored for 2013; does a redesign of PS3 make sense in light of that upcoming milestone? Would this sleek new design convince you to spend $199 on a 160GB PS3?
How upset were you that you North America didn’t get Ratchet & Clank HD Collection on June 27th along with Europe? Doesn’t matter. You’re getting August 28, 2012. That’s right, only six more weeks and you’ll get your HD release of the three of the best platformers from the PS2 era. Ratchet & Clank, Going Commando, and Up Your Arsenal will be available on blu-ray or digital download for $29.99. In addition to 1080p resolution, you’ll also have the option of 720p sterescopic 3D. Yes, Up Your Arsenal does include online play. As a bonus to the North American audience who had to wait an extra two months, you’ll also get a special 10th anniversary avatar for PSN, and a playable demo of the upcoming Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.
Remember that Kinect: Fun Labs you found recently? Like most things for Kinect, it was cool for about ten minutes and you’ve since forgotten about it. Want ten more minutes of fun? What about 8 achievements? Available for free now through Fun Labs, Kinect: Mars Rover lets you control NASA’s Curiosity Rover on the surface of Mars. It doesn’t look like a very robust addition, but it is free and has neat concept. If I were 20 years younger I’d think this was amazing. I still love the ideas of space exploration, I’m just not as fascinated with it as I was then.
Just in case you’ve been seeing the image “leaked” from Comic-Con over the weekend, allow me to ruin your day. Hideo Kojima’s secret “Project OGRE” is NOT Metal Gear Solid 5. Yes, Kojima was at Comic-Con. Yes, he was showing something secret behind closed doors. Yes, Cliffy B was one of the lucky few to see it. No, the images floating aorund on the internet are not real and were not secretly taken from whatever Kojima was showing. At least, that’s the line from Konami and Hideo Kojima. According to Kojima, “that title logo is completely fake. I apologize to those who were looking forward to it.” This wouldn’t be the first time a game company denied a leak, then revealed the same information a few weeks later. However, an outright denial is different from the standard industry line about not commenting on rumors. Kojima has always been secretive about his projects, and he doesn’t always make sense even when he explains it. I don’t know if the images are really fake or not, but I’m going to trust Kojima.
Here’s a surprise announcement that surprised absolutely no one: Jak (with Daxter) and Cole McGrath will be in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. I honestly don’t know why these weren’t included in the original announcement. You don’t have a Sony mascot mash-up without some of the top titles in the PS2 and PS3 generations. By withholding them this long, they’ve basically wasted a hyped-up announcement that could have been used for something shocking, like Sonic (no, he hasn’t been announced). Regardless, if you’re interested in the game at all, both of these characters look to be strong additions. Daxter joins Jak in melee attacks, plus he has a variety of trademarked weapons (Gyro Burster, Mass Inverter, etc.), and he’ll have both Light and Dark Jak forms. Cole also has plenty of powers from which to choose. In addition to his standard lightning and amp attacks, you’ll also be able to utilize the crykinesis abilities he gained from Kuo in inFamous 2. I’m a little disappointed to not see Nix’s abilities incorporated, but maybe they’ll surprise me with it later. The game is scheduled for October 23, 2012.
Movies based on video games have had a strong presence in VGQH these past few issues and today we get to finish with Silent Hill: Revelation 3D. Apparently this is a sequel to Silent Hill, a movie I don’t remember being made. Even with the press release I don’t much about the film, coming October 26, 2012. This is one of those classic franchises that I’ve missed completely over the last two (or is it three) generations. I’ve always been a little intrigued, but never enough to actually jump into the series. I somehow doubt the movie will be the best way to start, but it does have Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange), and I can’t help but like that guy. Here’s the presser and a screen shot:
Based on the groundbreaking video game franchise, SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D is the sequel to the hit film SILENT HILL, which opened to number one at the U.S. box office and took in nearly $100 million at the worldwide box office. Featuring an unparalleled horror experience, Konami’s Silent Hill franchise has captivated fans for more than a decade and has spawned a hit comic book series, graphic novels, collectible action figures and numerous soundtracks from rock bands.
In SILENT HILL: REVELATION 3D, Heather Mason (Clemens) and her father (Bean) have been on the run, always one step ahead of dangerous forces that she doesn’t fully understand. On the eve of her 18th birthday, plagued by horrific nightmares and the disappearance of her father, Heather discovers she’s not who she thinks she is. The revelation leads her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her forever.
CAST: SEAN BEAN (HBO’s Game Of Thrones, Lord Of The Rings), DEBORAH KARA UNGER (The Game, 88 minutes, The Samaritan), RADHA MITCHELL (Man On Fire, The Crazies, upcoming The Frozen Ground), ADELAIDE CLEMENS (X-Men Origins, upcoming The Great Gatsby, No One Lives), KIT HARINGTON (HBO’s Game Of Thrones), CARRIE-ANNE MOSS (The Matrix, Disturbia, NBC’s Chuck), MALCOLM MCDOWELL (A Clockwork Orange, The Artist)
DIRECTOR: Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Deathwatch),
PRODUCERS: Samuel Hadida, Don Carmody
