World In Conflict: Soviet Assault [Clips] April 11, 2008
Don’t know what Soviet Assault is? Do keep up. It’s the next World in Conflict release: for PC owners, it’s a big expansion, for console owners, it’s a standalone title. Here’s the first footage to go along with the first details, along with the first [sigh] developer diary.
Ireland Goes MAD For Mario Kart Wii - From … [Mario Kart]
Ireland Goes MAD For Mario Kart Wii - From the Mario Kart launch at a GameStop in Dublin, Ireland. Look at that crowd!!!!! Totally out of control.
Americans More Offended by Sex, Gay Kissing Than Severed Heads [Oddities]
A recent poll on parenting game guide What They Play, asks this:
As a parent, which would you find most offensive in a video game?
The most offensive? A man and woman having sex. Second most? Two men kissing. Third was a graphically severed human head. Always found it odd that violence is okay, but sex is a no-no — especially in the US. Guess that’s what happens when your country’s founded by Puritans!
Attitudes to Sex and Violence [John Davison via Wired]
Infogrames Setting Alone In The Dark Up For A Fall [Alone In The Dark]
Infogrames boss David Gardner has told Reuters “we want to stop losing money”. No shit, Dave! As for how they’re going to do that, well…they’re hoping to sell a lot of videogames. Like the new Alone In The Dark.
Over the life of the product in this business year across platforms we are expecting between 2 and 3 million units.
I know, it’s launching on nearly every platform under the sun, but 2-3 million units? In this business year? It’s not that it looks bad, just…I have a little trouble believing that many people are excited for it. OK, I’m having a lot of trouble.
Infogrames sees new game selling 2-3 mln units [Reuters]
Deion Sanders, MC Hammer, Van Damme…It Can Only Be SFII [Clips]
Since Street Fighter IV was announced, there’s been a ton of reminiscing about Street Fighter II. And all of it’s positive! How good it was, how great it was, how it brought your estranged parents back together, how it ended the war in Bosnia…all valid points, but you can’t just remember the good. You need to get some perspective on the matter. Remember the bad. You need to remember this promo song for the SFII live-action movie, which features not only MC Hammer and Jean-Claude Van Damme, but true renaissance man Deion Sanders as well.
[via Capcom]
Brazil Gets The Memo, Bans Bully [Brazil]
Judge Flavio Rabello has barred the sale of Bully in Brazil, following requests for its banning from a youth centre in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. State prosecutor Alcindo Bastos says the reason for the game’s banning stems from the fact “the aggravating factor is that everything in the game takes place inside a school”, which is apparently “not acceptable” considering how much fisticuffs feature in the game. Distributors and retailers have 30 days to comply with the order.
Brazil judge bans ‘Bully’ [globeandmail]
Games Will Change The World [Peter Moore]
For all the hate and bile often thrown at gaming, EA’s Peter Moore says they’re going to change the world. Make us happy, the world better, EA richer. Peter Moore believes in games. Taking a page from the Nintendo handbook, he says:
Games have a key role to play in health and wellness. People will be able to do things with games in their own houses that they just can’t do at the gym. And it’s not just about making yourself stronger and healthier but also smarter and happier.
Games have the power to make people happy and to make the world a better place. And I do mean the world, because we are now opening up massive new markets like China and India that will bring billions of gamers.
And billions of dollars for EA.
Games Will Change The World [MVUK] [Pic]
New/More Screens Of The New PlayStation Store [Playstation Store]
Courtesy of SCE Japan, here’s a few more shots of what the new PlayStation Store will look like when it goes live next Tuesday (April 15). Well, what it’ll look like for Japan. The rest of you/us, go right ahead and in your mind’s eye substitute those indecipherable lines into something like “Latest Demos”, it’ll be a little more helpful.
PAL Virtual Console Update Update [Virtual Console] April 10, 2008
You may have noticed we don’t run many PAL Virtual Console updates anymore. Mostly because, more often than not, they’re just not worth mentioning. Today, though? Well, today is worth mentioning. On the Master System we’ve got Wonder Boy and Fantasy Zone, which is, well, OK enough as it is, but when you then see they’re joined by the C64’s Impossible Mission and California Games, well. Things are swiftly upgraded from “OK” to “Oh dear, it’s Monday and I haven’t washed myself”.
Final Fantasy IV DS Stateside In July [Game Announce]
The original spoony bard makes his triumphant return to the states as Square Enix announces a July release date for the Nintendo DS remake of Final Fantasy IV! Finally you’ll be able to associate voices to your favorite characters in the all-new CG cutscenes! Utilize the new Augment System to assign special abilities to your characters! Experience a remixed version of Nubuo Uematsu’s original score! Train and customize your Whytkin using mini-games and let it fight to the death for your amusement! Watch me get so excited that I just reiterate the bullet points in the press release below! *composes himself* The game is due out on July 22nd, and Square Enix already has a website set up for the game at http://na.square-enix.com/ff4/ . Okay, so it’s more of a picture than a website, but they’ll get there, I promise.
A LEGEND IS REBORN: FINAL FANTASY IV COMES TO LIFE IN FULL 3D
Revolutionary Title Comes to Nintendo DS on July 22, 2008
LOS ANGELES (April 10, 2008) - Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that it will launch a completely re-envisioned FINAL FANTASY® IV for Nintendo DS™ on July 22, 2008. A new generation of gamers will now have the opportunity to experience a legend reborn.
The team that brought FINAL FANTASY III to Nintendo DS comes together once again to breathe new life into a classic that broke convention and introduced a wide array of innovations to the RPG genre. With its groundbreaking Active Time Battle (ATB) system and an engrossing, character-driven plot, FINAL FANTASY IV was a stunning step forward for role-playing games when it was originally released for the Super NES® in 1991.
“FINAL FANTASY IV for DS is a classic revived for the 21st century,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. “The visual upgrades are remarkable, and the plot has been enhanced with added detail and depth. We hope that fans of the original, as well as players new to the FINAL FANTASY franchise, will enjoy all that this title has to offer.”
Now featuring full 3D graphics, fully-voiced dramatic cutscenes, and added content, FINAL FANTASY IV for DS is a must-play for those looking to jump into the best-selling RPG franchise in the world.
STORY
Four elemental Crystals, each possessing awesome power, lie scattered throughout the realm. However, men are quick to covet things which offer strength, and easily corrupted by the might which they possess…
Seduced by the promised power of the Crystals, the kingdom of Baron begins employing unprovoked force to seize them from peaceful nations. The dark knight Cecil - Lord Captain of Baron’s elite force, the Red Wings - is ordered by his king to obtain the Crystals, but soon begins to question the monarch’s motives. Stricken with grief at his own actions, yet burdened by his loyalty to his country and his personal sense of honor, Cecil at last decides to turn from the path of darkness and destruction.
Enraged, the king accuses him of disloyalty, strips Cecil of his command, and sends him off to slay a mysterious beast that lurks in the nearby Valley of Mist. Cecil embarks on a fateful journey that will bring trials, betrayals, friendship, loss and self-discovery. Can Cecil open his eyes and become the man of honor that he must be?
FEATURES
Witness the dramatic and thrilling story of this mythical game world brought to life through astounding 3D graphics, gorgeous CG cutscenes and top-notch voice acting
Create a versatile party using the all-new Augment System - a dynamic system that allows the player to assign special abilities to characters
Dive into the first RPG to incorporate the innovative Active Time Battle system, now further enhanced and refined for the Nintendo DS
Listen to a beautifully remixed score by world-renowned composer Nobuo Uematsu that breathes new life into some of the most beloved FINAL FANTASY themes
Navigate effortlessly through the game with Nintendo DS Touch Screen functionality and stylus-driven controls while receiving vital assistance via the dual-screen presentation
Train and customize Whytkin by playing a variety of mini-games and challenge another player to head-to-head battle via local wireless connection
FINAL FANTASY IV is rated is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older). Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. FINAL FANTASY IV will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $39.99(USD).
The official website can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/ff4/
