Kotaku: Gossip

The Force Unleashed Team Unleashed? [Updated]

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:20:00 MDT

Unconfirmed, but word has it that LucasArts ~~just~~ axed the team responsible for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. If this true, this rumor is reminiscent of rumblings we heard earlier this month that once The Force Unleashed ships, LucasArts will pinkslip 100 employees and cease internal development. All of this comes as LucasArts recently saw massive layouts. These ~~latest,~~ rumored layoffs were long-time staffers who had worked on big titles like X-Wing, Full Throttle and Grim Fandango. If The Force Unleashed proves successful, LucasArts might find itself at a disadvantage if it plans on doing the game internally.

Eds Note: We were contacted by a LucasArts staffer who was part of the Force Unleashed team, stating these layoffs mentioned in the original Joystiq post were not recent and that there have been no additional layoffs since what we reported earlier this month.

LucasArts Cuts Hit [Joystiq via CVG]

Matt Damon's So Not Interested In Gaming

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 02 May 2008 02:00:00 MDT

It's not that Matt Damon doesn't like the action-heavy Bourne game, it seems he just doesn't like video games! Lev Chapelsky from Blindlight says they've tried to get him in games before, but Damon's not all that keen. Blindlight is responsible for helping to put Robert Downey Jr. in the Iron Man game and Edwart Norton into The Incredible Hulk game. According to Chapelsky:

We've been doing this for over eight years — we have more experience in this field than any other company — and by now we've made offers to just about every Hollywood name you can think of... When it comes to Damon, we've [made] several game offers to him over the years and have consistently found that he's not interested in working in the field.

Betcha didn't think of offering Damon a Myst-like puzzle game now did ya?
Talent Group Reports [Multiplayer] [Pic]

Jason Rubin Makes Star Magazine

Mike Fahey — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:00:06 MDT

Australian pop star turned "actress" Sophie Monk, who recently split with her fiancé, Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden, was spotted at the Griddle Café in West Hollywood on February 15th with a new man!

Just three days after confirming she had split with her rocker-fiancée Benji Madden, Sophie Monk was spotted having brunch with video game designer Jason Rubin!

Could love be in the air for the Aussie starlet and the co-founder of Naughty Dog? One eyewitness told Star Magazine, "It looked like a date." Oh my god! If I never have to write this sort of tripe again it will be too soon. Pick a side, Rubin! Glamorous gossipy Hollywood or friendly, geeky gaming. I like writing about you, but the moment I type a serious sentence that begins with, "You'll never guess who was seen with..." is the moment before I go out shopping for bulk sleeping pills.

Game Designer Jason Rubin Makes The Tabloids [MTV Multiplayer]

A Donkey Kong Jesus Fit For Christina Aguilera Spawn

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 21:00:36 MDT

This isn't just some regular old Donkey-Kong-as-Jesus painting. Oh, no. It's much more. Dubbed "The Last Supper" and painted by artist Misha, the piece was originally shown at the 2006 I Am 8-Bit show. Hang on, like I said, there's more! The painting is apparently now hanging in Christina Aguilera's baby nursery. If that wasn't enough (it's not), Kotaku's Associate Editor Flynn De Marco has a Misha original tattooed on his bodice. There, all done!
Amazingly Coincidental Donkey Kong [Gay Gamer]

Phil Harrison Is Joining Atari?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:00:46 MST

This. Is. Insane. Rumor has it Phil Harrison is leaving Sony to join, you might want to sit down, Atari. Yes, Atari. That Atari.

...

Apparently, Phil Harrison is joining forces with ex-EA exec and current Atari honcho David Gardner to make the beleaguered company less crappy. Previously, Gardner said:

My goal is to help rebuild that passion around the company. First, with the employees and then very quickly to spread it virally on the internet to millions of new customers. I have a personal challenge to create a world-class company that is European in flavor but reaches global markets.
This will take some time of course, but here we have fantastic gaming DNA formed at the birth of the industry, access to creative talent and a company with the working capital to make the necessary investments to realize this vision.

If this is true, wow, just wow. (That, and lolololol.) If it's not, we're happy to see sanity prevail.
Harrison Joining Atari? [Games Industry Thanks, Luke Smith!] [Pic]

Echochrome Getting Summer US Release?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:40:06 MST

PSN puzzle game Echochrome looks very intriguing and, better yet, different. The game has gotten a Japanese release date (March 19), but no official US one. Game site Siliconera asked Sony Computer Entertainment of America about its US release, writing this:

I was told plans for the PSP version were up in the air and the summer slot is specifically for the PlayStation 3 version. Don't take this conversation as confirmation that the PSP version got the axe, its fate has not been sealed.

There ya go. Semi-official confirmation. Expect more details as they're released.
Echochrome Slated for Summer [Siliconera]

Final Fantasy XIII Delayed to Spring 2010?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 23:00:37 MST

Dunno! But we do know it's sure hard to delay a game that isn't dated. Square Enix hasn't said much about the game — which is, in a way, good, because we'd rather have them working on it than talking about working on it. Last we heard, Square Enix was smashing rumors that the game would be out this year. No wonder people are worrying! Some Japanese industry analysts over on Japanese stock news site Trader's Web predicted that Final Fantasy XIII would be pushed back to March 2010. Until then, the value of Square Enix's stocks is supposed to drop.

What's more, website Hobby Blog points out, some 2channel users are starting to compare FFXIII to vaporware like Gran Turismo for the PSP. We haven't heard any rumblings, suggesting that Square Enix was going to release the game as late as 2010 — though, it could happen! Though, pinning fears and tears on the Trader's Web prediction is a little silly at this point. As KBC analyst Hiroshi Kamide tells Kotaku:

No news good or bad from the company really, but I expect the shares to start rallying again nearer the time DQIX is to be released.

So do we! We also expect Final Fantasy XIII will sell a gajillion copies in Japan no matter if it's released in 2009 or 2010. Until then, no freaking out, okay?

[Thanks, Muu for the tip!]

Prince of Persia Movie's Storyline Revealed?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:00:49 MST

Everyone's favorite non-gaming producer Jerry Bruckheimer is always ready to blow shit up. This time, he's ready to light that sandy fuse with his film adaptation of Prince of Persia. Haven't heard too much about this project — save for that Four Weddings and a Funeral director Mike Newell is attached. Site Collider has apparently a handful of film synopsises (synopsi?) for upcoming projects. Included is Prince of Persia, which goes something like this:

(If this is true, there might be spoilers.)

Passing through India en route to Azad, King Sharaman and his son, the Prince of Persia, defeat the powerful Maharajah of India with the promise of honor and glory. After looting the city and capturing a giant hourglass full of sand, a mysterious dagger, and the Maharajah's daughter Farah along with other treasures, they continue to Azad. A dying Vizier, who had betrayed the Maharajah and aided King Sharaman in return for a share of the spoils, demands to have the dagger, as he was promised his choice of the Maharajah's treasures. But Sharaman refuses to take the
dagger from his son, who captured it first. So the Vizier, who wishes to harness the power of the sands in the hourglass for himself, making him an immortal god and giving him control over time itself, tricks the Prince into opening the hourglass. When the Prince uses the dagger to unleash the Sands of Time from the hourglass, the Sands destroy the kingdom and turn all living beings into hideous sand creatures. Only the Prince, the Vizier, and Princess Farah, the kidnapped daughter of the Maharajah, remain unchanged due to their possessions; the Prince's dagger, the Vizier's staff, and Farah's medallion.

We totally do not believe this at all. The actual synopsis is something more like this:

Passing through AN EXPLODING India en route to Azad, King Sharaman and his son, the Prince of Persia, defeat the powerful Maharajah of India with A FERRARI SCAGLIETTI AND A CASE OF C-4 WITH the promise of honor and glory. After looting the city WITH C-4 and capturing a giant hourglass full of DETONATING sand, a mysterious EXPLODING dagger, and the Maharajah's STRIPPER daughter Farah along with other EXPLODING treasures, they continue to Azad. A dying Vizier INJURED WHEN THE FERRARI FLIPPED OVER AND EXPLODED, who had betrayed the Maharajah and aided King Sharaman in return for a share of the spoils AND SPORTS CARS, demands to have the dagger AND A FERRARI F430, as he was promised his choice of the Maharajah's treasures AND SPORTS CARS. But Sharaman refuses to take the dagger from his son, who captured it first FROM AN EXPLOSION. So the Vizier, who wishes to harness the EXPLODING power of the sands in the hourglass for himself, making him an immortal god and giving him control over time itself WITH DYNAMITE, tricks the Prince into opening the hourglass, MAKING IT BLOW UP. When the Prince uses the dagger to unleash the Sands of Time from the hourglass, CAUSING THE THE FERRARI F430 TO FLIP OVER AND, WELL, YOU KNOW, the Sands destroy the kingdom and turn all living beings into hideous sand creatures. Only the Prince, the Vizier, and POLE-DANCING Princess Farah, the kidnapped STRIPPER daughter of the Maharajah, remain unchanged due to their possessions; the Prince's dagger, the Vizier's staff, and Farah's medallion AND EXPLOSIONS.

Hope they get Nic Cage for this one!
Curious What Hollywood is Getting Ready to Film? [Collider]

Listen to The Duke Nukem Forever Clusterfuck

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:00:55 MST

Remember when The Dallas Business Journal reported that 3D Realms' honcho Scott Miller said Duke Nukem Forever was finally getting a release date? This year even! But then 3D Realms' George Broussard said this was just "confusion" about what was "off the record"? Almost as funny as Duke Nukem Forever finally coming out! 3D Realms honcho Scott Miller says this about The Dallas Business Journal:

Quite simply, they are lying bastards and they know it.

Tangy! Stephen Webster, who penned the original article, says he stands by it — as did the whole 41-paper American City Business Journals Network. He also said, "We are not liars." Okay dookey. But what did Miller actually say?

The Dallas Business Journal has posted a sound clip from the interview. The exchange goes:

Webster: Ideally, we'd like to spotlight some of the projects coming out in 2008: Ghostbusters, Rage, Borderlands, and maybe it's just hopeful on my part, Duke Forever. Of course, you don't have to tell me when it's coming out. I know how...
Miller: It might make this year. We can't make any sort of official announcement. We're pushing for this year. Frankly, I think we're going to miss it by just a by a few months, but it's definitely an internal push.

Webster: That's good to hear.

Oh. So, it's a vague confirmation that 3D Realms "might" get it out this year. The DBJ article has since been changed to reflect that. "Might make this year"? That's been 3D Realms' song and dance for forever!
Listen to Scott Miller Interview [Dallas Business Journal Sound Clip]
Duke Nukem Debacle [Next Generation]

Why Is There No Capcom In Super Smash Bros. Brawl?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:23 MST

With all the characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, there are a few that are missing. Where's Mega-Man? That character certainly wouldn't be out of place. Or what about Chun-Li or Ryu? The SNES controller was designed to suit the Street Fighter II port! Likewise, those characters would be right at home with the Smash Bros. Want to know why? Several insiders tell us that Nintendo was apparently still upset about GameCube exclusive Resident Evil 4 going multi-platform, and thus, decided not to include Capcom characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl during development. However, with Capcom making a valiant effort at third part Wii developing with Zack & Wiki, do expect better relations between the two companies. Old wounds do heal — even when you are Nintendo! Heck, we wouldn't be surprised if Capcom and Nintendo were ironing out a deal for the developer to make more Wii titles.

Insider Dishes on Cobalt Blue DS Lite

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:40:59 MST

Here's some confirmation for that Cobalt Blue DS Lite rumor. According to a Nintendo insider, warehouse workers just began putting the Cobalt Blue clamshells on within the last day or so. The insider described the color as a "purplish blue" and added that they look "awesome." The unit is the same as the red and black DS Lite (and it does have a power switch!). Our insider didn't have an exact release date, but pointed out that once the packing begins, it's usually somewhere between two weeks and a month before the product hits store shelves. Guess that means mid to late February for the Cobalt Blue DS Lites.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Bug Confirmed?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:00:30 MST

Earlier, we brought news of a minor Super Smash Bros. Brawl bug. The screen goes black and displays an error message that the game cannot be booted. However, the bug doesn't actually effect the game and can be ignored. Another retail-minded site Game no Urabanashi confirms this rumor, point out that the error message occurs when the game is first started up on consoles that haven't been updated since last summer. Game no Urabanashi doesn't see the bug as a huge problem as it can be corrected, but does point out that it could be an issue if not all customers are aware of it. The Nintendo flier that stores will apparently be giving out has popped up online. This looks like pretty good confirmation, but we're still going to call this a rumor until we're able to verify for ourselves when SSBB drops this Thursday in Japan. For a game that's been delayed repeatedly, this seems, well, pretty shitty. If this is true, why is Nintendo, known for its impeccable quality, willing to ship its biggest title with a bug? Then again, Paper Mario had a bug and the DS Lite had hinge cracks, so. One thing you can bet, Nintendo would've never shipped Wii Fit with a bug. No way in hell.
SSBB Bug [Game no Urabanashi Thanks, Muu!]

SSBB Shipping With Showstopper Bug?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:00:14 MST

Japanese game site ORE-N0-WEB 3rd floats the rumor that Super Smash Bros. Brawl is shipping with a showstopping bug. Before we dive in, a bit about that site: It's run by someone who claims to be a gaming insider (perhaps a game shop owner). The site mentions that Japanese retailers are getting notices that SSBB is shipping with a minor bug that displays an error message that the game cannot be booted. This bug is triggered by a SSBB software update. This bug doesn't actually affect the game, which can still be played normally if the bug is ignored. ORE-NO-WEB 3rd stated that such a bug might frighten many customers — even if they are given notice regarding it. This bug wasn't mentioned on the 2ch game store clerk's thread, so it could very well be bogus. Stay tuned!
Bug Bros. Brawl [ORE-NO-WEB3rd Thanks, Muu!]

Three New SSBB Characters Accidently Leaked?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:00:22 MST

New challengers! Accidentally! Apparently!! In one of the Smash Bros. DOJO!! updates last week, it was announced that stickers could power-up characters during Adventure Mode. In the Japanese preview clip, a couple new characters have been apparently revealed via in-game stickers. What looks like Pokémon Jigglypuff and Lucario seem to be visible. Lucario is really popular in Japan right now with 4, 5 and 6 year olds. So his inclusion makes sense! Also, Ness from the Earthbound series is visible as well in another frame. (To see that frame, click here.) The original clip that appeared on Nintendo's site, which we've posted after the jump, contained these in-game stickers at about four minutes, twenty seconds in. The "corrected" clip doesn't. But, who knows? Confirmation should come soon enough thanks to the DOJO!! publicity machine.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl [Edible at GameFAQs via Dtoid]

Disney Want Magic Kingdom DS Maps?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:00:52 MST

Rumor has it that Disney is considering using the DS as a platform to run park maps. So, the DS would be an interactive map and guests could click on certain areas of the park, check wait times, etc. A limited trial is expected in the next few months. This isn't the first time Disney has brought DSes into the park: Back in summer 2007, guests could access customized content from the Magic Kingdom's Pirates of the Caribbean. If this is true, we're sure this will go over big in Japan, where everyone has a DS and everyone likes Disney. Well, not everyone.
DSes Used? [WDW News via DS Fanboy]　[Pic]

Don't Expect Wii-mote Lightsaber Peripheral

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:00:58 MST

When the Wii-mote was first announced, immediately everyone thought of one thing: the lightsaber. Apparently, Nintendo wouldn't even let Lucas Arts release its own "bat like attachments" (think lightsaber add-ons) for its talked about Wii game. The reason? Nintendo is worried about safety issues. Perhaps if there was some sort of training course on how to use such attachment, Nintendo's mind could be persuaded? We're sure.
No Lightsaber Add-ons [MAXCONSOLE via WiiNintendo] [Pic]

No New Vib Ribbon?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:00:48 MST

Back in 2007, game designer Masaya Matsuura mentioned that he was in talks with Sony for a PSN downloadable version of PS1 cult classic Vib Ribbon. The original game loaded into the PS1's RAM and let players use their own music CDs to play off. The game would generate unique levels based on the music. So when a Vib Ribbon appeared on the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) homepage, the remake seemed all systems go. Not so fast! Says a Sony spokesperson:

... as far as I'm aware there is no new version in the works. We regularly have our games rated so this may not mean it's actually going to be released but you can always keep your fingers crossed.

What does that mean? Besides that this spokesperson doesn't know what's going on, not much! Don't rule anything out just yet.
Vib Ribbon Coming? [VideoGamer]

Sony on New Aibo Rumors? "No Plans to Revive"

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 02:00:45 MST

Previously, we floated a rumor from magazine Stuff that Sony was creating a PSP/PS3-connected Aibo. According to the piece, the Sony Aibo, as it's dubbed, was being resurrected to "bolster the PS3's arsenal." Apparently, the Aibo PS will have its own Home avatar and react in the real world like he does in Home's virtual one. Other tidbits: You can download new personalities for the dog via PSN, and the dog is controllable via PSP. Website Digital World Tokyo contacted Koji Kurata at Sony Japan's Electronics Department about this rumor. Kurata was crystal clear, saying:

Sony terminated Aibo production at the end of FY2005 [and we] currently have no plans to revive this business in the future.

Odd, because we previously heard that Sony was in fact "talking" about working on something like the Aibo. Then again, that was just "talk," and talk is cheap. Robotic dogs aren't.
Sony Fesses Up [Digital World Tokyo]

What is NCsoft Up To?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 07:00:34 MST

Lineage, City of Heroes and Guild Wars publisher is staying hush hush about its upcoming project. Rumors started circulating last week when it was noticed that NCsoft Europe was hiring and had put a buncha concept art on its website. As MMO site Massively points out, the concept art has a mystical-meet-militaristic vibe to it. NCsoft Europe is looking for a bunch of new recruits, so this could be part of the company's Sony deal to bring online games to the PS3 and the PSP. When asked what it was up to, NCsoft Europe replied, "No comment." Figures.
NCsoft Europe's New Project [Videogamer.com]

Peeing Next to Bill Gates

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:00:05 MST

So Bill Gates gave his last keynote. End of an era! But what about the man? Some of you would like to know more. We've run loads of creepy KotakuStalku posts, but this has to be one of the creepier. (Oh goodie!) France's most famous blogger Loic Le Meur dishes to Shiny Shiny's Kat about the time he took a whiz next to Microsoft honcho Bill Gates at another conference. Le Meur says:

You know what I'll tell you. I will look like I'm full of shit if I tell you... I went to the bathroom, and the person next to me was Bill Gates. So, I had more than eye contact. Well, no contact. No, no, there wasn't any contact, right. But, you know, it's kind of a weird situation. You're kinda like, 'I know this guy.' There was no bodyguard or nothing there... That's a true story.

True or not, we take this as startling evidence that Bill Gates is in fact human.
Peeing Next to Bill Gates [Shiny Shiny] [Pic]

Mini-Skirt Or Not, No More Customers

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 03:00:16 MST

Face it: Japanese Wii owners buy Wii Sports, Wii Fit and maybe Super Mario Galaxy. That's about it, really! So, when a third party company releases something that, well, isn't any of those three, what happens? Not much. That's No More Heroes executive producer and Harvest Moon creator Yasuhiro Wada and No More Heroes and Killer 7 creator Goichi Suda hoping to give out toilet paper and hoping to sign copies of NMH. Thing is, after twenty minutes of Suda and Wada standing in front of Akihabara's Sofmap, nobody bought the game. Keep in mind, that not only two well-known game creators were giving out toilet paper, but there was also a woman in a mini-skirt (that, after the jump). Talk about a tough crowd!

Japanese game press like IT Media, GA Graphic and Famitsu were at the bust of an event and didn't have any customers to photograph at the launch. According to Akiba Blog, a staffer from Famitsu publisher Enterbrain apparently went and bought a copy of No More Heroes for Wada and Suda to sign. Regardless of what you think of No More Heroes, stuff like this isn't just sad for Suda and co., but for Wii owners ultimately. No More Heroes isn't your typical Wii game, and it seems to be getting punished for that. Hope it does better in the States — for the Wii's sake.

Hit the jump for the mini-skirt cosplay girl.

Nobody Buys It, So the Press Does [Akiba Blog, Thanks Torokun!]

List of Early 2008 Titles Doesn't Include SSBB

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:00:38 MST

Ready to see what's instead early next year Nintendo-wise? Game site CVG has apparently confirmed a big list of Wii and DS titles. Doesn't seem to include Super Smash Bros. Brawl, but there other games which certainly won't make up for its absence. On to the list!

Wii 2008

January 2008

* PDC World Championship Darts 2008 (Oxygen Games), 11th January 2008
* Wii Chess (Nintendo), 18th January 2008
* Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure (Capcom / Nintendo), 18th January 2008
* Donkey Kong Jet Race (Nintendo), 25th January 2008
* Hamster Heroes (Data Design Interactive)
* Kawasaki Jet Ski (Data Design Interactive)
* Kidz Sports: International Football (Data Design Interactive)
* Urban Extreme (Data Design Interactive)
* NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (SEGA)
* Ghost Squad (SEGA)
* Last Ninja (System 3)

February 2008

* Battalion Wars 2 (Nintendo), 15th February 2008
* No More Heroes (Rising Star Games), 29th February 2008
* Call For Heroes: Pompolic Wars (Data Design Interactive)
* EARACHE Extreme Metal Racing (Data Design Interactive)
* Bleach (SEGA)
* Kawasaki Snow Mobiles (Data Design Interactive)
* London Taxi: Rush Hour (Data Design Interactive)
* Pool Party (SouthPeak Games)
* Destroy All Humans 3: Big Willy Unleashed (THQ)
* Spongebob: Atlantis Squarepantis (THQ)

March 2008

* ATV Thunder Ridge Riders & Monster Trucks (ZOO Digital Publishing), 7th March 2008
* The Wizard of Oz (ZOO Digital Publishing), 7th March 2008
* Naruto Wii (tentative title) (TOMY/Nintendo), 28th March 2008
* Bomberman Land Wii (Rising Star Games)
* SEGA Superstars Tennis (SEGA)
* Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity (SEGA)
* MX vs ATV Untamed (THQ)

Q1/Q2 2008

* Harvest Moon Magical Melody (Rising Star Games/ Nintendo)
* Worms: A Space Oddity (THQ), Q1 2008
* PES 2008 (Konami), Q1 2008
* Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), Q2 2008

Spring 2008

* Dancing stage HOTTEST PARTY (Konami)
* Iron Man (SEGA)

DS 2008

January 2008

* Advance Wars: Dark Conflict (Nintendo), 25th January 2008
* Betty Boop (ZOO Digital Publishing), 25th January 2008

February 2008

* Garfield Gets Real (ZOO Digital Publishing), 1st February 2008
* Professor Kageyama's Maths Training (tentative title) (Nintendo), 8th February 2008
* NATURO NINJA Destiny (TOMY/Nintendo), 15th February 2008
* 8Ball Allstars (Oxygen Games), 15th February 2008
* Powershot Pinball Constructor (Oxygen Games), 15th February 2008
* Harvest Fishing (Rising Star Games), 15th February 2008
* Bleach (SEGA)
* Spongebob: Atlantis Squarepantis (THQ)

March 2008

* Command and Destroy (ZOO Digital Publishing), 7th March 2008
* Magic Taizen (tentative title) (Nintendo), 14th March 2008
* Ace Attorney Apollo Justice (Capcom/Nintendo)
* Bomberman Land Touch 2 (Rising Star Games)
* Dungeon Explorer (Rising Star Games)
* SEGA Superstars Tennis (SEGA)
* MZ vs ATV Untamed (THQ)

Q1 2008

* DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: Joker (Square Enix)
* Final Fantasy XII Revenant Wings (Square Enix)
* Crayola: Treasure Adventures (Ignition)
* George Of The Jungle (Ignition)
* Teenage Zombies (Ignition)
* Iron Man (SEGA)
* Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams (Empire Interactive)
* Code Lyoco 2 (Game Factory/K.E. Media)
* Zoo Hospital (Majesco/Eidos)
* Nancy Drew (Majesco/Eidos)
* Holly Hobbie (Majesco/Eidos)
* Fish Tycoon (Majesco/Eidos)

Spring 2008

* Hannah Montana - Music Jam (Disney Interactive Studios)

We're confirming this list for ourselves with Nintendo of America. Massive '08 Schedule [CVG] [Image]

Celebs Gaming Demands

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:00:49 MST

Celebrities are sure wacko! Well, we think they're wacko. A list of outrageous celeb demands for when they stay in hotels and whatnot shows just how cuckoo they apparently are. Cuckoo for gaming! Let's dive in:

• Eminem demands a PlayStation, a ping-pong table, a basketball hoop, a flat-screen TV, a personal masseur and "whatever kind of fast food exists on the continent."

• Justin Timberlake requires the entire floor of a hotel, a private fitness studio, an extra-large stereo, a Nintendo and a PlayStation. What's more, the entire floor's air conditioning filters must be changed on his arrival. Door handles need to be disinfected every few hours.

Kooky! The original list isn't console specific, so we imagine that they demand the latest version of the consoles. We also imagine that they are batshit insane.
Outrageous Demands [Huliq via Go Nintendo] [Image]

And The Dragon Ball Z Movie News Continues!

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:00:24 MST

So Hollywood is making a Dragon Ball Z movie, which will probably suck to varying degrees. Goku will be played by Justin Chatwin, Tom Cruise's son in War of the Worlds. Rumor has it that Mexican actress Camila Sodi auditioned for the role of Bulma, which makes sense as the movie is being shot in Mexico. If true, she might be a good choice. Aqua hair aside, she at least looks like her anime counterpart. Now whether she can act or not...
Sodi Tries out for Bulma [Caiga quien caiga via Dark Diamond]

40 Percent of 40GB PS3s Are Defective?

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 03:00:43 MST

See that tag right up there? That says "rumor," so we don't know how true this is. We've had no problems with our 60GB PLAYSTATION 3s, but apparently Belgian game retailer Games Mania claims that 40 percent of the new 40GB models have been returned because of hardware defects that result in the machine not being able to read discs. Forty percent? That's a lot. Like we said, our 60GB models have been super solid, so we're slightly hesitant to go jumping to conclusions. Anyone out there have problems with the new models? Hit us up in the comments section. That's what it's for.
Problemen met PS3 40GB? [Gamed via Gamer via Game|Life]

Jade In Green And White Striped Bikini

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 23:00:19 MST

The Rumor: martin85 over at GameTrailers.com Forums writes, "so my friend is working as an intern editor at maxim and he says that jade will grace the cover of december's issue which will feature "girls of gaming"! she will also have her own spread showing her in a green an white striped bikini in an exotic local (montreal). it will also feature other hot women in the gaming industry as well as competitive gaming. man i can't fricken wait! i haven't jacked to still images since 1999!"

The Smash: Last night at the Assassin's Creed shindig, producer Jade Raymond personally told Guest Editor Geoff Keighley that those rumors were totally untrue and that she's never do something like that. She actually seemed somewhat offended people thought she would. Ubisoft PR got so many inquiries about it almost had to issue and official statement. So, while this rumor so SMASHED, please don't rule out Creative Director Patrice Desilets' Maxim spread!

Sony Computer Entertainment Lost Chief Tech Officer?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 02:00:26 MDT

According to an insider, Sony Computer Entertainment platform development head Izumi Kawanishi has been shuffled out of the division. Before we start, a bit about Kawanishi: He was key in the hardware development for the PS2, the PSP and the PS3, and he was the head of SCEI's Network System Development Section and R&D Division. He was Sony Computer Entertainment's Chief Technical Officer. Kawanishi previously worked closely with PlayStation father Ken Kutaragi and was an important member of the PlayStation team. We wrote "was," because apparently he's been moved out of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. and is now working at Sony Corporation. According to our insider:

There was a little bit of a fight internally between Kawanishi-san and Kaz Hirai since SCEI has been pushing the PS3 as just a game console.

That does follow Hirai's recent statements that the PS3 is a "game machine" as the company tries to recapture the gaming audience it has lost. Perhaps, Kawanishi still thinks of the console as a "super computer" or a hub-in-the-home. Perhaps. We've contacted Sony about Kawanishi's current role, and will get back to you once we hear something.

That's Haiti in Your Resident Evil 5

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 13:00:05 MDT

Remember that Resident Evil 5-is-racist brouhaha? The E3 trailer showed large numbers of black zombies getting killed, which set off a firestorm of controversy. Killing black zombies? Masked racism, critics say. According to our well-placed insider, there is a reason for that: Resident Evil 5 takes place in Haiti, zombism's spiritual home. Speculation was that it took place in either Africa or Carribean. And yes, according to our insider, the setting is apparently Haiti. Makes sense!

SNK's Unfulfilled Home Hardware Plans

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 01:00:26 MDT

Back before SNK was bought by a pachinko company (SNK is now once again independent), the company announced it was working on new hardware. What kind of hardware? Most assumed that meant a new Neo Geo portable. A former employee tells Insert Credit's Brandon Sheffield that SNK that wasn't quite true. Apparently, SNK sunk a chunk of cash into a new chip that was going to be used for next-gen arcade hardware and a new home console. SNK's cash flow got tight, and the new chip started to look "a bit silly" when compared to other consoles that were on the market between 1999~2000. The chip was small enough to fit in a portable device, and that could've been another option. So, how did it look? "Much better than Neo Geo 64," the insider tells Sheffield. Good to know!
SNK Hardware [Insert Credit]

Spielberg Game Has Character From Far-Assed Future

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 14:00:55 MDT

Director Steven Spielberg is making three games for Electronic Arts. One of them is a block-puzzle game (ungh) for the Wii, and it was a result of meeting Nintendo's resident genius Shigeru Miyamoto at E3 2006. The second game is an epic adventure title for the Xbox 360, PS3 and the PC. According to EA, the game "focuses on a touching and ever-changing relationship between you and a mysterious female character who holds the key to many futures." The third game is a secret.

We don't have intel about the first game (good) or the third game (bummer). However, an insider has passed along a few details about the second title. The game is of course an action-adventure title, and the "mysterious female character" is apparently a time traveler from 50 million years in the future. Yes, FIFTY MILLION YEARS. She will have many non-human features which are central to the gameplay and plot. What's more, Spielberg wants to make a movie or a series of movies (why stop at one!) based on the game. EA has been assigning random code names to these Spielberg titles. For example, one of them is supposedly called "LMNO" internally. Make of this what you will.

Toyota Yaris Advergame Coming to Xbox 360

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:10:52 MDT

Consider this confirmation of sorts. There have been rumors that Toyota was involved with an Xbox 360 advergame for the Yaris, and an ESRB rating for a title by developer Backbone Emeryville fueled that speculative fire. Via game blog Siliconera, comes this Flickr find that shows the Toyota Yaris game is very real. Kinda hard to see what's going on on that monitor, but we imagine something with the Toyota Yaris. Think this is going to be free? I'd totally play it if the advergame's gratis. That, and if doesn't suck.
Evolution FGC [Flckr via Siliconera]

Are 60GB PS3s Extinct Yet?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 06:40:25 MDT

60GB PS3s are on their way out. The US online store SonyStyle.com has run plum out of the 60GB consoles, leading to speculation that only retail units remain. The US $499.99 machine is listed as "Back Order," while the $599.99 80GB PS3 is readily available. According to a Sony rep:

The online site has exhausted its inventory of the 60GB. They still have inventory available in-store, however, and other larger retailers and their web operations still have ample supply.

Previously Sony announced that the 60GB PS3s would be available until they were no longer available. So potential customers snap up those remaining "cheaper" consoles while you can, because 20GBs more will set you back a hundred bucks. Don't you just love this pricing scheme? It's evolution, you know.
Run Out? [PC Advisor]

EA Ditching E For All?

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:00:09 MDT

　Last week, the inaugural E For All Expo (Oct. 18-19 snared Electronic Arts as an exhibitor. And this week? E For All has apparently lost EA. Game site FiringSquad reports that there's doubt as to the publisher's participation as the previous EA exhibitor announcement has been removed from the E For All blog. What's more, the Flash-based revolving logo list no longer shows EA. To do a quick recount of companies that dropped out: Sony, Capcom, Sega and Microsoft. Namco and THQ still are sticking around, even though the rot has set in. And guess what! Konami has just confirmed it would be an E For All exhibitor. Well, at least this week.
No EA? [FiringSquad]

Insider Spills Home Beans

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 21:00:58 MDT

Excited about Home? It's the PS3's answer to Xbox Live's Achievements/GamerCard and lets players create a virtual avatar to wander about a virtual world. There is currently a private beta, ~~but no public one~~. An insider in the private beta has told game site IGN loads of details. The status report after the jump:

• There is only one apartment available now, and it is 15ft by 40ft. • There are four areas — all of which were shown at GDC. • The movie theater is showing the SPIDER-MAN 3 trailer. There are ten theater rooms showing game and movie trailers. • The game room is the "most popular room" in the lobby. There are 6 pool tables, 4 bowling lanes and 10 arcade machines. • The friend invite feature has not been implemented yet. • Currently, there is no support for in-home parties. • The face creation system for the avatars is very detailed. The clothing and hair selection is not. Body shape was just added in a recent update and only has an adjustment slider. • The ability to playback HDD content has not been included. • Picture frames are restricted to pre-set photos. • It's not yet possible to play back pack video or audio and TVs or stereos do not appear as available furniture. • You can walk into your own apartment; however, you must be invited to your friends. You can then warp into your friend's pad. • Friends must invite you while they are in their apartment. • Moving furniture in your apartment is easy and "relatively painless." There is a "good assortment" of furniture to select form. Physics work well. • Currently, there is no trophy room. • Home supported Bluetooth headsets and keyboards from the beta's first day. You must hold R2 to speak. The audio volume is based on people's proximity to you. That means it's possible to have one-on-one conversation while others chit-chat in the background.

The insider also says that some of the features shown at GDC are still not available, while nothing from E3 is. Apparently, Home has added only one update since launch. Games, like chess, were promised, but haven't come. "Also, for some strange reason, my hair changes color for no reason as I walk in and out of locations," the insider says. What's good? The insider does say it is easy to socialize and have fun doing it. "People generally have a good time," the insider adds. So, there ya go! Not totally finished, still more to add and out this October.
Home Beta Insider [IGN via PS3 Fanboy]

Tom Morello Rages Against Guitar Hero III Machine?

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:00:47 MDT

Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello's name has popped up in a German Activision brochure as a boss for the upcoming Guitar Hero III. No word if Morello will be penning an original tune or playing something from his back catalogue. The game already features Slash and Poison's Bret Michaels. (Fear not, Michaels won't be playing the guitar, but singing along with your shredding.) And as we previously mentioned, the game also features the Stone Roses' "She Bangs the Drums." With all the Rock Band hype, Guitar Hero III might feel all second fiddle-like. But know, I'm excited — even if it features Tom Morello.
Rumor Mill or Fact [kwaselow's Blog via Dtoid]

Was Square Enix Terrified of Own Original IP?

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 23:00:12 MDT

Back at the Square Enix Party (a delightful time), I got a look at Square Enix's Subarashiki Kono Sekai (AKA "It's a Wonderful World"). The game was developed by Kyoto's Jupiter Corporation, which also brought us Picross DS. The game is a totally original IP, based on Final Fantasy character designer Tetsuya Nomura's creations. Though, the characters don't look all that FF, but rather, have an urban edge. The game itself is interesting and difficult as players must concentrate on both screens (sometimes at the same time!) during play. In short, the game is somewhat risky for the conservative Square Enix — but a commendable risk. Oddly enough, the game wasn't reviewed in Famitsu when it was released last July. Next-Gen's Tim Rogers has a theory about that:

Perhaps Square was afraid of any negative buzz whatsoever regarding the game, their first original IP in years — even a single score of 7 would have ruined the game for some fence-sitters. In the end, the game ended up only selling to the hardest of hardcore fans of Tetsuya Nomura's character designs. Square-Enix could have tried to sell the game a bit harder — they could have utilized Nintendo's airtight network of copious DS download stations to allow DS-carrying gamers to try a playable demo of the game. The strategy has worked for so many other games by so many other publishers, so it's kind of confusing that Square-Enix doesn't give it a try.

Rogers goes on to point out that Japanese gamers (on the internet, at least!) are just starting to feel that if a publisher fails to provide a demo, that means it's probably ashamed of the title's quality. Subarashiki Kono Sekai has moved about 160,000 copies so far with used copies turning up in retailers. Sure, it's not a break out hit by any means, but hopefully it's enough to convince Square Enix to move away from driving Final Fantasy into the ground. Week in Japan [Next-Gen]

"Console Manufacturer" Working on 3D Blu-ray Gaming

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 05:00:06 MDT

Forget 4D, we'll settle with 3D. At a recent U.S. press event, Mitsubishi demoed its fancy 3D googles (above). The tech works with DLP TVs and projectors, but not with plasma and LCD displays. The company is even developing a Blu-ray player that can convert 2D movies into 3D on the fly, which *might* be available as early as next year. The kicker? According to CNET's Crave:

Mitsubishi hinted that it was in discussions with one game console manufacturer to integrate the 3D technology into the system. The Wii's not capable of such feats and Microsoft's in the HD DVD camp, so one would have to assume it's Sony and the PS3.

Plus Nintendo's probably not eager to get back into 3D. People still have Virtual Boy headaches.
3D Mitsubishi [Crave via Giz]

Xbox 360 Falcon Chips Are Coming This Year

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:00:33 MDT

It's coming. Obviously. Later this year, Xbox 360s outfitted with 65-nm chips should be hitting store shelves according to The Xbox 360 Uncloaked author Dean Takahashi. Dubbed "Falcon," these chips are smaller than the current 90-nm processors and should use less energy. And that *should* lead to fewer Red Rings of Death. Well, theoretically! We won't know until these consoles are out in the wild, performing under real world conditions. However, Takahashi has confirmed that the chips are in the first batch of consoles currently being made, meaning that they could be there by fall. But Microsoft isn't going to disclose to customers which consoles have what. Takahashi points out:

But here's the problem for Microsoft. They have a lot of inventory of the older 90-nanometer machines. Many of these machines don't have the HDMI ports for sure. It has to sell these machines out before it starts selling the Falcon-based machines. That means that a lot of consumers are going to be buying machines that don't have the highest quality.

Meaning that if you want to make damn sure you don't buy old product, you're going to need to wait. But if everyone waits, then that's not exactly going to help flush these faulty 90-nm consoles from the marketplace. So if you're in the market for an Xbox 360, there's a chance you'll have a very red Christmas. What Microsoft's Falcon Project Means [Mercury News]

Leaked Halo 3 Manual?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 01:00:06 MDT

Real or fake? A sample of Halo 3 manual images has surfaced. The manual doesn't the Covenant's Needler as a weapon that can also be wielded by Master Chief. Odd, because it's been dual-wieldable since the last Halo. Stuff like that and the fact only a sample of pages are floating about makes me think these are scans from an early proof copy or totally and utterly bogus. We'll find out when the game's released this September. Hey, that's soon!
Halo 3 Instruction Manual? [FileFront via POWET.TV, Thanks Marcus!]

Upcoming PSP Slim Shortages in Japan?

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 07:00:20 MDT

Hardware launches mean one thing: Hardware shortages. This September's PSP Slim launch looks to be no different. Amazon Japan pre-orders for the PSP Slim (PSP-2000CW) have already closed, and the Sofmap in Akihabara is posting signs mentioning that because of shortages, customers can reserve only one PSP Slim. It also seems like they're not letting customers pick which color they want. Also! Sofmap is allowing one 1seg PSP tuner per person. Whenever new hardware launches, I can't help but thinking some of the demand is created through forced shortages. Call me jaded.
PSP Slim Registration Starts [Akiba Blog]