The more subtle, social emotions such as love, empathy, joy, sadness, jealousy, anger, and shame are frequently addressed in literature and cinema, Cage pointed out, but are rarely successfully tackled by games. He pointed to Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, Rez, Katamari Damacy, and The Legend of Zelda as a few titles that draw from both ends of the emotional spectrum.

Blah blah emotion, blah blah social behavior, Mr. Cage - tell us something about the mysterious, much-reputed Heavy Rain:

Of course, the gamers and video games journalists attending the event expected to get some exclusive info on the so-far mysterious Heavy Rain, and entreated Cage to offer new details. The designer noted he couldn't speak in detail on the game, but he did indicate that the game follows in the footsteps of Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy.

Though Cage is intrigued by the possibility of real-time player-to-NPC conversation, the current impracticality of such technology means the game will, like its predecessor, use traditional dialogue trees.

It will be a heavily author-controlled story, eschewing the open world trend in favor of delivering a fuller, more directed, emotional experience.

Is "linear" a bad word now? I hope not, when there's a good story.

Heavy Rain's Cage: Games Stuck In Primitive Emotional Range [Gamasutra]

Cross Edge is a new RPG due out in Japan for the PlayStation 3 this September that is a collaboration between some of the top names in the genre. Nippon Ichi, Gust, Namco Bandai, Idea Factory, and even Capcom have lent their properties to this superstar game, which features characters from Darkstalkers, Disgaea, Ar Tonelico, and many more. Hell, a game with Etna and Morrigan together alone is worth eleventy million dollars. The game features turn-based battles, a plot that involves rescuing souls, and...if you look to the bottom right corner of the scan...the ability to dress your characters up in a wide variety of outfits, from PE clothes to devil costumes.

Chances of this coming out in the states? Pretty damn unlikely. Chances of me importing this? Over nine thousand. Thanks to SupaPhly for the scans!

Reader Saimon was kind enough to translate some of the more enticing statements about the title made by Quantic Dream's founder David Cage. And we were kind enough to copy and paste the translations after the jump.

On Locations:
"I don't want to do a big free-roaming city like GTA, because the flow of the story will then be hard to control. Nevertheless, I do want to incorporate big sets, with a crowd, heavy populated areas like a mall and a subway are going to be in there. Of course, the gameplay has got to make use of that aspect too."

On Graphics:
"People will be surprised. Internal (Sony's) feedback on graphics has been great. This is going to be a truly next-gen game. But still, we want to do something unique with the graphics, going beyond just making the most photorealistic world we can."

On Gameplay:
"With the release of Fahrenheit, we gave the adventure genre a new grammar. We brought new ways into the genre, new words if you want to see it like that, a new vocabulaire. With Heavy Rain, where going to expand on that same grammar."

On Story:
"Heavy Rain is about normal people that have landed in extraordinary situations. I wanted a much more personal story. The first thing that came to my mind, as a father of two little boys, was that the main theme should simply be a father's love for his son. This is not a game about saving the princess or the world. Its purely about a father's love."

"The main story will revolve around 4 different characters, and we're putting the spotlight on their perceptions. The question 'what is good and what is evil' is the key here, that will be just a matter of viewpoint...I believe heavily in moral choices, I'm going to use them A LOT. They're not about being good or bad, but about finding the right balance."

So far, so good. Thanks to Saimon for all the hard work on this one.

Quantic Dream, makers of Indigo Prophecy and the upcoming Heavy Rain, made a really bold claim a few weeks ago; they said that their game had crossed the uncanny valley—that place in human graphics that sits jarringly, stomach-churningly between not quite fake enough and not quite real enough. Looking at the company's tech demo, it's tough to agree or disagree with their claims.

You see, I can't say that the figure looks entirely real, but I can look at the model without being bothered like I am by, say, Beowulf. I don't viscerally feel like something inhuman is posing as human, and I'm not sure exactly why that is.

Of course, without any full environments, let alone a full face, it's tough to jump to all that many conclusions at the moment anyway. But if Quantic is pulling off these features in a real time environment on this generation of consoles, I'm pretty freaking impressed.

Tech Demo of Heavy Rain [Gamersyde]

"Everyone loves pinball. It is an unusual kind of entertainment in that it bridges hardcore and casual gamers, while translating very well to videogames," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "We are going to give the medium the respect it deserves."

Southpeak Games Announces Dream Pinball 3D Cutting Edge Pinball Videogame to Make North American Debut on PC, WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM in Spring 2008

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS - January 9, 2008 - SouthPeak Games today announced Dream Pinball 3D is coming to PC, Wii™ and the Nintendo DS™ in Spring 2008. Developed by veteran studio Topware, this superb pinball simulator creates an authentic pinball experience with refined controls that capitalize on the unique qualities each platform.

"Everyone loves pinball. It is an unusual kind of entertainment in that it bridges hardcore and casual gamers, while translating very well to videogames," said Melanie Mroz, CEO of SouthPeak Games. "We are going to give the medium the respect it deserves."

Dream Pinball 3D boasts six table themes, several different ball options, multi-ball power-ups and the most intense visuals and ball physics a pinball game has ever seen. The Wii™ version utilizes the Wii Remote™ and motion sensor capability to enhance gameplay. The Nintendo DS™ version includes intuitive touch screen control options and clear 3D graphics. The PC version offers pristine visuals and precise flipper controls with the mouse. With this many options to choose from, Dream Pinball 3D will bring out the pinball wizard in everyone!

Dream of Mirror Online Website [Aeria Games]

Our objective is to make this media a mainstream entertainment form with high creative expectations...To us, the only way to reach the level of quality we were targeting for the animation of our characters was to use Vicon motion capture...Demand has been immediate and we have actually already started to rent the system to high-profile video game and advertising clients. Our new studio is fully installed and is functioning almost every day either for complex full body or facial captures.

Quantic Dream buys mo-cap tech for PS3 exclusive [gamesindustry]

Aeria Games Announces the Closed Beta for DOMO to Start on 11/12/2007

California, U.S.A. (November 5, 2007) - DOMO will be launched by Aeria Games for a Closed Beta test in North America starting on the week of November 12th.

DOMO is a social massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) themed around the ancient Oriental myth of the Kunlun Mirror. Players enter an anime-inspired world to socialize and form friendships, learn crafting skills and level up, all within the quest of trying to solve the riddle of the ancient myth.

"We are thrilled at the opportunities that DOMO offers," said JT Nguyen, Chief Marketing Officer, "In the realm of massive online games, DOMO stands out as unique. We're excited and can't wait to show our players the new experiences that await them."

DOMO offers players rich interactive features, a robust crafting system, extensive quests, and many fun skills.
Other features include:

*Extensive Customization - Players can choose from a wide variety of hairstyles, costumes, and features for each character, allowing each player to show his or her uniqueness.
*Robust Crafting System - Players can choose from 6 skills - meditation, mining, animal breeding, farming and forestry.
*Rich Social Features - DOMO promotes interactions among players. Players have special bonds with others, such as master/disciple, lovers and friends.
*Realistic Pet System - Players have the ability to nurture and earn the loyalty of various pets. Loyal pets can help their masters in battle and life; disgruntled ones can quickly desert their owners.

Players are encouraged to sign up for early access to Closed Beta on the DOMO website at: http://DOMO.AeriaGames.com

Stranglehold (X360, PC)
All the fun of a John Woo film on your 360!

Medal of Honor: Airborne (PC, X360)
It's WWII as seen from above.

The Sims 2: Bon Voyage (PC)
Send your little Sims on a dream vacation.

Naruto: Uzumaki Chronicles 2 (PS2)
The Naruto machine keeps on pumping.

Worms: Open Warfare 2 (DS, PSP)
Worms you can carry with you in your pocket.

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (PC)
Holmes vs. Cthulu in a fight to the death.

Seven Kingdoms: Conquest (PC)
Lead your army of soldiers of demons to victory.

Pool Party (WII)
The kind with balls and a cue not the kind where you throw your keys in one.

Anacapri - The Dream (PC)
Take a trip to the Isle of Capri.

Legends of Norrath: Oathbound (PC)
The world of EverQuest gets a card battle game.

Garfield's Nightmare (DS)
Nightmare indeed.

One of the winners of Microsoft's Dream-Build-Play competition, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai will be making its way to an Xbox Live Arcade near you in the coming months. This XNA Game Studio Express hallmark was the fruit of James Silva's labor, a stylish, two dimensional action shooter with all the right shoot 'em up standards.

Thanks for the heads, up Epsilon!

Also, that's a new shot of Lair up there, which looks pretty damn spectacular and makes this post much prettier.

New PS3, New Price & More News Coming [PlayStation.Blog]

The press release doesn't say much more about the game other than that it will use the power of the Cell and game development technology of the PS3 to "set a new benchmark in delivering emotionally compelling experiences to gamers." With Quantic on board, I think that's quite possible. More details are expected "soon", which has to be code for at E3. Hit the jump for the press release.

Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios to Work on a Groundbreaking New Title for PLAYSTATION®3

Collaboration with developer Quantic Dream to redefine cinematic realtime entertainment

LONDON, July 3 2007 - Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) is pleased to announce that it will be collaborating with developer Quantic Dream on an exclusive PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) title - more details of which are to be announced soon. Quantic Dream has an outstanding track record in delivering interactive, cinematic games with true emotional depth. Combined with the power of Cell Broadband Engine™ and game development technology of PS3, the project is expected to set a new benchmark in delivering emotionally compelling experiences to gamers.

Founded in 1997 by David Cage, French developer Quantic Dream has achieved international renown for its ground-breaking innovation within the games industry, particularly in the areas of interactive narration and emotional content. The studio's record speaks for itself: in particular Quantic Dream was responsible for 2005's award winning Fahrenheit (known as Indigo Prophecy in the US and Canada), a paranormal, interactive blend of film and gaming that was widely praised for re-imagining the adventure game genre.

Michael Denny, Vice President, SCE Worldwide Studios, said: "We're really excited to be working with Quantic Dream for the first time and to have this opportunity to once again push the gaming experience to realise a new level of interactivity and, in particular, to engage players at an emotional level never experienced before. We're looking forward to revealing more news on this special title later this year."

David Cage, Founder, President and CEO of Quantic Dream, said, "We always believed that "next generation" meant more meaningful content based on players' emotional involvement. To us, PS3 is the only platform that can truly deliver on this promise, and SCE WWS is a group that is both inspiring and pleasant to work with."

Update Here's that Heavy Rain tech demo everyone is talking about in the comments:

There's one big jump this week. Can you spot it?

• Nintendo DS Lite - 118,684
• Wii - 65,521
• PSP - 33,359
• PlayStation 2 - 11,974
• PLAYSTATION 3 - 9,481
• Xbox 360 - 7,583
• Game Boy Advance SP - 472
• Game Boy micro - 371

That's not a typo. The Xbox 360 tripled its typical weekly sales, moving units within spitting distance of the PLAYSTATION 3. This week's #2 software seller, Trusty Bell: Chopin's Dream was responsible for that. Too bad Ninja Gaiden Sigma didn't seem to light a fire under PS3 buyers. Michael McWhertor

Media Create Weekly Sales

Earlier this year, an in-game image from Duke Nukem Forever popped up on a Gamasutra job ad. Months later, there is another apparent real time image of an enemy model. According to Duke Nukem creator George Broussard:

Just to head off any questions. Real-time in game asset, like the last job ad shot. Taken from a game level with a dark background, on purpose, because we wanted to focus attention on the character.

Better than focusing on DNF's ten year development hell. Brian Ashcraft

DNF Image [Gamasutra via Shack News]

Eternal Sonata, the upcoming Xbox 360 RPG that takes place in a dying Chopin's dream looks quite beautiful. If you saw the gallery of screens we had up a few days ago then you already know how incredibly gorgeous it is.

The first of these two clips is a teaser trailer of the storyline showing some cut scenes and a bit of narration. It's a little slow going but the eye candy gives you more than enough to look at while the rather boring narrator tells bits of the story. (They should have gotten Linda Hunt!) The second clip, which can be found the jump, is a bit more exciting with some battle gameplay and spell casting. The music is, of course, Chopin and the orchestration is exceedingly well done.

So, sit back, relax, grab a cup of one of those International Coffees and enjoy the magic and wonder of Eternal Sonata. Flynn De Marco

Appleseed EX isn't only a poorly received PS2 game, it's a remade poorly received PS2 game. Developer Dream Factory produced a video game based on the manga/anime Appleseed for Sega. The game was released earlier this year to low Famitsu scores and low sales. A few years earlier, Dream Factory also created a game for Capcom and Spike called Crimson Tears. Japanese blog Ge-ma Teki Dash points out that the manner in which characters reload rocket launchers in both games is strikingly similar. What's more, the stats placement and the "combo" placement is the same (hit the jump for pic). Makes it seem as though Appleseed has been tossed together with left-over assets for different publishers. Real classy, Dream Factory. My question to insider folk and know-it-alls: Is this common? Brian Ashcraft

Appleseed Is a Retread [Ge-me Teki Dash]

We've been poking around Trusty Bell news the same way we sniffed after Rule of Rose stuff (review on that one is coming up, I promise). I'm pleased to announce that the composer-centric game is coming to the US under the name Eternal Sonata, possibly with some modifications:

The press release for Eternal Sonata, oddly enough, doesn't say anything about Chopin. It just mentions "a famous composer" instead. The "Chopin's Dream" subtitle has also been removed from the US name. One wonders if they'll be changing who the composer is (perhaps to a fictional one) or if they just didn't think it was important to mention for some reason.

Trusty Bell, at least in Japan, is the story of the famous composer Chopin just before his death, as he enters a dream world and meets a magical little girl with a "terrible destiny" yadda yadda yadda. It looks pretty and the music should be great. Eliza Gauger

More Here [Games Are Fun]

GameSetWatch points to a freaky, weird homebrew DS created by developers Alpha Dream. The story goes that the team behind Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time needed something DS-like to work with before the DS was available. So the crew decided to make their own DS by slapping together a SNES controller with two Game Boy Advances. They forgot the PDA and waffle iron, cuz the DS is hot baby, hot!

Alpha Dream's Homebrew DS Hilarity [GameSetWatch]