FlatOut breaks into the next generation racing scene with "FlatOut Ultimate Carnage" in June 2007. The underdog of racing titles, FlatOut 2 garnered awards such as ‘Best Racing Game of 2006’ from G4’s X-Play and ‘Best PlayStation 2 Racing Game of 2006’ from IGN, amongst a genre of high-profile racing titles.
From the press release: "Some of the many brand new design and gameplay components featured in FlatOut Ultimate Carnage include 12 cars racing on screen up from eight in FlatOut 2, five all-new single player and two all-new multiplayer game modes over the Xbox Live® online game service, over 8,000 dynamic objects per track up from 5,000 in FlatOut 2, widescreen High Definition resolution (720p), dynamic lighting and shadowing all with proper real-time environment mapping on all vehicles, downloadable content via Xbox Live, and 20,000 polygons per car up from 7,500 in the previous generation."
Wii gamers may not have much of a online network to communicate and play games on, but the Wii has spawned off social gatherings, placing the once thought reclusive gamer as the party host. Reuters has a good article on how the Wii has created a new social gaming web.
A new Wii site, WiiParty.net, has emerged for arranging Wii gaming gatherings. From my own experience with the Wii, it's been the console I've packed up (or been asked to bring) and taken along with me whenever I get together with friends. Maybe it isn't such a bad thing to skip the online multiplayer gaming on the Wii.
Xbox 360 gamers are always on the lookout for unique gamer pictures for their gamer tag identities. With Xbox's expanding lineup of titles, you can find a few rarities nestled among the bunch. Nick Busby is the only name you'll see among the list of game and movie titles in the Xbox Live Marketplace's Themes and Gamer Pictures category.
"Creature Creations" and "Ele'gals" are among the independent artist's Gamer Pics and Themes available for customizing your 360's Dashboard, Gamer Tag and your Xbox.com Gamer Pic. Nick's web site just debuted, where he plans on showcasing his creations and getting feedback from the Xbox Community. He took the time to answer some questions on what it is like creating Gamer Pics and Themes and what is to come.
- What kind of content have you done for XBLM? I have created Themes and Picture Packs for Marketplace.
- Do you work with publishers directly? I deal with Microsoft/XBLM representatives directly.
- Are you given a concept, or do you create your own designs? I create content based on my own ideas.
- Will you be selling other designs through your site that people can use as backgrounds? Merchandise has been considered based on my content found on Marketplace. However, these would only include clothing and accessories.
- How do you recommend gamers preview themes or gamerpics before purchasing?
I believe it is important for customers to know what they are getting before purchasing, and will be doing weekly updates to my site to include previews for any content I may have up on Marketplace. Besides finding previews on my own site, I am working to have them previewable on Xbox.com as well as other community sites dealing with the subject of downloadable content on Marketplace.
- What are some of your favorite themes/backgrounds? One of my current favorites is the "Swamptopus" in the "Creature Creations" series. Of that theme I probably like the wallpaper used for the "Live" blade the best. Some other themes I personally like are Collection 1 ver. 1, Collection 1 ver.2 (in the same "Creature Creations" series) and a one-shot theme that recently hit marketplace called “Ele’gals”. Although I had girls/women as my target audience when creating it, I'll most likely be having this as my personal theme, and think that other boys/men will like it too regardless of its "cute" nature.
- Will they always be available for purchase, or do they expire eventually? Are there any limited ones? All of my current content found on Marketplace is permanent. However, I would be interested in limited releases in the future, as this would go well with some of the contest ideas I've had.
- How did you get involved in designing the content? I first approached Microsoft with an XBLA game proposal. While waiting to hear back of its status I became interested in the idea of Theme and Gamer Pic creation. After mutual interest was shown between myself and Microsoft, progress continued to get my work published on Marketplace - which debuted this past November, 2006.
For those interested in my background; I have worked as a freelance artist/designer for the past 7 years. The types of projects I've been involved in include game and concept art, web and graphic design, as well as art commissions for individuals. I now look forward to bringing original content to Xbox Live - be it themes, gamer pics, or other downloadable content - all of which can be learnt about on my website.
Check out Nick Busby's site for more info and previews and keep a lookout for his upcoming MS Points giveaways, starting in March. Read more at NickBusby.com.
Theme Background From Creature Creations Collection 1 - ver. 1 and Gamer Pics from Creature Creations Collection 1
That will be your reaction as you gawk helplessly at the recently released trailer for the long awaited Unreal Tournament 3. It's almost here and the awe inspiring HD version of the trailer is sure to convert even the diehard Quake fans. With Epic Games coming off thier smash hit Gears of War, diehard UT fans are blogging and believing that Epic's midas touch will return this series to its former glory.
Playstation 2 gamers, keep your rumble and add some motion control to your existing games. Gameware's SplitFish MotionFX Adapter for the PS2's Dualshock controller adds motion control gameplay on your PS2.
The MotionFX controller allows you to keep the familiar feel of the PS2 controller by clipping a motion adapter to the face of the Dualshock controller. A long extension/adapter interfaces between your PS2 controller and the PS2 console. Press the black button at the base of the motion "fin" to activate the motion controls at any point during the game (which you will want to turn off during menus!). A pretty cool looking light indicator shows you the motion sensor is active and tracking your movements.
GameStop has listed a 512 meg Memory Unit for the Xbox 360, at $49.99. As the GameStop page indicates, the 512 Meg Xbox 360 Memory Unit will be available starting March 1, 2007. Now compliant to the increased XBLA file size limit.
UPDATE 2.1.07: Looks like the link has been pulled from EB Games/GameStop. We'll let you know if/when it comes back up!
SplitFish has announced a new technology it has developed to bring "force feedback technology" to the PS3's SIXAXIS rumble-less controller. Just how does this work? We'll let SplitFish describe it!
From SplitFish: "This low power consumption force feedback technology called "Sensor
Effects -- SensorFX" uses no moving parts to produce meaningful sensory
feedback. A broad range of intensity and sensation compliment the ability
to derive feedback sensations from isolated areas on the controller, to
isolate one side or the other, movement from front to back or all areas at
the same time. As an example, a gamer playing a race game can feel
variations in pulse, strength and collision location and to feel intensity
differences between a smooth guardrail swipe and a full frontal slam into a
wall.
The SensorFX feedback system can be sold as an add-on to existing
controllers or as an imbedded feature that is part of a standard
controller. The SensorFX PS3 add-on version is simply connected to the USB
plug on the PS3 controller, similar to SplitFish's MotionFX.
The patent pending SensorFX has two modes, one for games that have
force feedback support already built in and the other mode that relies on
motion tilt sensing and button use and other actions to trigger the
SensorFX tactile feedback. SplitFish will work with video game publishers
and next-generation hardware manufacturers in an effort to establish
standards for this directional force feedback technology."
We'll post images as soon as they are available. SplitFish has previously managed to merge control technologies that are a gaming generation apart. Watch for our upcoming video review of SplitFish's MotionFX add-on for the PS2's DualShock controller, which brings motion controls to Playstation 2 games. We'll post a link here.
Microsoft has released a list of ten games destined for the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA). Starting in Februrary, here's a list of what is to come to XBLA (not in order of release):
- 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures
- Alien Hominid HD
- Band of Bugs
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Catan
- Eets: Chowdown
- LUXOR 2
- Paperboy
- Root Beer Tapper
- Worms
SEGA has launched the official web site for Armored Core 4. Check out screenshots, movies and more at the site. Armored Core 4 is coming to the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2007.
From the site: "Armored Core 4 takes full advantage of next-generation hardware to bring you a brand new gameplay experience, while also featuring improved versions of familiar mech battle elements and AC parts.
The new AC program engine, redesigned from the ground up, brings faster action, smoother controls, endless battlefields, and the deepest, most intuitive mech customization system ever designed."
Today, THQ announced that Saints Row will be headed to the PS3 in Spring 2007. The "sandbox" action game crosses over to the PS3 from its previous Xbox 360 release.
The press release notes: "Developed by renowned internal studio Volition, Inc., Saints Row brings the hugely popular open-world genre to Sony's new console for the first time and will mark the first open world online experience available through the PLAYSTATION(R) Network.
"Saints Row has established itself as one of the most successful original properties in next generation gaming, and we're excited to bring the groundbreaking experience to PLAYSTATION 3 system fans worldwide," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "Bringing the open-world genre to the PLAYSTATION 3 system for the first time will help grow the Saints Row fan base and expand the open-world online community."
