GOG Scores MegaRace [Classic Games]

CD Projekt ’s DRM-free classic computer game download service has secured several titles from French publisher Microids, including Mega Race, one of the premier showcase titles for CD Rom technology. Originally developed by Cryo, who were purchased by Microids in 2008, MegaRace was one of the games that ushered in the age of the CD Rom. I remember working at a CompUSA around the time the game first came out, and I wouldn’t let anyone leave the store with a shiny new CD drive without a copy of MegaRace. It was the 7th Guest of futuristic racing. Don’t remember the game? Well now you can pick up it and MegaRace 2 in a bundle via GOG.com for only $5.99. Other Microids titles heading to the service include Haegemonia: Legion of Iron with the Solon Heritage expansion and Obscure. Both relatively fine titles, but MegaRace is where the excitement lies here. I bet it’s held up horribly over the years.

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GOG Scores MegaRace [Classic Games]

New S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Expansion Confirmed [PC]

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. developers GSC Game World have officially announced that they’re working on “Call of Pripyat” , the 2007 open-world shooter’s second standalone expansion. Due for release on PC this fall/autumn, CoP is set directly after the events of the main game, and tells the story of an attempted military takeover of the region. New features include a new storyline, new characters, new monsters, more sidequests, a new player interface and, best of all, a new feature allowing you to keep playing the game even once the main storyline is complete, RPG-style.

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New S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Expansion Confirmed [PC]

The Sordid Story Of The Gizmondo May Come To Movie Theaters [Gizmondo]

Tiger Telematics’ spectacularly failed Gizmondo portable game machine may be the most exciting industry misfires of all time. Someone thinks it’s potentially exciting enough to be brought to the silver screen. Of course, one of the most interesting characters attached to the drama that was the Gizmondo is Swedish businessman Bo Stefan Eriksson . He’s probably best known for destroying a Ferrari Enzo , one that was illegally imported, worth one million dollars. But he’s also known for blowing through $300 million in Gizmondo capital with his hardware launching cohorts, being arrested on grand theft auto charges, and having an alleged organized crime past. The Hollywood Reporter writes that writer-director Craig Zobel and producer Beau Flynn have optioned Eriksson and Gizmondo’s story, hoping to put the tale of the failed handheld in front of a lens. They’ve optioned the 2006 Wired story “Gizmondo’s Spectacular Crack-up” for a potential movie. Yes, that’s potential . Just because the rights to that Wired piece have been optioned doesn’t mean that a movie will ultimately be made about Eriksson and crew. Still, it could make for very interesting cinema, if done right. And that means not showing any Gizmondo in-game footage during the film. Con man’s story a real ‘Crack-up’ [The Hollywood Reporter via Gizmodo] [ Image Credit ]

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The Sordid Story Of The Gizmondo May Come To Movie Theaters [Gizmondo]

The Munchables Preview: Eat It! [Namco Bandai Editors Day]

It’s tough trying to trick kids into eating vegetables. Namco Bandai helps out—and cashes in on the Wii’s target audience—with The Munchables , a game where you eat what’s bad to do good. At the start of the game, Don Onion and his brigade of space pirates take over a planet on which live two of the cutest Pokemon rejects I’ve ever seen. Munchie and his (her?) pal Chomper set out to defeat the forces of evil vegetable by eating everything in sight. This is pretty much all the plot you need to understand where The Munchables is going – but read on for a full breakdown. What Is It? The Munchables is a single-player puzzle/platformer game where players take the role of either Munchie or Chomper. There are eight stages in the game and to progress, the player has to consume as many enemy food items as possible to gain levels and thereby open doors. What We Saw I played through the Dessert Factory stage as Chomper. How Far Along Is It? The game is due out May 26, but it looks a little buggy in terms of graphics and animations. For example, there was a one point, Chomper entered a chocolate-coating machine and activated a cut scene. For no explicable reason, Munchie come out of the machine, participated in the cut scene and then was replaced by Chomper when the game resumed. What Should Change? Full Blown Co-op Please: Currently, the control scheme only allows the second player to provide targeting support (think Mario Galaxy). With such cute (and customizable) characters as Munchie and Chomper, it’d be a cute-splosion if you could somehow have them both on screen and playable. Is That a Bomb or a Pirate?: The screen is very busy in The Munchables, sometimes making it hard to tell if the things coming toward you rapidly are enemies to be nommed on or bombs that will shrink you temporarily. Part of the problem comes from the sheer amount of enemies that can be on screen at one time, but a bigger part of it may be the character’s level displayed over its head in bright, flashing text – very distracting. Grapes Aren’t Vegetables: Unless there’s a cut scene explaining that all fruit on the planet defected to Don Onion’s side, I don’t think it’s fair to have to fight grapes as part of his sinister army. Even if you’re going to tell me that all fruits are vegetables at heart in real life, I’d still like a cut scene explaining – especially if I’m a kid that’s been indoctrinated with the food pyramid. What Should Stay The Same? Unbearably Cute: It’s the Wii, it needs cute. It thrives on it. Simple Controls: The analog stick on the Nunchuck does most of the moving moving, a simple flick of the Wiimote does the jumping, the A does the eating and you can attack enemies and break them into smaller bits by pressing B. These basic controls minimize the amount of flailing you have to do in the game and are kid-appropriate. Replayability: The game features three different play modes (time attack, reverse and regular mode), plus a secret unlockable character you can earn by completing the game as Munchie or Chomper. Final Thoughts As kids games go, this looks like a pretty good one. I’m not sure if it will get them eating vegetables right away, but it will definitely keep their attention for a good long while.

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The Munchables Preview: Eat It! [Namco Bandai Editors Day]

Nintendo: 87 Percent of Wiis In Living Room [Wii No Ma]

Starting May 1 in Japan, the Nintendo Wii is getting a new video service channel called ” Wii no Ma ” (Wii Room). Nintendo president Satoru Iwata introduces it in a new video. Nintendo is partnering with Japanese ad agency Dentsu for the endeavor, which is for the Wii and the DS. Instead of offering existing movies and television programming, as seen in Sony’s video on demand service and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Video Marketplace, Nintendo is offering cartoons and “mainly family-oriented programming” options created especially for the Wii video service. In a video message from Nintendo President Satoru Iwata, the exec does admit that there are few programs at the moment, “but that number will increase.” Iwata also announces that five Tokyo TV stations have signed on to provide continue. Iwata points out that the Wii was luckily launched when large screen TVs became popular — giving more reasons for families to congregate in the living room like they used to. Wii Sports and Wii Fit capitalized on the idea of families congregating in the living room. “Our own research says that approximately 87 percent of Wiis are connected to the largest TV in the house, which is in the living room,” says Iwata. Wii no Ma also allows those who might not be gamers enjoy using the Nintendo Wii by watching programs. According to Nintendo, things like this can help video games be accepted. “In the beginning, Wii no Ma is available only in Japan,” Iwata says, “but there are plans to launch the service aboard in the future.” All the programs will be free at first, but Iwata does reveal that down the line Nintendo is readying programs with a “small” fee — something that Nintendo has stated since announcing this project. Wiiの新しいチャンネル『Wiiの間』についてご紹介します。 [Nintendo via ヨッシーの愚痴 ]

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Nintendo: 87 Percent of Wiis In Living Room [Wii No Ma]

The Big Three Escalate E3 Hype Levels To Code Orange [E3]

The glorious, obnoxious return of E3 proper is mere weeks away. The hype is now palpable, with Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony inflating expectations for their respective E3 showings. But Microsoft may be hyping the loudest. While Nintendo and Sony seem content to remind video game fans that they too will be attending the Los Angeles Convention Center, armed with new wares, Microsoft’s Don Mattrick says the Xbox 360 maker is “gearing up for a big presence at E3 which will completely transform how people think about home entertainment.” Holy crap. “We’re excited about the momentum that is building in the industry in anticipation of our June 1st media briefing, which will kick off E3 in blockbuster style,” Microsoft’s hype ringmaster and senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft says. Sony and Nintendo are a bit more measured in their anticipation of the event. “Sony Computer Entertainment America is looking forward to another great showing at this year’s E3 Expo,” said Jack Tretton, president and CEO of SCEA. “The audience of North American-based and foreign media and key industry partners makes E3 Expo an ideal place for us to unveil the latest PlayStation news and products at our press event on June 2.” “Nintendo has been a long time attendee of E3 and it has our full support,” added Reggie Fils-Aime, president and COO, Nintendo of America. “E3 brings a wide variety of key audiences into contact with products from many companies, including Nintendo. It’s the place where creativity is on display, and as a ‘sneak peak’ for our entire industry it helps generate excitement for gamers around the world.”

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The Big Three Escalate E3 Hype Levels To Code Orange [E3]

Capcom Talks MadWorld, Hardcore Wii Gaming [Captivate 09]

With just 66,000 in sales MadWorld could serve as a warning to developers to stay away from hardcore games for the Wii, but Capcom’s Masachika Kawata, says that’s not the case for Resident Evil. “I personally have no fear (about sales of Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles ), Resident Evil is a massive brand on a worldwide scale and you can’t really compare it to MadWorld,” he said. “Personally I do like MadWorld, I think it is a very unique game. I think we should be happy to be able to play a game like this. It’s kind of disappointing that it didn’t sell.” Kawata added that some of the design staff or MadWorld used to work for him and that they’re friends and wished them the best. Resident Evil, Kawata, said, is such an established franchise that even casual gamers know the name. “Most if not all gamers know the Resident Evil name,” he said. “It’s that powerful a game. “These games have been around for ten years, there are also the movies as well which also expands that to reach casual gamers.” Kawata said that in Japan the franchise is so successful that when a television station does a story on it their viewership rises signiicantly. “I’ve had TV stations and channels thank me because their viewership goes up,” he said. “So it is a very powerful brand name.” And MadWorld isn’t the only example of hardcore gaming on the Wii, Kawata pointed out. Last year, he said, his favorite game was Dead Space and now it’s heading for the Wii as another light gun game. “With that game coming out we feel it is going to be a very nice competitor, help us push our limits and raise the bar for light gun games. “There is potential in these types of games,” While Resident Evil maybe a hardcore franchise, Kawata says he thinks The Darkside Chronicles will also reach casual gamers. “The Wii has a lot of casual gamers and we didn’t want to leave anyone behind.”

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Capcom Talks MadWorld, Hardcore Wii Gaming [Captivate 09]

Street Fighter IV Preview: PC Fighting [Preview]

Street Fighter is a game meant for arcades, but it’s proven itself on the console. So what about the PC? What Is It? Street Fighter IV built for Games For Windows — Live What We saw I played multiple matches against other writers, staying until I was beaten and then stalking off to sulk. How Far Along Is It? Appears to be completed. What Needs Improvement? Online: While I’m told the online portion of Street Fighter IV will include all of the features found in the console versions, it won’t include anything new. The thing is, this is running on a PC, so why not include a bit more, like some way for gamers to hangout and watch matches online while waiting to fight? Capcom says they are looking into it. What Should Stay The Same? Controls: The controls feel identical to the console version. Playing with a Street Fighter fight pad made it impossible for me to tell the difference between the console and PC versions. Filters: It’s a little thing, but the three new filters you can slap onto the game, thanks to shaders, give the game a neat new look without making it play or feel like a different game. Graphics: The game looks great, still, and moves fluidly with no lag at all while playing matches locally. Final Thoughts I already struggle with the notion of playing a Street Figher game on a console and enjoying it, now a PC? It’s almost too much for a hardcore arcade fan to stand. But the thing is, there is no reason now not to play on your PC, the game isn’t just identical, it’s a bit better thanks to those sexy filters.

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Street Fighter IV Preview: PC Fighting [Preview]

Valve Sues Activision Over Sierra Monies [Law And Order]

Valve and Activision are doing the legal two-step, with the former suing the latter over royalties from a 2002 lawsuit against Sierra. On April 6th of this year, Valve was awarded a $2,391,932 judgment against Activision as the result of a 2002 lawsuit against Sierra Online. The original lawsuit, which we reported on way back in 2004, involved Sierra distributing Valve software at cyber cafes, which led to Sierra preventing Valve from letting players unlock Half-Life 2 early. Speaking for gamers as a whole, Sierra totally deserved to lose if only for that fact. Having merged with Sierra parent Vivendi in 2008, Activision inherited the case and therefore the judgment. They just don’t want to pay the whole thing. Citing previous overpayments of $424,136, Activision issued a check for $1,967,796, which is the judgment minus the supposed overpayments. Valve, understandably unhappy about this, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in order to secure the full amount. According to the lawsuit , Valve claims that Activision informed them that they would not pay the full amount, and would counter-sue if Valve took them back to court. Now Valve has done just that. Valve is seeking the full amount of the original judgment, as well as a court declaration stating that Activision cannot pursue additional compensation based on agreements that have long since been terminated. Now we grab some popcorn, kick back, and wait for Activision to counter-sue. Good times. It’s Ugly: Valve Sues Activision, Activision Threatens to Sue Valve [Game Politics]

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Valve Sues Activision Over Sierra Monies [Law And Order]

Forza 3 Teased, Expected To Arrive In 2009 [Xbox 360]

Forza Motorsport 3 is definitely coming to the Xbox 360 . That’s a poorly kept secret, as confirmation of the game’s existence was leaked last year with early details spewing forth from the infamous Intellisponse breach. It’s starting to look like Microsoft and developer Turn 10 Studios will have something to show soon, more than likely at this year’s E3 expo. The forthcoming racing game’s logo was teased at a recent Xbox 360 showing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a subtle, hype-generating mention that was spied by CVG . Unfortunately, that video appears to have been removed by the user. Based on the presentation, it looks like Forza Motorsport 3 will show up some time in 2009, as the title appears on Microsoft’s publishing slate alongside games like Bungie’s Halo ODST . When the game was unexpectedly revealed last year, internal documents touted features like 400 vehicles, 100 tracks, car deformation and an “assist system.” Rumored to spread across two discs, Forza 3 would be the biggest entry in the series in size and scope. Forza 3: First official glimpse [CVG]

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Forza 3 Teased, Expected To Arrive In 2009 [Xbox 360]

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