Hello, and welcome to the first VGQH of May 2011. Once again, PSN is at the forefront of the gaming news, but I’ll save that to the end. There’s actually plenty more to stroke your excitement and waggle your controller before we get to Sony.
For anyone that looks forward to my normal In Stores This Week that didn’t show up yesterday, sorry. I had a few things come up over the weekend, including a very sick dog. Thor: God of Thunder is coming today to every console ever built. Despite the source material it will probably suck just as bad as every other SEGA game based on a movie. Also, Motorstorm Apocalypse finally sees its release. Apparently Sony has decided the crisis in Japan doesn’t overshadow their own troubles right now. There’s some other stuff too, but those were the two games I would have highlighted.
Soooo, Portal 2! Does it get more awesome? Well, maybe if PS3 users could finally get to their online co-opping. And maybe if they would expand it with some DLC. And especially if that DLC had new test chambers, and challenge modes for single- and multiplayer. Of course it would have to already be in development in order to release this summer. Oh yeah, that’s happening.
Accidental leakage is something that normally only happens after a night of too many tacos and too much beer. But in the video game world it tends to happen a lot. Maybe because developers, like their customers, have a penchant for tacos and beer. Anyway, the latest slip occurred on Ubisoft’s Facebook (see, it is good for something besides office party tit shots). The slip may hint at the next chapter in Assassin’s Creed. Ubisoft has since posted a teaser page on Facebook that seems to be evolving. Sign in to Facebook and “like” the game to see the whole thing. It looks like the next title will be another expansion on a current character, not the anticipated AC III. Which character? That seems to be answered by the original leak that’s since been pulled. The posting apparently had Altair’s name written in Arabic along with this logo:
I’m not much for racing games. They’re fun, but I tend to lose interest fairly quickly. Find me one with a good hook though, and I’m willing to give it a try. Oddly enough, the latest one to catch my attention is Dirt 3. Even more odd, is that the hook I see with it is actually the online multiplayer, a mode I generally don’t explore too deeply. Three modes have been announced for the game. “Invasion” is basically capture the flag and strikes me as more frustrating than entertaining since you can steal the flag by simply hitting the vehicle that possesses it. “Transporter” and “Outbreak” look a little better. In “Transporter” you’re basically vying with your opponents to run over cardboard cutouts of robots to score points. You lose points for hitting cardboard buildings. Seems silly, but in a gymkhana arena, this should be filled with “did you just see that” moments. “Outbreak” is zombie mode, but not what you’re thinking. As much as I’d like to have a zombie smashing gymkhana competition…. Actually, one car begins as patient zero and needs to clip another car to spread the plague. As the infected masses grow, it becomes harder to avoid them. Points are earned through survival time and spreading the virus once you’ve contracted it. These three modes won’t convince me to buy the game, but they’ve put it on my radar.
There are a few games in history that can truly be called “cult classics” and, for my money, one of the best franchises to fit that category is Oddworld. It’s unfortunate that the series has been MIA for so long. But there is great news for Oddworld fans, news in HD. It’s been known for some time that Stranger’s Wrath was getting the remastered treatment, but Just Add Water has now announced a full collection for release this fall. I am currently seeing announcements for the Oddboxx only in relation to PS3, but I would be shocked if it didn’t make it to 360. So, look for Stranger’s Wrath, Munch’s Odyssee, Abe’s Odyssee, and Abe’s Exxodus in October. In related news, the Oddworld RTS, Hand of Odd, is now back into production, likely seeing release to PC, Mac, and portable devices but with no release date currently set.
As if Atlus’ upcoming Catherine isn’t strange enough, they’ve now released details on their $80 deluxe edition. It’s… unique? The deluxe set comes packaged in a Stray Sheep pizza box. Bonus items incldue a pillow case, a pair of boxer shorts, and a t-shirt featuring a nearly empty heart-gauge. Huh? Preorders for either version of the game will net you a soundtrack CD and 36 page art book.
I swore to myself that after getting the platinum trophy for Fallout: New Vegas that I would never play that glitchy freak show ever again. But it’s such an awesome game. And the next three DLC packages ($9.99 each) have just been announced. Ooooohhhh. Honest Hearts (May 17th) sees the courier’s caravan attacked in Zion National Park. S/He’ll have to fight back to the Mojave through the middle of war between the Burned Man and a New Canaanite missionary. Old World Blues (June) sees your courier involved in a lab experiment, one related to the existence of mutant monsters in the Mojave. Do you rebel against your captors, or join them to stand against an even greater threat? Last is Lonesome Road (July). Hinted at in Dead Money, this chapter sees your courier being contacted by Courier Six, Ulysses. He explains why he never delivered the platinum chip to Mr. House and you’ll head into the disaster-ridden Divide to face off. All three chapters will release for PC, 360, and PS3 simultaneously.
And now for the 800 pound gorilla. While the idea of another digital attack on Sony may delay their plans somewhat, PSN is expected to begin a phased restart today. What can you expect with the first phase?
- Online gameplay for PS3 and PSP restored
- Access to Qriocity’s Music Unlimited for existing subscribers
- Account management and password reset (mandatory)
- Unexpired movie rentals from PS3, PSP and MediaGo
- PlayStation HOME (I can’t believe this was a priority)
- Friends List and Chat functionality
While I don’t see it specifically mentioned, I imagine trophy syncing is included with that last bit. Also, although it hasn’t been mentioned, I would expect a firmware update for both PS3 and PSP before you can continue.
Further, from Kaz Hirai (Executive Deputy President, Sony Computer Entertainment):
This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry. These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security. We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data. In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks. Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation program for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services.
A customer appreciation program? What would that entail?
- Current subscribers to Music Unlimited by Qriocity get 30 days free
- Current PS Plus subscribers get an additional 30 days free
- Current PSN users without a Plus subscription get one free for 30 days
- Selected content will be available for free download. Content will vary by region. More details will be announced soon.
- Additional “Welcome Back” content will be available in time
There will be some complaints about this, especially considering the 30 day access to PS+ is as much a marketing tool as an apology. But I’m in the camp that thinks it’s great Sony is doing something. Because they don’t have to. Paid subscribers are a different story, but free users are not entitled to more free stuff. So, thanks Sony. I appreciate your efforts in a troubling time. I’ve lost some electronic contact for a couple of weeks. You’ve lost millions of dollars. And you’re responding by restoring that contact and losing some more money by giving me free stuff. I’m glad Japanese culture no longer requires Kaz Hirai to publicly disembowel himself. I, for one, would miss his hilarious presence at E3 conferences.
Once again, I encourage you to check with the Playstation Blog for the most up to date official information.
Come back Friday for this week’s late edition of VGQH. It will keep you occupied while you stand in line for Thor.