The big news from the weekend is that some PSN services have been rebooted. Users will need to perform a firmware update on their PS3 then change their password. From there, you’ll be able to sync all those single-player trophies you earned in the last three weeks. Next, boot up your favoprite online shooter because your multiplayer fix is back. I saw at least one of my friends jump right into to Portal 2 to sync up with his Steam account and finally get some co-op going. My first stop was the store to pick up “The Arrival” for Mass Effect 2. Frankly, I wasn’t concerned about giving Sony my credit card information again. Alas, the store is not back yet. Makes sense since that’s the area of attack with the highest sensitivity. Oh well, just a little longer. At least I can still entertain myself with Peggle Parties.
Of course, with the story of Sony’s awaited recovery from an external intrusion comes yet another hacking tale. This time, it’s Square Enix. While they don’t keep users’ credit card information, they did have about 25,000 email addresses that were stolen along with 350 employee resumes. The email addresses were from customers who subscribed to updates regarding upcoming games. The hackers apparently accessed the eidosmontreal.com site as well as the official sites for Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Tomb Raider. For those that signed up with their email address, be very wary. Don’t click on any links or download any data from the emails that appear to be from Square Enix. Malicious code is your biggest vulnerability at this point. If you’re one of the 350 employees that just had their entire work history and contact information jacked… good luck. Sign up for identity theft insurance. Just for the record: Hackers – you are assholes!
Now, since you read VGQH to read about games, not assholes ruining games, let’s get to the good stuff:
In what may be a response to the aforementioned hacking of the site, Square Enix has begun a Facebook marketing gimmick for Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Now, instead of having to sign up for email updates you can just “like” the game on Facebook. You should also encourage your friends to do so. The more “likes” the more cool stuff they’ll unlock for fans to see. Art, wallpapers, screen shots, videos, etc. will all be up for grabs as the “like” counter keeps rolling higher.
Brink came out last week to favorable reviews. The downside on it has been significant lag in online modes for some players. Bethesda has announced a patch is in the works to fix the problem. In the meantime, they’ve made some tweaks to match size and other elements in their matchmaking service to reduce lag. To thank the fans for their patience and cooperation, they’ve decided to release the first piece of downloadable content at no charge. The DLC, featuring additional maps and other “new content” will be available next month.
In other DLC news, LA Noire‘s first pack has been leaked by Best Buy. The game went on sale at midnight and the first 16 people at the Best Buy stores received a code for a free download of the game’s first planned DLC, the “Nicholson Electroplating Arson Case.” No word on when the DLC will be available, but I’m sure it was a sweet bonus for those that got the code.
There have been a couple of stories running around about possible love interests in Mass Effect 3. For those that haven’t played the series yet, it is possible to form romantic relationships with certain characters. Who you court depends on your Commander Shepard’s gender, as well as your conversation choices and other decisions. In Mass Effect 1, it was even possible to have your love interest killed. Since I picked up the series with second game, not having the first one available on PS3, I made the first romantic decision through the in-game comic. Of the two females willing (my character is male), I chose Liara. But, I also chose to have Ashley live when I had to pick between two crew members. So there may still be some tension down that avenue. Of course, Liara was off doing her psycho spy routine in Mass Effect 2 and was not available for some interspecies banging. Turns out she’d also picked up with another mate the second she thought I was dead so I didn’t feel bad about my heavy flirtation with Miranda (who ultimately got really mad at me so I got down with Jack, the obvious Asajj Ventress rip-off, instead). While I thought Liara and I had worked it out during “The Lair of the Shadow Broker,” it may still turn out to be a problem in the third installment according to Casey Hudson, Producer. Your decision to pursue, or not pursue, a different lover in the second game will have consequences in the finale. I imagine there will be additional consequences if you hooked up with Ashley/Kaiden and then let them die. It’s also not impossible for your second lover to die, though the choice is not as inherent in the game. Then again, with the possibility of more new love interests in the upcoming game, you may just get yourself a Lothario achievement and who cares about the emotional damage to NPCs. The idea of save transfers is entertaining enough that I’m now considering a female playthrough of ME2 just to see how differently I can make things go.
Meanwhile, if you can’t wait for Arkham City, you’ll be glad to know you’ll have a chance to rock your Bat-Mojo a little sooner. Recently announced is Gotham City Impostors for PSN, XBLA, and PC. I’m not sure how this is going to work, but it’s apparently a Batman first person shooter. Players can build their own custom Bat(wo)man or Joker. Then you go online and pwn other user created heroes and villains. According to Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President of Production and Development for Warner Bros. Interactive, “Gotham City Impostors blows apart expectations for superhero games with an exaggerated take on first-person shooters, set in a part of the DC Universe players have never seen before. Monolith is creating a game that turns Gotham City upside down and we think fans are going to have a blast with this creative twist on multiplayer heroism and anti-heroism as they play up the classic rivalry between Batman and The Joker.” No date or price has been set. I’m still stuck on Batman in a first person SHOOTER. That just feels wrong.
Another game with high anticipation levels (twenty years or so worth) is Duke Nukem Forever. it hasn’t been delayed again (yet). In fact, you’ll be getting a chance to play it early on June 3rd. Well, if you’ve preordered it or bought the Borderlands GotY edition that is. Members of this “First Access” club will be the only ones to get the early look at how well or poorly the action hero has aged. Everyone else will have to wait until it hits retail on June 14th.
Finally, now that you’ve got your PSN back, you may be wondering about the promised “Welcome Back” program. As mentioned before, the Store is not up yet, but once it is, Sony hasn’t forgotten. As promised, you’ll get a free 30 day subscription to PS+ (or a 60 day extension to your current subscription), 30 days added on to your Music Unlimited trial if it was interrupted (or an extra 30 days plus time lost for paid members), up to 100 free items in Home, and two free games from a specific selection. The games promotion will only be available for 30 days after the store is turned back on. While regional limitations will apply, the games you can expect to choose from are:
- Dead Nation
- Hustle Kings
- inFAMOUS
- Little Big Planet
- Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty
- Super Stardust HD
- Wipeout HD + Fury
Maybe not the absolute best selection, but there are some gems. If you’ve missed out on Little Big Planet or inFAMOUS, this is a good opportunity for a pair of great games. Also, in North America, the video store will have a selection of free movie rentals available on a weekend to be determined.
Looks like that does it for this week’s early edition. Check back Friday for more gaming goodness. If you cna pull yourself away from LA Noire long enough, I’d love for someone to explain the implications of a Scottish Batman with a Harpoon gun.