Via Video Gamer

Developer admits to "slight differences" but is "working really hard right now to put them on par graphics wise".

The PS3 version of hotly anticipated FPS Rainbow Six Vegas 2 will not be a port of the Xbox 360 version, its developer has said.

Speaking to VideoGamer.com in an interview you can see elsewhere on the site, Vegas 2 designer Philippe Therien, from Ubisoft Montreal, said that the team is "working really hard right now to put them on par graphics wise" but admitted that there will be "slight differences" between the two versions, including lighting.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the follow-up to December 2006's Vegas, features an extended story, a new main character, new multiplayer maps, a sprint option and a CoD4-esque levelling-up system. The PS3 version of the first Vegas game didn't run as well as the Xbox 360 version, suffering from frame rate problems.

Speaking on potential differences between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game, Therien said: "It's very important for us that the 360 and the PS3 version are the same. We're working really hard right now to put them on par graphics wise. As far as the gameplay goes it's going to be the entire same product."

However, when pressed on whether there will be any noticeable differences in graphics, he admitted to "slight differences", saying: "The two consoles don't handle everything in the same way. Lighting doesn't come out the same on both consoles. But other than those very slight variations they should be the same graphically."

Therien added: "They're (the PS3 and Xbox 360) very different. PS3 and Xbox 360, it's not the same at all. When we were working it's not like there's a 360 version and it's being ported on PS3, that doesn't really work. So what we did is we split the team in three, we got people working on Xbox, people playing PlayStation and people working on PC. These three teams are working together but in parallel to make sure everything gets to the same point. That's not to say that one console is better than the other, they're just different. We just want people to choose the platform of their choice to play Vegas the way we want them to."

Therien also confirmed that the development team had help from the Assassin's Creed team with Rainbow Six Vegas 2's graphics. He said: "The guys who worked on Assassin's helped us out with presentation." Knowledgeable gamers will know, of course, that both Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Assassin's Creed were developed by Ubisoft Montreal.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is due for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on March 21 ...

Via PSX Extreme

Some flight fans were confused to learn that the latest installment in the revered Ace Combat franchise wouldn't be coming to a Sony platform. Every single prior entry had, but Ace Combat 6 is only exclusive to the Xbox 360. Why, we're not entirely sure, but Namco may be rectifying the situation shortly.

According to something N4G noticed in PSM3 magazine's latest feature, "2008: Year of the PS3," it seems very possible that AC6 will be making it's way to the PlayStation 3 at some point in the near future. Here's what the article said-

"Japan's favourite dogfighting series returns with a new made-up war, a brace of superweapons, online co-op and a custom controller for the superfans."

Well, if 2008 is indeed the "year of the PS3," it would certainly help if Ace Combat 6 got added to the system's growing library of must-have titles. There's no official word on this, of course, but it does seem very likely that Namco would be interested in giving the PS3 a series made popular on its predecessors. We'll keep an eye on this and see what happens. ...

Via Eurogamer

Capcom has temporarily pulled down the American PS3 demo for Lost Planet and shut down the multiplayer servers.

It has to address some "issues that have come to light", according to the US PlayStation blog, and a sparkly new version will available as soon as possible.

The error being reported is "not being able to connect to any multiplayer lobby", which tends to make playing with your friends online a little tricky.

Meanwhile, we are still waiting for Capcom Europe to announce its plans for our Lost Planet demo.

Pop over to our Lost Planet PS3 gamepage for more information.

---- So if you are from the US or have a US PSN account, and you thought you was the only one not able to get on. You Ain't the only one. ---- ...

Via Play.tm

While Far Cry 2 is a wholly appropriate PlayStation 3 release, Ubisoft Montreal are finding development for Sony's platform something of a complex task.


Guay was speaking to PSM3 magazine.

The task of developing for the PS3 was initially daunting apparently, and compromises have been hinted, however the programmers are apparently "not scared" by the platform, with work on the new title progressing apace.


The Blu-ray drive not to mention the PS3's built-in hard disk also offer the developers various opportunities while Ubisoft Montreal do admit the PS3 release is unlikely to match top-end PCs.

More shortly. ...

Via Geek.com

The Scottish government has decided to use the advertising potential in videogames. It has allocated US$19,778 for videogame advertising to send out a message to youngsters about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The advertisements will be seen by Scottish gamers in popular games on the Xbox 360 console. The specific games are
Need for Speed: Carbon, Project Gotham Racing 4, and the soccer game Pro Evolution Soccer 2008.

Speaking of the advertising initiative, Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister, said:

With statistics showing that road deaths, particularly among young people, are continuing to rise, it is clear we must look at new ways of getting road safety messages across. This is exactly the kind of initiative we should be trying … It is innovative, it is new, and it is far removed from the more traditional methods we have been using. I believe that is what we need if we are to reverse the number of Scots families suffering the tragedy of a loved one being lost.

If this initial campaign turns out to be successful, then road safety advertising may be expanded in videogames.

I think using videogames to get important messages across to teenagers through advertising is a good idea. In the U.K., the driving age is 17, and the drinking age is 18, so teenagers are gaining access to two desirable activities very close together.

I’m not sure the choice of games is the best, however. In racing games, you are usually traveling at fairly high speeds, and therefore advertisements will be passing you at a rate that may make them unreadable. Hopefully, clever positioning at the starts of races and during loading or story progression sections should alleviate this problem. ...

Via Video Gamer

US and UK office denies shock re-entry into the console market is in the works.

SEGA has denied the Dreamcast 2 is in the works, saying "We like our current strategy and have no plans to change in the middle of this outstanding growth."

We brought you the news yesterday that SEGA Corporation had filed a new application to protect the trademark Dreamcast - sparking rumours that the Japanese publisher was planning on making a shock return to the console manufacturing market with the Dreamcast 2.

www.Trademork.com, which discovered the filing, suggested that the proof was in the detail of the application - which talks about a floor mat and flash memory cards - accessories the original Dreamcast supposedly didn't have.

However, Sega of America PR Director Charlie Scibetta told US website www.GameDaily.com that SEGA "has no plans to get back into the console business," adding, "We're very happy being a platform agnostic company and have moved up the ranks the past three years from #11, to #9, and now stand at #6 in terms of our market share by units among third-party publishers. We like our current strategy and have no plans to change in the middle of this outstanding growth."

And when contacted by VideoGamer.com this morning, SEGA UK reiterated the position, issuing a flat "denial" that a follow up to the much-loved SEGA console was in the works.

Sad news for sure, but did we really believe it was going to happen? Really? ...

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Infinity Ward
Genre: First Person
Players: 1

Well, unlike the other Call of Duty games this one is not set in a world war its set in the more modern times (note the name). This mean you have a selection or more modern guns while still having the classics.

The game is split up into 4 modes -

• Requite - Stupidly Easy. This mode is really just the the first time FPS players.
• Regular - For the average FPS player
• Hardened - A level to give good FPS players a good challenge!
• Veteran - No words describe how damn hard this is. You need to be a FPS god and you will still be throwing your PS3 out the window from frustration.

Right at the start of the game it goes through the story line that you have to get a man (not saying too much). Then it puts you into a training level. Which shows you pretty much what to do. This is before even choosing a difficulty mode. This is good for the first time FPS players but its a drag for the real FPS players.

Graphics - What can I say? Call of Duty 4 has state of the art graphics. The character models are beautiful. The guns are perfect. The framerate is stupidly smooth doesn't seem to drop at the most hectic times. Even things like the reloading make you go WOW! Explosions are done perfectly, you can see the bullets soar through the sky. It really is a fantastic experience. I am finding it hard to find something bad to say about the graphics. If i am really picky the dead ragdoll models sometimes gets limbs going through walls etc. but thats all to be expected.

Sound - It really sounds like you are in the game. I know it sounds stupid but it really does. After playing this for a while you really find yourself getting into it little too much because of the mix of great sound and great graphics. The sound could not be more perfect. You can even hear which way the bullets are coming from, and where the voices are coming from. All the guns have there own unique sound, so if you play this game a little too much (me!) you can tell what gun it is. I really don't see how the sound could be much better than this. Nothing bad to say about the sound.

Gameplay - The main story line is great, all varying from different types of play, stealth, sniper and running around like a idiot shooting everything that moves. Basically in the game you have to find people. Thats all i am saying. For my liking the Main story is a little too short. A longer story would be great, but when you have completed the game you still have the online play to fall back on (I will talk about this later). The story is good, everything works well, the AI is great. The only problem is the length.

Online - This game is amazing online. I would even say it is one of the bests games online. Even up against the Online Only Game Warhawk. For a game which was designed not just for online thats very good going.

The scoring works on XP points which go towards Ranks and Ranks go towards more Weapons and Perks. XP points can be achieved by playing games kills etc. and can also be given from Challenges. Challenges do what they say on the tin, you have challenges that you have to do while playing online (150 kills with AK-47 etc.) and when you do them you will be awarded with XP points, and if it was a gun challenge a Add-on to your gun (Scope etc.).

The ranking system unlocks new guns and perks. Perks are sort of advantages that you unlock. (Things like bigger bullet damage, or more health, or drop a grenade when you die). The higher your rank, the better perks you get. Guns work in a similar way the higher your level the better guns you get.

Ranks only go upto level 55, then 'prestige mode' is unlocked. Then you get the option to go back to level 1 loose all your guns and perks but have a different rank logo by your name. This is just for bragging rights really.

Create a Class is where you can make your own class of weapons to use in a game. So when you unlock a new weapon, you can replace it with the old weapon in your custom class. Here you can choose your perks for the classes too.

The game joining system is the one thing that lets this down. You hit find game, then hit the game you want to play and it takes ages and eventually puts you in a game. A system similar to Warhawk would of been much more effective.

Lifespan - This game has the ability to last for ever due to the amazing online play. The main story will last a while, and when you have completed it you will get the urge to complete it again on a harder difficulty. Longer main story is a big thing in my eyes though.

Replay Value 4.5/5
Sound 5/5
Graphics 5/5
Gameplay 5/5
Score:


This is my first ever review, please excuse the bad English and please tell me if ...

Via Tech Digest


Many have prophesised the return of the mighty AIBO - but few have dared to imagine the full potential which Sony maketh. Y'know, the usual exploding batteries, huge expense, slight George Foreman grill appearance...their usual deal, in other words!

The lovely Kotakuite, Brian Ashcraft, just published an interview with Masaya Matsuura, who's not only a game designer, but also a huge Sonypal. According to Matsuura, consumers may be seeing a slightly AIBO-esque robot in the near future - "the engineers behind the Aibo are doing the PS3. We are talking about making something like the new Aibo." Obviously a huge driving force behind Sony's market portfolio is the PS3, so it was only natural for Ashcraft to ask Matsuura about connectivity between the two devices, to which he replied "I don't know. Connection is not hard. I'm sure some engineer could do that."

I must say, the possibility of an AIBO-esque robotic pet connected to the PS3 could just about convince me to splash the cash on a PS3. Just. ...

Via Pro-G


PC and Xbox 360 versions scheduled for US release in October with PS3 version slipping back to December.

Sierra Entertainment has announced that TimeShift, its time-based first-person shooter from Saber Interactive, will hit North American retail on October 30 for PC and Xbox 360. However, PS3 gamers will be forced to wait until December - no reason has been given.

We're still waiting to hear from Sierra Entertainment's UK division regarding the game's European release date, but early November would seem a likely candidate. ...