Microsoft is offering up free Gold membership benefits this weekend (October 4-6). They do this occasionally, usually around the time a major online game releases. It’s probably safe to assume this one is for Grand Theft Auto Online that launched Tuesday. I can’t say it’s necessarily a great idea though, as Rockstar is still having server issues with their online service. They’ve even temporarily suspended their microtransactions until their technical issues are resolved.
Valve may have thought they wowed everyone with their plans for Steamboxes and controllers, but the real people-quake started when a European trademark was recently filed for Half-Life 3. The trademark lists “computer game software,” “downloadable computer game software via a global computer network and wireless devices,” and other associated legalese. There is no current record for something similar with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Further fueling the rumor fire is an apparent security breach at Valve that allowed an internal database to temporarily become publicly accessible. According to this database, two teams (a ten-person core team mostly consisting of series’ veterans and a 46 member dev team) are currently at work on the game. All of this means the internet is convinced the game is imminent, though the internet’s said that for five years. Like the rumors we’re seeing about Star Wars: Episode VII, you can’t trust any news about it until you hear it from the creators (Valve, in this case). However, the timing of these two reveals is intriguing, as a long-awaited and high profile game being exclusive to the upcoming Steam OS would make a ton of sense.
Video game adaptations of films seem universally bad. One of the reasons most often cited for the game being terrible is the rushed production schedule to time release with the film. Freedom Factory has freed themselves of that constraint with their adaptation of Kick-Ass 2 coming in November; it does seem to be a prelude to the December DVD/Blu-ray release though. Cel-shading seems like a good fit for the visuals in the game, which will feature animations based on both the film and the comic book. As you’d expect, they’re making an action beat-em-up which should fit the tone quite well.
Sony has released PS3’s firmware 4.50 this week. Mine auto-downloaded Tuesday night and spent a few minutes updating Wednesday afternoon. It is not a major update, but does provide auto-downloading of updates to non PS Plus subscribers, as well as a masking feature for those who measure their e-penis via trophies. This is Sony’s list of upgrades:
- Auto download of system software updates has been expanded to support all PSN users.
- Auto download support of purchases made on the Web Store will be made available to all PSN users.
- New options for trophy privacy settings allow users to set which trophies are visible.
- Data can now be transferred from PS3 to PS Vita using wi-fi and ethernet connection.
Eidos Montreal has announced a bit of what they have planned for the next generation. Deus Ex: Universe will be “an ongoing, expanding and connected game world built across a generation of core games.” With the promise that they will “deliver meaningful content that expands the franchise on a regular basis and to deliver a deep conspiracy that will span several connected Deus Ex games, creating a more immersive and richer experience than ever before” I think immediately of the Mass Effect trilogy. Clearly we will have several games that will connect, hopefully using saved data from prior games. But could it be more? Clearly it will be, as they are currently at work on at least one next-gen title, with mobile apps and games for smartphones, tablets, etc. all tying in to the same universe. The upcoming conspiracy tale will focus heavily on transhuman segregation, including a “ghetto city” that is “voluntarily built in order to separate the classes.” That’s all the detail we have for now, and it’s all we should be expecting for some time, as the whole concept is still very early.
Insomniac Games has confirmed a November 12th release date for Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus. They aren’t hiding the fact that the game is planned to be shorter than most of the main titles for the series, but it has a $30 price tag to match. You can expect lots of wacky guns and gadgets in this epilogue to the Future series as they soundly finish out this console generation.
In addition to the Return of the Jedi table that has already been detailed, Zen Studios is now showing off Starfighter Assault, another table in their Star Wars Pinball: Balance of the Force collection, coming in two weeks. This table will focus on the ships and pilots of the galaxy far, far away. X-Wings, TIE fighters, the Death Star, and the greatest hunk of junk in the galaxy, the Millennium Falcon, will all be featured. Players will have to choose between joining the Rebel Fleet or the Imperial Navy. Dodge turret fire and complete your missions to upgrade your fleet and advance your pilot’s rank. Stay tuned for the reveal of the third table in the pack, Darth Vader!
Doesn’t Star Wars seem like a great place to stop for the week? That’s it for the late edition. Come back Tuesday for the early edition.