With a successful track record of over a million subscribers for NTT DoCoMo in Japan, game publisher, G-mode has announced today, of a partnership agreement with OpenMobile, the Asia Pacific market leader in mobile content distribution, to distribute its i-mode games for StarHub in Singapore.
OpenMobile will distribute G-mode titles such as Three Kingdom Mahjong, Jumping Ninja and 3D Surfing, which have been very popular in Japan and overseas market. OpenMobile will also be working with them on modifications and localizations of their contents to the StarHub i-mode handsets.
"After a few months of short listing possible partners we want to work with, OpenMobile, appears to be the partner G-mode requires", says Hiro Higashiyama, Business Development Manager of G-mode Headquarters, Tokyo. "With its strong distribution network and good relationship with local carriers within the regions, we are confident OpenMobile will help us deliver G-mode game site for StarHub.
"We are delighted about the new opportunities that the partnership with G-mode brings", says Henry Pan, Managing Director of OpenMobile Asia Pacific. "With over 200 game titles to their name, this partnership with G-mode will contribute greatly to our game library, and we are thus, assured of success in this agreement".
Samsung is releasing a gaming phone, the SPH-G1000
Samsung is releasing a gaming phone, the SPH-G1000. No company has managed to do a great job of this so far, but they keep trying. This one won’t have the PSP worried, but that isn’t really the point. Games look darned good with a fairly big 2.2 inch QVGA LCD screen and the best 3D accelerator in the industry. They sound great, too, with dual stereo speakers. The vibration capability of the phone can be incorporated into the gaming experience. The controls include a dedicated joypad that is ergonomical and effective. There is even TV-out to offer you more options and it supports wireless gaming.
It works well as a phone as well. It has a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash which can shoot stills or record videos in MPEG4 format and an MP3 player.
The SPH-G1000 isn’t for hardcore gamers, but I guarantee it plays games better than your current phone. Even if you want one, though, you are probably out of luck. The phone is only available in Korea and there are no plans yet to bring it over the ocean.
Today's pre-Thanksgiving wrap-up includes news on the latest big-in-Europe and somewhat explicit Lula 3D title, as well as Telcogames' acquisition of Magic Productions, alongside today's product news and Gamasutra job postings.
- CDV Entertainment has announced the upcoming release of a new game starring Lula, in the erotic avatar's first 3D adventure. The game, appropriately titled Lula 3D, has Lula investigating the disappearance of the stars of her latest production, with only a few clues to go on. The developers seem to have thought of everything the consumer of a Lula 3D game would want, as the feature list includes such selling points as "Total body action" and "Over 50 extremely well-stacked characters more than willing to please" …
- Telcogames Limited, a publisher of mobile phone games, has acquired Magic Productions Limited. Magic Productions develops games for Symbian and Windows-enabled phones, an area in which Telcogames is attempting to strengthen its portfolio. "The Magic Productions acquisition is an extremely good fit for Telcogames," said Telcogames CEO Jamie Conyngham. "We think the studio is making some of the best mobile games in the world at the moment. We want to supplement our world leading J2ME & Brew portfolio from over 100 publishers with our own high-end games aimed at the serious and experienced mobile gamer who demands an extremely high quality product."
- Also updated today: product news including Gugila's announcement of the GroundWiz plug-in, as well as today's Gamasutra job postings, including positions from @Last Software, Amaze Entertainment, Blue Fang Games, Datascope Recruitment, Disney Buena Vista Games, Emergent Game Technologies, Factor 5, Insomniac Games, Liquid Entertainment, NaturalMotion, Networking People, Pipeworks, Point Of View, The Guildhall at SMU, Tilted Mill, and Visual Concepts.
[Please note that Gamasutra will continue posting news and features on a limited schedule over the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday this Thursday and Friday, out of courtesy to our many foreign readers.]
As Microsoft unleashes its Xbox 360, gamers face a difficult decision - whether to buy the new machine or wait for the next gen consoles from Sony and Nintendo. Three game journalists present the case for their console of choice.
MICROSOFT XBOX 360 By Steve Brown, editor, Xbox 360: The Official Xbox Magazine
Microsoft's 360 is sleeker than the original Xbox
Xbox 360 is the first console to take advantage of the new high definition standard. All games made for the console will run in this new widescreen graphical format which, if you have the correct screen, is the biggest leap forward for games graphics since the first home 3D games in 1995.
Even those without a high def screen will notice a considerable step up in graphical prowess for the games they play on Xbox 360.
This is most notably in the tiny details that helps make games seem real - spectators faces in the crowds of sports games, for instance, or the stitching on the leather upholstery of one of the supercars in Project Gotham Racing.
However, graphics are only one of the areas of gaming that the extra power of Xbox 360 will revolutionise.
The main difference between Xbox 360 and other next generation consoles is the fact that it is designed to be a completely connected experience; from simple things like wireless controllers and wireless internet connectivity, to the killer feature of the Xbox 360 world, Xbox Live.
Net community
While Live existed on original Xbox as an online gaming network, Xbox Live on the 360 improves that experience with enhanced, more reliable matchmaking and then adds more besides.
Perfect Dark Zero is a flagship Xbox 360 title
The system's Marketplace feature will allow connected gamers to download new game content for free, as well as share custom content they have created with friends.
Subscribers to the service will be able to talk to their friends whenever the console is turned on and in the future will also be able to video chat using the system's bespoke video cam.
The inclusion of a hard drive, pioneered in the original Xbox, offers owners of the Xbox 360 further benefits.
The console is designed to connect seamlessly with all MP3 players, video cameras and other media devices.
Music can be ripped to the system's hard drive and played as a custom soundtrack for games or the console can simply be used as an 'amplifier' for any media users want to plug into it
Using the optional wireless receiver, the Xbox 360 will even link to home networks and communicate directly with home PCs.
However, even with high definition and unrivalled connectivity, it is still the games that matter most in the Xbox 360 world.
The games available in the first three months of the Xbox 360's life are some of the best ever created and of a standard some consoles have had to wait their entire lifespan to amass.
Project Gotham Racing 3, Perfect Dark Zero, Gears of War and Kameo are only some of the highlights. The rest of 2006 will provide plenty more.
SONY PLAYSTATION 3 By Tim Clark, associate editor, Official PlayStation 2 Magazine UK
The PlayStation 3 could be in the shops in Japan by the spring
Six months ago I snuck into work just before midnight to meet several like-minded colleagues. The reason we were there was to watch PlayStation 3 being unveiled live on the net.
Those of us huddled excitedly around the screen were ready to see, and more importantly, play something new. The display of raw power that followed was little short of astonishing.
Here, finally, was a games machine capable of pumping out the kind of eye-watering visuals you would normally associate with high-end special effects used in movies.
To get a real idea of just how powerful the PlayStation 3 is you need to speak to a developer working on the system.
Chris Keegan is technical director at Climax. He says that if the PS3 existed in 1998, it would have been the most powerful super-computer in the world.
He reckons the PS3 is roughly 250 times more powerful in raw processing terms than PS2.
But computing power counts for nothing without the support of software publishers.
Game highlights
Today, every major third-party publisher is onboard and there are more than 150 titles in development. Highlights include Resident Evil 5, the next Grand Theft Auto and Vision Gran Turismo.
But pick of the bunch so far has to be Metal Gear Solid 4. The latest instalment in the series, which has long been synonymous with Sony hardware, looks incredible.
Work is under way on Metal Gear Solid 4 for the PS3
To really get the most out of the PS3, you are going to need to get involved with high definition TV. The console is equipped with two HDMI outputs which, when hooked up to a compatible Plasma or LCD display, will result in images of unparalleled clarity and detail.
Further future-proofing comes from the Blu-Ray disc format which the PS3 uses. Blu-Ray discs can hold up to 25 gigabytes of data, as opposed to 4.7GB on a standard DVD which are used on the Xbox 360. Layered discs versions with even more capacity are possible.
Sony's trump card is it's recently released handheld, the PSP. Further down the line, the suggestion is that you will be able to use the PSP's network browsing functionality to log onto your PS3 remotely, managing content such as music and movies, while on the move.
During the current generation, Microsoft dominated online console gaming with Xbox Live. I would expect to see Sony offering a fully integrated network service to support PS3 this time around.
Now the waiting game starts. There is no word on price, and the current estimate is that PS3 will launch in Japan next spring, with the US and Europe due to follow before the end of the year.
If the PS3 rollout is structured along similar lines to the PS2 one, it could be next October before UK gamers get their hands on it, giving the Xbox 360 almost a year's head start.
But Sony is used to managing consumer expectations and playing the wait and see card. After all, going first brings its own set of problems. Just ask Sega.
NINTENDO REVOLUTION By Tom East, editor, NGC magazine
The Revolution is due to go on sale sometime next year
Nintendo's Revolution is undoubtedly the most exciting console of the three next generation machines.
While the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 can offer improved graphics and sound, Nintendo, with their amazing new controller, are promising to change the way you actually play games forever.
The Revolution controller may look like a TV remote but, with its built-in motion-sensor, it is perhaps the most radical innovation in console history.
Players will hold the new freehand unit in one hand and control the action onscreen by pointing it at their television and waving it around.
So, instead of pressing the A button to, say, kill an enemy with a sword, you can make slashing movements with the controller and your actions will be replicated on the screen.
This can only improve your playing experience, offering levels of interactivity that have so far only been realised through basic PlayStation 2 EyeToy games and Nintendo's own wonderful handheld, the DS.
New experiences
With other consoles, you will be playing better looking versions of the games you have already got.
Sure, the games will be smoother, prettier and offer levels of realism that have yet to be seen in video games.
Nintendo plans to offer a one-handed controller
But when you are paying more than £200 for some new hardware you should expect a great deal more than shinier cars and realistic grass that moves in the wind.
Revolution's technology should, like the other consoles, be cutting edge, but it is the only console that will actually offer you new experiences.
While we have yet to see any actual games running on Revolution, Nintendo have produced a video that hints at the many ways the controller can be used.
We have seen a man using it as a light-gun in a first-person shooter game, a child using it as a fishing rod even old people conducting an orchestra.
And that is just the new games, you will also be able to download classic Nintendo games online to play on Revolution.
With Revolution, Nintendo have been keen to emphasise that their new controller will be so easy to use that it will not only appeal to their hardcore fans, but also people who have never played on a games console before.
The message is, similar to DS, it does not matter if you are young or old, male or female, you will have fun playing games on Revolution.
It is curtains down as the World Cyber Games (WCG) 2005 Grand Final drew to a thrilling finale today. USA emerged as the top cyber gaming nation with a grand total of two gold medals and a silver medal after five days of intense tournaments, entertaining cultural events and exciting fringe activities.
USA bagged gold medals in CounterStrike and Halo 2, and a silver medal in WarCraft. They are closely trailed by Korea with two gold medals (StarCraft and Warhammer) and a bronze medal (Dead or Alive Ultimate), and Brazil with one gold and one silver medal for the same game - Need for Speed. Last year’s top cyber game nation, Netherlands, will be heading home with a solitary bronze medal.
In today’s championship matches, Dennis Schellhase from Germany and Li Xiaofeng from China won their countries’ sole gold medals at the games with victories in FIFA Soccer and WarCraft respectively, while hot favourites Team 3D from USA and Korea’s Jaehoon Lee plotted their victories in CounterStrike and StarCraft respectively (See attached Appendix for full list of medalists).
Presenting the awards at the closing ceremony were senior executives from WCG committee, worldwide sponsor, Samsung and premier sponsors Intel and Razer, as well as strategic suppliers.
In his closing ceremony speech, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Singapore’s Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts said, “Digital games as part of the whole entertainment and media ecosystem is big business and a growing contributor to the global creative economy. We are therefore proud to be the host country of such events as they serve to reinforce Singapore’s position as a regional hub and gateway to Asia.”
This year’s WCG Grand Final, the first to be held in Asia outside Korea, was a phenomenal success, attracting a record total of 55,000 spectators who experienced the magic of e-Sports and how it brings the young generations of the world together in peace and unity.
Through providing a comprehensive and fun related game content at this Grand Final in Singapore, WCG has transcended language barriers and helped make games the second international passion, after sports. It has also witnessed the start of many friendships and exchange of fondest memories.
"With the unprecedented spectator interest and record number of participating countries and gamers this year, the World Cyber Games has truly evolved to become the gaming equivalent of the Olympics. We will build on this year’s success to create an even more thrilling and successful event for next year’s World Cyber Games," said Mr. Hank Jeong, President and CEO of International Cyber Marketing, organiser for the World Cyber Games.
In the spirit of true e-sportsmanship, WCG and worldwide sponsor, Samsung named Brazil’s Danilo Barros as the first Samsung Fair Play recipient. He was chosen by games’ referees among 700 players from 67 countries who converged in Singapore over the last five days.
Riding on the popularity of new digital entertainment culture, WCG held the first mobile championship, which drew a total of 33 players competing for total prize money of US$24,000 in four official games including Midtown Madness 3, Bruce Lee, Goolie, and Chopper Rescue. The winners were Taiwan’s Wu Jian Hong (Goolie), South Africa’s Tammy Brooke-Smith (Chopper Rescue), Malaysia’s Nik Zl Azmi (Bruce Lee) and Malaysia’s Rishilan A/L Chandran (Midtown Madness).
World Cyber Games 2006 will be held in Monza, Italy, which is best known for hosting the Italian Grand Prix. It will mark the first time that World Cyber Games is being held in Europe. USA Emerges As Overall Champion Of World Cyber Games As 2005 Grand Final Ends With Spectacular Celebration
LOS ANGELES, - Global wireless entertainment publisher JAMDAT Mobile Inc. (NASDAQ:JMDT) and interactive games publisher Activision, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) announced today a new co-publishing agreement between the companies for the worldwide exclusive mobile gaming rights to the next Tony Hawk game. JAMDAT has also acquired the worldwide exclusive mobile publishing and distribution rights for GUN, a new western-style action game based on the console title by the same name. The terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
"The combination of JAMDAT's wireless entertainment expertise and Activision's popular titles has proven to be an unbeatable combination," said Minard Hamilton, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing of JAMDAT Mobile Inc. "JAMDAT and Activision have built an extremely successful mobile gaming franchise with the Tony Hawk series and we look forward to building an equally winning franchise with GUN."
"We are v ery excited to extend our relationship with JAMDAT," said Dave Anderson, Sr. Director, Business Development for Activision. "In addition to continuing our success with the Tony Hawk franchise, we believe that GUN will be another great game that we can bring to mobile gamers worldwide."
JAMDAT has already published a number of mobile games based on the Tony Hawk brand, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater: 3D Mobile Edition and the Tony Hawk Underground titles. Activision's Tony Hawk series is one of the video game industry's most successful franchises, having generated approximately $1 billion in retail sales worldwide.
Game availability depends on individual phone model and wireless carrier. For specific information, JAMDAT's Game Finder is available at www.jamdat.com.
One of the biggest events in professional gaming finished yesterday, with the USA emerging as the world champions after some extremely close matches and tense moments. Winning gold medals in Counter-Strike: Source and Halo 2 thanks to national representatives Team 3D, the champions only just managed to beat Korea, who took second place with wins in StarCraft and Warhammer.
The victories reflect the seriousness with which these respective countries treat professional gaming; while European nations were well represented with teams such as 4Kings, victories for Europe were thin on the ground. Perhaps this will change next year, as the 2006 World Cyber Games is set to take place in Italy.
Superscape's Jaws 3D and Street Hoops 3D Come to Vivo Network in Brazil
SAN CLEMENTE, California, /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Superscape Group plc (LSE: SPS - News) announces that two of its 3D mobile games titles are now available to download for consumers of the Vivo network in Brazil. Vivo is the largest mobile operator in Brazil, which is the world's seventh largest mobile marketplace.
The two new 3D titles are:
- Jaws 3D - based on the blockbuster movie, this is an action-packed game where players strive to stay alive in the face of bloodthirsty attacking sharks. The storylines from the movies and the main characters are featured in the 3D game across fifteen increasingly difficult levels of gameplay.
- Street Hoops 3D - a street-style basketball game with up to seven different opponents, played on some of the best-known street courts.
Commenting, Kevin Roberts, CEO, Superscape Group plc said: "I am delighted that Vivo has chosen more of our 3D titles to go with the seven which are already available to their customers. Street Hoops is a well-established favourite, whilst Jaws 3D is one of our newer titles, and one which I believe will prove very popular given the global appeal of the movies over many years."
About Superscape
Superscape is the world's leading publisher of 3D mobile games. The company was the first in the world to develop and launch international standard (JSR 184) compliant solutions for the delivery of innovative games on mass-market handsets. Superscape is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has corporate offices in Hook, Hampshire (UK) and San Clemente, California (USA), together with development and production facilities in Moscow.
Members of the creative team behind Ubisoft’s upcoming Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones will be participating in an online chat this Wed. 11/23 at 5PM UK time (that’s 12PM EST). The chat will be accessible via IRC chat client or Ubisoft’s Java-based client.
Producer Ben Mattes, script writer Corey May, and art director Jean-Christophe Guyot will give you all the cheats answer any questions you might have about the final installment of the Prince trilogy. If you aren’t lucky enough to snag a 360 on Tuesday, this will give you something to do while the turkey cooks.
Original games reign in the land of sequels By AIMEE HATFIELD, Lincoln Journal Star
Game companies are lacking a bit in the originality department of late, with so many sequels being released, but there are still games out there that don't have a number in the title. And this week, every single one of them is outstanding.
''The Warriors''
The 1979 cult movie the game is based on is about a gang, far from its own turf, wrongly accused of shooting another gang leader. As the gang, The Warriors, tries to get home to Coney Island, every other gang in the city is gunning for them.
There's a bit of a ''Grand Theft Auto'' feel to it as you run around New York and mug people or steal car radios. Missions prompt you to infiltrate enemy turf, rescue people from the police or spray your gang tag on walls.
The fighting is very well done, with an intuitive and responsive system of combos and throws, and the pretty graphics make you feel every brick thrown into the back of your head. This also translates well into the crazily fun multiplayer modes (a second player can even jump into the single-player story mode with you).
''Indigo Prophecy''
''Indigo Prophecy'' is a murder mystery in which you play all three of the main characters: The murderer and the two police officers trying to catch him.
As you make your way through the world, actions present themselves, but they're not always good, and almost all have an effect on your character's mental state. This ''actions have consequences'' system paired with knowing what all the characters know and yet still not knowing all of the story makes for an exciting, original game.
''Shadow of the Colossus''
"Colossus'' is the story of a young man hoping to bring a woman back to life. Using a magical sword that channels the powers of light, the man must destroy sixteen Colossi --- gigantic beings spread around a mystical world. The world itself is beautiful, with a dreamlike and cinematic quality.
The Colossi are the only fights in the game; there are no other monsters or people to come across. The focus is all on the Colossi, and that's what makes the game so different --- and so satisfying. Each battlefield is the Colossus itself; in order to defeat it, you must climb the Colossus and find its weak spots.
''F.E.A.R.''
Other critics already have been calling this first-person shooter ''the best PC shooter of the year,'' and I don't think I would argue with them.
''F.E.A.R.'' (First Encounter Assault Recon) is the story of a special forces team member trying to take down the leader of a group that has infiltrated a compound. Of course, it turns out to be more complicated than that. Along the way are plenty of bodies, blood, ghostly visions and strange radio interference.
The gameplay is smooth and responsive. The artificial intelligence of the enemies sometimes fails, but for the most part it is pretty smart. ''F.E.A.R.'' also offers solid online multi-player play.
PRESS RELEASE: Action Commences At World Cyber Games Grand Final
SINGAPORE, As 300 reporters from every inch of the globe descended upon Singapore for the first day of competition, it was surprises galore at the World Cyber Games (WCG) 2005 Grand Final, with dark horses from the host country qualifying for the knock out stages.
With news crews from the BBC, AFP, CNBC, Channel News Asia and Fox News among others in attendance, the cyber athletes did not disappoint, with Team USA's Matthew Proctor (Garland, TX) easily qualifying for the next round of Warhammer 40K and Singapore's Dead Or Alive: Ultimate player Wilson Chia (Tetra) raising eyebrows by qualifying top of his group undefeated.
Intense competition between players from different cultures and countries
Last year's gold medalist in WarCraft III Manuel Schenkhuizen (4K_Grubby) from the Netherlands was upset by Li Xiaofeng (SKYCN) from China in a hotly contested match. Li emerged as the player to watch for WarCraft III after topping his group undefeated. 4K_Grubby joined him as the other qualifier from Group E.
Apart from the gaming action, spectators were also treated to an array of activities at the Sponsor Pavilion with worldwide sponsor, Samsung, kicking off with an extravagant exhibition, daily spectator prizes and its plans for bridging the physical and digital divide.
To further boost the gaming industry, Razer launched a one million dollar sponsorship fund for professional and amateur gamers. Intel also conducted media tours and shared with show spectators their latest development in PC gaming technology.
The excitement continues tomorrow as gamers book the last remaining tickets to the single elimination round. 2004 WCG gold medalists and CounterStrike hot favorites, Team 3D from the USA begin defence of their title against Team Lions from Pakistan and Team U43 from the United Arab Emirates while their Team 3D cohorts and Halo 2 finalists, the Ogre Twins, start their anticipated run to the final with matches against Team Canada, Team Switzerland and Team Columbia.
Business professionals will also discuss key industry topics by renowned experts in the gaming world including International Game Developer Association (IGDA) Singapore Chapter, Intel and Razer.
All events at the Grand Final are telecasted through MediaCorp, WCG's official broadcaster. Samsung is a worldwide sponsor of the World Cyber Games. The Grand Final is also made possible through the sponsorship support of premier sponsors Intel and Razer and official sponsors SingTel and Video Pro.
About The World Cyber Games
International Cyber Marketing (www.worldcybergames.com) is the global organizer of the World Cyber Games, the world's largest computer and video game festival, and is the licenser for all World Cyber Games interactive game tournaments to be held in about 67 countries in 2005. This year the winners of each national event series will compete for the world championship title and prizes valued at $435,000. Now in its fifth official year, the World Cyber Games has ushered in a new dimension of e-Sports where game enthusiasts can look forward to some of the most intense and dynamic video game action by the best players on the planet.
One of the more odious holiday-season tasks in the modern era might be having to buy video games for kids (or adults) when you're a grown-up who couldn't care less about the annoying things.
So, listen up: Here's a grab bag of PC and console titles, in no particular order, that have gamers abuzz and should be readily available on retail shelves this season. Note that some are more family-friendly than others.
Gun -- This Wild West adventure has been praised for its open-ended storytelling style, though faulted by some reviewers for being a bit too short. This title was made by the folks who practically created the extreme-sports genre with their hit line of Tony Hawk skateboarding games. PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PC
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories -- The notorious build-a-crime-empire series makes a debut on Sony's handheld gaming device. PlayStation Portable
Stubbs the Zombie -- Don't fight the undead, be the undead. Our hero here is a zombie, and the order of the day is to munch a lot of brains and build a zombie army. Gory, in a cartoonish way, this is mostly a spoof of '50s-era monster movies made by some of the original creators of the hit Halo franchise. Xbox
Shadow of the Colossus -- To solve the mystery at the center of this moody story, players have to figure out and exploit the weak points of a series of giants. A lot of games require quick reflexes to defeat hordes of dumb, human-sized monsters. This one asks for wits and patience to defeat a few massive ones. This title has been a sleeper hit among gamers, who rave about the game's originality. PlayStation 2
Star Wars Battlefront II -- "Star Wars" has launched a galaxy's worth of video games over the years. Most stink -- but this is one of the few that has scored enthusiastic reviews. Players in this one get to be foot soldiers in scenarios from the movies, ranging from the ice planet Hoth to the interior of the Death Star. PlayStation 2, Xbox
Civilization IV -- This strategy game, made by famous local game designer Sid Meier, lets players manage a budding society from the prehistoric era into the near future. This series is known for hooking fans into playing long game sessions stretching to the wee hours. PC
The Movies -- What would you do about TomKat or Brangelina? In this movie studio simulation game, you're a powerful movie mogul who gets to micromanage everything, from which projects get the green light to how to handle the latest scandal. PC
City of Villains -- Doesn't everybody want a lair to call his own? This online role-playing game, a sequel title to the superhero game City of Heroes, lets players take on the role of supervillains with powers and costumes designed from scratch. PC
Quake IV -- Space marines! Monsters! An ever-escalating armory of weapons! You know the drill. From the same company that made Doom. PC, Xbox 360
Perfect Dark Zero -- This first-person shooter game, about a secret agent named Joanna Dark, is an exclusive Xbox 360 title and one of the most anticipated games for the new console. Xbox 360
Project Gotham Racing 3 -- The buzz on this racing game for the Xbox 360 is that it's so graphically advanced that its digitized version of Brooklyn Bridge contains as much detail as the entire city of New York did in the previous installment. Xbox 360
FAMILY FRIENDLY TITLES:
Ultimate Spider-Man -- This game takes its appearance from the comic books, not the recent movies. When not swinging around on the buildings in this game's vast metropolis, players also get to play Venom, a villain from the Spider-Man world. PlayStation 2, Xbox.
The Sims 2 -- The hit sequel to the hit computer game, in which players get to micromanage the day-to-day lives of virtual people, is now available on game console. PlayStation 2, Xbox GameCube
We Love Katamari -- This Japanese cult hit, with its Hello Kitty aesthetic, is so weird that it's a little tough to explain. Basically, you're a little cartoon guy rolling up increasingly huge balls of junk that the King of Cosmos is using to. . . oh, forget it. Whatever, it's fun. PlayStation 2
Nintendogs -- This virtual pet program features everything but kennel fees. Pet your virtual doggie, walk it, buy it toys -- all that's missing is a trip to the Adams Morgan dog park. Thanks to the Nintendo DS's wireless connectivity features, players can have their virtual animals play with each other. Nintendo DS.
Guitar Hero -- It's "School of Rock" for the PlayStation 2. Designed with the air guitar master in the family in mind, this title comes with a guitar/game controller that plugs into the game console. Hit the right "notes" as you rock along with '70s-era tunes and you will climb your way to rock-god status. In your living room, anyway. PlayStation 2
The Atari Flashback 2 -- Modern games and game machines can be expensive, intimidating and a little too complex. This $30 device, designed as a smaller replica of the 1970s-era Atari 2600 console, is perfect for folks looking for a quick fix of classic games like Asteroids or Missile Command. If you didn't finish Adventure back in 1982, here's your chance.
Superscape 3D Mobile Games Now Available From Vodafone Live!
SAN CLEMENTE, California/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Superscape Group plc (LSE:SPS - News), the world's leading publisher of 3D mobile games, announces that a number of its 3D titles are available for download from Vodafone Live!.
The games are:
- AMF Xtreme Bowling 3D - fast-paced bowling from the number one name in the sport
- Independence Day 3D - based on the 20th Century Fox film, players must save the world from alien invaders
- Scuba Solitaire 3D - takes the universal appeal of this one person card game and combines it with fantastic 3D graphics effects for an underwater Solitaire experience.
Kevin Roberts, CEO, Superscape Group plc said: "I am delighted that our games are now available to Vodafone Live! customers. Vodafone has selected some of our most popular titles based on high profile brands, such as AMF Bowling. However, we have also been very pleased with the response from consumers to one of our unbranded titles - Scuba Solitaire 3D. In this game, the action takes place underwater with the impression that the game is being played on a glass bottom boat. Underwater creatures and breathtaking scenery surround the players in this twist on one of the world's most popular card games."
Notes to Editors
About Superscape
Superscape is the world's leading publisher of 3D mobile games. The company was the first in the world to develop and launch international standard (JSR 184) compliant solutions for the delivery of innovative games on mass-market handsets. Superscape is quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has corporate offices in Hook, Hampshire (UK) and San Clemente, California (USA), together with development and production facilities in Moscow. www.superscape.com
Mobile3DGames.com collects all information over the explosive mobile 3D gaming market. Games, developers, publishers, ratings and reviews for all major mobile gaming platforms organized in an easy to use interactive database.
(PRWEB) November 16, 2005 -- Serious 3D gaming comes to mobile space this year, with the launch of new cellular phones and handheld consoles, all with hardware accelerated 3D subsystems embedded.
As the number of high performance mobile 3D devices will grow rapidly, developers will be able to create stunning 3D games previously unthinkable. A brand new market for quality mobile content opens.
The main objective of www.Mobile3DGames.com is to follow the breathtaking development of mobile 3D gaming and to collect all information related to mobile 3D games in one easy to use central database. Games, developers, publishers, ratings and reviews for major mobile gaming platforms like Brew, Gizmondo, Java, N-Gage, Nintendo DS and Sony PSP are all listed and organized. Though the content of website is supervised by an experienced team, visitors of www.Mobile3DGames.com can freely deepen the database by adding ratings and reviews on platforms and games or by sharing their opinions and thoughts through the discussion boards.
www.Mobile3DGames.com is maintained by Kishonti Informatics, the mobile 3D performance and graphics expert.
About Kishonti Informatics: Kishonti Informatics created the industry-standard JBenchmark mobile performance tests and database (available at www.jbenchmark.com) and launched M3GExport (www.m3gexport.com), the highly optimized development tool for the emerging Mobile 3D Graphics standard. Kishonti Informatics’ software tools are widely used by wireless network operators, phone manufacturers, game developers and enthusiastic consumers worldwide.
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New Xbox 360 brings PC to the living room By Ken Kerschbaumer -- Broadcasting & Cable
When Microsoft's Xbox 360 shows up in stores this week, it will offer more than just life-like graphics and improved online play for such games as Madden NFL 2006 and King Kong. The 360 will have enough processing power and network connectivity to bring streamed and downloaded video straight to a TV screen.
The Xbox 360—not to mention Sony's PlayStation 3 (due to arrive next year) and other hard-drive–based, next-generation gaming consoles—is moving well beyond basic gaming. For content owners, that means another media platform to explore. “Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 have the capability to act as portals onto other content beyond games,” says Michael Gartenberg, VP/research director, Jupiter Research.
Indeed, the new systems are about more than games. Built into Xbox 360 are Windows Connect, which lets users access music files and pictures from a PC, and Media Center Extender, which allows users to stream content from a Media Center PC to an Xbox hooked up to another TV in the home. The Xbox will also use wireless technologies, eliminating the need for cables running from PC to TV.
“If the user has a Media Center Edition 2005 PC, they can have instant access to all the live and recorded TV on that PC,” says Jeff Henshaw, executive producer, Xbox Digital Entertainment. “And if you carry music and photos around on a portable digital audio player or camera, you can plug them directly into the Xbox for music or a slide-show experience.”
Microsoft continues to push the envelope. The software giant says that, by the 2006 holiday season, its Media Center PCs will be digital-cable–ready, meaning that a cable-TV connector and CableCARD module can be connected directly into the PC, delivering TV content to it.
The Xbox 360 and PS3 are intended to achieve what computer manufacturers have largely been unable to do for the past decade: Bring the PC into the living room. The convergence of PC and TV has attracted lots of industry buzz thus far, but not a lot of consumer interest. And while PC manufacturers have tweaked designs to make computers more suitable for a living-room environment, they still remain largely tucked away.
The Xbox and PS3 could change that. Besides video, the Xbox will offer free voice and text messaging, as well as voice chat through headsets. One feature that will interest traditional TV networks is the Xbox Live Marketplace, which will give users an online shopping experience, complete with sampling and purchasing game content. A 20-gigabyte detachable hard drive will be available for storing music, games and other content.
“The possibilities the Marketplace opens up are endless,” Henshaw says. “As TV networks look increasingly to digital services, the Xbox 360 will be an exciting platform.”
The power of the devices is just being tapped. The Xbox 360 CPU has three symmetrical cores with 3.2-gigahertz processors featuring two hardware threads (or series of program instructions supported by hardware) per core. This means that each core is a virtual microprocessor and can handle such tasks as user interface, graphics and artificial intelligence for game characters. Because those processes don't have to share a single thread (as in the original Xbox), performance is improved by more than 10 times in terms of speed, quality of graphics and even audio, compared with the original.
All this power means game consoles can create a virtual 3D graphical representation of a real-life sporting event occurring at the same time, notes Hank Adams, CEO of Sportvision, which provides high-tech data and graphics for sports telecasts. “Fans would be able to move the camera to wherever they want for any angle,” he says. “If you want to see what the race looks like from the front bumper of Tony Stewart's car, you can do it.”
The next step is putting the viewer in the game, he adds. A NASCAR game would take a two-way data channel: one to push data to the console, the other to pump it back to let the system know where the gamer's car should be in relation to the actual cars. That could mean new revenue streams for the racing outfits and their broadcast partners, if gamers were to pay for real-time simulations and data.
One new Xbox game, Project Gotham Racing 3, moves towards that interactive future, says Henshaw: “A feature called Gotham TV lets people tune into a race and watch how other gamers are negotiating turns and overtaking cars.”
While the gaming community is growing, the industry is clearly targeting more of the population than just gamers. Says Henshaw, “If we can bring people together and let them form new communities around their games, music, photos, and even TV and movies, it'll be one fun ride for all of us.”
November belongs to Microsoft and the Xbox 360. With just days before launch on the 22nd, Mr. Softy's marketing machine has reached saturation, at least within the industry, and looks poised to do whatever is necessary to roll straight through the holidays as an unopposed juggernaut. The launch campaign for the 360 has thus far played out as a business school worthy case study in modern marketing, running the gamut from ultra low level viral techniques to the extremely high profile MTV debut and Time magazine cover. Toss in real world exposure events like the Xbox Lounge in Tokyo and the coming Mojave Desert launch party and you've got a marketing department that is firing on every cylinder. Marketing on this level sets a new high mark within the videogame industry, and rightly so, as the forthcoming consoles will likely be the generation that conclusively ends the debate as to whether videogames will be able to stand toe to toe with Hollywood and the music industry for cultural significance and consumers' cash.
But what of the Xbox 360 itself? Without doubt, it is the sickest piece of videogame hardware yet released to the public. Back in the day, RISC chips were the be-all, end-all of console hardware. Today, it's all about multi-core CPUs, a concept barely a theory, in terms of consumer electronics, when the Playstation 1 launched. (Want to see all the technical details? Peep this.) Just two generations ago, a 10,000 polygon character model pushed a platform to the max. The forthcoming next-generation will add orders of magnitude to this figure, with hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of polygons becoming standard graphical fare, simply for character design. The debate as to the relative power of the Xbox 360 and PS3 will likely only intensify in the period between the launches, and no matter the final conclusion, both consoles are extremely engineered and very powerful. For a full video overview of the 360, go here.
Like many other revolutionary concepts in the tech industry, online-multiplayer gaming has progressed though a number of iterations to reach the critical mass it carries today. Over the course of more than a decade (remember Mplayer and Heat.net?) hardware, software, and infrastructure have finally progressed to the point that a seamless and exciting online community can really deliver on the promise of brining gamers together. Other consoles have launched with plans for online communities, like Sega's sadly ill-fated Dreamcast, but never before has a hardware manufacturer had the experience or resources to create as fully-fledged a community as Xbox Live. Take a look at our hands-on coverage of the new and improved Xbox Live in action here.
Microsoft is also poised to finally bring about the oft-prophesized but previously failed convergence of the modern home entertainment experience. The components for this synergistic experience (DVD players, media-center PCs, digital cameras, DVRs, huge, beautiful HDTVs, and increasingly affordable surround sound systems) may finally be ubiquitous enough for the right industry player to bring them all together. For the past five years, anyone with a bit of patience for setup and the skills to wield 5 or more remote controls could make synergy happen, but realistically, such impetuous is far beyond the general populace. If the Xbox 360 can at least streamline just a few of these steps, it will be making a solid contribution to the mainstreaming shared multimedia. For a preview of Logitech's Harmony universal remote for the 360, slide on in here.
For all its pre-release promise, at launch the Xbox 360 will have to stand up on its games. It's going to sell out, straight through the holidays most likely, but in truth, I cannot honestly say I'm impressed by the launch titles. They are, on the whole, high-resolution updates of games previously released on other consoles, or rather derivative baby steps in well defined genres. A lot of people are looking back at the Playstation 1 launch and recalling that Battle Arena Toshinden and Ridge Racer weren't very good games either. Indeed they weren't, but they were pretty much the first time most gamers were doing anything in 3D, and despite its mechanical flaws, the flash of Toshinden was enough to make the Saturn's Virtua Fighter look weak in comparison.
With some historical perspective in mind, what are we, the avid gamers of the world, to make of the lack of a killer app, as well as EA's launch efforts for the 360? The self-described king-maker of the game publishing world, EA believes its involvement in console launches to be quite significant, as exemplified by the company's refusal to publish on the Dreamcast, and that consol's eventual failure. Sure they are publishing for the 360, but am I the only one that's insulted that they pulled major features from the franchises? One would hope that even in an admittedly rushed console launch, the biggest publisher around would step up to the plate and show us what it can do with a powerful new console. There isn't even a plausible excuse that the development team spent all their time upgrading the graphics. Madden 06 looks good on a HDTV, but not at all mind-blowing. Player faces are more detailed, but as soon as you get a playable copy, take a look at Brett Farve. It doesn't look a thing like him. And why pull features and game modes, especially when most hardcore fans already have the Xbox and PS2 versions of the key EA franchises? For a full list of the Xbox 360 channel's launch reviews, hit this up.
Perhaps I'm actually showing my age with this sort of viewpoint. Back in the 16 and 32 bit era, general wisdom dictated that no console could launch without a killer app, and also necessitated some thunder-stealing move by any hardware rivals to lessen the impact of a new piece of gear. That's all old news these days. Microsoft is launching the 360 with some pretty mediocre games that don't come close to showing the real potential of the machine, but luckily for Bill and friends; neither Sony nor Nintendo appears to have anything in the works to recapture this Christmas.
Maybe this is all a positive thing for the gaming community. Rather than wait till next spring or summer for a AAA title and better 3rd party support, Microsoft is launching now and allowing consumers to make their own value judgment on the 360. Power to the people, man. The hardcore can have their new console, and the rest of the gaming community can wait till next year (not like you could buy a 360 before then anyway) to see if really promising games like Gears of War will pan out. I have no doubt that the 360 will be a serious player in the next-generation console war, so even if you miss everything EA pulled out of Madden and that glowing feeling of tearing open your new console to play the absolute must-have retina searing launch title of yore, hang in there. The future of Xbox 360 is definitely not now, but at least you'll be able to say you knew it when. Need even more coverage? Our knowledge knows no bounds. Total coverage of life, the universe, and everything Xbox 360 begins here.
Reaxion and ATI to Develop 3D Mobile Games Games will utilize ATI accelerated hardware
Reaxion Corporation today announced it is working with ATI Technologies Inc. to develop 3D mobile games. ATI Technologies is one of the leading providers of graphics, video and multimedia products for desktop, workstation and notebook PCs, digital televisions, cell phones and game consoles. A market-leading publisher and developer of cutting-edge 3D , 2D and multiplayer mobile games, Reaxion has five years of experience in mobile games and it was the first western publisher to launch a mobile 3D game on a major US carrier.
"ATI 's technical innovations will help to take mobile 3D gaming to the next level. As a partner, Reaxion contributes its experienced internal development team and its deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of developing and publishing 3D games for the mobile environment," said Misha Lyalin, CEO, Reaxion. "Working with ATI , we will help drive growth in the mobile game marketplace by introducing quality 3D mobile games that create great customer experiences."
"Reaxion is a pioneer and an innovator in the 3D mobile games space. The company's 3D developers have experience in mobile environments and can successfully translate 3D console games into entertaining 3D mobile games," said Neal Robison, Director , ISV Relations at ATI Technologies. "If 3D mobile games are to drive growth, they need to be high-quality games. Reaxion's experience in developing quality mobile games has already made a strong contribution to the future of 3D mobile game development."
3D mobile game titles developed by Reaxion and published by Superscape Group plc include Evel Knievel Evel-ution 3D , Evel Knievel Pinball 3D and Miss Reef Pinball 3D . For more information on Reaxion and its games, visit www.reaxion.com.
About Reaxion
Founded in 2001, Seattle-based Reaxion is a market-leading publisher and developer of cutting-edge 3D , 2D and multiplayer mobile games. With titles available through more than 50 top CDMA and GSM wireless carriers, Reaxion has access to over 600 million subscribers worldwide. Our mission is to create games featuring engaging situations, dazzling graphics, dynamic gaming communities and top entertainment brands. As a mobile entertainment publisher and developer, Reaxion makes it easy for established entertainment companies, including Paramount, Warner Music Group and Nickelodeon, to take their content and license assets to the mobile market. Reaxion has published successful titles, including Fight Hard 3D , Pro Curling, Mahjong and Minigolf.
ATI Technologies Inc. is a world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon solutions. An industry pioneer since 1985, ATI is the world's foremost graphics processor unit (GPU) provider and is dedicated to deliver leading-edge performance solutions for the full range of PC and Mac desktop and notebook platforms, workstation, set-top and digital television , game console and handheld device markets. With 2004 revenues of US $2 billion, ATI has more than 3,200 employees in the Americas, Europe and Asia. ATI common shares trade on NASDAQ (NASDAQ:ATYT) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:ATY). For more information about ATI 's Imageon(TM) product line for mobile phones , visit www.ati.com/products/handheld.html.
The VA11G falls just short of being the perfect all-in-one PC for any room in your house.
Joel Santo Domingo - PC Magazine
The Sony VAIO VGC-VA11G ($2,200 direct) is a prime example of how to combine a PC and a TV. Despite of a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out, this is one of the more appealing all-in-one Media Center PCs we've seen. With its 20-inch 16:9 widescreen monitor, watching DVDs and widescreen TV content is easy and enjoyable. The VA11G is also a powerful PC.
As a TV and DVR combo, the system is exemplary. It comes with two 160GB SATA hard drives, for a total of 320GB, so it can record enough programming for an avid TV fan and hold tons of pictures, music, and the like. The remote is a standard Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition model, but unfortunately, its IR receiver is an external USB device that stands out from the system's sleek, all-in-one design. We would rather have seen a built-in IR receiver somewhere on the front of the unit, like the hidden port on the new iMac G5 (iSight).
Once set up, the PC displays and records stutter-free TV programming. With Sony's Click-to-DVD integration and MCE Update Rollup 2 enhancements, you can easily get programming off your Media Center to display on other devices. There's even a utility that will help transfer video, music, and pictures to a Sony PlayStation Portable.
The 20-inch, 16:9 widescreen is amazing for watching DVDs and TV programs and playing the occasional 3D game. Using MCE, we were able to view DVDs formatted for 16:9 screens in their full widescreen glory. Most TV is broadcast in standard 4:3 format, but setting MCE to stretch the picture, filling the screen, is easy. The image will look a bit elongated, but if you can't get used to that, you can view 4:3 pictures with vertical black bars on the sides. To help you get the optimal viewing angle, the screen tilts, but the tilt is unusually hard to adjust. The iMac G5, in contrast, adjusts with one finger.
In the next version, we'd like to see support for HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), or component video-in, so people with set-top boxes can use the VA11G's display to view HDTV content from satellite or cable TV. HDMI and component video are common on new HDTV (plasma, LCD, DLP, and more) monitors. VA11G also lacks support for CableCard HDTV, but so far not many cable TV operators have adopted the technology. For now, the VA11G doesn't support HDTV, aside from the Windows Media HD WMV9 format that you can view on most Windows computers.
The VA11G's USB, FireWire/i.Link, and cable-TV jacks are better-situated than they were on the previous VAIOs, which had many ports under a hard-to-reach panel on the back of the unit. Now the ports are on the sides, easily accessible, and still barely visible from the front of the case, making the system both usable and spouse-friendly at the same time.
One major annoyance carries over from the previous generations, though: You must use the remote or wireless keyboard/mouse to change channels or raise and lower the volume. The front panel has controls for brightness and for turning off the LCD monitor when all you want to do is listen to music, but nothing for changing the channel or volume. This is a major omission, since just about all TVs have these controls on the front panel or on the top. If Sony fixes this oversight, we think the VA11G could replace the TV in your bedroom or dorm room.
In addition to Media Center Edition 2005 with Update Rollup 2, the VA11G comes loaded with a good amount of software, including Adobe Photoshop Elements, Intuit's Quicken 2005 New User edition, and Microsoft Works 8.0. The preinstalled 60-day trial of Microsoft Office is less useful, as is the short (90-day) subscription to Norton Internet Security.
The VA11G comes with a 3.2-GHz Intel Pentium 4 640 processor and 1GB of SDRAM. In attempts to run BAPCo's SYSmark 2004 SE benchmark tests, we were unable to get a valid score, probably because the preinstalls of Office and Photoshop Elements interfered. We tested the VA11G's capabilities with Photoshop CS2, and the VA11G beat the new Apple iMac G5 2.1 GHz by just a second or two across the board. Both the iMac and VA11G are capable of moderately intense photo editing tasks.
At 1,024-by-786 resolution, the VA11G managed a barely playable 46 frames per second on our Doom 3 test and 33 fps on Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. You can play the latest 3D games on the VA11G, just at a lower resolution than on more powerful, more expensive tower PCs.
Though pricier than the Apple iMac ($1,699 direct), the Sony VGC-VA11G has the benefit of a TV tuner and Windows MCE. Both the iMac and the VA11G can feed multimedia content to their pocket-media siblings, the iPod and the PSP, respectively. The Apple-to-iPod transfer is more seamless, but you can move more media (namely your own TV recordings) from the VAIO to the PSP.
Now that the system matches the color scheme of Sony's silver LCD TV panels, only our annoyance with the IR USB adapter and the lack of channel and volume controls on the chassis prevent us from recommending that you chuck the bedroom TV in favor of the all-in-one Sony VAIO VGC-VA11G PC. As a Media Center PC, it's one of the best.
When Capcom unveiled the uniquely artsy action fighter Viewtiful Joe, GameCube owners immediately took notice. The title's off-the-wall cel-shaded visuals and humorously out there Hollywood-influenced storyline helped separate the game from any would be competitor and as a result a sleeper hit was born. Joe's stylish fight mechanics have since enveloped the unwitting hero in an official sequel -- one that went largely unnoticed by GCN owners since it was no longer exclusive to the console. And now Capcom has come back for another round. Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble hits GameCube exclusively through the year, which should make it a more attractive buy to elite GCN snobs -- you know who you are! And best of all, the title aspires to be the next best thing since Super Smash Bros. Melee: a four-player compatible brawl fest that incorporates all of Joe's signature moves.
Sounds good, right? There's just one little problem: it's not.
The concept sounds fantastic on paper, but the truth is that Joe's entry into the genre of the 3D fighter does not have a Hollywood ending. The game arrives on Nintendo's console with a fun presentation and a number of intriguing fight ideas, but most of them get lost in a disorienting mess of nearly indiscernible brawling madness. What's left is a game that borders on being enjoyable when played either alone or with a second person, but becomes almost unplayable with three or more.
Lights, Camera, and Action! Red Hot Rumble is an interesting entity in that it has been designed for both GameCube and -- oddly enough -- Sony PSP. The home console version hits this year and the portable build early next. It's very likely because the title has been developed with (on the low-end) a handheld in mind that it delivers a fairly straightforward fighting presentation. A new movie is being made and the characters from the Viewtiful Joe universe are vying for -- at the very least -- a cameo. Since so many superhero big shots are clamoring for a role, Captain Blue decides that the only fair to way to conclude the predicament is to let the characters battle for the coveted positions. This is the setup for the fighting that follows, and while the idea figures nicely with other Joe games, the overall delivery is a wee bit lackluster. Many of the story developments are presented via blasé dialogue boxes and there are very few actual cinematics to immerse players. This is mildly disappointing given that style and delivery have always played major roles in the VJ franchise. But even so, we realize this all takes a distant backseat to the actual fight scenarios.
When we first played Red Hot Rumble, we jumped directly into a four-player battle and we were floored. Not because the experience was outstanding, but because none of us could figure out what the hell was going on. Although we tried to follow our on-screen characters, each of us lost sight of our fighter almost immediately into the match. There was just so much going on, including animated backgrounds, exploding foreground objects, particles shooting in every direction, and characters zooming all about the screen, that it was damned near impossible to take it all in without becoming disoriented.
We called over some more editors and asked them to observe the gameplay environment. We were secretly hoping that somehow we were collectively missing an integral element that made sense of the fights. But alas, nobody we asked to watch us play could ascertain what in the world was unfolding on-screen. And still we persisted, hoping to find that elusive, but monumentally important ingredient that magically brought everything together. After many hours of battles, we gave up. As a three or four-player fighter, Red Hot Rumble falls well short of Smash Bros. greatness. It is, in fact, an action-packed mess of nearly indiscernible fighting madness. And it's frankly not fun in the least. We would go so far as to call it an intensely psychedelic waste of time and energy.
This unfortunate truth is all the more disappointing because Red Hot Rumble does actually have all the makings of a solid fighter. First and foremost, a strong cast of likeable characters. The title features such recognizable franchise stars as Joe himself, Blade Master Alastor, Capture Blue and Captain Blue Jr., Sexy Sylvia, Sprocket and Emperor Jet Black. A host of visually varied and occasionally interactive levels complements the cast. Some of the stages even take place on moving objects, such as a flying biplane, which is a nice touch.
But more importantly, the fight mechanics themselves have a lot of potential. Moving a character about the screen is a breeze and developer Clover Studio has even thought of some of the Smash Bros. basics. For instance, pressing down on the control stick and the action button will cause one's fighter to drop between platforms, where they can continue brawling below. Performing punches, kicks and combos is as easy as tapping the attack or special attack buttons and pressing into different directions. In a tip of the hat to previous Joe games, the fighters can even battle in mid-air, dishing out powerful and stylistic moves that ravish their opponents. And executing these moves is usually an entertaining and satisfying undertaking. On top of everything else, Joe and friends can use their collective VFX powers for dazzling results, such as slowing time, speeding up time, performing showboating zooms and even spitting out damaging sound effects. All of these play into battles seamlessly.
And true enough, there are times, particularly when playing alone or even with a second gamer, that Red Hot Rumble shows a hint of its full potential. The action is not so intense and out of control that it's impossible to gauge what is happening on-screen and therefore gamers can slow it down a little bit, dish out their moves, throw down some special attacks, dabble with the VFX powers, and generally try to have a good time. It's during these moments that the game is at its best and it's primarily because of these situations that we can at least bother to halfheartedly recommend the fighter to some really, truly, unbreakably diehard VJ fans.
Closing Comments Red Hot Rumble is a rare, baffling game that is not nearly as good as the sum of its parts. It's got a great cast of fighters and a complementary roster of surreal battle environments. Its fighting mechanics are intuitively operated and very flexible. It should be fun. And yet it usually isn't.
As a single or two-player game, it has its moments. There are signs of its true potential. When you execute a VFX power and the action slows to show Joe flipping through the air in mid-combo, it's difficult not to appreciate the style and elegance of the in-game presentation. But even as a two-player brawler, these moments are hard to find.
And when you introduce three or four players into the mix, I'm confident that any chance for enjoyment goes right out of the window. As a four-player brawler, Red Hot Rumble is an incomprehensible mess of exploding objects, animated backdrops and disappearing fighters that will only disorient and confuse players before it bores them.
Only the insanely diehard will want to check this game out. Everybody else should stick with the far superior Super Smash Bros. Melee.
Sony has cornered the market on web cam video games. Sorting away the glitz, EyeToy is nothing more than a mediocre computer web camera given some decent software production
values. The kids dig it, though, and Sony's done well to properly capitalize on the emerging market. EyeToy has always doubled well as an excellent party game, too; the Play releases have been full of simple, fast, engaging mini-games that have people up and moving around. It might be difficult to have your mom square off in a few laps of Gran Turismo, but knock down a brick wall with your bare fists in EyeToy Play 2? Well, maybe.
EyeToy Operation Spy is part of Sony's plan to spin EyeToy out of its normal reach through a stealth theme. You basically know what to expect from Operation Spy before you even pop in the disc; instead of collecting a dozen unrelated mini-games, Sony's simply created a bunch mini-games strung together by the idea of spying and infiltration. Loosely, anyway; you'd be hard pressed to figure out what spinning a colored cube around, ala Minority Report, has to do with being Solid Snake, but let's assume English spies are crazy like that. Either way, Sony hasn't become unexpectedly ambitious with Operation Spy.
That's actually the largest disappointment with Operation Spy. There's definitely an opportunity here for someone to come in and create an adventure game that makes use of the EyeToy on a larger scale. Granted, Operation Spy does have a narrative theme, but it's hardly worth writing home about, and most people will be skipping on past. How cool would it be to peak around walls by actually leaning? Or using the EyeToy to take pictures of yourself and create a variety of disguises? Operation Spy proves there's plenty of spy-related mini-games yet to be made, but ripping them out of the context of some kind of story means it's all pretty boring. Certainly, Operation Spy's aimed the younger demographic that might not take as much notice, but at least in this case, it feels like the developers are simply playing down to their audience - or dealing with a small budget.
At least the mini-games featured here are more entertaining than the spy-oriented ones featured in the EyeToy Play series. You're actually thrown into a 3D environment on a number of occasions, i.e. frantically guiding a parachuting character to his landing platform. These are less repetitive than what we've come to expect of EyeToy mini-games, and while zooming around satellite maps and swapping facial features to match criminal drawings aren't exactly the ones you'd pull out during a party, Operation Spy's focus seems to center on enhancing the single-player possibilities of the EyeToy. It's hard to see anyone playing through any of these mini-games more than a handful of times without the incentive for competition or high scores, meaning the replay value drops out quickly.
The bulk of the game is, of course, the mini-games where you're snooping around the room, grabbing items, and interacting with the EyeToy. Another bullet point, however, is that the alarm functions that have simply been carried over from the EyeToy Play games. There are tweaks, updates, and new options available, but the basic setup hasn't changed a lick. Admittedly, having a database of agents who can register on a memory card and log-in through the EyeToy is cool, but most people aren't going to be too comfortable with leaving their machines on for extended periods of time, typically rendering the alarm functions useless. They are, however, really great for playing practical jokes on your inebriated roommates searching the livingroom for the TV remote. While such immature actions are not recommended for the seven-year olds of the world playing Operation Spy, anyone of the right age and a half-crafty mind can come up with a slew of reasons to find humor even within the game's limitations.
Considering Sony's released the EyeToy Play games at a standard $49.99 price point, and Operation Spy's coming out at only $29.99, it's safe to expect less from this latest web cam outing. People who have been keeping up with EyeToy because of it's fantastic party accommodation would be better off waiting for the next release of Play, but younger gamers might get a kick out of the whole wanna-be spy motif.
