Archive for May, 2008

Popularity: 1% [?]

May 31 2008

Ubisoft responds to lineup criticsm, dumps all over its good games

Posted by: in Wii News

An Ubisoft rep has responded to criticism that its Wii lineup contains nothing for “normal” gamers by essentially saying that nobody loves their best games, so screw it.

Looking at the current UK games sales for Wii Wii Sales Link, there are not that many traditional games in the top 30. Trends are changing and not everyone wants a new action game, FPS game or epic RPG, sales of the Wii proves that the majority want something different.

Parents who are buying a console for their children do not really care about Prince of Persia, Rainbow Six or Far Cry on the box, they want games that are going to be good for their kids and not get them in the local newspaper. Why else would games like Brain Training/Wii Fit/Mario Party sell in the millions if people wanted hardcore games?

… Ubisoft have always been aimed at the more mature market (Look at our back catalogue) and in the last few years have started venturing into the casual gaming market. This is because that market now exists, thanks to the rise in popularity of the Wii and DS.

This makes me angry, not so much because of “omg casual games are killing us,” but because Ubisoft is being very blinkered. I still think appealing so strongly to the casual market will bite some people in the end, because casual gamers don’t buy a lot of software. Sure, they go crazy for fads like Brain Training, but that doesn’t mean Dr. Ubisoft’s Brainy Adventure is going to sell just as well. Most people purchased the Wii because it had Wii Sports in the box, and most likely won’t need that many new games. If I recall correctly, the Xbox 360 sells a very high amount of software, because traditional gamers buy many games.

Saying that the casual market only “now” exists thanks to the Wii and DS is ludicrous. Casual gamers have been around since gaming first started, and they play more than “me-too” attempts at mass-marketed crap. Also, I didn’t realize only so-called “casual” games sold these days. I’ll pass the memo to Rockstar.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Popularity: 2% [?]

May 30 2008

Become immortalized in the background scenery of Fable 2

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

Don your Victorian regalia, our fanciful readers, and you may earn your place in the annals of gaming history by appearing in Lionhead’s much anticipated RPG, Fable 2. Just throw on that ratty old frock coat and strike your most Quixotic pose in front of a camera being operated by a tight-lipped, non-judgmental friend. Save the resulting ~~blackmail~~ image as a Ye Olde JPEG, send it in to Lionhead’s art department, and you could serve as a model for one of the many paintings strewn across the interiors of Albion’s exotic homes.

It’s a neat way to get your mug in what will no doubt be one of this year’s blockbuster titles — though you’ve only got until next Wednesday to submit your best Pimpernel-esque portrait. We trust you can carve out some time between the big quail hunt and the late night ether frolic to read the rules and regulations before you commit your extravagant visage to film.

Still need insipiration? Look no further than the above image of Joystiq’s own Justin McElroy. If there’s a man who better embodies the unflappable spirit of a colonial gentleman, we have yet to meet him.

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: 2% [?]

May 30 2008

Become immortalized in the background scenery of Fable 2

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, RPGs

Don your Victorian regalia, our fanciful readers, and you might earn your place in the annals of gaming history by appearing in Lionhead’s much anticipated RPG, Fable 2. Just throw on that ratty old frock coat and strike your most Quixotic pose in front of a camera being operated by a tight-lipped, non-judgmental friend. Save the resulting ~~blackmail~~ image as a Ye Olde JPEG, send it in to Lionhead’s art department, and you could serve as a model for one of the many paintings strewn across the interiors of Albion’s exotic homes.

It’s a neat way to get your mug in what will no doubt be one of this year’s blockbuster titles — though you’ve only got until next Wednesday to submit your ideal Pimpernel-esque portrait. We trust you can carve out some time between the massive quail hunt and the late night ether frolic to read the rules and regulations before you commit your extravagant visage to film.

Still need insipiration? Look no further than the above image of Joystiq’s own Justin McElroy. If there’s a man who superior embodies the unflappable spirit of a colonial gentleman, we have yet to meet him.

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: unranked [?]

Popularity: 3% [?]

May 30 2008

Fancy new Fracture site announces October release date

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

LucasArts has updated the official website for their terrain-deforming third-person shooter Fracture. Now featuring a wide array of videos and other content, the site also proudly claims an October release date for the anticipated title.

The website offers videos demonstrating the range of terrain-deforming weapons, convincing us even more that Fracture is the true spiritual successor to the classic Computer game Scorched Earth. LucasArts has also launched a community wiki for the game, presumably because the constantly changing landscape of the wiki echoes the constantly changing landscape of the– nevermind.

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: unranked [?]

Popularity: 2% [?]

May 30 2008

Fancy new Fracture site announces October release date

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Action

LucasArts has updated the official website for their terrain-deforming third-person shooter Fracture. Now featuring a wide array of videos and other content, the site also proudly claims an October release date for the anticipated title.

The website offers videos demonstrating the range of terrain-deforming weapons, convincing us even more that Fracture is the true spiritual successor to the classic PC game Scorched Earth. LucasArts has also launched a community wiki for the game, presumably because the constantly changing landscape of the wiki echoes the constantly changing landscape of the– nevermind.

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: 2% [?]

Continue reading Metareview — Quake Wars vs. Quake Wars

May 30 2008

Metareview — Quake Wars vs. Quake Wars

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Metareviews

“A Tale of Two (different) Ports” has reached its (anti-) climactic conclusion, as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this week. Development of the console ports was fractured between two different studios, and when we checked in on the games six weeks ago, Underground Development’s PS3 version was lagging behind — yet refused to be delayed. And so, broken and stuttering, the port pushed on, crossing the finish line (into the retail market) hand in hand with its Xbox 360 counterpart. A tie then? Clearly not:

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: 2% [?]

Continue reading Metareview — Quake Wars vs. Quake Wars

May 30 2008

Metareview — Quake Wars vs. Quake Wars

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Metareviews

“A Tale of Two (different) Ports” has reached its (anti-) climactic conclusion, as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this week. Development of the console ports was fractured between two different studios, and when we checked in on the games six weeks ago, Underground Development’s PS3 version was lagging behind — yet refused to be delayed. And so, broken and stuttering, the port pushed on, crossing the finish line (into the retail market) hand in hand with its Xbox 360 counterpart. A tie then? Clearly not:

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: 2% [?]

May 30 2008

Fei Long, Dan join Street Fighter IV home roster

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Fighting

Following this morning’s news that the recently announced home versions of Street Fighter IV would come packing the extra punch of online play and an expanded cast, a new report confirms two familiar fighters who will be added to the game’s hurricane kick beyond the arcade.

According to IGN, Japanese publication Famitsu Xbox released concept art illustrating Bruce Lee-inspired Fei Long and Alpha vet Dan Hibiki, adding that both fighters will be home version exclusives. While Fei Long certainly makes sense, the laughably weak Dan has always served more as comic relief, though we look forward to the hilariously drawn out Dan vs. Dan online throw downs to come when the game is eventually released.

SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

Popularity: 2% [?]

May 30 2008

Fei Long, Dan join Street Fighter IV home roster

Posted by: in Xbox360

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Fighting

Following this morning’s news that the recently announced home versions of Street Fighter IV would come packing the extra punch of online play and an expanded cast, a new report confirms two familiar fighters who will be added to the game’s hurricane kick beyond the arcade.

According to IGN, Japanese publication Famitsu Xbox released concept art illustrating Bruce Lee-inspired Fei Long and Alpha vet Dan Hibiki, adding that both fighters will be home version exclusives. While Fei Long certainly makes sense, the laughably weak Dan has always served more as comic relief, though we look forward to the hilariously drawn out Dan vs. Dan online throw downs to come when the game is eventually released.