Gamasutra examines sexuality, homophobia in Persona 4

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2

Gamasutra has examined the meaningful portrayal of sexuality in the recently released Persona 4. The protagonist, Kanji Tatsumi, views his alter ego, Shadow Kanji, as an openly gay and flamboyant manifestation within the in-game world, The Midnight Channel.

Although Kanji's sexuality remains ambiguous, the developer does not reject the possibility that he might be gay. Instead, the decision to leave Kenji's sexuality open was made to give players more context to the views on homosexuality in Japan. According to Yu Namba, Atlus USA's Persona 4 Project Lead, it was the developer's goal to retain the majority of the Japanese content and accurately portray the Eastern culture regarding the subject.

Varying sexual orientations within games from Japan are not unheard of, with Metal Gear Solid 2's Vamp ranking as one of the more famous outed characters. In this case, Kanji's internal turmoil with his orientation is a fascinating take on personal journey, which no other publisher has been brave enough to bring to the North American market.

Gamasutra examines sexuality, homophobia in Persona 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PixelJunk Eden wimp patch finally hits Europe this week

Despite being originally planned for release in Europe and Japan simultaneously, the PixelJunk Eden "wah, it's too hard" patch is still not out in PAL regions. The official PixelJunk website has now been updated to reflect the fact that, finally, the patch will see release in Europe on January 29.

The patch adds various features to the game which makes it a little bit less challenging, such as an entirely new control system, more time and a continue system. There's also a much-improved multiplayer camera, making playing with friends far less frustrating. Barring accidents, Europeans will be able to give it a try themselves tomorrow. We'll let you know once it's live.

[Thanks, Gerard@]

PixelJunk Eden wimp patch finally hits Europe this week originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Savage Moon finally heading to America January 29

Okay, okay. Stop shouting at us, you silly Americans. We know you're desperate to get your hands on Savage Moon and, you'll be pleased to know, it's almost time. The UK-developed tower defense title will be released in North America this week for $9.99. It's been out in Europe for a few weeks now and if you're intrigued -- but not sure you want to drop ten bucks on it -- be sure to check out our review.

If that's not enough, there's a new trailer to whet your appetite after the break. We'll have the full PSN release list for you as soon as we get it tomorrow.

Gallery: Savage Moon

Continue reading Savage Moon finally heading to America January 29

Savage Moon finally heading to America January 29 originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

10% off Street Fighter IV FightPads and entire Capcom Store order

Filed under: News, Street Fighter IV

Those who are in the market for a new controller -- or are just feeling an overwhelming surge of Street Fighter IV excitement that only spending money can satisfy -- should hit up the Capcom Store. Why? Because everything is currently 10% off retail.

Admittedly, you'll have to do some work to get the 10% off, but the process is as easy as: 1) Add an item to your cart. 2) Exit the shopping cart screen by clicking towards the storefront. 3) A pop-up appears with a 10% off offer. Just make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.

Once the coupon code is applied, you can grab any flavor of the new SFIV FightPads or even a too-cool T-Shirt. Sadly, the highly coveted FightSticks are sold out. Note too that you'll also have to account for shipping charges.

[Via Cheap Ass Gamer]

10% off Street Fighter IV FightPads and entire Capcom Store order originally appeared on Joystiq Xbox on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Billboard: Rock Band to have 'as many as 5000' tracks available this year

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360

MTV expects Rock Band to activate overdrive this year and have over 5,000 songs available for play, reports Billboard. Developer Harmonix hit its goal of having over 500 songs, spread across discs and DLC, on the music platform by the end of last year.

Although we have no reason to doubt Harmonix's ability to provide content, the math dictates that an average of over 90 songs would need to release every week for the rest of 2009. Even if that figure is mitigated by special discs (like AC/DC) or Rock Band 3 (unlikely), the developer has its work cut out. We've contacted Harmonix to find out if its publisher is being realistic.

Update: Full Harmonix statement after the break.

[Via GameDaily]

Continue reading Billboard: Rock Band to have 'as many as 5000' tracks available this year

Billboard: Rock Band to have 'as many as 5000' tracks available this year originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: SCEE blocks Street Fighter HD release due to 'faults and other problems'

Filed under: e-Distribution Games

Go figure. Although American players have been able to enjoy Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix for quite some time now, European PS3 owners have been left in the dark. We've heard the cries before: "blame Sony," they'd say.

thePSN.co.uk had a chat with Capcom UK Leo Tan [Update: Leo Tan has denied making the comments, while thePSN has professed to name-checking "the wrong person at Capcom."] to find out why SCEE is denying release of the game. According to the alleged representative, Capcom has already submitted the game to SCEE twice. However, SCEE is declining release of the game, noting "faults and other problems." Supposedly, the game must be "redone."

Capcom is working on yet another version to submit to SCEE "within three weeks." We find it quite strange that, in spite of a successful release in the US, Sony's European counterpart has become the sole roadblock in this game's worldwide release. Certainly, there must be some reason for the constant delays.

Gallery: Super Street Fighter II HD

[Thanks, Alex E.!]

Rumor: SCEE blocks Street Fighter HD release due to 'faults and other problems' originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Activision, EA headline increased game presence at New York Comic Con

The New York Comic Con has revealed a rather bountiful list of video game exhibitors taking part in this year's event. The game group is reported to take up 11,000 square feet, which represents a 50% increase from last year. The publishers attending with wares:

• Activision-Blizzard: X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, Prototype.
• Atari: Champions Online, Ghostbusters: The Video Game, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, Ready 2 Rumble Revolution.
  
• Codemasters: Fuel, Damnation and Overlord 2 on Xbox 360. Overlord Dark Legend on Wii. Jumpgate Evolution on PC.
• Electronic Arts: Spore Galactic Adventures, Godfather 2, Dragon Age, Burnout Paradise, Battle Forge and Battlefield Heroes.
• Konami Digital Entertainment: Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, Blue Dragon Role Playing Card Game.
• Namco Bandai Games America: Afro Samurai, Dynasty Warriors: GUNDAM 2, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 4 (with tournament), Splatterhouse, We Ski, Snowboard and "much more."
• SouthPeak Games: Velvet Assassin on Xbox 360. X-Blades on Xbox 360 and PS3. Roogoo: Attack on DS and Roogoo: Twisted Towers on Wii.
• TC Digital: The Chaotic TCG.

Although there are no further details, Cryptic Studios, Mythic Entertainment, Rockstar Games, Sega, THQ and Ubisoft are also expected to attend. The NYCC takes place February 6-8 at the Jacob Javits Center. We'll have hands-on impressions of several titles mentioned when we attend the show next week.

Activision, EA headline increased game presence at New York Comic Con originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Burnout Paradise Ultimate Box trailer shows Party footage

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

Criterion Games has earned a lot of street cred for the amount of content they've added to Burnout Paradise. The upcoming Party pack is the first premium (read: not free) DLC coming to the game, and many gamers are eager to show Criterion their support. However, while we know the Party pack adds new pass-the-controller modes, we're not exactly sure how it will play, or what it will look like. This newly released trailer for the Europe-exclusive Ultimate Box shows a few seconds of the DLC pack -- but it's still not enough to get a good feel for how the expansion will play.

It's not too long until the DLC will be released. We're hopeful that Criterion will make something that justifies the asking pice.

Burnout Paradise Ultimate Box trailer shows Party footage originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

How do you make a survival challenge in LBP?

Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

If you want to try making something other than remakes of Mario Bros levels and flying penises, you may want to create a survival challenge. These levels are all about getting a high score. In fact, they don't end until you die! Find out how to make one of these levels in this special video, presented by the Media Molecule team.

[Via Joystiq]

How do you make a survival challenge in LBP? originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Blu-ray releases for the week of January 25th

Filed under: Blu-ray

A sale is going on right now on selected Blu-ray titles, many of them are under $15 and all of them are under $20. Check it out here. As for this week's releases:

Theatrical releases:

• Any Given Sunday
• The Bourne Trilogy (The Bourne Identity / The Bourne Supremacy / The Bourne Ultimatum)
• Dead & Buried
• Death Trance
• Drumline
  
• Groundhog Day
• Hulk Vs.
• Lakeview Terrace
• One Piece: The Princess and the Pirates -- Adventures in Alabasta
  
• Open Season 2
• The Pink Panther
• Pride and Glory
• The Rocker
• RocknRolla
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• Zodiac

Bundles:

• Blu-ray Action 3-pk Bundle (Casino Royale, Black Hawk Down, Hellboy)
• Blu-ray Female 3-pk Bundle (Made of Honor, The Other Boleyn Girl, Across the Universe)
• Blu-ray Comedy Bundle (Superbad, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, Talladega Nights)

Three thoroughly entertaining action flicks starring Matt Damon as the super-spy Jason Bourne in one reasonably-priced package? Sure, I'd buy that for a dollar. We are really glad to see Dead & Buried -- it's a nice reminder that even the most obscure cult zombie movies have a chance to make it to Blu-ray. Theatrical releases are above, while everything else is after the jump:

Continue reading Blu-ray releases for the week of January 25th

Blu-ray releases for the week of January 25th originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Guitar Hero gets free Bruce Springsteen DLC ... limited time only!

Filed under: PlayStation Store

Have Guitar Hero World Tour? Then you'll want to log on to the PlayStation Store next Tuesday or Wednesday for a surprise FREE DLC update. The Bruce Springsteen pack will feature two songs: the classic "Born to Run" and his new single, "My Lucky Day." The surprise Tuesday update coincides with Bruce's latest album release, "Working On A Dream."

Make sure you grab it as soon as possible. Put it in your calendar so you don't forget, because the DLC will become a premium pack on Thursday, February 5th, and it will cost $3.99. Don't let your tardiness cost you $4, okay?

See a video of "Born to Run" after the break.

Continue reading Guitar Hero gets free Bruce Springsteen DLC ... limited time only!

Guitar Hero gets free Bruce Springsteen DLC ... limited time only! originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

What's in the upcoming free Burnout Paradise patch?

Filed under: Game Patches

Click for high-resolution image.

You thought Criterion was done adding content to Burnout Paradise? Wrong! On February 6th, PS3 owners of Burnout Paradise will be able to download a free patch that adds a whole lot of content.

• In-Game Store (PS3/PC only) - An in-game browser will connect to the "Criterion Games Network." From here, you'll be able to see all the game's updates and purchase any of the upcoming premium DLC.
• Tweaked vehicle handling - The earlier cars are now tweaked to be easier for newcomers to use. "These cars are now slower, harder to crash and less likely to spin out at low speeds."
• Junkyard sorting - You'll be able to compare the stats of cars, and you'll be able to filter out cars, bikes, and upcoming DLC vehicles.
• Stunt Run timer changed - Stunt Run will now have a different timer that starts much slower than before. This allows beginners more wiggle room to start a combo. Experts will still be challenged: the larger your combo, the faster the timer runs out.
• Events rebalanced - All events have been modified to accommodate the new car speeds.
• Road Rage tweaked - Players no longer get additional time once they reach the target score. This is great, because we usually intentionally crash in order to end this mode.
• Enhanced visuals - In-game items, like billboards and smashes, are now easier to spot. The lighting has been tweaked to be "more vibrant." Driving at night will be easier.
• Restart - Yes, you can restart races now.
• Easier barrel rolls - Barrel rolls are now automatic. However, to do more than one at a time, you'll have to use the analog sticks.

The upcoming premium DLC packs (Party, Toy Cars, Legendary Cars) add additional Trophies into the game. We've included them after the cut.

Gallery: Burnout Paradise - Feb 2009 update

Continue reading What's in the upcoming free Burnout Paradise patch?

What's in the upcoming free Burnout Paradise patch? originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cafe coming to PlayStation Home

Filed under: PlayStation Network

Click for high-resolution image.

It looks like PlayStation Home will be expanding soon, with a brand new Home Space. This cafe was introduced on the PlayStation Boards by Home Manager Locust_Star. Apparently, this space already exists in the Asian versions of Home. From the looks of things, this is just a lounge where people can gather and chat.

Check out the images in our gallery:

Gallery: Home Cafe

[Thanks, Omni_Noesis!]

Cafe coming to PlayStation Home originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Noby Noby Boy on PlayStation Network February 19 [Update]

Filed under: e-Distribution Games

Before delving into some of February's bigger, disc-based games like Killzone 2 and Street Fighter IV, Namco Bandai invites you into the zany world of Noby Noby Boy. It's the game where -- seemingly -- your imagination and insatiable hunger for eating things can take you to the moon -- literally. It will also allow you to record whatever strangeness you can procure which can then later be posted and viewed on YouTube.

Gamers in Europe can expect this spiritual successor to the Katamari series to hit the PS Store on February 19. It'll go on sale for a measly €3.99. While pricing for the UK was not mentioned in the latest press release, a quick look at previous pricing on PSN suggests to look forward to putting away £2.49. With recent news of a delay in Japan to coincide with the Feb. 19 release, we're thinking that North Americans should expect to see the game appear on that day too.

Update: We were right. Namco Bandai has announced a US release of Noby Noby Boy for Feb. 19th. It will be available for $4.99.

Gallery: Noby Noby Boy

Noby Noby Boy on PlayStation Network February 19 [Update] originally appeared on Joystiq [PlayStation] on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.