Joining the critically-acclaimed, 93 original mix soundtrack on DJ Hero™ - the #1 new videogame intellectual property of 2009 - are chart topping hits from hip-hop legends and DJ Hero Renegade Edition headliners, JAY-Z and Eminem. Starting March 18, 2010, living room DJ's can mix, scratch and battle with the JAY-Z vs. Eminem Mix Pack, featuring the following exclusive mash-ups:"Shake That" by Eminem Mixed With "Show Me What You Got" by JAY-Z
"Without Me" by Eminem Mixed With "Encore" by JAY-Z
"Can I Get A..." by JAY-Z Mixed With "Lose Yourself" by Eminem
The JAY-Z vs. Eminem Pack will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on March 18, 2010 for 640 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation®Store for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system on March 25, 2010 for $7.99. All mixes will be released as downloadable singles for Wii™ on March 25, 2010 for 300 Wii Points each.
Not too shabby of a price. If you have gotten through all of your mixes, you'll be happy to see new songs coming down the pipeline.]]>
SEGA is happy to announce that Yakuza 3 has shipped to retailers in North America exclusively for the Sony PlayStation 3. Kazuma hits the mean streets of Okinawa and Tokyo in Yakuza 3 and you're invited along to crack skulls and live out this truly cinematic Japanese gangster drama.We would like to take this time to thank everyone for their support of Yakuza 3. Now let's roam the streets of Japan and build up our heat meter for some spectacular face bashing goodness!
While the series is popular in Japan, it doesn't seem to have taken off in the US. It sounds like now is a good time to check it out if you haven't yet.]]>
Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a four pack of songs from pop sensation Lady Gaga, as well as a special Lady Gaga cover by COMEDY CENTRAL's South Park's own Eric Cartman will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™.Lady Gaga joins the more than 400 artists currently available through theRock Band platform. With more than 1,100 songs available,Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists.
It's not surprising after having Taylor Swift predominantly featured in Band Hero. So go ahead and get your Poker Face on next week.]]>
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced an agreement with 38 Studios, LLC to publish the company's first video game, an epic single-player role-playing game codenamed 'Project Mercury'. 38 Studios is the creative enterprise of World Series MVP and avid gamer Curt Schilling. 'Project Mercury' is being developed at Big Huge Games, a wholly-owned subsidiary of 38 Studios, under the leadership of Ken Rolston, former lead designer of the critically acclaimed hits, Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The game marks the first entry into the company's vast universe created by New York Times best-selling fantasy author R. A. Salvatore, with artistic direction by Todd McFarlane, renowned artist and creator of Spawn.It's good to see that 38 Studios will have their games available because of this partnership. Now we just have to see what the games are like.]]>"From day one, 38 Studios has been focused on creating the next generation of entertainment experiences that embrace all mediums, including film, television, comics, novels, toys and, of course, games," said Curt Schilling, Founder and Chairman of 38 Studios. "We are creating an enormous world, with heroes and villains and a rich back story from the brilliant minds of R. A., Todd and Ken at its heart, and I can think of no finer partner than the global powerhouse that is EA Partners. Being able to leverage the expertise of EA's publishing organization to bring our first product to market is a dream come true for 38 Studios."
"We are thrilled to be working with 38 Studios. The world of RPG gaming is so rich and it is a perfect complement to our partners and title portfolio in EAP," said David DeMartini, Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA Partners. "Project Mercury is bursting with first-rate talent, with passion that spans across the board, from Curt to R. A. to Todd and Ken. We look forward to collaborating with them to create an amazing game set in this incredible new world."
R. A. Salvatore, who has sold over 15 million books worldwide, will be at the Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco this week speaking about the creative process of building fantasy worlds. His lecture, entitled "From Fantasy to Franchise: How to Build a Universe Worthy of Devotion", will take place on Thursday, March 11th from 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM in Room 306 in South Hall at the Moscone Center. Salvatore will discuss his past experiences in writing and games, as well as touch upon his role at 38 Studios as Executive Creator of Worlds.
Project Mercury will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, and PC. For more information about 38 Studios, please visit www.38studios.com.
SEGA of America today announced that the first downloadable content for Aliens vs. Predator will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PlayStation® Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and STEAM for PC. Featuring 4 new maps for different multiplayer modes, previously only available in the Special Editions, this downloadable content will challenge all 3 species for the fight of their existence. Two new Multiplayer maps for six different online modes (Deathmatch, Predator Hunt, Infestation, Species Deathmatch, Mixed Species Deathmatch and Domination) :
- Docks: The caustic alkali waters of BG-386 put an end to Weyland-Yutani's planned shipping activities. But this dockyard soon became an historic battleground.
- Machine: As well as processing exotic ores, the BG-386 Refinery provided electrical power to the colonists at Freya's Prospect. The lights may still be on, but nobody's home. Yet.
Two new Survivor maps in which up to four Marines battle to stay alive against increasing swarms of Aliens:
- Outpost: The site of the original Weyland-Yutani colony on BG-386 was abandoned, and soon reclaimed by the planet's voracious jungle plant life. It is now the perfect hunting ground for all manner of wildlife.
- Hive: Deep in the heart of the Freya's Prospect Refinery lays the Xenomorph Hive. Beware all who enter here.
The "Swarm Map Pack" will be available on March 18th for $6.99 or 560 Microsoft Points.
It turns out to be about $1.75 per map. Not too shabby if you are playing the multiplayer game a lot. Look for it March 18th.]]>
2K Games announced today that it has signed a license agreement with Playboy magazine for a unique in-game integration to use more than 50 of their vintage covers and Centerfolds in Mafia® II, this year's highly anticipated epic mobster game for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC. Set in the fully realized and immersive 1940s and 1950s American urban cityscape of Empire Bay, Mafia II will enable players to collect virtual copies of the iconic magazine, which has served as the definitive guide to lifestyle and culture for men since December 1953.It certainly is an interesting partnership, and it will be interesting to see what kind of content is provided. Take a look for Mafia II later this year.]]>"While most mob-inspired games' emphasis is solely on action, Mafia II features a deep and compelling narrative that is embellished with a sophisticated, era-evoking atmosphere," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "In partnering with Playboy, we are able to add a unique element of authenticity to the game by using vintage images from the magazine that illustrate the power of Playboy's influence on the attitudes and culture of that generation."
The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that The Sims™ 3 Ambitions Expansion pack* is in development and will launch in June 2010. As the second expansion pack to The Sims 3, the best-selling PC game of 2009**, The Sims 3 Ambitions allows players to pursue a variety of exciting paths and careers in their Sims' lives that in turn affect their overall gameplay experience and neighborhood. While on the job, the player has direct control over their Sims' work and can choose how to spend their days. Players can opt to make house calls and save lives as a doctor or choose the devious route and test experimental medicine on patients, be the hero firefighter tackling raging infernos or smashing everything in sight at the victim's home with an axe, or take a shot at solving cases as an investigator, nicely convincing sources to divulge secrets or roughing up perpetrators in a dark alley to get information."The variety of careers to choose from is unmatched and we've never given players the opportunity to follow their Sims to work and affect their actions on the job," said Scott Evans, General Manager of The Sims Studio at EA. "The Sims 3 Ambitions changes that. Players' actions at work now directly affect their lives, community and neighbors and become an extremely important part of how the game is played."
Players can now experience some of the most exciting and varied jobs. In The Sims 3 Ambitions, players can choose to hunt down vengeful spirits as the ghost hunter, invent brilliant and potentially destructive gadgets as an inventor, craft glorious masterpieces as a sculptor, and solve riveting cases by any means necessary as an investigator with dozens of cases to solve and numerous clues to find. Additionally, players will be able to change the look and feel of their town by becoming an architect and directly affecting the neighborhood around them leveraging Build and Buy mode. The stylist career and new tattoo system allow players to make over their Sim neighbors in fashionable or catastrophic ways. For the first time, players will be in charge of how their Sims' career progresses and decide if they will work for good or evil, pursue creative endeavors or technical affairs, climb to the top quickly, or be a slacker. The future of a Sims' success or failure is entirely in the hands of the player.
Sounds a lot better than locking your Sim in a room and having him drown to death or light him on fire while cooking. Look for it late this year.]]>
A source close to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 developer just informed me that a "bunch of bouncer-types" just showed up outside of the Infinity Ward offices unannounced. When approached by employees, the non-uniformed "bouncers" were unwilling to disclose why they were there."Everyone is on edge," said my source.
Infinity Ward studio heads Vince Zampella and Jason West reportedly met with Activision this morning and have not been seen by Infinity Ward staff members since. My source did not delve into specifics, but described the relationship between Infinity Ward and Activision lately as "tense."
Apparently Vince Zampella and Jason West were fired, and in the Activision SEC filing there was talk about insubordination by two high-ranking employees. The rumor is that they were shopping the Call of Duty brand around. Now they have countersued Activision for breach of contract. This is going to get ugly.]]>
NIS America announced today that Sakura Wars for both PlayStation®2 and Wii™ has been rescheduled to 3/30/2010.For long time fans of Sakura Wars and SRPG fans, the PS2 version will include a special art book, poster, and a collector's item outer cover. The PS2 version will also come with a double dual layered disc, each featuring the respective voiceovers of either English or Japanese. If you are looking for a killer bargain though, the Wii version will be a single dual layered disc with English voiceovers. This version does not contain the bonus items, but will be offered at an attractive price point.
It's surprising that the PS2 version is getting some extras while the Wii version isn't. Either way, the price is right at $29.99 for the Wii version.]]>
Details about Vanafast 2010 can be found here: http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/event/vanafes2010]]>
XSEED Games announced today that FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON has gone gold, and will be shipping across North America on March 16th. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and tri-Crescendo, FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON will be available in North America on March 16th, exclusively for Wii™ at the suggested retail price of $49.99. More information can be found at the newly launched website at www.fragiledreamswii.com"This is one title that we felt strongly about bringing over from Japan," stated Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. "It is our pleasure to be able to share such a unique and beautiful Japanese experience with the North American gamers."
The North American release has been confirmed as containing the original Japanese voices in addition to the newly recorded English voice-overs, as well as a newly created Extras option that becomes available once the game has been cleared. This new mode allows players to revisit key event movies from the game in the movie gallery, view concept art, and watch the original Japanese trailers. FRAGILE DREAMS: FAREWELL RUINS OF THE MOON will also feature a dual-sided box front, with the original Japanese box front on the reverse side. A special pre-order bonus, The MOONLIGHT TRACKS soundtrack, will be available exclusively at GameStop and EB Games together with the retail release of the game, but only while supplies last.
Sounds like an intriguing release. The flashlight mechanic does add some spookiness to the title. Look for this game in a couple of weeks.]]>
Nyko Technologies®, the leading videogame accessories manufacturer, today announced that their best-selling Wand™ controller is now available in five additional exciting colors, each available as an exclusive for select retail outlets. The new colors include green, orange, yellow, grey and red, and will join the award-winning original white Wand, as well as the currently popular blue, pink, purple and black.Now there is a Wand in every flavor, allowing Wii™ owners to customize their gaming experience. Each color is available at a select retailer:
- Gamestop: Green and Orange
- Walmart.com: Yellow
- Fry's: Red
- Meijer Supercenters: Grey
Sounds like just about every color in the rainbow is available. If you want to add some color to you Wii, this is the way to go.]]>
Turbine, Inc. announced today the release the newest Volume in the epic story of The Lord of the Rings Online™ (LOTRO). Volume III: Allies of the King begins a new adventure for subscribers of LOTRO who can now experience Book 1: Oath of the Rangers, the latest of Turbine's frequent and substantial updates to the award-winning MMORPG. Book 1 builds on the success of the critically acclaimed Skirmish system with the introduction of Duo Mode and four new 12-player Skirmishes, new high-level skills and recipes and the Spring Festival. Book 1: Oath of the Rangers is now available to subscribers of The Lord of the Rings Online.LotRO sure has had some staying power, especially considering the competition. Take a look and see what new content they have in store.]]>"2009 was another outstanding year for LOTRO with Siege of Mirkwood™ earning us another game of the year award while driving solid growth in the population of Middle-earth," said Aaron Campbell, Live Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. "Today we continue our journey with the introduction of the third volume of our award-winning story and the addition of new epic battles as we expand our popular Skirmish system. There has never been a better time to play LOTRO!"
Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, announced today that Mega Man® 10 has been launched on Nintendo's WiiWare™ service. The PlayStation®3 version will follow on the PlayStation®Network next week, March 11th and the Xbox LIVE® Arcade version for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will launch on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network on March 31st. Mega Man 10, the latest entry in Capcom's long-running series, will return gamers to the nostalgic perfection of classic 2D Mega Man® gameplay, embracing retro platform action and Nintendo Entertainment System™-inspired old-school graphics.The year is 20XX and a suspicious outbreak of Roboenza, a Robot Flu, has broken out. It spreads through the world like wildfire bringing down robots everywhere. Infected robots have rampaged out of control, destroyed the city and are holding it hostage! Who's behind this mess? It's up to Mega Man to take on this sinister threat and get to the bottom of this viral mystery.
If you own a Wii you can get it today, but if you want to play it on the other home consoles you have to wait for a bit. Get ready for a mega challenge!]]>
Leading the charge on March 4, pop-punk trio blink-182 returns to Guitar Hero with a track pack featuring three of their biggest hits that helped shape the development of the pop-punk music genre. The blink-182 track pack features "First Date," the second single from Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, as well as mega-hit "All The Small Things" and the slow-paced, serious track "Adam's Song," both from the band's 1999 multi-platinum album Enema Of The State.Grammy award winning band OK Go smashes onto the scene March 11 with "Here It Goes Again" and "Do What You Want" from their 2005 release Oh No. Longtime OK Go fanatics will also be thrilled to rock out to "Get Over It," the first single off of the band's 2002 self-titled debut album.
Living room legends can continue their St. Patrick's Day celebration as they download the Flogging Molly track pack on March 18. The three Irish-inspired favorites from the Celtic punk rockers will have fans jamming all night long to "Requiem For A Dying Song" and "(No More) Paddy's Lament" from the band's 2008 album Float and "The Seven Deadly Sins" from their 2004 release Within a Mile of Home.
The 80's return on March 25 with some of the music that made the decade famous, including the title glam metal anthem "Girls, Girls, Girls" off of Mötley Crüe's 1987 album, The Go-Go's biggest hit, "We Got The Beat," off of their debut album Beauty And The Beat, and Night Ranger's milestone power ballad "Sister Christian."
Looks like there is something for everyone to look forward in March.]]>