Should you buy a PlayStation 3? [Buyer's Guide]

The PlayStation 3 got off to a slow start when the console first launched in 2006. Since then, it has picked up some serious steam and has come into its own. Is now a good time to take the plunge? [Updated for the holiday season of video games.]

[This post was last updated on November 22, 2010 and will be updated if events, news, games, prices or acts of nature cause our opinion to change.]

Yes, but be advised that the holiday line-up of exclusive games is weak for the PS3. Over the summer we cautioned readers to hold off on buying the PlayStation 3 because improved models of the console that had been offered to Japanese consumers had not yet been confirmed for North American release. Since then, they've both been confirmed and gone on sale.

Our enthusiasm is also tempered by a soft fall release schedule which saw PS3 exclusives LittleBigPlanet 2, SOCOM 4 and MotorStorm Apocalypse pushed back to 2011. The formidable Gran Turismo 5 is the PS3's lone heavyweight exclusive for the holidays.

The PlayStation 3 isn't only about games. It features a Blu-ray player, giving the versatile console an edge as a living room's possible hi-def centerpiece. While the system launched with a Sixaxis controller that was shaped like a traditional game controller but could detect tilt, the PS3 got wand-like motion controls, called the PlayStation Move, earlier this year. On June 10, stereoscopic 3D became available on the PS3, making the console 3D ready for games and TV sets that support that technology.

The PlayStation Network also offers online play for the very nice price of free.

No. Well, unless you have money to burn, that is. One high-end system is probably enough, and more and more games are released on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. To decide between the PS3 and the Xbox 360, it's best to decide on the console exclusives. If you feel that you must have titles like God of War III or Metal Gear Solid 4, or the ability to play Blu-ray movies on your game system, then the PS3 is the console for you.

Yes, you should. The Wii excels at many things, but hi-definition gaming is not one of them. If you own a Wii, and are looking for another gaming console, by all means, pick up a PS3. Not only is the Wii missing DVD playback, it is also missing Blu-ray playback. The PS3 sports both.

Other things the Wii is lacking: a robust online network, high definition support and true surround sound. The PS3 has all those, making it a viable choice for a second console. The PS3 also offers wonderful "casual" titles like ModNation Racers and LittleBigPlanet, but in beautiful HD graphics and sound.

If you have a Wii, you would be impressed with the precision of the Move wand, but Move software is not yet comparable to the best of the Wii motion games. We don't recommend getting a Move if you have a Wii.

Tons. As previously mentioned, the PS3 is outfitted with both a DVD and a Blu-ray player, making it an ideal console for cinephiles. It used to do more, however. The original PS3 that launched in 2006 could play PS2 games and Super Audio CDs. The versions of the console currently on the market cannot. Until this year, the console did have Linux support. Sony decided to remove that feature due to security concerns. But PS3s are also still able to store and play music and photos, making it an ideal HD hub. There is also HD support for streaming services such as Netflix.

The PS3 has connectivity with Sony's portable gaming device, the PSP. Players can playback video content (and play some games) from their PS3 on their PSPs. There is also a virtual world called "Home" in which players can interact and mingle with gamers all over the world.

The PlayStation 3 also has a timed console exclusive with Hulu, bringing American customers a range of TV shows on-demand for the price of $10 a month. You need to be a PlayStation Plus member, which is an added $50 annual subscription.

Honestly, the 2006 launch console is the best. It comes with an array of features — like Super Audio CD playback, built-in flash memory card reader and PS2 backwards compatibility — that were later deemed too costly by Sony. Since those consoles are no longer produced, the 160GB "slim" version is the way to go over the more expensive 320GB version as 160GB should be enough for most players. A 160GB PS3 slim is priced at US$300, while a refurbished 60GB launch PS3 is priced at around $350.

The two currently-sold models are:

1) A 160GB PS3 that sells for $299.99.
2) A 320GB PS3 bundled with the PlayStation Move motion controller, a PlayStation Eye camera (required for the Move) and a copy of Move game Sports Champions for $399.99.

We recommend the 160GB model as we don't yet believe that the PlayStation Move is a must-own and are not swayed by the added storage.

The PS3 has a good mix of multiplatform games and exclusive titles. The best PS3-only games include titles like adventure games Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, which do a fantastic job of taking advantage of the PS3's hardware power. Likewise, games like God of War III and Metal Gear Solid 4 provide players with gaming experiences that they cannot get elsewhere. These are some of the biggest titles in big budget gaming. The console also has sleeper hits like the beautiful-looking Valkyria Chronicles and the notoriously hard Demon's Souls. Plus, the PS3 has many of the same games that are available on the Xbox 360 and PC. Titles include games like BioShock, Resident Evil 5 and the Call of Duty series.

Also keep an eye out for LittleBigPlanet, a delightful side-scrolling game that allows players to radically re-make it into all sorts of wild adventures. A sequel is slated for release early next year, though even the first game is worth checking out if only to check out the thousands of creative user-created levels available for download.

There are bad games on any console, and the PS3 is no exception. However, due to the high development costs of PS3 games, the platform is able to escape many of the cheaply produced titles that plague other consoles.

1) Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, because not only the game itself is great, but so too are the story, the dialogue and the characters.

2) Flower, a download-only game, because it is a truly moving title that takes advantage of the PS3's Sixaxis motion controls.

3) Metal Gear Solid 4, because, yes, this game actually lived up to its hype.

It was. The original PS3 that launched in 2006 was able to play PlayStation 2 games. That feature has since been removed. All systems are still backwards-compatible with PSone games.

The PS3 features many exciting digital titles on the PS3, such as the PixelJunk series, Super Stardust HD and Flower. Sony has done a solid job of mixing mainstream games with smaller, more unusual titles.

Other standouts include Everyday Shooter, Critter Crunch, WipeOut HD, Echochrome and Bionic Commando Rearmed.

 

We've played all the launch Move games and reviewed most of them, plus previewed many more. Check all of our launch Move coverage, which is full of written impressions and videos.

The bottom line on Move is that it works very well, as well as the Wii Remote with Motion Plus, if not even better, but it lacks any games to brag about to your friends. The Move has show-off potential, but right now it's not worth picking up — not until we see some killer apps.

Compared to the Xbox 360 (and the PS2, for that matter), the PS3 has largely been a well put together piece of hardware. The console's failure rates are not abnormal, so consumers can purchase one with the same confidence they would most other electronics. The biggest knock on the system had long been its price. It used to be significantly more expensive than the Xbox 360 and the Wii. Price drops have largely removed that problem.

There are some drawbacks when it comes to the ability to talk to people through the console while playing games online. Some players are dissatisfied with the inability for players to chat with each other while playing different games online. PS3s support Bluetooth and USB headsets, but the lack of a packed-in headset with new systems has diminished the likelihood that people with whom you play an online game even have a headset plugged in. That makes the online experience of the PS3 much less chatty than it is on the Xbox 360, for better or worse.

Unlike the Xbox 360's online service, the PS3's PlayStation Network is free and works out of the box. The PSN enables players to check out demos and trailers free of charge. Microsoft, on the other hand, now requires players to sign up for its paid services to download many demos.

Users can, however, opt in to Sony's PlayStation Plus service, which, for an annual subscription fee of $50 gives players access to a number of free games and other exclusive content. It's far from necessary, as you can still download demos and play games for free, but those wanting the complete PS3 experience may see this as a hidden cost.

Another hidden cost would be, as it is with most consoles, the purchase of a second controller. The PS3 comes bundled with one, and most players will want a second one. Controllers typically cost around $50. Thankfully, no batteries are needed. The controllers are charged by connecting them to the PS3 console via a USB cable. That means players will not have to constantly replace batteries like with the Xbox 360 controller or the Wii Remote (or buy a rechargeable pack).

Not anytime soon. When the PS3 was released in 2006, Sony said the console will have a ten year lifespan. Meaning? It should be good until 2016. No doubt, Sony will release PS3 redesigns, but according to Sony, the platform itself will be good for around a decade. It is important to note that even when the PS3 was released, Sony continued to support the PS2 with new games. So that doesn't mean the PlayStation 4 won't be released before 2016. It simply means that the console will probably continue to be supported.

Released in 2006

The PlayStation 3 is a home video game console sold by Sony Computer Entertainment. Its key gaming features are high definition graphics, surround sound, and the ability to play with or against other people over the internet. Its key multimedia features are the ability to playback high definition movies, connect to the internet, store and display media like photos and music as well as stream HD content.

Sony has positioned the PS3 at the high end of high-end home consoles. It is targeted at 18-40 year-old males. The upcoming release of the PlayStation Move motion controller Move should widen the console's appeal to more kids and less-experienced gamers.

Currently available models: PS3 Slim 160GB ($300)*, PS3 Slim 320GB ($400, bundled with Move, PlayStation Eye and Sports Champions game)
Older Models: PS3 Slim 250GB ($350), PS3 Fat 80GB Refurbished [4 USB ports] ($300), PS3 Fat 80GB Refurbished [2 USB ports] ($270), PS3 Fat 60GB Refurbished [Backwards Compatible] ($350)*, PS3 Fat 40GB Refurbished ($250), PS3 Fat 20GB Refurbished [Backwards Compatible] ($300)
[recommended models marked with an asterisk]
Price of PlayStation Plus Subscription: $50 for 12 months, $19 for 3 months
Price of new games: $60
Price of PlayStation Move: $50 for controller, $100 for bundle including Move, PlayStation Eye camera (required for Move play) and one game
Discount line of games: PS3 Greatest Hits ($20-$30)

Need more shopping advice? Take a look at Kotaku's other video game hardware buyer's guides.

[Pic]

The author of this post can be contacted at tips@kotaku.com

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Sonic free riders demo now available on Xbox Live

Griffin McElroy on November 22nd 2010 7: 30 pm 

 if you have a deep well of love for your Kinect but a flat reservoir of software for your Kinect, you can add something, something-something to the pile for free. If you are an Xbox Live Gold Subscriber, you can now download a demo for Sonic free riders from the market square.

Then again, soap operas on the sample, which should could provide based on Meta criticism that the game the apparent lack of reaction is called just about everything as a demo for Sonic free riders dienen.Ihre arms flail out during your daytime the same interactive experience about.

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Fallout: New Vegas "Dead money" DLC tours of the Sierra Madre in the most exclusive resort

by David Hinkle on November 22nd 2010 4: 00 PM 

 late next month, Obsidian starts the first bit of DLC for fallout: new Vegas. The DLC is according to output five Bethesda newsletter, players of the Sierra Madre, "an opulent and extravagant resort." make the allegedly the largest casino in in the West-except that it never open turned it out put whole Apocalypse thing really a damper on the festivities. Who woulda thunk a stupid thing as such a Buzzkill could be atomic bombs?

The Vaykay-spot-that almost-was, had a fairly to locks of the complex tight after the nuclear holocaust that befell America ranting security system,. As time went on, the climate control and air conditioning system start push toxins it with a mist of poison out nearby, surrounding and impossible to navigate the adjacent town.A small group of survivors, synchronized the ghost people, have only managed through, apparently scratch recourse for detecting healthy people outside of the plumes of pollution, the surroundings of the Sierra Madre.Wissen, you to eat.

And that's pretty much everything, we have can now download weitergehen.Sie "Dead Money" for fallout: new Vegas on December 21, exclusively on Xbox Live for 800 MS points ($10).

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Valve delays Portal 2

Valve announced in a movement which is somewhat surprising to anyone that your latest work Portal 2, has been delayed. It was originally planned to be released sometime this year, but is now set to release in April 2011. The exact reason for the delay is unknown.

Valve self depreciating humour displayed if that says:

“…"These two month slip features not only the shortest delay valve proud tradition of delays, it provides the approaching convergence of valve time and real application"

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Reader discussion: is "keep a good thing with your roots"?

Before recently (as in today), Ubisoft released its third installment in the beloved "Assassin's creed" franchise, "assassin's creed: brotherhood". The version was very positive reviews graced. Although a certain argument about the game is created, it is that a good thing with the same formula glue? Brotherhood of formula for borrowing the same mechanics (game, protagonist) than its predecessor was both advantages and disadvantages side of various examinations.

After the success of "assassin's creed 2. 5?, both with a limit 1 year target date for the brotherhood's release, both factors why Ubisoft holds are necessary, would stick with the same formula."But some skepticism in this method may, that Ubisoft another game on the market is simply noise, while people from Assassin's creed 2 are salivating; and therefore interested in only sales figures instead of a title that is worthy of the Ubisoft brand.

Another recent game in connection with this method is Treyarch's "call of duty: Black Ops". Black had the cushion OPS simply to the "call of duty" brand name, thanks to milestone sales of "Modern warfare 2. 5?."drive and although the game was developed and improved, from the previous iteration it was even necessary? had black ops a better game if Treyarch gone in a completely new direction? Or just stick to the same formula as MW2.

Even a game like "fallout new Vegas", a very loyal fan base, has put the same formula as its predecessor (Fallout 3).Game mechanics (for the most part) to remain unchanged, the overall look and feel last are very nostalgic and reminiscent of the fallout game be released.A game like new Vegas would be a better game if the developers had pulled a "180? and re-wrote your strategy for developing a game?"

Always this strategy "Cling to your roots" becomes more and more to the trend in the video game industry, the question arises, you as a gamer like or not like this method of development? believe that these sequels bloated re-releases of the previous games are simple and make off the creativity and passion of video game take? or you're a fan of this "sticking - with the formula" strategy, and believe, on earlier successes is in fact of the key to success?

Article Gamersyndrome.com

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Lara Croft updated for online co-op on PS3

Lara Croft and the guardian of light is now cooperative online on the PlayStation 3 playable; Crystal Dynamics warnings about your Twitter account, that it now has been patched in the downloadable hit game has. Only local co-op game that was previously available.

The Xbox 360 version got together with the first bit of the downloadable content; a month ago the patch,Trapping "all the on", which is named wurde.News on PS3's DLC ", coming soon," the Developer saves in a separate tweet.

The game is out for PC, which is not vergessen.Ein update to its online co op is "very soon."

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Killzone 3 Beta invites sent out to more HORSEPOWER plus members

by Alexander Sliwinski on November 8th 2010, 12: 05 PM Killzone 3's beta is looking more soldiers to test the game. Sure, including repeatedly die, but it's balanced gameplay all for that probably more. PlayStation plus members in North America and Europe should your PSN accounts check how 5,000 were invited more recruits on the battlefield.

If you what is wondering in the beta, check out our Preview launches .Killzone 3 in the United States on February 22, 2011.

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Analyst: Premium COD content announcement next year

Wedbush's Michael Pachter has given up hopes of Activision announce a premium multiplayer content system for his call of duty franchise in 2010. He believes type on the idea takes such subscription services "several more months to achieve."

The analyst previously predicted, the publishing giant additional charges for implemented would be "Tournaments, ladders, virtual items, etc., and offer to an all inclusive monthly fee for those, the eat, while rudimentary multiplayer free prefer keeping."

"Activision has kept quiet, although Wedbush happen yet expected;""We expect Activision multiplayer online sometime in 2011 to announce plans to monetise" Pachter's tells investors, "and to expect better insight into the release schedule in the course of the year."

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Pachter cools talk of CoD subscription service

For quite a while now it has come back and forward a WoW style subscription that, Juggernaught online to Activision speak; Call of duty. People say it happened, someone say is not, then again it as Guy Fawkes Day. Business analyst Michael Pachter and his company "Wedbush Morgan" have Activision Blizzard from their best investors list say away;

"We are Activision select Remove, we believe that the introduction of online subscription services for call of duty takes several months to bear come, we expect to announce plans to monetise Activision multiplayer online sometime in the year 2011, and better understand to be expected release schedule in the course of the year."

Right end of the last month was Pachter insist that came the announcement shortly but nothing tretenen, so for now we have only, sit back and beobachten.Call of duty: black OPS is in stores worldwide today amidst talk surpass even modern warfare 2 is.

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Apple's floating the "" call of duty [video ruins]

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Amazon's gold box is filled with game deals again [Amazon]

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VVVVVV's captain Viridian fell into Super meat boy PC

by JC Fletcher on November 8th 2010 1: 50 pm another indie hero has joined the collective Super Meat Boy: VVVVVV's blocky, gravity ignore Explorer Captain Viridian. Viridian is Mr Minecraft as one of the new characters that join meat boy exclusively for the PC version of Super. You have killed him thousands of times in VVVVVV (and if you don't you should completely demo check who), now be him deadly fail over and over again in a new location!

It sounds like you Viridian in the same way as VVVVVV, gravity, him walking on either the ceiling or on the floor allow change will edit. "He has one of the most game powers still break" team said meat about the new characters on Twitter."He tilts."As a result, he is required to unlock "a ton" bandages.

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Xbox LIVE Australian FOXTEL details announced

A recent post by Jinx, the Australian Xbox LIVE community manager has some information about the now launched FOXTEL program detailed on the Xbox 360. Access on demand TV, movies and entertainment customers will be able to stream FOXTEL directly through your Xbox 360. Below is the full FAQ;

FOXTEL I see in the video market, but it says ", coming soon", and I can not herunterladen.Warum?

We have a high demand for this service Obseerved.The FOXTEL have a smooth user experience for those, we are a gradual implementation of the service for all users across by Australia durchführen.Dies can a few days. Once your console access to FOXTEL text in has the FOXTEL box changed, and will be able to download and launch the application.

Why? not me it now hate you me?

If not already, then sometime this week. The rollout is automatically bestimmt.Wir you hate.We think you are Tatsächlich.In of fact pretty cool, as we so much that we don't want you to give you service that at once is stalemate of hundreds of thousands of people dog press for all. That would be worse than wait and get a smooth experience.

I live in an Austar area. Can I get FOXTEL still on my Xbox 360?

No, I'm sorry.Due to content distribution agreements FOXTEL can only users in FOXTEL serviced areas provided.

How do you know I am not a FOXTEL area?

This is determined by the billing zip code when you account for your FOXTEL on Xbox 360.If in a zip code FOXTEL waiting for life are not for this service into account.

How much does it cost?

The first steps package is $19.50 and contains a number of great channels like FOX8, Nickelodeon, FOX is additional packages for sports, entertainment and movies available SPORTS news, MTV, and a ton processes.it, so a programming series can choose your interests to meet additional packages start from $10.

How much is this use of my Internet?

We have not announced unmetered plans for FOXTEL on Xbox 360, so that you install and go crazy, ensure that your high speed Internet support your intended use can. There are 3 different streaming qualities and each is a different amount of bandwidth verwenden.Hohe streaming approximately 800 mb / h use quality, use medium quality approximately 540 mb / hr, and quality is less about 360 mb / HRIn addition, we recommend an Internet connection speed of 1.5 Mbit / s for a smooth streaming experience.

Australia recently recently some big improvements to plans to sell most broadband check gesehen.Sie may be because of an update in speed and/or bandwidth use CAP without it will cost more!

I will figure this out and posting check back with my thoughts later.

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New free battlefield on the way

Do not you meet mustaches? Cell shading bothers you? Do whistle-based theme songs maddeningly catchy simply your crank? Well, first I would recommend that you are soul find that to missing, and then I seem in direction of DICE's second free-to-play battlefield title would show.

The game, imaginatively titled battlefield: Play4Free, detaches itself from the first free-to-play title, battlefield: Heroes, inasmuch as there will be photo-realistic graphics, modern ambience and a much more "hardcore" feeling.

According to a press release from EA game essentially is a Battlefield 2 remake, combined appliance.the focus will fight its best cards with bad company 2 rifles in line with the rest of the series with a lot of the vehicle and sandbox be gameplay.

While no specific mention is made of micro-payment system of heroes can probably expect, and many other free-to-play games, where you are in the position, real money, to get better items to pay or early releases.

The game expected some time-hit the PC in spring 2011, but if you absolutely can't wait you can register here for the closed beta, which goes live on 30.

Article Gamersyndrome.com

Related posts: Battlefield: bad company 2 to get free DLCSony: currently remain free PSN features to freeBattlefield bad company 2 previewBattlefield 1943 previewAmazon's deal of the day: battlefield: bad company 2Day patch for battlefield: bad company 2 has been releasedBattlefield: bad company 2 to begin during the second world war?Battlefield: bad company 2 Limited Edition4 Player co-op announced for battlefield: bad company 2Battlefield: bad company 2 Arica Harbor screenshots Max is a student and freelance writer in Toronto, unyielding lives by Manny Hustlin life code.

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These brave souls lined up in darkness to buy call of duty [CallOfDuty]

As night furls, retailers around the world have opened its doors at midnight to sell large groups of adult men a video game that wait just another nine hours, couldn't get your hands on. Here is some pictures!

[headline PIC: GameStop in LA, courtesy of Treyarch's John Enricco]

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Windows Mobile 7 starts today in the United States, brings Xbox Live gaming on the go

Andrew Yoon on November 8th 2010 8: 30 am starting today, Americans can pick up the first Xbox Live-enabled portable. Windows Mobile 7 is now out in the United States and is available in a variety of flavors. Can't decide which phone to get? Our friends at Engadget have reviews all the launch devices-international and domestic. Want to know more about the Xbox Live experience? Read our review.

In addition, we updated our Windows Mobile 7 games page, with all the games that started us debut in time for that. Which games should you pick? (Tetris) Should you avoid?(Frogger)We update the page with a more batch of reviews, so keep bookmarked!

Finally Microsoft has finally new Xbox Live-enabled mobile games "every week" in the price of $2.99 for $9.99 publish with games, announced.(Seems not as Microsoft hunt the 99 cent price point, such as the app store is.)In addition, Microsoft is promising future "deals of the week" and seasonal promotions-summer of mobile Arcade, perhaps? we'll definitely keep an eye on Microsoft continue to expand gaming on Windows Mobile 7.

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Kinect launches, world still intact

Microsoft's answer to the Wii lands today.

And if you thick enough live under a rock, you have protected this information let me it a bit for you to sketch. It is a camera, not unlike the eye toy that uses your body as a controller.But this is not an eye toy oh keine.Diese camera is much more demanding and keeps track of what essentially is your skeleton in a 3D space, which it then used as a controller.

Now I am sure many of you already release this as an exercise in casual, but let me tell you you are quite right.

I played again to my local Kinect store Kinect about two weeks and try the games they had for us were Kinect adventures, Kinect, sport Kinectimals Kinect the ride, dance Central.Jetzt I not played enough games, to write a full review, but I'll tell you that when I went back to the store a week ago they were not nearly as fun.In fact, despite what I originally expected, not some even as fun as your Wii counterparts Kinect sport and Kinect the ride is the worst Übeltäter.Der Tiger, I have to play with in Kinectimals, was, however, almost point of torment very nice.

So yes Kinect starts today, and if you have a spare $150 who can pick it when nothing fighting you mind, fight your way through hordes of parents and children to erhalten.Und you have these games to look after you have struggled once please old grandmother named Mavis from control:

Kinect adventures (Microsoft Game Studios) Kinectimals (frontier Studio/Microsoft Game Studios) Kinect joy ride (big park/Microsoft Game Studios) Kinect sports (rare / Microsoft Game Studios) dance Central (MTV Games) their fitness: fitness maturity (Ubisoft) EA Sports active 2 (EA) Deca Sports freedom (Hudson) dance masters (Konami) adrenaline of misfits (Konami) Zumba fitness (Majesco) Sonic free riders (Sega) the biggest loser: Ultimate Workout (THQ) motion sports (Ubisoft) game party: in motion (Warner of Bros.)

Article Gamersyndrome.com

Related posts:Kinect: can it make the breakthroughBieber and KinectRare Kinect problems Ready, get your hands on Kinect?Microsoft confirmed Kinect release line-up"Sony in for a tough time"-Mattrick on KinectKinect spotted on Amazon for $149Kinect on PC "a way" MicrosoftBlack Wii launches in EuropeWas Kinect presentation pre recorded?[Video] Max is a student and freelance writer in Toronto, unyielding lives by Manny Hustlin life code.

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GameStop bets on Kinect on move [retail]

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Hellboy of Director's 'Lovecraftian' horror game debuts on VGA next month [Spike TV]

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Harmonix says rock band 3 legacy track upgrades, prices

by Alexander Sliwinski on November 8th 2010 9: 30 PM this week's Bon Jovi Rock Band DLC is previously published titles now included there was a "RB3 version" confusion about whether these songs which now include keyboard and harmony support would upgrade for free your "legacy" earlier. This will not happen.

Harmonix says you have to buy those who will have to pay $2 for the new RB3 version if you have the keyboard and harmony upgrade would. also, for those who want the versions of the songs of the guitar and bass, the legacy versions of own RB3 version, pay plus a further book for the "Pro" upgrade.

A Harmonix rep told Joystiq that hopes the developer per guitar/bass versions for legacy versions-to have, without having to pay $2 for the RB3 version sowie-- in the future, but this is not for the Bon Jovi tracks available sein.So is the short: If you want to the keyboard and harmony upgrades you need to the Jefferson... pony which is who the two dollar bill ist.Ja, there is something like a two-dollar bill.

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Lame Castle mobile game inspired campaign by Sony's business users

Andrew Yoon on Nov 9th 2010 1: 00 pm Marcus Rivers can be not as well known as Kevin Butler if it is about Sony speaker goes on TV, but it is already get credit as inspiration for a video game. Lame Castle appears in a display that delivers mobile games with Marcus pointing out that cell phones "is not built for great young games."

Apparently, the ad of a Throwdown for Bradley was Johnson, Crystal Dynamics left to work on the downloadable game Lara Croft and the guardian of light."Encouraged as a new independent developer display Johnson to the Domain name buy and are working on a prototype-a process which lasted only a couple of weeks.""It has a very fast development cycle, but it has pretty smooth," Johnson said Gamasutra.

Johnson and his founded new development team, be wheel entertainment, have published lame castle on Android, with an iPhone version in the Werken.Seine hope is finally on downloadable games on all platforms arbeiten.empfehlen we an ironic PSP Minis-port?

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XBL indie games find a new home, rejoice developer

Microsoft has once again moved the position of Xbox Live indie games. That's twice in as many weeks; This time it's for the better though.

The dashboard that earlier in the month went live housed indie dev's redesigned games under the category "Speciality Shop" game market, a placement that the wrath of independent developers quickly zog.Der train was called "sad", "really bad", and a "categorical error."

Microsoft wiped the interests of a few positive yet mentioned section under the category a stealthy switcheroo developer appear more frequently visited "games & demos" moved, certainly with; a growing discussion of Microsoft's developer forums is praise has now a week later - quiet fill.

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Gt5 creator: PS3 "still not enough"

Gran Turismo 5 is not representative of all creator Kazunori Yamauchi with the long-running series will; PlayStation 3 not easy enough ROAR under its hood, he says.

"" Software under restriction of hardware has created "polyphony head explains."With each new PlayStation, the ship become bigger, but still not enough.

"With Gran Turismo 5 we did so clean and beautiful as possible within the limits of the space we exist - but it is much more, of course that we in to place."

Limits can be seen, said if the game occasionally appears below the lower-than targeted smoothness of 60 frames per second; something to work towards overcoming GT6 then which confirmed is already Yamauchi in production.

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Artificial mind and movement realignment; (re) Introduction behaviour interactive

by Christopher Grant on November 8th 2010, 12: 20 PM can know the name of "Artificial mind and movement", but its one of the oldest and largest independent game developers that work today and the oldest operating developer in gaming super hub Montreal. A2M, began as it was called is work on original IP, creating Jersey Devil for the PlayStation in 1998. But then it as behaviour interactive was known and starting behaviour interactive today, once again it back. We talked about changing the name, what it means, for his Studio and your goal a consumer-oriented developers instead of a business-facing work for-hire-Studio with CEO and founder Rémi Racine.

"We try to do more and more of our own IP" Racine said Joystiq."" Our name is more and more present to the game community if you your own stuff so that triggered the change "interactive behavior.""Because of the wet and Bioshock Wanako brand and assault heroes we are moving more and more in our own IP."

"The company is the oldest of the founders of Montreal Community.Wir are and have been here before Ubisoft." - Rémi Racine

This focus on the original IP is primarily known for its licensed games and its portable and/or last gen ports something new in a Studio. ""We were called founded in Jersey Devil, on original IP"Racine told."If you think about our roots, our first game on the console was an original IP address and before, we were an original IP store Wallaby on PC to do Jack but then we are moved to a work for hire on licensed stuff. "At the end of 2005 we felt like we do had to go back to the original IP showing the PS3 and Xbox 360 on the market." Focusing: the T [een], M [atürlich] - market.

But it's not all about retail games like the wet 2 and Bioshock 2 in development; Behavior space is Wanako games, creator of assault heroes in the PSN and XBLA with his Chilean developers actively. "We have some PSN and XBLA original and we will create more small titles," said Racine, adding, "We are going to come up with smaller iPhone applications and iPad games" as well.

So the message that wants to provide behavior; is to rebrand itself as a consumer-oriented creator of original IP A It is however a ribald ground for the name change. The studio's "A2M" is nickname with a particularly obscene pornographic custom shared; Google search for the company (and especially Google image searches for its logo) would return routinely opening results. When asked if this was an incentive for the name change Racine replied simply and Lapidar, "Yes."

Of course, he added that it was only "part of the decision." The availability of studio's original name, interactive behaviour was also a motivating factor. "Internally, there was a lot of buzz for goes back to that name", said Racine, adding that started this process a year ago.A major multimedia entertainment company in 1996 communication Studio on behaviour be sold Racine,.In 1999, with the help of some investors he bought the developer back, but the name and therefore, needed to change artificial mind and movement was born.

And after 18 years in the Montreal game development business, Racine is eager, behavior to take its place among the profiles studios that shop have set up."The company is the founder of the Montreal community."We are the oldest and have been here before Ubisoft, "Racine said.""I have in the business for 18 years gewesen.Gewesen Ubisoft has 12 years, 13 years perhaps? you have grown very large and it has the dynamic geschaffen.Es has developed a lot of great talent in Montreal and great games in Montreal and that is what the world draws the THQs", Racine said referring to the U.S. Publisher new Montreal-based Studio.

"In particular wants us to know Racine, that this change only another part of his studio's transition."We started three or four years, and we go on ", he said.""Changing the name is only part of that shift."With wet 2 and Bioshock 2 under development at the newly rebranded behaviour interactive should not long until you see it, that new logo staring back at you from a store shelf.

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Sony Bluetooth headset for PlayStation 3

The new Sony Bluetooth headset for the PlayStation 3 is a must have for intense online multiplayer games like call of duty: black MAG OPS, or highly expected the Sci-Fi shooter, Killzone 3. The device offers a dual microphone design, automatic coupling via USB cable with the PS3 in game headset status display, an accessible microphone mute button and a charging cradle microphone also acts as a desktop. What's more, is the only device to high quality (HQ) mode to provide delivers crystal clear voice chat during gaming on the PS3. The Sony Bluetooth headset for PlayStation 3 has a built-in noise surrounding cancellation to filter out noise when used with the PS3 system for both your mobile phone. [PlayStation blog]

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Fallout: five million units worldwide demand meet new Vegas ships

It seems just enough of the Mojave Desert gamers can't get around the world.  Bethesda Softworks has announced that you successful start for fallout have had a very: new Vegas.

BETHESDA SOFTWORKS announces successful LAUNCH of FALLOUT: NEW VEGAS five million units to meet the worldwide demand start

November 8th, 2010 (London, UK)-Bethesda Softworks ®, a ZeniMax Media company, today announced that its highly anticipated title, fallout ®: new Vegas, record sales at start, reflect the enormous demand for the game enjoyed has. five million units of fallout: new Vegas were for the Xbox 360 ® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation ® 3 computer entertainment system and games for Windows ®, with a heavy volume of digital downloads, represents worldwide delivered beyond $300 million in retail sales. In addition the fallout: new Vegas strategy guide was one of Amazon's best-seller among all books.

"We are delighted with the reception fallout: new Vegas received from fans all over the world," said Vlatko Andonov, President of Bethesda Softworks."Despite the large start amounts for this title, we have significant re-orders from our trading partner underlines the enormous popularity this very entertaining game erhalten.Wir believe that fallout: new Vegas is the title be"must buy"for gamers during the holiday season."

Reviews the fallout: new Vegas have the game called "an essential purchase" (MSN UK) and "stopped rambunctiously fun" (entertainment weekly) awarded 4 out of 4 stars .the associated press it and said "bottom line: it's a blast", during GameSpy 4.5 out of 5 stars there and called fallout: new Vegas "one of the best games of the year."

Fallout: new Vegas, the follow-up to Fallout 3 - the 2008 game of the year - brings this beloved franchise to a position only fallout could do justice: Vegas.Fallout: new Vegas takes the action, humor and post-apocalyptic dirt and grit of this legendary series and raises the stakes. for more information on fallout: new Vegas visit http://fallout.bethsoft.com.

You can check out the RipTen full HD PC hardcore mode 100 + hours played video review of fallout: new Vegas - If it is done!

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Xbox indie games return to A place you can actually see them [Xbox 360]

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Super guide are in Donkey Kong country returns

by JC Fletcher on November 8th 2010 7: 00 PM introduced last year, new Super Mario Bros Wii "Super Guide"-If you died eight times in a level, the possibility would get you, have to play Luigi by it for you (and you could control at any time)- and gaming was forever ruined. (Not really).

Nintendo has since Super Guide in Super Mario Galaxy 2 containing and today the company officially announced that the feature in retro Studios' Donkey Kong country are will return.She should die eight times (apparently the magic number just before the most controllers are smashed!) in each level, you will initiate a Playthrough of the white "Super Kong." once it does, you can either see, the rest of the layer, played or curriculum vitae, to play once Super Kong each problem area passes. of course,-you won't get, keep picked up letters or other collectibles from Super Kong "KONG" he has the bananas with something for his masterful efforts, right be rewarded?

Our own first-hand experience with the game, together with a subsequent Preview, suggests that we no longer Super Guide could avoid, when it comes to Donkey Kong country fully expect gibt.Wir Super Kong be saved at least once.

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Call of duty: Black ops other secret game mode

by Alexander Sliwinski on November 8th 2010 3: 20 PM historical zombie hit squad in call of duty: black OPS is the game not only undead unlockable. Driving past levels of frustration can create to the break to see a mode which shows "total carnage" and "smash TV".
Update: Activision seems to try, before the dead OPS jump up videos to erhalten.versuchen you this link or look "dead OPS Gallery" on YouTube.

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Pre order call of duty: Black OPS on Direct2Drive, get 20% off all CoD title

Why go to a midnight launch full of real people, presenting real risks if you could order only pre-call of duty: black OPS on the Internet and have it come directly to you? Even better would be if you pre-order the Direct2Drive service, a discount of 20% on all other call of duty title.

The disadvantage of purchase it online is that the game will not until 7 am PST be available but the convienence and the discount only, is it worth can. If this sounds like something you are interested in give this a little click.

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Sony serves up more move stats with spin

by James Ransom-Wiley on November 8th 2010 10: 30 Microsoft's large motion gaming Wars holiday 2010 with a half billion dollar war chest waging-- we talk about Jimmy, Ellen and Oprah money right there. Sony on the other hand, took a more subtle approach: enter the good ol' ' fashioned "Stats"-sheet.
Click for the overall picture.(No, really, click it!)
Source: OTX's game plan

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Gran Turismo 5 retail discs spotted in Europe

by Ben Gilbert on November 8th 2010 3: 40 pm over the weekend, a handful of tipsters sent Gran Turismo fansite GT planet photos of what seemed retail versions of Gran Turismo 5. The photographic evidence began to pile up, and it seems, some gamer slash gear in Europe already play of the game are - this is of course, after the game to an Unknown release date was delayed. In addition the game showed the Entire trophy list adding fuel to the fire.

At the very least this Gt5 Director Kazunori Yamauchi confirmed's statement on discs for the game that is already in production, although it not nearer to the set to know when exactly the game will finally arrive in retail. Is Gt5 follow the path of the Sega Saturn and easily accessible "right now", if the Publisher considers it so?It seems entirely possible by this Bericht.Aber then, we all know how well that went for Sega consoles.

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Harmonix design process behind dance-Central Kinect UI details

by Mike Schramm on November 8th 2010 11: 30 am create a functional user interface by Kinect is no easy task- how make waving your arms to mean something, after all? Harmonix was confronted with this problem in the development of dance Central and assessment of reviews, the developer figured it out just fine.

So, whats the secret?The team had players actually gesture teach, use Visual and even aural feedback in the game when players it right told the got.Entwickler Ryan Challinor Montreal International Games Summit, far beyond both the speed and the position varies this week that steals in testing, player and was the final solution, make the players react to the game, rather than programming the game to respond to the players.

However, a few different solutions were prototyped, including the use of a cursor, drawn, and "Scores" of the game songs or options choose around the screen planted team tried, either "push above.the players in 3D space," on virtual buttons or "grab" and drag a scroll wheel to interact.In the end, Challinor said simply, they pass through the key to solving the Kinect mystery was ideas: the team implemented idea after idea and then one that worked best polished.

Of course not every development team was responsible for the first batch Kinect games this Ansatz.mindestens a Studio apparently went with his first idea, and it didn't as possible such as raw,.

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"Comprehensive" new Vegas patch soon

Fallout: new Vegas' savegame woes will soon no longer; found the cause of the problem and treated patch in a "comprehensive" are - along with many other subjects - Bethesda's blog alerts out "in the coming weeks" due.

The update has been said, bring more than 200 fixes and is currently in final testing and certification for all PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

PC users can some fixes to arrive earlier though erwarten.Ein released update that will fix 'save corruption issues, problems with companions, and reported with Havok' "by early next week."Owner of NVIDIA hardware can improve performance as well as expected.

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This fighter is nothing but girl on girl action [video]

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PlayStation lounge, opening tomorrow in Manhattan

Griffin McElroy on November 8th 2010 5: 40 pm we know that you probably your brain shut-down after reading the words "PlayStation lounge," provided that it was only a newly opened home space-Fortunately, this is not the case. Sony announced is that tomorrow afternoon, there on the ground floor of the headquarters in New York in the above lounge turn where buyers can play demos of upcoming PS3 and PSP games or currently available products such as PlayStation move to test.

Tomorrow the day open festivities participants shmoozing with a get-sized sackboy, participation in Raffles for PlayStation move bundles and martinis expensive drink while enjoying a live performance by Robert Goulet see be. actually, we made the last thing but what a "lounge" would be it, if this option was set not?

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Fallout: New Vegas Mininuke Minigun mod defines overkill [video]

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Valkyria Chronicles 3 first anime [anime]

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Call of duty: Black Ops Review: the great battle

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by Mike Schramm on Nov 9th 2010 3:01AM

Maybe it's our competitive streak. Maybe it's the fact that we're constantly battling, over leaderboards and in deathmatches, that pushes us to compare one console against another, one franchise title against its peers, or even, as the industry has grown and matured, one developer's artistic creation against another's. Even when developers work in huge teams for years to craft a great experience, we're children of numbers and "less or greater than," of rankings and high scores and levels. Someone's got to win, and someone's got to lose.

Maybe it's only natural, then, that much of the discussion around Call of Duty of late falls into the question of whether Infinity Ward is a better studio than Treyarch, or whether megapublisher Activision can continue to have a successful series of games without Jason West and Vince Zampella. Our little community keeps asking, like some political zealot overcome with decision on the eve of an election: Are you with IW or Activision? Did you like WaW or CoD4? Will you like Black Ops more than MW2?

Our competitive nature is working against us here. The truth is that, in the latest two iterations of Call of Duty, we've gotten two great games. With Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward brought us a cinematic, action-filled FPS combat title with a strong and lasting multiplayer element. And with Call of Duty: Black Ops, Treyarch has done the same thing.

Campaign

If you need to see the differences, they're there. Black Ops is obviously set in the past, mostly in the late 1960s, and though the game feels a lot like modern warfare as you're guiding missiles to tanks and calling in helicopter strikes with a digital overlay, the game admirably never betrays its period premise, even including some actual history and personalities in the cutscenes. The game itself is darker than Modern Warfare 2 as well, both in terms of the actual brightness (though the darkness allows for some really fun tricks with the light effects), and in the story's tone.

Where Modern Warfare 2 used common American settings to show off flashy battlefields, Black Ops is more concerned with the back alleys and byways of combat. But even with the smooth touches of crossed-out text to start each mission and some good point-of-view twists (along with a few sly winks at the slow-motion pistol finales of the previous games), Black Ops has all the subtlety of a gun butt to the head. Modern Warfare 2's "No Russian" played with modern moral fire, but Treyarch's game just lets you play with a fire-spitting shotgun.

The campaign's pacing is as uneven as it is thuggish -- gameplay segments sometimes end before it seems they're meant to, and there's one particular segment that will make you wonder if the developers ever playtested it themselves (made even worse by your fellow soldiers' overtuned propensity to call out enemy placement -- yes guys, I know they're "in the trenchline"). Regardless, by the end of the game, Black Ops has built up a solid narrative head of steam, perhaps thanks to the aid of David S. Goyer.

The action supporting the story isn't particularly innovative (there are still "enemy wells" and some messy AI), but it's varied enough to hold attention for the duration. Treyarch does play a lot with the game's "classified" premise, allowing you to use some wackier-than-life weapons, from a three-man molotov slingshot to an explosive bolt crossbow. And I was actually surprised by how well the "first-person swimming" segments went -- one of the game's best levels has you following a colleague, "All Ghillied Up"-style, through the swampy waters of a Viet Cong camp, emerging like a painted Martin Sheen to silently kill sleepy guards.

Multiplayer

While Black Ops' campaign hits and misses, its multiplayer is just great. Headquarters, Domination, and all of the other Modern Warfare modes are implemented well and just as addictive and rewarding as ever. One small issue: The Hardcore playlist is a little thin, allowing for only Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, and Free for All. Treyarch has said that they can patch in playlists in real time, but it will be disappointing for Hardcore fans to load up the game and see the new versions of their favorites missing.

The switch to a "CoD points" currency was a wise move as well, allowing you to choose your unlocks more freely, rather than just waiting to reach a certain rank. Ranks are still in, and you still feel them strongly -- I had to wait until level 14 to unlock my FAMAS, and even things like customizing your Playercard don't unlock until level 10, no matter how much money you earn (reticule customization doesn't start until level 25, though it is a welcome cosmetic reward when you get there). But money does allow you to go for accessories and perks that you'd rather have earlier, so you can buy the Second Chance perk or an ACOG sight right away if that's how you choose to play. Consequently, the challenges are slightly less meaningful, but the new Contracts fill in that gap by allowing you to put up some of your money for a bigger reward if you can pull off a certain goal.

Money also allows for the clever new Wager Matches that have everyone anteing up some CoD points and divying them up among the top three players. Sticks and Stones was probably our favorite in the group of people I played with -- it gives you a crossbow (with a sticky explosive bolt) and a tomahawk that bankrupts anyone you hit it with. One in the Chamber was another favorite, giving everyone one bullet in a gun, leaving you to use your knife if you miss that first shot.

Unfortunately, Black Ops doesn't seem as technically sound as some other titles in the series -- the framerate would occasionally drop, and lag was sometimes a problem. Treyarch has implemented a "Combat Training" mode with bots to encourage players uncomfortable with the online game to jump into multiplayer, but the they're a little jerky, and it doesn't help that the modes are completely separate -- you can customize and level everything in Combat Training only to step out to a completely default multiplayer mode, and vice versa.

Treyarch has also added a Theater system with an intuitive and impressive editor, and the ability to share screenshots, clips, or full games with the rest of the world. The fileshare only holds six shots, movies, or custom games on default, but browsing the system and watching movies or loading up custom games was quick and easy, and should get us a lot more videos like that knife throw from MW2.

Zombies (and more)

Treyarch's big hit with its last CoD was the Zombies mode, and it's back in full form in Black Ops. Unfortunately, as you'd expect from a dramatic action game about real historical warfare, it feels a little spliced in -- it's actually included in the main menu of the game rather than as a variant of the multiplayer mode (probably because you can run it solo, if you want, and it serves as the only co-op mode as well). Just like the last game, you're tasked with defending an area against the shambling undead, all while earning cash you can use to buy more weapons and ammo, or open up unlocked areas.

The offerings were surprisingly limited -- I only saw three maps available (and only unlocked one of them -- after ten or twelve tries, my fellow players and I never made it past the mode's sixth round). But then again, Treyarch hints there's more to the mode than we've discovered yet. There's an extra zombie mode unlocked when you beat the campaign, and it's just as hilarious as the leaks have promised. There are a lot of other easter eggs hidden for players to find in the main menu as well, including a full "Dead Ops Arcade" dual stick zombie shooter minigame to play, and a full implementation of a classic text adventure.

They're all great additions, but they feel unfinished and unpolished, as if Treyarch had a little too much money to spend on development and not a solid focus on where to spend it. The Zombie mode's UI is either messy or nonexistent, and while it's nice to have the mode on the disk, it barely feels as if it deserves the place on that main menu.

It's preferable to have Activision charge for this content as DLC later, but a little more polish could have made it something great rather than just something to fill the kitchen sink.

Conclusion

Black Ops is a terrific action game with a solid story and a deep, rewarding multiplayer mode. Sure, when placed up against the other games in the series, players may feel forced to pick favorites -- they may be disappointed that their favorite playlist is gone, deathstreaks are out, or that the Nuke killstreak has been removed (though the Attack Dogs killstreak in its place is really darn funny, and has the benefit of not completely ending the match early). They may challenge each other to figure out which they liked best, or compare sales figures like a high scores on an old arcade machine. But in the end, who cares? We may all be competitive, but when games of the caliber of Call of Duty: Black Ops continue to be released, nobody has to lose. This review is based on early 360 code of Call of Duty: Black Ops provided by Activision. The game was played at a review event, but no accommodations or travel were provided to Joystiq. The reviewer played the campaign to completion, the multiplayer for 12 hours and additional modes for four hours.

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Activision's Kotick on brutal legend drama: ' this is not really what happened '

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by Christopher Grant on Nov 8th 2010 7:30PM

This is the first part of Joystiq's in-depth discussion with Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, in which we cover Activision's Bungie partnership, the Infinity Ward situation, Treyarch's time in the spotlight with Call of Duty: Black Ops, and why Kotick's been cast in the role of video game industry villain. Up first: The real story behind Activision's Brutal Legend lawsuit:
In 2009, for the first time in years, E3 felt like a celebration again. The annual video game trade show had reemerged after a period of austerity, newly invigorated. For Brutal Legend, it was an especially momentous debutante's ball -- the game had suffered from delays and publisher battles, but it had finally found a suitor in EA Partners and a booth alongside Electronic Arts' other games. Then on June 4, the last day of the show, developer Double Fine got sued.

The difficult thing about lawsuits is this: None of the parties can say much. The inevitable result of that vacuum is confusion and misunderstanding. On the surface, it looked like Activision -- amidst the chaos of a merger with Vivendi and its Sierra and Blizzard games business -- simply chose to pass on Brutal Legend, leaving creator Tim Schafer and the team at Double Fine without a path to market. That's where EA Partners comes in, like a knight in shining armor. Then, perhaps in an effort to keep its biggest competitor from releasing a highly-anticipated game, Activision -- a company whose corporate persona had been portrayed as increasingly villainous in much of the gaming press -- sued the developer. During E3. The celebration.

But there was that vacuum: Double Fine couldn't say much; Activision couldn't say much; and that left Electronic Arts -- the white knight, if we're following the characterization of the press at the time -- to speak up. And the publisher did, issuing the following zinger which set the tone for the conflict:

"We doubt that Activision would try to sue. That would be like a husband abandoning his family, and then suing after his wife meets a better looking guy."

And why not? Without any other commentary, the press, readers and fans all wanted an answer. Nature abhors a vacuum and, just like that, Activision wrote its own role, as the devious, conniving villain.

"That's not really what happened," Activision CEO (and aforementioned curly-mustached villain) Bobby Kotick told me in September over a glass of water at the posh Beverly Hills Hotel. Speaking about Double Fine creator Tim Schafer, who famously called Kotick "a prick" [Ed.'s note: Joystiq never ran that story or any of the myriad permutations it evolved into], Kotick said, "I don't know him. I never met him. I had no involvement in Vivendi's decision to go into business with him. I had very limited knowledge of what we were even doing with him. The guy went off and signed a deal with Electronic Arts for millions of dollars and owed Vivendi money."

Huh. Why hadn't we heard this before? Why let the gaming press and, by extension, the readers and fans create this narrative about Activision, the evil empire, if it was as simple as owed money? But first, let's start at the beginning.

When you have projects that repeatedly miss their milestones [...] the likelihood that that project is going to be turned around and be successful is very low.- Bobby Kotick on Brutal Legend

"Vivendi had advanced him like 15 or 20 million dollars," Kotick explained. "He missed all the milestones, missed all the deadlines, as Tim has a reputation of doing." As the massive merger between Activision and Vivendi wore on, Kotick said he had very little on-the-ground knowledge of Brutal Legend.

"I don't know if it was a decision not to publish it. I don't even really know where we were in the negotiation and discussions about what was going to happen to the product. Unbeknownst to everybody, they didn't have the rights to sell. So all we'd said is, 'Look: If you go and do a deal with somebody else, pay back the money that was advanced to you.' That was all we were looking for. We ultimately got a fraction of the money that had been advanced to him, and as far as I know, that was the end of it. But I don't even know if there was a lawsuit from my recollection."

The fact that Kotick himself wasn't the one making the Brutal Legend decision was a surprise. Certainly the CEO of this major company had to have had some sort of say in the process? "I was not the person that was making the assessments of this," Kotick told me. "I probably wouldn't have been most qualified to do so."

I could honestly tell you, sitting here, I never saw Brutal Legend ...- Bobby Kotick

For Kotick, and the team he entrusted to determine which Vivendi properties would come along to Activision, it was a simple business calculation: Will Brutal Legend be a good game? "I think there was a determination made that it would not be a successful game. That at the end of the day we have an obligation to our shareholders to make a profit and make great games. And I think there was the judgment of the people who were involved in making that decision that, first and foremost, it wasn't going to be a great game."

The criteria used to determine whether or not Brutal Legend would be successful may appear especially dispassionate, but it's hard to argue with the logic, however "corporate" it may be. "When you have projects that repeatedly miss their milestones, where they change direction multiple times, where lots and lots of the folks who are involved in the game leave, their resource changes, the likelihood that that project is going to be turned around and be successful is very low. So I think that maybe nobody was able to clearly articulate that this is not a judgment about Tim Schafer. There's no personal animosity between Bobby Kotick and ... I don't know the guy. Never met him. I could honestly tell you, sitting here, I never saw Brutal Legend and so the judgment of the people who I trust and respect about the quality of the game, and whether or not audiences would be excited and enthusiastic about this game, was 'No.' And that's why it was not a commercial success."

With a lawsuit, a merger and an increasingly sympathetic competitor, it's easy to lose sight of the ending to this story: Brutal Legend was released and, commercially, failed to deliver for EA Partners; selling less than a quarter million units across two platforms in its debut month. Critically it was something of a mixed bag: While some critics adored Schafer's ode to metal, others, like Joystiq's own Randy Nelson, who wrote that Brutal Legend "doesn't live up to its billing," were left wanting. For Kotick, he felt that his team's initial prediction was born out fully.

I think Mr. Kotick understands now -- years after this particular wound had already scabbed over; years after the press, Schafer and fans had picked at the corners, trying to divine the meaning behind it all -- that it's not enough to think you're right if you never tell your side of the story. "I don't really take a lot of time to do what we're doing today," he told me. Stay tuned tomorrow for much more from Mr. Kotick.

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