PlayStation 3, Trophies

PlayStation 3 Trophies Mandatory Starting January 2009

A leak from Europe has claimed, and several sources have confirmed, that starting in January of 2009 all PlayStation 3 games will be required to support Trophies. Word of the initial leak came from VideoGamer.com, which cited an anonymous tip from someone in the UK game industry. Later, a representative of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe confirmed the information. We still weren't sure, however, what the mandate actually meant for old games.
Today VideoGaming247 reports that the rule only applies to new products, which means only games that are submitted for approval after January 1, 2009. In other words, if a game is submitted for approval in December but releases in January, no Trophies will be required. It also doesn't apply to old games, as the decision to patch in Trophy support is still being left up to publishers. We've heard mixed messages about this in the past, but it seems now that Trophy support being on a case-by-case basis for older games is the standard.

Trophies arguably haven't really become the institution that Achievements are for Xbox 360 owners -- after all, who ever heard of a "Trophy Whore"? Hopefully by making them standard operating procedure for the foreseeable future, more addiction-prone gamers will latch onto them, especially once they're supported through Home.

Far Cry 2

Far Cry 2 Downloadable Content Coming Soon For Xbox 360 and Playstation 3


Today Ubisoft announced it will be releasing exciting new downloadable content (DLC) for Far Cry 2 by the end of November. The Fortune's Pack DLC will bring new vehicles and new weapons to both the single-player game and the multiplayer game, giving gamers even more diverse means of destruction. Be the silent stalker armed with your crossbow or jump on your new quad and blast through the dunes of Africa. The Fortune's Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will be available for download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 800 Microsoft Points and from PlayStation Network for $9.99.
The Fortune's Pack DLC for Far Cry 2 will include:


Single-Player Mode
Three brand-new weapons
Silenced shotgun
Sawed-off shotgun
Crossbow
Two new vehicles
Unimog
Quad
Multiplayer Mode
Four new exciting maps
Cheap Labor
Last Resort
Lake Smear
Fort Fury
New single-player weapons and vehicles also available in multiplayer
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Far Cry 2 will be the newest innovation from Ubisoft in the world of next-gen first-person shooters. More than just a visual and technological achievement, Far Cry 2 immerses players in an entirely new kind of gaming experience. Running on a new tailor-made gaming engine, Far Cry 2 features non-scripted enemy Artificial Intelligence, entirely destructible environments, dynamic fire and storm effects and multiplayer gameplay, all in 50 square kilometers of a completely open world environment. Players will find themselves immersed in a war-torn African state, where they will be forced to make deals with corrupt warlords on both sides of the conflict in order to survive and move ever closer to their primary objective – The Jackal. Players must identify and exploit their enemies' weaknesses, neutralizing their superior numbers and firepower with surprise, subversion, cunning and, of course, brute force.

For more news and information on Far Cry 2, please visit the game's official website at http://www.farcrygame.com.

Shaun White Snowboarding

Today Ubisoft announces that Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii home video game system from Nintendo, the Nintendo DS system and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system have gone gold. The game is scheduled for release on November 16, 2008.
Shaun White Snowboarding was developed in close collaboration with Shaun White, Olympic gold medalist and eight-time X Games gold medalist. The game is powered by the award-winning Assassin's Creed engine for Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION 3 system, and truly captures the action sports lifestyle. Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip was also developed from the ground up for the Wii, taking full advantage of the Wii Balance Board accessory and featuring its own unique storyline and adventure with Shaun White. Shaun White Snowboarding for the PSP system and Nintendo DS allow players to enjoy the thrilling sport of snowboarding anytime, anywhere. Players can earn points and build their characters in Shaun White Snowboarding for the PlayStation 2 system, which also features co-op and multiplayer modes.

Shaun White Snowboarding for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system will ship with a "T" for Teen rating by the ESRB. Shaun White Snowboarding for the PSP system and the PlayStation 2 system, and Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip for the Wii will ship with an "E10+" for Everyone 10 and up rating. Shaun White Snowboarding for the Nintendo DS and PSP system will ship with an "E" for Everyone rating by the ESRB.

For more information on Shaun White Snowboarding, please visit http://www.shaunwhitegame.com.

Killzone 2

Killzone 2 going Head to Head with GTA IV DLC on February 17 Showdown


USA Today and various Internet reports have Killzone 2 and GTA IV Downloadable content for 360 listed as coming out the same day. Which seems to be a good strategy by the companies and the respected console developers of each system. Killzone 2 is set to be a beast of a title for Sony next year and Grand Theft Auto IV’s downloadable content which is exclusive to Xbox 360 is sure to do outstanding numbers upon its release.



Kilzone 2 is the third Killzone title for Sony (including Killzone: Liberation on the Playstation Portable) and so far as been a reasonably well selling game for them, the media hyped the first Killzone up to be a Halo killer but fans quickly shut this down upon release due to average reviews. After playing Killzone 2 for myself however (Courtesy of the Eurogamer Expo this year in London) I can say for myself that this game will be breathtaking on release. Im not sure It’s for me to say whether it’s a ‘Halo killer’ as i have never played a Halo game right through and I m far from a fanboy, but I will say that this game may just end up being for Playstation 3 what Halo is for Xbox 360 in terms of first person shooters.




With Grand Theft Auto 4’s IV downloadable content you play as new character Johnny Klebitz, member of the Liberty City biker gang The Lost. Although Johnny is a completly different character to Niko Dan Houser has said that during your time taking control of Johnny, tons of details and mysteries from the main story with Niko get explained during Jonny’s story. Which sounds very interesting as this content may even add more value to the main storyline, which many long time GTA fans apparently weren’t happy with this time around. Fans should also not feel nervous about playing as this Liberty City biker character as the Rockstar team always do a great job of putting you into the shoes of these characters and making you feel at home with them. Regardless this downloadable content should be something special for Xbox 360, and Xbox 360 owners should feel happy and support this content as it may never see the light of day on Playstation 3.


In conclusion Mid-February will be a great time to be a next gen gamer considering February is usually a sleeper, now both Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 owners with have these two blockbusters to look forward to on the same day as long as this actually goes ahead with no push backs. Bitch which one will do better, and which one has more hype? I guess this is here the fans take over and let their opinions be known.

Happy Gaming

Killzone 2

Will Killzone 2 Sell Well?


We all remember the great debacle that was the 2005 target render of Killzone 2. Videogame fans all over the world were stunned to see the power of the PS3. The monster was out of the bag. PS3 would be the world’s most powerful console ever. Then reality set in. While the first few years of the PS3’s life cycle have seen a few lookers, (Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, MGS4) none of them have lived up to the expectations that the Killzone 2 target render had set. This combined with a lack of games is the reason that I believe that Sony completely stumbled out of the gates with PS3.

Now just a few months away from the release of Killzone 2, we are starting to see just how powerful the PS3 is. Killzone 2 looks phenomenal. From what I have seen of it, it is hands down the best looking game on any of the current consoles, even rivaling the graphics of a high end PC. This is a game that quite honestly could sell itself solely based on graphics.

The problem I see Killzone 2 having when it comes out, is not the game itself. I am confidant that all the time the game has had in development will pay off. The problem I foresee is the same problem that has plagued all of Sony’s big releases, total lack of advertising. Sure you see a few commercials for a big Sony exclusive, but they are so few and far between that it is hard to justify Sony in their marketing decisions.

When the Microsoft has a big game coming out they start the advertising early and bring it on heavy. Sony just lets a few ads out and then doesn’t even have them in heavy rotation. It’s like they purely rely on word of mouth. Look at the latest victims, Little Big Planet and Resistance 2. Little Big Planet is supposed to be a massively huge title for Sony. It is a game that has been hyped by all the websites and all the magazines. So when push comes to shove where are the commercials Sony? Where are the massive billboards and Saturday morning spin off cartoons. The whole time the game was being developed gamers were led to believe that it was the “next big thing”. One would think that this would lead to a massive media push, but sadly there was no push. The same goes for Resistance 2. It’s sad when the supposed answer to Gears of War 2 gets trounced by the game it’s competing against in the marketing department. Where are the TV specials and a midnight releases?

If Sony truly wants the PS3 to succeed, then it starts with Killzone 2 and throwing every ounce of market muscle that they can muster at it. If they fail to do so, it will not bode well for the PS3. It will cause Killzone 2 to become one of the many games to be a critical success and at the same time a total commercial flop. This is a scenario that Sony can flat out not afford to happen. It’s time to put you’re money where you’re mouth is Sony, pony up the dough to push Killzone 2 or let it slip through the cracks like all you’re other big exclusives.