Nikkei Biz Daily: Sony considering iPhone competitor

Sony is considering a gaming/phone hybrid device as a direct competitor to the iPhone, according to Nikkei Business Daily (Via Reuters). Unless you're new to the Sony Phone rumor mill, a gaming/phone hybrid has long since been rumored to be in development, but has been denied by the Japanese hardware manufacturer.

Sony currently develops mobile devices with Swedish partner Ericsson. In early 2009, MobileToday sources claimed Sony Ericsson had pitched the idea of a PlayStation-branded phone to Sony Corp, but was denied the rights to use the trademark. The rumor went on to further claim Sony only plans to license a PlayStation phone if the company plans to make handsets independently from Ericsson. In May 2009, Sony Ericsson president Hideki Komiyama stated that his company was destined to "lose" if they did not adapt to the "new technology and new market environment" -- presumably referring to Apple's iPhone.

According to the new rumor, Sony plans to set up a project team to develop the new device, which will combine functions of the PSP and Sony Ericsson's mobile phones. A PSP phone? Just imagine how much that mythical beast would cost.

[Image Credit: Engadget]

Nikkei Biz Daily: Sony considering iPhone competitor originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

King of Fighters XII trailer explores the triumph of combat

This latest trailer for King of Fighters XII makes with the pummeling, as trailers for fighting games are wont to do. We've said it once, and we'll say it again: Pretty sprites these be. The game just looks great, plain and simple. And on top of that, the gameplay is something we know we'll enjoy, because, well, it's King of Fighters, and King of Fighters doesn't really change.

Oh, and we totally love watching Kim Kaphwan get the business. He's such a goody-two-shoes jerk.

King of Fighters XII trailer explores the triumph of combat originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 box art revealed, Only For PlayStation

Click to see the PS3 box in high resolution.

My, my how things have changed. The former Xbox 360-exclusive Ninja Gaiden 2 is now the PS3-exclusive Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. Is this the first game that's been able to wear the "Only On" stickers for both the PS3 and 360? Perhaps. While Sigma 2 may be an enhanced port of the original Ninja Gaiden 2, it features a number of new features that are, as the box says, "only on PlayStation."

Most exciting of the new features are the new playable characters: Ninja Gaiden's Rachel, Dead or Alive's Ayane, and Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword's Momiji. The PS3 version will also feature a new online co-op mode not found in the original that lets you and a friend take on ten different stages. Finally, the game is touting "variable AI," which allows "the gameplay [to differ] each time you appear in a level as enemies engage in a variety of different actions as they assess the situation." Whatever that means.

Gallery: Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 box art revealed, Only For PlayStation originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune movie underway at Columbia Pictures

It's been nearly a year, but remember when we broke the news that pirate-murdering simulator and half-tuck trendsetter Uncharted was making its way from the wilds of the video game jungle to the majesty of the silver screen? Looks like our original source was dead-on: Atlas Entertainment had optioned the rights for the title last year and now, with a script by Kyle Ward of "Kane & Lynch" and "Hitman 2" game-to-not-yet-movie fame - they've found a partner in Columbia Pictures.

For those of you not well versed in the corporate parentage of movie studios (Gulf + Western who?) we'll remind you: Columbia Pictures is part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. And the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group is, in turn, a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment. And you'll never guess who owns ... oh, you already guessed? So, yeah, through a labyrinth of corporate relationships, Sony is making a movie based on a game made by a studio owned by Sony.

Regardless, The Hollywood Reporter, uh ... reports that the movie follows the plot of the first game - the project is titled Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - wherein "a treasure hunter named Nate Drake ... believes he has learned the whereabouts of El Dorado, the fabled South American golden city, from a cursed golden statue." Oh, and what about that other part of the first game? "The search becomes competitive when a rival hunter joins the fray, then is racheted up several notches when creatures -- actually mutated descendants of Spaniards and Nazis -- begin attacking those hoping to learn the treasure's true secrets."

Creatures confirmed.

[via @geoffkeighley]

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune movie underway at Columbia Pictures originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

DJ Hero 'more mainstream' than Guitar Hero, Activision CEO says

DJ Hero might be the cliquish kid sister in Activision's branching "Hero" family, but it belongs to a really big clique, according to CEO Mike Griffith. "It's certainly hitting a more mainstream and expanded audience from Guitar Hero," Griffith said of the spin-off in an interview with GI.biz. As expansive as the Guitar Hero catalog has grown over the years (enough to re-release a disc of "greatest hits"), there's potential for DJ Hero to reach far beyond, literally mixing in, well, anything.

While Griffith has his sights set on some 300 million Hero-less households, developer FreeStyleGames must be a bit more narrow-minded, lest DJ Hero come out as a cacophonous mashup. As mainstream as turntablists have become, they're still spinning for a variety of crowds. There's a difference between a game for everyone and a game with something for everyone. So it's simple then? All DJ Hero has to be is the greatest mixtape of all time.

DJ Hero 'more mainstream' than Guitar Hero, Activision CEO says originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

European PSN releases for June 25

There's not a whole lot of new content this week, but better than last, at least. Another PopCap game makes its way across the Atlantic today, in the form of Zuma. There's also the delayed Summer Solstice LittleBigPlanet DLC alongside the Jon Burgerman sticker pack, and PSP fans can grab Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and some Rock Band Unplugged DLC. Finally, to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the release of Super Stardust HD, the price for the game has been dropped to just £1.59. Go get!

Oh, also -- Final Fantasy VII has been fixed and re-released in France. Just thought you might like to know.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:



(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Continue reading European PSN releases for June 25

European PSN releases for June 25 originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PSP devs given 'opportunity to look at non-gaming applications'

PlayStation's Al De Leon was sneaking around New York with a prototype of the new PSP Go and, when asked about possibility of developers producing non-game applications for the device (and, in turn, other versions of the PSP), stated that content "will mostly be games, but there's an opportunity to look at non-gaming applications." Speaking to CNET, he demonstrated the new device in a video, which you can see after the break.

With rumors pointing to a non-gaming section of the PSP Store set to be revealed at Gamescom Cologne in August, we could be seeing some interesting non-gaming additions to the PSP library soon.

[Via Edge-Online]

Continue reading PSP devs given 'opportunity to look at non-gaming applications'

PSP devs given 'opportunity to look at non-gaming applications' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ZeniMax's id buyout doesn't affect Wolfenstein and Rage

We're just one day into the freshly forged relationship between id Software and publishing powerhouse ZeniMax, and we may well be on our way to a bona fide lover's squabble. See, though yesterday's press release from ZeniMax boasted that the company's "library of powerhouse franchises will include DOOM, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, QUAKE, Wolfenstein and RAGE," Electronic Arts and Activision have announced that they're retaining their publishing duties for Rage and Wolfenstein, respectively.

ZeniMax referenced these two parties in the same press release, stating that it would publish all of id's future games "other than upcoming releases previously committed to other publishers." Though both EA and Activision's partnerships with id Software are limited to the aforementioned games, and will effectively end when said titles are released, the temporary presence of these two concubines should make things pretty awkward in the newly built idMax household.

ZeniMax's id buyout doesn't affect Wolfenstein and Rage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Metareview: Overlord 2

All hail Overlord 2! Well, OK, so don't everyone hail, but one may genuflect if one wishes. It appears that the game has been slightly enhanced since the first outing, but it's still just not clicking. We've given our "snap judgment" on the evil baiting master simulator, but let's see what the other outlets thought. Much like the original, it appears people's opinions are all across the board.

• 1UP (A-): "So no, it's not an entirely perfect experience. But all of the above complaints -- even combined with my minor irritation with details like the marionette-like cut scene animation -- barely contests my overall joy at just playing this damn thing. The original Overlord was a perfect send-up and reversal of fantasy game clichés, and the sequel is even more satisfying while fixing a lot of the first game's rough patches."
• OXM (80/100): "To be fair, most parts of Overlord II are fun, and its problems are offset by high production values and funny dialogue (oh, those minions!). A lot of folks missed the original game, so here's your second chance: Overlord II preserves what worked last time, improves what didn't, and tries several new ideas on for size."
• Eurogamer (80/100): "Overall, in what has been a pretty underwhelming year for games so far, Overlord II feels like a shining beacon of quality. Not only is it a distinct improvement on the original, but the new features add greatly to what was already a superbly entertaining game."
• Game Informer (65/100): "The real shame is that Overlord II can be entertaining. It shamelessly embraces its evil heritage, and goes to great lengths to put the hilarious minions front and center. On the other hand, it just doesn't play well. The controls are clunky, the pacing is unsatisfying, and the multiplayer feels tacked-on. While the original Overlord was a compelling game at heart, Overlord II just feels like an unpolished retread of ­familiar ground."
• IGN (60/100): "Overlord II is a sequel that is neither bigger nor better than its predecessor. The size and scope have been dialed back to something that is more akin to a straight action game. And since none of the frustrating elements of the first have been fixed -- namely the camera, control, and save structure -- this game just isn't much fun. No amount of British wit could bring a smile to my face as I treaded through the tedium that is Overlord II."

Metareview: Overlord 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Capcom opens 'Shadaloo Lounge' for Street Fighter IV exhibition this Thursday

If you live near Chinatown in Los Angeles, and can chuck Hadoukens with the best of them, then grab your gi from out of the closet and head down to the Mountain Bar tomorrow night from 7pm - 10pm for a Street Fighter IV competition. Sponsored by i am 8-bit and Capcom, this one-night tournament will see Bison's shady organization take over Mountain Bar for a tournament featuring sixteen of the best brawlers duking it out for a $2,000 cash prize.

And, hey, if you don't live on the West Coast, don't sweat it. We'll have someone there taking pictures and asking everyone what a Spinning Bird Kick is.

Capcom opens 'Shadaloo Lounge' for Street Fighter IV exhibition this Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Former Beatles, widows involved in The Beatles: Rock Band development

It looks like Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison have more to do with The Beatles: Rock Band than thrilling journalists at Microsoft's E3 media briefing. In an interview with Crispy Gamer, the game's lead designer, Chris Foster, intimated that the former Beatles, along with Ono and Harrison, have shared quite a bit of input with the team at Harmonix.

Foster calls the group "the shareholders," and states that they helped put together the song list, its venues and gave input as to whether the game's "dreamscapes" adequately supported the songs. "They looked over all the characters, the animations ... they really kept us honest on whether we were capturing the spirit of the band as they were performing, which was a huge challenge for us," says Foster, noting that it's necessary to capture the joy that The Beatles expressed when playing.

According to Foster, seeing the former Beatles and their widows at Microsoft's E3 briefing "is about as validating as everything." He adds, "They don't get together for almost anything ... it has to be something important, something they believe in."

Former Beatles, widows involved in The Beatles: Rock Band development originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Interview: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett

When it was first revealed, we gave Silent Hill: Shattered Memories a bit of a cold shoulder. Gone was the established story that had first introduced us to the world's creepiest town, reinterpreted with altered characters and a new otherworld that ditched darkness and rust in favor of jutting glaciers and vaguely menacing snowflakes. Thankfully, our experience with the game at E3 revived our expectations, even if it was at the expense of whole memories.

We later had the opportunity to speak to producer Tomm Hulett, who elaborated on why we should call Shattered Memories a re-imagining -- and not a remake:

You're making Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and you're tying it to the first game. Harry Mason is back, but you're calling it a re-imagining, you're not saying "remake." Is that a bad word?

Right, that's a curse word. [laughs] By re-imagining, like you said, we've got the premise of the first game: you're Harry Mason, you're looking for your daughter Cheryl. Beyond that we've changed and updated it, so it's an entirely new experience. If you've played the PlayStation game to death, you still have no idea what to expect for Shattered Memories.

We did that because, on the Wii, maybe there's a lot of people who haven't played any Silent Hill games, so it wasn't really fair to say, "Here's the sequel to Homecoming, enjoy yourself." But then, returning fans, they've played the first game, they've played Origins, they've seen the movie, and they've played Silent Hill 3 and it all kind of revolves around the events of the first game. So they wouldn't really want to play a remake and so, by re-imagining it, there's new content -- if you've never played it before, of course, it's new to you -- but then, there's also this extra layer of new content if you're returning, because you get to experience all these things that are different from what you're expecting. And that really fits the theme of Silent Hill, which is this place where your reality is subjective and you don't know what to expect. We've built that into the game if you're a returning fan.

Continue reading Interview: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett

Interview: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Jack Black's latest 'Brutal Thoughts' missing Schafer, humor

Jack Black returns for yet another episode of "Brutal Thoughts." The weakest episode so far explores the "wild" world of roadies, courtesy of someone named "Meatbones." The punchline ... is rather mediocre. There's no Schafer in this episode, and even Black looks like he's phoning this one in. Give it a watch, and then relive the (much better) previous installments here:

• Tim Schafer electrocutes Jack Black on video
• Jack Black pumped for 'that Brutal Legend movie'

Jack Black's latest 'Brutal Thoughts' missing Schafer, humor originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Survey says: Without 'Call of Duty,' Modern Warfare 2 is less recognizable brand

You may find this hard to believe, but removing the Call of Duty from Modern Warfare 2's title -- it's confusing some people. In fact, according to a survey conducted by GamePlan Insights -- a game tracking service offered by OTX -- and reported by Gamasutra, 50% fewer people knew about the game.

"In other words, the Call of Duty brand association essentially doubles the awareness for the game," GamePlan head Nick Williams told the site. "That is quite a remarkable statistic." Williams went on to state his revalatory belief that the massive marketing push Activision has lined up for the game (on the scale of "biggest entertainment launch of all time") should quash any consumer confusion.

Wait -- "Activision?" We've heard of an "Activision Blizzard;" are they the same company? We're only half convinced.

Survey says: Without 'Call of Duty,' Modern Warfare 2 is less recognizable brand originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SOCOM 1.60 patch gives players free DLC

With SOCOM's 1.50 patch finally "feature complete," the guys at Slant Six decided to announce plans for patch 1.60. The release will add new Special Forces to the game: the Dutch KCT and the Italian COMSUBIN. Each Force will include new heads, voices and outfits. Each of the Forces will also don special weapons: the 417 assault rifle for the Dutch KCT and the SPAS 15 shotgun for the Italian COMSUBIN Special Forces.

Additionally, four new weapons will be available to all players with the 1.60 patch. These are the 9mm Sub Machine Gun, M82A1A, Ak-74 and SR-25. The patch will also include a number of weapon updates and adjustments to existing weapons.

Beyond patch work, Slant Six has also been working on "a major content release/pack," which will be revealed later this month.

[Thanks, Tim B.!]

SOCOM 1.60 patch gives players free DLC originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lucha libre game coming to America

If your thirst for over-the-top brawling wasn't quite quenched by UFC 2009: Undisputed, perhaps you should turn your attention to a fighting style with a bit more Latin flavor -- we speak, of course, of the divine art of Lucha libre, featured in the new project from young publisher Slang, titled AAA: El Videojuego (that's Spanish for "the video game," dontchaknow). The debut trailer for the game is posted after the jump.

The game's being developed for Xbox 360 and PS3 by Immersion Software and for Wii, PSP and DS by Argentine developer Sabarasa Studios. The 360 and PS3 versions are due out in late 2009 or early 2010, with all others following shortly thereafter. The game focuses on the action and the stars of the AAA wrestling league -- our personal favorite is La Parka, who's known for his Flying Eagle Kick maneuver, as well as his proclivity for delivering cans of gasoline to stranded motorists.

Continue reading Lucha libre game coming to America

Lucha libre game coming to America originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Explodemon! gets smaller, still as explosive for PSP Go

Curve Studios, developer of Buzz! Master Quiz for PSP, is returning to the portable platform with a version of its upcoming action-platformer, Explodemon!, designed for PSP Go. Already slated to hit PSN, WiiWare and PC, the game will arrive in downloadable form for the Go in 2010. It looks and sounds promising, with retro-inspired design and a title character who does everything by exploding.

Jason Perkins, Curve Studios' managing director, has also confirmed that the developer has "a number of" other titles in the pipeline for PSP also set for release next year. Hopefully we'll see more of its current, explosion-filled project at Cologne Gamescom -- where, it just so happens, an iPhone-style "app store" for PSP is rumored to be unveiled by Sony.

Explodemon! gets smaller, still as explosive for PSP Go originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

More Monster Hunter bundles hit Japan

Perhaps there's no real point to releasing these new bundled sets, considering just about every person in Japan already has a copy of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (aka Freedom Unite). If, by some off chance, they don't have one (or even a PSP), then, sure, this looks like a pretty good way of getting into the addicting craze. The new bundles, which include either a radiant red or vibrant blue PSP Brite (both with a copy of Freedom Unite packaged inside), will hit Japanese retailers on July 23 for ¥21,000 ($220).

These carnival color PSPs seen in the bundles are not all-new; they've been available in Asia for some time now. Technically, a customer could pick up both a copy of the game and either PSP color (or another) right now, get the same value as next month's bundle and only spend a trivial sum more. Also, it's not as intricate and wonderful as the one that appeared at launch. Why'd SCEI even bother?

More Monster Hunter bundles hit Japan originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tekken 6 release date: October 27 in North America

View high-resolution: PS3 or Xbox 360

Alright, so your money's as good as in Namco's pockets already, what with the HORI Tekken 6 Wireless Fight Stick Bundle and the GameStop-only Cardboard Tube Samurai character. You've already made that decision. Glancing over your checking account statement every month, from now until the game's released, your brain will automatically deduct the $149.99 (+ applicable state sales tax).

So the real question is: How long will you have to keep this mental math up for? Namco sends word that the Xbox 360 and PS3 releases of Tekken 6 will be tekken up retail space October 27 in North America, "with the Europe, Japan and Asia release to follow shortly thereafter." As for that PSP version, it'll be available "this fall" but we can't offer you anything more definitive than that. 127 days and counting ...

Tekken 6 release date: October 27 in North America originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sony briefs devs on PlayStation Motion Controller

Sony sent out some details on the PlayStation Motion Controller to its developers, according to Kotaku, revealing some information about the device that we didn't know. We regret to inform you, however, that said information does not include a) the real name of the thing, or b) the real shape.

The device will include rumble motors for force feedback, and four of the wands can be tracked simultaneously by the PlayStation Eye camera. Motion-controlled games will also be able to take advantage of face tracking and head tracking. Sony is also investigating the possibility of combining wand and PS3 controller use, with the example of the wand as a sword and the DualShock 3 as a shield.

Wand-controlled games can also use the PlayStation Eye's microphone for voice recognition and voice control. However, all this wizardry comes at a cost: Sony told developers that the "motion-tracking library has some SPU overhead and has an impact on memory as well, although these will be minimized."

Sony briefs devs on PlayStation Motion Controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is the 'Cardboard Tube Samurai' in Tekken 6

Picked up by way of the Gamertag Radio forums from the alleged Twitter account of Tekken 6 -- we know, we know -- it was confirmed this afternoon that the image you see above of Penny Arcade's Cardboard Tube Samurai is, in fact, the real deal. Where, you ask? Well, of course, Mike "Gabe" Krahulik's Twitter account, where he twote, "Yes this is for real. Cts costume will be in Tekken 6!"

He is, of course, referring to the Cardboard Tube Samurai and probably not the cartoon time-traveling simulator we already know will include everything in the universe. Take a look after the break for the exciting Twitter snapshot where Gabe revealed the truth.

Continue reading This is the 'Cardboard Tube Samurai' in Tekken 6

This is the 'Cardboard Tube Samurai' in Tekken 6 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

ESRB: Buzz Jr. RoboJam, SingStar Sampler Pack coming to the US

A few more discoveries were made today off the ESRB website. Looks like American PS3 owners will be able to download Buzz Jr. RoboJam off the PSN some time soon. The family friendly PSN game is a port of a PS2 game with the same name and has some of the easiest Trophies around. It'll require the Buzz! buzzers though, so many trophy hunters will be out of luck.

A new SingStar game has also been discovered on the ESRB. The SingStar Sampler Pack looks to be yet another expansion to the franchise, this time featuring David Bowie, Fergie, Amy Winehouse, Rockwell, and the Smashing Pumpkins.

Finally, long-lost PSN game topatoi looks like it may actually be coming out. You can watch the bizarre promo trailer here and check out our gallery.

Gallery: Topatoi

ESRB: Buzz Jr. RoboJam, SingStar Sampler Pack coming to the US originally appeared on Joystiq Playstation on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.