Sony Patents Motion Control Device, Good for Waggles

Sigh. Given Nintendo’s hysterical success this generation, this shouldn’t come as too big of a surprise. We all knew it would come to this. With rumors of Microsoft working on a similar device, it seems that the end is nigh for those of us that like to play games like normal people: Sony has patented a motion control device.

The device relies on ultrasonic and video signals to track its position in relation to a camera and its distance away from it. It actually seems more like a break-apart controller that can be reassembled in different formations, including a massive beating stick.

So what do you guys think? Sony just covering its bases? Or the sign that next gen is going to be super motion-tastic from more than just Nintendo?

Source- Videogaming247

New Little Big Planet Levels And More

I just started digging into User Created levels last night and after about 5 minutes, I was frantically calling Eddy to tell him how awesome it all was. Well, the good news doesn’t end there as Gamepro.com is reporting that Sony has confirmed that Media Molecule will be adding new levels and more as DLC.

Eric Fong says,

Yes, Media Molecule is continuing to add to the player experience with new levels, costumes, materials, and a host of other content.

I love what I have played so far and I look forward to more goodness from the MM crew. Have you guys played this yet?

 

Source- Gamepro

The Review Blitz

Ah, this is a subject I could rant on for hours on end. Kotaku’s magician-writer Brian Crecente has written an editorial piece about “The Rush To Review”, asking why people get reviews for games out so fast. His main case concerns Little Big Planet, whose reviews came out two weeks ago, even though the game wasn’t fully playable (the servers STILL aren’t running).

I felt this way about GTA IV and I totally agree that this question needs to be asked more often. To me, a game that relies on user content needs to be reviewed a few weeks after the game ships, to see how the game holds up. Sure, you can review the solo stuff, and it sounds like LBP’s is still great, but don’t tell us the whole game is perfect if you don’t know.

Continue reading The Review Blitz

EA to Build on Dead Space Model

Just like Legos, these new and creative game properties are.

Over the last few years, EA has been reinventing itself as a company. At one point it was notoriously known for the garbage of Madden and the like, but it is now trying to push forward some new IPs of its own, with things like Dead Space and Mirrors Edge.

Apparently, EA wants to continue to use this as the foundation to build the future of its business, citing other exciting creative properties like Halo, GTA, etc. As a company, they’re realizing that people are flocking to great original games (go figure), and better yet, they’re less expensive than a Madden or NCAA due to licensing.

Continue reading EA to Build on Dead Space Model

Army of Two, the Movie?

In yet another case of making a video game movie that nobody even cares about, it seems that EA is talking to Universal about a possible Army of Two movie. Sigh.

Right now a writer from the Bourne Ultimatum is on the project, with EA holding on to the producer rights. While this is all well and good, I wish that somebody would tell people to stop making movie games that nobody is interested in.

Instead, they keep turning irrelevant games into irrelevant movies, and everybody’s confused as to why these things don’t succeed. Oh well.

Thoughts? Did anyone actually play Army of Two? Maybe this movie will have awesome high-five action!

Source- The CutScene

Rumor: PS4 Specs?

So once again, I wonder aloud- is it already time for the next gen (you’ll see more about that this weekend)? A rumor has been going around about the potential PS4 specs. Apparently, Sony has sent out some stuff to developers asking for feedback on a few specs that they have in mind.

When is Sony planning on launching this? 2011, by the looks of it. Wow.

Continue reading Rumor: PS4 Specs?

Sackboy’s Plea For Pluto

Looking for a cause to believe in? Tired of cynical politics? Well, Sackboy has a cause for you! Seems the newest video game mascot is more political than the others and has a website devoted to restoring Pluto (the planet, not the dog) back to planet status.

You might be asking yourself, who is this pile of burlap? I’m SackBoy and I’m a maverick, an outsider, someone who always hopes for change. But more than that, I’m a champion of planetary rights.

“End Segregation of Our Solar System”

Check it out and sign the petition at http://www.propositionpluto.com/index.html

Bioware Announces the New KOTOR MMO

Ah, at last we have arrived. Even though people have known about this project for months, it’s finally official: Bioware is indeed working with LucasArts to create a new KOTOR MMO titled The Old Republic. It takes place about 300 years after KOTOR, and centers on the war between the Old Republic and the Empire.

IGN has a writeup of one of the pillars of the game– characters and story, something that’s lost in MMOs typically. Bioware’s goal is to let you feel like you are actually part of the narrative. Rather than having some big general story that everyone kind of participates in, there is an overarching story for each class. Sounds incredible and ambitious.

Continue reading Bioware Announces the New KOTOR MMO

Ubisoft Making Tom Clancy Mega Game?

So in a pretty ambitious move, it seems that Ubisoft is aiming to turn all of its Tom Clancy properties into one gigantic mega-game in the neart future. Basically, each game will feed off of each other, branch into the next one, and maybe even features missions set under different styles of gameplay.

While I’m not sure how this all will work, the idea of it is pretty hardcore. If it’s just a matter of one story continues into the next game, I doubt anyone will really care. I mean, I’m not too jazzed about the Tom Clancy universe personally, though I’m fine with the snippets I get here and there.

Also, if it’s all just crammed into one game, might it be a case of doing lots of styles well but none of them great?

Continue reading Ubisoft Making Tom Clancy Mega Game?

Rumor: XBox “720” Will Be Forward Compatible?

Once again, a part of me frets in a major way that people are already bringing up the next generation so often. Especially hearing that they are testing and rumor leaking this info as well.

This one’s kind of interesting though. XBox Evolved is reporting that Microsoft is testing “forward compatibility” for their next console. What this means is basically that XBox 360 games will be playable in the console, but they will also be upgraded/enhanced by the new console’s powers.

Ideally, this would improve things like draw distance/ load times, all kinds of things. Now if it could only take the douches off of Live… Thoughts?

Source- XBox Evolved

GameCop Vs LameCop #2

GameCop vs. LameCop is a feature where Anthony and I argue about video game issues, taking on the persona of either the GameCop or the LameCop as we do so. The GameCop has your best interests as gamers at heart, while the LameCop is just what he sounds like: a total loser.

This week, we tackle several issues including silent heroes, Playstation Home and Blizzard’s epic wtf weekend.

Continue reading GameCop Vs LameCop #2

WoW: Blizzard To Charge For Custom Characters?

Blizzard has taken masochism to a new extreme over this weekend. Never have I seen a company so content to drop nuclear bombs on itself in so short a time as they have, announcing to the world that yes, “We will take your money with us smiling to our graves”.

The newest in the trilogy of wtf-inducing news items is that World of Warcraft is about to get paid character customization in the future. Want to have a special hat that nobody else has? Need the newest leather boots to impress the ladies? It’s just like middle school again, only you’re paying a monthly fee.

Continue reading WoW: Blizzard To Charge For Custom Characters?

Today’s WTF: Future Battle.net Won’t Be Free

Come on, Blizzard. In just a few days, you’re tarnishing any street cred you may have gained through years of hard work and devotion to your fanbase.

You’ve now hit two massive WTF’s in just one short weekend. What’s the deal?

Apparently, during a BlizzCon panel, Diablo III director Jay Wilson said that Blizzard is looking to monetize Battle.net. Guess who’s paying for it? No, not Blizzard, silly fanboys. We all know that they’re so hard up for that green.

Continue reading Today’s WTF: Future Battle.net Won’t Be Free

New Releases: Dead Space and More

Well, that crazy Fall/Winter season that we’ve been anticipating must have totally snuck up on us. Did any of you know that Dead Space was dropping this Tuesday? I certainly missed that somehow.

After all of the cool things I’ve seen about this game, it’s nuts that its release has been kind of downplayed compared to other ones. I guess people are holding their breath about it. I mean, it is by EA after all.

And there’s actually more coming than that…

Continue reading New Releases: Dead Space and More

Introducing: GameCop vs LameCop

GameCop vs. LameCop is a feature where Anthony and I argue about video game issues, taking on the persona of either the GameCop or the LameCop as we do so. The GameCop has your best interests as gamers at heart, while the LameCop is just what he sounds like: a total loser.

This week, we tackle several issues including pre-order incentives, video game hype and Nintendo re-packaging GameCube games and selling them for the Wii.

Continue reading Introducing: GameCop vs LameCop

The Definitive Holiday Gaming List

We all know that lots of games are coming out this Fall/Winter. We’ve been through this drill many times as gamers. We’ve gotten used to it. However,  I don’t know if I remember another year quite like this one, with so many quality titles coming out across a variety of platforms.

GamesRadar has put together an awesome list of “The 28 Best Games Still to Come in 2008”, to help you get an idea of what’s in store for you. It’s really wild to see them all listed together like this. I think I want to play about 14 titles on it.

Hooray for going broke this holiday season? How many make your list?

Source- GamesRadar

Bungie Introduces “BuTube”

Ok, it’s not really called that, but hey, a man’s got to dream. For those of you that play Halo 3, this will be some rather cool news. And even if you don’t, it’s kind of a crazy step forward in terms of console conline communities go, that you can look forward to seeing in your favorite games down the road.

Bungie is adding a feature on their site in the near future that will allow Halo 3 players to upload their saved film files and then render them into WMV files. That’s right, you don’t need a capture card any longer to share your video clips with the Web.

Continue reading Bungie Introduces “BuTube”

EA Cancels Tiberium, Comment Fight Ensues

Nothing like a good old fashioned blog war. In case you hadn’t heard, EA has canceled Tiberium, the sci-fi RTS/FPS that had you playing as generic space marines fighting some generic bad guys. Wait, why was this canceled again? I think there’s a market for that.

Anywho, what’s even crazier than this game getting canceled is the comment fight that erupted at Gamasutra, where several disgruntled developers have weighed in on what the real development problems were with the game, naming names and crucifying producers and execs.

Continue reading EA Cancels Tiberium, Comment Fight Ensues

Introducing: Nintendo DS-i

Maybe they’re trying a little too hard to be like Apple with the name, but nonetheless, Nintendo has announced the DS-i, the new Nintendo DS.

The DS-i will feature a .3 megapixel camera (640 x 480), larger screens and no GBA slot. There will also be an SD card slot to save those pictures onto, as well as some audio enhancements. All in all, this will run you about $180 early next year, whenever this thing comes to the US.

Continue reading Introducing: Nintendo DS-i