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Recently in XBox 360 Category
One of my 2 readers has requested my impressions about E3. I actually wasn't going to give them since I'm feeling very cynical about this years event, but I always listen to my readers so I came up with a few things to talk about.
They should have called this years E3 mE2 (Me Too), since it seems like everybody is doing something that somebody else has done. Copying of ideas is a staple in formula driven businesses like movies and games, but it seems the big 3 are reveling in it this year. When part of your surprise announcements could be paraphrased "Look what somebody else had success with, so we are going to do it too" it's time to hang it up.
Just keep in mind my mindset if I seem a little harsh as I go over the high points of the key note addresses. I'm going in order or least interest to most interest, so we'll start with Nintendo and end with Microsoft. Each section is basically organized in the order it was covered in their keynote address.
It's very long so I'm going to bury the bulk of it behind the cut.
They should have called this years E3 mE2 (Me Too), since it seems like everybody is doing something that somebody else has done. Copying of ideas is a staple in formula driven businesses like movies and games, but it seems the big 3 are reveling in it this year. When part of your surprise announcements could be paraphrased "Look what somebody else had success with, so we are going to do it too" it's time to hang it up.
Just keep in mind my mindset if I seem a little harsh as I go over the high points of the key note addresses. I'm going in order or least interest to most interest, so we'll start with Nintendo and end with Microsoft. Each section is basically organized in the order it was covered in their keynote address.
It's very long so I'm going to bury the bulk of it behind the cut.
Continue reading E3 depressions, err IMPRESSIONS.
It's been a while since I posted and I'm very sorry. Everything went to hell in a handbasket for a while and I tend to shut down when things start to fall apart.
Anyway, it's very rare that I will recommend a game before it's released, but I'm going to do it now (I'll do it again at least once in the future as soon as I know a date for release on that one). Now 'before it's released' is being kind of sketchy with my terminology for this title since it's technically been released twice already, once on the Dreamcast and later on the Game Cube. This will be the first time many XBox owners will see the game, however.
Ikaruga, one of the greatest vertical scrolling shooters ever created is coming to XBLA this Wednesday. Don't wait for my review, buy it day 1. It's a fine example of an old school shooter, with a lot of new school innovation. Newbies to the shooter genre may feel a little overwhelmed at first. It is very Japanese, by that I mean It is VERY difficult.. Remember that FF3 originally wasn't released here in the States because it was deemed too hard for American audiences. The Japanese like them hard. And Ikaruga doesn't disappoint. Don't expect to cruise through this one in a couple of hours.
If you are looking for a great example of a shooter, this is the one to buy.
Check out some screenies and get more info here.
Anyway, it's very rare that I will recommend a game before it's released, but I'm going to do it now (I'll do it again at least once in the future as soon as I know a date for release on that one). Now 'before it's released' is being kind of sketchy with my terminology for this title since it's technically been released twice already, once on the Dreamcast and later on the Game Cube. This will be the first time many XBox owners will see the game, however.
Ikaruga, one of the greatest vertical scrolling shooters ever created is coming to XBLA this Wednesday. Don't wait for my review, buy it day 1. It's a fine example of an old school shooter, with a lot of new school innovation. Newbies to the shooter genre may feel a little overwhelmed at first. It is very Japanese, by that I mean It is VERY difficult.. Remember that FF3 originally wasn't released here in the States because it was deemed too hard for American audiences. The Japanese like them hard. And Ikaruga doesn't disappoint. Don't expect to cruise through this one in a couple of hours.
If you are looking for a great example of a shooter, this is the one to buy.
Check out some screenies and get more info here.
Microsoft is revealing some welcome surprises for home brew game devs at this years GDC. The first being the announcement that user created games will coming to XBLA soon, as in today. The other is that XNA development will be supported on the Zune in the future.
While technically not game related, I'm going to report this since 2 of the big 3 console makers have a vested interest in this.
In case you actually do live under a rock, Blu-Ray won. Toshiba has announced that they will no longer be producing HD-DVD players anymore. Now technically the boys in Redmond could shovel a metric buttload of money at HD-DVD resources and keep it alive for a while longer, but I doubt that will happen. You see, that sound you are hearing is the sound of all the fence sitters rushing out to grab a PS3 or Blu-Ray player. There is no point in backing HD-DVD at this point.
If you are one of the ones left out in the cold with an HD-DVD player, start shopping. Those HD-DVD's still in retail channels just got the plague and stores will be trying to get rid of them fast. There is no future in stocking a dying format (try to find a UMD disc) so you can expect prices to drop quickly.
In case you actually do live under a rock, Blu-Ray won. Toshiba has announced that they will no longer be producing HD-DVD players anymore. Now technically the boys in Redmond could shovel a metric buttload of money at HD-DVD resources and keep it alive for a while longer, but I doubt that will happen. You see, that sound you are hearing is the sound of all the fence sitters rushing out to grab a PS3 or Blu-Ray player. There is no point in backing HD-DVD at this point.
If you are one of the ones left out in the cold with an HD-DVD player, start shopping. Those HD-DVD's still in retail channels just got the plague and stores will be trying to get rid of them fast. There is no future in stocking a dying format (try to find a UMD disc) so you can expect prices to drop quickly.
I recently found that out that The Incredible Machine may be coming to XBLA. This is one of my favorite games of all times and the one that sparked my interest in puzzle/physics games. While looking around for more information I came across a link to a similar game with a new twist. What a gem, and I can't wait until the game is finished.
A free version of the original game with a limited drawing set is available here. It only has a few levels, but it is interesting to play and really shows off the potential of the deluxe version.
A free version of the original game with a limited drawing set is available here. It only has a few levels, but it is interesting to play and really shows off the potential of the deluxe version.
*sigh* so much for me taking the month off to play games.
I've been a fan of the Soul Calibur series since I played it on the DreamCast. I know it wasn't the first in the series, but I was hooked just the same. Knowing there was a 360 sequel on the way was enough for me. I was content to wait, assured that I would be playing SC soon, because that is a must buy for me, even with Street FIghter IV to give it some competition. Now those wonderful people at Namco Bandai have just given me a chubby and made waiting for it a lot harder.
Yesterday they announced 2 secret characters. Yoda and Darth Vader are all set to join in the unbalanced, over-technical 3D fighting fun. Don't be thinking you're going to sit down with your friends and have the Star Wars fight of your lifetime, though. XBox 360 gets Yoda, while Darth Vader will appear on the PS3.
Source (and shamelessly hijacked video): 1up (with hi-res screens)
I've been a fan of the Soul Calibur series since I played it on the DreamCast. I know it wasn't the first in the series, but I was hooked just the same. Knowing there was a 360 sequel on the way was enough for me. I was content to wait, assured that I would be playing SC soon, because that is a must buy for me, even with Street FIghter IV to give it some competition. Now those wonderful people at Namco Bandai have just given me a chubby and made waiting for it a lot harder.
Yesterday they announced 2 secret characters. Yoda and Darth Vader are all set to join in the unbalanced, over-technical 3D fighting fun. Don't be thinking you're going to sit down with your friends and have the Star Wars fight of your lifetime, though. XBox 360 gets Yoda, while Darth Vader will appear on the PS3.
Source (and shamelessly hijacked video): 1up (with hi-res screens)
This actually happened a couple of days ago, but I ignored while I tried to get my act back together. Microsoft has released the newest version (v2.0) of XNA. Included are 2 big new features that many game creators have been waiting for.
- Networking support for multi-player games.
- The Guide button can now be accessed through a new Class that also allows for storage device selection and text entry through the new Messenger Kit keypad.
The networking portion is absolutely HUGE for developers. Not only does it streamline the creation of multi-player games for Windows, but it also gives access to the Live network for multi-player 360 games. If that wasn't enough to make creators salivate, it will also allow for multi-player games that connect cross-platform allowing PC users to play against 360 users. Like I said, HUGE!
I may have to dust off my copy of C# and give the new version a whirl.
You can download the new version here.
- Networking support for multi-player games.
- The Guide button can now be accessed through a new Class that also allows for storage device selection and text entry through the new Messenger Kit keypad.
The networking portion is absolutely HUGE for developers. Not only does it streamline the creation of multi-player games for Windows, but it also gives access to the Live network for multi-player 360 games. If that wasn't enough to make creators salivate, it will also allow for multi-player games that connect cross-platform allowing PC users to play against 360 users. Like I said, HUGE!
I may have to dust off my copy of C# and give the new version a whirl.
You can download the new version here.
Looks like the boys in the BC department over at Microsoft haven't forgotten us. Major Nelson just posted about a BC update complete with a cubic buttload of new games added to the list. Nothing spectacular on the list this time, but at least they are still working on it.
I previously reported about the DLC for Rock Band that would be available. I assumed since there was no mention of it anywhere that you could only get the 3 pack songs as a pack. The content is now on XBLM (and I assume PSNet) and you can in fact get individual tracks from the packs if you do not want the whole pack. They are packed together with\ a discount applied for those of us that want all three songs.
I have my Rock Band bundle in hand (I was the first in line at Gamestop this morning to pick it up) and will be playing in a few hours when I got off from work. WOO! Pass me my drum sticks cause *sings* I don't wanna work. I just want ta bang on de drums all day.
I have my Rock Band bundle in hand (I was the first in line at Gamestop this morning to pick it up) and will be playing in a few hours when I got off from work. WOO! Pass me my drum sticks cause *sings* I don't wanna work. I just want ta bang on de drums all day.
Everybody that is anxiously awaiting this game has been wondering one thing. How are the Rock Band DLC prices going to compare to Guitar Hero's? Wait no more, Harmonix has released the details along with the first few weeks of content to be released.
It's kind of long, so follow the jump to get the whole story.
It's kind of long, so follow the jump to get the whole story.
Continue reading Rock Band DLC details.
