Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Quantum Theory Announced for Xbox 360

TORRANCE, Calif.—December 7, 2009—Video game developer and publisher TECMO announced today that QUANTUM THEORY™ will be a multiplatform release on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Both versions are scheduled to arrive in North America in spring 2010.

QUANTUM THEORY is Tecmo’s newest original IP and the company’s first attempt at the third-person shooter genre. Players take on the role of the massive, gun-wielding warrior Syd and battle through intense action sequences in an unpredictable, shape-shifting battlefield. In addition to single player campaign, QUANTUM THEORY also supports four modes of online multiplayer, complete with voice chat for real-time communication.

STORY

Many years have passed since the world war inflicted catastrophic damage on the human race, leaving only a few survivors. In their new community “Cocoon,” life has been threatened by a black material called Erosion, creating a post-apocalyptic environment. Surviving humans recruit a militia to conquer the Erosion and set out to take down the evil, “Living Tower”. Arriving at the scene is the stalwart warrior Syd, whose only intentions are to destroy the Tower. He meets the beautiful and mysterious Filena as they both ascend to the top in their search for answers. The erosion of the Tower intensifies as the players climb up through the moving landform.

KEY FEATURES

•Shape-Shifting Battlefield: Navigate through a dark fantasy world where the intense battleground surprises you with new and challenging obstacles by changing its form in real-time
•Two-Character Combination Actions: Syd and Filena, an AI-controlled partner, perform actions as a pair—in some instances, that is the only way to overcome hurdles. Strategically perform combos for a more powerful, fierce attack against colossal enemies
•Online Play: Continue your adventure with others in four online modes
•Distinctive Art Nouveau Style Environment: Radiant colors and the mixture of organic elements complements both action and technology

QUANTUM THEORY is not yet rated by the Entertainment Ratings Software Board.

Need For Speed Shift DLC Adds Modes and Cars‘New Moon’ Co-Star Thinks ‘Breaking Dawn’ Green Light Is Imminent

Sunday, December 6, 2009

WalMart, Other Retailers Slash Game Prices for Holiday

Reuters ran a story last night reporting that retailer Wal-Mart is pursuing an aggressive pricing strategy for console titles this holiday season, which started with sales last week on Black Friday. Left 4 Dead 2 and a number of other titles sold for $50 USD, with indications that these markdowns will continue for the holiday season in order to drive sales traffic through their stores and web portal. Other large retailers, such as Best Buy, Target and Amazon, responded in kind. While discounts during the holiday season are typical, this year in particular appears to be seeing prominent cuts and bundles for each of the big three console manufacturers.

The question then becomes, is this pricing flexibility a signal that retailers are looking to more aggressively price major games more quickly during the rest of the year? According to Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter, this doesn’t appear to be the case. “Note that Wal-Mart said 'top 25 games,' but didn't include CoDMW2, Assassin's Creed 2 or New Super Mario Bros. Wii, so I think the top 25 claim is questionable,” said Pachter. “If they don't include the top 3 games, I'm not sure it will drive a lot of people to pass five GameStops in order to drive to Wal-Mart instead.”

DFC analyst David Cole expressed a similar sentiment, saying “Games are a great way to drive store traffic and really it is more an indication of their overall popularity as a consumer product… [this promotion] was more about aggressive pricing on some of the most popular items to drive traffic in hopes that it lifts sales of other products.” Cole does believe this may be evidence of retailers testing the waters for more flexible pricing on less important titles during the rest of the year, however, claiming that “I do eventually see a trend towards more aggressive pricing to drive sales of products that are not part of the Triple AAA best sellers.” This is borne out by the quick discounting of many titles this year through online retailers like Amazon.com. Essentially, Triple AAA titles will continue at their $60 price point, while other lower-profile games will be at the mercy of market demand.

Microsoft Trumpets Xbox Live MomentumPenn Badgley Calls Teenage Halloween Costume ‘Worst Idea Ever’

Microsoft Announces Lips Party Classics

Sing Together at the Top of Your Lungs with Singing Favorites in “Lips™: Party Classics”
The newest “Lips” will bring everyone together with irresistible favorites from Tiffany to the Village People, while December’s soul classics and holiday tunes warm up your holidays

Who needs the lyrics? You know them by heart; everyone knows them by heart … more or less. They are the songs that get us out of our seats and into the moment, they get the party started. Microsoft Game Studios and iNiS will capture the magic of these songs in “Lips: Party Classics,” the newest title to join the “Lips” singing sensation exclusive to Xbox 360. Available worldwide in spring 2010, “Lips: Party Classics” will let party goers experience their favorite tunes from their beloved karaoke venues right in their own living rooms.

Let the festivities commence with the wide selection of 40 peppy, festive, dramatic and exhilarating songs included in “Lips: Party Classics.” These are the songs you love to sing even if the singing itself is so bad it’s good – these tunes will unite friends and family with fun and spontaneity. Just a glimpse of the full song list includes favorites such as:

“Love Shack” by The B-52's
“Tubthumping” by Chumbawamba
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
“Rock And Roll All Nite” by KISS
“Wannabe” by Spice Girls
“I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany
“Y.M.C.A.” by Village People

Lips Jukebox extends the “Lips” fun
Right now, make your Facebook photos sing with the new Lips Jukebox. Available now for free at www.xbox.com/lipsjukebox , this easy-to-use online tool puts a pair of singing lips on your photos transforming them into a mini music video starring you and your best friends and family. Choose from classic tracks such as “Barbie Girl” by Aqua or “Love Fool” by The Cardigans.

“Lips” December Game Add-ons bring the holiday cheer
For those not-so-silent nights, invite your loved ones over and give them the gift of song with “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations, “Right Round” by Flo Rida, “Think” by Aretha Franklin, “Blister In The Sun” by Violent Femmes and more.

Then while you’re stringing up your garlands, don’t forget to add a variety of great holiday tunes including “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “Santa Baby” by Kylie Minogue and “Hanukkah Blessings” by Barenaked Ladies to your “Lips” collection that are sure to light up your nights with fun! For the full list of December Game Add-ons and festive songs, please visit www.xbox.com/lips.

“Lips” songs for everyone
Following the fall releases of “Lips: Number One Hits” worldwide, and “Lips: Deutsche Partyknaller” and “Lips: Canta En EspaƱol” in select regions, the “Lips” library is as diverse as the imagination, so that everyone can find the perfect songs to perform. These new titles coupled with the original “Lips” and the extensive library of “Lips” Game Add-on songs available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the in-game Get Music Store, are sure to keep the singing going until dawn.

Avatar and Xbox LIVE features add personal touches the singing experience with Avatar integration and Avatar Awards that allow singers to perform as their virtual selves in the game. With “Lips: Party Classics,” players can earn fashionable Avatar Accessories through in-game accomplishments to customize their wardrobe and flaunt their unique style to friends on Xbox LIVE. More information on “Lips” is available at www.xbox.com/lips.

Microsoft Announces Lips Party Classics

Microsoft Announces Lips Party Classics

     

Microsoft Announces Lips Party Classics

     

Microsoft Announces Lips Party Classics

Click here to view all screenshots

‘Avatar’ Director James Cameron Says Fan Pressure Inspires Him0D Beat Drop Arrives on Xbox Live Arcade

Friday, December 4, 2009

Call of Duty Classic Deploys This Week

Santa Monica, CA – November 30, 2009 – Beginning this week the original title in the Call of Duty® franchise that started it all, Call of Duty: Classic, will be available as an individual purchase on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network on Wednesday for 1200 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation®Network on Thursday for $14.99, allowing fans to experience the original installment on next-generation consoles for the first time.

Created by Infinity Ward in 2003, the original Call of Duty launched the hit franchise with more than 80 Game of the Year awards and 50 Editors’ Choice honors. Ported to Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network by Aspyr, Call of Duty: Classic is rated “T” (Teen) by the ESRB for Blood & Violence, and is currently available as downloadable content in the Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare 2® Collector’s Editions published by Activision Publishing, Inc.



‘This Is It’ Proves Michael Jackson Was The ‘Greatest,’ Lou Ferrigno SaysMicrosoft Trumpets Xbox Live Momentum

Capcom Makes Final Fight Double Impact Official

Capcom confirmed to IGN last week that they'll be bringing seminal side scrolling beat-em-up Final Fight to the Xbox Live Arcade next April, featuring a new graphical mode designed to let the game "shine in crisp and clear HD glory". While Capcom neglected to confirm whether this means the standard filtered mode included in most Live Arcade classic releases or a more dedicated HD Remix style graphical overhaul, they did add that the lesser known arcade title Magic Sword will be included for the price of the download, which will also see a similar graphical touch-up. A price was not specified for the release.

Capcom Makes Final Fight Double Impact Official

Click here to view all screenshots

0D Beat Drop Arrives on Xbox Live Arcade‘New Moon’ Featurette Shows How Robert Pattinson Fights Volturi

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Scivelation Announced for Xbox 360

Las Vegas, November 25th, 2009 - Scivelation is officially announced for release on the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and is scheduled for a Q3 2010 release.

Scivelation, a cinematic gameplay experience set in a dystopian future that promises both high octane action and a powerful human story. Combining beautiful visuals rendered on the Unreal 3 Engine with an immersive plot informed by the works of Orwell, Milton and Dante, Scivelation features white-knuckled gameplay that stresses intelligent strategy while players run, gun, sneak, and drive through a diversity of post-Apocalyptic locations.

Human civilization as we know it has ended at the hands of religious zealots desperate to bring about the Apocalypse. What remains of society has been homogenized into a single culture, to be governed by the Regime - a theocratic, worldwide government intent to rob mankind of its most meaningful symbols. A scattered front of old believers, named heretics by the Regime, have resorted to violent mobilization in order to carve out a niche where they might survive unmolested, and in the midst of this turmoil are Dr. Elisha Amano, a disgruntled Regime scientist who helped develop a paradigm-shifting, post-human supervirus; and Mikhail Ivanov, a cyborg and former member of the Russian special forces who was divested of his humanity fighting in the End Times.

Scivelation Announced for Xbox 360

     

Scivelation Announced for Xbox 360

     

Scivelation Announced for Xbox 360

Click here to view all screenshots



0D Beat Drop Arrives on Xbox Live Arcade‘New Moon’ Co-Star Thinks ‘Breaking Dawn’ Green Light Is Imminent

Madden NFL Arcade Out Now on XBLA

You can check out our most recent Madden NFL Arcade preview here

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - November 25, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Madden NFL Arcade is now available for download on the PlayStation® Store, and Xbox LIVE Arcade. Perfect for pick-up-and-play action during halftime, Madden NFL Arcade provides an all-new way to experience the Madden NFL franchise, featuring a unique art style and fast-paced gameplay. Madden NFL Arcade is available on the PlayStation Store and Xbox LIVE for $14.99 and 1200 MS points respectively.

Madden NFL Arcade takes everything you love about your favorite NFL stars and stadiums and brings them to life in a fun, high-scoring gridiron battle. Featuring all 32 NFL teams and stadiums, including the top five offensive and defensive stars from each team, with all-new arcade style animations, every play looks like a highlight reel. From linemen to wide receivers, each player is 100% authentic to the NFL and injected with over-the-top personality unique to Madden NFL Arcade.

Madden NFL Arcade Out Now on XBLA

Madden NFL Arcade Out Now on XBLA

     

Madden NFL Arcade Out Now on XBLA

     

Madden NFL Arcade Out Now on XBLA

Click here to view all screenshots

Catch your opponent off-guard with 13 unique Game Changers to break the game wide open in a single play. Freeze one of your opponent’s players, add extra lineman to sack the QB, turn off your opponent’s passing icons, and more. With action-packed Game Changers, no two plays are ever the same.

Madden NFL Arcade is the perfect video game for game day, allowing up to four cooperative players on a single console. You can also take on the world online in head-to-head matches and track your performance via interactive leaderboards. To commemorate your gridiron success, Madden NFL Arcade also provides a host of achievements and trophies to boost your gamer score.

Madden NFL Arcade is rated E for everyone by the ESRB and is developed in Orlando, Florida by the EA Tiburon studio, which also produces NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and EA SPORTS™ MMA.

Chris Weitz Responds To Negative ‘New Moon’ Reviews0D Beat Drop Arrives on Xbox Live Arcade