via Computer and Video Games


We've lost count of how many Metal Gear Solid 4 trailers Konami has pumped out, but we don't care. They're all awesome.

The voice we call Trailer Voiceover Man has turned up to provide the commentary for this typically cinematic trailer, in a language we can all understand, for a change.

It talks about the new Big Brother-style technology in the game, and the crisis that Snake faces.

It's a streaming trailer that can be viewed here, though you might have to be patient.

Needless to say, if you're one of those subjecting yourself to a complete MGS4 plot blackout, you probably shouldn't watch the footage.

What you should know, however, is that Official PlayStation Magazine awarded the game a resounding 10/10.

"If you think you've got the measure of the game from the Middle East footage, you couldn't be more wrong," says reviewer Paul Fitzpatrick.

"MGS4 shifts gears constantly, innovating again and again. I can't think of another series that has remained as uncompromisingly true to its creator's vision, and given its 21-year gestation, I doubt even Kojima himself will equal it, whatever individual triumphs follow," he says.

"Ultimately, this is a game for the fans - and should be one. As for Snake? It turns out his last stand really is his finest hour."

So, it's pretty good, then...


Trailer here ...

via IGN


A lengthy development period is at last winding down for Metal Gear Solid 4 as the game approaches its June 12 world release. But Hideo Kojima and the MGS4 staff aren't resting just yet. Today, Kojima revealed an ambitious plan to personally help launch the game throughout the world.

Kojima and key staff members will travel the world as the June 12 launch day approaches, holding talk events and signings for fans. The tour will take Kojima and crew first to London, followed by stops in Madrid, Milano, Hamburg, Amsterdam, and Paris. The team will then split into three, heading to Japan, New York and Los Angeles for launch day.

Closing off a press conference today in Tokyo, where this plan was first unveiled, Konami hinted at a few surprises for launch and beyond. At the end of the ceremony, as the press was getting ready to leave, a mysterious voice asked, "Will there be surprises on launch day?". The voice then continued, "Akihabara, New York, LA -- worldwide live broadcast." The voice also hinted that certain VIP guests will be present at whatever is going down in those three cities -- presumably a major launch event.

The mysterious voice closed off by asking, "So, how's that project going?", following with, "That man has moved away, but, the sequel." Finally, the voice said, "I see. Understood."

We immediately assumed that the sequel talk was with regards to a new Metal Gear game, with Hideo Kojima being the man who has moved away -- he has said that MGS4 will be has last Metal Gear Solid game, after all. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Movie director Uwe Boll reckons he could be the best person for the job of directing a movie based on Grand Theft Auto IV.

"Grand Theft Auto would be super interesting for me, and I think I would actually be the right guy to do it," he said, adding, "because my movies are all bloody and violent and I don't have a problem with action scenes.

"But look, they will go, in the end, with a Michael Bay or a Brett Ratner, and it will be a PG-13 movie made for $150 million. I think it would be better to make a $30 million, very hard, brutal movie without compromising, but I'm not optimistic."

More info here ...

via Eurogamer


With Frontier Developments' LostWinds due out in Europe on 20th May, talk has already turned to a sequel - and Frontier itself is spurring things on with some unambiguous labelling on its website.

Head to the LostWinds page on Frontier.co.uk and scroll down, and you're presented with a prompt to register for information on a "forthcoming LostWinds sequel containing amazing new gameplay as Toku and Enril's incredible adventure to save Mistralis continues". The game reportedly also ends with a note that it is "to be continued".

We've contacted Frontier for clarification.

The first game is among the WiiWare service's launch titles, and will cost 1000 Wii Points (approximately GBP 7 / EUR 10). It's a platform game where players manoeuvre a young hero, Toku, around levels on gusts of wind, solving puzzles. ...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft has just chimed in to say Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One will be available next Wednesday on Live Arcade.

Not only is it a long title, but it's made by adventure game legend Ron Gilbert with the help of the artistically gifted chaps from Penny Arcade: Mike 'Gabe' Krahulik and Jerry 'Tycho' Holkins.

Rain-Slick, as we are calling it [we're not - Ed], is described as an RPG-adventure that takes place in a 1920s-style world featuring bonkers characters and adult humour.

PAA Episode One, as we're now calling it, will cost 1600 Microsoft Points (GBP 13.60 / EUR 19.20).

Expect our thoughts soon. ...

via Eurogamer


Microsoft has said Too Human will be released in Europe on 29th August, and in the US ten days earlier on 19th August.

This is the Silicon Knights action role-playing game that has been in development for a long, long time, and kicked up considerable controversy along the way.

It's part of a trilogy rumoured be the most expensive in videogame history, with each instalment said to cost between USD 80 million and 100 million.

The stigma attached to it resulted in rather negative feedback after a sketchy demo was shown at E3 2006, probably resulting in its absence at the event a year later.

Silicon Knights also kicked up a considerable legal argument with Unreal Engine 3 creator Epic along the way.

Too Human takes place in a futuristic Norse land set in an ancient past, confusingly. You play Norse god Baldur and slash or shoot your way through a storyline alongside other deities wearing equally fancy armour.

Perhaps most exciting is its four-player co-operative play where you and your friends can meet up in a hub-like area and tackle the game content on much harder difficulty settings all in the name of elusive loot to either keep or trade online with others. ...

via Eurogamer


Activision has decided to reincarnate the Pitfall series on Wii, although there's no word on exactly when we'll be getting our 'motes on it.

Dubbed The Big Adventure, it will be set in the Peruvian jungle where there are lots of reptiles to dodge and vines to swing around on and pits to fall in.

Edge of Reality is developing it and claims over 60 levels spanning rainforests, caves and mountain tops. You'll have to unearth hidden treasures, battle bizarre forest inhabitants, outwit, er, animals, and escape traps.

"Pitfall is one of the most legendary franchises in the history of videogames, so we look forward to releasing a new version exclusively for Wii," said Activision spokesperson Dave Oxford. "What could be more fun than using the Wii Remote to swing on a vine over blood thirsty crocodiles as retro-cool Pitfall Harry?!"

Pitfall began in 1982 on the Atari 2600, where it sold over 2.6 million copies, or so says Wikipedia.

It's platform shenanigans have gone on to spawn numerous sequels, the most recent being Pitfall: The Lost Expedition for PS2, Xbox, and GameCube in 2004. ...

via Computer and Video Games


The Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV has heavily outsold the PS3 version at North America's largest specialist videogame retailer.

According to sales data obtained by Level Up, 64 percent of the copies of Grand Theft Auto IV sold at GameStop during the game's first week of availability were for Xbox 360, while the remaining 36 percent were for PS3.

According to pre-April NPD sales data, Microsoft's Xbox 360 had an installed US base of 9.9 million units, compared to a PS3 installed base of 4.1 million units. Of the combined total of 14 million hardware units, Xbox 360 commanded a 70.7 percent market share and PS3 a 29.3 percent share. Arguably therefore, the Xbox 360 version of the title has underperformed at GameStop, while the PS3 version has exceeded expectations.

Here's what Microsoft and Sony had to say about the GameStop GTA IV sales figures.

"... It is fantastic to hear that we beat PS3 two to one on Grand Theft Auto sales from a major retailer like GameStop," said Xbox group product manager Aaron Greenberg. "These sales results add GTA IV to a long list of franchises that have switched over from PlayStation to find a new home on Xbox 360 similar to what happened last year with titles like Madden and Guitar Hero."

SCEA's senior vice president of marketing Peter Dille countered, "There's a larger installed base right now on Xbox 360 than on PS3. So it's not surprising that there's going to be more selling on Xbox 360 than PS3... With an installed base lead that's close to 3-1, if you're bragging about a 60-40 software split, it's clear evidence that the PlayStation 3 consumer is overindexing on GTA IV, and the PlayStation brand loyalty that we've been talking about is bearing itself out in the marketplace as we speak."

The NPD Group is expected to release April videogame hardware and software sales data after market close on Thursday, which should give a much clearer indication of how GTA IV has performed on both platforms relative to their installed bases. ...

via Games Industry


The PlayStation 3 version of Grand Theft Auto IV has overtaken that of the Xbox 360 and assumed the top spot on both the Spanish and German charts, according to the latest data released by Media-Control GfK International.

The German charts saw GTA IV on the Xbox 360 take second place and Wii Fit and Mario Kart Wii in third and fourth place respectively.

This was followed by Assassin's Creed: Director's in fifth, the GTA IV special edition on Xbox 360 in sixth place, with the PS3 special edition coming in behind the The Sims 2: Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff at seven, to take eighth place.

Meanwhile in Spain, Wii Fit came in second place followed by the Xbox 360 version of GTA IV in third place and Mario Kart Wii in fourth.

Dr Kawashima's Brain Training and More Brain Training, both for the DS, were fifth and six place respectively, followed by Wii Play at number seven.

GTA IV special edition for the PS3 came in eighth and outsold the Xbox 360 version which was tenth, just below Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 for the PlayStation Portable.

The German charts for the week ending May 7 follow:

1. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)
2. Grand Theft Auto IV (360)
3. Wii Fit (Wii)
4. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
5. Assassins Creed: Director's Cut (PC)
6. Grand Theft Auto IV Special Edition (360)
7. The Sims 2: Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff (PC)
8. Grand Theft Auto IV Special Edition (PS3)
9. Wii Play (Wii)
10. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)

The Spanish charts for the week ending May 7 follow:

1. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)
2. Wii Fit (Wii)
3. Grand Theft Auto IV (360)
4. Mario Kart Wii (Wii)
5. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training (DS)
6. More Brain Training (DS)
7. Wii Play (Wii)
8. Grand Theft Auto IV Special Edition (PS3)
9. Pro Evolution Soccer (PSP)
10. Grand Theft Auto IV Special Edition (360) ...