Visual Impact are putting the DSi’s camera to pretty good use in their new game, System Flaw, that relies on the environment for its mechanics. Publisher Enjoy Gaming are calling it an "augmented reality game." Here’s their description:

The mission is to hunt down alien invaders – the Flaw – who are only visible through the DSi, and the radar tracker screen gets the player gyrating and spinning from room to room or running outside in pursuit! Developed by Visual Impact, System Flaw features 100 levels of enemies which seem to appear right out of the real-time environment of the gamer. The game has also generated great interest before its launch being awarded the "Best Innovation" nomination by Agence Française pour le Jeu Vidéo.

System Flaw is out this week in the U.S. and in February 2010 in Europe. It sounds like an interesting concept, and it’s nice to see more developers starting to explore the DSi.

http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/08...-and-shooting/ ...

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is probably the least anticipated Zelda game in recent memory. Upon its reveal, Twilight Princess on Gamecube was treated to wild applause and later went on to be just as popular as a Wii game. Phantom Hourglass was new and exciting at the time of its DS debut, and fans of the Wind Waker style had reason to be hyped for it. It also represented the first major change for Zelda in a while, so naturally, it was kept under constant surveillance and talked about regularly.

Spirit Tracks on the other hand, is something of an oddball in how it’s being perceived. While, like its immediate predecessor, it was revealed at the Game Developer’s Conference, there was some confusion as to just what the game was after its reveal. The mention of Link riding a train made it sound like some sort of a spin-off rather than a proper sequel to Phantom Hourglass. Ever since then, barely anyone has spoken of it and even Nintendo have refrained from releasing much information on the game. You’ve got to wonder how many people actually perceive it as the next real Zelda based on their first impression of it earlier in the year.

Luckily, Nintendo have been more forthcoming with info on the game of late. At the recent Nintendo investor Q&A, Miyamoto neatly sidestepped a question about Zelda Wii and pointed, instead, to Spirit Tracks:


"I was hoping you’d ask about the most recent Zelda for DS. On December 23rd in Japan we are going to release The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, a sequel of Phantom Hourglass. It’s really fun and challenging. On the other hand it might be a bit difficult for many new Japanese Zelda players who experienced their first adventure on Phantom Hourglass. I believe Spirit Tracks have achieved a unique style and I think you can anticipate the core value of Zelda!"

More --> http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/08...spirit-tracks/ ...

Newly released today:



features
First ever Jak and Daxter adventure on the PSP
Classic Jak and Daxter action platforming adventure
Customizable weapons, vehicles, and all new dark powers
Never before seen characters and locations of the Jak and Daxter universe

description
The dynamic duo Jak and Daxter are back in an all-new adventure on PSP™ that picks up the action where the previous trilogy left off. Whether battling Sky Pirates in a customizable aircraft or blasting Aeropeans with the punishing Gunstaff weapon, Jack and Daxter’s journey will take them beyond the edge of the Brink – and into a war bigger than they ever could have imagined.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3g0c.html ...

Newly released today:



features
Classic Jak and Daxter action platforming adventure
Customizable weapons, vehicles, and all new dark powers
Never before seen characters and locations of the Jak and Daxter universe

description
The dynamic duo Jak and Daxter are back in an all-new adventure that picks up the action where the previous trilogy left off. Whether battling Sky Pirates in a customizable aircraft or blasting Aeropeans with the punishing Gunstaff weapon, Jak and Daxter’s journey will take them beyond the edge of the Brink – and into a war bigger than they ever could have imagined.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3fzz.html ...

Newly released today:



features
You can stock your store with items from 16 different in-game designer labels, each with its own distinct style and price point. Style Savvy includes more than 10,000 items and a range of customers with a variety of styles and personalities
Every day customers who walk through the door of your shop tell you their shopping budget and the kind of clothing they want. If you make them look good, they’ll be back – or they might even stick around and spend more
Once you build up some cash, then it’s time for you to go shopping to stock your store. You can expand your inventory or start getting ready for seasonal changes, which are timed to the calendar of the Nintendo DS™ system
You can make a local wireless connection with up to three of your friends to host a fashion runway contest to see who has the best eye for fashion
If two players have Style Savvy game cards, they can connect their Nintendo DS systems locally to visit each other’s stores. Players who have broadband wireless Internet access can connect to Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection and walk around other players’ stores and browse their best wares. Players can find their favorite coordinates, download them and wear them
You can customize the look of your character with different head shapes, eyes and lips. Or you can modify your look by changing your hair color, getting a new hair style or adding makeup

description
Style Savvy™ combines creativity and fashion with a collection of trendy clothes, chic accessories and stylish shoes. As the owner of a clothing boutique, you must purchase inventory, monitor the store’s funds and try to please a constant stream of customers who look to you for the best fashions.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-3g2m.html ...

Long-awaited video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 begins its assault on the gaming industry when it is released on 10 November.
Online retailer Amazon said pre-orders of the controversial title were already higher than any previous video game.
The first-person shooter is predicted to sell millions of copies in the first few hours after launch.
Many stores, including more than 10,000 in the US and 320 in the UK, will open at midnight for eager fans.
Some have already managed to get their hands on the game after shops broke the sales embargo.
However, Robert Kotick, CEO of the game's publisher Activision, said the first-person-shooter could be "one of the largest entertainment launches of any media of all time".

Labour MP Keith Vaz: "It contains such scenes of brutality that even the manufacturers have put in warnings within the game"

Analysts believe the game could sell as many as 5 million units on its first day.
It is the sixth instalment in the Call of Duty series and gives players the chance to be a member of a military strike force that takes on a Russian ultra-nationalist terrorist group.
It sees the combat team travelling to Russia, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Brazil and into orbit, to thwart the terrorists.
The game has drawn criticism because one section, prefaced by a warning screen, involves a player joining a massacre of civilians at an airport.
Labour MP Keith Vaz condemned the game saying he was "absolutely shocked" by its violence.
In response, publisher Activision said the scene was "not representative of overall experience".
Labour MP Tom Watson also set up a Facebook group to defend games such as Call of Duty from their critics.
Price war
The first Modern Warfare debuted in 2007 and sold more than 12 million copies. The game won praise for its uncompromising story line and attention to detail.
Versions for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC all go on sale on 10 November. In the UK almost 600 stores are set to open after midnight.
A large launch event is also due to be held at one of the cinemas in London's Leicester Square which more usually plays host to film premieres. The pre-launch event is due to start at 1900 GMT.
Amazon said the pre-order sales for Modern Warfare 2 are already 50% higher than for Grand Theft Auto 4 - which until now had the most successful release ever.
"We're already seeing it bully other name-brand competitors into pushing their release dates back rather than risk going head-to-head in the same launch window," said Scott Steinberg of game and gadget website Digital Trends.
Since the Call of Duty franchise started in 2003, more than 28 million copies of the game's various incarnations have been sold.
In the UK the console versions of the game will retail for about £54. The PC version is expected to cost about £35.
However, supermarkets and retailers have been advertising it a steep discount. Sainsbury's and Tesco are expected to offer it for about £26. Online stores have also cut the price of the title.
A limited edition of the game, called the Veteran Package, is also available for £99.
While many gamers are looking forward to playing the game, fans of Modern Warfare have expressed disappointment that the PC version will lack some of the tools and tweaks available in earlier editions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8351370.stm ...

Morrisons yet to declare its price for shooter; Hints that other supermarkets could drop further
It’s already the most competitive price war the UK games industry has ever seen, but the most dramatic could yet be to follow as the High Street prepares for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to be released at midnight tonight.
Sainsbury’s is currently leading the price charge by chopping a huge £29 off the game’s £55 RRP. Asda will be selling the title for £32 and Tesco for £37.90.
However, Morrisons – a supermarket not afraid of offering games at rock bottom prices – has yet to declare its hand. Store assistants have been telling customers that the final price will be announced later tonight, with one member of staff telling MCV that “the price war may not be over yet”.
There have also been unsubstantiated claims that other chains have been telling customers that they could sell the game for less than their advertised prices thanks to Sainsbury’s aggressive move.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/36427/Coul...-further-still ...

The release date for Modern Warfare 2 has been one of the most disregarded in the history of UK games retail, according to SimplyGames MD Neil Muspratt.

Evidence suggests that many online retailers received stock of the game as early as last Wednesday and shipped it immediately, he told GamesIndustry.biz; an action which has led to hundreds of cancelled pre-orders for stores adhering to the official November 10 release date.

"So far it appears that the street date of Modern Warfare has been one of the most commonly broken in the history of UK games retailing. We only got our stock on Saturday and have had to pay for every copy to go out by courier in order that it reaches people tomorrow.

"We've seen dispatch notes, delivery reports and hundreds of cancelled orders from people who received their copy early."

Retailers have further concerns too that even after stock is sent to customers they could experience high numbers of returns and refunds as the supermarkets slash prices as low as GBP 25.

There are fears, said ShopTo CEO Igor Cipolletta, the title will be devalued by these supermarket deals, both upon launch and in the future as the value of trade-ins and second hand stock is impacted.

"We invested a lot of money and energy to ensure our customers receive their game on release date and hope that the most awaited game of the year is able to retain its value, but fear that loss leaders are both devaluing a new product and consequently affecting second hand and trade-in prices also," he commented.

Cipolletta called for publishers to consider "categorising" their customers as a result before they see themselves hit by the actions of the supermarkets.

"This may be something that Activision and others can control. We feel that there are currently enough specialist retailers and etailers to supply and cover the market, and publishers do not need supermarkets and similar to promote such titles as this and FIFA," he said.

"Publishers may need to begin categorising their customers and supplying the right product to the right ones. For example, a mass market title like Professor Layton may be more oriented to a supermarket, whereas a 'hardcore' title such as MW2 might be better suited to specialist retailers, otherwise we may find ourselves in a position where there will be less unit sales, which will hurt publishers and their investments as a result.

"I hope publishers are looking into this and make changes where appropriate."

Earlier today several specialist retailers praised Activision's handling of MW2's launch so far, saying it has dealt with it to the best of its ability.

The sentiment was echoed by Cipolletta who blamed the early sending out of copies of the game on etailers selling European stock not meant for UK customers.

"Activision has done a good job with the direct account holders that they are dealing with," he said. "I don't see how they can improve on this, with some stock always being outside of their control."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...oke-in-history ...

If you've been missing your trivia fix on Xbox Live, you should be happy to learn that Microsoft has dated the second season of its Xbox Live quiz-'em-up, 1 vs 100. Expect the game to return on November 19 at 5:00 PDT, where it'll dish out another 14 weeks' worth of questions -- and this time around, your chance to be The One or a part of The Mob will be determined by one thing: score.

Multiple-choice maniacs will be able to play the new season of 1 vs 100 on a daily basis through themed Extended Play sessions every night, including "Finish the Lyrics," "80's" night and -- yes, we're totally serious -- "Vampires." Finally, a theme night your 12-year-old sister can get behind!

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/09/se...starts-nov-19/ ...