EL33TONLINE.com Blog

E3 2008: Knights of the Old Republic MMOG confirmed

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:50:00 GMT

In an interview with EA head-honcho (CEO) John Riccitiello, it was confirmed that a Massively Multiplayer Online Game based on Bioware/Lucas's Knights of the Old Republic, is in development.

Riccitiello commented "We've got two of the most compelling MMOs in the industry in development. The first title, based on the Warhammer property, will launch soon.”

“And the one that people are dying for us to talk to them about—in partnership with Lucas, coming out of BioWare, which is, I think, quite possibly the most anticipated game, full stop, for the industry at the point when we get closer to telling you about it."

When pressed with whether or not it was KOTOR online, Riccitiello replied "Yes."

Only a strong rumour up until now, fans of the series will be getting a 'proper' MMOG to play out their Star Wars fantasies. That's probably not a good thing…

Source: www.portfolio.com

E3 2008: Lively LocoRoco 2 screens

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:40:00 GMT

If you didn't like the original LocoRoco on PSP, you just don't have a heart. LocoRoco 2 continues in the fine level-tilting tradition of its predecessor, while introducing a new story.

The Moja Troop, the 'enemies' in the first game, are now able to sing and are sucking the energy out of everyone. It's up to the LocoRoco (i.e. you) to travel the world and try to perk everybody back up again. The LocoRoco can swim underwater this time and are also able to manipulate more objects around them than before.

LocoRoco 2 is coming to PSP later this year.

E3 2008: I am Alive trailer

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Billed as a 'survival-adventure' game, I am Alive is looking interesting, if only for the fact that it's been attached to Assassin's Creed producer, Jade Raymond.

The trailer shows just how desperate the citizens of a devastated Chicago have become. Players will need to react to this post-earthquake environment and take risks that affect not only you, but the surviving citizens as well.

I am Alive is expected on Xbox 360 and PS3 next year.

E3 2008: Dead Space - creepy trailer

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:38:00 GMT

Dead Space, a sci-fi survival horror game from EA, is pretty creepy.

With no HUD (stats are shown on the character model), players can expect to be immersed just that little bit more, having to shoot enemies that are able to attack even without limbs or a head. Each monster becomes a puzzle as you'll need to discover how to destroy each one without allowing it to continue.

Dead Space is coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 October/November this year. The trailer is not for the faint-hearted…

E3 2008: Patapon 2 activity screenshots

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:32:00 GMT

The sequel to the original rhythm-based strategy game on the PSP, Patapon 2 looks like it's going to dial everything up.

With 4 player ad-hoc co-operative multiplay and 'Hero Patapon' - stronger, customisable Patapon that perform special functions - you're in for a treat if you enjoyed the original. Patapon 2 is expected this year on PSP.

E3 2008: Destructive Destroy All Humans trailer

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:48:00 GMT

The Destroy All Humans franchise has seen ups and downs, so hopefully Destroy All Humans: Path of the Furon will be a return to form for the series.

The 'humour' seems to remain, with some great voice acting…at least from what can be gathered in the trailer. Crypto, series protagonist, is trying to live the high-life when some unexpected visitors come to town, resulting in the requisite death and destruction of his enemies, including the titular 'Humans.'

Destroy All Humans releases on PS3 and Xbox 360 this year.

E3 2008: Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade

lisa@el33tonline.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:45:00 GMT

Namco Bandai Games has announced a new arcade compilation pack for Xbox 360, containing a host of classic Namco arcade games.

Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade includes Pac-Man: Championship Edition, Mr. Driller Online, the original Pac-Man, Galaga, Galaxian, Dig Dug, Xevious, Pole Position and New Rally-X, amongst others, some of which are Xbox Live enabled for on-line leaderboards.

If it's at a bargain price, this will be a bargain.

E3 2008: Watery Tomb Raider: Underworld screenshots

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:38:00 GMT

Now that Underworld has been dated, Tomb Raider fans can start getting excited, specifically by looking at these screenshots.

Underworld truly brings the Tomb Raider franchise to the next-generation of consoles with tons of texture and geometric detail, while also featuring 'next-generation' game play, extending on classic Lara Croft adventuring style.

Check 'em out.

E3 2008: Amazing Spore trailer

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:53:00 GMT

What more is there to say about Spore other than "We want it now!"

Spore allows you to create your own creature after emerging from the Cell Phase of life. The Creature Creator tools are astounding, literally allowing you to create anything you can imagine. Your creature's appearance affects how it interacts with the world.

The game only steps up after that as you go to the Tribe Stage building up your community, to the Civilisation Stage, building cities and industrialising your planet and then into Space, colonising planets as you see fit. You will also be able to import any creature you want from the 'Sporepedia,' a catalogue of Spore creatures created by players around the world, to interact with your game.

Spore releases in September on PC, Mac, Nintendo DS and mobile phones.

E3 2008: Fiery Borderlands screenshots

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:49:00 GMT

Borderlands is yet another post-apocalyptic game first-person shooter, this time set on a newly discovered planet with a deep mystery that everyone - including you - is trying to get to the bottom of.

The story is touted as being a fine example of interactive fiction, delivered by Gearbox Software, who have a few great games under their belt (Half-Life expansions and Brothers in Arms) and a few interesting games on the horizon (Aliens, Samba de Amigo, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway).

One of the features of Borderlands is the customisability of your character and weapons with 'near-endless' variety. Players will be able to drop in and out of co-operative games to experience the single player game together while using destructible vehicles to traverse the harsh landscape.

Borderlands releases next year on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

E3 2008: PixelJunk Eden trailer defies description

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:33:00 GMT

It's described as an 'organic platformer,' so that will have to do.

PixelJunk Eden gives players control of a 'Grimp,' a meeting of the words 'Grip' and 'Jump,' the two main actions in the game. You'll need to smash into enemies who release pollen, which is used to grow and change plants, allowing you to swing through the environment and continue on your journey.

Coming to Playstation Network this year, PixelJunk Eden is one to look out for.

E3 2008: Tom Clancy's EndWar screenshots

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:12:00 GMT

World War III has broken out amongst the superpowers and it's up to you to take control of your army and lead them to victory, using only your voice, no less.

Tom Clancy's EndWar, a real-time strategy game played from a 'unique third-person perspective,' allows players to control their armies without using a controller but by issuing commands vocally. Whether or not people actually want to do that is another story, but it sounds good in theory. Players will also be able to take their skirmishes online in a 'persistent multiplayer campaign.'

EndWar is looking great, especially for an RTS - hopefully the voice-command gamble pays off when it's released either late this year or early next year, on PS3 and Xbox 360.

E3 2008: Red Faction: Guerrilla destruction footage

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:07:00 GMT

The original Red Faction was one of the first games to introduce destructible environments in games and, while it was pretty fun to blow a hole in the wall, they were only pre-determined areas that you could destroy and didn't really contribute to the game play. Red Faction 2 wasn't much better.

Red Faction: Guerrilla, on the other hand, allows complete destruction of basically anything you can see, from small buildings to…bigger buildings…and bridges!

Watch the trailer to see the extent to which you can blow stuff up.

E3 2008: Ultimate Band Wii screens and info

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Ultimate Band, the latest game to try to cash in on the rhythm-based music genre coming to Nintendo Wii and DS, is playable with only the WiiMote and Nunchuk - no expensive plastic guitar or drum peripherals bundled with this one!

While customisable avatars feature, the main hook is allowing players to 'play' drums and guitar as well as act as the front-man (person) for each of their in-game performances, trying to get the crowd excited as the instruments are played - all with the WiiMote and Nunchuk. You'll have to be really enthusiastic to play that part, although the game is aimed at 'youngsters.'

Disney Interactive also recently announced a 'Music for Relief' concert tie-in with the upcoming Projekt Revolution 2008 tour. Ultimate Band will be featured in special booths at each of the concerts while the 'Music for Relief' concert will be playable in Ultimate Band. Music for Relief is a non-profit organisation founded by Linkin Park.

Dead Rising heading to the Wii in Japan

lisa@el33tonline.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:44:00 GMT

The latest scans from Famitsu magazine show that Dead Rising is coming to the Wii.

While many gamers were hoping Capcom would announce Dead Rising 2 at its E3 press conference, the publisher devoted their time instead to the upcoming film of Xbox 360 and now PS3 hit Lost Planet.

But before you Dead Rising fans get too excited, it looks like Dead Rising will be a straight port. Information is scarce but apparently Capcom are aiming to match the Xbox 360 look as much as possible and are porting the game because Resident Evil 4 for the Wii sold so well.

At the moment it appears as if the game will only be released in Japan this winter. Capcom’s Senior Director of Communications and Community Chris Kramer confirmed to GameSpot that Dead Rising will be released for the Wii in Japan but said that other regions are to be determined.

This sentiment was continued by Christian Svensson, Corporate Officer/VP of Strategic Planning & Business Development, over at the Capcom forums who commented “Sorry, but I've got no news on DR for any other platforms at this time.” That answer does leave a glimmer of hope for Dead Rising fans that own a Wii in the West.

E3 2008: Frenetic Killzone 2 trailer

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:24:00 GMT

A highly intense trailer for Killzone 2 showing off everything we need to know; graphically amazing, detailed and destructible environments as well as meaty weapons to shoot. If it plays well, we'll have an early 'Game of 2009' contender.

The trailer also serves to confirm that it's slipped to early next year. PS3 owners may well cry, but there are other shooters on the way, such as Resistance 2. Still, it's a long time to wait…

E3 2008: Sims 3 screens

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:19:00 GMT

The Sims 3, the latest in the 100 million selling series (including all the expansion packs) is looking pretty good. This new one allows your Sims to roam the neighbourhood and interact with your unique Sim community, as well as providing the usual OCD-inducing options to customise your house and your Sim.

Expect the Sims 3 (and the deluge of expansion packs) next year on PC.

Themes on new Xbox 360 Dashboard

lisa@el33tonline.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:05:00 GMT

Xbox Live's Major Nelson has posted a few screenshots of what 360 gamers can expect their themes to look like in the new Xbox 360 dashboard.

If you have purchased themes on your Xbox 360 in the past it will look something like this when the new dashboard launches later this year.

E3 2008: Far Cry 2 screens

ofiler@gmail.com (Oliver) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:34:00 GMT

Far Cry 2, the not-sequel to the island-traversing adventure, starts with a clean slate, allowing players to take control of an all new hero, somewhere in Africa.

Big features include the ability to take on challenges however you feel, as well as a dynamic story where key characters are able to be killed, while the story trundles on. The environments are pretty dynamic as well, letting players take advantage of the wind to spread fire through dry brush and using the vast terrain to outsmart enemies.

Here are some screenshots to give you an idea of how good it looks on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, releasing either late this year or early next year.

Thrustmaster prizes up for grabs - DS carry cases and Wii goodie pack

lisa@el33tonline.com (Lisa) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:12:00 GMT

If you are struggling to store all your DS games, we have the perfect solution. We have two Thrustmaster carry cases plus neat accessories up for grabs, one for girl gamers and one for boy gamers.

Want to play Mario Kart Wii multiplayer but only have one Wii Wheel? Then why not enter and stand a chance to win a Thrustmaster T-Megapack for Wii which includes a Kart-style racing wheel as well as a storage base with built-in battery charger (in Wii White of course) and 2 rechargeable batteries AND a protection cover for the Wii Remote and Nunchuk.

Don't delay because there is only one more day to enter this competition. Check out more details on our competitions page.

Schnell!!!