Pretty slow week, unless you’re one of those who crashed the Baldur’s Gate server during the countdown.
Despite THQ‘s continuing financial drama, they filed a trademark application for “video game software” under the name 1666. There has been no announcement regarding the game itself or what it concerns. History buffs will note that 1666 AD was the year of the Great Fire of London. Much of the city was destroyed over the fire’s three day inferno, including St. Paul’s Cathedral and the homes of 70,000 people (the population at the time was about 80,000). This is likely the setting for any game set in that year. The year also hosted the Second Anglo-Dutch War, but it lasted only four days and isn’t historically notable. If THQ were looking to cash in on the Assassin’s Creed audience they may be referencing the year Sabbatai Zevi, a Jewish millenarian, converted to Islam. But that’s pretty obscure and is only really known by religious scholars and conspiracy nuts. The year 1666 is also notable for its expression in Roman numerals, MDCLXVI. This expression uses all of the Roman numerals, from biggest to smallest, in order, once. Basing a game on bizarre Roman numerology seems even more doubtful than a game about a Jewish apostate, however. I’m sticking the London fire theory. Hopefully we’ll know more soon.
Another interesting find from the trademarking world is a new title from Square Enix, Mini Ninjas: Hiro’s Adventure. This is likely a sequel to IO Interactive’s 2009 children’s title that found a strong fan base of adults as well. The Hitman developer has been rumored to be at work on an unannounced title and this is likely it. Obviously no details are available with only the trademark being announced, but the unlikely domain name of minininjashirosadventure.com has also been registered. You can watch that site, or just keep reading VGQH and we’ll update you when more is announced.
If you’re the type of gamer constantly looking to boost your Gamerscore, Microsoft is making a move to interest you in their XBLA offerings. Previously, XBLA games have had an achievement score cap of 200 points with 20 Achievements, plus up to three DLC packs valued at 50 points a piece, for a maximum of 350. The new format allows for 400 points and 30 Achievements in the base, plus up to four DLC packs valued at 100 points a piece, a new maximum of 800. That means a downloadable title is edging close to the same value as a retail copy’s 1000. Of course, retail games are also seeing a potential increase with Gears of War 3‘s “Forces of Nature” DLC taking it to a 2000 point maximum. The new policy goes into effect April 1st, allowing developers a two month grace period when they can choose which score format they’d like to use. Beginning June 1st, all new XBLA games will use the new scoring. But what does this actually accomplish? For Achievement Hunters or Whores (and you know which one you are) you’re certainly going to be pumping the score more quickly. Then again, so is everyone else. So does this just dilute the points quality, creating a false virtual penis economy, or does it create further separation between the hardcore and casual? Notably, Sony has stated that their copycat Trophy system will not be affected by Microsoft’s changes. According to an SCEA spokesman, “The overall scope of the game determines the trophies available, not method of distribution.” It will be interesting to see what multi-console developers do with the new disparity between the two ranking systems.
Do you like zombies? Of course, you do. Well, technically you like exploding their heads, not the zombies themselves. What about light gun shooters, the wonderfully classic arcade genre? If you answered yes to that one as well then Sony has got you covered in the coming months. Two much-anticipated releases have been given a release dates. Technically only one of them has a release date, House of the Dead 4 on April 17th. The other, Resident Evil: Chronicles HD only has a release month, June. House of the Dead 4, formerly an arcade exclusive, is set for $9.99 with a 30% PS+ discount. Chronicles HD is a two game bundle, combining Umbrella Chronicles and Darkside Chronicles, both formerly Nintendo-exclusive. Both releases will have Move support. HotD 4 will also support a standard controller. Still waiting on confirmation of RE using standard controllers.
If you’re still stuck on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim like a junkie with a needle you’ll be seeing a patch very soon. As expected, the version 1.5 update will bring a raft of glitch and bug fixes (hopefully without creating more of them), but there are other game tweaks as well. Primarily you’ll notice new kill cameras for spells and projectiles, new kill moves and animations for melee weapons, and that smithing skill increases now factor into a created item’s value. So, nothing major, but a nice change of pace for those still dedicated to the game.
After Jak and Sly, there’s only one pair of mascots from PS2 that have desperately needed an HD remake. There’s been plenty of rumor, and it seemed a foregone conclusion, but The Ratchet & Clank Trilogy HD has finally been confirmed by Sony. Ratchet & Clank, Going Commando, and Up Your Arsenal have been remastered in 1080P with 720P stereoscopic 3D support. Europe is getting the game on May 16th – before North America gets it this Fall, a very odd move for a video game. According to Sony, they “something very special planned for our North American fans to celebrate the 10th anniversary, and we’ll share all the details very soon.” So we have to wait, but it will apparently be worth it. By the way, the multiplayer mode from Up Your Arsenal is included.
If you don’t read Big Shiny Robot! regularly, there’s a few other things you may have missed this week:
- Diablo III is coming May 15. PvP will be added later with a free patch. Full story
- Star Wars: The Old Republic has a free trial up this weekend. Full story
- Zombietron has a preview of The Amazing Spider-Man tie-in for the upcoming film. Full story
- We’ve also got a preview of Darksiders II, where Death will be trying to prove his brother, War’s, innocence. War was accused of prematurely starting the apocalypse in the first game. It’s a simple mistake. Full story
- Irrational Games has been showing off footage of featured bad guys in Bioshock Infinite. Check them out: The Motorized Patriot and The Handyman