via GameGuru

Microsoft has sent word that their Xbox 360 exclusive game, Tenchu Z has gone gold and will hit stores across North America on June 12, 2007. The ninja stealth action game features more than 50 missions set in ancient Japan.

Tenchu Z is set in feudal Japan and reflects the Ninja mythology. Gamers must integrate stealth, sword-based warfare and the skill to make use of an extensive variety of ninja accessories to complete their objectives. The gameplay is based on their actions and takes into account how much noise they make, how visible they are, and even how badly they smell. There is a single player mission as well as co-operative play with two to four players through Xbox Live or system link. They can even create customizable ninjas.

Tenchu Z has been developed by K2. It will come with a price tag of $59.99 (approx. Rs. 2,420). Tenchu Z is one of the three Japan-themed games by Microsoft that will release for the Xbox 360. The other two are Vampire Rain and Project Sylpheed. ...

via GamersHell

SEGA released two new video developer diaries for Alien Syndrome, showcasing this action-RPG inspired by the Alien universe. Developed by Totally Games, the game will be released for the Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP this July. The game features a single-player campaign and a co-op multiplayer mode where up to four players can play the game together.

Alien Syndrome Video Developer Diary #3 (563.25MB)
Alien Syndrome Video Developer Diary #4 (265.43MB) ...

via ElectricNews

Sony is facing legal action from a Californian company over claims of patent infringement in its use of Blu-ray technology in the PlayStation 3 games console.

Target Technology is demanding that three Sony-related companies stop manufacturing and distributing all Blu-ray discs. The firm alleges that the technology used to manufacture Blu-ray discs violates one of its patents. Target specialises in manufacturing and selling thin metallic alloys for optical discs. It's not clear if Target's allegations relate specifically to PlayStation 3 discs or all Sony Blu-ray discs.

The Californian business filed its complaint in the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana against Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sony Pictures and Sony DADC. Target is demanding that Sony stops manufacturing what it says are patent-infringing Blu-ray discs and is seeking significant damages for the alleged infringement.

Target's patent, which was submitted in 2004 and granted in 2006, describes the use of silver-based alloys, which have the advantages of gold in the production of the discs, but at a lower cost.

The lawsuit comes just three months after Sony settled a patent dispute with Immersion over the rumble function in Sony's Dual Shock controllers for the firm's earlier games consoles but not the PlayStation 3. The rumble with Immersion cost the firm USD97 million. Sony also recently settled a dispute with Kodak over 10 digital camera patents.

While this new lawsuit may deal a hard blow to the supporters of Blu-ray technology, they have been given reason to be cheerful as the path towards legal copying of Blu-ray discs appears to be opening.

The Advanced Access Content System (AACS) is a new standard for content distribution and digital rights management that will allow limited sharing and copying of Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. Production studios hope to conclude a deal to provide the standard in time for this year's Christmas shopping period.

If the agreement goes through consumers will be able to make copies of discs they have purchased by using an AACS enabled disc. This managed copy system will limit the number of copies users are able to make of discs.

The launch of AACS has been delayed by multiple hacking attacks to the system."It is disruptive to respond to the various attacks. It means we're putting aside finalizing the agreements and getting managed copy out," Michael Ayers, spokesperson for the AACS Licencing Authority. ...

via Gaming Today



The Japanese site for Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers has an embedded video preview of the upcoming Wii title. The trailer features a sample of the game music and offers a look at a decidedly more "mature-looking" Crystal Chronicles. The main character appears to be a young blonde man and there are airships galore in the scenes. Combat and other graphics have a soft feel to them and avoid the dull browns and reds that were common in Final Fantasy XII. Check out the video at this link and to start the video just click on the image. ...

via Xboxic

The increasingly reliable ESRB website has a new 360 game that many might be interested in. It seems Streets of Rage 2 has been reviewed and rated accordingly by the ESRB, which now has “Xbox 360″ written in the Platform box along with the Wii. Yes ladies and gentlemen, the game that is perfect for the Arcade is coming.

Since the game isn’t separated from the Wii version, it’s obvious that the game is the same one that is present on the Wii’s Virtual Console. It won’t be exactly the same though thanks to Microsoft demanding that a few things be put in place first.



Hopefully the game will boast Co-op both locally and across Xbox Live, along with Leaderboards and all the other little things that makes the XBLA just that bit more interesting. This is also another game from the SEGA collection, a collection that was rumoured about earlier in the month. Although we are still awaiting an announcement with regards to Sonic, it’s good to see other decent retro titles coming. ...

via Gaming Today

There's a pretty interesting interview with Perrin Kaplan, the Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Nintendo America, over at Game Informer's website. She discusses corporate moves, Wii shipments, and E3 among other things. But the one topic he did manage to quickly clear up was that Nintendo Power would not cease to exist as had been previously rumored:

"GI: There’s also some speculation in what’s going to happen with Nintendo Power. What’s the deal with that publication?

Kaplan: It’s going to be licensed, but it’s going to remain a magazine."

So what does that mean? Basically, Nintendo still will own the property, but will probably allow another party to publish it. We'll just have to see what happens in the coming months. ...

via Video Game Generation

The latest ESRB update confirms that Square Enix will release its first title for the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console in the near future.

ActRaiser, originally released for the SNES by Enix and developed by Quintet (since engulfed by Square Enix we believe), has been rated E10+ by the board. The game itself portrays the struggle between good and evil, with The Master and Tanzra (basically Satan) squaring off in a struggle for the world. The player is The Master of course, smiting false gods, performing miracles, and restoring the people's faith in him.

No release date has been given for the game, but an ESRB rating usually indicates that it can't be too far off.

...

via Gaming Target


While it was assumed that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare would be appearing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in addition to the PC, it was confirmed today by Activision.

The developers are obviously excited:

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the most intense, visceral title we’ve ever created,” says Jason West, co-studio head and project lead, Infinity Ward. “The single player campaign is a well-paced, non-stop action experience. As the story unfolds, the player is introduced to new gameplay at every turn – one moment you are fast-roping from your Blackhawk helicopter after storming into the war zone with an armada of choppers, the next you are a sniper, under concealment, in a Ghillie suit miles behind enemy lines, the next you are engaging hostiles from an AC-130 gunship thousands of feet above the battlefield.”

Infinity Ward is also very proud of the technology that will power the game:

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare delivers amazing special effects, including use of depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, real time post-processing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects to enlist players into the most photo-realistic gaming experience. Combined with Call of Duty’s award-winning audio design, players will face war as never before.

Activision further revealed that the multiplayer portion of COD4 will be created by a dedicated team within Infinity Ward and that the game will be ready on all three platforms by the fall.

We'll have more on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare soon. ...

via Gaming Target


While it was assumed that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare would be appearing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in addition to the PC, it was confirmed today by Activision.

The developers are obviously excited:

“Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the most intense, visceral title we’ve ever created,” says Jason West, co-studio head and project lead, Infinity Ward. “The single player campaign is a well-paced, non-stop action experience. As the story unfolds, the player is introduced to new gameplay at every turn – one moment you are fast-roping from your Blackhawk helicopter after storming into the war zone with an armada of choppers, the next you are a sniper, under concealment, in a Ghillie suit miles behind enemy lines, the next you are engaging hostiles from an AC-130 gunship thousands of feet above the battlefield.”

Infinity Ward is also very proud of the technology that will power the game:

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare delivers amazing special effects, including use of depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing, real time post-processing, texture streaming as well as physics-enabled effects to enlist players into the most photo-realistic gaming experience. Combined with Call of Duty’s award-winning audio design, players will face war as never before.

Activision further revealed that the multiplayer portion of COD4 will be created by a dedicated team within Infinity Ward and that the game will be ready on all three platforms by the fall.

We'll have more on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare soon. ...