Musings from the Void - Weekly Update 24/03/2010

Nintendo 3DS - Nintendo have announced yet another handheld console in there DS line-up, the Nintendo 3DS. The difference? The clue is in the tittle - it will incorporate 3D technology. The device will not require users to wear 3D glasses (a technology that already exists in some handheld devices but is not suitable for televisions) and will be backward compatible with DS/DSI software. Some unconfirmed features have also been mentioned by Japanese retailers including a new joystick, force-feedback and increased battery life. Talking to the New York Times a spokesperson for Nintendo advised "We wanted to give the gaming industry a head's up about what to expect from Nintendo at E3".

Game Room - Xbox 360's Game Room has been released today for free download over Xbox Live. The application that allows users to create a custom arcade for both there own and friends avatars to hang-out in will also support achievements. A complete list can be found at Xbox360Achievements and interestingly it will contain the same amount of Gamerscore points as a full retail game. This is not the first time whereby a free application has supported achievements, notably 1vs100.


LittleBigPlanet 2 - Despite months of rumours, Sony's Marketing Manager has confirmed that LBP2 is under development and will support the PlayStation Move motion controller. The news comes as a surprise since last November Level Designer for Media Molecule confirmed "we'd never want to do that (LBP sequel)" and described it as "counterproductive". Hopefully something more concrete will emerge at E3 although it is unlikely that the game will be a launch tittle for Move if it was not even being developed in November last year.

***UPDATE 25/03/2010***

Sony have now put out the following statement, which basically denies the existience of LBP2!

"As demonstrated recently at GDC, LittleBigPlanet has been shown as an example of how an existing game could benefit from PlayStation Move Motion Controller support. This is not a confirmation of LittleBigPlanet 2, and we do not have any announcements to make about the LittleBigPlanet franchise."

Killzone 3 - On the back of the LBP announcement, Jack Tretton (President of Sony Computer Entertainment America) whilst talking about the viability of Microsoft's Project Natal, has promised that Killzone 3 will be developed for PlayStation 3 owners. No other details have been confirmed, even whether the game is actually currently under production, but it's good to know it will happen.

Just Cause 2 - The review embargo for Just Cause 2 was lifted yesterday. The game provides players with a 400 square mile island of beach, mountain and jungle in which they are tasked with the 'simple' mission of hunting down a rogue agent who has stolen classified information. The game prides itself in creating fun, physics based experiences coupled with over-the-top stunts and base jumping. So far the game has an average review of 82%, with IGN stating "I haven't had this much fun with an open-world game in years". Having played both the original Just Cause game, and the Just Cause 2 demo, I really recommend (along with Crackdown 2) you give it a try.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior - IGN have provided an in depth look at Sniper, a new game for the Xbox 360 and PC. Despite being a budget tittle, the game looks promising and sports some very impressive visuals. Stealth is key, complete with a puzzle-like approach to deciding the best time to execute guards and gather resources without being detected. Currently the game is not scheduled for a release outside the US but hopefully if it meets expectation and sales are good, we will see a European release later in the year.


Transformers 3 - Michael Bay, director of the Tranformers movies, has confirmed that the Ferrari 458 will make an appearance in his next film. Shooting of the film begins next month (April), and Bay promises a more 'character-centric' approach to filming after the critically dismissed Tranformers 2.


PlayStation Move - Kotaku have posted two new videos of Sony's Move in action, specifically focusing on content manipulation in an augmented reality. The videos are not able to be embedded here but I recommend you visit the site and check them out as they are very impressive.

Project Natal - Have a small living room or lounge like me? Well you may be disappointed to hear that according to some sources Microsoft's motion sensor Project Natal will require 13 feet of space to play - which is quite allot of room. Although this is clearly going to be an issue to some (especially as it looks like my Xbox will be moving to my bedroom), it's not that surprising given the type of technology being used to track multiple persons full bodies.

BioWare - Curiously a count-down timer has appeared on BioWare's website. Due to expire on Monday it appears on the Mass Effect and Dragon Age sections of the site (not the Star Wars: The Old Republic area). A new game perhaps? Mass Effect on PS3? New DLC? We will have to wait to find out.

God of War III - As posted on Facebook/Tweeted earlier today, a curious video can be unlocked by completing GoW III on Spartan Mode tittled "Fate of the Titan". It contains some mild spoilers but is well worth watching as seems to show elements of the franchise (namely Chronos the Titan) in a modern setting.



and finally.....

Gamesmaster - James (a.k.a King_Of_Metal) has set-up a Facebook group to try and bring back the classic video game TV series Gamesmaster. As he mentions with games more popular now than ever it seems the perfect time for it to return (so long as Patrick Moore also makes an appearance!). You can become a fan here.