IGN: Flock Preview[IGN]

IGN Strategize Now On Inside Xbox/Xbox Live [IGN]

The reviewer in question, Hilary Goldstein, editor-in-chief at IGN's Xbox 360 channel, talked to GameDaily about the GTA IV review mini-hubbub, chalking up Fritz's concerns to a possible grudge.

Goldstein theorizes that "if Variety didn't get the game early then you're looking at somebody, I don't know, who had a grudge on his shoulder because he didn't even have the game yet and we'd already put out the review." He thinks that to break an agreed upon embargo, similar to the one we agreed to with Rockstar for our own GTA IV review, would be a bigger ethics violation.

While I don't think that sums up Variety's particular concern and IGN editors swear everything's kosher, that no money or promises were exchanged, I think it's simply a matter of frustration with how coverage in the video game media industry is handled, how it's doled out to established video game outlets like IGN and not to those not known for their video game coverage. What may be simply a sign of an immature, capitulating industry, one populated with zealous fans, may not be as ethically troubling as it is indicative of one that needs to grow.

Media Coverage: IGN Says Variety May Have 'Grudge' [GameDaily]

The full version of "Ladies of Liberty City" features GTA IV's Niko Bellic visiting one of the game's strip clubs The Triangle and receiving numerous private dances. He also visits two prostitutes, one of which an IGN employee runs down with a car, one of which he or she guns down. Classy stuff!

These portions of the game play a microscopic role in the Grand Theft Auto IV experience, but a strung together clip highlighting all of this nefarious behavior was somehow deemed worthy of splicing together for the IGN readership. It may be in poor taste to some, but we think it's perfect fodder for the basis of a news report from IGN's parent company. Then everybody wins.

For more details on the situation, be sure to check out the MTV Multiplayer report.

IGN Yanks 'GTA IV' Sex And Hooker-Shooting Video [MTV Multiplayer]

[thanks Seth!]

Yet curiously, by describing it also as "Without question, the best game since Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time," IGN sets up a strange paradox. Because it reviewed Ocarina of Time on Nov. 25, 1998. And then it reviewed Soul Calibur on Sept. 20, 1999. So ... the benchmark game for GTA's greatness goes back to 1998. But since then another game has earned a 10/10 score from IGN. So what gives?

On second thought, the hell with the 10/10 scale. Read our stuff instead. Our embargo on GTA IV will break Sunday at 10 am, and then all the nitty gritty your hot little hands can hold will be yours. We'll deliver you a flood of content, and then some.

Still, until then, you'll need some surrogate commentary, and IGN's as good a place as any to start.

"A 10 doesn't mean a game is perfect — it means a game is pushing boundaries, expanding a genre, and doing many things to a level so far above and beyond its competitors that they overshadows any flaws."

Sounds like a winner — by any score — to me.

Grand Theft Auto Review [IGN]

Metal Gear Online at FilePlanet [FilePlanet - Thanks Abel!]

"The IGN and FilePlanet audience has consistently told us that Age of Conan is one of their most anticipated games of the year, and we are very pleased to partner with Funcom and Eidos on the Open Beta," says Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at IGN, Jamie Berger.

Heads Will Roll as Age of Conan Moves into Open Beta - Open Beta exclusively available through FilePlanet.com and partner IGN sites -

- 50,000 aspiring barbarians may enter Hyboria on May 1st -

DURHAM, N.C.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Funcom, Eidos and IGN are proud to announce that Open Beta for Age of Conan will start on May 1. The Open Beta will be hosted exclusively by IGN's popular game download site, FilePlanet.com, as well as being offered through partner IGN sites such as Gamespy.com, Tentonhammer.com and Warcry.com. The application pages at FilePlanet.com are now open for registrations, and gamers from across the world can sign up. As 50,000 gamers prepare their Hyborian assault, rivers of blood are about to flow, and it's exclusively available through FilePlanet and IGN partner sites.

"When we started development of Age of Conan four and a half years ago we truly wanted to move away from the standards of the MMO genre. We wanted to bring something new, exciting and fresh to the gamers," said Gaute Godager, Game Director on Age of Conan. "As we get ready to show everyone what Conan's savage world is all about, we need final stress testing. Teaming up with the Beta Masters at IGN was a perfect opportunity for us! We simply couldn't ask for a better partner for this crucial stage of our Beta."

"The IGN and FilePlanet audience has consistently told us that Age of Conan is one of their most anticipated games of the year, and we are very pleased to partner with Funcom and Eidos on the Open Beta," says Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at IGN, Jamie Berger. "The Funcom team has developed a truly unique, visceral gaming experience that players will have to see to believe."

Funcom would like to point out that the primary function of the Open Beta is to stress test Age of Conan prior to launch. This means that Funcom will not make the entire game available to the Open Beta testers, and a level 13 cap will be applied. The Beta experience will still give hours and hours of entertainment, and complete class and culture variety, while at the same time giving Funcom the needed focus for an Open Beta.

You are required to be a FilePlanet member in order to sign up for the Open Beta. Preloading of the client will start prior to the launch of the Open Beta, and applicants will receive more information should they receive a beta key. The Open Beta will start on the 1st of May at 1500 GMT / 0900 EDT.

Age of Conan is consistently mentioned as one of the most anticipated PC games in development. It has received more than twenty-five covers on high-profile gaming magazines across the globe and more than fifteen major awards, including numerous "Best MMO of E3" awards and the official "Best Online Game" award at the Games Convention 2007. Age of Conan is a key title in Microsoft's Games for Windows line-up, and a showcase title for nVidia. The game is set to launch in several territories on May 20th, 2008.

For more information on Age of Conan - either in English, German, French or Spanish - visit the official website at www.ageofconan.com where you also can access the respective community websites.

Obviously, Gauntlet's addictive gameplay remains the same as the coin-op and its spinoffs, with upgraded enemies and AI. Graphics naturally are state of the art for the DS. But the real two-dot-oh for this Gauntlet, IGN reports, will be in the multiplayer, will full Wi-Fi support for linking up to three mates and the ability to talk to them over a mike. Everybody, all together now, "Elf needs food!"

Exclusive First Look at Gauntlet [IGN]

Iron Man: The Suit Makes the Man [IGN]

There are a lot of splendid jokes hitting the net today, a lot of bad ones too, but this wonderful Zelda the Movie trailer created by IGN has to take the cake. I for one am happy it's a prank, Link, a real Link, wearing that silly little green hat is the last thing I want to see in a movie theater.

Legend of Zelda Movie Trailer Premiere Your dreams realized. [IGN]

IGN.com Kicks Off 10-Year Anniversary With The Launch Of IGN Retro And Week-Long Editorial Retrospective

Leading Videogame Site Introduces New Channel and Daily Features Highlighting the Past Decade in Gaming

BRISBANE, CA — January 14, 2008 — IGN.com (http://www.ign.com), the Web's leading videogame and entertainment information destination, today announced the unveiling of its latest channel, IGN Retro, covering games and systems from the distant and not so distant past as IGN.com kick-offs a year-long celebration for its 10th anniversary. In addition, IGN will present a week-long retrospective of the past 10 years in gaming that will explore IGN.com's history, from the games and franchises over the past decade to the editors who reviewed them.

The launch of IGN Retro (http://www.retro.ign.com) represents IGN's first site dedicated to classic videogames. IGN Retro will cover gaming systems from the distant past - including the Atari 2600, Intellivision, Colecovision, and NES - as well as more recent platforms that aren't seeing active release schedules any longer such as the Dreamcast, GameCube and original Xbox systems.

"Having been with IGN.com since its inception, I am very proud of what the site has accomplished so far and very excited for the next 10 years," said Peer Schneider, Senior Vice President and Publisher, IGN Entertainment. "IGN.com has become the leader in providing users with the latest in videogame news and exclusives, and as the videogame industry continues to evolve, IGN.com will continue to be on the forefront of the industry."

In addition to the IGN Retro, starting today through Friday, January 18 on IGN.com, the site will feature variety of different editorial topics highlighting the evolution of videogames and IGN.com's role in covering the industry for the past 10 years. Editorial features include:

* Monday, January 14: "Press X: Ten Years in Gaming"

Examining the impact of the last 10 years in videogames

* Tuesday, January 15: "The Many Faces of IGN: Where Are They Now?"

An update on many of IGN.com's past editors

* Wednesday, January 16: "Classic IGN Video Moments "

A collection of cool and funny videos from throughout the years

* Thursday, January 17: "IGN.com Turns 10 Podcast"

Editors, past and present, come together to talk about the anniversary

* Friday, January 18: "IGN Video Documentary: The First 10 Years"

A three-part look at the decade of IGN.com with past and present editors

"As we hit the 10-year mark, it is important to take a look back at the moments in history that helped define IGN.com as an industry leader," said Roy Bahat, General Manager of IGN Entertainment. "It is with great pride that we celebrate this company milestone with the millions of IGN.com users who have been with us since the beginning."

January 12th, 1998 marks the official start of IGN as a branded Web site, and is the day N64.com officially changed its name to IGN64.com. Ten years later, IGN.com is a leading Internet media and services provider focused on the videogame and entertainment enthusiast markets. It is the Web's number one videogame information destination and attracts one of the largest concentrated audiences of young males on the Internet.

VGMWatch tonight decided to spill the not-so-breaking news that Matt Casamassina, long-time editor-in-chief of the IGN Nintendo Team, is married to Edie Kissko. This is, in these times of games journalism head-scratching, a bit interesting. Kissko is the vice president of Golin Harris, which also happens to be Nintendo's PR firm.

Neither Casamassina nor Golin Harris have commented on the article, but Casamassina's long-time marriage to Kissko isn't exactly a secret. While his readers might not be aware of it, most in the journalism community and certainly the readers at Neo-Gaf are.

I don't doubt Casamassina's desire to keep his personal and work lives separate, but the problem with conflict of interest is that it's not always about the reality of the situation, but also about appearances.

Both IGN and Golin Harris were contacted for comment, neither have yet responded. We will update this post when and if they do.

IGN Editor Married to Nintendo PR Executive

Update: Golin Harris has responded:
"All GolinHarris employees who work on the Nintendo account sign and adhere to a strict confidentiality agreement."

Update 2: Matt has responded:
"While I would prefer to keep my wife and kids out of the public spotlight, the fact that Edie and I have been happily married for several years is no secret. Nintendo and IGN / FOX have been aware of our relationship since we first started dating. We're professionals. Both of us have signed strict confidentiality agreements with our respective employers and, incidentally, we leave what happens on the job at our home's front door.

The original article makes the suggestion that my marriage to Edie violates the trust of IGN's dedicated readership, but I think my body of work speaks for itself. Over the years, I have remained one of Nintendo's biggest fans and harshest critics and have also developed hundreds of reliable of sources within the industry, none of them Edie."

"I can confirm as we originally said at the announcement of the WiiWare service earlier in the year that WiiWare games will come in a range of sizes but we will encourage smaller, more compact games for the service," a Nintendo spokesperson told Eurogamer today.

Nintendo refutes WiiWare size cap [Eurogamer]

Jessica Chobot, whose PSP licking antics here on Kotaku lead to a writing gig on RedAssedBaboon and then a hosting gig on IGN, is getting her very own set of anime-styled action figures.

Apparently the folks at Southern Island were so enamored with the real Chobot when they met her at Comic Con, they decided they needed to make a couple of little statues of her. Each of the statues, designed by Kerry Shyver, will be sold as limited edition 500-piece runs. The foot-high statues will be hand numbered, but will not feature any licking... instead she will be nibbling on a 360 controller.

Fahey, another RAB alum, thinks they should drop the whole sexy writer angle and focus on a Fahey action figure, one that you can order but never actually ships because it keeps missing its flights.

You Can't Own My Soul, But You Can Own My Body...All 12 Inches Of It! Chobot Collectible Figurines!

Hearst today announced that they have finalized a two-year deal to buy UGO Networks outright. While the details of the deal were not released, Forbes estimates the deal to "be in the neighborhood of $100 million."

No word yet on what Hearst plans to do with the internet info network, but they sound genuinely jazzed:

With this acquisition, Hearst will gain, according to Ganzi, "one of the most popular men's lifestyle brands on the Web. UGO.com, the flagship Web site, is a first-stop destination for the latest news and content on games, movies, television, film, DVDs, music, sports, women and comic books." With an audience of over 11 million unique visitors in the U.S. and nearly 28 million worldwide, UGO reaches one in 10 online users in the highly coveted male 18-to-34-year-old demographic. UGO is entirely supported by advertising revenue and specializes in effective and customized advertising for blue-chip brands.

I can't help but wonder if Hearst thinks they bought IGN.

Hearst Corporation to Acquire UGO Networks [Business Wire]

I really doubt it. This video was shot in mid-May for one. Nothing stays quiet for that long in the industry, especially during the lead-in to E3, when you can almost imagine developers hopping up and down in their chairs like excited children with a secret they desperately want to tell.

Secondly...come on guys, it's just a blur. It could really mean anything. Maybe there is a stipulation about dev kit controllers not being shown, or they use special equipment during the development process that they'd rather not have people see. Hell, perhaps they have an odd habit of writing "FUCK" in big letters on all of their development tools and needed to make the vid kid safe.

Or it could very well be a less-than artfully hidden rumble Sixaxis, though as I said I have serious doubts. The main thing to take away from this flurry of speculation is that PS3 owners would really like their rumble back plz. THX!

The new maps unveiled include Epitaph, a cathedral-like structure with a man cannon (teehee!) at either end of the main chamber, Last Resort, which they refer to as Zanzibar reborn, and Shrine, which they describe as a vast open desert with a stone shrine winding through it...which is apparently ginormous.

The Brute Chopper is just what it sounds like. A giant futuristic badass motorcycle from hell, equipped with twin cannons based around Brute Spiker guns.

Film saving will be done by saving just the basic code running the footage you are recording, letting the game recreate it on the fly rather than recording actual video. This means that you can easily edit, change perspectives, or even pan around and grab screenshots to save and share via Bungie's servers. Pretty spiffy!

As I mentioned, however, the most exciting news for me is the different armor permutations that will be unlocked during the course of single player to allow for more customization to your multiplayer persona. Details were sparse on how the changes would be implemented, but the looks are very, very cool. There's even one (see above) reminiscent of the armor from the cover of the Ghosts of Onyx paperback that I am completely drooling over. I think one of the problems with Halo 1 and 2 for me was that everyone fighting looked the same, only different colors. Aesthetics matter a great deal to me. I want to look unique, so people remember that guy they killed over and over again until he left the game, crying like a little girl into his headset.

Hit up the IGN article for the full details and some more killer screenshots!

Halo 3: Beyond the Beta [IGN]

Over the weekend, First Person Shooter: The Play premiered in San Francisco. The play is set in a start-up video game company that has achieved big-time success due to a the "hottest, most violent game on the market." Things go bad when the company is blamed for a schoolyard shooting. The play was written by Aaron Loeb, former IGN writer and current game developer COO. Says Aaron:

My main goal was to show the "controversy" to be the inhuman and immoral boondoggle that it is. That we respond to something so horrible as a school shooting by trying to figure out a quick and easy blame-based sound-bite ("videogames did it" or "bullying caused it") is horrifying. In the face of these tragedies we need to talk more, not less. We need to connect more, not polarize into oppositional camps. I wanted the CEO and the father to be men caught up in this lunacy, who eventually have the courage to step out of it.

Ultimately, I hope people who see the play will, if they don't already, start questioning Dr. Phil's motives when he rushes out to say "videogames did it." I hope that they will ask, "Is this really what we should be talking about now? How about talking about the victims and their families instead?"

Admirable. But is the play any good? Brian Ashcraft

FPS Play [Firing Squad via GameSetWatch]

Think you've got the artistic chops to make it with the big boys? Well, now is your chance to prove it. I AM 8-BIT, IGN, Gallery Nineteen Eighty Eight, Capcom, and Foundation 9 Entertainment are teaming up once again to scout for talent for the upcoming I Am 8-Bit art show. In case you've been living under a rock, I Am 8-Bit is an amazing art show that is based entirely on olde school gaming. Entries range from drawings and paintings to sculptures.

Submissions are currently being accepted at IGN for a chance to win a coveted spot in the upcoming show. Entries will be taken until April 6th when ten finalists will be chosen. A panel of judges will choose the winner which will be announced on April 12. The winner will receive a load of prizes including:

* A Collection of Mega Man & Street Fighter action figures
* One Booster and Starter decks of Capcom Collectible Card Game
* Capcom Classics and SEGA Genesis Classics Collections games
* An autographed "I AM 8-BIT: Art Inspired by Classic Videogames of the '80s" book
* An I AM 8-BIT "limited edition" t-shirt

If the winning piece is knock-your-socks-off amazing, the artist will be given the opportunity to have their piece displayed in the actual I Am 8-Bit show this year. The nine runner ups will also receive prize packages that include the above list sans the action figures.

You've only got 6 days left to complete your masterpiece so you better get crackin'. For complete contest rules and where to send your entry, check out IGN's article here. Flynn De Marco

Idaho residents have it the best at only $6.88 per month and Hawaii folders get hit the hardest to the tune of $27.76. Me? I'm looking at $17.52 going by California's higher than national average.

I'm going to ask Crecente if I should expense this. You, you should scrounge for loose change and start up your Folding program. Oh, and join Team Kotaku while you're at it. Michael McWhertor

The Cost of Folding [IGN]

Koei's 2007 UK release list has some interesting games on the list including their first ever Wii title, IGN reports.

- Shin Megami Tensai: Devil Summoner - Raidou Kuzunoha vs The Soulless Army (PS2, April 27)
- G1 Jockey Wii (Wii, June)
- Dynasty Warriors: Fighters Battle DS (DS, Q3)
- Orochi Warriors (PS2 and X360, October)
- Bladestorm: The Hundred Years War (PS3 and X360, Q3)
- Prey The Stars (DS, Q3)
- Fatal Inertia (PS3 and X360, Q3)

Most intriguing is Prey the Stars, which IGN describes as a sort of hungry dog meets Katamari Damacy. Brian Crecente

Koei Cranks up UK Releases [IGN]

The new feature will be available right from the main menu after a quick patch and reboot. Isn't patching your console games, like, the best thing ever? Michael McWhertor

BuddyStorm for MotorStorm [IGN]

Another day another "top" list. This time around, the editors at IGN have put together their list of the Greatest PS2 games of all time. Putting these types of lists together are always a chore and I'm sure this one was especially so given the breadth of the PS2s library. Not to mention the fact that everyone has their own opinions and some people get their panties in a twist because their favorite game wasn't included. I have to say though, the guys did an admirable job. All the biggies are there although perhaps not in the order you would expect. One glaring omission though is Katamari Damacy. WHERE THE HELL IS KATAMARI?! Whoops, I think my panties just twisted.

I don't want to ruin the list for you so I'll let you go check it out for yourself, although I have printed the top 10 for all you lazy bones after the jump. For the full list with explanations, be sure to check out the original article Flynn De Marco

The Top 25 PS2 Games of All Time [IGN]
[via YouNewb]

10) Burnout 3: Takedown
9) Twisted Metal: Black
8) Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
7) Guitar Hero
6) ICO
5) Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
4) Shadow of the Colossus
3) Final Fantasy X
2) Grand Theft Auto III
1) God of War

According to IGN, TMNT will hit XBLA sometime in March for the low, low price of 400 Microsoft Points, better known as five US dollars. The game will support two to four-player online co-op play and, presumably, be totally tubular. Michael McWhertor

TMNT Officially Head to XBLA [IGN]

As reported a bit ago, Warhawk is going to be a downloadable-only game after all. The kind folks over at IGN (Hi, Jessica) sent along a bit of embeddable code so you can check out the gameplay and interview about the downloadable stuff for yourself. Brian Crecente

Yes, the game will be multiplayer only, currently supporting 32-players via dedicated servers. Yes, the game will be a download through the PlayStation Store (despite telling us otherwise), with possible expansions to come.

Additionally, Drew Bradford, associate producer for the game, reveals that both SIXAXIS and analog stick controls are available for players to use.

And on the multiplayer-only front, Dylan Jobe, director of the game, said that "Warhawk has all of its attention focused on making a triple-A online experience. Phasing out the single player allows the team to really polish multiplayer." He later added, "Single player just wasn't up to par."

Shots of ground and air combat, as well as a look at character customization are available at IGN. Michael McWhertor

IGN Weekly Ep. 38: Warhawk Exclusive, THQ Gamers Day, and NY Comic Con [IGN]

While that made sound a tad unexciting, the bonuses should be of interest to Spider-fans as they include exclusive "Webisodes", behind the scenes clips, trailers and even a new playable character, pictured above. Yep, that's the "New Goblin" from the third Spidey flick and he'll be controlled with (wait for it...) SIXAXIS motion wizardry.

IGN has additional in-depth details on what folks itching to spend $70 on the next Spider-Man game can expect. Michael McWhertor

Exclusive PS3 Spider-Man [IGN]

Sadly, I have no such swag. Craig from IGN does, though, and I'm quite sure Crecente has one of these at the bottom of a junk pile. He'll probably use it to wipe down his bloody pirate hook and toss it in the garbage. Bastard. Michael McWhertor

Wiping Noses with Chocobo [IGN]

Matt does a good job of holding his own, making sure to get in the obligatory dig at the PS3 while delving into the pertinent questions. Perrin, despite her goofiness, manage to dodge several questions like the pro she is. The most interesting information comes at the end once she takes over the interview and starts asking him questions...that bring the potential for original content from the Wii Shop Channel. It's not as bad as our tipster, who said, "It was like watching a bad press junket with some mindless bimbo interviewing a celebrity on Extra." Come on now, Matt is a very mindful bimbo. Don't sell him short! Michael Fahey

Perrin Chats about Wii, Flirts with Matt [4 color rebellion - Thanks Carl]
The IGN Interview

In it, Santiago talks about the group's other PLAYSTATION 3 plans, multiplayer potential for flOw, why they missed previous release dates, and, most importantly, why there's that big "O" in the middle of the word. A good read for those of us looking for something to do between PS3 releases. Back to twiddling my thumbs! Michael McWhertor

TEHSCLUSIVE: An Interview with Kellee Santiago on flOw (PS3)! [IGN]

Those lucky bastards at IGN U.K. have got a chance to do hands on with Turtle Rock Studios' upcoming zombie slaughter fest, Left 4 Dead. The newest addition to the zombie game brigade will feature 4 person co-op play and the ability to play either the survivors or the infected. IGN goes in to great detail about the different classes of infected and their various powers (they are not allowed to use traditional weapons). Currently, Turtle Rock is developing Left 4 Dead for PC to be released this summer. The possibility of a 360 version is also discussed, but Turtle Rock is remaining tight lipped on that subject.

While I'm not the biggest PC gamer, I will be picking this title up if for no other reason than to team up with Luke and vomit blood on the teeming hordes of our enemies. We tried it on the subway in NYC and it worked rather well. Flynn De Marco

Left 4 Dead Hands-On [IGN U.K.]

In honor of Castlevania's 20th anniversary, IGN has put together quite an extensive retrospective of the uber popular side scrolling, vampire slaying adventure. The 10 page history takes us from the early days of Castlevania's 8-bit glory on the NES, through it's long, rocky history on multiple platforms and leaves us with the authors hope's and dreams for Castlevanias of the future. This is quite a hefty and well written article, so if you're looking for some good weekend reading about the vampire franchise that refuses to die, this is the story for you. Flynn De Marco

Castlevania: The Retrospective [IGN]

flOw in Feb [IGN]

In a move that surprises most (and pleases some), game site IGN has selected the PLAYSTATION 3 as the best console of 2006 and not the Wii. Better let IGN explain itself:

Nintendo's Wii launched to massive mainstream applause and a lot of hope has been placed in the potential for gaming innovation via the console's unique controller. Nintendo disappointed some, however, by choosing not embrace HDTV or to compete with Sony and Microsoft in processing power. The Wii can't even play normal DVDs.

Judging the consoles based upon a broad perspective that includes software now available and coming in the future an entirely different argument could be formulated. However, from a hardware perspective, the PS3 is by far the more interesting console. Though the launch software hasn't blown anyone away, the 360's launch titles were equally unimpressive, and the system will certainly mature. Sony's embrace of the PS3 as a computer rather than just a console, and the availability of supported Linux distributions for the console will also develop and will likely bear entirely unexpected fruit in future.

And there you have it! IGN *hearts* PS3. Brian Ashcraft

PLAYSTATION 3 Is The Best [IGN via Joystiq]

IGN has posted a list of upcoming games for the Wii, including Virtual Console titles. If this list is accurate, there's some really good titles coming out in the next three weeks of January including:

• Metroid
• Super Mario World
• Kirby's Adventure
• Punch-Out
• Kid Icarus
• Duck Hunt
• Comix Zone
• Streets of Rage

They also list some titles that are scheduled to come out sometime TBA in 2007 like Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64 and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

I stress that these are NOT official Nintendo lists, but merely the games that IGN has posted to their site. Whether or not these all come to pass remains to be seen, but it certainly gives a lot to look forward to. Flynn De Marco

IGN Wii Release dates [IGN]

While the clip is a little fuzzy, it does give us another look at some of the gameplay for the upcoming God of War 2. IGN has posted a bunch of new screens and hi-res videos, including some interviews and more gameplay. I've watched this a couple of times and for some reason, I can't keep my eyes on the action. All I keep staring at is that creepy statue thing that keeps peering through the windows. It really gives me the willies, like something out of an old Ray Harryhausen Sinbad movie. No, not Sinbad the comedian, Sinbad the sailor. Flynn De Marco

Bunch of new God of War II media [IGN]

Gradius Series (PS3)
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball (PS3)
New Action Game (PS3)
New Role Playing Game (PS3)
New Action Adventure Game 2 (Wii)
Role Playing Game (Wii)

I know, I know. I was really looking forward to New Action Adventure Game 2 as well, but my hopes and dreams have been crushed. Would have liked to have seen Gradius, but this doesn't mean we won't. Just not anytime soon.

So, massive cancellations, or simply a change of plans? Eurogamer sums up my feelings precisely.

But if you ask us it's probably more of a housekeeping update - a few pencilled lines of ambition scratched away absently with an eraser as a company takes stock, and not the exciting orgy of panic and self-doubt that's been its portrait.

Konami 'cancels' PS3/Wii games [Eurogamer]