"What we can say about Guilty Gear is that it is not dead yet", Arc System's Tomo Ohno told NowGamer. "It has not ended. The producer/creator of Guilty Gear, Daisuke Ishiwatari, his comment for this meeting [was] ‘I have the full intention to create Guilty Gear for PS3 and 360."

That's a proper Guilty Gear, too, not a spin-off thing like Overture.

Fans will remember that earlier in the year it emerged that Arc System Works had lost the rights to the series. Guess Ishiwatari and Sega managed to work something out! Or, at least, are trying to work something out.

Next-Gen Guilty Gear In The Works [NowGamer]

Developed by Cyclone Zero and published by Arc System Works, O-D Beat Drop is your standard block-dropping puzzle game with a rhythmic twist. Players drop their pieces to the beat of music, clearing the board with combos for big points. More than 100 stages of single player gameplay and four different difficulty levels should keep the solo gamer occupied, while cooperative and versus online play for up to four players should ensure you never play alone.

The niftiest feature of the game, however, is the ability to import your own music. The game will analyze your tunes and let you play along to a beat you might be more comfortable with. Once again it is time for my Infected Mushroom collection to thrive!

O-D Beat Drop will be available on Wednesday for 800 Microsoft points.

This week on Arcade: 0D Beat Drop [Major Nelson]

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger confused and delighted fighting fans when it was released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, being a fighting game that you couldn't simply pick up, perform Street Fighter-like moves and win. Now Arc System Works is bringing that delightful confusion to the PlayStation Portable with BlazBlue Portable. It features all 12 fighters from the console version of the game, with Ad Hoc fighting for up to four players, along with a new addition in the form of Legion Mode, a territory control game in which you move your character over a map, taking over new areas via rounds of fighting.

BlazBlue Portable is making its way to Japan on February 25th. No word on a North American release, but as long as there's a UMD and you've not upgraded to the PSPgo there's always import shops.

BlazBlue Gets PSP Port [1UP]

Yes, there's a little gameplay mixed in to the newly released trailer for BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, but if you consider yourself a fan of the new fighting series, you've likely seen some gameplay footage from various arcade location tests. But if you like seizure inducing flair, this is the animation heavy intro you've been waiting for.

Thanks to notMordecai for the tip!

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger will be getting an expansion of sorts in BlazBlue: Continuum Shift, featuring at least one new character. That new addition would be Tsubaki Yayoi, a previously unplayable character featured in the original BlazBlue. According to details from Famitsu, we'll also get new stages and a refined HUD.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift will reportedly make an appearance at Japanese arcades soon, with Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 ports expected later. Thanks to Gantz for the heads up!

This is the Queen's Gate version of Dizzy. Queen's Gate is a spin-off of Queen's Blade, a Lost Worlds style "combat picture book game" and has been published in Japan for the last couple of years.

Queen's Gate has showcased the likes of Iroha (Samurai Shodow), Mai Shiranui (The King of Fighters) and of course Dizzy (Guilty Gear).

Pre-orders for this PVC Dizzy will cease this October, and the 18cm Kotobukiya figure is schedule to ship next January.

「クイーンズゲイト 運命の子 ディズィー」月刊ホビージャパン10月号、11月号誌上限定通販スタート！！ [ステマニ日和ＢＬＯＧ]

The release comes as a result of publisher PQube and Zen United, a consortium of Japanese and Asian developers targeting the European market. The title will be fully localized, with support for German, Italian, French, English, and Spanish, so just about everyone can be confused by the twisted storyline of this lovely little fighting game.

"The long running 2D fighting genre has seen a welcome boost in 2009 with updated versions of several franchises brought to Next Gen PS3 and 360 consoles" and Tomo Ohno, Head of Zen United, reported "BlazBlue reached number 1 in the Japanese arcades and already sales of the Japanese and US console versions have beaten forecasts".

The European PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 release will feature bonus content, including a strategy guide and the game's soundtrack, and the announcement makes mention of "new gameplay content not available anywhere, like new characters and moves."

No word on what exclusive characters Europe will be getting, but it's definitely nice to see folks on that side of the pond getting rewarded for their patience. And for those of you who already bought it, there is no shame in rebuying.

North American PlayStation 3-owning fans of Arc fighters like Guilty Gear and the recently-reviewed BlazBlue were somewhat disappointed last year when Battle Fantasia was released exclusively for the Xbox 360 at retail. Relief is now in sight, however, as Aksys announces a fall release for the game in downloadable for on the PlayStation Network.

"The fans have been asking for it and we're here to deliver," said Frank "Bo" deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. "Thanks to the revival of the fighting genre this year there hasn't been a better time to release such a fun and exciting fighter like Battle Fantasia on the PlayStation Network."

See? They would have released it on the PlayStation 3 earlier, but it just wasn't a good time. It should be interesting to see how well the magic-meets-steampunk game does as a downloadable title, seeing as the 360 boxed version didn't exactly take the country by storm.

BlazBlue's blend of high-resolution, gorgeously animated sprite based fighters and three dimensional backgrounds makes for a stunning presentation. Pretty though BlazBlue may be, the brawler has a depth that belies its 12 character strong roster, a bizarre cast of fighters slashing through an equally bizarre story line.

Should you educate yourself in the library of fighting education that is BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger?

Loved
A Deep Dozen: BlazBlue's roster may not have the numbers of Street Fighter IV, Soulcalibur IV or Tekken 6, but for a new franchise, twelve fighters is pretty respectable—especially when each character is so unique. No two characters play alike, with some having character specific health bars or custom interface icons that expand upon Arc's already deep fighting system. That variety comes with a price, though, as players who feel comfortable with protagonist Ragna may be bewildered when trying out Arakune or Carl.

You Are Soooo Good Lookin': Everything in BlazBlue, from its characters to its backgrounds to its win notifications, is overstuffed with lovingly rendered detail. The amount of work put into character animations is simply stunning, even if a few characters animate slightly better than others. BlazBlue's stages, which expertly mesh NPC sprites and 3D environments offer plenty of eye candy. Whether you personally enjoy the game's art style, however, will be up to you.

Lag? What Lag?: Taking BlazBlue online via Xbox Live feels surprisingly like playing someone in the same room. We had a few spurts of lag at the very beginning of our online matches, but once the action kicked off, the experience was unexpectedly smooth.

I Like To Watch: The game's online fighting mode supports up to four spectators, a mode I found key to enjoying my online experience. After watching more experienced BlazBlue players go at it as a spectator, I better understood how some of the fighters played, all the while getting an eyeful of the game's visuals without the distraction of having to fight for my life.

Shortcuts: By default, BlazBlue's control set up allows special attacks to be mapped to the right analog stick, making the learning curve less steep, letting the player enjoy more of the game's flashier moves. Hardly revolutionary, but it makes getting up to speed on the unfamiliar fighting system with a stock gamepad that much easier. For better balance online in online matches, this option can be toggled off in game settings.

We Got Modes: The console port of BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger comes with a wealth of options, including an expanded story mode, a match replay theater, unlockable galleries and more. One-on-one fighting may be the draw, but if you're simply soloing, there's no lack of modes to explore. I quickly grew tired of the dialogue and voice acting in the game's storytelling, but fans willing to put up with BlazBlue's fiction will be rewarded.

Hated
Tutorial Required: BlazBlue may be a new franchise, but that doesn't mean that Arc System Works has catered to the new player with some of its design decisions. The mechanics have a relatively steep learning curve, thanks to a roster that's arguably too diverse, too stuffed with crazy characters. Even the naming conventions attached to the fighting system—Heat Gauges, Barrier Bursts, Astral Heats, Distortion Drives—seem designed to confuse the player unfamiliar with the game's language. Even the rounds are called "rebels." Fortunately, the limited edition version of the game comes with an extremely helpful tutorial DVD. Buy it. Watch it.

Everything Goes To 11: Sometimes, there's just too much going on. Too much in BlazBlue is over-designed, resulting in visual confusion that's often hard to filter out. The cast of characters, while pleasantly wacky at times, is heavily populated with a level of unwelcoming bizarre that might have turned you off to the Guilty Gear series in the first place.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger is ultimately a fantastic product, hopefully the start of a long-running franchise that can be added upon with new characters, refined move sets and improvements to the interface. The technique is there, with a fighting system that requires some serious investment, as are the visual fireworks that give the game its unique graphical appeal. Whether BlazBlue's anime aesthetic choices are something you'll find appealing will be a matter of personal taste.

Under the skin, it's a wonderful game.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger was developed by Arc System Works and published by Aksys Games for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on June 30. Retails for $59.99 USD. Played through Arcade Mode and Story Mode with multiple characters on Xbox 360, tested online Multiplayer modes via Xbox Live.

Confused by our reviews? Read our review FAQ.

Rolling Stone is famous for its covers, and perhaps Rolling Stone Drum King will be as well. Developed by Arc System Works and released last month in Europe as We Rock: Drum King, the Wii game features a selection of 29 songs that players can drum out to using their Wii remote and nunchuck as virtual drum sticks. Now the North American release, due out later this spring, gets a healthy dose of credibility with the Rolling Stone rename.

"For more than 40 years, Rolling Stone has been a staple in the voice of American music culture and entertainment and we are pleased to collaborate with 505 Games as we venture into video games for the first time," said Will Schenck, Publisher of Rolling Stone magazine. "With more people playing console video games than ever before, this was a natural next step for the Rolling Stone brand."

We'll see how that step pans out for them. While the musical selection is rather nice, people these days aren't too fond of music games that can't spring for master tracks. Check out the full track listing below.

The Songs:

All Star - Inspired by Smash Mouth
Banquet - Inspired by Bloc Party
Be My Baby - Inspired by The Ronettes
Blister in the Sun - Inspired by Violent Femmes
Born to Be Wild - Inspired by Steppenwolf
By the Way - Inspired by Offcuts
Can't Get Enough - Inspired by Bad Company
Can't Stand Losing You - Inspired by The Police
Cissy Strut (instrumental) - Inspired by The Meters
Click Click Boom - Inspired by Saliva
Direction - Inspired by Starting Line
Feel Good Inc. - Inspired by Gorillaz
Fight the Good Fight - Inspired by Triumph
I Fought the Law - Inspired by The Clash
In Too Deep - Inspired by Sum 41
Let There Be Drums - Inspired by The Ventures
Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous - Inspired by Good Charlotte
Mickey - Inspired by Toni Basil
No One Knows - Inspired by Queens of the Stone Age
On Top of the World - Inspired by Boys Like Girls
Pull Me Under - Inspired by Dream Theatre
Saturday Superhouse - Inspired by Biffy Clyro
She Sells Sanctuary - Inspired by The Cult
Song 2 - Inspired by Blur
Soundgarden - Inspired by Spoonman
Stay With Me - Inspired by Faces
The Take Over, The Breaks Over - Inspired by Fall Out Boy
The Final Countdown - Inspired by Europe
We Will Rock You - Inspired by Queen

Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Arc System Works' latest 2D fighter are getting the big box treatment by Aksys. The set not only contains a very pretty box and the game itself, but a 2-disc, 42-song soundtrack set and a bonus disc containing tutorials from the experts at Dustloop.com and Shoryuken.com. The video walks you through each character, showing you the ins and outs and delivering special tips for getting the most out of your favorite fighters.

How much would you pay for this much BlazBlue? That's the best part. The limited edition set is $59.99, the same price as the game alone. In fact, players who've already pre-ordered the game are getting a free upgrade to the limited version. If you've not pre-ordered yet though, you might want to get that done now, as the limited edition set is first-run only, with the second run consisting of the game all by itself, looking sad and lonely.

Check out the Xbox 360 version of the limited edition below, which is exactly the same as the PlayStation 3 version, except for the lack of blu-ray and a bit more green.

Recently announced for Japan in the pages of Famitsu, Aksys is picking up the ball and running it to North America with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game due out this summer. As mentioned previously, the 2D fighter features twelve highly-detailed characters, each one animated with over 1800 frames worth of hand-drawn sprites. That's a whole mess of sprites.

The console version of the arcade fighter features new music, new animations, and a full-fleshed out story mode that apparently makes use of a girl with chipmunk ears and a tail, so I wholeheartedly approve. Online play and the ability to switch between Japanese and English voices is nice, but they had me at random chipmunk girl.

The latest issue of Famitsu Weekly breaks the news that BlazBlue will make the jump to consoles this Summer. So far, that's only for the Japanese audience. Failing a North American or European localization—which we're assuming someone will be smart enough to pick up—an import may be in order.

1UP's recount of the Famitsu story notes that the home version of BlazBlue will add a substantial single-player story mode, one touted to take 30 hours to complete.

The game will also get a boost from its arcade version with full online multiplayer support, downloadable content and an animated sequence from anime studio GONZO.

Gamers will have to decide which hi-res 2D brawler they would prefer to invest their time in this Summer, as SNK Playmore recently announced the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 port of The King of Fighters XII for a release in July.

BlazBlue Officially Coming to Consoles [1UP]

Background: Sammy, which bought SEGA in 2004, has published Guilty Gear tiles like Guilty Gear X, Guilty Gear Isuka and Guilty Gear XX Slash. (However, Arc System Works self-published Gear XX Accent Core and the recent Guilty Gear 2: Overture).

Here's the exchange between Gamasutra and GG designer Daisuke Ishiwatari:

Gamasutra: This is a tough question, I don't know if you can answer it, but there have been some rumors on the net about Guilty Gear and Sega getting the rights, which is why [Arc System Works' Dynasty Warriors-style action title] Guilty Gear 2: Overture didn't feature too many older characters — and stuff that I don't really understand. Though you might not be able to provide any answers...

Ishiwatari: Right, I might not be able to provide answers there.

Gamasutra: You know, rumors... on the Internet...

Ishiwatari: Yeah, I can't really talk about it much... except to say that they're basically true. (laughs)

So that basically seems like a confirmation from Ishiwatari himself. Be sure to read the whole Gamasutra piece. It's meaty.

Dodging, Striking, Winning: The Arc System Works Interview [Gamasutra via Go Nintendo via Sega Nerds]

You know the drill here. Become a drummer, join a band, and then become the best in the world! Instead of relying on giant plastic drums, We Rock: Drum King instead has your Wii remote and nunchuck acting as virtual drumsticks, changing between drum types depending on which buttons you press. The game will ship with 30 "awesome tunes", with Bloc Party's "Banquet" and Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild" listed in the official release.

While another game in the slowly bloating rhythm-action genre comes as no surprise, I didn't expect to see the name Arc System Works in this press release. You Europeans will have to let us Americans know how that all pans out once the game comes out next year. In the meantime, screenshots!

505 GAMES FEELS THE RHYTHM WITH WE ROCK: DRUM KING FOR NINTENDO WII™

Milton Keynes – 505 Games is today pleased to reveal We Rock: Drum King, a brand new rhythm-action game for Nintendo Wii™, which sees you becoming the drummer in a band that’s on the road to global stardom. It’s due to rock out across Europe in April 2009.

Unlike many rhythm games, to become a music legend in We Rock: Drum King you only require two Wii Remotes, rather than having to clutter your living room with potentially expensive instruments. The remotes become your virtual drumsticks as you beat your way through 30 awesome tunes, including Bloc Party’s Banquet and Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf.

You start on the road to fame by creating your drummer and then joining a band, before performing in a range of increasingly spectacular venues – until you’re crowned the greatest rock band in the world.

Developed exclusively for the Nintendo Wii by ARC System Works, We Rock: Drum King takes full advantage of the innovative motion-sensing capabilities of the console. The game is played by moving the remotes as if you’re ‘air drumming’. Different drums – including snare, toms, hi-hat and bass – are simulated by waving the Wii Remotes while pressing a different button.

Wannabe drummers know exactly when and what drum to hit thanks to coloured indicators that scroll down the screen in time to the tune. The difficulty can be scaled too, so that beginners can pick-up-and-rock-out, whereas experienced beat masters can crank up the challenge to 11.

We Rock: Drum King will be released exclusively for Nintendo Wii in Europe in April 2009.

FEATURES:

* Wide range of drumming styles/music
* Ready to rock straight from the box – no need for costly peripherals
* Create your own avatar before hitting the road
* Single and multiplayer modes
* 30 awesome tracks from well known artists
* Difficulty scaled so beginners have fun but experts face a real rock challenge

It was easier for a small-and-mid-sized developer like us to develop a game for Xbox 360 than PS3. Also, since the main feature of the game is the network battle, XBOX 360 with organized network infrastructure was considered more suitable for the game.

This GG2 was the first title that we took the overseas development into consideration and since Xbox 360 had been widely used especially in the U.S., we wanted to challenge the system.

Keep in mind that developers are saying programming for the PS3 is getting easier as their know-how increases.

All about Guilty Gear 2: Overture [Siliconera] [Pic]

BATTLE FANTASIA KNOCKS OUT EUROPE
505 Games Publishing Innovative Fighting Game From the Makers of the Hugely Popular Guilty Gear Series
Milton Keynes, August 1st – 505 Games today announced that Battle Fantasia, a unique all-action fighting game, is heading to the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® in Q1 2009.

Developed by combat veterans Arc System Works, Battle Fantasia is like no other fighter available on consoles, thanks to its unique cast of fantasy-inspired characters, alongside a storyline and script that stays true to its Japanese heritage and manga roots. In fact, 505 Games is ensuring the overall experience is as close as you’ll get to playing a Japanese arcade game in the streets of Tokyo, without ever leaving the comfort of your sofa.

In keeping with the fantasy themes of the game, Battle Fantasia also has elements familiar to fans of role-playing games. Instead of having a standard health bar, characters have hit-points that drain away as they take damage. As a result smaller characters have less health but are faster and harder to hit, whereas larger ones can deal more damage but are lumbering hulks. This means the gameplay experience is unlike any fighter you’ve played before.

Battle Fantasia includes a variety of different modes, including story, practice, survival, time attack, versus mode and online multiplayer. What’s more, by playing through the story mode, it’s possible to unlock new costumes for the fighters, along with a range of artwork by Guilty Gear series legend Emiko Iwasaki.

Battle Fantasia is available in Europe for PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® in Q1 2009.

Key features:

• A faithful recreation of the awesome arcade game, from the developers of the Guilty Gear series
• Fast-paced, fluid and balanced fighting
• Innovative 2.5D graphics engine
• 12 playable characters with their own range of special moves
• 2-player head-to-head action and online multiplayer
• Artwork and character design by Emiko Iwasaki

"Battle Fantasia's helps bring the fighting genre to the mainstream with its RPG-style appeal,” said Frank “Bo” deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. “If the fighting aspects don't hook you, the quirky characters and their stories will".

Great news, but where's the PlayStation 3 version for North America? Separate press release I missed? Perhaps it's a surprise?

BATTLE FANTASIA RUMBLES ONTO XBOX 360 IN FALL OF 2008

A Fighting Game of RPG Sized Proportions!

Torrance, CA (July 3, 2008) – Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, announced today that Battle Fantasia will be battling its way onto Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Fans of the fighting game genre can expect to see this high tension fighter in the fall of 2008.

Developed by ARC SYSTEM WORKS, creators of the highly popular Guilty Gear series, Battle Fantasia utilizes RPG-stylish elements and blends them with high level gameplay. Players will also be able to pick between 12 beautifully illustrated characters by Emiko Iwasaki, and battle it out in front of gorgeous high-definition 3D environments.

"Battle Fantasia's helps bring the fighting genre to the mainstream with its RPG-style appeal,” said Frank “Bo” deWindt II, Project Lead, Aksys Games. “If the fighting aspects don't hook you, the quirky characters and their stories will".

Battle Fantasia Prologue

There was once a time when the world was engulfed in darkness. Mankind fought six battles to save their world, but lost every single one. All hope was lost for humanity and many turned to god with prayers. But one day the darkness was finally driven back by the swords of four heroes.

Light returned to the world, and with it came peace and serenity. The world was then divided into two major countries: The Magic Kingdom and the Steam Empire. The people prospered like never before…

But in recent months, strange things have begun to happen. Rumors spread among the people that the darkness was returning...

However, fate has once again brought together warriors from all over the world. Some fight in the relentless pursuit of justice. Some fight due to their conviction and faith.

As the battle looms near, an epic new tale of new heroes begins to unfold...

Battle Fantasia Key Features:

· Gorgeous Cel-shaded Graphics

Experience Battle Fantasia's amazing art and graphics as you play through the game!

· Exclusive Console Story Mode

Play through each character's main scenario in "Story Mode", or discover hidden sub-scenarios to truly immerse yourself in the universe of Battle Fantasia!

· Exciting Online Play

Fight against opponents from far and wide or view your overall online rankings via Xbox LIVE

· Feel the Burn of "Heat Up" and the Sting of "GACHI"

Master the Battle Fantasia exclusive battle mechanics of "Heat Up" mode, "GACHI Match", and "GACHI Drive" to keep your opponents on their toes!

· Find Every Unlockable!

With over 80 unlockable illustrations in "Gallery Mode" and various Xbox Achievements, you'll find yourself playing for hours on end!

Battle Fantasia has not yet been rated by the ESRB. More information about Aksys Games and Battle Fantasia can be found at www.aksysgames.com.

Anime Expo [Official Webpage]