Video: Infinite Space Webisode, Release Set For Spring 2010

I've been pretty giddy for no reason about Infinite Space and it's eventual US release. After little to no word from Sega, I was beginning to fear that the game would not see an American release at all. Thankfully, Sega has come through and reaffirmed that this is going to be my must have portable title for spring 2010.

The gameplay looks solid, a strategy RPG featuring completely customizable ships, voice overs, anime sequences and a webisode series that are all bring localized to english. You can see the first of the translated series at the top of the article.

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 2 July 2009 · Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: infinite space, platinum games, sega, space rpg, spring 2010

Vandal Hearts Sequel Delayed

If you were hoping to get your hands on Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement in the near future? Well, it might take a little bit longer. Konami has decided that it plans on releasing in "winter". It's not terribly specific, but hey, it's better than nothing.

Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgement is the prequel to the tactical RPG that started a decade ago. Now, the series is heading to the PS3 and Xbox 360 as a downloadable title.

Vandal Hearts for PSN/XBLA this winter [eurogamer]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 2 July 2009 · Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: flames of judgement, konami, microsoft, psn, sony, vandal hearts, xbla

Gold Farmers May Be Safe: Chinese Law Revisited

It looks like Gold Farming might remain legal in China, for awhile at least. After a University of Manchester's professor Richard Heeks looked over the new Chinese law on virtual currency, the law is slightly more specific. The main focus of the law is trading virtual currency for real world goods, and gambling, not the trade of money for virtual goods.

This [new Chinese law] therefore is not about what gold farming clients do: use real money to buy these virtual currencies; it's the mirror image. And it's not about the major trade in gold farming such as World of Warcraft, which relates to other types of virtual currency. And it's not about buying/selling in-game items. And it's not about the power-levelling of avatars. Bottom line: it's not about gold farming.

The real purpose of this new law is to maintain governmental control over currency, rather than letting the value of a dollar be controlled by the developers of an online game. It is pretty obvious that an influx of foreign currency to their country is not a bad thing at all. A multimillion dollar (possibly even billion) industry is not something any government wants to snuff out.

Is Gold Farming Really Banned? Confusion Over China's New Virtual Currency Rules [GamePolitics]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 1 July 2009 · Comments (0)
Other stuff like this: china, gold farming, new law, reevaluation, virtual goods and currency

Weekly XBLA Update - 6/30/2009

Is it just me, or is there an inordinate number of fighting games being released this year? Seriously, it's like SNK, Capcom and Sony all got together and started having rabbit arcade fighter babies all over the place. I'm up to my neck in skimpy skirts and cheap combo chains here!

• Worms 2: Armageddon - 800 Microsoft Points Ten years on from Worms™ Armageddon and the turn-based mayhem and destruction continues! Worms™ 2: Armageddon is the most fully-featured digital version of the game ever. With four player online and offline multiplayer, voice support, a raft of new weapons (including the return of some iconic weapons from the past), all-new high-definition landscape themes, new play modes, hats, skins, speech-banks, loads of other customization and to top it all off, a highly-involving single player experience with tutorials, deathmatches, races, fort games, and puzzles. It's a package as high on fun as it is destruction!
• The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match - 800 Microsoft Points
  The King of Fighters '98 Ultimate Match comes to Xbox LIVE® Arcade! The KOF '98 fighting game has fascinated game fans all over the world, and now it's powered up and ready to be on Xbox LIVE Arcade. Additional characters have been added from the King of Fighters universe, and new battle systems and moves have been implemented. Extend the fight to opponents all over the world. Face off against others to prove who is the real King of Fighters. Use Practice Mode to learn, Challenge Mode to improve your skills, then go to battle to show what you've got!
• Deal of the Week: Fable II's Knothole Island - 560 Microsoft Points
  Discover new quests, locations, characters and more in the premium Knothole Island download. Meet Gordon the submariner in the Bowerstone docks, where you'll be showered with unique gifts to entice you to the mysterious island. There you will embark on new adventures, fight new creatures and find Albion's rarest weapons, clothes and potions.
• Rock Band
  
  • Warped Tour 2009 Pack 02. This pack includes "Hey John, What's Your Name Again?" by The Devil Wears Prada, "Image of the Invisible" by Thrice, and "Sweet Talk" by Dear and the Headlights. -- 440 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Sweet Talk" -- Dear and the Headlights. -- 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Image of the Invisible" -- Thrice. -- 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Hey John, What's Your Name Again?" -- The Devil Wears Prada. -- 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • Foreigner Pack 01. This pack includes "Blue Morning, Blue Day," "Headknocker -- 160 Microsoft Points" and "Feels Like the First Time" by Foreigner -- 440 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Feels Like the First Time" -- Foreigner -- 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Headknocker" -- Foreigner -- 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Blue Morning, Blue Day" -- Foreigner -- 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • "Weapon of Choice" -- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club -- 160 Microsoft Points

Asterick
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 1 July 2009 · Comments (0)
Other stuff like this: xbla update, xbox 360, xbox live arcade

New Chibi-Robo In Japan This Month, Nintendo Still Silent

I love Chibi-Robo. The game is tedious, involves large amounts of repetitive, obsessive convulsive behavior, and maintaining the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of your gigantic overlords.

Okaeri! Chibi-Robo! Happy Rich Oosouji is hitting the stores in July 23 in Japan. What is this you say? According to Spencer of Siliconera it roughly translates to "loosely Welcome Home Chibi-Robo! Happy, Rich Big Sweep". The game will feature Chibi-Robo vacuuming his way into riches, and most likely cleaning up other peoples messes. I don't know why it's fun, but it is. The most amazing thing about this game is that Nintendo has been pretty much silent about releasing it. No fan fare, no press releases.

It's still not certain wether or not this will reach US shores. It's likely that it will be a similar release as the last DS title, a branded exclusive for some store. As sad as I think it is, the games just don't sell that well.

Chibi-Robo Vacuums Riches On The DS [Siliconera]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 30 June 2009 · Comments (4)
Other stuff like this: chibi robo, clean sweep, ds, nintendo, riches

Rolando Almost Pulled From Store, Gets Back Up Fighting

Rolando 2 is on my download hit list. I'll be purchasing that game tomorrow morning, regardless of how much stress the apple app network is under. The developers, also feel that this game is going to be a huge success. So much so that yesterday, ngmoco:) annoucned that they would be pulling Rolando from the app store to make way for the

Basically, we want the spotlight on Rolando 2 when it hits the App Store. We're not discontinuing support for Rolando, we're just discontinuing sales. And Rolando may return to the App Store in the future, but if and when it does we'll want to include Plus+ support for it.

Fear not, children. ngmoco:) did heed the fans cries, and pretty much retracted their statement forthwith.

You've roared and we've listened. Rolando will stay put on the App Store

Awesome news, as the game is simply a must download for everyone that has not ever played it.

[via Kotaku]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 30 June 2009 · Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: app store, apple, iphone, ngmoco:), rolando

WoW (Ab)users Weep: China Bans Gold Farming

I'm not sure how effective enforcement of this is going to be, or if it will happen at all... but China has officially abolished gold farming. That's right, it is now illegal to gold farm in China, a bold move considering how much inflow of foreign currency that brings into the country.

The ruling is likely to affect many of the more than 300 million Internet users in China, as well as those in other countries involved in virtual currency trading. In the context of online role playing games like World of Warcraft, virtual currency trading is often called gold farming...

The trading of virtual currency for real cash employs hundreds of thousands of people worldwide and generates between $200 million and $1 billion annually, according to a 2008 survey conducted by Richard Heeks at the University of Manchester.

He estimates that between 80% and 85% of gold farmers are based in China.

China Bans Gold Farming [Information Week]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 29 June 2009 · Comments (4)
Other stuff like this: china, economic recession, gold farming, wow

New Releases For The Week Of 6/29/2009

Okay, I know it's not going to be quite as awesome as it's PS2 predecessor, but Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament has my motor going so to speak. And Marvel vs Capcom 2 being rereleased on the PS3 and 360? Sign me up. I've destroyed two dreamcast controllers as the result of that game, why not put some work into decimating my other consoles as well.

• Trine (PC, PS3)
• Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PS3, 360, PC)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (PC, 360, PS2, PSP, Wii, PS3, DS, MAC)
• Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (360, PS3)
• Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (PC, PS3, 360, PS2, Wii, DS)
• Mega Man Star Force 3: Black Ace (DS)
• Infernal: Hell's Vengeance (360)
• Legio (PC)
• Worms 2: Armageddon (360)
• The Punisher: No Mercy (PS3)
• Fallen Earth (PC)
• Pro Cycling Manager/Tour de France 2009 (PC)
• Mega Man Star Force 3: Red Joker (DS)
• Zombie Apocalypse (360, PS3)
• Steambot Chronicles: Battle Tournament (PSP)

Asterick
Posted to Hot Stuff, Video Games on 29 June 2009 · Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: ds, new releases, pc, ps3, wii, xbox 360

Bit.Trip CORE: 7 + 6 + 9 = 100

What does that crazy bit of algebra mean? I'll tell you what, it means July 6th, 2009 Bit.Trip CORE is hitting the virtual shelves of Nintendo's WiiWare. What is Bit.Trip CORE? It is a somewhat spiritual successor to the Neo-Retro-Pong-a-like Bit.Trip Beat.

I'm not even going to begin to guess how the crap this game works. It could be controlled with the motion sensor, it could be controlled with the D-Pad, heck, it could be a balance board game for all I know. It doesn't change the fact that it's pixly goodness and I would roll around it like a dog if I could.

CORE [Gaijin Games]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 25 June 2009 · Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: bit.trip, core, gaijin games, nintendo, wii, wiiware

Video: PSP Badman Goes DLC Only

You know that game Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman: What Did I Do to Deserve This? No? Don't feel bad, it's a somewhat silly, and elusive title coming out from NIS America July 16. It's a crazy little pixel art dungeon management game that pits players against menacing do gooders in an attempt to save their lair. Sounds awesome right? I thought so too.

Now, there is some "bad" news. Why did I put that in quotes? Well, I don't think it's a bad at all, but I know not everyone will agree with me. Holy Invasion of Privacy Badman: What Did I Do to Deserve This will now be a download only title. Yep, you heard me, NIS decided to drop the retail market altogether and is shooting for straight to PSN.

Why don't I think this is the worse thing ever? Well, the game is about as niche as it gets. Cultural references, internet jokes and just generally weird style pretty much puts this in a category that dooms it from being a huge success. Why risk it when you can just slap the puppy in an online store, cut the overhead and increase your profits! I'm also happy that this means that I won't have to run to Gamestop, and I can just snag it in the office at lunch.

Holy PlayStation Network, Badman goes Downloadable Only [Siliconera]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games, Videos on 25 June 2009 · Comments (5)
Other stuff like this: badman, downloads, holy invasion of privacy, nis america, psp. sony, what did I do to deserve this

Nerd Wear: 8-Bit Keyboard Cat Shirt

Do you browse the internets? Do you want everyone to know how much you browse the internets? Perhaps, you feel that your coworkers do not realise how internet savy you are. You want them to know, yes, you know that Chuck Norris told Haley Joel Osmont that he has AIDS, and that Hall and Oates is the perfect way to play off Helen Hunt as she leaps out of a window. Well, MySoti has the solution for you.

Not only does this T-Shirt allow you to broadcast your nerdiness throughout the cosmos, it also reflects your affections for retro videogaming. Keyboard cat, 8-bit, on a shirt. Do it.

MySoti - judebuffum - 'Super Keyboard Cat Bros.' [MySoti]

Asterick
Posted to Video Games on 24 June 2009 · Comments (1)
Other stuff like this: internets, keyboard cat, meme, nerd shirt, sorta funny

Weekly XBLA Update - 6/24/2009

The Dreamcast was a powerhouse of SNK fighters. I guess after the Neo Geo went belly up, they needed to find a platform to be their muse. Last Blade, Marvel vs Capcom and Garou: Mark of the Wolves all sang on the system and frankly I was happy to listen. Now that the Dreamcast has moved on to greener pastures we are seeing new life with the release of these classic games on the Xbox 360. My red, calloused fingers thank them.

• Garou - Mark of the Wolves - 800 Microsoft Points The legend grows as this classic descendant of Fatal Fury arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade. It's been 10 years since the death of Geese Howard. However, Howard's immense martial arts skills have been passed to his son, Rock. The new hero is joined by a cast of 12 new characters plus one returning fighter, Terry Bogard, for this tournament of champions. Representing the world's best, the maulers gather once again to crown the "King of Fighters." Garou: Mark Of The Wolves improves on the Fatal Fury system by adding three new battle formats, creating fights more furious than before.
• Droplitz - 800 Microsoft Points
  Immerse yourself in an addictive puzzler that's all about strategically twisting and connecting mismatched dials to save precious Droplitz™. Just making a single junction is child's play. Can you master the art of the combo, or will you let your pipes runneth over? Be warned! Losing too many droplitz can be hazardous to your ability to win. With four unique play modes, a variety of board sizes, and infinite replayability, Droplitz promises to drain all your time away.
• Deal of the Week: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix - 800 Microsoft Points
  Xbox LIVE Arcade title Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix normally 1200 points is now available for Xbox LIVE Gold Members for 800 points.
• Rock Band
  
  • Maroon 5 - "Wake Up Call" - 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • Maroon 5 - "Makes Me Wonder" - 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • Underoath - "Reinventing Your Exit" - 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • Bad Religion - "21st Century (Digital Boy)" - 160 Microsoft Points
  
  
  • Pearl Jam - "State of Love and Trust (Live: Drop in the Park)" - 160 Microsoft Points

Asterick
Posted to Hot Stuff, Videos on 24 June 2009 · Comments (3)
Other stuff like this: xbla update, xbox 360, xbox live arcade