Before we get to the news today, I’d like to point something out for everyone about the PlayStation Vita. Yes, a white version is coming with the Assassin’s Creed: Liberation bundle in October. The bundle also comes with a 4GB memory card. The price is identical to the current MSRP of the wi-fi Vita that doesn’t come with a game. (Does the standard version even have a memory card?) Taking that at face value it’s no wonder people are freaking about it being such a great deal. But, wait! Have these people also failed to notice the $50 gift card promotion coming iwth new Vita purchases at Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop. If you haven’t been following gaming news for very long you might not know what this means. I have, so let me explain. These gift card deals start popping up at retailers when a price drop is imminent. So, I’m not telling you the Vita isn’t worth the current price, and I’m not telling you the white bundle won’t be an awesome deal in October. What I am saying is that the standard model will have a price drop, or possibly a different SKU bundle, prior to October 30th. I wouldn’t even be surprised to see it in mid-July. So if you want a Vita but were waiting for the bundle, and you don’t care about getting a white one, go ahead and get it now. Use that extra $50 gift card to get yourself a nice memory card and maybe preorder Liberation. Or you could dither like me. I have the cash now and want it, but it’s probably more prudent to save and buy it in October as summer is going to be expensive anyway. I also really want that white one to match my Vader PSP.
Anyway, NEWS:
Marvel’s second issue (of three) of the Max Payne 3 comic is out now. It’s written by the game’s creators and drawn by Jorge Molina. It’s also free. The game released last month to generally good reviews. The only complaint seems to be the intense difficulty.
Might and Delight (made up of vets from Grin Studios, the team that brought Rad Spencer back to the spotlight with Bionic Commando: Rearmed) has found a publishing partner for its puzzle platformer, Pid. I’m not sure about naming your game after an acronym for pelvic inflammatory disease, but with the pedigree of the team and a publishing deal with D3, you should be watching for this one. It looks like it will be coming to PSN and XBLA later this year.
Crytek’s Founder and CEO, Cevat Yevli, doesn’t understand the shit storm he’s just unleashed. Sure, it’s great that he’s using Twitter to communicate with fans. But using it to evaluate the fan demand for Time Splitters 4 is going to give him headaches he doesn’t even understand. No good can come of this Mr Yevli. Internet fanboys are going to create fake Twitter IDs just to boost the numbers in their favor, so if you’re looking for an accurate count, too bad. Then, if you don’t release the game sometime in the next three months, something we all know is impossible, those same “legions” of Twittards will barrage you with demands about the status, when it’s coming out, why you hate your fans, and then demand it be released for free because of the delay. Congratulations Mr. Yevli, your ploy to gain more followers will work. And congratulations to the Time Splitters community. You’ve now gained an outlet to vent your demands.
A rating by the Australian classification board seems to confirm that Ubisoft is releasing a licensed game to accompany The Expendables 2 in August. Really, if any movie deserves a video game it’s got to be this one. Unfortunately, a rating doesn’t give us any important information, like game style (shooter, duh), platforms, voice actors, etc. According to the rumor mill last month, knife kills and shooting are included, as well as a chopper mini-game. “Get to da choppa!” Expect this to release the same week as the film, August 17th. The movie features Jet Li, Jason Statham, the lesser Hemsworth, and a bunch of guys that really are “too old for this shit.”
Playdead took the world by storm with the artistic and creepy Limbo. The first image from their follow-up, currently called Project 2, has been released through the Danish Film Insitute (who are supporting the project with a $1million grant). Though the image doesn’t show much of it, this game will be in color. It’s also being described as 2D platformer in a 3D environment. I make no claims as to hwo accurate the translation is, but the game’s description appears to be: “Through unique puzzles and changing scenarios narrated the story of one boy’s struggle against evil forces through questionable experiments on human bodies, trying to take over the world.” Hopefully the game makes a little more sense than that translation into defective English. Then again, this is Playdead, so it might not make any sense at all.
Some of the voice cast for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron has been revealed, and it’s completely top-shelf. One of the biggest names in voice-acting, Nolan North, is on the list. But he’s not the only top talent. Greg Berger, Fred Tatasciore, Steve Blum, and Isaac Singleton are also included. It’s also important to note that Optimus Prime will sound just like you know he should, because Peter Cullen, who has voiced Optimus for over twenty years has gone back to the booth for the game. You’ll be hearing them all when the game releases August 28th.
Despite their heavy presence at E3, Microsoft has decided they are done with the major shows this year. According to Microsoft’s Major Nelson, “As you saw at E3, we have a solid line-up of games launching this holiday, along with other entertainment experiences. We’ve changed our approach a little, though. This year, Xbox will be focusing on smaller, more localized promotions and experiences for press, partners, retailers and customers around the world.” That means they won’t be at Gamescom in Germany or the Tokyo Game Show. Along with E3, those two make up the holy trinity of games journalism. It’s a bit of an odd strategy, but XBox’s power base has always been in the United States, so it’s understandable for them to look at this as a way of saving on travel expenses. Focusing on smaller shows could also mean the journalists at those events will get more in depth with creators and a deeper hands-on experience. With software, as opposed to hardware, being the keystone this year, a more intimate strategy could give them an edge.
Beta for the Dawnguard expansion of Skyrim is going on now. Don’t be upset if you didn’t get the invite. Less than one half of one percent of applications were selected. Those beta testers aren’t being shy about breaking any embargo though, if they even agreed to one. Details about content are already hitting the web. Harkon, a vampire lord who has watched too many episodes of The Simpson’s is looking to use an Elder Scroll to blot out the sun, a la Mr. Burns. You are picking sides. If you choose to aid Harkon and become a Vampire Lord you’ll gain the ability to turn into a flock of bats (inFamous: Festival of Blood, anyone?), as well as the Vampiric Grip ability. Joining the vampire slaying Dawnguard gets you new weapons (including the slow but powerful crossbow) and the ability to hire troll thugs. The expansion also includes the new Soul Tear dragon shout, allowing you to tear out a person’s soul, then revive them to be your undead companion. You can also summon a skeleton horse. Bethesda has said you can expect 10-20 hours for the addition, not as long as Shivering Isles but longer than anything added to Fallout 3. I want to fault the concept for being so derivative (Simpson’s plot, inFamous ability, Red Dead skeleton horse, etc) but it all sounds so good together, and the game has such a great following, that I’m actually going to give it a pass for now. The DLC should be available to all later this month.
Neversoft has been rumored to be working on a Call of Duty title for Activision as long ago as September when they started advertising for FPS developers. It’s noww been confirmed on their website with further career advertising. They’re looking for level designers (SP and MP), concept artists, and animators “in support of Activision’s Call of Duty franchise.” It’s unknown what part of the franchise they’re developing, but references to a future setting indicate it could be Black Ops, which is moving to 2025 with its next game.
As expected, thatgamecompany is breaking away from Sony now that Journey has completed their three game “incubation” deal. The announcement comes after the developer was able to $5.5million and become independent. A large portion of that funding comes from Benchmark Capital, and will see their Mitch Lasky on thatgamecompany’s board. This deal will bring their future games to wider release, though nothing has been formally announced.
And that looks to be it for the week. I already ranted in the opening, so I don’t have anything left for the closing. Check back Tuesday for next week’s early edition.