You gotta laugh...

rofl!

LocoRoco Cocoreccho

I dont really care what anyone says, but one of my main reasons for buying a PS3 and PSP was that i would get to play the sequel to Loco Roco, still quite frankly one of the only reasons (along with of course hot shots golf) to own a PSP.

Now, im not sure whether this footage is PSP or PS3, and quite frankly, i dont really care but i need to own this! its just as crazy as before and im sure that Tsumoto Kuono will not let us down. Graphics ok.. meh, nothing spectacular, but gameplay that will kick everything (halo 3, killzone 2, haze, lair, mass effect) into touch.

Tsumoto Kuono is the sole other reason that i own a PS3, he is from the team that produced probably 2 of the best games of the modern generation, Ico and Shadow of the Collossus (both on PS2) the eagerly awaited sequel to these the team are working on currently will probably be, in my opinion, the PS3's finest hour.

LocoRoco 2 Trailer from Develop 07.

Lair Complete

Development on the great looking PS3 title Lair is complete and it has gone to manufacturing, with the current state of PS3 the more games the better! This looks very nice, developed by Factor 5, who produced the excellent N64 star wars title Rogue Squadron.

Hopefully a demo is going to go up on PSN before its released as graphically it looks awesome but am slightly worried the gameplay experience might be a little shallow, fingers crossed im wrong.

Link

Sky & Sony sign up for VOD

Interesting, this looks like what Sony were going to announce at Leipzig, Sony and Sky are teaming up to deliver Video On Demand to the PSP, could be quite cool, no mention of the PS3 however, maybe it will be used as the hub to get/store the content...

Being able to get to Lost, Simpsons & other cool stuff on my PSP while stuck in a hotel like i am most weeks would be awesome!

More at Leipzig when it kicks off apparently.

Link

Leipzig Game Convention

Apparently E3 was only a "Warm Up" and the real deal is going to be the Leipzig Game Convention (something easier to type would have been nicer guys!)

Sony promising "Fireworks"

Not really sure what to expect.. i think there really going to push PS3 -> PSP integration.. Hopefully some surprises!

Link

edit: Oh, i should add its 23rd till the 26th of August.

360 Red Ring of Death feature

I think my 360 listened to the XBox announcement for the 3 year warranty extension.
As 2 days ago it suddenly came down with the flu giving me a colourful light display shown below...
As this was my second 360 I can only hope that the next one leads a longer and more purposful life... ;)

It ain't all bad though my 360 was out of warranty but MS have given me 2 years warranty for the Red ring of death "feature". Just have to wait 20-25 days for it to come back :(

Heavenly Sword Demo

ThreeSpeech just announced a Heavenly Sword Demo is going up on PSN this Thursday!

Really cannot wait, counting the minutes....

Mass Effect... The Next Great Franchise?

It looks like Mass Effect is living up to its promise as it takes steps towards its November release. Bioware has a history of putting magic on disc for Microsoft and that trend looks to continue

Here's the E3 2007 video




wowzers!

Bomberman & Yie Ar Kung Fu on XBLA Wednesday

Bomberman. Wednesday. Nuff said

Bomberman is 800 points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.30) and Yie Ar is 400 (GBP 3.40 / EUR 4.65).

Rumble is back!

Allegedly Confirmed that a rumble controller is being introduced for PS3, quite possibly with the introduction of the 80 gig PS3 in the states altho that isn't confirmed.

Stoopid Sony, it should have been there from the beginning, nobody believed it was a 'last gen' gimmick or that it affected the sixxaxis technology.

Resistance:FOM is an awesome game but the lack of rumble is noticable, hopefully they will update the older releases like Resistance to add in support for it.

Link

Sony E3

I have to say, Sony blew me away at E3 this year with all there annoucements, just masses and masses of *original* content due later this year and early next... some of the highlights..

Heavenly Sword

Just looking even better every time they show it, fulling expecting it to be a god of war with gal spectacular, the cinematics all done by Andy Serkis (Gollum) just wreak of emotion.

Lair

Again, now virtually complete, not so sure on this one yet, graphically stunning but some question marks over how deep the gameplay is going to be, demo due very soon on PSN so we'll find out, has the potential to be great.

Pain

Catapult a guy through a living city and do as much damage to him as possible, just looks crazy, but good crazy, involves other game types that includes spankiing monkeys and throwing mimes!

Little Big Planet

Say no more, will be one of the best games of 2007/8 (demo this year, full game early next) Unprecedented team interaction, level design by the community, with ranking/voting, winnable/buyable extras.. Nintendo will be kicking themselves for losing out on this one.

Ecochrome

Announced at E3.. and very very strange, walking a man around escher like mazes, very very simple in both design and graphics but the gameplay just looks astonishing.

also not forgetting..

Eye of Judgement.. Crazy game where you play with cards that are read in realtime as you play by the PS Eye Camera.
Drake Uncharted.. new title from Crash Bandicoot guys that looks jaw dropping.
Haze (By the Goldeneye / Timesplitters team! exclusive to PS3 till middle of 2008)
Folklore... lovely looking adventure from the Japs..

Then we have the existing IP stuff all getting a re-working, and Home also due very soon.

Warhawk (Online multiplayer destruction)
Killzone 2
GT 5 / GT 5 Prologue (installment due before GT5 on PS Network)
Time Crisis 4
Rachet and Clank
Socom
Unreal Tournament 3 (Again a timed PS3 exclusive)
Wipeout HD (1080p and Multiplayer!)
Final Fantasy XIII
Tekken 6

My PS3 has been busy downloading all of the E3 trailers and stuff from the PSN network, watching that Killzone trailer in HD is just jaw dropping.

Last but not least MGS4 is going to stay exclusive!!! Due Spring 2008.

Great show and great looking future for PS3.

DiRT PS3

Sorry boys, couldn't resist this one, DiRT better on PS3, better graphics, Higher Framerate and Uncompressed 7.1 Surround Sound (not that i have any surround speakers!)

Hopefully PS3 will start showing its stuff from now on.

Straight from the horses mouth...

Link

Super Stardust HD

Ok, i have mixed feelings about this, i love Geometry Wars with a passion, but this has it topped, bonus points to anyone who remembers the Amiga based original Super Stardust but this re-working by HouseMarque of Finland is absolutely stunning.

Asteroids reworked.. Fast, Frantic.. simply glorious animation as you break up the 3D asteroids (stunning too when you first play and they actually 'roll in' to the planet')
Some really mean bosses too!

The best 4.99 i ever spent and the best game on the Playstation network (possibly until Pain is released!) here's a screenshot and a link to a high res version, but you really need to see it moving to do it justice.

HD Screenshot

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Stunning!

Im still not sure i want any more car games, but if i get any it'll be this!

Very impressed by the Sony offering at E3, some real crackers.

Link to a higher res version, this is also Playstation.blog's flickr archive, some very sweet screenshots from E3.

Link

edit: oh mama! just found these, cr*p!!

GT 1
GT 2
GT 3

Halo 3 360

Look at this, just for you Lee! ...i wonder if its any more reliable... ;)

Killzone 2 Trailer

Link to Killzone 2 720p Trailer, can't get it to work as its blocked in work, so i'll have to wait, let me know what you think.

Link

MS E3 2007 - The Highlights

Video Marketplace coming to Europe before the end of the year

Too Human trailer.. Talk about looking incredible. Real turnaround for Silicon Knights following the response last time they showed a VERY early Beta

PAL Xbox Elite in Autumn

Sonic The Hedgehog and Golden Axe on Live Arcade now

3hr Blue Dragon demo now available

Mass Effect in November

Limited Edition Halo 3 360 sku. Looks pretty sick

Disney Classic Films available on Video Marketplace

Halo 3 trailer and new screens. Looks incredible, especially the shot from the Master Chief's helmet (that sounded gay). I'm still trying to find a good link to the trailer (damn youu NHS firewall!!)

I'll post more later...

Killzone 2: I'm gonna have to say it

Killzone 2 looks sick. Killer App sick

There's a demo coming out tomorrow or so as well. Mal, I'll expect a full report

wow.

Konami hints at MGS4 multiformat

Just read this on Joystiq. Will Peter Moore reveal another tattoo (please God no)?


Konami executive Kazumi Kitaue, head of Konami North America and European ops, dropped a bombshell today saying that Metal Gear Solid 4 may move to other consoles in an attempt to recoup development costs. He also said the PS3 price drop may not turn the ship around. The natural assumption, given the console hardware technology, is that Metal Gear Solid 4 will see its day on the Xbox 360, destroying one of the final feathers in Sony's hat of exclusives.

In regards to the PS3 price cut, Kitaue unleashes the backhand with quickness. "I don't expect a substantial impact ... with $500, you can buy a person computer," Kitaue told Reuters. It's been surprising to see the mainstream media pick up on the $100 price drop without acknowledging that there is a new "better" model at the same price which caused all the calls for a price drop in the first place.

But for gamers, the first acknowledgment that Metal Gear Solid might find its way to other consoles is what's really going to shake things up. Kitaue says, "Since Metal Gear Solid was born for the PlayStation, we would like to keep it a PlayStation game. But we might have to take some steps." Whether those steps are announced this week or if this is some last ditch effort by Konami to force Sony to pony up exclusivity cash, which they say they do not do, is worth wondering about. If MGS goes to the Xbox 360 ... well, all eyes will be on Final Fantasy XIII as the last famous third-party man standing.

Its been speculated for a while, I guess we'll hear more @ E3.

Bungie makes me cry tears of joy

They released the first campaign shot.. in game...

No more words




*sobs uncontrollably

Virtua Fighter 5 is online (360 only.. again)

Well we've had to wait a bit longer, but Sega has given us a visually and feature wise better game than the PS3 equivalent. I'll have to buy an arcade stick (not really, I'm bad with a 360 d-pad and I'm bad on a full VF machine... a better pad will not change that :( )

Virtua Fighter 5 Goes Online

Xbox Live to become SEGA's new battleground.

by Hilary Goldstein

US, July 6, 2007 - By the time Virtua Fighter 5 is released on Xbox 360, more than six months will have passed since its PlayStation 3 debut. That time is being well spent as SEGA and developer AM2 are bringing an online component to the renowned series. That's right, VF5 will be Xbox Live compatible with a two-player online versus mode. You may begin rejoicing.

Players can build a custom character in the expanded Quest Mode before taking their fighter online to do battle. Not only will you fight for glory (and a place on the Leaderboards), but for prizes and in-game cash that can be used to buy new accessories for your character. Quest Mode allows gamers to create unique names and mottos for any of the 17 playable characters in Virtua Fighter 5. They can then purchase clothing and other accessories to personalize their fighter. This can go to great extremes in some cases, with two versions of the same character looking almost nothing alike. So expect to come across some unique variations on some of your VF favorites when playing online.

"Virtua Fighter 5 is the most intense fighting experience available on next-generation consoles," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America. "The addition of online multiplayer support opens up the competition to a global scale enabling players to compete and challenge anyone, anywhere, anytime, using Xbox Live."

Virtua Fighter 5 on 360 will use the most recent arcade update and feature all the improvements of Version C. The PS3 release used Version B. Gamers can also enjoy an improved Dojo Mode that includes online leaderboards, improved throw escape training, and the ability to change your opponent's stance and recovery type.

But really, the big news is the addition of Xbox Live. We managed to grab a few minutes of time with Yoshihiro Tsuzuku, Director at AM2, for a brief Q&A about Virtua Fighter 5's online compontent.

---

IGN: Lag can kill a fighter. What steps are being taken to ensure a smooth play session online?

Yoshihiro Tsuzuku: It's impossible to get rid of the lags completely. It's hard to answer to your question in a single word, but we are assuming various conditions and making necessary adjustments to find the best way.

IGN: Is the Quest mode going to allow for online players or is online its own specific mode?

Tsuzuku: The Quest Mode is single player and you can fight a battle immediately by simply visiting the virtual shop and selecting a rival CPU. The CPUs in Xbox 360 version are better tuned than the PS3 version, so they will be more human-like and stronger. Moreover, the online battle will be based on the VS Mode. Please look forward to it.

IGN: Is it going to be just standard arcade fighting, or are there any other unique modes being added for online?

Tsuzuku: The following 5 performances are featured as the online elements.

1. Human vs human online battle using the VS Mode and Xbox Live.
   
2. Ranking of the above online battle.
   
3. "Score Attack" Ranking in Arcade Mode.
   
4. "Clear Time" Ranking in Arcade Mode.
   
5. "Clear Time" Ranking in Dojo Mode.

Also, we are considering uploading the replay data for some of the Rankings.

We are planning on making the online battle simple and fun.

IGN: Are there any Achievements linked directly to online play?

Tsuzuku: The settings in Achievement are currently under consideration.

IGN: Will there be any special unlockables linked to online play or any other rewards specific to playing on Xbox Live?

Tsuzuku: Some gamers do not have an online environment, so we are wondering if we should take it or not. It's under review now.

IGN: Any plans to release a demo before the game ships?

Tsuzuku: Our team is looking into it, stay tuned for more details.

---

Virtua Fighter 5 ships for Xbox 360 this fall.

Impressive

Looks like MS are finally accepting the issues with 360 build quality, free 3 year warranty if you've had problems! im grudgingly impressed. Lee you might be in for this after your fix, might be worth giving them a shout.

I think its all related to there rush to market in the first place, EB and others in the states are reporting a 30% 360 failure rate, thats just shocking!

Nice to see them doing something about it... I feel i should add that the PS3 failure rate is a miserly 1% ;)

Link

Guitar Hero

Just got Guitar Hero II for 360. What a great game! I was very sceptical that a toy guitar could replicate the feeling of playing in a band but it works surprising well! Apparently experienced guitarists find it very easy to get to grips with, I used to play a bit of guitar when I was younger and can well believe it. It's still pretty tricky but theres nothing like nailing the solo in sweet child of mine!

Microsoft Bring it home again (and we tell them to take that dirty thing back outside...)

As you might of read MS will be running the "Bringing it home" campaign again this year for mini E3. There are some MAJOR titles due in the next couple of months and I think there may be a few BIG demo's released (as well as an in depth look at Halo 3 single player.. hopefully with improved graphics to match the "fun as hell" gameplay of the beta (trust me)..

Here's a list from Teamxbox.com.. I'll highlight the games I'm really looking forward to seeing content for

Xbox 360 owners will be able to download high-definition content direct from the show including the following:
Microsoft’s E3 2007 press conference — beginning at 8:30 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, July 10 — will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace in high definition later in the week
Video updates direct from the show
A selection of game trailers, themes, gamer pictures and demos will be available from the hottest E3 titles such as these:
“Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.)
“Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft)
“BioShock” (2K)
“Blue Dragon” (Microsoft Game Studios)
“Burnout Paradise” (Electronic Arts Inc.)
“CALL OF DUTY® 4: MODERN WARFARE™” (Activision)
“FIFA Soccer 08” (Electronic Arts)
“Guitar Hero III” (Activision/RedOctane)
“Lost Odyssey™” (Microsoft Game Studios)
“Madden NFL 08” (Electronic Arts)
“NCAA Football 08” (Electronic Arts)
“Need for Speed: ProStreet” (Electronic Arts)
“Project Gotham Racing® 4” (Microsoft Game Studios)
“The Simpsons Game” (Electronic Arts)
“Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08” (Electronic Arts)
“WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008” (THQ)

In addition to all this content, there will be many surprises, so fans should stay tuned to the Xbox LIVE calendar (http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live/marketplace/ticker.htm) for updates about what E3: Bringing It Home content will be available during the show.

Can't wait and it all starts July 10th!

By the way.. poor show in keeping this going, I was away for a month working off site and not an ounce of gaming news!!!