Left 4 Dead DLC announcement soon!

All the controveresy surrounding the rather quick release announcement of Left 4 Dead 2 at E3 has left a lot of L4D fans reeling in frustration and anger. Why?  They believe it is far too soon to be releasing a sequel to Left 4 Dead (PC/X360 only) in just under a year between releases. However, Valve, the developers of the series have stated that they will be supporting the 1st Left 4 Dead as planned with more DLC coming soon in an announcement today. The Valve plan is for both games to run concurrently alongside each other which rarely happens in the Video game industry as people/consumers usally move onto the sequel. According to Valve:

 At a recent press event that took place in London earlier today, Lombardi told us, “We plan to keep supporting Left 4 Dead 1. There will be some announcements coming before summer’s out about what’s coming there, and then we haven’t shown everything that’s in Left 4 Dead 2 yet.” Lombardi added, “I think 8, 9 months from now once everything’s been out for a while and everyone’s had time to see the complete product of Left 4 Dead 2 and see continued support for Left 4 Dead 1, they may sort of see what we were up to and what the method of our madness was there.”

The upcoming DLC will be for both PC and Xbox 360, he confirmed. As for Left 4 Dead 2, you’ll be able to try before you buy with a pre-release demo. “With Left 4 Dead in particular we’ve found that word of mouth really is the strongest thing,” Lombardi told OXM. “With Left 4 Dead 2 we plan do a demo before the game comes out that’ll have multiplayer in it and hopefully we can continue the free weekends with the full game post-launch.”

So, there you have it from the horse’s mouth ( or dead horse!). more L4D1 DLC is coming and it’s free before the sequel, L4D2 very soon, both games will run concurrently with each other. This may in fact work, it may be a dead loss……..(sic)

You read right Sega is giving us iPhone and iPod Touch users a free game. So get to your app store now and download it!

Details from SEGA:

“In honor of July 4, SEGA is offering the spectacular puzzler Columns for free to all iPhone/iPod Touch owners. For the whole July 4th weekend, gamers can grab this gaming gem for free and enjoy addictive puzzle fun! Players return to ancient Phoenicia and behold the jeweled Columns as they strategically align falling gems across, down or diagonally - racing against the clock or taking on the computer for hours of challenging gameplay. Easy to pick up, difficult to master and fiendishly addicting, Columns features Timed, Challenge and Endless modes, as well as three levels of difficulty.”

Thanks SEGA

Okay get off your couch and grab your copy of Gears 2, mine needs a good dusting off. It’s Double XP weekend!

Details from Epic:

“Gears of War 2 celebrates the Fourth of July holiday with an explosive Double XP Weekend! Starting Friday, July 3, and running through the weekend, Gearheads can expect double XP in all game types, as well as bonus XP for those teams emerging victorious from battle. And if you’re in the mood for fireworks, be sure to check out the special all-Ticker rounds in every tenth wave of Horde!”

Anyone wanting to team up I’m available.

Feel like you’re ready to make some of your own Xbox 360 games? Kodu Game Lab is now available for 400 Microsoft Points ($5).

Features of Kodu, from Microsoft:

“Kodu” lets anyone from age 7 to 70 harness the power and fun of Xbox 360 to bring their own unique game creations to life. With a simple image-based creator menu and potentially millions of creation options, game development has never been as intuitive for kids and adults of all ages. Players’ imagination is the only limit they’ll face with “Kodu.”

Create a one-of-a-kind game with only an Xbox 360 controller from the comfort of the couch, including the following:

- A bridge and path builder.
- A terrain editor.
- Co-op gameplay and create modes.
- 20 “Kodu” characters with different abilities.
- Breakthrough visual user menu that requires no experience.
- Almost 200 behavioral building blocks with potentially millions of ways to create and combine new actions for characters

You can queue up the demo here on your 360

Sony patents method to emulate PS2 games on PS3 (Rumour)

Rumour has it that Sony are currently involved in a new patent to emulate PS2 games on the PS3. It is already possible to play your PS1 discs on the PS3, and as we all know, when the high overpriced 60GB model PS3 was first introduced on the market, it could play PS2 games. However, since then, Sony removed that feature and a few other features, a few USB ports et al taken out to cut the price of the current now 8oGB model (although they replaced it with a 40GB model initially). Confused? Yes!

Sony have it rumoured to have patented the emulation software as the PS3 contains the PS2 chip! Remember the bitchin Sony gave MS for 360 non Backwards compatibility forcing MS to make emulation software downloadable to play xbox 1 games on the 360? Well, now, Sony are coming back with a vengenance on the PS3 and backwards compatibility. Acccording to Kotaku:

A patent discovered by Siliconera, however, suggests that Sony might be re-thinking this stance. Filed in December 2008, it’s basically a patent for a method that would allow the PS3’s Cell chip to translate code from the PS2’s Emotion Engine. Not half-assed software emulation (which in previous PS3 models couldn’t run some games), full, total replication of the functionality of the Emotion Engine.

Which means, theoretically at least, you could play any PS2 game on any PS3, regardless of the model or year of release.

Whether this would allow you to play actual PS2 discs, or would just be the advance party for the sale of PS2 downloads on the PlayStation Store is unclear. We’d like the former, but with Sony being a business and all, would expect the latter.

Lets hope this move is due to Sony’s 10 year lifecycle theory of the PS2 ending next year and therefore dropping the PS2 form the market finally, and concentrating on the PS3 fully. It would make more sense as PS1 games aree already playable, and many PS2 games would be welcome to be played on the PS3 instead of digging out that PS2 to finish off that God Of War game or FFX game etc.

About Trine:

“In Trine™, players work together to create and use objects to solve challenging physics-based puzzles and defeat dangerous enemies. Set in a kingdom on the verge of chaos, a warrior, a wizard, and a thief are bound by a powerful artifact known as “the Trine”. Together, they must battle the forces of space, energy, and motion to put an end to the reign of the dark sorcerer that rules the kingdom.

Featuring three-player cooperative play, each character has specific talents to invent new solutions to puzzles and original ways to defeat enemies. The Wizard can use magic to create objects and new paths, the Thief can use her agility and accuracy to quickly deal with enemies, and the Warrior unleashes pure destruction everywhere he travels.”

Trine will be coming to PCs in summer 2009. A PlayStation Network (PS3) release is also planned.

Download the demo here

It’s coming up to the 7th of the 7th and that can only mean one thing in the world of Halo 3 - Bungie Day is on the way!

Bungie Day 2009 will take place on the 7th of July and will include community map playlists, 4 vs 4 playlists, the chance to beat the Bungie developers at literally their own game and to top it all off players have the chance to win Halo 3 recon armor to top off what promises to be a great event for Halo 3 fans.

There’s gonna be tons of community maps on display (your maps!), dozens of Bungie employees rocking flames and stomping mud-holes in your soon to be thoroughly stomped and mud-holed faces, and of course, ridonkulous amounts of Recon armor on offer. We’re (as the kids are wont to say) gonna make it rain.



Square Enix Sued for $5 million.

Some news that does put an extremely good games publisher in a good light. Square Enix are currently being sued by an ‘Esther Leong’, a San Farncisco Resident, according to Kotaku, claims that ’lied about or concealed its monthly fees, penalties for late payments, interest, restrictions and other things that should have been fully disclosed at points of purchase” — basically, Square Enix has been “deceptive”.

The court filing reads:

The deceptive advertising, unfair and undisclosed business practices, and concealment concern, among others:

i. Licensing of the online games software disguised as a sale;
ii. Monthly fees (”fees”) to play the online games;
iii. Penalties for late payment of the fees;
iv. Interest charges for late payment of the fees;
v. Charges while the online game account is suspended;
vi. Termination of the right to use the online games for late payment of the fees;
vii. User restrictions and conditions related to the online games;
viii. Termination of game data for payment of the fees.

honestly, I dont know whether this is true or not, having not played FFXI online or that Square Enix were being deceptive but it does appear odd that these regulations were not specified. We only tell from the outcome expecially if its someone aftedr cool million bucks!

Shawn Cenac has created a PSP theme for custom firmware 5.00M33.

Download: Blueslide CTF XMB Theme for 5.00M33

GTA: Chinatown Wars coming to PSP/PSPGO! and PSN!

GTA: Chinatown Wars was rated has the highest age rated game on the NDS and sold only 89,000 copies worldwide! maybe this shows that the DS is really just a family handheld console after all, as sales figures like that are pitiful for a GTA title on any platform. Take Two Interactive announced this morning that GTA: Chinatown Wars will be coming to PSP (2000/3000), PSP GO! and PSN Store! According to Kotaku and Take Two:

“We’re proud to extend this truly unique handheld Grand Theft Auto experience to PSP and offer a downloadable version of Chinatown Wars for PSPgo,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “Rockstar Leeds has shown incredible talent in creating games that raise the bar in terms of depth and innovation on portables, and with Chinatown Wars we have a rich, fast-paced, and incredibly addictive entry into the series.”

Of Course our old favourite mouthpiece from Sony - Jack Tretton states -

“Rockstar’s work with the GTA series has been an enormous part of the success of PlayStation platforms,” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America. “We’re excited to welcome the critically acclaimed Chinatown Wars to the outstanding line-up of great games headed to the PSP platform this fall.”

Besides a UMD release for PSP 2000/3000 and a digital download release for PSP GO! it will also be available for download on the PSN Store and playable on the PS3 (we hope!)

Pics Courtesy Kotaku: http://kotaku.com/5299516/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-wars-coming-to-psp

The world’s largest third-party video game publisher says it may stop supporting Sony’s consoles.

In an interview with The Times (London), Activision CEO Bobby Kotick expressed concern for the PlayStation 3 software sales and the cost of development:

The PlayStation 3 is losing a bit of momentum and they don’t make it easy for me to support the platform. It’s expensive to develop for the console, and the Wii and the Xbox are just selling better. Games generate a better return on invested capital on the Xbox than on the PlayStation. … If we are being realistic, we might have to stop supporting Sony.

While I would love a price cut on the PS3, I think this is a bit premature on Activision’s part. I mean we just had E3 and there are a slew of games coming out people are buying the PS3 just not at the rate Sony and game producers want. I say stick in there Activision and the rewards will come.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) has created the official God of War III website. Thereis plenty of screen shots and updates for those of you who are counting down the days.

Make sure to take a minute to sign up for the “God of War III Spartan Army” which grants you access to some exclusive content on the game. God of War III will be available on March 2010 for the Playstation 3.

Scarygirl is addictive, Scarygirl is fun. Scarygirl is a browser based webgame centred on the good old trusty formula of collecting items, jumping on hedgehogs and spin attacks. Sound familiar?

Scarygirl was washed up on a deserted island and she now lives in a tree house. She has an octopus tentacle with a hook on for one arm, which she uses for spin attacks and a bone for the other arm. She sports a pirate hat, eye patch and earrings and if you saw her in your neighbourhood, you may be a little scared yourself.

This girl doesn't shop in Dorothy Perkins

Scarygirls dreams are haunted by images of a mans face and she is trying to figure out why. Luckily she has wise friends, like Bunniguru and Blister, who can give her good advice and help her solve her dilemmas.

The game controls are pretty simple. Left, Right, Jump, Attack and Activate, for when you want to talk to a friend or help a squid.

If you register with the website then you can save your games and continue on to higher levels, but you can pause your current game by simply clicking outside the browser window. This is handy when you want to leave Scarygirls world and get back to your own for a while.

http://www.scarygirl.com/

If you fancy a break from high tech games then Scarygirl’s retro world is for you. I can fully recommend that you give it a try now. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Browser based games are very popular among consumers. They can run on laptops, PCs, netbooks and even mobile phones. Spy Battle is the latest browser based game I’ve found. I’ve tested the game on my laptop, phone and PSP and it runs well on all of the devices, meaning I can even play it when I’m out and about as it requires no download and is free to play.

The game starts you off as a level 1 spy based in London. You have no money, no experience and no points. Work your way up through the spy world by completing covert ops and performing the Smoke Bolt op. Both ops can earn you money, but are limited to how many you can do. Smoke bolt gives you 5 searches, which gives you 5 chances of retrieving money. Where as covert ops will get you money, though not as much but, will also give you experience points. You can keep track of how much money you’ve got, how much you’ve deposited into the bank, as well as general stats about yourself, such as life, stealth, experience points and level.

Certain tasks will use up some of your stats. Performing research requires energy, where as a covert op uses stealth points. The first covert op, “Timed Drop” uses 1 stealth point. Other covert ops can be opened up later in the game and in different areas. You can recharge your stealth, health and more by exchanging points for the options. To get points though, you need to buy them through Paypal, which are priced very reasonably. $4.50 will give you 30 days of being a special agent with extra benefits and bonus points. Alternatively, 350 points can be bought for $3. Points can also be exchanged for cash earned in the game. Other agents can put their points up for sale but, I found them to be highly priced and personally I will probably go for the points package, which I could then sell on to other agents but, perhaps at a more reasonable price for beginner agents.

A lot of the game, I’ve found so far, requires you to be of a higher level and have quite a bit of money. It’s recommended purchasing a lottery ticket in game as soon as you’ve earned enough money, which is $1000. The game can be played without purchasing the points but, it would be quicker to level up and advance with the use of points for recharging stealth, energy and health.

I’ve currently reached Level 3 on the game and I’ve amassed over $10,000. This was achieved by re-performing the covert op as many times as I can once the stats have replenished. I found a few minutes gave me back two of the stealth bars. While the stealth is out, research can be performed making your defense and weapon better which can assist with attacking other agents. Attacking other agents in the game can get you experience points and money for defeating them. The ability to pick pocket agents also becomes available at level 15. You can move around to other countries once you’ve achieved level 5 in the game and have enough money on hand to buy the ticket.

Overall, it’s one of the better RPG browser games I’ve played. It works better with purchasing points but, isn’t required to advance in the game. Spy Battle also works on both laptops and portable devices, with a dedicated mobile log in option. There also isn’t too much sitting around waiting for things to happen or be done, which means you could easily be on Spy Battle for hours at a time. I know I found myself on there for an hour the first time, as well as logging in while out to earn more money and experience.

There’s also a huge community to join in with, with one of the quotes of SpyBattle being “Players come for the game, stay for the community”. To keep the forums and shoutboxes in check and from being abused, players need to reach level 5 before being able to actively join in.

Maybe not the most tasteful topic for a PC web browser game, Swine Flu has started infecting the PC gaming community. Games are split between those where you try to infect as many people as possible and those where you try to stop the spread of infections. It is certainly not right to laugh at other peoples suffering, but as gamers, we do seem to enjoy games themed around bloody violence and human tradegy.

The game Sneeze was commissioned by the Wellcome Trust to educate the public on the dangers of spreading infections by sneezing. You have to move yourself to a position and then press the space bar to sneeze, the objective being to infect as many people as possible, to show how easy airborne viruses can be spread.

Swinefighter, on the other hand is a bash the mole rip off game, where you have to immunize a pigs head somewhere on the world map with a giant syringe.

The game Aporkalypse Now is a First Person Shooter, where you need to roam around and bash pigs with a frying pan. Maybe a First Person Panner is a more appropriate name, although you can pick up a gun and blast them too.

Finally Swine Flu:Hamdemic, where the aim of the game is to catapult the pigs out of Mexico and across the border into the US. This is hardly a game at all and is probably more of a political statement, although the images of the pig sailing through the air and bouncing are funny.

Bacon sandwich anyone?

Nintendo is releasing a unique DS Lite bundle in the UK. The Nintendo DS Lite Professor Layton and the Curious Village bundle will be available on June 19th for £119.99. The bundle includes a Black DS Lite system and Professor Layton and the Curious Village. The bundle may be to commemorate Professor Layton and the Curious Village for its BAFTA for “Best Handheld Game” or for Father’s Day.

We people across the pond will not be getting according to my sources, I do have a DS and I may have to dust it off now as it was deemed “Best Handheld Game”. Has anyone played it, is it really that good?

Apparently the folks at EA who created Dante’s Inferno held a fake protest over their own game and now the Christian’s are in a tizzy.

Inside Catholic says on its website, “It’s been clear for a while now that the entertainment industry views Christians on the whole as priggish, thin-skinned fun-killers,” further wondering if “anyone at EA even read the Inferno.”

Catholic Video Gamers fires an even more direct shot at EA’s Dante’s Inferno, saying, “Instead of engaging in a shamelessly anti-Christian stunt to promote your poor excuse of a product, maybe you ought to work on making this game, you know, something better than a blatant God of War rip-off.”

What do you think?

Oh yes there are screen shots and the game looks beautiful. I want it and I want it now. I haven’t played a Final Fantasy games since, well I can’t remember to be honest.

I hope you enjoy the shots as much as I do.

Final Fantasy VII was released on the Playstation Store last week for $9.99. As expected, the popular RPG is currently the most downloaded content on the digital store for both the PSP and the Playstation 3. Resident Evil: Director’s Cut is second on both storefronts as well.

Hopefully there will be more games released on the PSN, the fact that you don’t have backwards compatibility will probably make it possible for more releases and that this game is still popular after all these years.

The European Capcom website has announced that it will be bundling Monster Hunter Freedom Unite with the Mystic Silver PSP-3000. The main features of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite are:

• The biggest Monster Hunter title to date, with over 500 hours of gameplay
• Huge variety of character customizations, including 1500 weapons and 2000 armor sets
• Players can form a team of up to 4 players through wireless Ad-Hoc play and experience the multiplayer social gaming phenomenon
• “Media Install” option where players can save the game to a memory stick, allowing the game to load from the memory stick and UMD simultaneously for faster loading times
• AI “Felyne” companion who will accompany players on quests and gather extra resources. With the ‘felyne casting’ feature players can share their companions with other players, transferring data using the PSP’s sleep mode.
• Fans of the series can transfer their character data from Monster Hunter Freedom 2 to continue their adventures

Expect this beauty to be released on June 26th across most European territories and will come with a Monster Hunter PSP carry-pouch, screen wipe and Monster Hunter skin which fits right over the PSP, along with the copy of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.