« Igniq.com Gaming News - Bookmark this site Advertisements  Details on the Nintendo Revolution's "very unique" controllers, launch date, pricing and how games will be played on it will be revealed by the end of the year, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has told Reuters.Iwata also reiterated Nintendo's focus on making gaming more accessible to non-gamers with the Revolution: "In the past we tried to entice new users with increasingly sophisticated graphics, improved sound, and complex storytelling, but to a big extent, I think we've pursued that as much as we can," said Iwata. Nintendo.com: Nintendo's Compact Console Will Turn the World of Gaming on Its Side 20 Years of Nintendo Content with Revolution Images of the Nintendo Revolution Homebrew Games for Nintendo Revolution? Nintendo E3 press conference Discussion >>  In their latest Steam update, Valve report from E3 with news that they are busy showing off the new HDR lighting technology for Half life 2 (High Definition Range Lighting). People are also being treated to Half Life 2 on the Xbox, a format Valve stress they are eager to get into the hands of Xbox owners the world over. We are pretty caught up with E3 (the Electronic Entertainment Expo) again this year. Half-Life 2 Xbox is playable on the show floor, and lots of people are trying their hand at the Gravity Gun. We can't wait to get the game into the hands of Xbox owners. Read on Related: Valve showcase HDR at E3 Doug Lombardi, Half Life 2 Interview Half Life 2 reviewer goes panoramic Half Life 2 In The Real World Legend Counter Strike Mapper Springs Back Half-Life 2: Lost Coast - More Details Emerge Retail Valve Games to Continue Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast - New Screenshots and Movie More Half-Life 2: Aftermath/ Lost Coast Details Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast Discussion >>  The gloves have come off early as the competition between Sony and Microsoft for the next-gen games console market begins.In an interview with Reuters, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kazuo Hirai branded the XBox 360 a combination of todays technology that wasn't future-proofed, referred to it as the XBox 1.5 and said having a goal of being first to market, as Microsoft have done, was like "missing the forest for the trees". Hirai also said the Playstation 3 would be packed with future technology, hinting that because of this, consumers would be willing to pay a higher price for it, perhaps lending some more weight to the rumour yesterday that the PS3 would cost in or around $465. Reuters: Sony says rival Xbox not 'future-proofed' Related: Microsoft talks up Xbox, says fuss about PlayStation 3 is 'a moment in time' Q&A with Sony's Kaz Hirai on the PS3, online gaming and the competition PS3 May Launch Outside Japan First? Under $500 Pricetag on PlayStation 3? Technical demos illustrate PlayStation 3's power Discussion >>  Anandtech.com got a little suspicious of the XBox 360 demos on display at Microsoft's E3 booth, because they didn't look all that great for a next-generation console and the controllers used wires. So they had a closer look at the kiosks housing the demos and discovered that the XBox 360's were only for show, and the demos were being powered by Powermac G5's: A pair of Apple Powermac G5 systems were actually running the Xbox 360 demos, not the 360 console. The consoles in the kiosks weren't actually running, they were just for show - now you know why all the controllers were wired. Xbox 360 Movie Collection XBox 360 PSP/iPod Compatible Xbox 360 confirmed as backwards compatible Xbox 360 designs that never made the cut Discussion >>  Sony Computer Entertainment president Kaz Hirai has said the company hasn't decided which territory to launch the new PlayStation 3 in first.Traditionally, Sony's new consoles have been launched first in Japan, with other territories following later: In an interview with the CNBC network, Hirai denied that Sony had already decided to start selling the console only in Japan next year, before releasing it in North America around next September. Sony to launch the PS3 outside Japan first? PS3 to launch first outside Japan? Discussion >>  One of the games most impressing attendees at E3 is Gears of War for the XBox 360, built on Epic Games' new Unreal 3 engine. The game was shown in a 20-minute demo at E3, but that short glimpse generated in-depth previews of the game from all of the major game sites, and they're all favourable; all were impressed with the sheer beauty of the graphics, and some with the care and detail put into the storyline. The game takes place on an earth-like planet called Sera, with a long history of war and conflict. The citizens eventually managed to find peace for a time, but the discovery of a new form of fuel called Emulsion plunged the planet back into war again as warring nations bega fighting over it. Meanwhile, beneath the soil, a Locust species was waiting to emerge and on "Emergence Day" burst to the surface and destroyed a quarter of the world's population. The survivors forgot their own disagreements and joined together to fight the common enemy, launching a counter-attack with orbital-beam weapons that destroyed 90% of Sera's surface. The main character in the game is Marcus Fenix, a hardened soldier imprisoned for ignoring his orders on Emergence Day so that he could save his father; the game begins with Fenix in a military prison, but he is soon released because resources to fight against the Locusts are running low. A detailed booklet given out at the showing is an indicator of the depth of the storyline, but 1UP.com say knowing the backstory isn't needed to appreciate the stunning action of the game, and IGN.com go so far as to say we can forget about Halo 3, Gears of War will be the killer-app of the XBox 360. IGN.com: "forget about Halo 3. From now until the game is actually in my hands, the only thing we care about is Gears of War. " Gamespot.com: Gears of War is a visually stunning game that will obviously appeal to Xbox fans biding their time for Halo 3 Gamespy.com: "the most impressive Xbox 360 title we've seen so far" 1UP.com: "the buzz from E3 is that Gears of War is an early favorite for the title of flagship first-generation Xbox 360 game" Related: GearsofWar.com Epic Games XBox365.com: Gears of War Fact Sheet Discussion >>  New screenshots and concept art for Vietcong 2 have been released at E3. The FPS sequel will feature a new 3D game engine, and will let players see the Vietnam war from the perspective of both sides. In the American role, you are an army captain escorting a reporter covering the Tet festivities in the city of Hue in 1968 just as the Tet Offensive occurs, and eventually you take part in the final push to reclaim the Imperial Palace and the city of Hue. Meanwhile in the Vietcong role, you play as a young conscript fighting against the South Vietnamese army in the areas around his village, eventually becoming a Sergeant in the Hue uprising and storming the Imperial Palace. Vietcong 2 is due to be released this year for the PC. Related: Pterodon - Developer Vietcong 2 Fact Sheet Vietcong 2 Announced (2 May) Discussion >>  Game xStream, an online distribution service for games similar to Valve's Steam, has announced a long-term partnership with 3D Realms to distribute their games online, beginning with Prey, the resurrected shooter recently shown at the E3. Like Steam, Game xStream allows buyers to download games to their PC's for later activation on the official release date for the game, but a feature it has that Steam doesn't is dynamic streaming, which allows the player to buy an already released game and begin playing seconds after they buy, with no wait for the entire game to be downloaded: "Gamers will be able to pre-order and pre-load Prey onto their hard drives, ready for instant activation and play upon the official release date," said 3D Realms CEO, Scott Miller. "Or, after the official release, players will be able to buy the game and begin playing in minutes, as if the full game was already downloaded. This is what sets Game xStream apart from anything else the industry has seen." Gamespot got a look, and in their first impressions preview, drew attention to the game's design elements: What's really wild about the game is how it uses direction, gravity, and portals to surprise you, disorient you, and impress you. Basically, "up" and "down" is relative throughout the game; certain types of corridors allow you to run straight up onto a wall and then keep moving "forward." Portals tear through the fabric of the bizarre alien landscape you're fighting in, revealing completely different environments on the other side. You run right on through (and can even fire your weapons through) and just keep going, and you'll be suddenly surrounded by different terrain. Prey on your bandwidth 3D Realms plans Steam-style online distribution for Prey Game xStream, 3D Realms Partner For Prey Distribution Prey.com 3DRealms.com Game xStream feature list Discussion >>  A nice collection of Xbox 360 E3 movies has been gathered together by gamershell and posted up for download, just the thing you need to dust of that unbearable anticipation and cool you down for a few hours at least.Here is another batch of Xbox 360 movies, available for download in hi-res versions. Press 'read more' to see footage from Demonik, Kameo: Elements of Power, Dead Rising, Frame City Killer and more. Enjoy :) Are new consoles ruining the PC experience? XBox 360 PSP/iPod Compatible Rumor Control: The Nintendo On and PSP/iPod-Xbox 360 connectivity Time Magazine: How Bill Gates built his new game machine—and changed your living room forever (Subscription) Xbox 360 confirmed as backwards compatible Xbox 360 designs that never made the cut An XBox 360 To Be Won Every Ten Minutes Discussion >>  Valve have been showing off their new lighting technology for Half Life 2 at E3, known as HDR or High Dynamic Range. IGN scored an interview with a Valve rep:We talked with one of the Valve reps giving the presentation, and he said that although Lost Coast would require a pretty high-end system (3.2GHz CPU, 1GB RAM, 6800GT or X800 Pro, et cetera), the Aftermath expansion pack would allow the player to disable HDR and tweak the visuals as usual. He also mentioned that HDR would be partially implemented in HL2 in a future patch, but that they probably wouldn't completely overhaul the lighting for two reasons: one, it would require a download on the order of five gigabytes; and two, they felt that there were certain sections of the game that were actually better, gameplay-wise, with the current lighting. Via hlfallout Related: Doug Lombardi, Half Life 2 Interview Half Life 2 reviewer goes panoramic Half Life 2 In The Real World Legend Counter Strike Mapper Springs Back Half-Life 2: Lost Coast - More Details Emerge Retail Valve Games to Continue Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast - New Screenshots and Movie More Half-Life 2: Aftermath/ Lost Coast Details Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast Discussion >>  4 screenshots of the highly anticipated Quake IV have been made available. The next-gen fps based around id Software's Doom 3 engine is anticipated for release around the holiday season this year on PC and Xbox 360. Currently in development at Raven Software in cooperation with id Software, Quake 4 will put players in the role of Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad and Earth's invasion force. The game lets players battle with squads, alone and with various vehicles, while battling the Strogg. Quake IV scheduled for Christmas launch? Raven Software id Software Will Quake 4 Run On Your Machine? A Look Into The Design Of Quake IV Quake 4: Storyline Details Emerge Quake IV multiplayer for QuakeCon in August Discussion >>  Early reports coming in suggest that Indy is coming back for a splash on tomorrow's consoles. No new comer to the gaming world, though the aging archaeologist/Action hero has not really seen any action worth writing home about in recent times.Ferrago are reporting on a possible adventure with Dr. Jones in 2007 which they say, may coincide with the release of the much talked about Indiana Jones IV movie. Planned for release in 2007, the dates suggest a possible tie-in with the Indiana Jones IV movie which has been languishing in development hell for the last few years. That is only hopeful guesswork at the moment, as the only hard facts we know about the next Indy games is that they will take advantage of the superior graphical capabilities of the new consoles and that they will feature much improved AI and physics over previous incarnations. Which is about as surprising as Indiana belting a Nazi in the mouth. Still, it's nice to know that they are doing something with the old chap. Scarface: The World is yours, Delayed? Sopranos The Game? Caan, Duvall join Brando to voice Godfather Discussion >>  A question 3DGPU are asking in the face of so much new console gadgetry. One reviewer there hits home the point of how easier consoles are for games developers, in so much that the consoles' popularity far exceeds that of the PC and you are much more likely to succeed even with a bad game. As a result, developers may be less and less excited about taking their game to the PC, with a sure fire success on the console.As a PC gamer, the announcement, and subsequently the launch, of new consoles horrifies me. The sound of cash registers ka-chinging in the ears of PC game developers can be heard quite easily, and often. Console gaming has a much wider audience than PC gaming, with young kids having easy access to them compared to powerful PCs. Thus the money-making possibilities are much easier and quicker for game developers in the console gaming market, compared to the PC gaming market. Its easy to make a bad game, and get away with it on consoles, than it is for PC gaming. Sony Ps3, up close and personal Homebrew Games for Nintendo Revolution? Nintendo Revolution to run DIY code? Watch the Nintendo E3 press conference Sony announce Ps3 titles Under $500 Pricetag on PlayStation 3? Discussion >>  Joystiq has managed to get a very close sneak peak at Sony's Ps3 in some backroom at E3, with some very juicy pics to boot. We have not seen this much detail of Sony's so called "Best kept secret" to date. One thing to note however, the controller is just a conceptual design. It took a little wrangling since we didnt have an appointment, but we managed to blag our way into the backroom where Sony had three genuine PlayStation 3 consoles on display. Click on for a bunch more pics. Sony announce Ps3 titles Under $500 Pricetag on PlayStation 3? GamesIndustry.biz: PS3 price rumours begin to emerge PlayStation 3 price rumoured PS3 to sell for under $500? Discussion >> A new press release from Nintendo listing the features of the Revolution contains an interesting (though vague) statement that has sparked another mini-wave of speculation:A dynamic development architecture equally accommodates both big-budget, high-profile game “masterpieces” as well as indie games conceived by individual developers equipped with only a big idea. Boingboing take this to mean that the Revolution will run anyone's code, opening up a whole new community of homebrew coders creating games legally (a very new direction for gaming consoles) though Gizmodo note that Nintendo made no hint whatsoever that unsigned code would run on the Revolution, and they even mentioned a new DRM system at their press conference at E3.Boingboing: Nintendo promises a console that will run anyone's code? Gizmodo: Nintendo Revolution Homebrew Likelihood Not Good Related: Nintendo Revolution to run DIY code? Watch the Nintendo E3 press conference 20 Years of Nintendo Content with Revolution Nintendo finally hit back in next-gen console war Discussion >>  LucasArts have announced that Star Wars: Battlefront II for the PSP will be released along with the PC and console versions this Autumn.The PSP version will offer a multiplayer of up to four players, and will consist of a series of mini campaigns: Players can join the Rebellion as a smuggler, work for themselves as a mercenary for hire, or use their Imperial sniping skills to rid the galaxy of pesky species like Jawas, Ewoks and Gungans. Official site for Star Wars: Battlefront II Discussion >>  If you look back on the days of playing the Atari 2600 with wistful nostalgia, you're in luck; this summer you'll be able to relive those bygone days with the Atari Flashback 2.0, modeled after the Atari 2600 and packed to the brim with 40 classics like Centipede, Missile Command and Yars' Revenge.Atari promise an authentic 2600 experience, right down to the joysticks, and a specially engineered modern chip technology has been used that allows use of the 2600 code exactly - so these are the original games you'll be able to play, not some updated port. In addition, Atari are making the Flashback 2.0 "hackable", so users can run their own homebrew games on them. The features: # All in One TV compatible gaming system # Modern update to the classic Wood grained console case, approx 2/3rd the size of the original 1977 Atari 2600 console # 40 Atari Games - 20 original classic 2600 games (Pong, Missile Command, Asteroids, Centipede, etc.) & 20 new "from the vault" Atari games # 2 Atari 2600 joysticks # Power supply & A/V cable # Single player and Dual player head-to-head # Backward compatible with all numerous existing 2600 controllers (i.e.: paddle controllers, trackballs, etc.) # Hackable console - true Atari fans can "home brew" new games or their old favorites # Utilizes original game code from Atari 2600 games Related: Original Atari Flashback console: Atari 7800 experience Discussion >>  A MMORPG based on the table-top game Warhammer has been announced; Mythic Entertainment (Dark Age of Camelot) have now secured the rights to create the game for PC and console from Games Workshop, but we won't see it until the PC version is released in the year 2007.www.warhammeronline.com Related: Warhammer official site Mythic Entertainment Multiple Warhammer Games In Pipeline From Namco (9 March) Discussion >>  kotaku got to play The Godfather: The Game at the E3 Expo, and posted up a favourable first impressions: You have 10 neighborhoods to work your muscle-flexing, window-breaking, cop-bribing ways in. The game is fairly open ended; you can get assignments by talking to your boss or just sorta roam around and try to extend the reach of your family. Official site Coppola No Fan of Godfather Game Sopranos The Game? Scarface: The World Is Yours, Delayed to 2006? Discussion >>  A new version of Lemmings for the PSP has been announced, and is due for release later this year. The PSP version will sport over a hundred levels, both new and classic, and a host of new features, including a level-editor - players will be able to save their own levels to the PSP's memory card. The wireless function of the PSP will also allow connection to a new Lemmings online community, where players can then share their own levels or download those created by other players: Lemmings headed to PSP Discussion >>  With the Sims franchise having been milked excessively, it was high time for their creator to move on to something new, but ever since mastermind Will Wright emerged with his new game Spore (we reported), the gaming world has been wondering how the new life simulation might actually look like. EA may now satisfy at least some curiosity by hosting the official website where, apart from a quite amusing flash intro, you can take a look at several in-game screenshots. Other than that, the website has very little to offer, but the game is probably in too early a stage to expect more than that for the time being. Related info: Official Spore Website Electronic Arts Maxis In-Depth Look At Will Wright's Spore (19 April) Discussion >>  Following the recent announcement that they are working on the "psychological action thriller" Alan Wake, Remedy (Max Payne) have now released five new in-game screenshots that give a hint what the new graphics engine will be capable of. Remedy's Sam Lake and Petri Järvilehto also talked about their game in an interview with Gamecloud:Technology-wise, one of the key things for us was that instead of the very linear experience of the Max Payne games, we wanted to move to a massively large, free-roaming open world. And we also wanted to make this open world as dynamic as possible. So we’ve been putting a huge amount of effort into building the simulation. Light is completely dynamic, including the day & night time cycles, trees and foliage and water reacts to the wind. Morning, day and dusk all feel completely different and the transitions in weather and time are completely seamless. They also aim at a "longer gameplay experience" than in May Payne 2.Related info: Alan Wake Site Remedy Max Payne Developers Announce New Game (5 May) Discussion >>  Filecloud has scored an interview with Valve's marketing Director, Doug Lombardi. In the interview he discusses the future of Valve's classic first person shooter plus reveals some details about the long-awaited Half Life 2 mod Day of Defeat: Source.Gamecloud - What can you tell us about the progress on the Day of Defeat Source port? Related: Half Life 2 reviewer goes panoramic Half Life 2 In The Real World Legend Counter Strike Mapper Springs Back Half-Life 2: Lost Coast - More Details Emerge Retail Valve Games to Continue Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast - New Screenshots and Movie More Half-Life 2: Aftermath/ Lost Coast Details Half-Life 2: The Lost Coast Discussion >>  Gamespot has a preview of Call of Duty 2: Big Red One for the Ps2. After being shown a demonstration of the game running in the company of John Hillen, Activision's military advisor, they were convinced it was the Xbox version. Perhaps the most impressive thing we can say about Call of Duty 2: Big Red One is that when we saw the game running, it looked so good for a console shooter that we could have sworn it was the Xbox version. The game is being developed partially by Gray Matter, the very same crowd that worked on the United Offensive expansion pack for the PC.The game itself should offer more of that intense, hold-onto-your-helmet World War II combat that the Call of Duty franchise is known for. However, this is the first game in the franchise that will stick with the same character from beginning to end. You will play as a soldier in the "Big Red One," the famed 1st Infantry Division, as you go from North Africa, Italy, and Central Europe. We saw an intense battle for a village in Belgium, and the buildings were all gutted and burned out. Tracers and machine gun fire were everywhere, and you saw your fellow GI's running around, shooting, and getting shot. Call of Duty 2, E3 video revealed Call of Duty 2 - New Screenshot Call of Duty 2 - Lead Designer Q&A Call of Duty 2: First Screens Discussion >>  Bethesda Softworks has has made available the E3 2005 movie of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the upcoming RPG game which will be released for PC and Xbox 360. A high-res movie offering a glimpse into the lush detail of this next-gen rpg is available over at gamershell. As well as in Morrowind, players will have the option to experience the main quest at their own pace, and there will be plenty of opportunities to explore the vast world and make their own way. Numerous factions can be joined, such as the thieves or mages guilds, and each contains its own complete storyline and the chance to rise to the head of the faction and reap further rewards. Due to the new AI system, called Radiant AI, the NPCs will have the ability to make their own choices based on the world around them. They will decide where to eat, who to talk, what to say - they will also sleep, go to church, and even steal items, all based on their individual characteristics. They will have full facial animations and lip-synching, and full speech for all dialogs. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion E3 Interview/Screens Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - New Product Page Discussion >>  At a booth in E3, Vivendi has announced details of its upcoming gangster styled game 50 Cent: Bullet Proof. The game will feature the voices of fellow rap artists Eminem and Dr. Dre.Co-Produced by 50 Cent, Bullet Proof is due to appear on Ps2, Xbox and PSP next year. Joining 50 Cent in the game will be fellow stars Eminem and Dr Dre, appearing as characters "McVicar" and "Grizz" respectively, and a number of other members of his G Unit "clique" and record label such as Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck. True Crime 2 Announced, with Competition Discussion >>  Activision has announced True Crime 2, along with a chance to win a brand new Chrysler 300 in the "True Crime Guess the City and Win Marcus Ride" contest. To be in with a chance of winning, simply visit the official website (which contains a trailer for the game) and vote for the name of the city in which the game is based. Not a lot of game details are available, though it will be showcased at E3. Finished in Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl, Marcus' ride is tricked out with 22" Asanti Wheels, Billet front grille, and Lamborghini style doors. Next Motorsports has also transformed the interior for maximum entertainment, adding an Xbox(R) video game system, SAVV 10.2" headrest monitors, Alpine AM/FM/DVD/CD player with LCD monitor, as well as booming MA Audio front and rear component speakers, 4-channel amp, subwoofer amp, and a 12" subwoofer in a custom Next Motorsports enclosure. The True Crime logo is embroidered on headrests and floor mats. Official website Discussion >>  Settling earlier rumours, Ubisoft has officially announced a sequel to Brother in Arms, the popular ww2 fps. The follow-up titled Brothers In Arms Earned In Blood is currently in development for the PC and current consoles.This time around you take role of Sergeant Joe Hartsock, in a struggle to liberate Normandy. From the press release: Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, and acclaimed developer Gearbox Software, announced the development of Brothers In Arms Earned In Blood for current-generation video game consoles and for the PC. Scheduled for holiday 2005, Brothers in Arms Earned in Blood is the next chapter in the compelling Brothers in Arms story. Brothers In Arms website Brothers in Arms - Single-Player Demo Brothers In Arms - Tested Cheats Discussion >> Sony has announced 3 titles for the Ps3 at E3. So far the games include Formula 1, Heavenly Sword, and Killzone 2.Ferrago has a brief description:
Under $500 Pricetag on PlayStation 3? GamesIndustry.biz: PS3 price rumours begin to emerge PlayStation 3 price rumoured PS3 to sell for under $500? Discussion >>  The official Quake IV trailer, as well as the shorter teaser trailer shown at the E3 are now available to download over at Gamershell: Quake 4 E3 2005 Movie - Quake 4 E3 2005 Teaser Movie Related: Gamespot's E3 2005 pre-show report on Quake IV Quake IV Officially Announced for XBox 360 Quake IV, Xbox 360 screenshot Will Quake 4 Run On Your Machine? Discussion >>  IGN.com secured an interview with Barry Caudill, senior producer at Firaxis for Civilization IV and grilled him about the game. The main new details to be revealed are:
Link and screenshots Related: Civilization Fanatics Gamespot Civilization IV E3 2005 Pre-show Report Discussion >> Players of World of Warcraft have gotten together and created some very useful, finely detailed maps of the different lands and flightpaths in World of Warcraft, including a legend of which side controls each region. Links: |
