Rage is out…on iPhone November 18, 2010

The first game in what is expected to be the next major IP of famed developer id Software has been released…on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

As initially promised by programmer John Carmack, Rage iPhone has been released in two seperate versions.  The HD version of Rage (Rage HD) will only work on the iPad, iPhone 4 and current generation iPod Touch.  It supports a higher game resolution and a higher framerate.  It retails for $1.99 US.  The second version, intended for older iPhones and iPod Touch devices, simply called Rage, boasts a lower framerate but also a lower price, which is $.99US.  If you want to check if your device will support the HD version, iPods and iPhones which do not meet the hardware requirements will not be able to buy the HD version.  Due to the enormous filesize, you will not be able to download the game through a 3G connection.

The full version of Rage is expected to launch next year for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Pre-Order Halo Reach’s First DLC, Get a Flaming Helmet November 18, 2010

GameStop just notified me that they are now taking preorders for the first DLC map pack for Halo Reach.  I have no idea why they’d bother taking pre-orders for something you can just buy directly from your console, but I digress.  As an incentive to pre-order the DLC at GameStop (instead of just waiting for it to come out and buying it on your Xbox) GameStop is offering a special extra DLC item for your Xbox Live Avatar, the Mark V Flaming Helmet.

Halo Reach’s first Map Pack will be released at the end of November for 800 MS points.  You can pre-order it at GameStop right now.

Enslaved DLC to bring 3D HDTV Support November 16, 2010

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West has been considered by many gamers and reviewers to be the sleeper hit of October 2010.  In fact, you could probably pick it up right now from most retailers for $40US, a very fair price for a game released within the last month.  When I went to check out the official website for any DLC news I noticed that a whole DLC mission is being prepped for release revolving around the secondary character Pigsy.  What makes this DLC special is it will add 3D support to Enslaved, and it will be fully compatable with both native 3D HDTVs and 2D HDTVs using a technology called INFINICOLOR by a company called TriOviz.  Once the DLC goes live you can buy 3D glasses on TriOviz’s official website, or just use the ones that come with your 3D HDTV.

Enslaved and it’s DLC can be played on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.  The DLC is coming Winter 2010.

Gran Turismo 5 Coming November 24th November 16, 2010

I might have mentioned Gran Turismo 5’s release date in the past…yeah it didn’t happen.  Gran Turismo 5, the long awaited and much delayed PS3 racing game has been delayed until a bit later this month.

On a side note, the game is fully compatable with 3D HDTVs, if you have such a system in place.  Pre-ordering the game at various retailers will score you an exclusive DLC car, and for each retailer it will be a different one.  Also, the previously mentioned Gran Turismo 5 Collector’s Edition will still be sold for $100US.

Gran Turismo 5 is coming November 24th, 2010 exlcusive to the Playstation 3.

A Look at Remedy November 11, 2010

While you’re probably waiting for YouTube to stop twiddling its thumbs and render my Playstation Move video (the first of a series), you might want to check out this article I caught online of an industry insider who got to take a look at the offices of Remedy Entertainment, makers of Alan Wake and Max Payne.  He also believes he’s found the source of their power!  No spoilers here, you’ll have to read the article here to see what that is.

Would Remedy like to extend me an invitation to visit?  They’re welcome to!

Rage iPhone News November 9, 2010

There has been a lot of news recently to hit the web about the upcoming Rage iPhone game being made by John Carmack at id Software.  The game is going to be called “Mutant Bash TV” (although Rage will still be in the title somewhere) and is going to have two versions at release.  There will be an SD version for earlier iPhones which will be at 30FPS and cost .99 US and an HD version which will be at 60FPS for iPhone 4 and iPad.

The game’s code was originally based on the Rage engine, but there was compatibility problems on the older iPhones with it, so the game is using some of Doom Resurrection’s code.  The game was designed from the ground up to run on iOS, but a Droid release is possible.  Windows 7 Phone is not, since it does not support C++.

No release date is available yet.

Kinect is Live November 4, 2010

The Xbox Kinect, formally known as Project Natal, is one of the biggest releases of the year and should be officially in stores today.  The unit allows three dimentional motion capture for up to two people, allowing you to play your specially designed games without a controller.

You can buy a Kinect standalone (which requires the November update) to use on your current Xbox 360 or Slim for $150US, and there are two bundles offered.  If you’re looking for a new Xbox 360 or just looking to upgrade your existing one, you can buy a Kinect with a hard-drive free 4GB Xbox Slim for $299US or with a Xbox 360 with a 250GB hard drive for $399US.

Downloadable content is avalible for anyone who pre-ordered a Kinect, regardless of bundle option.

God of War DLC Content Now on Playstation Network November 3, 2010

After spending most of yesterday playing through God of War: Ghost of Sparta and also spending all day waiting for the promised downloadable content to be redeemable in the Playstation Store, I can finally inform people that not only can those who pre-ordered God of War: Ghost of Sparta now be able to redeem their pre-order codes (including the pre-order pack and for some of you the Deimos Skin for God of War III) but also that all of the content for God of War III that was previously only avalible through codes from pre-ordering or buying the Ultimate Edition of the game is now avaliable for purchase.

The various pre-order skins for God of War III are $0.99US a skin, and there are four individual ones.  Each skin gives you a special ability but disables obtaining trophies..  The extra content to turn your regular edition of God of War III into a UE (which adds a special skin and a whole new set of trials) is $2.99 but free to Playstation Plus subscribers.

The system will notify you which content you’ve already redeemed through codes to prevent you from purchasing content you already have.

Level Cap in Halo Reach Lifted November 3, 2010

Bungie has announced that as of yesterday the level caps in Halo Reach have been lifted.  Originally put into place to discover any methods found after release to fraud their system, up until yesterday no player could progress past rank of Lt. Col Grade 3 or buy any items past that rank.

Since the community has met the challenge of achieving 117 million daily and weekly challenges in the game, the cap has been lifted and progression can continue.  Any points accumulated past the cap will count towards leveling up for anyone who reached it as well as new armor in the armory to dress your Spartan.

Playstation Rewards Beta Test Launches November 1, 2010

Sony has sent out their emails to the inital round of testers (mostly Playstation Plus and former members of their Gamer Advisory Panel (like me) ) to test out their new Rewards program.  Not many details are included with the beta membership, just access to select contests including a trip to CES (Consumer Electronics Show).  The system will be three tier, with rankings like Select and Pro but no details are provided as to how to rank up or what to do to rank up.  The only advice given is “just keep doing what you love”.

It’s the first rewards program I’ve ever seen that keeps the details a secret.  Usually they tell you “buy things” or “play things” to get the rewards but Sony just doesn’t seem to be doing that.  All in all, it’s a free program, if I get rewarded for anything I’ll be sure to post it up.