Go to Berlin today, and you'll find a relatively pleasant city with a large population. Take a trip there this November, however, and you'll find a war-torn city filled with ruins and bomb sites. Because Treyarch's latest masterpiece is set to catapult us back into the midst of the Second World War.

Call of Duty: World at War follows two different campaigns, and there looks to be enough difference between the two to make it worthwhile. One follows the struggle between the US Marine Corps and the Japanese Imperial Army in the Pacific, and the other playing out the story of the Soviet Red Army's push on the Eastern Front towards the end of the war.

Based on an enhanced version of the CoD4 engine, the latest in the Call of Duty series allows players to experience the final climatic days of the Second World War. You play as either an American or Russian soldier, attempting to prevent the advance of Axis forces on multiple different fronts, which should give the game a real sense of intensity.

So far, three levels have been revealed, and they look to be shaping up nicely. One level, entitled Makin Raid, pictures an Allied prisoner of war being tortured and then murdered by the Japanese - while the player's character witnesses the whole grisly proceedings. Two other levels include machine-gunning on a PBY Catalina and attack against German troops under cover of a bombing raid.

Treyarch don't seem to be lacking in the multiplayer department either, with co-op play and online multiplayer packed into the same disk as the single-player campaign.

The latest gaming tour of WW2 features 2 player split-screen and up to 4 player online co-op modes, so you needn't play the game through feeling lonely. Players can complete unique challenges with their teammates, as well as playing the game through normally. The co-op also utilises the CoD4 perks system, so it should give an immersive experience.

Online is where it's all happening, though. World at War takes the CoD4 multiplayer engine and adds vehicles, which should make for some very exciting ranked matches. Of course, the classes, perks and player rankings are still there, so changeover from CoD4 should be easy for even the most die-hard Modern Warfare gamer.

The latest in this massively successful franchise looks like it's going to be one of the highlights of the gaming year. The revert back to WW2 may be sneered at by some, but I reckon that it could redefine the Second World War genre. I'll have to wait and see. November isn't long away.

Linford

Labels: Activision, Call of Duty, Hype Train, Preview, Treyarch, World at War

The latest in the PSP Go! range, Go!View Beta, is offering a one-month free trial.

The service, powered by Sky Digital, gives PSP users access to TV shows on-demand for a subscription of £5 per month - but with one moth free to test drive.

Content includes shows such as Desperate Housewives, Weeds, Hustle, I'm Alan Partridge, Little Britain and Catherine Tate. Sports highlights are also included for the more active viewers.

The service also provides pay-per-view content in the form of movies and TV series'. Movies for rental include Charlie Wilson's War, Bad Boys II and In The Valley of Elah. TV series' available include The Mighty Boosh, Doctor Who Series 1 and Top Gear Series 9.

Other programmes include Life on Mars, Coupling, the League of Gentlemen, Planet Earth and more.

I haven't tested out the service myself yet, but with a month free, why not give it a go yourself and post a comment on what you think?

You can sign up to the free trial at www.goview.tv, as well as checking out the subscription plans if you like what you see.

Linford

Labels: Cheap, Handheld

Remember when you were young and the only games out there were little black and white things with a moving snake? Well, now you can play two much loved classics on your £400 console, using one of the PS3's more low-key features.

BD-J, or Blu-Ray Disk Java for those who didn't know, is a handy bit of tech which allows your PS3 to play bonus content back from a form of remote storage (whether that be a Blu-Ray Disk or a USB Drive).

A mysterious programmer, known only as Dragula96, has created some fantastic renditions of the old favourites Snake and Pong to be played back on your PS3.

The Snake game works very much the same way as the original - collect the food without hitting the walls, and everything's hunky dory.

Pong is also true to the original, but written for two players as well as just one, so you can play with a friend, should the next-gen graphics of MGS4 become too much for you.

They're simple to install, too - download the .rar file, unzip it using a client such as WinRAR, copy the AVCHD folder to a USB drive, Memory Stick, SD Card or whatever you like, and then browse to where the folder is under 'Video' on the XMB menu.

You can find the download links below.

Linford

Windows users: Right click > Save Target As...

PS3 Snake (RAR archive, 362kb)

PS3 Pong (RAR archive, 80kb)

GGTL takes no responsibility for the content of external sites.

Labels: BD-J, Geeky but cool, Misc., Pong, PS3, Retro, Snake, XMB

According to the Nintendo rumour mill, the popular Wii console is set to launch in two new, exciting colours this November.

Prototypes of the console in a variety of colours have already been shown, but the latest info leak reckons that we'll get the black and white Wii shells from day one, with more coming after the initial release.

Two possible release dates for the new shells are circulating on the net, with some fan sites citing 2nd November as the release date, whilst others are saying the 12th is the day to skive on.

Estimates at the price have been consistent, with the general consensus at around £150, or $229 for our readers across the pond.

If all this Ninty excitement isn't enough to have you wetting yourself, games site Spong thinks that there might be a handheld GameCube in the works as well. It seems that IBM has been hard at work creating a scaled down Wii processor to fit into the handheld.

We'll have to wait and see what Nintendo have in store for us.

Linford

Labels: GameCube, Handheld, New colours, Rumor, Wii

According to some sources, a handheld version of the much-loved Microsoft console might not be that far off.

Pictures appearing on gadget website T3 quickly caught the attention of many gamers, sprouting rumours about the possibility of a handheld in development.

The handheld, vaguely similar to the Microsoft Zune, has all the standard 360 buttons and also features the 360 'Guide' button familiar to current 360 owners.

The images also reveal a new menu system with video, image and music features, plus radio, community and - of course - games.

Of course, the images could be the product of some handy Photoshop user, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for this new piece of tech. You can click on the thumbnails below to view more images.

More as I get it.

Linford

Labels: 360, Handheld, Microsoft, Rumor, Zune

By now it has become obvious that the Wii is leading the next gen console war with roughly 25 million sold world wide, and the main reason for this is the attraction of it’s games to a more casual audience. The 360 and PS3 are often seen as the ‘hardcore gamers’ consoles. Exclusives such as Wii Sports and Wii Fit have made Nintendo’s latest console one that the family can use together. Microsoft have realised this and tried to combat it with the introduction of the Xbox Experience. Experience will be a new dashboard to replace the five screened one 360 owners are used to – but if you prefer the old one you can keep it, as Experience is optional.

The new areas will be: Spotlight, Games, My Xbox, Primetime, Community, and Videos with each area having its own screens. Spotlight is where to go for the most popular and eagerly anticipated stuff on Xbox Live and will often be updated to give you all the latest must haves.

MyXbox seems to be an improvement on the original dashboard, you’ll be able to check your achievements, add pictures and edit your profile. You will also be able to view your Medals; this new feature gives you a little medal when you get an achievement, although this seems pretty similar to what they’ve got already.

Primetime is where Microsoft is hoping to attract casual gamers. Here you play game shows with others over Live. You can participate or just watch these shows and Microsoft plan to eventually introduce live hosts and prizes. Currently Microsoft has only shown one feature for Primetime, a large scale quiz with up to 100 players.

Community is the Xbox’s version of the PS3’s Home and the Wii’s Mii. Create your own avatar that everyone else will see you as. You can also quickly see what your friends are doing and join a Live Party with them; you can chat with your group even if you aren’t all playing the same game or if one of you is watching a film. Microsoft also plan on releasing game where you use your avatar in the game.

You can now also install your games on to your 360, Microsoft claim this increases loading time and makes the ear numbingly loud 360 a bit quieter as the disk no longer needs to be spinning to play the game, although the correct disk still needs to be in the disk drive for pirating reasons or something.

Despite some flaws Experience looks set to be a popular new feature but may be shunned by more hardcore gamers because of its similarity to the Wii.

Experience is due for release this autumn.

Lewis

Labels: 360, Xbox, XboxExperience

In an announcement by game-dev Konami, a public apology was made to players of Metal Gear Online after the release of the new Gene expansion pack caused huge technical issues for gamers.

Levels of traffic to the website after the release of the pack caused unprecedented login problems, and Konami were forced to close the MGO Shop. The developer also had to refund some players after overcharging issues occurred.

"We have been taking numerous corrective measures since the problems initially started, but unfortunately there are no permanent solutions we can announce at this present moment," a representative for Konami stated.

"We would like to take this opportunity to express our most sincere apologies for the problems that have affected all our customers that have been with us since the Premier Beta back in April.

"We are currently doing all in our powers to bring a permanent solution to the ongoing problems in the quickest possible time," Konami added.

After the success of the game's release - selling over 1 million units across Europe in the first week - this is a disappointing and irritating issue to occur.

Linford

Labels: Apology, Konami, Metal Gear Solid 4, MGO, Writer's note

After the huge amount of Bond games being thrown at us around the millennium, there hasn't been much going on in the double-0 department recently. However, that's about to change big-time, with Treyarch developing the latest game to star the famous spy - Quantum of Solace.

Quantum of Solace follows the storylines of both Casino Royale and the title movie, and release of the game is set to coincide with the release of the upcoming movie. The developers had access to the scripters and actors from the film to try and make this latest Bond experience as genuine and well-done as it can be – and so far they seem to be making a decent job of it.

The game is based on an adapted version of the Call of Duty 4 engine, and that much is obvious just by looking at it – same sort of weapons, same targeting system, same basic controls. But that isn’t to say it’s a bad thing – if anything the basis on such a brilliantly developed engine will just add to the whole experience.

The graphics look very good indeed, although they’re still lacking a certain something to give them that real ‘wow’ factor – they’re still up there with some of the best though. The locations look fantastic - all soft lighting and grand décor – and really give the exotic feel that anything Bond-related should have.

The gameplay does look excellent. The weapons look like fun to fire, and nice little touches like firing at unknowing enemies around corners will make it that much more satisfying. The hand-to-hand combat looks brilliant too – Bond can sneak up on an unsuspecting guard and promptly throw them off a building, break their neck or smack ‘em round the face, and all with wince-inducing sound effects.

The best feature by far has to be the dual-cameras. The majority of the game plays out in classic first-person view, but at key points of the game the camera will switch to third-person to really make you think ‘oh yeah, I’m Bond’. This third-person camera will be used when Bond is taking cover – you can clearly see Daniel Craig’s rugged appearance as he shelters from oncoming bullets. Fantastic.

Activision have also confirmed that there will be a multiplayer mode of some sort for up to 12 players – but to be honest, I’d be content with just the single player. Quantum of Solace looks like it’s going to leave you shaken, not stirred.

Linford

Labels: 007, Activision, Bond, Call of Duty, Hype Train, Preview, PS3, Quantum of Solace, Treyarch

Just flicking through Play.com and I found out that if you buy Soul Calibur IV for the PS3 you get a free set of Gioteck Real Triggers for your PS3 controller. These nice little things clip onto your triggers and makes them more like the Xbox 360 triggers (See picture below)

Grimmy

Last night the infamous red ring of death struck. As such it means that my posts are going to be affected, they will now concentrate on rumours and writer's notes rather than reviews until further notice.

I'll keep you posted on when I can again use my Xbox 360.

Lewis

Labels: 360, RRoD

With a Prince of Persia: Sands of Time the Movie on the horizon and the first PoP game to be released on a next-gen console due for release towards the end of this year, Ubisoft are really getting as much as they can out of the title. In the new Prince of Persia you no longer play the Prince of Persia (kinda defeats the object of calling it Prince of Persia but you know, whatever) from the recent trilogy but an adventurer who has been designed with the influence of other adventurers such as Sinbad, Han Solo and Aragorn.

Ubisoft have built heavily on the acrobatic skills of the protagonist and the “prince” is now able to jump huge distances and bend the rules of gravity. The other addition to the title is the introduction of the support character Elika whom Ubisoft seem to be very pleased with. Support AI are nothing new but, as Ben Mattes (producer) said at E3 this year “It’s been done, and I don’t mean to take anything away from the games that have support characters because some of them are among my favourite games of all time, but really it’s never been done well.” Ubisoft believe Elika will be the first well working support character that won’t get themselves killed or go wondering off during a fight. She will help with puzzle solving, special moves and acrobatics. The designers have also developed an “Elika button”, press it and she will intelligently figure out what you need a hand with. Again this is nothing new but will give Ubisoft many ways to prove Elika will actually help rather than interpret your plea for help as an order to run off a cliff or something.

It seems the support will end up being either yet another disappointment or work superbly but as Ubisoft seem to be using Elika as the main selling point for PoP, with any luck they’ll have put enough effort into it to make it work.

Lewis

Labels: Hype Train, Prince of Persia

Epic Games, the creators of the Gears of War games have recruited the British author Karen Traviss to write 3 Gears of War books. The first which has been named The Battle of Aspho Field is said to be set before the events of the first game.

These books are being written because the storyline was left slightly empty and players will now have a chance to find out more about Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad.

The author Karen Traviss has also written a few of the Star Wars spin off books.

Gears of War 2 will be released on the 7th of November.

Grimmy

Labels: 360, Book, Gears of War, Xbox

It has been announced this morning that the Wrath of the Lich King Beta is now open, if you have applied for the beta key you will be receiving an email with information on how you can access the beta version of the game.

Unfortunately not everyone will be able to get a key as only a random selection of players have been chosen for the beta.

Check your email if you have applied.

Grimmy

Labels: WoW

I'll be in Canada for three weeks starting tommorow. However: Linford, Grimmy and Lewis will still post as normal.

Matt

Labels: Matthew, Matthew Meadows

Forget your PS3 Trophies and your Xbox Gamer Score; Blizzard announced today that in the new World of Warcraft expansion: Wrath of the Lich King, there will be an Achievement system implemented.

Labels: WoW

Metal Gear Solid 4
-MGO to receive expansion packs names The Gene ($11.99) and Gene Plus ($14.99), available 17th July. Will include new characters and modes.
-MGO world tournament to take place in October at TGS
-First live tournament going on at Comic Con next week - EU, Asian and US players to battle it out against each other.

Rock Revolution
-Official game sponsor of Linkin Park tour
-Official booth to be at the tour
-Can play Blitzkrieg Bop on the game

Silent Hill: Homecoming
-"Synonymous with horror and suspense"
-Exclusive footage shown
-Creepy little boy called Josh
-Walkthrough demo shown
-First person mode allows you to see items up close
-Grain filter to make normal world and hell feel very different
-Hell world looks like an old-fashioned movie thanks to the filter
-Bosses able to be defeated in different ways
-Huge upside down hanging monster. Supported by meat sacks

Elebits (DS)
-Apparently "really good"

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
-Trailer shown
-Underwater levels
-Shipwreck levels
-Living dinosaur skeletons
-Possibly even Frankenstein's monster
-Due for release in the autumn

Castlevania: Judgement
-3D Action Versus game for Wii
-"Not a fighting game," according to Igarashi
-Lots of combo moves
-Powerup attacks features
-Little girl character
-Gameplay demonstrated
-Wiimote and Nunchuck utilised
-Different attacks depending on if you're moving or standing still
-Can destroy objects
-Collectable hearts and items
-Movement more free than normal fighter
-Can use objects as weapons
-Levels have NPC's like zombies that can attack people

Overall: Nothing terribly exciting form Konami's E3 conference this year. Highlight was probably Castlevania: Judgement or Silent HIll: Homecoming. Lack of Pro Evo 9 left us feeling a bit short-changed.

Linford

Labels: E3, Konami, Metal Gear Solid 4, Revealed

Borderlands
-Co-op mode shown
-One player drives, the other is on the turret
-Has an EXP system
-Has lots of collectables from dead enemies
-Can dismember enemies
-Loads of different weapons; millions if I remember correctly (no joke), some have elemental damage
-Lots of stuff to do, quests, loot hoarding etc
-Weapons have a lot of oomph
-Coming to PS3, PC, 360 in 2009

Overall: Take Two didn’t really show a lot here. Most of the stuff that was shown was already known about. However, Borderlands looks really exciting.

Matt

[Thanks for the live-blogging Kotaku]

Labels: Borderlands, E3, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Take Two

If hype for Insomniac’s upcoming shooter wasn’t high enough already, Sony’s ultra-revealing E3 conference certainly added fuel to the Resistance fire. With a brand-spanking new trailer, new information and an upcoming PSP spin-off title revealed, Sony’s press department have been hard at work to ensure that the latest Resistance games are well advertised before release.

Sony’s couldn’t have started their E3 staging much better than this. Actual in-game footage of Resistance: Fall of Man 2 was displayed to the amazement of watching crowds at the L.A. Shrine Theater – and amazement is the right word. Even at this stage, it looks absolutely fantastic and a definite step up from the original.

The sequel is set in America during the year 1953. Set in an alternate universe where WW2 never happened, the Chimera have broken US borders and are converting villages full of people to Chimeran forces, thus spreading the virus.

You play as Lieutenant Nathan Hale of the US Army, who has been infected with the Chimeran virus and is fighting it – as well as the Chimera themselves. The storyline continues from the plot of the original.

At the moment, the graphics and gameplay look absolutely amazing. Revealed at E3 was a huge monstrous leviathan, taller than most of the buildings. That’s what the original was missing, and what’s going to make this sequel absolutely brilliant. The game looks to play exactly like the original, but with added extras like being able to walk along building constructions. The weapons are similar to the original, but added to and tweaked slightly, so it still feels original.

The graphics look spectacular. Seriously, the explosions and fire effects are really impressive, and the monsters look exactly how they should – huge, frightening and hideous. The buildings look really realistic and the glass effects – as with the original – are amazing. Gun models also look more detailed than in Resistance: Fall of Man.

The multiplayer looks great too – 8 player online co-op and 60p online battles make this multiplayer very attractive. There is also news of squad-based skirmishes online, which should give a much-needed tactical aspect to the game.

I am really looking forward to Resistance 2 – hopefully it will be one of the best games this year graphically, online and gameplay-wise. I only hope Insomniac can deliver on what they have promised.

Linford

Labels: E3, Hype Train, Preview, R:Fom, Resistance 2

Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
-Portable
-Green, red, yellow and blue guitar buttons on bottom of DS unit

Singularity (360, PS3)
-Trailer shown
-Huge monster/robot things
-Very colourful
-Good graphics

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Fusion
-Needs a shorter name, or at least an abbreviation
-Fusion: mixture of character's powers for better ones
-Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Wolverine, and Spiderman all shown
-Can combine different characters powers

X-Men Origins: Revenge of the Fallen
-No trailer for Wolverine yet

Call of Duty: World at War (360, PS3, Wii, PC)
-Rifle smacks, flamethrowers, stabbings, men on fire, point-blank executions
-Looks intense
-Tanks give vehicle-based gameplay.
-Implementing a perks system similar to CoD4
-4p online co-op
-New competitive mode for rankings and stats
-Keifer Sutherland (Jack Bauer from 24) will voice a main character
-Co-op trailer shown.
-Basically looks like CoD4 in a new setting - in a good way

Spiderman: Web of Shadows
-Good graphics
-City at night looks really good
-Good smoke and sky effects
-Dark black oil or tentacle monster slithering about
-Will find NYC infested by 'alien symbiotes'
-There will be quarantine zones and evac points
-Up to Spidey to choose who to team up with
-Completely rebuilt combat system
-Red Spidey suit for agility, black/symbiote suit for strength
-Robust upgrade system
-Actions effect how the game pans out
-Air combat featured
-Long drops off buildings

James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace
-Footage from film itself begins presentation
-Source material (ie. movie footage) looks amazing
-Senior VP of Global Strategies at Danjaq calls Daniel Craig a 'blonde bombshell'. Not too bad you might think, till you find out the VP is a bloke
-Activison given full access to the movie - ie. scripters, Craig, etc.
-Game tells story of both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace
-World exclusive: Daniel Craig is a gamer! It isn't uncool any more! :)
-Third person
-Bond can sneak along ledges, hide and dash up to soldiers
-Game cam able to switch to first-person
-Can knock guards out to remain stealthy
-Split screen allows you to see other details
-Explosions and guns. In a Bond game. Well, we weren't expecting that...
-Classic 007 gun scope closes in as you take damage
-In game cutscenes
-New, attractive HUD - Bond shot, side view of weapon and obviously ammo and grenade indicators.
-Crouch system looks strong; HUD Bond shot changes to a crouch when you go prone
-Action on train, in an elevator shaft, and in the indoor pool all shown in trailer.
-More explosions
-Due for release this November

Wolfenstein (360, PS3)
-Nazi themed. Dunno about you, but I like the idea of kicking the hell out of some Nazis
-Nazis trying to open portal to different dimension called 'shrell'.
-BJ doesn't have to fight by himself. He can enlist underground resistance to help him.
-Multiplayer included
-Kickass heroes, killing Nazis, mysterious occult and killer multiplayer? Yes, I'll reserve one, please.
-Really fast, 5-second montage shown. Can't see much
-More footage coming at Quakecon

Guitar Hero: World Tour (360, PS3, Wii)
-85 master songs available on disk-Doors, Eagles, Van Halen all included
-Metallica DLC for PS3, 360 and Wii
-Previous instruments will be compatible
-New guitar features: star power button, dual start buttons for lefties and righties, slider bar. It is also velocity sensitive.
-Drums included. Sorta defeats the point of Guitar Hero
-Kick pedal pot allows for Y-splitter and double bass pedals
-MIDI in port for any electronic drum kit or machine to play with GH.
-Mic breifly shown
-Song creation mode called 'Music Studio'
-Keyboard with close to 80 diffent synthesizer sounds
-4 on 4 battle of the bands online multiplayer
-Character customization

Overall: A good presentation, but a shame that Activison pulled out from the E3 main event. The new Bond game looks fantastic, and Guitar Hero looks to be shaping up nicely.

Linford

Labels: Activision, E3

Labels: E3, fl0wer, Hype Train, Matthew, Matthew Meadows

   

Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii)
-Features 'arse control'
-Really cute
-Yak-riding tricks
-Lots of screaming Rabbids
-Good, family fun
-Rayman Raving Rabbids TV party. Erm...
-November release

Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway (360, PS3, PC)
-All about horrors of war
-Enemies can be thrown out of windows
-Good explosion effects
-Very emotionally intense trailer

Tom Clancy's Endwar (360, PS3, PSP, DS, PC)
-Voice controlled RTS
-Try Endwar and you 'really understand what it's like to talk to your TV'
-Quick, commercial style overview of gameplay
-On 360 and PS3 by the end of the year

Farcry 2 (360, PS3, PC)
-First person shooter 2.0
-Massive attack takes place over African landscape
-All pre-rendered stuff
-Fantastic smoke, fire and water effects
-Lots of dust, smoke and explosions
-Beautiful environments
-Lighting is pretty solid
-Safehouses, alarm clocks and night-cover
-Silencers, dart rifles and sneaking make it stealthy
-50 square kilometre map to find objective, also has a compass
-Snipers are featured
-Launches simultaneously on 360, PS3 and PC this autumn.

Petz (DS, Wii)
-New titles
-Cross breed and create custom Petz families
-Dogz, Catz, Horsez and Monkeyz (all with deliberate z's)
-Dogz coming to Wii with Dogz Sportz
-Plush pet dolls with keycodes to unlock game features to be sold

Imagine (DS, Wii)
-Imagine Rock Star, Movie Star, Fashion Designer New York
-Coming to Wii in the form of Imagine Party Babies

Ener-G (DS, Wii)
-Targeted at girl's sports
-Cheerleading, gymnastics, football, basketball and synchronized swimming
-Ener-G Dance Squad, Ener-G Adventure Riders and Ener-G Gym Rockets all coming

Shawn White Snowboarding (360, PS3, Wii)
-Customization options - jackets, boards and dozens of other tweaks to make your character stand out
-Warm ups while game loads
-Multiplayer downhill racing
-Possible open-mountain gameplay and snowball throwing
-High quality, authentic feeling
-Nice sound effects, sharp lighting, solid snow textures
-Design your own challenge, set up race rules
-Seamless, authentic, open world, defining

Prince of Persia (360, PS3, PC)
-Built on Assassin's Creed engine
-New prince, new graphical style
-New combat system
-Only known as Prince of Persia
-Strong trailer, good music selection
-Looks spectacular
-Sticks to soul of original
-Female sidekick called Elke. She never gets in the way or dies
-Elke helps Prince out in sticky spots
-Multiple paths open to you
-Panned out cameras and Zelda-style 'Z-targeting'
-Prince capable of massive, 100ft leaps
-Wall runs, jumps and climbing look very quick, flow well and are simple
-More acrobatic looking and dynamic than previous Prince of Persia games
-Swordfights. Obviously.
-Game transports you almost instantly back to the previous platform when you die, so no tedious continue screens.
-Coming out on 360, PS3 and PC 'this holiday season'

I Am Alive (360, PS3, PC)
-Follows character called Adam
-Men in tattered clothes argue over water
-Cloud of dust emerges from underground

Overall: Ubisoft really have pulled out all the stops to make their E3 conference a good one. Highlights have to be Prince of Persia and I Am Alive. Far Cry 2 looks good too.

Linford

Labels: Capcom, E3

PlayStation 3

New 80GB Model
-Retail of $399.99, same configuration as the current 40gb model.

Resistance: Fall of Man 2
-Fantastic graphics, good framerate.
-Good, clear music and sound effects
-Similar weaponry sounds and dialogue as original.
-Updated HUD
-Huge, impressive monsters. Demonstrated enemy almost impossible to damage. Also has huge robots, bigger than the original versions.
-Set in America in 1953.
-Chimera converting villages of people.
-8p online co-op, 60p online multiplayer.
-Ability to walk along constructions and enter alien ships.
-Good fire and explosion effects
-Set to 'redefine online gaming experience'
-Autumn release

God of War III
-Announced for PS3
-Trailer shown
-Looks nice but was all CGI and no gameplay

LittleBigPlanet
-PS3 exclusive
-Allows players to design and imagine
-Challenge friends online
-New, revolutionary experience
-User generated content to be main focal point
-Cleverly utilized to tie in with conference
-Can put a lot into the game
-Unlimited potential
-Looks fun and simple
-October release

DC Universe Online
-Comic book like graphics
-Superman, Batman, Wonder woman and other famous characters
-Massively Multiplayer Online

MAG
-Stands for Massive Action Game
-256 player online battles
-Military strategy/shooter
-New ranking system

Greatest Hits
-Like platinum for PS2 and PSone. $29.99 retail. will include R:FoM, MotorStorm, Warhawk, CoD3, Fight Night, NFS: Carbon, Rainbow Six Vegas, Assassin's Creed, Oblivion, Ninja Gaiden Sigma

Life With PlayStation
-Provides PS3 owners with news, weather and live video feeds. Launches before end of July.

PlayStation Network

Ratchet and Clank Future: Quest for Booty
-Smaller scale game
-Pirate themed
-Answers questions left from Tools of Destruction
-Huge snakes which breathe fireballs
-Usual R&C humour, fighting, slapstick, etc.
-Focus on platforming and exploration
-Fantastic graphics
-Retail $14.99 (£7.50)

Gran Turismo TV
-Worldwide content provided. Includes BBC Top gear, D1 Grand Prix, '08 Nurburgring 24h, GT-R Legend and Super GT.
-Some content only on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue

Upcoming Releases on PSN
-R&C: Quest for Booty
-Crash Commando
-Fat Princess
-New Pixeljunk pack
-PAIN Amusement Park
-Flower
-Siren: blood Curse
-Ragdolls of Kung-Fu: Fists of Plastic

Video Downloads
-TV shows and movies to buy or rent - TV shows $1.99 per episode, movies $2.99-$5.99 rental, $9.99-$12.99 to buy.
-Full Store and wallet integration. New store interface with separate sections for movie and TV downloads
-From day 1, many content providers will be operational. Includes Sony Pictures, FOX, MGM, Lionsgate, Warner, Disney, Paramount and Turner Entertainment
-All new movie and TV content will be accessible tomorrow for EU users.

PSP

New Pack
-Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters bundle, retail $199. Includes R&C: Size Matters, Silver PSP, National Treasure 2 UMD, PSN Echochrome voucher and 1GB memory stick.

Resistance: Retribution
-Resistance for PSP :)
-Nice graphics
-Over the shoulder view
-Very similar to R:FoM, although different HUD.
-Good animation and framerate

Upcoming Releases
-Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
-EA Sports Madden NFL 2008
-LocoRoco2
-NBA 09: The Inside
-Super Stardust Portable
-LEGO Batman
-Patapon2
-Buzz
-Valkyria Chronicles

Overall: Looks like Sony's going to be very busy over the coming year or so. An impressive E3 conference with many a surprise. I'm looking forward to testing out these new releases when they become available.

Linford

Labels: E3, Sony

Tomorrow there will be an extended maintenance starting at 03:00 CEST lasting till 11:00 CEST to implement patch 2.4.3. This patch brings in a great change for low level players, the mounts that were available at level 40 and cost 90g for the skill. This has been reduced to level 30 and will now cost 35g to learn the skill.

Also the will be a new money sink for high level characters before Wrath of the Lich King hits. The NPC named "Haris Pilton" will now sell an epic 22 slot bag. Its called "Giagantique" Bag and costs a massive 1200g.

The only other major change is the new WoW Trading Card Game loot cards will now be able to be used in game.

For the whole list of patch notes click here!

Grimmy

PS3 E3 news coming in the next couple of hours. Stay tuned.

Matt

Labels: E3, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Sony

Shaun White Snowboarding (Wii)
-Shaun White loves his game
-Balance board works pretty well
-Graphics look nice

Animal Crossing: City Folk (Wii)
-Comes 2008-No required goals
-24 hours clocks and seasons
-There are cities, with an auction centre, a shop, a beauty salon and academy
-Wii Speak: new microphone that has PS Eye like microphone

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Wii)
-Cartoony style
-Head to head lightsaber duels
-Comes holiday 2008

Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party (Wii)
-Balance board support
-Mini-games
-Autumn 2008

Call of Duty: World at War (Wii)
-Wii Zapper used
-Offline Co-op mode
-Still in FPS view

Guitar Hero: On Tour (DS)
-New “Decades” version
-Song sharing between gamers
-Use songs from other versions of the game on Nintendo platforms

Spore: Creatures (DS)
-Creative sharing promised
-Easy to use creature creation
-Streamlined version of PC game

Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (DS)
-Comes November 10th 2008

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (DS)
-Set in Liberty City
-Free roaming
-New characters
-New engine
-Comes Winter 2008

Wii Sports Resort (Wii)
-“Wii motion plus” sold with it (more accurate representation of your motion)
-New dog-frisbee game
-Jet-skiing racing game that uses a rev motion from the new mote
-New Kendo (sword) game that allows players to duel
-Spring 2009

Wii Music (Wii)
-Uses wiimote on virtual drum/saxophone
-Make a band using different instruments all played via wiimote/balance board, co-op jam mode
-Easy to use, make your own rhythm
-50 different instruments
-In-game lessons
-Orchestra mode
-Record videos of the performance, make music videos

Overall: Nintendo has pulled a great E3 out of nothing. Wii Music seems to be the highlight, but there is plenty more to be excited about, such as a debut for GTA on the DS and a new Wii Sports game. However, it looks like Nintendo might not have pleased their hardcore audience, with few games of key franchises being announced.

Matt

Labels: E3, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Nintendo

Labels: E3, EA, Matthew, Matthew Meadows

Final Fantasy 13 and Final Fantasy versus 13

Labels: E3, FF13, FFv13, Matthew, Matthew Meadows

Labels: E3, Keynore, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Microsoft

E3 2008 launches today, and GGTL will be on hand to bring you the latest from the main conferences. Stay tuned for the latest from the expo.

Linford

According to an intercepted email from Microsoft to top retailers Gamestop and Blockbuster, a new Xbox360 model could be on the horizon.

The email states that Microsoft is launching this new, larger model later this month, and also claims that the company plans to phase out the existing 20GB unit.The rumoured 60GB version may be Microsoft's answer to the many complaints about the 20GB model being too small and the 120GB version too big.

The email also says that a stand-alone 60GB hard drive for the console will replace the 20GB add-on HDD. The new hard drive is said to retail at around £50 ($99.99 for our US readers). The email also claims that the 120GB standalone hard drive will drop from $180 to $150. Below is a portion of the e-mail, published by Xbox Family.

"With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values.

"In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or first week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the 'Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack.' This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin."

Microsoft have currently not confirmed or denied the rumours - one representative for the company said that they had "nothing to announce at this time".

Microsoft's PR director of global platforms, Heather Snavely, came up with a slightly more imaginative response, stating:"We can't comment on rumours. What I can tell you is that our plans for E3 haven't changed. We've got a lot of exciting news that, unfortunately, you and everyone else will have to wait to hear next week. The truth is, rumours will always be a part of our industry - it's just one more sign of how eager gamers are to learn how we'll innovate next."

The rumour will be proven true or false at E3 this week.

Linford.

An exclusive preview for tech-site Pocket-Lint has revealed the latest features for this year's FIFA title, FIFA 09, currently being developed for PC, Wii, 360 and PS3.

In an attempt to entice gamers into choosing it over Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, the company have updated their aged footie series with a lick of paint, a few gimmicks
and one bucket-load of exciting new features.

The PC version of the game has recieved a major 'going over'. New PC-specific features have been added which make use of updated technology and larger amounts of available RAM space; for example, a new collision system has been developed that will determine how players will react in the event of a collision based on their size and strength.


Another cool feature is the inclusion of a new widget mode that will enable users to create a personalised homepage similar to Google's iGoogle service. Widgets will include stat counters for teams and real world news and stats.

The PC controls have also been upgraded for the latest title, with the mouse being used thoroughly throughout. New point-and-click technology will enable players to execute pin-point attacks, pass to teammates or make space, and send runs. These mouse controls will be added to by the standard WASD keyboard controls.


On Nintendo's console, things seem to be shaping up nicely. The Wii version, according to EA, will be 'easy for casual gamers' - the game will feature a begginers mode as well as an advanced mode, to allow players of all skill-levels to play. The Wii version will also include an 8 versus 8 match option and the ability to import your 'Mii' avatar to feature alongside Ronaldiniho and Wayne Rooney (Editors note - Why, oh why).

The focus for the 360 and PS3 versions is said to be on realism, rather than adding new game modes. EA claims there will be 250 key improvements which range from customisation to improving player physics and reactions on screen.


Gamers will have the ability to customise team tactics using 11 tactical perameters that you can share. EA warn, however, that this is really for the hardcore FIFA gamer rather than casual gamers having a quick game after an evening down the pub.

On the multiplayer side of the next-gen versions, there will be an increase from 5v5 to 10v10 player online gameplay. This will allow you to play every outfield player. EA say that you won't be able to control the goalkeeper though, but they hope that they can add this feature in a future FIFA game.

FIFA '09 is expected to hit high-street shelves sometime this September.

Linford

Games can be identified as “great games” by how long after release people continue to talk about and play them and Gears of War was played and spoken of for a long, long time before people got over it. Gears of War 2 seems likely to follow in its predecessor’s foot steps.

When Gears 2 arrives in November it promises to bring more blood, more guts and plenty of chainsawing goodness. The game starts soon after the first finished. The focus for the second game seems to be Dom Santiago’s search for his wife, Maria whom Dom was separated from during the terror that was Emergence Day.

Two new characters have been announced for Delta Squad; Tai Kaliso, a veteran warrior for COG and Dizzy, a conscripted soldier who typically wears a cowboy hat (as you do) and smokes a cigar.

So what else can we expect to be in GoW 2 or what has been improved from the first title? Well, even if they leave the multiplayer as it was in GoW1 things will be looking up for online gamers, by now its common knowledge that the multiplayer was only developed once Epic Games was happy with the campaign in Gears 1, yet it still gave hours upon hours of enjoyment for Gears fans.

Another welcomed feature will be the new ways of finishing off your enemies. You can now use crippled opponents as meat shields which seem to be effective until there’s more lead in the poor guy than blood. The abilities of the Lancer gun have also been changed, if you come upon an enemy who also uses the chainsaw-gun, its not who revs up the chainsaw first who will win, instead a chainsaw duel will ensue. My personal favourite new kill is the sneak attack, Gears of War style. If you manage to sneak up on an enemy with your Lancer you can saw them in two from the lower back, up the spine to the head so it seems more than likely that there gonna be a lot of humiliating kills over Xbox live in the months following its release.

Overall Gears of War 2 looks as if it’s going to be as good as the improved graphics, use of the Unreal Engine 3 and extra blood and guts should make it a strong contender for game of the year.

Lewis

It's been a little quiet on the Home front recently, but PSN director Eric Lempel has recently confirmed that the autumn release will be a fully-fledged service, rather than a work-in-progress.

During the last week's mishaps concerning the 2.40 update - which Sony's software engineers have ironed out with a smaller update - Lempel has claimed that Sony's social gaming experience, Home, is on track and will be non-beta when released later this year.

This contradics PSN's Susan Panico, who stated in a previous interview that Home's release would be managed along the same lines as Google's GMail service, where an open beta service is provided and refined over time. However, speaking to games site Next-Gen, Lempel said that this 'slow-release' may not be the case.

“The Home open beta is still on schedule for release later this fall," Lempel stated. "If you think about Gmail and Susan’s reference, Gmail when it launched in beta was afully functional email service. I personally was using it and it offered everything you’d expect, but was in beta just to say that there’s more to come and maybe it’s not fully polished.

“The reason we’ve been delaying Home is so that we can deliver a high quality service that the users will enjoy. Even though it will be in beta, it will be a fair representation of what the service can be and its potential, so it won’t be a 0.5 release, it will be a fully robust service.”

Lempel also spoke of Sony's planned movie-on-demand service, saying: “I don’t have any more specifics right now, but it will go live in the US this summer and I think it will offer consumers everything they’re looking for from us. It will offer everything they expect from us and probably a little bit more.”

This latest news seems promising, but after previous delays I won't hold my breath. More information on Home it comes.

Linford

Labels: Playstation Home, Writer's note