Once upon a time, games were competitors. Now, primarily, they're entertainers. They aimed to beat you. Now, to be beaten. Our language says much, really. While we've talked about difficulty curves forever, the problems now are "difficulty spikes." No one ever critiques a game for a difficulty-trough - because the former stops you getting anywhere and the latter is just something you coast throug

I'm not one of those gamers that particularly enjoys having my ass handed to me to the point where I simply cannot complete a game, though there are plenty of games that have challenged me to (my) max - I'm also the obsessive type, so the pattern of having side quests and optional challenges galore in my games of choice usually means I have more than enough to keep me busy. This question of balancing the commercial needs of AAA titles with what 'real' gamers (however you want to define that) want to see is an increasingly pressing problem — though not one that I expect will be resolved any time soon, other that to push more and more 'styles' of games towards the fringes.

Hard Times: The Future of Difficult Video Games

On October 1, 2007, SEEDS Corporation will merge with ODD Corporation to create "Platinum Games," which will be a fresh step forward.

Seeds [Official Site]

Eds Note: As pointed out on forum NeoGAF, the ODD Corporation linked above (ODD Solutions) might not be what SEEDS is merging with. SEEDS is merging with a company called ODD Corporation, but info about that company is scant.

Other than that, I may fire up some MAME and brush up on a few classic games in anticipation of our visit to Barcade next week. I'm ready to take on you Brooklyn based chumps in some old school arcade games, with shots of bourbon on the line. Kotaku pays! I also may re-familiarize myself with The Warriors in anticipation of something undisclosed and will probably hit up the local brick and mortars for a Wii.

So what's up, gaming weekend warriors? What electronic burdens will you shoulder during your scheduled down time? Let us know in the comments. Michael McWhertor

Rumor #1: Capcom Is Publishing SIX Xbox 360 games in 2007!
Source: This chart showing Capcom's Number of Titles Released, often incorrectly referred to as Capcom's latest investor relations report.

Unfortunately, that column featuring six Xbox 360 published games indicates they'll hit by March 2007, the end of Capcom's fiscal year. The column directly to the left shows two 360 games published in the first half of the fiscal year. What were those games? Dead Rising and Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting? Dead Rising for Japan and Dead Rising for... not Japan? It's unclear how Capcom is defining these games, if they're Capcom developed titles or games published by Capcom, but since this chart is from early November, don't expect to see six Capcom titles hit the 360 before the end of Q1 07.

Rumor #2: God Hand and Okami Coming To Xbox 360!
Source: A Japanese PDF issued by Capcom with the words God Hand and Okami in close proximity to the words Xbox 360.

Sadly, the fact that neither title broke sales records and the shuttering of developer Clover Studios tipped off the news hungry. The other clue to the authenticity of the rumor should have been the November 9th date of the news release. The English language version of the release merely indicates that Activision will be distributing titles in Australia and New Zealand and reads: "The first title to be distributed in this manner will be the Xbox 360 title "Lost Planet Extreme Condition" in early 2007, followed by "Okami" and "God Hand" for the Sony PlayStation 2."

As much as I'd like for more Capcom games, especially two of my faves from this year, to hit the 360, it's just not going to happen. At least not any time soon. Michael McWhertor

If you've been reading my last couple What Are You Playing This Weekend? posts, you might remember that I am without a television. Why? I'm homeless! Until today that is.

Two big ol' crates filled with overpriced furniture, mismatched kitchenware, hundreds of video games, and scores of t-shirts showed up at my new digs this morning. And tomorrow, I enter the world of HDTV ownership, when I finally pick up my Sharp Aquos 42" LCD TV. After taking it home and humping the box for a few, hooking up my consoles and the A/V tangle will be my number one priority.

Following that? Intense video game marathon! Final Fantasy XII. God Hand. Guitar Hero II. I have a whole month of gaming to catch up on. Maybe I'll even go CRAZY and pick up some new consoles. You know, really put that debit card into submission.

What are you kids playing this weekend? Everybody out there got their Wiis and PS3s yet? If not, don't forget that Sunday could be a very big shipment day, if our retail sources are right.

Let us know what's on the gaming menu in the comments. Michael McWhertor

Almost more depressing than seeing that Wal-Mart "Customer Choice" bundle being sold out so quickly to the masses begging for a bundle screwjob is seeing this bulleted list from the "October 2006 Video Game Software Sales" report from the NPD :

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Console Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 PlayStation 2 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Xbox Game in America
* Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. was the #1 PSP Game in America

People! What happened? In case you forgot, both God Hand and Bully came out in the same month. And yet you bought this much Scarface?

At least Vivendi is happy about it. Fully heart sinking press release after the jump. Michael McWhertor

1 Million Gamers Worldwide Say Hello to Sierra Entertainment's Scarface: The World Is Yours

Tony Montana's Epic Return to Miami Was the #1 Game in North America for the Month of October

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 — Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment division is proud to announce that Scarface: The World Is Yours, the blockbuster video game based on the 1983 classic film from Universal Pictures, has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide at retail stores.

Scarface: The World Is Yours was created through a licensing agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.

"We are very appreciative of the outstanding retail and gaming community support in North America, Europe and Australia," said Pascal Brochier, president, global retail, Vivendi Games. "This support pushed the game to #1 in North America while exceeding our expectations in Europe and beyond."

In the month of October, the world was truly Tony's. In addition to the success of Scarface: The World Is Yours, Tony's game for the PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., claimed the top spot on the PSP system in North America. According to sales data from The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, during the month of October:

* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Console Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 PlayStation 2 Game in America
* Scarface: The World Is Yours was the #1 Xbox Game in America
* Scarface: Money. Power. Respect. was the #1 PSP Game in America

Source: October 2006 Video Game Software Sales. The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service

"We are thrilled with the fantastic response to Scarface: The World Is Yours," said Bill Kispert, VP Interactive, Universal Studios Consumer Product Group. "We know that the character, the mythos, and the brand of Scarface is one that fans are extremely passionate about. The teams at Sierra Entertainment and Radical Entertainment took that to heart — showing immense respect for both the nuances and the explosive elements of the source material, while also adding to the license's mythology. This is a great example of how interactive entertainment can extend a franchise, and we love that fans feel the game has done Tony proud."

Scarface: The World Is Yours presents a sequel storyline that asks "What if Tony Montana survived the mansion shootout?" The game plunges players deep into the seedy underbelly of 1980s Miami as the one-and-only Tony Montana. Players are challenged to re-enact the climactic mansion shoot-out from the original film, but in the game the player has the opportunity to help Tony fight his way out of the mansion and survive. As Tony, the player must then rebuild his fallen empire and seize vengeance on his enemies.

Video game critics have praised Scarface: The World Is Yours for its thrilling gameplay, the authenticity to the classic Scarface film and the game's Hollywood-level production values.

* " ... the best open-world game to date." — Vibe Magazine
* " ... it nails down the movie's atmosphere and Tony's attitude
perfectly." — AOL Games
* "Scarface does Montana right." — Washington Post

Scarface: The World Is Yours is now available worldwide for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. Scarface: Money. Power. Respect., a unique game designed specifically for the PSP system that combines turn-based strategy gameplay with real-time combat, is also now available.

For more information about Scarface: The World Is Yours, please visit the game's official Web site at www.scarfacegame.com.

About Universal Studios Consumer Products Group

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group (USCPG) is responsible for global licensing and retail strategies as well as building brand recognition of the extensive catalogue of NBC Universal properties. Universal Studios Consumer Products Group is a unit of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Vivendi Games

Vivendi Games (www.vivendigames.com) is a global developer, publisher and distributor of multi-platform interactive entertainment. The company is the leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPG) category, holds leading positions in the PC, console, handheld and mobile games markets, and is an emerging player in casual online games. Vivendi Games' two principal studios and publishing labels include Blizzard Entertainment, headquartered in Irvine, CA, the creator of World of Warcraft , Diablo , StarCraft , and Warcraft ; and Sierra Entertainment, headquartered in Los Angeles, which includes Radical Entertainment, Swordfish Studios, High Moon Studios, and Massive Entertainment. Sierra's IPs include Crash Bandicoot , Spyro The Dragon , Empire Earth , SWAT , Darkwatch(TM), Timeshift(TM), Ground Control and Leisure Suit Larry . Vivendi Games is also home to Vivendi Games Mobile, publishing games for the mobile market, and Sierra Online, dedicated to publishing casual games for online play and distribution on all platforms. Vivendi Games maintains strategic relationships with industry leading content partners, including Universal Music Group, NBC Universal, Twentieth Century Fox, and Ludlum Entertainment. The company has 16 offices around the world conducting business in 75 countries.

"Scarface: The World Is Yours" interactive game 2006 Vivendi Games, Inc. Scarface is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved. "PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo(TM) may be required (sold separately). Microsoft, Xbox and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

This whole next-generation launch passing me by... it's not such a big deal. Save for this MacBook Pro I work on, the technology I have access to at this point isn't drastically different from your ordinary Amish citizen. You get used to it. I'm perfectly content living sans television. [Editor's note - :( ]

Don't you worry, Kotaku citizens, I'll be swimming in cords and consoles come December 1st, at which point I'll re-join you in playing Guitar Hero II, Final Fantasy XII, and God Hand. Hell, maybe even a little Wii Sports, some Gears of War, or a bit of Resistance: Fall of Man if I'm lucky.

But for now, my vow of gaming portability is still in effect. I'll be enrolling in Big Brain Academy and on the hunt for a copy of Final Fantasy V Advance. How about you? Any good gaming plans this weekend? Michael McWhertor

Granted, this is at one store, but here it is: GOD HAND marked down to 2,600 yen (US $22). The game was originally priced at 7,140 yen ($61). Can't help but think closing Clover was sadly a financial decision, not a creative control one. Regardless, McWhertor points out that the original price was far too high anyway. Agreed. Brian Ashcraft

Eds Note: Bashcraft, here. Sorry about the confusion! This store is buying GOD HAND, not selling it. Well, it is selling it, but not at the price mentioned. My apologies.

Sick of hearing about how Capcom smothered Clover Studios with a giant throw pillow and left the arty studio for dead in a dumpster out by the airport? Me neither! Gamasutra's Brandon Sheffield has an insightful interview with Atsushi Inaba from way back at TGS, way back when there was still a Clover Studios. While the word has always been that Clover was a word play on "creativity lover," Inaba points out:

Well we thought pretty hard about it, and it comes from Mikami's name and mine. It takes the 'mi' from his name, meaning three, and the 'ba' from my name, meaning leaf. Put those together and it's 'three leaves,' so even though the logo is a four-leaf clover, the idea actually comes from what plant would have three leaves.

An unlucky clover at that. Brian Ashcraft

Interview with Inaba [Gamasutra]

I know you're just as sad and/or angry as I am about the closing of Clover Studios, creators of Viewtiful Joe, Okami and God Hand. My emotions lean closer to "anger" as I realized I was the only one at my local EB to secure a God Hand pre-order. Shame on you, game buying public!

Well, there's not too much more to say about the death of one of the more consistent, arguably more artistic, independent developers this generation, but the dudes at 1UP are going to try. They sat down with Clover boss and game producer Atsushi Inaba to score a little more info. The interview is a few weeks old, probably close to or during the Tokyo Game Show, but Inaba hints very strongly about the inactivity of the studio and talks briefly about future plans.

He also discusses why Okami was never intended for the Wii, but with Capcom taking some of the Clover faithful back into the corporate fold, I won't be surprised to see Okami Paint or God Hand Crotch Party making their way Wii-side soon. Michael McWhertor

Clover Studios' Final Interview? [1UP]
Capcom On Clover Closing and Clover Studio is Dead [Kotaku]

A source who wishes to remain anonymous is telling me that the Clover gang actually wants to split from Capcom and form their own independent development studio. So the dissolution, then, would have been caused by the developers deciding to take off.

Or perhaps the other way around. I'm sure we'll know more as this story about the makers of God Hand develops. Too bad they can't jus settl this with a round of Jimmy punching. Brian Crecente

As of today, the studio behind Viewtiful Joe, Okami and God Hand is no more. Clover Studio was shuttered by main shareholder Capcom. At a Board of Directors' meeting was held, and it was decided that Clover should dissolved. The reason? According to the Capcom IR release:

Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has met the goal of developing unique and creative original home video game software, however, in view of promoting a business strategy that concentrates management resources on a selected business to enhance the efficiency of the development power of the entire Capcom group, the dissolution of Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has been raised and passed at a Board of Directors' meeting.

The studio was established on July 1, 2004 and takes its name, "clover," from an abbreviation of "creativity lover." Under president and CEO Atsushi Inaba and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami, the studio turned out a handful of inventive titles that were anything but mainstream. Sales, unfortunately, reflected that, and Capcom management took action. It's okay to love creativity, just don't expect it to turn a profit. Clover Studio will be officially liquidated March 2007. Brian Ashcraft

Read The Depressing Release [Capcom, Thanks Torokun!]

For the record: While there's a slight chance that playing God Hand non-stop for three days may have put the idea of punching stuff into my head, it can't be blamed for my broken hand. the game has finally hit and it seems that despite an odd negi-buzz it was generating in the weeks leading up to launch, most of the sentient (No, I don't mean sapient) reviewers liked the game. Sure, IGN gave it a 3.0, but isn't that the sort of thing you brag about on a box cover?

I gave it a B, taking off points mostly because they really should have worked out the graphics kinks before it shipped. Oh, and the non-boss level design is absolute shit.

1Up Review: 8 out of 10

God Hand does the best job at emulating the rush of old-school arcade action as any game this generation. Since the advent of polygonal graphics, developers have been on a never-ending quest to make visuals, gameplay, and physics as real as possible. But what they seem to have forgotten is that none of us got into gaming to replicate real life.

This isn't a game for people who've come to expect action games to try to do a lot of different things; rather, it's for those who can appreciate when a game does one good thing really well.

IGN Review: 3.0

The bottom line is that God Hand quickly becomes a boring, annoying and frustrating game. Why should you be forced to try and complete a level with no starting health when you have no hope of survival and will just need to reload a minute later? What's fun in fighting the same annoying demon creatures over and over again when the fight was old the second time you tried it? Why, oh why, did Clover Studio put so much money into such a risky joke, and why did no one see that the joke didn't have a real punch line at any point in the development?

Rocky Mountain News Review: B

God Hand is one of the few video games that earns the adult label, not through excessive nudity, foul language or grotesque violence, but through its constantly mature and darkly humorous look at an absurdist's world.
...
God Hand may have its blemishes, but its sense of the bizarre and dark humor make this game an intriguing must-play for adults.

Brian Crecente

Good news. God Hand ships this week and apparently Scarface is... pretty good? Who knew? Here's what's new and notable for the week.

Scarface: The World Is Yours (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Brian de Palma's gangster film gets the video game treatment. Popular with the MTV Cribs crowd.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 (PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox)
Tiger gets another fat paycheck, we get updated players and courses.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon (PS2)
Every single Kombatant (all 60 of 'em) battle it out in this last-gen MK send off.

Tales of the Abyss (PS2)
The long running Namco RPG series takes a spin on the PlayStation 2.

God Hand (PS2)
It's a Clover game and you can punch people in the face!

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner (PS2)
The Atlus demonic RPG series takes it back to the 1920's.

Gun: Showdown (PSP)
Handheld version of the Xbox and PS2 game from Neversoft.

Clubhouse Games (DS)
40-plus card and board games for the DS with WiFi Connection play.

I've got my copy of God Hand pre-ordered. What are you kids picking up this week?

I didn't go to sleep until 4 a.m. this morning and was back up at 7:30 a.m.

I've got a throbbing headache that seems to be in the squishy center of my medulla oblongata and it feels like I've got vaseline in my eyes. Thanks, Clover Studios, for the little devil ass-smacking you delivered to my sleep schedule and addictive nature via God Hand.

Bah!

Brian Crecente

God Hand [Clover Studio]

The Kotaku team is irrationally excited about God Hand. And that's not some ass-kissy thing I'm throwing out there because the Clover localization dude threatened to read the site after our interview—it's the truth.

I wanted to find out how the hell a game like God Hand is pitched. Producer and Clover Studios prez told me "Shinji Mikami [Resident Evil 4 and God Hand director] came to me with a poster. It was an image with two fists and had a very cool style. He said, I want to make a game like this. We wanted to make an original, fun game."

While God Hand kicks major ass in the action department, it's not the most unique game graphically. Especially so when compared to other Clover titles like Okami and Viewtiful Joe. Inaba explained that "We've become known for cel shaded games, but we thought a more realistic approach would be better. We wanted the focus to be on the gameplay more so than the graphics." He also mentioned that when one is presented with the goodness that is God Hand, "You get a different impression of the game when you play with the controller than when you look at it."

So what's so great about the gameplay then?

"My favorite part of God Hand is the ability to use the right stick to evade enemy attacks," he said. "Once you learn how to use that it becomes a cool fun game to play. Some say its very hard but you have to learn how to use this."

When asked about next-gen, he said he's "interested in the hardware and I'd really like to make a game on the PlayStation 3" but that "When you consider how much detail you have to put into next-gen games, it's an annoying time to be a developer. With all of that detail, costs will rise. People who see your games pick on things we never thought of." To remedy this, he suggested that other developers use graphical approaches like Okami.

We didn't have much time to go into much else, as we were primarily focusing on God Hand, but hopefully we'll speak again soon. Keep watching this space for more God Hand love hyperbole until its release next month. Michael McWhertor

Okay, it absolutely sucks the sound on this video is so bad. But any commercial this wonderfully surreal deserves a post, regardless. For the upcoming PS2 brawler, God Hand. Florian Eckhardt

Computers and Video Games has slapped up a new God Hand trailer. The video has angry clowns, ass-kicking, mega-spanking, heavy drinking and of course lots of Gay Hard men. I really can't wait for this game. Brian Crecente

God Hand Fingers New Trailer [C&VG]

Leather clad dominatrix power spanking? Check. Rapid fire mantis-style testicle stabbing? Check. Hard Gay-esque prancing bad boys on the receiving end of an ethereal baseball bat? Err. I guess. Proof that Shinji Mikami and team Clover are three sake carafes deep at each and every post-lunch design meeting? Check!!

Look, God Hand was one of my favorite games at E3, and, paired with Dead Rising, all the proof I needed that developer of the century is the amazing and prolific Capcom. Any chance I can get to see more God Hand, tell you about more God Hand, or have new fodder to write erotic God Hand fanfics, I'll take it. This most recent trailer gives us far more insight into the depth of the game's fighting engine, the move-buying upgrade shop (*sigh*) and the just plain nutball, whacked-out antics that await us come fall. Michael McWhertor

Capcom Japan's Playable Lineup [IGN]

Gamespot has a bunch of sweet, high-res screens of the game.

God Hand Images [Gamespot]
God Hand Official Site