PlayStation LifeStyle » Jonathan Cullen

New PixelJunk at GDC is Actually Eden’s Encore

Jonathan Cullen — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:23:29 +0000

So, we all thought that Dylan Cuthbert and Q-Games were going to reveal a brand new Pixeljunk game at GDC. It only makes sense, considering the overwhelming success of PixelJunk Monsters and PixelJunk Eden, right?

Wrong! Cuthbert has gone on record on his Twitter saying that no new game will be shown, privately or in public, at GDC next week, stating that PixelJunk Eden Encore will be there instead.

“Everyone seems to think we are showing PixelJunk 1-4 next week at GDC.. but it ain’t true.. Eden Encore will be there in its full glory though.”

So no new PJ game, be that Dungeons or otherwise, at GDC. We’re going to try and ask Dylan personally if we can get anymore on PJE and, if we’re lucky, PJD. Q-Games is confirmed to be working on a PSP port of PixelJunk Monsters.

[Source]

Steinberg: “We’re shipping a great lineup”

Jonathan Cullen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:03:45 +0000

Already, the PS3 has gone off to a flyer this year with Killzone 2, one of the most antcipated games on the platform since the launch of the PlayStation 3 two years ago. But if you think SCEA are just lying their eggs on Killzone 2 alone, you’d be wrong, dead wrong.

Scott Steinberg, head honcho of marketing at SCEA, has promised a “AAA quailty relentless lineup”.

“We’re shipping a great lineup and it’s relentless and AAA quality. Starting it with Killzone 2, we’re going to arrest the momentum from competitors with titles like MLB 09: The Show, which some are calling the best sports title ever made.
Then in the Summer, there’s inFamous and you’ll get to see even more excellent titles at E3. If PlayStation fans thought that we’d rest on our laurels from last year and if competitors thought that we’d punched ourselves out, both are mistaken.”

Steinberg even went on to say that Killzone 2 has alot of potential to get people off the wall, as well as get 360 owners, to try the PS3.

“We feel that Killzone 2 is a tremendous exclusive. It’s an exclamation point that demonstrates the distance between the PS3 and other systems. The game is 40 gigs and could not be done on anything else. It will move people from the sidelines, and from what we’ve seen from blogs, will push 360 owners to try out the PS3. I think it’s going to be a major launch for us and this historical PlayStation brand.”

To be fair to the man, the PS3 does have a stellar line up this year. All you need to do is look at Heavy Rain and Uncharted 2 as well as inFamous as three great examples.

[Source]

The Godfather II Gets Free Launch DLC

Jonathan Cullen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:40:14 +0000

EA has announced free (yes, free!) launch DLC that will be coming to The Godfather II when it launches in April for the PlayStation 3. Now, I bet your wondering “how much is this gonna cost me” and being bitchy about it.

Well, put the knives away, it will be given to you in the simple price of £0.00/$0.00/€0.00, look at it every way you want to, its free!

This is a very good move on EA’s part, and while we arent mentioning any names [SPOILER]*cough*Capcom*/cough*[/SPOILER], it make’s a nice change for what has happened lately.

Entire press release below:

EA Announces a New Multiplayer Mode is Coming for The Godfather II
Wednesday March 18, 7:00 am ET

Be the Don and Lead Your Family to Victory Online

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS – News) today announced that a new multiplayer mode, called Don Control, will be coming to The Godfather® II game. This new mode will be available as a free downloadable* patch right when the game releases on April 7th in North America and April 10th in Europe. Don Control takes the “Think Like a Don” strategic gameplay into an online environment and allows players to build a family, command them in battle and view the action from a bird’s eye view above.

Don Control introduces an additional layer of gameplay on top of the four multiplayer modes and six maps already available in the game and invites players to compete to see who is the ultimate Don of Dons. Players can now challenge one another in 16-player battles for their in-game currency from the single-player game. As a Don online, players can recruit others to join their family by giving them a cut of the profits. But if a player loses as Don, the in-game currency they wagered will be removed in their single-player campaign and their empire can come crumbling down.

The Godfather II takes the open-world genre in an entirely new direction by blending the furious combat of being a mobster with the strategic thinking of being a Don both offline and online. As a Don in the Corleone family, The Godfather II lets the player carve out their own story of deception, betrayal, and conquest in a 1960’s organized crime world. Players will have to build and invest in their family, command their crew, and manage their family business, all of which is done through the revolutionary Don’s View. The Don’s View is a 3D representation of the player’s criminal empire, putting the player in the Don’s mindset; it allows them to coordinate their strategy, plan hits on rival made men, attack enemy rackets, and much more.

The Godfather II game from Electronic Arts and Paramount Digital Entertainment will be available on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, and PC. The game has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB and 18+ for PEGI. Players who pre-order The Godfather II at participating retailers worldwide will receive an exclusive crew member, named Tommy Cipolla, to hire into their family.

Rumor: PlayStation to Get Price Cut in UK [Update]

Jonathan Cullen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:14:26 +0000

Update:

SCEE has come back to PlayStation Lifestyle, saying:

“I’m afraid we don’t comment on rumor or speculation.”

Original Story:

Following up from a couple of reports we put out yesterday, where it’s being said that not only will the US recieve a $399 bundle with Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm but also a $99 price cut, CVG is now reporting a UK price cut is in place for the PlayStation 3 and PSP.

A un-named major UK retailer is reporting that a price cut is coming down the line which is coming soon but didn’t give a specific date or specific amount of how much the price will drop. ”It’s been on the cards for a while,” they said, “but manufacturers are not in the habit of giving exact dates so as not to effect sales”. Game and GameStation have refused to comment on it except:

“Price drops are always welcome, but can’t I give you any specifics.”

We pretty much know what they could and are going to most likely say anyways, but we’re following up with SCEE about this right now.

[Source]

New inFamous Trailer

Jonathan Cullen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:05:21 +0000

Eurogamer has posted a brand new trailer for inFamous for you to watch. We’ll embed as soon as we can. And remember, it’s out in June, with a demo being released shortly beforehand.

[Source]

Rumor: PS3 to Get $99 Price Cut from Sunday

Jonathan Cullen — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:48:20 +0000

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Well, wouldn’t this be a great way to kick off GDC Week. An EB Games employee said that they have recieved a notice from Sony that, from this weekend, the PS3 will recieve a $99 price. So basically, the PS3 will sell for $299.

Sony will probably deny this to kingdom come, but there has been some recent pressure from devs for Sony to cut the price of the PS3. Take this with a pinch of salt, but people have been looking for a price cut.

GDC the perfect time for it?

[Source]

Ninja Gaiden Sigma II Coming This Fall

Jonathan Cullen — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:11:57 +0000

According to Famitsu, the secretive Tecmo game due to be announced next Tuesday at GDC for the PS3 is none other then Ninja Gaiden Sigma II.

Tecmo is stating that the game is not a port, but rather an upgraded version of Ninja Gaiden II. You will get the same NGII that came to the Xbox 360 last Summer, and then some.

According to the translation from Famitsu:

- It will be an upgraded version of Ninja Gaiden 2 (not a direct port).
- Set to release in Autumn 2009.
- The magazine will be reporting new elements in upcoming issues.
- New weapon – spiked hammer “Genma”.
- New giant boss battles that were not in the 360 version.
- New playable character – female ninja Ayane.
- The game is 50% done.

Unlike the original Sigma, this wont be produced and directed by series father Tomonobu Itagaki, as he resigned/was fired from Tecmo. These duties are being passed onto Yosuke Hayashi, who worked on the original Sigma when it was released for the PS3.

But contary to what has happened to Itagaki-san, Team Ninja are developing the game to tailor for the PS3. You can read the entire Famtisu scan below (or click to view in HD).

Tecmo have been asked to comment on this info.

[Source]

Valkyria Chronicles DLC Announced

Jonathan Cullen — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:47:03 +0000

Sega’s announced that DLC for Valkyria Chronicles is on the way and that it really does come in threes. It comes with two brand new missions and a new difficulty, Hard.

The missions are as follows:

Edy – Enter the EdyDetatchment
Selvaria – Behind Her Blue Flame

And as well as that, Hard mode will be included to the game for extra difficulty. How difficult? How does going through the game without the Edelweiss, Welkin’s beloved tank, sound? Yeah, I bet you dont sound so tough now after going “pfft, I can beat that”, do you?

No exact release except Spring 2009.

Buy this game, its absolutely brillant with a capital B.

[Source]

Confirmed: Alpha Protocol Still Hitting PS3

Jonathan Cullen — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 01:20:41 +0000

Sega Europe have confirmed to PlayStation Lifestyle that Alpha Protocol is still coming to PlayStation 3, as well as the PC and Xbox 360, this October.

Earlier today, we brought you news that Alpha Protocol was slated for a October 2009 release but a strange omission was made when the press release was published: no platforms.

Now though, Sega Europe have said that it is still coming for the PS3.

So all is well in the world once again.

Alpha Protocol Set for October 2009 [UPDATE]

Jonathan Cullen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:53:24 +0000

Update: Sega have responded, its still coming to the PS3.

Original Story: Sega has slapped a October 2009 release date on action RPG Alpha Protocol, in development from Obsidian Games who developed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II.

Alpha Protocol is described as a game which sees you level up your character, Michael Thorton, to a style which you see fit in a way compared to the 3 JB’s: James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer.

The game also received an info blowout last Friday when GameTrailers TV showed the first gameplay footage and the first trailer of the game itself.

Full press release below.

FIRST GAMEPLAY TRAILER FOR ALPHA PROTOCOL GOES LIVE
The World’s First Modern Day Spy-RPG To Be Released In October 2009
LONDON (16thMarch, 2009) – SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that Alpha Protocol™ – the groundbreaking game combining espionage, action and excitement with RPG choice and depth – will be available on retailer shelves globally October 2009.
The new gameplay trailer, showing in-game footage for the first time shows how players will travel to exotic locations around the globe, infiltrating terrorist camps and spy on unsavoury characters in the manner of their choosing. Alpha Protocol’s RPG and dialog system will allow players the choice to be smooth like James Bond, cold and precise like Jason Bourne, or just plain explosively kick-ass like Jack Bauer.
The year is 2009. Worldwide political tensions are at a breaking point when a commercial airliner is shot down by a U.S. missile over Eastern Europe, killing all aboard. Despite evidence to the contrary, the U.S. government claims no involvement and dispatches agent Michael Thorton to bring those responsible to justice. With more options than any other RPG, Alpha Protocol offers unprecedented control over the development of Thorton’s abilities and interactions with others. Physical combat, weapons mastery, cutting-edge technology and even seduction are just some of the skills to master. Hunted and alone, players will discover just how deep the conspiracy goes in Alpha Protocol.

Notice something, no platforms have been mentioned. It was thought that it would be coming to the PS3 as well as 360 and PC.

SEGA Europe have been asked to give comment but as of writing this article, no response from them and to be honest, you may not hear from them till tomorrow at least as it’s coming near the working day.

As well as that, a new trailer has also been released for the game, take a look here.

Dead Rising 2 & Lost Planet 2 Not Due Until 2010

Jonathan Cullen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:14:22 +0000

Capcom has said that if you’re expecting Lost Planet 2 and Dead Rising 2 this year, don’t hold your breath, it isn’t coming until next year.

In an interview with Xbox’s Major Nelson, Capcom’s Chris Krammer said:

“Capcom’s kind of on a 30-year high right now, it’s a pretty amazing place to be. Between everything we’ve got going right now, between the launch of Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5, and our big titles for next year, Lost Planet 2 and Dead Rising 2.”

While Lost Planet 2 hasn’t been officially announced for the PS3 yet, it’s a given it’ll be on it months after the release of the Xbox 360 version while Dead Rising 2 is confirmed to launch on the PS3 day and date as the 360 version.

Dead Rising 2 is being handled by Blue Water Studios while Lost Planet 2 is being handled by an in house dev team led by director Kenji Oguro and is being produced by Resident Evil 5 producer, Jun Takeuchi.

[Source]

Rumor: New F1 Game Delayed on PS3 Until 2010

Jonathan Cullen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:38:33 +0000

Anybody looking forward to that new F1 game in development by Codemasters?

Anybody looking forward to it coming this year?

You may want to look away now. According to Official PlayStation Magazine UK, the game has been delayed on the PS3 until 2010, but to please Bernie Ecclestone who basically has the rights to Formula One via the FOA, Codemasters will release the portable version of the game for the PSP this year.

So, if you were looking forward to recreating that last lap drama of Lewis Hamilton overtaking Timo Glock in the Toyota, at the final race of the season in Brazil to win the world championship from the game this year, you can put that on hold until next year.

That is unless you’re getting the PSP version this year; in that case, go nuts.

[Source]

Devs Want PS3 to Be Free

Jonathan Cullen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:33:56 +0000

The pressure is mounting on Sony to announce a price-cut for the PlayStation 3. With analysts and developers such as EA Sports looking for a price cut, it comes as no surprise then that Sony is saying nothing regarding a price cut… well, not directly.

SCEA’s senior marketing VP Peter Dille has said in an interview with Bloomberg that developers want the PS3 to sell for free.

“Everybody in the development community would love for the PS3 to be free, so they could just sell razor blades,”

It comes off the back of the heels of comments from EA Sports President and former Xbox honcho Peter Moore saying that the PS3 has a long way to go with its pricing plans.

“Sony obviously still has a ways to go with their pricing,”

As for that price cut, Dille did say there was no immediate plans for a price cut but did however say that:

“Sony is concerned with profitability, as well as the installed base,”

Which may hint at a price cut down the line maybe after GDC or before E3.

[Source]

Resident Evil 5 Ships 4 Million Units

Jonathan Cullen — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:51:58 +0000

Capcom Japan has released the worldwide sales figures in a press release for Resident Evil 5; 4 million units have sold. The game launched on Friday in the US and Europe, while it released in Japan nearly two weeks ago (under the moniker of ‘Biohazard 5′) on March 5th.

The 4 million figure means that it is the highest selling Resident Evil ever. No specific figures for the consoles like the PS3 or 360 have been released, but we’ll find out the US numbers next month during NPD results for March in the 2nd week of April.

Read Anthony’s review for it right now, I highly suggest you get this game. It’s really good.

[Source]

Media Molecule Working on a Secret Project

Jonathan Cullen — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 10:11:42 +0000

You may have already heard already that Alex Evans / Media Molecule is working on some new stuff for LittleBigPlanet which is apparently “really fucking cool.”

But as well as that, and helping out Sony’s Studio Cambridge on the PSP version of LittleBigPlanet, it seems Media Molecule has a secret project at work.

Evans stated that there is a PC version of LBP at work that will not see the light of day.

We have a PC build of [LittleBigPlanet] that we have produced internally, and it looks like a piece of shit. I don’t, for example, see that going out there in the immediate future.

The other is said secret project although absolutely nothing is known about it. So an E3 reveal soon to be on the cards? Or even better yet, a GDC reveal? We’ll find out next week when GDC begins on March 23rd.

[Source]