Microsoft Announces Avatar Kinect January 7, 2011
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At CES, Microsoft has announced the Avatar Kinect program, which is coming to the Xbox 360 this spring.
The program will allow people to have a live virtual conversation through their Xbox 360s using the Kinect’s motion tracking features. You will be able to use your Live Avatar to carry on your conversation in a virtual environment. All your actions, emotions and expressions will translate over to your avatar.
Now we all know how disappointed I was about the quality of the Kinect’s video chat program. The picture quality and video motion were terrible. This looks to be an improved way for people to chat through Kinect, and provide an alternative to that service.
Avatar Kinect will require gold membership and will be coming in the spring to Xbox 360 owners who have a Kinect.
New Uncharted 3 Gameplay Footage Online January 6, 2011
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Naughty Dog’s YouTube Profile has added a few more videos recently, probably in anticipation of CES. Entirely new HD gameplay sections of the highly anticipated PS3-exclusive, Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.
First up, the footage you know, originally shown on the Jimmy Fallon show, this level is now being played by someone who knows what they’re doing.
Now, here’s the new footage never before seen.
It’s nice to see that Drake and Sullivan still have their banter. I have to say that some of my favorite gameplay segments of the first two Uncharted games were when I had to work with an AI controlled partner (usually Sullivan) to solve a puzzle. It looks like there’s no doubt this will continue.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Decpetion is coming November 1st, 2011 exclusive to the Playstation 3.
Naughty Dog Releases Behind the Scenes of Uncharted 3 (Part 1) Online January 6, 2011
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Title is still pretty self-explanatory here. This is the first part of what is slated to be a two-part behind the scenes documentary of the goings on at Naughty Dog, who are making the just announced Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. This was previously only avalible to download on the Playstation Store, but now it’s up for all to see.
I have to say, this is the kind of behind the scenes documentary I can really enjoy. It’s not just a bunch of talking heads telling you how great their game is going to be. You see the workings of the studio while the people who are working on the game are telling you a chronological story.
I have to really give props to a line said by Richard McGonagle (who plays “Sully” Sullivan) when he was talking about what it’s like being a traditional actor working in a new medium. He reminded the audience that the original title of “actors” used to be “players”, and that still holds true to those who contribute to the stage. As a student of English with a BA, I can’t disagree with the logic.
I haven’t seen a production this good since the Halo 2 Documentary on that game’s Limited Collector’s Edition, and that was produced by Film Oasis. This is done by a company called 2-Player, and they did a really good job. Can’t wait to see Part 2. If this is what they did with just 8 minutes, I wonder what they could do with two hours.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is coming November 2011 exclusive to the Playstation 3.
Dead Space iPhone is Coming January 5, 2011
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The Dead Space Twitter feed has confirmed that a fully interactive 3D Dead Space game is coming to the various iOS devices pretty soon. This will not be a port of a previous Dead Space game, it will be its own story. It is also not going to be an interactive rail-shooter, a la Dead Space Extraction, it will be fully controllable, with full dismemberment options.
Currently the game has been confirmed multiple times to have native iPad support, but newer iPhone/iPod Touch support is assured as well by many development sources on the Dead Space forums.
There is one problem one of the previews has mentioned, EA is once again rearing its money-hungry head for options that a simple cheat code should be able to provide. While you can collect and upgrade weapons and armor in-game, you can also purchase upgraded weapons and armor as DLC from the start. I remember EA did this in the Xbox 360 version of The Godfather (and to some extent with Dante’s Inferno) and it did not go over well at all.
Dead Space is coming to iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch soon.
Dead Space Save File Unlocks Original Plasma Cutter in Dead Space 2 January 2, 2011
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That title is pretty much self explanatory. EA has announced today that if you have any original Dead Space file on your console of choice, that save file, when carried over to Dead Space 2, will unlock you an exclusive weapon, the original Plasma Cutter.
This is another example of a nice trend that seems to be forming in games over the past three or so years. Original save files from Gears of War would unlock special mutliplayer characters in Gears of War 2, but what was unlocked was dependant on your progress in the original game. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves would unlock free in-game currency depending on your unlocked trophies in the save file of the original Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. You could unlock the most money by having the Platinum Trophy. And of course, a save brought over storyline important information from Mass Effect 1 to Mass Effect 2.
This is not the only thing that will net you free goodies in Dead Space 2. Also be aware for players who complete Dead Space Ignition, the downloadable game released for free to those who preorder Dead Space 2, you will unlock a special outfit.
Have Your Live Avatar Party Like It’s 2011 December 24, 2010
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Microsoft is having a small promotion for New Years for your Xbox Live Avatars. They’re giving away 2011 party glasses (yes, like those crazy ones you see some people wear at New Year’s parties after a few drinks) for your Xbox Live Avatar. Just go here and purchase the glasses (they’re free) after signing into your Xbox Live account. Then, feel free to enjoy them the next time you boot up your console.
Portal 2 Coming April 21st, 2011 December 22, 2010
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I honestly don’t know if I can say this is truely a triumph, as I could probably fill up an entire page of this website with all the posts I’ve done up to this point of Portal 2 release date announcements, then delays, then new announcements, then new delays. Today, EA released this to confirm the new release date.
Here’s the trailer shown at the VGAs:
Portal 2 will launch April 21st, 2011 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
Hydrophobia Getting Massive Revamp Tomorrow December 20, 2010
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I have been on the fence for a while about whether or not I will be getting the Xbox Live Arcade game Hydrophobia. I read a lot of the initial previews of the game, and was fascinated by it’s water simulation technology, as well as the gameplay that goes along with it. It has been on a short list of must-buy premium XBLA games for me, along with Comic Jumper (which I did buy recently and loved) and Costume Quest (which I haven’t been able to afford yet).
Xbox Live Arcade game Hydrophobia was released a few months ago, but tomorrow it will be getting a major patch with a laundry list of fixes. Take a look at the provided video at what is being changed and updated.
Here are the full patch notes, they’re just too long to post on the site!
To cap it off, it will also get a price reduction from 1200MS points to 800MS points. Hydrophobia is currently an Xbox Live Arcade exclusive for the Xbox 360. If you have been on the fence like me about buying it, save a few dollars and don’t buy it until tomorrow!
Infamous to get Six-Issue Comic Series December 20, 2010
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Infamous, a hit PS3-exclusive from last year, is getting a six-issue comic series which will bridge the gap between the first and second games.
As a comic book fan, I felt the first Infamous game really succeeded in bringing the graphic art style of a comic book or graphic novel to life, and everything from the art direction to the acting made you believe you were playing a realistic superhero in a realistic world. We already knew that the protagonist of the first game, Cole, will be starting over in a new city for this next game, on the trail of a new antagonist, the comic series will detail that journey.
Infamous (The Comic) has no release date but it is being published by DC Comics and will have a six-issue run.
Playstation Network App Coming to iPhone and Android December 18, 2010
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The EU Playstation blog has broken the news that an official phone app is coming to the Android and iPhone which will offer integration into the Playstation Network. You’ll be able to check your account status, friends list, and trophies. It’s also got a pretty great looking interface, which is very similar to the PS3 and PSP appearance.
Currently version 1.0 is only coming to Europe. Fear not US users, the app is coming to the States as well. The US will get the app starting with version 1.1, which is going to add support for Playstation.Blog comments.
No release date has been posted. App requires iOS 4.0 or Android OS 1.6.
UPDATE: The app will be free. There are no plans for Blackberry to get support.
