Tuesday, May 25, 2010

BREAKING FROM KOTAKU: Insomniac to develop for Electronic Arts

Early ago, Bungie left Microsoft to go pursue a 3rd Party career for Activision. It looked as if Sony would finally overtake Microsoft and that the makers of Windows may be at an end for its game future.

Then the following happened....

Insomniac Games, the studio behind Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank and Resistance, unveiled a deal this morning with Electronic Arts that will put their still unannounced, undated next franchise on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Under the agreement Insomniac will retain ownership of the intellectual property.

That's right. Electronic Arts will now be publishing Insomniacs' next title. With no control by Sony at all. What next, Retro Studios publishes a title by UbiSoft?

CEO and founder of Insomniac, Ted Price, had this to say about the partnership with EA

We never wanted to limit ourselves, People are inspired here by having the opportunity to try new things. (Playstation 3 shooter) Resistance was a chance to branch out and we will continue to look for those opportunities."

The next thing you'll know, Insomniac will be doing a mini game collection on Wii causing millions of Wii fanboys to enrage at the makers of Spyro, Ratchet and Resistance.

Works Cited
Kotaku

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Good News/Bad News: Mario and the end of GameCrazy

Folks, there is tension running today and many know why. But for this event, I shall bring you to the Good News/Bad News

First the good news. If you haven't heard, Super Mario Galaxy 2 has came out today. The sequel to one of the best games of the Wii. In some people's eyes, it's a measly rehash. And that rehashing is bad for an IP. Try telling that to the many people who bought sequels and me-too IPs.

But I wonder....how does this rehash stand out?

IGN- 10/10
1UP- A
Gamespot- 10/10
Game Informer-9.25/10
GamePro- 4.5/5
Giant Bomb- 5/5
Game Trailers- 9.7/10
Escapist- 5 stars
Worth Playing- 9.5/10
Computer & Video Games UK- 9.3/10


*Jaw Drops

Holy *CENSORED* I GUESS REHASH MUST BE BEST REHASH EVER! I GOTTA GET ME COPY!

But before I do so, some bad news. As you are aware, GameCrazy, and its parent company Hollywood Video, will be closing its doors. I myself, was upset when GameCrazy closed down in Southern California. But you who still have GameCrazy can check out its going out of business sale. Look at the Works Cited and click on GoNintendo for more information

GameCrazy, I'd like to thank you for the decade of being an alternative to Gamestop. For providing me with games I can't get elsewhere and oldskool pre-Gen 6 games that I Can't get anywhere else.

Works Cited:
Game Rankings
MetaCritic
GoNintendo

Thursday, May 20, 2010

New Sonic 4 information

Folks, it seems we have some new Sonic 4 information coming out. I wonder if its a new character that we can all love to hate. Or is it a new gimmick that will make us all rage like a bunch of spoiled brats. Ahh the possibilities are endless. Let's find out

Sonic 4 Delayed to “Latter Half” of 2010

.....

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Not a delay. Anything but a delay. I can't stand delays. It's as bad as rushing a game. Unless.

SEGA is incredibly happy at the overwhelmingly positive response to Sonic The Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I from both press and fans around the world, and wants to ensure that we’re delivering the best Sonic experience possible.

With this dedication to quality and the Sonic experience in mind, SEGA has decided to extend the development of the game, and will now release Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode I in the latter half of 2010. The additional time will allow the Development Team to focus on ensuring overall high-quality throughout the game by continuing to tune, balance, and maintain the kind of polish that an important title like this demands, and ultimately providing fans with an unrivalled classic Sonic feel.


I knew it. They delayed the game so they can delay our inevitable rage. Now how am I to lose my anger over a video game if SEGA chooses to delay the first episode to latter 2010? Grr. Now I'm as angry as Rush Limbaugh on Steroids. RADDA RADDA RADDA

Works Cited
TSSZ

Monday, May 17, 2010

Double Trouble: Handhelds gone Wild

Folks, today's Double Trouble will focus on one thing: Handhelds. And we got a double mess to clean up with rumors from Nintendo and Sony. So without any delays, here's today's DOUBLE TROUBLE!

First off, Nintendo's 3DS. The FCC has released some information on the 3DS. What we have here is an image of what may be the motherboard itself



In addition, word has it that the 3DS will feature a widescreen similar to the PSP, one analog stick like the PSP, a built-in rumble feature, which will cause a sense of realism while the shaking will cause you to drop your $300 device, and a built-in tilt function much like the iPod Touch and the iPhone.

I dunno about you, but I have suspicion that Nintendo sends a team of professional Ninjas into the Sony and Apple buildings to steal their ideas and implement them into their new handheld.

But speaking of Sony, word has it they're coming out with their OWN PSP Successor. The rumors go as followed

1) It is rumored to appear at E3 10 this year. Which means Nintendo and Sony will go at it again with Apple in the background

2) Like the 3DS, it is rumored that the PSP2's development kits are already out

3) Much like the DSi, the PSP2 will feature 2 Cameras. One in the front, one in the back.

4) The system will have a touch screen, but will retain physical buttons

5) Unlike the PSP, the PSP2 may not have any use of Physical Media. Gone will be Discs, Flash Drives and Cartridges. Now if you want new games, all you gotta do is download em. No doubt Comcast will be throttling bandwidth of anyone who does this.

6) The system itself will use a Quadcore Cell Processor, half the Processor power of the PS3.

But this has me suspicious. Now I have this feeling that Nintendo and Sony are forming a secret alliance together. It's as if they are gonna destroy Video Game Capitalism and replacing it with Video Game Socialism. OH NO! NOT THAT! Oh please think of the children that will buy both handhelds instead of going for just one. It means the end of the Console Wars as we know it.

EVERYONE, TO THE FALLOUT SHELTERS! WE'RE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE VIDEO GAME APOCALYPSE!
Works Cited:
Image from Engadget
1UP
VG247

Saturday, May 15, 2010

NPD PArt 2: The Software

Folks. I'm still upset over the Software side of the NPD. Even though more data has been acquired, it is still incomplete and it's making me furious. STill, I have to post what's left of the NPD and the software side. So without further ado, here is the Software sales of the NPD











SoftwarePublisherSystemSales
Splinter Cell: ConvictionUbisoft360 486.1K
Pokemon: SoulSilverNintendoDS242.9K
New Super Mario Bros wiiNintendoWii200.3K
Pokemon: HeartGoldNintendoDS192.6K
God of War IIISonyPS3180.3K
Wii Sports ResortNintendoWiiN/A
Battlefield: Bad Company 2Electronic ArtsX-Box 360166K
Wii Fit PlusNintendoWiiN/A
Just DanceUbisoftWiiN/A
Super Street Fighter IVCapcomPS3143K


Overall, sales are down in April due to ether a slower month, or people losing interest. Or rather people not in the mood for buying new games when they have plenty. The newest Splinter Cell game is th enumber 1 title with Pokemon and Mario securing 3 spots behind it. God of War III slips to number 5 and Wii Sports Resort is right behind it. The 360 version of Battlefield follows it with Wii Fit Plus still in the Top 10 and Just Dance Dancing right behind them. Rounding out the top 10 is the PS3 version of Super Street Fighter IV

And if anyone wants to know, the 360 version of Super Street Fighter IV did around 108K. Not too bad considering the down side of the slow month.

Next month should be better with plenty of games. But will Mario's new game crush the competition? Only one way to find out is to stay tuned.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

NPD April 2010: Trainwreck edition

Folks, I smell some bad news in the air and while it is about what's going on with Hollywood Video and GameCrazy, along with Sony's Ex-Linux fallout, that's not what I'm really going over. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the NPD of April 2010 with some sad news

April 2010






SystemSales
Wii 277.2K
DS 440.8K
Xbox 360 185.4K
PlayStation 3 180.8K
Playstation Portable 65.5K
PlayStation 2 Unreported


March 2010






SystemSales
Wii 557.5K
DS 700.8K
Xbox 360 338.4K
PlayStation 3 313.9K
Playstation Portable 119.9K
PlayStation 2 118.3K


It's sad news all around. Sales of everything has plummeted. IT's a repeat of the 2008 April NPD, except this time the Wii and DS sales have dropped. The PS2 sales have not been reported this time and the PSP sales have dropped below 100K big time. Has the PSP's days been outnumbered here in America?

Now normally, I would go ahead and report on the NPD software sales. But right now, we are having problems since only the Top 5 games are recorded in terms of numbers(The top 10 games are shown, but only the top 5 have their sales data recorded). Which makes me wonder this. Do they like failure? But I can assure you this.

1) Sales of Software also came up short

2) Monster Hunter 3 was only out for 10 days

So you may not see big numbers. According to GoNintendo, Monster Hunter 3 may have sold up to 126K last month. Not too bad for a game that teaches players that Barney the Dinosaur is really a flesh eating dinosaur that's after your kids' brains.

Tomorrow, when I get a chance, I will post up the Software data, if the NPD releases it. In the meantime, enjoy the link below

Works Cited: GoNintendo Article on Monster Hunter 3 You can read more about it at NeoGAF

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Double Trouble: Good News/Bad News edition

For today's Double Trouble, I wanna do something interesting. In addition to the good news going on with a certain game, there is also Bad News I want to discuss, that will most likely cause you to pop a blood vessel.

With that out of the way, it's time once again for DOUBLE TROUBLE

First off: Super Mario Galaxy 2. The Good News: In the last game, you needed to get 120 stars in order to play the game again as Mario's brother Luigi. This time, when you complete World 2, you will unlock Luigi much sooner than later. So for those who enjoyed playing with the Green Booger, you get to play with him much sooner. So what happens this time when you get 120 stars? Well when you get the game, you'll find out.

And now some Bad News. It seems this game will not be a sequel to Super Mario Galaxy. In fact, it actually disregards Super Mario Galaxy as an alternative timeline. Does that mean the Mario franchise has a fractured timeline? Or are people overreacting to this news?

And Second off: Marvel vs Capcom 3. The Good News: Capcom has confirmed 4 characters, 2 on each side

For team Capcom: Dante from Devil May Cry slits his wrist as a newcomer while familiar face Felicia from Darkstalkers will make the fanboys drool.

For team Marvel: Large Ham Captain America returns with his trademark Shield while Deadpool enters the scene with the ability to teleport like mad, and bash you with his health bar.

And now the Bad News: For those of you who thought the Tatsunoko vs Capcom control style was bad, Marvel vs Capcom 3 will not only adopt it, but an exchange button will allow you to summon in your partner to do even more dirty damage. This is bad for hardcore Marvel vs Capcom fans simply because it makes the game more accessible and noob-friendly. Because if a game is not extremely complex and hard to understand, it means the game is so hardcore, it will bomb in sales.

And that does it for Double Trouble. But there will be more bad news later on. Tune in.

Works Cited:
GoNintendo
Eventhubs. Magazine from GameInformer

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Guinness Hall of Shame

Folks, I apologize for not having a new report up due to lack of interest in video game news. But recently, something caught my attention and that was the Guinness Top 50 Game Franchises. GameSpy has the article up and the list. But since I prefer the lazy look, here it is, the Top 50 franchises according to Guinness

1. Halo
2. Call of Duty
3. The Legend of Zelda
4. Guitar Hero
5. Metal Gear
6. Super Mario Bros.
7. World of Warcraft
8. Gears of War
9. Super Smash Bros.
10. Grand Theft Auto
11. Pokemon
12. Resident Evil
13. Fallout
14. Half-Life
15. Sonic the Hedgehog
16. Counter-Strike
17. Runescape
18. FIFA
19. Kingdom Hearts
20. Final Fantasy
21. Pac-Man
22. Madden NFL
23. The Sims
24. Tomb Raider
25. WWE Smackdown vs. RAW
26. Rock Band
27. LittleBigPlanet
28. Saints Row
29. The Elder Scrolls
30. God of War
31. GoldenEye 007
32. BioShock
33. KillZone
34. Skate
35. Left 4 Dead
36. Need for Speed
37. Chrono Trigger
38. Gran Turismo
39. StarCraft
40. Ratchet & Clank
41. Pong
42. Tom Clancy's
43. Star Wars: Battlefront
44. Battlefield
45. Diablo
46. Lego Batman
47. Mario Kart
48. Burnout
49. Crash Bandicoot
50. Pro Evolution Soccer

Now as you all know, Halo is number 1 on the list. Microsoft and Bungie's lovechild(Before the divorce) has dominated the list. Right behind is Call of Duty by Activision(Rumor has it that Bungie will be working on a future Call of Duty game). The highest ranked Nintendo game is the Legend of Zelda itself with Guitar Hero and Metal Gear right behind. Snugged at number 6 is the Super Mario Bros, just one step ahead of the popular MMO World of Warcraft. Epic's GoW(Gears of War) is number 8, followed by Super Smash Bros and Grand Theft Auto.

But something has caught my eye. At number 15 is Sonic the Hedgehog. Now many have questioned Sonic's quality as of late. But according to Guinness, Sonic is more popular than the following popular franchises.

Counter-Strike
Kingdom Hearts
Final Fantasy
The Sims
Rock Band
Elder Scrolls
God of War
Goldeneye 007
BioShock
Chrono Trigger
Starcraft
Ratchet and Clank
Diablo
Mario Kart(How did this get up there)
Crash Bandicoot

You mean to tell me, All of these franchises below Sonic dropped in quality even further than the Blue Hedgehog? Are you saying that there was some gameplay changes in Kingdom Hearts that made the game unplayable? Or that Chrono Trigger had some bad unplayable character? Or that Ratchet and Clank introduced two stereotypical twins ala Skids and Mudflap?

Wait. Skids and Mudflap aren't Sonic characters. They're Transformers characters.

Missing on this list includes Mega Man, Metroid, Katamari Damacy, Street Fighter(Ironically since Street Fighter IV came out), Mortal Kombat, Phantasy Star, Super Monkey Ball, No More Heroes, Mass Effect, Batman: Arkham Asylum, DooM, Unreal, Disgaea, Dragon Quest, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Soul Calibur, Virtua Fighter, Pitfall, Castlevania, Portal, etc. Guinness, I dunno why you forgot some of those franchises, but shame on you for not remembering them.

Works Cited: GameSpy