Mass Effect 3 Epilogue DLC coming next week

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:43 AM

The fan outrage over the ending of Mass Effect 3 was heard around the world, but more importantly it was heard at Bioware Headquarters. And now the free epilogue DLC that they promised would clear up confusion about the ending is due to arrive next week on Tuesday, June 26. They've also released a short audio interview with the executive producer and lead writer of the series that explains some of the rationale and ethos that went into the creation of the epilogue.

The most interesting tidbit is that Bioware describes themselves as entertainers, not artists. They say in the interview that it wouldn't be right for them to take an artistic stand and refuse to change the ending because they really just want to entertain people. Which is an interesting counterpoint to the critics who said that Bioware should refuse to alter their work simply because the fans didn't like it.

Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle arrives in November, extensive DLC plan announced

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:41 AM

Way back in February, Nintendo released the latest entry in the Professor Layton series, but they sort of forgot to let all of us Westerners know when we could expect the game to drop on our shores.

Today, Nintendo made a step toward correcting that omission with the announcement that Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle will be coming to North America in November of this year. They wouldn't specify on the exact date though.

They also dropped a bit of news regarding their plans for downloadable content for the title. Mask of Miracle will be getting one new puzzle every day for a year after the game launch, which is some pretty incredible dedication. Especially considering those puzzles will all be free.

Adult Swim and Valve working on something Team Fortress 2 related

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:40 AM

In a somewhat irritating (though nonetheless exciting) announcement-of-an-impending-announcement, Adult Swim revealed today that they are currently collaborating with Valve on a new project involving Team Fortress 2.

They're not saying what the project is yet, but current speculation suggests it might be some sort of TF2-themed animated web series. 

"Adult Swim & Valve are teaming up for something that you'll probably enjoy," reads the website. "To learn how their video game peanut butter will be getting in our network's chocolate, come back next week."

Taken as an isolated occurrance, this is merely "probably cool." But this is starting to look like a trend for Valve. Just this week we learned about their forthcoming collaboration with Overkill Software on a new level for Payday: The Heist. Maybe Valve is beginning to expand their properties through these types of small-scale partnerships. 

The Amazing Spider-Man video gets more amazing by adding Bruce Campbell's voice

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:31 AM

You may not know this, but Bruce Campbell is the greatest actor of his generation. Currently in a supporting role on Burn Notice, he's known for the Evil Dead film trilogy, cult TV show The Adventures of Brisco County Jr, and most famously for brief appearances in Spider-Man films. Whether a wrestling announcer, a theater usher, or an improbable French waiter, Bruce stole every scene and he repeated that by appearing in the games based on those films. And if you thought Mr Campbell wouldn't be appearing just because he's (apparently) not in the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man film, doesn't mean he's not in the game. Let the man himself explain...

Out next week, The Amazing Spider-Man game already had it's share of star power thanks to a playable Stan Lee, but Bruce's inclusion is almost a bigger deal to us. Who knows how good the game will be, but at least Ash from Housewares will be there.

Blizzard working to fix Diablo 3's three day access restriction

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:22 AM

Yesterday there was a bit of an Internet furor over a new policy Blizzard instituted that required buyers of the digital version to wait up to 72 hours to access the full game (though they may still access a demo with some restrictions.)

Blizzard maintains that the precautions are necessary to ensure the safety and security of its players. Especially in light of numerous fraud and hacking attempts that have come to light since the game's launch. They also do this to try to deter gold spammers from hawking their wares.

"Similar to World of Warcraft, these restrictions were put in place to deter credit card fraud, which in turn helps reduce gold spam and other harmful activities that can have a negative impact on the game experience for everyone," said a spokesperson for Blizzard to Eurogamer.

They said that the restriction is an "unintended consequence," and they are "working to correct this as soon as possible and will provide another update when we have more details to share."

ESRB ratings for GTA3 and Vice City suggest imminent PS3 releases. But where's San Andreas

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:18 AM

Two ratings have sprung up on the ESRB ratings site which suggest PS2 crime-spree classics Grand Theft Auto III and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City are heading to PS3. Similar listings appeared in January, but were subsequently removed. Their reappearance over the weekend suggests we are almost certainly going to get some retro Rockstar action on PS3 soon in preparation for the arrival of GTAV.

Above: We remember when this screenshot looked too good to be true. But we don't remember the PS3 being in there. Probably cos we just 'shopped it in...

They've both been rated 'M' for Mature again, of course. The world hasn't become thatdesensitised in the last decade. But the listings do raise a couple of questions. Firstly, are these appearing as PS2 Classics (most likely) or as HD re-releases? We'd say an HD pack is unlikely because the ESRB listings would feature 'HD' in the title:

The other question is: Where's GTA San Andreas? You can't have these two without PS2's finest hour. And we'll send 8-Ball round to visit the car of anyone who says otherwise.

Sources: ESRB via igogaming

Capcom opening Resident Evil themed restaurant

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 3:29 AM

Capcom has announced today that they will be opening up a Resident Evil themed restaurant in Japan next month to tie-in with (and promote) the upcoming release of Resident Evil 6 in October.

Unfortunately, the question we're all dying to know the answer to - "what's on the menu?" - has not yet been announced, but we wait with bated breath to know what kind of food will be served at a restaurant themed on a video game about the eating of human flesh.

The restaurant will feature special swag for fans of the series along with performances by the dance troupe S.T.A.R.S. Angelique. Biohazard Cafe & Grill S.T.A.R.S. will only be open for about one year, and will host its grand opening in Shibuya, Tokyo on July 13, 2012.

We're very much looking forward to finding out how many people are willing to eat at a restaurant called Biohazard.

Final Fantasy XI is the most profitable Final Fantasy ever

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:51 AM

In the wake of the celebration of Final Fantasy XI's ten year anniversary, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada announced that FFXI was the single most profitable Final Fantasy title in the series' history.

The announcement surely comes as a surprise to many Final Fantasy diehards because FFXI was likely the most controversial and divisive in the series' history. However, this illustrates the staggering earning power of the subscription MMO. 

Despite tens of millions of people lining up to pay full price for past games in the series like Final Fantasy VII and the recent Final Fantasy XIII, it still pays more to have a smaller, devoted group of people throwing fresh cash at you every month. 

Most of these profits likely come from Southeast Asia and Japan where the game was able to find a much stronger audience than it did in the United States.

Now we're curious to hear how these numbers stack up against the relatively disastrous launch of Final Fantasy XIV.

3DS XL prices appear... but what's this? The trade price? Now we're never going to settle for £180

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:49 AM

Pre-order prices for the newly-revealed 3DS XL have started appearing around the internet. We're guessing the RRP is £179.99 because that's what HMV's listing it for (wahey!) but prices are going as low as £167.97 from GameStop.

However, trade publication MCV is claiming to know the trade price - that is the cost shops will expect to pay when buying in the console ready to sell on their shelves. And that's quoted as £167.50 (that's after VAT). So GameStop would be making a MASSIVE profit of 47p per sale. Hardly seems worth the effort, does it?

Above: Looks the same apart from the Home buttons? It's actually the size of a cinema screen. It even comes with curtains and a guy who keeps getting up to go to the bathroom

You may remember that GamesRadar was the first to break the news that the original 3DS' trade price was £173, back before Nintendo realised the £230 RRP was too steep. That said (sheepishly), having the trade price come out into the public domain is never a good thing because people will expect to pay that price and nothing more. But that's not how business works and will put yet more of a squeeze on the already-troubled high street retailers.

The machine hits UK and Japanese shops on July 28, with the US launch following on August 19. US shops have a suggested retail price of $199.99 according to CVG.

Will you get one? Still waiting to see if the resolution and 3D actually look good on that huge display? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: MCV, CVG

Mojang dangles first footage of Scrolls (don’t panic Bethesda – no-one is going to mistake this for Skyrim)

مرسلة بواسطة Unknown في 2:48 AM

With all that unfortunate business of Bethesda suing Minecraft makers Mojang settled quite a while ago, the indie developer has finally been able to release the first video - as well as an updated website – for its new project Scrolls. And we’re sure Bethesda will be pleased to see that it looks nothing like Skyrim. 

The first gameplay video shows off a brief glimpse into the mechanics of Scrolls. Namely, that it will be based around collectible cards, which will be used in gameplay that takes place on a hexagonal battlefield where you’ll be pitting your wits against other Scrolls players to earn more collectible cards, like Pokemon's trading card game, but with men in armour instead of monsters in balls. 

Going into further detail on the website, Mojang set out its intentions for the game, with an aim for “digital online gaming, auction houses, single player campaigns and an array of multiplayer gaming modes… to give the Collectable Card Game fans a never before seen online experience”.

According to the website, a closed alpha will be starting fairly soon and it also revealed the game will be following the same release pattern of Minecraft, so players will be able to buy the beta version at a reduced cost when Mojang decides to release it into their ravenous hands.

The site has a few screenshots and wallpapers on offer as well, which should give you some further scope for noticing the lack of similarities between Mojang’s Scrolls and Skyrim, just in case the card game angle didn’t tip you off already.

Source: Scrolls.com