June 29, 2011
Uncharted 3 Beta Code Giveaway
So I've got two Uncharted 3 Beta keys to give away! It's a Twitter contest, and I'll give away one this morning and one in the afternoon. Simply follow @VeteranGamer on Twitter and direct message the answer to the question before anyone else to win. The first question is already up. Good luck!
June 7, 2011
Project Cafe Becomes Wii U.
It was shown in a few unique ways that certainly gives developers some things to think about. It's main thrust was that in much the same way the DS line of handhelds allowed you to have one thing on the main screen and another on the lower screen, this allowed you to do the same. From using an interesting AR technique in pointing the flat side toward the screen and using the rear camera to display a piece of the big screen on the controller, to actually laying the controller on the floor to show your lie for a golf shot and swinging with the Wii Remote. Another big feature showcased was the ability to play the game on either the big screen or the controller itself via the system's streaming capability. The first shot in the demo reel showed a kid stopping his game so his dad could watch a baseball game while he picked the controller back up and played some Mario. There was a lot to digest in the conference that I'm sure someone would find interesting that I missed, but I hope I hit the high points.
The big thing that Nintendo fans get to take away is the myriad of hardcore titles announced for the system. Darksiders II, Tekken, Batman Arkham City, Metro Last Light, Ninja Gaiden 3, Assassin's Creed Revelations, and more were announced to be in development for the console. In addition, John Riccitello, CEO of Electronic Arts took the stage and pondered what it would be like to play Madden, Battlefield 3, and many other EA games on the console and confirmed EA's support of it. It appears that Nintendo finally has the third party support it has lacked since the Super Nintendo days.
For all the positive things and all the announcements made, many question still linger. What does the console actually look like? How much storage will it have? How will it connect to the Internet? How will you link up with friends? Surely all of this couldn't be mentioned today, but at least some things related to the console itself could have been announced. In true Nintendo secretive fashion, I suppose we'll have to wait for another day to learn about the console.
Nintendo E3 Press Conference Liveblog
Alright Nintendo, Microsoft didn't have a lot, and Sony laid down the gauntlet. Suck me in like you always do with a new console!
12:06pm - Starting off with a Zelda montage with music played by a live orchestra...
12:10pm - The trailer was for Zelda 25th Anniversary. Shigeru Miyamoto comes to the stage.
12:12pm - Having the orchestra play some of the classic music cues from Zelda games... received item, found secret, and fairy's fountain.
12:15pm - Launching a game for each of their hardware platforms for the 25th anniversary. First to be released is Link's Awakening from the Gameboy Color Virtual Console on the 3DS. This will be followed by the Ocarina of Time remake next week.
12:16pm - On DSi, the Legend of Zelda - The Four Swords, will be a free download for DSi owners. Lastly, Skyward Sword will be launched for Wii this holiday season.
12:18pm - There will be a Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony concert held in each region around the world. Specific dates will follow at a later time. In addition, two music CDs will be released. The Ocarina of Time 3D soundtrack will be released to those that are the first to register their copy of the game with Club Nintendo. Also, the other CD will be recordings from the symphony events to be released alongside Skyward Sword.
12:20pm - Miyamoto introduces some key team members that have worked on Zelda over the years.
12:22pm - Satoru Iwata now takes the stage.
12:24pm - Paraphrasing: We intend to create a platform for casual and hardcore gamers.
12:25pm - And he's a big tease and says the details will be coming later in the presentation.
12:26pm - Confirms that new console will be for next year, but introduces games coming this year in a following trailer.
12:27pm - The Regginator is on stage!
12:28pm - "We hear you. You want what you've always wanted, but you also want something new."
12:29pm - Announcing new titles coming for 3DS. First up, Mariokart for 3DS. Looks a lot like Mariokart.
12:30pm - Kart customization looks to make a real appearance for the first time. It will be ready this holiday season.
12:31pm - Number two is Starfox for 3DS, but, pretty sure that was already announced. New feature is with group play, the pictures instead of the pics of Slippy and company, it will be video of your opponent. Releases in September.
12:32pm - Super Mario 3D up next. Think Super Mario 64 meets Super Mario Bros. 3 and you've got a pretty good description of what this game is. Released before the year is out.
12:34pm - Kid Icarus Uprising shows now.
12:35pm - Unlike the previous 2D side-scroller, this appears to be a 3rd person shooter/brawler with a multiplayer mode. There also looks to be an AR game teased at the very end as well. No details on this, and it will be released "later this year".
12:37pm - Lastly, Luigi's Mansion 2 is being shown. Much like the first despite Reggie's claims, just on the 3DS.
12:39pm - Sizzle reel of third party games shown. Both previously announced Resident Evil games, Mario and Sonic at the London Olympic Games, Ace Combat 3D, Tetris Online, Cave Story 3D, Driver Renegade, Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions, Tekken 3D, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D.
12:42pm - Recapping eShop now. Going through the Pokemon Pokedex 3D. To fill it out, you'll need to trade with friends, find special AR markers and cards, and other ways. A free download for all 3DS users after picking up the eShop firmware update.
12:45pm - Project Cafe is dubbed "Wii U"
12:48pm - Trailer shows. Showing features allowing you to stream your game to the controller while someone else watches TV.
12:49pm - Controller contains a front and rear camera, and does contain the touch screen as rumored. The thing looks HUGE in the demo hands. Iwata back on stage.
12:58pm - Smash Brothers announced for 3DS and Wii U and they can interact. No timeline given.
12:59pm - Reggie back on stage to show a trailer for Wii U games/concepts.
1:00pm - New play mechanic using the rear camera. The Wii U can display a piece of the big screen on it's own screen.
1:02pm - First announced title for Wii U is "Lego City Stories". Will be released for 3DS as well.
1:04pm - Developer video on screen showing many developers commenting on the new system.
1:05pm - Darksiders II (launch title), Tekken, Batman Arkham City, Assassin's Creed, and Ghost Recon Online announced for the Wii U.
1:06pm - Darksiders II trailer running on Wii U now showing.
1:07pm - Dirt, Aliens Colonial Marines, Metro Last Light, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge now show on the sizzle real along with some of the previously announced titles.
1:10pm - EA CEO John Riccitello joins Reggie and Iwata on stage. Announces EA games will be coming to Wii U.
1:11pm - Specifically mentions or screen behind him shows Madden, Battlefield 3, FIFA, Need for Speed, Harry Potter, and the Sims.
1:15pm - Reggie back to the stage to close the show. Another look at the new Wii U controller in a woman's hand... SHEESH that thing is HUGE!
1:15pm - Conference ends.
12:06pm - Starting off with a Zelda montage with music played by a live orchestra...
12:10pm - The trailer was for Zelda 25th Anniversary. Shigeru Miyamoto comes to the stage.
12:12pm - Having the orchestra play some of the classic music cues from Zelda games... received item, found secret, and fairy's fountain.
12:15pm - Launching a game for each of their hardware platforms for the 25th anniversary. First to be released is Link's Awakening from the Gameboy Color Virtual Console on the 3DS. This will be followed by the Ocarina of Time remake next week.
12:16pm - On DSi, the Legend of Zelda - The Four Swords, will be a free download for DSi owners. Lastly, Skyward Sword will be launched for Wii this holiday season.
12:18pm - There will be a Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony concert held in each region around the world. Specific dates will follow at a later time. In addition, two music CDs will be released. The Ocarina of Time 3D soundtrack will be released to those that are the first to register their copy of the game with Club Nintendo. Also, the other CD will be recordings from the symphony events to be released alongside Skyward Sword.
12:20pm - Miyamoto introduces some key team members that have worked on Zelda over the years.
12:22pm - Satoru Iwata now takes the stage.
12:24pm - Paraphrasing: We intend to create a platform for casual and hardcore gamers.
12:25pm - And he's a big tease and says the details will be coming later in the presentation.
12:26pm - Confirms that new console will be for next year, but introduces games coming this year in a following trailer.
12:27pm - The Regginator is on stage!
12:28pm - "We hear you. You want what you've always wanted, but you also want something new."
12:29pm - Announcing new titles coming for 3DS. First up, Mariokart for 3DS. Looks a lot like Mariokart.
12:30pm - Kart customization looks to make a real appearance for the first time. It will be ready this holiday season.
12:31pm - Number two is Starfox for 3DS, but, pretty sure that was already announced. New feature is with group play, the pictures instead of the pics of Slippy and company, it will be video of your opponent. Releases in September.
12:32pm - Super Mario 3D up next. Think Super Mario 64 meets Super Mario Bros. 3 and you've got a pretty good description of what this game is. Released before the year is out.
12:34pm - Kid Icarus Uprising shows now.
12:35pm - Unlike the previous 2D side-scroller, this appears to be a 3rd person shooter/brawler with a multiplayer mode. There also looks to be an AR game teased at the very end as well. No details on this, and it will be released "later this year".
12:37pm - Lastly, Luigi's Mansion 2 is being shown. Much like the first despite Reggie's claims, just on the 3DS.
12:39pm - Sizzle reel of third party games shown. Both previously announced Resident Evil games, Mario and Sonic at the London Olympic Games, Ace Combat 3D, Tetris Online, Cave Story 3D, Driver Renegade, Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions, Tekken 3D, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D.
12:42pm - Recapping eShop now. Going through the Pokemon Pokedex 3D. To fill it out, you'll need to trade with friends, find special AR markers and cards, and other ways. A free download for all 3DS users after picking up the eShop firmware update.
12:45pm - Project Cafe is dubbed "Wii U"
12:48pm - Trailer shows. Showing features allowing you to stream your game to the controller while someone else watches TV.
12:49pm - Controller contains a front and rear camera, and does contain the touch screen as rumored. The thing looks HUGE in the demo hands. Iwata back on stage.
12:58pm - Smash Brothers announced for 3DS and Wii U and they can interact. No timeline given.
12:59pm - Reggie back on stage to show a trailer for Wii U games/concepts.
1:00pm - New play mechanic using the rear camera. The Wii U can display a piece of the big screen on it's own screen.
1:02pm - First announced title for Wii U is "Lego City Stories". Will be released for 3DS as well.
1:04pm - Developer video on screen showing many developers commenting on the new system.
1:05pm - Darksiders II (launch title), Tekken, Batman Arkham City, Assassin's Creed, and Ghost Recon Online announced for the Wii U.
1:06pm - Darksiders II trailer running on Wii U now showing.
1:07pm - Dirt, Aliens Colonial Marines, Metro Last Light, and Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge now show on the sizzle real along with some of the previously announced titles.
1:10pm - EA CEO John Riccitello joins Reggie and Iwata on stage. Announces EA games will be coming to Wii U.
1:11pm - Specifically mentions or screen behind him shows Madden, Battlefield 3, FIFA, Need for Speed, Harry Potter, and the Sims.
1:15pm - Reggie back to the stage to close the show. Another look at the new Wii U controller in a woman's hand... SHEESH that thing is HUGE!
1:15pm - Conference ends.
June 6, 2011
Editorial: Time For a Mea Culpa
Much like Irrational's Ken Levine on stage tonight, I have to eat some of my own words. In the wake of the PSN outage, I was an angry, angry PlayStation customer. My identity was put at risk, I was lied to, and for a while completely ignored. Then the truth came out, and Sony offered it's apology in the form of their Welcome Back program. While I still maintain that this program was self serving PR, the complete shocker to even myself is how they actually got my attention again. Not by the continued apologies, not by the Welcome Back program, but with this:
Yes friends, the NGP was revealed tonight as the PlayStation Vita. I'm calling it the PSV, because it's nice and short, and still sounds like "PSP". Astoundingly, it was announced as arriving this holiday season, and at the unbelievably reasonable price of $249 for the Wi-Fi model, and $299 for the AT&T 3G equipped model. In addition, some rather cool games were demoed, and to sum things up nicely, my jaw is on the floor overall.
In my original editorial on the Welcome Back program, I stated that you've got to vote with your dollars when dealing with companies in America. In that case, I was extremely dissatisfied, and prepared to take my dollars elsewhere. On the flip side, you've also got to support what you want to keep around as well. It's in that spirit that I admit that I've got to back track on my original stance. Despite Sony's complete incompetence at handling the PSN situation, they've turned around and done something very, very right here. If anything can unseat Nintendo as the king of dedicated portable gaming, this is the piece of hardware that will do it. Priced at the same point, and with a wider array of features that will work for every gamer, the PSV has the potential to breathe life back into the dedicated portable gaming market that iOS devices had put on life support.
It's hard to admit that you may have been a bit rash in your decision making, but I'll gladly eat my words in this case. This is a step in the right direction for portable gaming, and in my opinion will be the definitive platform for dedicated portable gaming for years to come.
In my original editorial on the Welcome Back program, I stated that you've got to vote with your dollars when dealing with companies in America. In that case, I was extremely dissatisfied, and prepared to take my dollars elsewhere. On the flip side, you've also got to support what you want to keep around as well. It's in that spirit that I admit that I've got to back track on my original stance. Despite Sony's complete incompetence at handling the PSN situation, they've turned around and done something very, very right here. If anything can unseat Nintendo as the king of dedicated portable gaming, this is the piece of hardware that will do it. Priced at the same point, and with a wider array of features that will work for every gamer, the PSV has the potential to breathe life back into the dedicated portable gaming market that iOS devices had put on life support.
It's hard to admit that you may have been a bit rash in your decision making, but I'll gladly eat my words in this case. This is a step in the right direction for portable gaming, and in my opinion will be the definitive platform for dedicated portable gaming for years to come.
NGP Officially Named the PlayStation Vita, Priced at $249 and Coming This Holiday Season
Sony E3 Press Conference Liveblog
We're live with Sony in a few minutes here! I'm going to do my best, as I'll have a cantankerous child to put to bed during the conference, so there may be some misses and lag. Hopefully he's an angel... Anyhow, again, check the live video at IGN or at the PlayStation Blog.
8:00pm - Conference should have started... hopefully hackers haven't hacked Sony's clock...
8:07pm - And we're finally live! Christina Lee of Pulse fame, and Jeff Rubenstein of the Playstation Blog are kicking off the pre-show.
8:13pm - And Rey Gutierrez is unceremoniously cut to get to the real show...
8:15pm - ...which still has yet to start.
8:16pm - And now we're live...
8:18pm - Sizzle reel still playing... saw some unrecognized God of War footage in there along with many of the new games we're expecting. New God of War?
8:19pm - Of course, some Mortal Kombat in there too, so maybe not so much.
8:20pm - Jack Tretton is taking the stage!
8:21pm - Immediately addressing PSN outage.
8:31pm - Back from taking care of the kid, and it looks like we've got Uncharted 3!
8:34pm - We're in a ship that is slowly sinking, and we've got some great level morphing on the fly.
8:36pm - Great trailer, and releasing 11-1-11, in 3D as well as 2D.
8:37pm - Resistance 3 takes the stage.
8:43pm - God of War Origins (remastered PSP games) and Ico/Shadow of the Colossus collection are announced as being released in 3D.
8:45pm - Announcing the PS3 ability to use the 3D to display different screens to different players. Releasing bundle with a set of glasses, HDMI cable, Resistance 3, and HD screen for $499.
8:47pm - NBA 2K12 up next.
8:48pm - NBA "on the Move" announced, allows you to use the Move controller for a kind of weird casual experience. Calls Kobe Bryant to the stage to demo?!?
8:50pm - Kobe talking a LOT of junk for a guy that got unceremoniously swept out of the playoffs :-)
8:52pm - New title introduced from the developers that made Sports Champions. "Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest" is being demoed in 3D.
8:55pm - You can clearly see the sword/shield, throwing stars, and bow and arrow mechanics were pretty much lifted wholesale from the Gladiator, Disc Golf, and Archery events of Sports Champions.
8:56pm - As usual, it appears that this 100% motion game is on rails.
8:58pm - Now it's time for Infamous 2, releasing tomorrow.
9:00pm - Announcing the ability to create User Generated Content with Move on Infamous 2 in the Fall. In addition, LittleBigPlanet 2 will be getting Move support as well.
9:01pm - Starhawk trailer now hits the screen.
9:04pm - Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time trailer now on screen.
9:06pm - Eve Online CEO on stage...
9:07pm - "Dust 514" will be an online persistent shooter that interfaces with the Eve Online PC MMO. This can be played on PS3 or NGP!
9:09pm - Trailer completes, which was pretty cool, and a closed beta will start late this year with release early next year.
9:10pm - Enter Bioshock Infinite!
9:11pm - About a minute of gameplay is shown, and Ken Levine takes the stage.
9:12pm - Levine is talking about him making a comment about Move not being the greatest thing in the world and being contacted by Sony.
9:13pm - Bioshock Infinite will support the Move..
9:14pm - Levine pulls an NGP from his pocket and mentions that Irrational has a Bioshock project brewing for it.
9:15pm - Infinite will come with the original Bioshock on the disc.
9:18pm - EA has three exclusive offers. SSX Mt. Fuji map will only be on PS3. Need For Speed: The Run will contain seven additional supercars only on PS3. Lastly, Battlefield 3. The PS3 version will include Battlefield 1943 on the disc. (I can hear Greg Miller now... Old game is old!)
9:20pm - Kazuo Hirai is now on stage... NGP time I bet!
9:21pm - "They learned a lot during the recent PSN outage."
9:22pm - Talking about PlayStation Suite first, recapping info already released, and not giving any more either.
9:24pm - Official name of the NGP is Playstation Vita (vee-ta).
9:26pm - The PS Vita will have Wi-Fi only and 3G models. The 3G model is locked to the AT&T network. The groan from the audience was noticeable.
9:29pm - Live demo of Uncharted: Golden Abyss now on display.
9:32pm - Uncharted is showing that you can use multiple ways of controller input to accomplish the same thing. Don't like the fancy new touch controls? Fine, keep using the traditional stick controls. Looks like they're wise to the fact that not everyone will want to use the touch option.
9:34pm - Looks very smooth... controls incredibly well, and is everything you'd look for in an Uncharted game.
9:35pm - Now on to "Ruin", which appears to be a third person hack and slash RPG for the PS Vita.
9:37pm - Ruin will also have a PS3 SKU, and the save from either will be sent to the cloud and can be picked up on the other platform where you left off.
9:40pm - ModNation Racers introduced for PS Vita. Built specifically for the Vita, it is not compatible with either the existing PS3 or PSP versions.
9:43pm - Vita users will have access to all of the user content created for the PS3 version of ModNation Racers from day 1 of release.
9:45pm - LittleBigPlanet announced for PS Vita.
9:48pm - Street Fighter x Tekken announced for PS Vita, trailer follows.
9:50pm - Cole from Infamous will be joining the roster!
9:52pm - Sizzle reel for the many PS Vita games currently in development.
9:56pm - Vita will be released in time for this year's holiday season. The Wifi model will be $249, and the 3G model will be $299. GREAT pricing!
9:58pm - Jack Tretton returns to the stage. Kaz mocked Jack's tie when he came out, Jack now cracks back about the Ridge Racer line from years back!
10:00pm - End of conference.
8:00pm - Conference should have started... hopefully hackers haven't hacked Sony's clock...
8:07pm - And we're finally live! Christina Lee of Pulse fame, and Jeff Rubenstein of the Playstation Blog are kicking off the pre-show.
8:13pm - And Rey Gutierrez is unceremoniously cut to get to the real show...
8:15pm - ...which still has yet to start.
8:16pm - And now we're live...
8:18pm - Sizzle reel still playing... saw some unrecognized God of War footage in there along with many of the new games we're expecting. New God of War?
8:19pm - Of course, some Mortal Kombat in there too, so maybe not so much.
8:20pm - Jack Tretton is taking the stage!
8:21pm - Immediately addressing PSN outage.
8:31pm - Back from taking care of the kid, and it looks like we've got Uncharted 3!
8:34pm - We're in a ship that is slowly sinking, and we've got some great level morphing on the fly.
8:36pm - Great trailer, and releasing 11-1-11, in 3D as well as 2D.
8:37pm - Resistance 3 takes the stage.
8:43pm - God of War Origins (remastered PSP games) and Ico/Shadow of the Colossus collection are announced as being released in 3D.
8:45pm - Announcing the PS3 ability to use the 3D to display different screens to different players. Releasing bundle with a set of glasses, HDMI cable, Resistance 3, and HD screen for $499.
8:47pm - NBA 2K12 up next.
8:48pm - NBA "on the Move" announced, allows you to use the Move controller for a kind of weird casual experience. Calls Kobe Bryant to the stage to demo?!?
8:50pm - Kobe talking a LOT of junk for a guy that got unceremoniously swept out of the playoffs :-)
8:52pm - New title introduced from the developers that made Sports Champions. "Medieval Moves: Deadmund's Quest" is being demoed in 3D.
8:55pm - You can clearly see the sword/shield, throwing stars, and bow and arrow mechanics were pretty much lifted wholesale from the Gladiator, Disc Golf, and Archery events of Sports Champions.
8:56pm - As usual, it appears that this 100% motion game is on rails.
8:58pm - Now it's time for Infamous 2, releasing tomorrow.
9:00pm - Announcing the ability to create User Generated Content with Move on Infamous 2 in the Fall. In addition, LittleBigPlanet 2 will be getting Move support as well.
9:01pm - Starhawk trailer now hits the screen.
9:04pm - Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time trailer now on screen.
9:06pm - Eve Online CEO on stage...
9:07pm - "Dust 514" will be an online persistent shooter that interfaces with the Eve Online PC MMO. This can be played on PS3 or NGP!
9:09pm - Trailer completes, which was pretty cool, and a closed beta will start late this year with release early next year.
9:10pm - Enter Bioshock Infinite!
9:11pm - About a minute of gameplay is shown, and Ken Levine takes the stage.
9:12pm - Levine is talking about him making a comment about Move not being the greatest thing in the world and being contacted by Sony.
9:13pm - Bioshock Infinite will support the Move..
9:14pm - Levine pulls an NGP from his pocket and mentions that Irrational has a Bioshock project brewing for it.
9:15pm - Infinite will come with the original Bioshock on the disc.
9:18pm - EA has three exclusive offers. SSX Mt. Fuji map will only be on PS3. Need For Speed: The Run will contain seven additional supercars only on PS3. Lastly, Battlefield 3. The PS3 version will include Battlefield 1943 on the disc. (I can hear Greg Miller now... Old game is old!)
9:20pm - Kazuo Hirai is now on stage... NGP time I bet!
9:21pm - "They learned a lot during the recent PSN outage."
9:22pm - Talking about PlayStation Suite first, recapping info already released, and not giving any more either.
9:24pm - Official name of the NGP is Playstation Vita (vee-ta).
9:26pm - The PS Vita will have Wi-Fi only and 3G models. The 3G model is locked to the AT&T network. The groan from the audience was noticeable.
9:29pm - Live demo of Uncharted: Golden Abyss now on display.
9:32pm - Uncharted is showing that you can use multiple ways of controller input to accomplish the same thing. Don't like the fancy new touch controls? Fine, keep using the traditional stick controls. Looks like they're wise to the fact that not everyone will want to use the touch option.
9:34pm - Looks very smooth... controls incredibly well, and is everything you'd look for in an Uncharted game.
9:35pm - Now on to "Ruin", which appears to be a third person hack and slash RPG for the PS Vita.
9:37pm - Ruin will also have a PS3 SKU, and the save from either will be sent to the cloud and can be picked up on the other platform where you left off.
9:40pm - ModNation Racers introduced for PS Vita. Built specifically for the Vita, it is not compatible with either the existing PS3 or PSP versions.
9:43pm - Vita users will have access to all of the user content created for the PS3 version of ModNation Racers from day 1 of release.
9:45pm - LittleBigPlanet announced for PS Vita.
9:48pm - Street Fighter x Tekken announced for PS Vita, trailer follows.
9:50pm - Cole from Infamous will be joining the roster!
9:52pm - Sizzle reel for the many PS Vita games currently in development.
9:56pm - Vita will be released in time for this year's holiday season. The Wifi model will be $249, and the 3G model will be $299. GREAT pricing!
9:58pm - Jack Tretton returns to the stage. Kaz mocked Jack's tie when he came out, Jack now cracks back about the Ridge Racer line from years back!
10:00pm - End of conference.
Microsoft E3 Press Conference Liveblog
For those of you that can, you should certainly tune into the live feeds that are being provided by Microsoft or IGN. However, if you can't, or you want my version of what's happening on those feeds, then stick around and I'll spin you a yarn. Keep it locked here and I'll get you live updates of what's happening! I'll also note if any of my predictions are confirmed or debunked as well. I'll be hopefully able to do this for Sony and Nintendo too, but the timing of those conferences gets a bit dicey for me.
12:25pm - Microsoft stream is live, and we have a view of the main very green stage (SHOCKER!) with the video screens rotating Kinect, avatar, and 360 (S) media.
12:30pm - Conference kicks off with Modern Warfare 3 Trailer!
12:31pm - Check that, this is LIVE gameplay, and the demo player's controller died in the middle. Great start :-)
12:33pm - We're seeing a level beginning with the player using a powered submersible. Liking my chances of my MW3 map exclusive announcement.
12:35pm - Player plants explosives on a gigantic sub shown just outside of a devastated New York City.
12:37pm - Player is racking up some dudes on the sub, we see another of the slow mo sequences introduced in MW2.
12:40pm - Chase scene on a small raft filled with explosions. Michael Bay is tearing up with pride somewhere.
12:41pm - Demo ends getting a great view of a destroyed NYC and Robert Bowling and Glenn from Sledgehammer games take the stage and pat themselves on the back. Well, Glenn does anyhow... Bowling doesn't say a word.
12:43pm - Don Mattrick is now on stage for Microsoft.
12:44pm - Mattrick leaves, and Crystal Dynamics is now on stage with the Tomb Raider reboot. Again, live demo time!
12:46pm - We're treated to Lara hanging upside down in basically a straight jacket needing to escape a predicament. Followed by some walking and (shudder) a couple of quicktime events.
12:47pm - So far, this is a really underwhelming demo for a game I was really looking forward to.
12:50pm - Tomb Raider demo is at a merciful end, and Peter Moore takes the stage for EA.
12;51pm - Madden, Tiger, FIFA getting Kinect support.
12:52pm - Sims and Hasbro Family game night also getting Kinect support. Bioware takes the stage. It's Mass Effect 3 time!!!
12:53pm - Confirmed that Mass Effect 3 supports Kinect, specifically voice recognition. LIVE demo time!
12:54pm - HOLY BALLS! You can make your responses by just speaking them! Talk about role playing!!!!
12:55pm - Of course, you can also speak commands to your squad mates, getting them to move to formation or use powers.
12:57pm - Ghost Recon Future Soldier time. Yves Guillemot takes the stage.
12:59pm - Showing off Kinect support. Very cool weapon customization demo.
1:01pm - Ugh... looks to be Kinect ONLY title, Mass Effect shows how to use Kinect for hardcore, this game shows how not to.
1:02pm - Guillemot announces all future Tom Clancy games will "leverage Kinect". Xbox Live's Mark Whitten now takes the stage.
1:04pm - Microsoft is demoing a new Xbox Experience centered around Kinect. Not really a surprise given the disjointed nature of the current Kinect Hub.
1:05pm - YouTube announced for Xbox Live. Way to make it into the 20th century guys!
1:06pm - Bing now on Xbox, with ability to speak searches for providers that the 360 supports. This is a very good way to actually find things in the Xbox Live Marketplace, as well as the Zune Marketplace if that's your bag.
1:07pm - Live TV coming to 360.
1:08pm - Fall dashboard update will contain the "New New Xbox Experience".
1:09pm - Dana White from UFC now on stage. UFC live events coming to 360 with interactive elements! Big sports win for the 360.
1:11pm - Phil Spencer from Microsoft now on stage.
1:12pm - Here come the 360 exclusives. Kicking of with Gears 3.
1:13pm - Cliff Bleszinski is on stage! No lancer this time though...
1:14pm - Cliffy calls Ice-T to the stage to play a live demo with him.
1:15pm - Fighting a gigantic pissed off sea creature. Reminiscent of the Resistance 2 demo Sony gave a while back.
1:18pm -Crytek logo appears.
1:19pm - Kinect game from Crytek incoming. "Ryse" a first person fighter based on ancient Rome.
1:20pm - Halo music comes up.
1:21pm - As expected, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary announced. Dated for November 15th, 2011.
1:22pm - Turn 10 and Forza 4 are up next.
1:23pm - Appears to have Top Gear sponsorship from a logo in the clip. Coming October 11th.
1:25pm - Peter Molyneux takes the stage, logo for "Fable: The Journey" is behind him.
1:26pm - The age of Heroes has ended according to the trailer. We get our best look at Theresa yet. But her face is still mostly covered. Now onto a live demo where the player is controlling a horse carriage. Completely Kinect controlled. This section is an on-rails shooter.
1:28pm - Color me unimpressed if this is the direction Fable is going. Phil Spencer is back on stage.
1:29pm - Minecraft is announced for 360 with Kinect support. Coming "This Winter".
1:30pm - Kinect Disneyland adventures is coming. A virtual Disney park.
1:32pm - Wow... this demo may be worse than "Skittles". "Fist bump!"
1:33pm - Kinect Star Wars is up!
1:37pm - Showing the drawbacks of a Kinect only game now, this is pretty much pure on rails (not a) shooter.
1:38pm - Tim Schafer from Double Fine on stage with Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster.
1:40pm - Live demo with a "Father and Son". Child looks pretty young, somewhat impressive Kinect appears to be recognizing him without much problem. This is a perfect Kinect kids game. One I may have fun with my son with in the near future.
1:42pm - Due out "this fall".
1:43pm - Kudo Tsunoda, Kinect Director is on stage.
1:44pm - Kinect Fun Labs is announced. New addition to the dash available to all Live (assuming this means free members too) subscribers. Basically these are the types of experiments that turn into games, and you get to see them early.
1:45pm - First thing showed is "Kinect Me" and shows Kinect creating an avatar from what you're currently wearing and your look. It was VERY good in the example.
1:46pm - Finger tracking is now demoed. Nifty demo, but all flash and no substance really. Looking forward to seeing how this eventually gets used.
1:47pm - Object capture up next. Shows a pillow looking thing being captured and brought into the game. Reminds me a bit of the Milo demo where he could read the paper.
1:49pm - Fun Labs is live TODAY. Cut to trailer for Kinect Sports Season Two.
1:50pm - Sports contained include Tennis, Football, Golf, Skiing. Demoing Golf and Football. Kinect Sports now includes voice commands.
1:54pm - Harmonix is now on stage with Dance Central 2. New voice controls and a campaign. In addition, all previous Dance Central songs can be imported into the game. Now demoing simultaneous multiplayer dancing.
1:56pm - Back to Don Mattrick. Recap time.
1:58pm - Announces a "New Trilogy" for Xbox 360. Cue trailer... Master Chief is back in Halo 4. Dated "Holiday 2012". Yup, couldn't let that cash cow die!
2:00pm - End of conference.
12:25pm - Microsoft stream is live, and we have a view of the main very green stage (SHOCKER!) with the video screens rotating Kinect, avatar, and 360 (S) media.
12:30pm - Conference kicks off with Modern Warfare 3 Trailer!
12:31pm - Check that, this is LIVE gameplay, and the demo player's controller died in the middle. Great start :-)
12:33pm - We're seeing a level beginning with the player using a powered submersible. Liking my chances of my MW3 map exclusive announcement.
12:35pm - Player plants explosives on a gigantic sub shown just outside of a devastated New York City.
12:37pm - Player is racking up some dudes on the sub, we see another of the slow mo sequences introduced in MW2.
12:40pm - Chase scene on a small raft filled with explosions. Michael Bay is tearing up with pride somewhere.
12:41pm - Demo ends getting a great view of a destroyed NYC and Robert Bowling and Glenn from Sledgehammer games take the stage and pat themselves on the back. Well, Glenn does anyhow... Bowling doesn't say a word.
12:43pm - Don Mattrick is now on stage for Microsoft.
12:44pm - Mattrick leaves, and Crystal Dynamics is now on stage with the Tomb Raider reboot. Again, live demo time!
12:46pm - We're treated to Lara hanging upside down in basically a straight jacket needing to escape a predicament. Followed by some walking and (shudder) a couple of quicktime events.
12:47pm - So far, this is a really underwhelming demo for a game I was really looking forward to.
12:50pm - Tomb Raider demo is at a merciful end, and Peter Moore takes the stage for EA.
12;51pm - Madden, Tiger, FIFA getting Kinect support.
12:52pm - Sims and Hasbro Family game night also getting Kinect support. Bioware takes the stage. It's Mass Effect 3 time!!!
12:53pm - Confirmed that Mass Effect 3 supports Kinect, specifically voice recognition. LIVE demo time!
12:54pm - HOLY BALLS! You can make your responses by just speaking them! Talk about role playing!!!!
12:55pm - Of course, you can also speak commands to your squad mates, getting them to move to formation or use powers.
12:57pm - Ghost Recon Future Soldier time. Yves Guillemot takes the stage.
12:59pm - Showing off Kinect support. Very cool weapon customization demo.
1:01pm - Ugh... looks to be Kinect ONLY title, Mass Effect shows how to use Kinect for hardcore, this game shows how not to.
1:02pm - Guillemot announces all future Tom Clancy games will "leverage Kinect". Xbox Live's Mark Whitten now takes the stage.
1:04pm - Microsoft is demoing a new Xbox Experience centered around Kinect. Not really a surprise given the disjointed nature of the current Kinect Hub.
1:05pm - YouTube announced for Xbox Live. Way to make it into the 20th century guys!
1:06pm - Bing now on Xbox, with ability to speak searches for providers that the 360 supports. This is a very good way to actually find things in the Xbox Live Marketplace, as well as the Zune Marketplace if that's your bag.
1:07pm - Live TV coming to 360.
1:08pm - Fall dashboard update will contain the "New New Xbox Experience".
1:09pm - Dana White from UFC now on stage. UFC live events coming to 360 with interactive elements! Big sports win for the 360.
1:11pm - Phil Spencer from Microsoft now on stage.
1:12pm - Here come the 360 exclusives. Kicking of with Gears 3.
1:13pm - Cliff Bleszinski is on stage! No lancer this time though...
1:14pm - Cliffy calls Ice-T to the stage to play a live demo with him.
1:15pm - Fighting a gigantic pissed off sea creature. Reminiscent of the Resistance 2 demo Sony gave a while back.
1:18pm -Crytek logo appears.
1:19pm - Kinect game from Crytek incoming. "Ryse" a first person fighter based on ancient Rome.
1:20pm - Halo music comes up.
1:21pm - As expected, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary announced. Dated for November 15th, 2011.
1:22pm - Turn 10 and Forza 4 are up next.
1:23pm - Appears to have Top Gear sponsorship from a logo in the clip. Coming October 11th.
1:25pm - Peter Molyneux takes the stage, logo for "Fable: The Journey" is behind him.
1:26pm - The age of Heroes has ended according to the trailer. We get our best look at Theresa yet. But her face is still mostly covered. Now onto a live demo where the player is controlling a horse carriage. Completely Kinect controlled. This section is an on-rails shooter.
1:28pm - Color me unimpressed if this is the direction Fable is going. Phil Spencer is back on stage.
1:29pm - Minecraft is announced for 360 with Kinect support. Coming "This Winter".
1:30pm - Kinect Disneyland adventures is coming. A virtual Disney park.
1:32pm - Wow... this demo may be worse than "Skittles". "Fist bump!"
1:33pm - Kinect Star Wars is up!
1:37pm - Showing the drawbacks of a Kinect only game now, this is pretty much pure on rails (not a) shooter.
1:38pm - Tim Schafer from Double Fine on stage with Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster.
1:40pm - Live demo with a "Father and Son". Child looks pretty young, somewhat impressive Kinect appears to be recognizing him without much problem. This is a perfect Kinect kids game. One I may have fun with my son with in the near future.
1:42pm - Due out "this fall".
1:43pm - Kudo Tsunoda, Kinect Director is on stage.
1:44pm - Kinect Fun Labs is announced. New addition to the dash available to all Live (assuming this means free members too) subscribers. Basically these are the types of experiments that turn into games, and you get to see them early.
1:45pm - First thing showed is "Kinect Me" and shows Kinect creating an avatar from what you're currently wearing and your look. It was VERY good in the example.
1:46pm - Finger tracking is now demoed. Nifty demo, but all flash and no substance really. Looking forward to seeing how this eventually gets used.
1:47pm - Object capture up next. Shows a pillow looking thing being captured and brought into the game. Reminds me a bit of the Milo demo where he could read the paper.
1:49pm - Fun Labs is live TODAY. Cut to trailer for Kinect Sports Season Two.
1:50pm - Sports contained include Tennis, Football, Golf, Skiing. Demoing Golf and Football. Kinect Sports now includes voice commands.
1:54pm - Harmonix is now on stage with Dance Central 2. New voice controls and a campaign. In addition, all previous Dance Central songs can be imported into the game. Now demoing simultaneous multiplayer dancing.
1:56pm - Back to Don Mattrick. Recap time.
1:58pm - Announces a "New Trilogy" for Xbox 360. Cue trailer... Master Chief is back in Halo 4. Dated "Holiday 2012". Yup, couldn't let that cash cow die!
2:00pm - End of conference.
June 3, 2011
Case of the Disappearing Free Games
So the PlayStation Store is up, the Welcome Back program is live, and all is good right? That is, until you try to redeem your new free games. Many reports have been coming in that after "purchasing" "Free Game 1" or "Free Game 2" that the option simply disappears from the menu. Fret not dear reader, all is not lost. There is a workaround if this occurs:
- Bring up your XMB and go to the PlayStation Network column.
- Select Account Management
- Select Transaction Management
- Select Services List
- Select SCEA Promotions
EA Announces Battlefield 3 Battlelog - Scores Headshot on Call of Duty Elite
Gamepro reports that EA's Battlefield 3 will offer a similar service as the Activision Call of Duty Elite service. According to the article, "Battlefield 3 Battlelog" will have "powerful social tools, feeds, and detailed player stats." Players will also be able to "manage friends lists, squad up, create platoons, use voice chat, and follow your friends' progress in real time"
The not so small difference is the final comment provided by DICE General Manager Karl Magnus Troedsson:
The not so small difference is the final comment provided by DICE General Manager Karl Magnus Troedsson:
"Battlelog will be available for the monthly fee of (drum roll)... zero dollars,"BOOM! HEADSHOT!!
Sony's Welcome Back Program Is Live
The final piece of the PSN puzzle was put into place today, as the "Welcome Back" program content was released on the PSN. PS3 owners can make their selection of two games among the following:
The free 30 days of PlayStation Plus is also live for those that aren't already members. You are NOT automatically enrolled into this, you must "buy" it from the store by heading to the "Welcome Back" section of the store and choosing the "PlayStation Plus: 30 Days Free" option. Existing Plus members WILL automatically have their subscriptions extended by 60 days.
If you're a Home user... is anyone a Home user? Anyhow, if you are, you can find the free 100 virtual items in a kiosk in Home's Central Plaza.
Lastly, the free video content is up and available ONLY THIS WEEKEND.
So start downloading your games and watching your movies, you've got a lot to do this weekend thanks to Sony!
- Dead Nation
- inFamous
- LittleBigPlanet
- Super Stardust HD
- Wipeout HD + Fury
- LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
- ModNation Racers (PSP)
- Pursuit Force
- Killzone Liberation
The free 30 days of PlayStation Plus is also live for those that aren't already members. You are NOT automatically enrolled into this, you must "buy" it from the store by heading to the "Welcome Back" section of the store and choosing the "PlayStation Plus: 30 Days Free" option. Existing Plus members WILL automatically have their subscriptions extended by 60 days.
If you're a Home user... is anyone a Home user? Anyhow, if you are, you can find the free 100 virtual items in a kiosk in Home's Central Plaza.
Lastly, the free video content is up and available ONLY THIS WEEKEND.
So start downloading your games and watching your movies, you've got a lot to do this weekend thanks to Sony!
Blizzard Job Posting Suggests Diablo 3 Headed to PS3
Joystiq reports that Blizzard has a job opening for a "Senior Software Engineer, Console -- PlayStation 3 Specialist" that would be "within the Diablo 3 team".
Let that sink in a minute console gamers...
As a console gamer that played both Diablo and Diablo 2 when I still had a PC worth running games on, this is absolutely incredible news. Most of the time, these types of job listings are a little more nebulous and you have to jump to the conclusion of what it's for, but this is pretty black and white.
Could this be a prelude to a Sony exclusive nuclear bomb at their E3 conference on Monday? Only time will tell... but mark me down as believing you'll hear exactly that come Monday much the same GLaDOS announced her arrival on the PS3.
Let that sink in a minute console gamers...
As a console gamer that played both Diablo and Diablo 2 when I still had a PC worth running games on, this is absolutely incredible news. Most of the time, these types of job listings are a little more nebulous and you have to jump to the conclusion of what it's for, but this is pretty black and white.
Could this be a prelude to a Sony exclusive nuclear bomb at their E3 conference on Monday? Only time will tell... but mark me down as believing you'll hear exactly that come Monday much the same GLaDOS announced her arrival on the PS3.
Tomb Raider Reboot Trailer Revealed - Lara's Never Looked So Good
IGN debuted the new trailer for the reboot (again) of the Tomb Raider franchise. In a video that reminds me of Lara Croft meets Uncharted, the basis for what could be something really great is laid out as Lara sees yet another new beginning. Check it out below!
June 2, 2011
Playstation Network Fully Restored
Under the cover of the dark of night, the Playstation Network was finally fully restored. Grace Chen, Director of the Playstation Store announced via the Playstation Blog in the wee hours of the morning EST that the Playstation Store had been brought back online with a slew of content. In addition, we should expect another update tomorrow. Further, yet even more content will apparently be dropping on various days next week for E3 as they "will roll right into some special publishes starting next week for E3 (so be sure to check back daily!)"
It's not all sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops though. The games being offered for the Welcome Back program are not yet live. They're still "currently in the final stages of testing and will be available to download soon". At last, developers can start making some money again off of the PSN, and PS3 gamers can get their fill of the downloadable titles and DLC they'd been missing for the last six weeks. Here's hoping no gamer ever has to suffer through anything like this again.
It's not all sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops though. The games being offered for the Welcome Back program are not yet live. They're still "currently in the final stages of testing and will be available to download soon". At last, developers can start making some money again off of the PSN, and PS3 gamers can get their fill of the downloadable titles and DLC they'd been missing for the last six weeks. Here's hoping no gamer ever has to suffer through anything like this again.
June 1, 2011
Mass Effect 3 Demo at E3
Via the Bioware Twitter feed, this goodness spewed forth:
This confirms we'll get our first real look at Mass Effect 3 at E3. I can hardly wait!
 | biofeed I overheard this in the hallway, "The E3 demo for Mass Effect 3 blew my mind!" 6/1/11 12:57 PM |
This confirms we'll get our first real look at Mass Effect 3 at E3. I can hardly wait!
PSN Maintenance Beginning - Preparing For Full Relaunch
The Playstation Blog has recently announced that the PSN will be going down for maintenance for "several hours" to perform maintenance "crucial" for the full restoration of the PSN. You'll be unable to sign in, but if you've already logged in there will be no issue staying online. The post mentions that PSN restoration is "on track for this week in most regions." Looks like they'll have the store back before E3 after all, but then, we've heard these promises before too.
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