Daily Lack Of News - 23rd April 2011

PSN's still down, it's Easter Sunday and I've been playing Portal 2.

There's the big news of the day.

...Sorry.

Daily News - 22nd April 2011

New Hitman Copyright Revealed - New Hitman Game More Than Likely

The copyright is "Hitman: Absolution". Definitely sounds like a new Hitman game to me! I played the hell out of Hitman 2 but haven't dug into one since. Enough time has passed that I would totally enjoy another Hitman game though, another big name to look forward to at E3!

Ahh, Hitman 2... Memories...Playstation Network Down Due To "External Intrusion"

So yesterday I said I doubted this was a hacker attack... today I look like an idiot. Sony pretty much confirmed PSN was down because of a hacker attempt. The attempt wasn't necessarily successful at bringing PSN down, but the subsequent need for massive maintanence was. Sony seems to have angered the hacker community pretty badly here, which is kind of stupid. If someone's bullying you and you stand up to that bully, you're not supposed to get beaten up by all his friends as well, the bulling's supposed to stop. All seems a little backward to me. And stopping millions of gamers play games they paid har-earned money for? It all just sticks in my craw.

Daily News - 21st April 2011

Fresh Duke Nukem Forever Trailer (NSFW)

Duke Nukem Forever is looking dangerously close to an actual game. Some people (me included) seem to think they'll be playing it in about 2 months! Ridiculous! The game looks terrible, stupid and kind of ugly... and I can't wait for it! No matter how good/bad it is, I think it'll be a breath of fresh air. So watch this trailer, but be warned. Contains boobs!

Playstation Network Down

Sony's online service has been down for a day now, meaning no downloading things, no online multiplayer, even rendering some games that require an internet connection unplayable. Sony put the outage down to "emergency Maintenance", which is unusual but you know technology, anything can happen. This is almost certainly not related to the hacking attempts a few weeks ago, I don't think Anonymous are the type to succeed in bringing down the whole of PSN and stay quiet about it. It's probably gonna be a few days before full service is restored, so you hang tigh Playstation owners... maybe enjoy the delightful summer sun!

Wii 2 Controller Details Coming To Light

Kotaku are reporting that someone they have on the inside is reporting some details about Wii 2's unusual-sounding controller. They claim it "will include a touchscreen, two analog sticks and a camera" and that the "new controller's screen will measure 6.2 inches and the controller will also include eight buttons". It all sound very intriguing, has me super pumped for E3!!!

Microsoft And Sony Not Folding To Wii 2's Pressure

Speaking of the Wii 2, Sony and Microsoft are sticking firm to their original stance of long life spans for the PS£ and Xbox360, saying that they wont be releasing new consoles until 2014, meaning that if the Wii 2 does make it out in 2012 it'll end up with a massive head-start on Sony and Microsoft.

Daily Lack Of News - 21st April 2011

You know, writing about video games is alot less fun when there's nothing to write about.

Sorry guys, it's been another slow day in games. About the closest something's come to important news today has been 2 screenshots of Mass Effect 3... and they kind of show fuck all.

This lack of big news is annoying, but I guess the fact that the entire gaming world (except for me) are playing Portal 2 right now, probably multiple times, has something to do with it... bastards!

...OOH! WAIT! I know what I can post! That insane trailer for Asura's Wrath, one of the new Capcom games announced last week. Just realised I didn't post this back then.

Asura's Wrath Trailer

Daily News - 19th April 2011

Another slow news day (except for Portal 2 ANd Mortal Kombat coming out in the states) but here's somethin'

Mortal Kombat Webseries: Episode 2

Daily Lack Of News - 18th April 2011

No real news today, lots of little stuff but nothing that makes me excited enough to stay up past 1 writing about it.

Sorry guys, fingers crossed for lots of news tomorrow!

Daily News - 14th, 15th, 16th AND 17th April 2011!

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates the past few days. After I wrote my Pokemon review I took a few days break, but I'm back now!

Nintendo's Next Console

By far the biggest story of the past few days. A torrent of rumours concerning a follow-up to the Wii have come to light now that the Wii's price drop has been confirmed. Apparently it's being codenamed Project Cafe (what?) and will feature graphical capabilities far beyond that of the PS3 and Xbox 360, although given how old both of those consoles are that's not too difficult, just surprising to hear those kind of graphics coming from a Nintendo console... provided these rumours bear fruit ofcourse. Other rumours include a controller like an "iPad with buttons" (ign did a mock-up, below) and that you'll be able to stream games from the console to the controller's screen. Pretty exciting stuff, and not too long until we find out the truth either: E3 is only a few months away!

mock up of what the controller could look like12 Minutes Of Battlefield 3 In Action

I've played Call Of Duty, and I've played Battlefield and for me, Battlefield wins evey time. The battles feel more epic, the gameplay much more balanced and the action crazier. This video of gameplay footage from Battlefield 3 is pretty much as good as games get in my opinion. It's early, pre-alpha in fact, but more than enough to get me way too excited for the game. If you can view this in 720p fullscreen then you definitely should.

Portal 2 Coming Early!

Well... that is to say, if the collective PC community play enough indie games it will unlock a little early. basically if people play selected indie games enough on Steam, Valve will see to it to unlock Portal ahead of schedule. How far ahead of schedule is more-or-less up to Valve, although current calculations put Portal 2's release as "3 p.m. Monday on the east coast, noon, on the west". 3pm on a work day. I'm sure people are gonna love that.

Daily News - 13th April 2011

Wii Price Cut In America

The Wii's been selling at $199 in the states for a good year and a half now, but it's heavily expected that the price is going to drop at some point in the next few weeks by $50. To put that into a relevent number, that's £30 over here in the UK. As of right now, one of the new black Wiis from Game will set you back

 £168.99, so shave £30 off that and what you have is something £60 cheaper than a new 3DS. Hmm, interesting...

You already knew what a Wii looked like...Xbox Live April Update Is Particularly Interesting

As well as the latest game price-cuts and new virtual releases, this month's list of Xbox Live updates is particularly eye-catching because of the Gears Of War 3 Beta!

Gears of War 3 Multiplayer Beta

Bulletstorm Preview - Monday, April 18, 2011
Gears of War 3 Beta - Monday, April 25, 2011
Beta concludes - Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sales & Specials

April 15
Limbo - 600 MS Points ($7.50)
Castle Crashers - 600 MS Points ($7.50)
Shadow Complex - 600 MS Points ($7.50)
Trials HD - 600 MS Points ($7.50)
Monday Night Combat - 600 MS Points ($7.50)

April 12 - April 18
Halo: Reach Noble Map Pack - 400 MS Points ($5)
Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
Halo 3 Mythic II Map Pack - 400 MS Points ($5)
Halo: Reach Emile SPARTAN 239 Armor (male and female) - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
Halo: Reach UNSC Marine Armor (male and female) - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
Gears of War 2 All Fronts Collection - 400 MS Points ($5)
Gears of War 2 Locust Drone Armor (male and female) - 160 MS Points ($2.50)
Gears of War 3 Ticker Pet - 160 MS Points ($2)
Forza 3 Community Choice Classics Pack - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
Forza 3 Sidewinder Proving Grounds - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
Forza 3 Hot Holidays Car Pack - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
Crackdown 2 Premium Toy Box Pack- 280 MS Points ($3.50)
Crackdown 2 Premium Deluge Pack - 280 MS Points ($3.50)
Alan Wake: The Writer - 280 MS Points ($3.50)
Fable 3 Warrior Helmet (male and female) - 120 MS Points ($1.50)
Toy Soldiers - 800 MS Points ($10)
Perfect Dark - 400 MS Points ($5)
Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers - 400 MS Points ($5)
Trials HD: Big Thrills - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
South Park: Let's Go Tower Defense Play! - 400 MS Points ($5)
Braid - 400 MS Points ($5)
Splosion Man - 400 MS Points ($5)
Snoopy Flying Ace - 400 MS Points ($5)
Uno Rush - 400 MS Points ($5)
Duke Nukem 3D - 400 MS Points ($5)
Duke Nukem Manhattan Project - 400 MS Points ($5)

Xbox Live Arcade

Might and Magic Clash of Heroes - 1200 MS Points ($15) - April 13
Section 8 Prejudice - 1200 MS Points ($15) - April 20
Fancy Pants - 800 MS Points ($10) - April 20

Deal of the Week

April 12 - April 18
Marvel vs Capcom 2 - 600 MS Points ($7.50)
Mega Man 10 - 400 MS Points ($5)
Final Fight Double Impact - 400 MS Points ($5)
Bionic Commando Rearmed - 400 MS Points ($5)
Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix - 600 MS Points ($7.50)

April 19 - April 25
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Toned Body DLC - 160 MS Points ($2)
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved Bollywood DLC - 200 MS Points ($2.50)
3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures 2 - 400 MS Points ($5)
Peggle - 400 MS Points ($5)
Peggle Nights - 400 MS Points ($5)
Plants vs. Zombies - 800 MS Points ($10)
ilomilo - 400 MS Points ($5)
Avatar Egg Hunt - 80 MS Points ($1)
Avatar Bunny Outfit - 120 MS Points ($1.50)
Monkey Prop - 120 MS Points ($1.50)

Games on Demand

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing ($29.99) - April 12
Toy Story 3: The Video Game ($29.99) - April 12
Raven Squad ($19.99) - April 12
Fallout: New Vegas (price TBA) - April 19
Mafia 2 (price TBA) - April 19
Lost Planet 2 (price TBA) - April 19

Xbox Avatar Marketplace

South Park - April 19
Mortal Kombat - April 19

Asura's Wrath May Be Greatest "Absolutely Mental Game" Since Bayonetta

At the same event as the new version of Dead Rising 2 (I mentioned in yesterday's news update) Capcom also revealed a new games called "Asura's Wrath". Basically it seems like a cross between Devil May Cry, God Of War and Bayonetta. The part we've been shown so far involves a character (presumably Asura) who grows a few extra arms before fighting a finger the size of a small continent. Yep. Greatest game ever.

Give me this now!

Daily News - 11th and 12th April 2011

Playstation Hacker "Settles" With Sony - Actually Kind Of Wins

The hacker (known as Geohot) that was originally responsible for cracking the PS3's security has gotten off scott-free! Well, not completely. Under the pressure of the Anonymous hacker threats, Sony were forced to settle with the hacker by making him consent to a permanent injunction against the information he had gathered. Considering he was taken to court by one of the largest companies in the world, I'd say that's about as light as a guy can get off!

Pokemon Black And White FINALLY Gets Global Link

A feature that was to be included as part of the original game, known as the "Global Link", is set to go live on wednesday. Among the features it will bring with it are the Global Battle Union aswell as the chance to connect your game to a PC which will feature a dream world based on the dreams of your Pokemon. I love me some Pokemon so I'll be checking this out regardless, but it doesn't sound terribly exciting...

Ugh, get out of my site!

Portal 2 Webcomic - Part 2

The 2nd part of the Portal 2 Webcomic is now up on IGN. I still haven't read the 1st part, but I'm looking forward to doing so.

Portal 2 Webcomic - Part 2

Free games to Xbox Live?

Free games in the style of Lord Of The Rings Online and Battlefield: Heroes (ie. games featuring optional micro-transactions) could be making their way to Xbox Live. Personally I'm all for it, especially if they have achievements!

those hot pants probably cost the same as a Dairy Milk. Highway robbery!Mortal Kombat Webseries Is Live!!!

So watch it!

Dead Rising 2 Remake To Feature Frank West As The Hero

Think of it as an alternate reality version of Dead Rising 2, featuring new psychos, new weapon combinations, new areas and a new checkpoint system (which if you've played Dead Rising 2 is mindblowing). It's unclear whether you'll gain the ability to jump on zombie's heads at some point, but if you do, I'm all over this!

A true man's man!!New Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City Screens

Kotaku put up a gallery of new RE:ORC screens, I think it has potential to be awesome, but you can make your own mind up from following the link below.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City Screenshots

He's baaaaaaaaaaaaaack! In the past.

Daily News - 10th April 2011

Portal 2 Webcomic Launched

I'll admit, I've not read this yet (I'm waiting for a nice, quiet moment to myself) but I refuse to believe it will be anything less than amazing, especially after how great Valve's Left 4 Dead Webcomic was. The link is below. Enjoy!

Portal 2: Lab Rat

Can't wait for more of this!

Dungeon Siege 3 Pre-order Gets You The Other 2 Games!

If you pre-order the game on Steam that is. Honestly, I've no idea whether the Dungeon Siege series is good or not, but this seems like too good an offer not to share with you guys.

Change In Rules Means Video Games Soundtracks Can Win Grammys!

Video games join movies and television shows as falling under the Grammys' veil of "visual media" for the first time this year, meaning they're now eligible in 4 award categories: "Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media",  "Best Music for Visual Media", "Best Song Written for Visual Media" and "Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media". This is great news! Slowly but surely video games are gaining credibility in almost all fields. Seems only a matter of time until this upcoming Mass effect anime wins an oscar...