Friday 29 January 2010

Nixie Does Pr0n and Tech, CES Flashbacks

We're Lost and Damned, Finally.

Released on the Xbox 360 in October 2009, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City is coming to the PlayStation 3 and Games for Windows - LIVE.

Episodes from Liberty City is a compilation of the episodic downloadable content for Grand Theft Auto IV and includes expansion packs The Lost and Damned (originally released on Xbox LIVE in February 2009) and The Ballad of Gay Tony (originally released in October 2009).

"It's been a long time coming, but we are proud to finally deliver Episodes From Liberty City for the PC and PlayStation 3," said Sam Houser. "We appreciate the patience of our PlayStation 3 and PC fans worldwide, and we look forward to putting the games in your hands this March."

Both episodes will be available together on one disc on March 30. The PS3 version is priced at US$39.99, and the episodes are individually available on the PlayStation Network for $19.99 each.

According to the title's publisher, Games for Windows - LIVE players can enjoy 32-player multiplayer matches and an advanced video editor, and all fans will experience new songs on the updated soundtrack as featured across Liberty City's 13 diverse radio stations, alongside in-game television and Liberty City's own internet.

Thursday 28 January 2010

3D Production Starts Rolling

Samsung is to become the first company to mass produce 3D LED and LCD TVs. The company has begun producing LED and LCD panels for 40, 46 and 55in full HD 3TVs using '3D Active Glasses', with 240Hz technology.

Samsung's 3D Active Glasses technology first blocks the left and then right lens, causing a momentary lag when images are shown to each eye to achieve more lifelike 3D images. The term, ‘3D Active Glasses,' was selected as an official term by the Glasses Standardization Working Group of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) earlier this year.

The polarised glass method previously used in 3D glasses produced separate images for the left and right eyes, resulting in half the resolution of two-dimensional pictures as only half of the screen can be viewed through each polarized filter. Brightness was also lowered because of the polarised filter.

According to a market research firm, DisplaySearch, the 3D display market is expected to grow from $902 million in 2008 to $22 billion in 2018. Specifically, the 3D TV market is expected to expand to a $17bn market, with sales increasing from 200,000 units in 2009 to 64m units 2018.

'Ello John Gotta New Motor?

if you are a GTpsp fun monkey like myself then the news dropping on the Eeeeew.blog earlier today will make you want to dig out the driving gloves, yepp, those nice folks are giving away a fine collection of cars in colours not availiable in the game.


http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/01/28/gt-psp-free-car-download-pack/

and all for nada! you can't argue with that. brrrrrrrrm brrrrrm. hit up the PSP Store and grab some new wheels NOW.

[mobiletone]

Wednesday 27 January 2010

This Summers Sleeper Hit?




Developer Artificial Mind and Movement are bringing you a new game, featuring a psychotic stuffed bear with dual axes. Naughty Bear's protagonist is driven to see revenge on the other bears after they fail to invite him to a birthday bash."Players tired of the same old shoot-'em-up, recycled gameplay are going to get what's coming to them in Naughty Bear," said 505 Games president Adam Kline."The all-new scare-based points system introduces a whole new element of fun in Naughty Bear as players win the most rewards for being deviant and maniacal."

Naughty Bear will feature more than 30 levels to unlock, all of which will be replete with unique weaponry. A2M is hoping that it becomes a "favorite guilty indulgence" for gamers.
You can find the teaser site here. Naughty Bear will be out on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this summer..

The Internet, pffffffffft soooo 1934

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Only PS3 Can Handle 256

Ambitious 256-player FPS MAG “is what the PS3 can do and few others can”, developer Zipper Interactive has claimed.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com at a recent review event in London, senior designer Scott Rudi doubted whether it was even possible for PS3 exclusive MAG to be a multiplatform game.

“I don't even know if it's possible for multiplatform,” he said.

“We're using so many architectural features unique to the PS3, like the Cell system, that I would be hard pressed to – and I'm not a programmer or anything – but from what I've been hearing, this is what the PS3 can do and few others can.”

So it might not be possible for MAG to work on Xbox 360?

“As a game player I'd love to see someone else try.”

The MAG review embargo lifted yesterday, but we won't review the game until we've played the final version of the game on live servers. Expect it later this week.

MAG's out in the UK this Friday.

Will You Play it More Than Once?


Heavy Rain is all about choice. To get the most out of the game, when it arrives next month, you’re going to need to play through the story (which takes about eight hours) more than just once – and you’ll not only be experiencing the way the story can lead you given the decisions you make, but you’ll also unlock different Trophies depending on your actions.

Sony have told TheSixthAxis today that there’s a reason most of the Trophies in the game are hidden, and this is due to the way the game’s plot ebbs and flows with the conscious choices you make as you play. “They vary for your different choices,” a Sony rep told us this afternoon, “and it would be a bit of a spoiler to know them in advance.”

“You will need to play through multiple times to get them all,” he confirmed, “because different choices result in different Trophies.”

Monday 25 January 2010

Mild Drizzle

now you've actually seen it in action, thoughts?

Pixel Riff

What to do with those old, broken games consoles....

Dueling Banjos

Bringing a new meaning to tortoise shell pickguards!

Props to the creator of the NES Paul. With a pun like that you are ok in my book!

[pabloamigo]

Friday 22 January 2010

2009 Subaru + Ken Block =


my biggest single event drift score in GRiD is 48,000,000+ points, pheer my skillzor.
go to 1:41 in this video for verification

[mobiletone]

OnLive Update

Some PC journo got to try the Online beta recently. Needless to say, one of the issues he had was with lag. Though to be fair, he does borrow the beta login from a friend as he lives outside the recommended area for his data centre.

Read his full account here.

[pabloamigo]

Pre-Order Hell 2010 Edition

Have we ever had it so good? Just checked my preorder list and it looks like I may have to get a second job (suggestions please...) to afford everything on there.

Here's a quick rundown with (in some cases) release dates:

Star Ocean International Edition - 12th Feb



Final Fantasy 13 - 9th March



Resonance of Fate - 26th March




Super Street Fighter 4 - 23rd April



Gran Turismo 5 - 25th June (Fingers crossed)



Dead Rising 2 - 25th June (TBC)



Last Guardian - June/July (TBC)



That's about £210 right there taking us up to summer time.

This doesn't account for the fact that I may also pick up the Heavy Rain (26th Feb), Yakuza 3 (12th March), God of War 3 (18th March), Crysis 2 (TBC), Kane & Lynch 2 (TBC - loving those viral vids), Metal Gear Solid Rising (TBC), etc....

Interested to know what you guys have on pre-order, and how you'll explain to the other half why these strange DVD shaped parcels keep landing through your post box.

[pabloamigo]

Borderlands Lv cap Raise

"Hey guys!

Sorry, I haven’t gotten to post on the forums in a while! After finalizing Zombies DLC, the team and I began reading the DLC feedback around the forums on the wants and desires. Guess what, level cap increase anyone? Got it and it's awesome. Hopefully we can get a full announcement out to you guys soon but, man is this the biggest DLC we have made. So don’t worry, we are working really hard right now on both the update (that solves a bunch of issues) and the DLC. More to come guys!!"
 
-Gearbox level designer

the game should be also getting a [PATCH] soon too to fix a few niggling issues

Thursday 21 January 2010

Thursdays Aint The Same


Remember how we used to be able to sit around and laugh and joke and point at the lack of content on the PSN Store? Well those days are long gone with Sony pushing more content in the form of Minis, Comix, film rentals and downloads but there is one unbending constant in all of this and that is a lack of decent demos, you'd think with all the blockbuster titles dropping in the next few months the companies would be getting their stuff out there, or maybe they are and nothing has rocked my boat just yet, or maybe the hype machine no longer needs demos for the masses

Maybe it's going to be a case of too many games and not enough time or money to get them, what ones to buy and what to leave on the 'i'll get it when the price drops' list. I know one thing, we are not going to be short for great games in the front half of the year, hopefully GT5 will drop before June *fingers crossed*

And this year is the year 3DHDTV drops on upsuspecting consumers, i guess gamers are going to be the early adoptors in this technology field, until the 3D Porn starts to hit the shelves that is, mmmmm, 3D porn... i've set my own personal size/price spec to 40" and a cool 1K, better get saving hard! Are you interested in getting on the 3D train or are you going to wait and see how it all pans out?

Engadget have a great article on 3D http://hd.engadget.com/2010/01/21/3d-stole-the-show-at-ces-2010/

[mobiletone]

Wednesday 20 January 2010

It's Not God of War, Honest

Also,We've They've put together a survey based on some points raised on this their forum. Could you please all give it a go. Cheers! www.crowddna.com/survey/gamer-dna-survey.

Monday 18 January 2010

Mad Moxxi's Underpants Riot



 "The Horde is gonna eatcha, Om nom nom nom!" This was the moment i fell in love with Moxxi, i was crouched behind some sandbags in the Crimsom Lance's fortified area of the arena and Moxxi was twirling and dancing around on top of the dome whipping the crowd into a frenzy, a cross between a Suicide Girl and a circus ringleader she is both funny, sexy and one sandwich short of a picnic, i mean who else actually talks in 'lol speak'?.. Pew Pew Pew! My mind wandered back to when i was a hot ginger lv50 Siren with the world of Pandora at my and my Hunter co-op partners feet, nothing we had fought or encountered on this desolate shithole of a planet had prepared us for the world of The Underdome! not even the Zombie Island, that was a picnic compared to the mess we had now found ourselves in.

The DLC for MMUR is a whole new area that you fast travel to from the main game.You end up in this interesting Cabaret Club lobby which has a few vending machines selling weapons, first aid and ammo, just what your hot narrator likes to find in any good club, and just like the rest of this twisted planet it runs on the random engine,nothing major but little things change everytime you visit. There is also a small stage area for the performer in you, or to brief your fellow co-op buddies from. From this club you gain entrance to each of the arenas. Hell-Burbia, Angelic Ruins and The Gully. The other interesting fact about this strange club is that Marcus, your friendly weapons dealer, has opened a bank here which is staffed by a mostly friendly little robot who will quite happily look after your spare weapons for you, you can even upgrade the account to stash more gear, and i can tell you, there's nothing worse than having to toss a weapon worth good money away because you've run out of Storage Deck spaces or your co-op partner refuses point blank to take any more of your crap. Thank you Marcus.


Like i said, nothing prepares you for the Arenas, there are only two ways out once you decide to enter one, your either beat all Moxxi throws at you or you're going out in a wooden box! There is no saving your progress, quiting out or generally being a total wuss. Each arena throws the challenges at you in the form of five rounds of five waves each, each round can have rule modifiers too just to liven it up more such as SMGs only do damage, no shields, enemies recharge health, the others 'well you may as well not bother wasting your ammo' as Moxxi would say. in the later rounds more rules start to apply and you had better know what they are or you're your gonna be in a world of bitey toxic covered pain. The others you fight against too don't do anything as handy as drop ammo or weapons when they die either, these you must scramble from under the dome at the end of each round and you only have a very few precious seconds to do it in.

It is anything but easy being an arena fighter, as your poor ginger friend knows much to her pain and anguish, this dlc will have you laughing, swearing and bouncing your joypad off a hard surface as you get nailed by a genade spamming boss, or a cheap 500hp damage combat rifle round from across the other side of the area. again. like i say, you can't quit, if you do all progress will be lost, 5x5 rounds took me just over two and a half hours, and that's just one arena, finish all three arenas and you unlock the 'longer' challenges, i have no clue how bad they will be to live through. The bosses and enemies in each round are random as are the wepons drops, if you die in co-op you go to the sin bin, if your partners die you don't drop back to start the round again, you get kicked to the previous round! Moxxi is a hard task master and it just makes you want to beat her arenas all the more.

That is what paid for DLC should be like, Zombie Island gave you a good 8-10hrs of new game play, i've played full price games shorter than that!! Modern Warfare 2 i'm looking at you! Moxxi i guess is gonna be a good 15-20hrs to complete, i don't know of anyone who has actually managed it yet though, it's tough, you want to win Moxxi over you have prove yourself to her. This weekend is gonna be a LAN co-op vs Moxxi's Arenas, it won't be pretty.

[mobiletone]

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Biggest Disappointment of 2009 was...

BRUTAL LEGEND!

It is hard to express in words how amazing I thought Brutal Legend would be. Psychonauts made me an instant fan of Tim Schaefer and is one of my favorite games from the last generation. Couple that with a game based on Metal, which happens to be my favorite genre, and you have a game that seems tailor made for me to love it. Unfortunately what I got was a weak Real Time Strategy game with very little strategy and a disappointingly unfunny storyline. Sure the game was still ok, but it was not what I had hoped for, and the rest of the staff agree, so Brutal Legend is the PS3’s biggest disappointment for 2009.

what game personally kicked you square in the nads?

Gran Turismo Delayed.


The years-in-the-making Gran Turismo 5 has been delayed. The game was slated for release this March in Japan, but publisher Sony Computer Entertainment announced today that the game's release date is now TBA.

In an official release, Sony stated the release date will be announced at a later date. The company also apologized for any trouble that this delay has caused.

GT5 was first announced at the E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles back in 2006. According to GT series creator Kazunori Yamauchi, Gran Turismo 5 has cost $60 million to make. The game will feature over 1,000 automobiles and 20 different locations.

The game was playable in 3D at the recent CES show in Las Vegas. Sony previously announced it was shooting for "Summer 2010" for a Western release. No word on how this delay will impact those plans.

Well, at least that give me more time to grind GT:PSP i guess.

[mobiletone]

Tuesday 12 January 2010

So Now That CES is Over, The Revolution Begins?

Further to its 3D-themed launches out at CES in Las Vegas, Sony has announced plans to offer showcases of its 3D home experience to consumers across Europe.

Under its plans to bring 3D to the home by mid-2010, Sony says it will become the first manufacturer in Europe to showcase 3D, with demo areas to be set up in its flagship SonyStyle stores.

"From January at six SonyStyle Stores throughout Europe, visitors and 3D enthusiasts will be able to experience the next generation of 3D home entertainment first-hand, viewing demonstrations of music, movies, games, football and television programming in stunning high definition 3D", says Sony.

As far as the UK goes, Sony's showcase can be found - from 12 January - as the SonyStyle store at Heathrow's Terminal 5, and will no doubt offer gadget-loving flyers an interesting distraction from the tedium of the airport.

As well as 3D-capable Sony Bravia TVs and 3D-capable Blu-ray players, Sony says its 3D experience "will encompass an entire family of 3D compatible products, including PlayStation 3... Vaio notebooks and Cyber-shot digital still cameras".

Get ready for the biggest change to our television viewing since colour TV came on the scene. Soon we can expect 3D television viewing in the home to be the norm.
_______________________________________________________________________________

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 3D was the big buzz word amongst some of the major television companies and Sony reckon they’re leading the way.

Sony demonstrated 3D television at the CES by having Taylor Swift perform on stage whilst cameras relayed her performance live onto the screen in 3D.

“We intend to take the lead in 3D,” said Howard Stringer CEO of Sony and it looks like they really mean it.

Sony has also just announced that along with Discovery and IMAX they will be launching a 3D television channel next year in 2011. They also have plans to create a technology centre to inform Hollywood on production techniques for 3D.

Not only that, they are also going to be working with CBS to carry out research which will identify what consumers actually want to gain from having the 3D viewing experience at home.

Later this year Sony are releasing their range of 3D HDTVs although we don’t know what they will cost we do know that Sony’s BRAVIA LCD HDTV range of 3D HDTVs involves 38 models with screen sizes ranging from only 22 inches right up to 60 inches.

“Sony’s 3D HDTVs leverage the breadth and depth of the company’s expertise to create an entirely unique experience at home that draws you closer to entertainment than ever before,” said Jeff Goldstein, vice president for Sony’s television business.

“Sony will continue to own the living room by delivering TVs that work synergistically; both in function and design.”

Other companies harping on about 3D at the Consumer Electronics Show included Panasonic and Samsung.

Panasonic plan to release 3D plasma HDTVs later in the year as well as 3D Blu-ray disc players. Again we don’t know what they are likely to cost. Panasonic are also going to be selling a 3D camcorder that can be used to create 3D content.

Samsung revealed details of their complete 3D home entertainment system which will also be available later in the year and happily showed off their thinner than thin LED TVs.

They will also work with Technicolor and DreamWorks Animation on promoting content for 3D viewing at home.

Saturday 9 January 2010

Borderlands vs Codehunters


It's a fine line between inspiration and blatently ripping something off no? as my old art teacher used to say - good artists borrow, great artists steal...

"I would like to thank news sites who chose to share the awesome work in Code Hunters with their readers. It's great content and one can no doubt imagine that a number of artists and designers at Gearbox were inspired and influenced by it. It was inspiring to me when "The Incredibles" was clearly a big source of influence for titles like Battlefield Heroes and Team Fortress 2 (and other amazing games and media). Perhaps with more attention from gaming news sites and other sources, Code Hunters can be more respected and honored for their innovation and leadership in CG as well. Maybe I'm too optimistic to believe that Code Hunters can get as much attention as Pixar (with due respect I believe they deserve), but with the help of gaming news sites and others who care about great content, maybe more people can notice and recognize and, perhaps, be inspired by it." - Randy Pitchford

show some love by visiting the Codehunters site for inspiring the sexiest looking game of last year.

[mobiletone]

just uploaded a video of my character's stats : 7,000,000+ xp, lv50 and 35 rare gold weapons.[HERE]

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Zero Punctuation: Awards for 2009

10 PS3 Exclusives for 2010

Well, we all know the PS3 is getting an awesome games line up this year but what of the ones that only we in the elite PS3 owners club are going to get, that's right, that fabled exclusive titles. Here is a run down of my top 10 for this year, feel free to add any that ain't listed.

1: The Last Guardian - it's like nothing you will find on any other format.
2: God of War III - needs no explanation, Kratos is back and madder then hell.
3: Heavy Rain - will it turn out to be the biggest flop of the year?
4: Gran Turismo 5 - car porn so good you can almost smell the synthoil.
5: Modnation Racers - play.create.share customisable kart racing fun.
6: Demons Souls - out all over the planet except here so far, hardcore!
7: Final Fantasy XIV - could be the console MMORPG we've all wanted.
8: Agent - it's by R* North what more could you want?
9: MAG - all about the gang fights and pew pew pew online with 256 people.
X: The Agency - maybe we'll finally get to play this MMOG this year.

[mobiletone]

Tuesday 5 January 2010

It's fun to say "Bitchin!"

1995 Namco PlayStation Promo Video



[pabloamigo]

Gun Pr0n: We need more of it in games.


some games let you customise your weapon with a new scope or a silencer (MGS4) but compared to the in-game options in Army of TWO all other attempts just fail in comparison. The only way AoT could be even better would be to have a couple of hot bad arse chicks replace Rios and Salem.

So, what hot weapon toting birds would you get to front our alternate version?

Personally i would opt for Ruby from WET for being handy with a gun and very flexible, the other would have to be Kai from Heavenly Sword for the long range snipering and giggling insanity.


[mobiletone]

Monday 4 January 2010

Rios and Salem Hit LDN


my new gaming year starts next week with the much waited for new Army of TWO.
[mobile*fist bumping*tone]

Sunday 3 January 2010

ThreeSpeech: Blog of the Patriots (if we were anime)


Time to take the lights down, recycle the beer cans, shred the xmas cards and get back to what's important.. blogging about games and tech again, and here we are, the dawn of a new decade, the decade of the PS3.. well, until the next console comes out :)

Just copied my video software to new netbook, bunging paintshop on later, already have it 90% set-up to mimic my tower pc, liking the hdmi output that's a nice touch! infact U3S will probably be blogged from this machine over the span of the year.

Seeing as we're into a new year i have to ask, what are the 3 games you are looking forwards to? personally it has to be Gran Turismo 5 (sometime next xmas -haha-) for me, there is no better driving game series in existence. The next game is Army of Two (2) as the first game was fun, under rated and a good laugh, to me that's important, having fun in games is what it's all about. The last choice.. tricky as there are a lot of big names and titles dropping, Heavy Rain, FFXIII, more COD no doubt, but i'm going with Star Ocean: The Last Hope - International because i haven't played a decent Jap game since Phantasy Star Universe on the ps2.

i woke up this morning and had the word to describe MGS gameplay, Clunky. That's not to say i'm giving up just yet, i looked up how to kill Vamp on the intarwebs, what a gyp! hey Hideo, tell us he's suseptable to nano machines in the cut scene before we fight him, not AFTER! you see it's things like that that bug me about that game. i guess if you're really into MGS universe you'd know things like that, hrumph.

I started 2009 playing Mirrors Edge, 2010 is Metal Gear Solid 4, chalk and cheese.

[mobiletone]