Source: Engadget
Earlier today Engadget broke news that a Sony tablet PC codenamed "S1" was in development. The Playstation Suite certified device is rumored to sport a 9.4 inch screen with a a 1,280 x 800 pixel display powered by a Tegra 2 processor. Like the Xperia Play it will run off of a modified version of the Android operating system. The "S1" is said to come preloaded with several PS1 titles and features PS3 remote play capability. Non-gaming related features include the peculiar curved design that apparently makes it easier to type on when used on a flat surface. It is also said to include a Bravia Media Remote and may possibly support Sony's Qriocity media service. Sony potentially has their hands full with 3 devices in the mobile gaming market now with the NGP, the Xperia Play and now the "S1". Is there any chance these devices will cannibalize each others sales?
Source: Engadget
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EA holds the dubious honor of having the first cancelled 3DS game- that has been publicly announced anyway. Their fanciful 3D gardening simulator was intended to be a launch title for the 3DS but several negative previews probably changed their minds. EA should really support this innovative hardware with quality games- but they probably won't bother since western developers still don't find handhelds all that important. A game like My Garden is really not the way to build credibility with gamers at the launch of a new system. I understand that there is an audience for this sort of thing but they should really start building their presence on the 3DS by putting their best foot forward- and this clearly was not.
Deep Silver and Techland's Dead Island was supposed to be released on the Xbox 360 and PC back in 2008. Nobody had seen or heard anything about it in the three years since so the game was quickly forgotten. Today the game resurfaced in a brand new (and quite awesome) trailer posted on IGN. The game is now expected to see release in 2011 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. Players will take control of the last remaining humans on an island infested with zombies. There are reportedly very few firearms left, meaning you will mostly be engaging in hand to hand combat using whatever you can find to help fend off the undead. While zombies are a pretty common element in video games, rarely have I seen a trailer with such style. If you haven't seen it already be sure to check it out.
Source: IGN For $300 you can net yourself an 160GB PS3 console including Guerilla Games' latest, Killzone 3. That is basically like getting the game for free, since a normal 160GB unit costs the same. Does this point to another price cut in the works, or is this a limited deal to help promote Killzone 3? This could certainly help entice more consumers in light of the recent piracy scandal. If you haven't picked up a PS3 yet I couldn't think of a better time, Killzone 3 currently has an average review score of 86 on metacritic. You will be able to find this bundle in stores February 22, the same day Killzone 3 launches.
After a successful beta period Pandora Saga is now going commercial. Atlus is implementing a few additions to the game to celebrate the occasion, including raising the level cap to 44 and opening a new item shop where players can find a variety of rare potions and frost-imbued ice weapons. Tsuyoshi Onozuka, Director at Atlus Online is very excited about the changes, "It is now that the game will truly begin to deliver on its tremendous promise, with huge warzone battles featuring hundreds of player combatants, new challenges for higher-level users, an item shop full of rare and useful resources, and much more. That is not to suggest that the time for continuing to listen to feedback and improve the game has passed; our focus will always be on delivering the ultimate experience for our community, and as such we shall continue to explore ways to make Pandora Saga the best game possible."
Wait, did he say battles featuring hundreds of player combatants? Clash of the Nations, Pandora Saga's PvP battle royale, is yet another new feature added to the game's official launch. There will be one Clash of the Nations event each day throughout the first week called the "7 Days of War." Atlus plans to continually update Pandora Saga, next month they will be adding a third job class for players to delve into. And don't forget prizes! Players can collect Muldia Medals and exchange them for a chance to win various prizes including the grand prize which consists of a $50 Ultimate Game Card, a 23" LCD monitor and a fancy keyboard that will help any MMO fan dominate. Hundreds more will win other various prizes. To register to play and for more info about the game, visit the official site at http://pandorasaga.atlusonline.com In a decision that will surely leave many scratching their heads, the courts have given Sony the right to seize George Hotz's personal computer to determine how he managed to hack the PS3. In a hearing held Thursday Sony requested that they be given the contact information for individuals that watched Hotz's Youtube videos or retweeted the jailbreak code on twitter, but Judge Susan Illston denied their request. Ironically, Sony's own comical spokesperson, Kevin Butler, once accidentally retweeted the code himself thinking it was a Battleship reference. I can't understand why Sony, the opposing party in this court case, is given the power to search through a private citizen's personal computer in search of something that probably isn't even there anymore. What if they "accidentally" stumble across those Twitter usernames or Youtube accounts they previously requested in the process of looking for evidence? And why is that the opposing party gets to search for this evidence themselves instead of a separate impartial organization? I think this ruling is reflective of a lack of understanding on the judge's part, which is quite irresponsible in a case so heavily reliant on the understanding of the technology in question. Yes, what George Hotz did was wrong- but the handling of this case is setting a disturbing precedent for the gaming industry. What do you think, is George Hotz getting what he deserves or are Sony overstepping their boundaries?
Source: International Business Times Activision has claimed another victim. Bizarre Creations will be closing its doors for good this Friday, February 18th. Over the past 15 years they had made around 20 games, including hits like the Project Gotham series and Geometry Wars. Since being purchased by Activision they developed the good but criminally overlooked Blur and the mediocre James Bond 007: Blood Stone, which probably served as the final nail in their casket. It is unfortunate that such a talented developer has closed its doors after so many years of great games. Activision had only bought the developer in 2007, making you wonder why Activision buys up developers only to turn around and close them Tthe same fate has recently befallen 7 Studios, a developer that had only been purchased last April. I hope everyone effected by this closure lands on their feet. Dead Space 2 has an advertising campaign built around being a game your mom would hate. It's true, most traditional mothers probably would hate that game because they don't have the same tastes that young men do. What about games your mother would love though?
Click here to read my picks and find out why these games are so accessible I happened to think Metroid: Other M was pretty awesome, but not every critic would agree. The game did less than stellar at retail, leading many gamers to speculate that Nintendo would put the franchise on the shelf for a while. I don't think that's necessary, instead I thought of a few ideas Nintendo should utilize to help make Metroid relevant again.
Click here to read my thoughts on where the Metroid franchise should go in the future Sony has finally officially announced what could be the worst kept secret of the year, the Xperia Play, formerly known as the Playstation Phone. The phone will come pre-loaded with one secret PS1 classic, with several others available on the Android Marketplace exclusively for the Xperia Play. Over 20 publishers are readying content for the device and nearly 50 titles will be available for the device's launch in March. The Xperia will be available in both black and white, will include a 5.1 megapixel camera and 400MB of internal memory and a 8GB microSD memory card. The Xperia Play will also be one of the first devices to support Android 2.3. Sorry AT&T fans, Verizon will be carrying the Xperia play first when it launches this spring.
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