via Computer and Video Games


Epic will release the next Gears of War 2 map pack, the Snowblind pack, on March 31, it has been confirmed.

The pack will add four new maps to the game's thriving multiplayer mode, Grindyard, Under Hill, Courtyard, and Fuel Depot - the last of which is a remake of a favourite from the original.

A patch being released a week before that, on March 24, will change the game's current ranking system for an improved experience points-based system, allowing players to level their status up to level 100.

Drop-outs suffer an experience point penalty, and Epic will introduce an auto-balancing system to replace AWOL players with bots, to even games out on the fly.

More on Gamespot. ...

via IGN


Gears of War 2 did not have a smooth launch. But at least Epic has been working to answer some of the complaints. A third title update, the biggest to date according to Microsoft's official Gears 2 website, is set for release on March 24. It addresses continued concerns over the matchmaking system, adds a new point system, tosses in nine extra Achievements and puts the kibosh on some notable exploits.

The big news is that Gears 2 is adding a new player experience system, which gives points for all public matches. Capped at 100 levels, the experience system rewards players who reach the top with a special icon. Experience is equivalent across all modes, so no one is punished or rewarded for sticking to the game types they prefer. And yes, there will be an experience penalty for players who drop out before a match is complete. The update also adds a change to public matches, automatically adding bots into a public match if a player drops and the teams become unbalanced.

A few tweaks to matchmaking are also being made in the hopes of making the system work as quickly and efficiently as possible. This includes adding region preferences to matchmaking.

Numerous exploits are being closed off, so get your exploiting in while you can. These exploits include some cover slide glitches, Wingman scoring cheats (no more suicides to cheat the opponent out of points), the amazing ability to melee through walls and launching yourself in the air with smoke grenades while mantling (boooo). Balancing issues include reducing the stun duration from smoke grenades, increases the angle that triggers a chainsaw duel so players can't be easily side-swiped by chainsaws without a duel and reduces the delay before a player can climb up from low cover.

You can read the complete update list here.

Here's the complete list of new Achievements, worth 250 points:

• "Rookie Gear" (10 points): Earn enough multiplayer experience to reach level 5 (Public matches only).
• Rookie
• "Seasoned Gear" (20 points): Earn enough multiplayer experience to reach level 15 (Public matches only).
• "Battle-Tested Gear" (30 points): Earn enough multiplayer experience to reach level 25 (Public matches only).
• "Battle-Hardened Gear" (50 points): Reach level 50 and play a match on each of the four Snowblind Map Pack maps (Public matches only).
• "Veteran Gear" (75 points): Reach level 100 and win a match on each of the four Snowblind Map Pack maps (Public matches only).
• "Never Eat Red Snow" (20 points): Complete waves 1 through 10 on all Snowblind Map Pack maps in Horde (any difficulty).
• "Icy Dead People" (25 points): Complete waves 1 through 50 on any Snowblind Map Pack map in Horde (any difficulty).
• "Frigid Body Dynamics" (5 points): Play a multiplayer match on each of the four Snowblind Map Pack maps (any mode).
• "The Weather Outside Is Lethal" (15 points): Win a multiplayer match on each of the four Snowblind Map Pack maps (any mode).

...

via Joystiq


Unsurprisingly, Capcom's recently announced "Versus" DLC for Resident Evil 5 is raising quite a stink from players who are convinced they're being nickeled-and-dimed, paying for content that should have been included in the game in the first place. Capcom recently braved the slings and arrows of their incensed fanbase to defend the five-dollar update -- they claim that the price covers development of the new features which go "above and beyond the initial scope" of the game, as well as bandwidth costs associated with implementing additional online multiplayer offerings.

Capcom explained the "Versus" pack, which will bring four-player co-op and competitive online modes to the game within "a few weeks," isn't just an unlock patch for content already included on the RE5 disc -- despite the fact that it's composed entirely of assets from the core game. How about it, gang? Have you come down from your blinding, Majini-esque rage? ...

I've not been keeping up with the figures from Japan for a little while so here they are below:


Playstation Portable: 59,568
Playstation: 39,835
Nintendo DSi: 32,102
Nintendo Wii: 16,560
Xbox 360: 14,994
Nintendo DS Lite: 11,240
Playstation 2: 4,954


I think I can safely say though that for the first time in a long while that the Playstation consoles finally just about dominate the top of the list, swapping places with the Nintendo consoles. Figures from Media Create. ...

via Eurogamer


Nintendo has announced that the New Play Control version of Pikmin 2 will be released across Europe on 24th April.

The reworked Donkey Kong Jungle Beat will then follow in the summer.

Pikmin 2 could be the series' early high point, as Captain Olimar is joined by assistant Louie, new species of Pikmin, and multiplayer modes in a reworking of Shigeru Miyamoto's inventive strategy puzzle game.

Apart from refined controls, New Play Control additions include the Piklopedia (listing all the plants and creatures you encounter) and a new Treasure Hoard (listing all your loot). As with the GameCube original, there are 201 treasures to find.

Donkey Kong Jungle Beat was a Cube platform game originally controlled using the Donkey Konga bongos, but now uses the motion-sensing Wiimote and nunchuk for attacks, soundwaves and movement.

The Wii version also introduces two brand new stages, new enemies (such as the Thumpskull and Buzzball), new bonuses and new weapons. New new new! Jungle Beat is already out in Japan, and will release in the States this May, so hopefully we'll see it sooner rather than later.

So far, Nintendo has released two New Play Control games in Europe, revamping the first Pikmin so well that the only thing to say against it was that Pikmin 2 is a superior game.

Mario Power Tennis proved slightly less awesome, but wasn't without its charm either.

Nintendo plans to keep up the releases too, with Metroid Prime, Metroid Prime 2 and Chibi-Robo! on the slate, and others no doubt in consideration. Bring back Luigi's Mansion! ...

via Gizmodo US


iPhone OS 3.0 is going to be revealed on March 17 in an Apple event. I wonder if the new OS will be ready for the rumored 10-inch touchscreen iPhoneish tablet:


We will be there and tell you all about it, like always. ...

via Gizmodo US


iPhone OS 3.0 is going to be revealed on March 17 in an Apple event. I wonder if the new OS will be ready for the rumored 10-inch touchscreen iPhoneish tablet:


We will be there and tell you all about it, like always. ...

via Eurogamer


David Hasselhoff, the man responsible for Knight Rider, Baywatch and the reunification of Germany, has revealed he's a big fan of the Wii.

And he wasn't afraid to use his fame to get hold of one, either. "I play celebrity cards for two reasons: When I want to front row seats to U2 or tickets to Coachella and be backstage, all access, or I want to see Billy Joel and want to hang out," Hasselhoff told MTV.

"I want to cut the line. I really suck up to celebrity. It is my guilty pleasure... It’s really frigging embarrassing."

So what happened when Hasselhoff decided he wanted a Wii, but his local games shop said they had none in stock? "I said, "This is David Hasselhoff, okay? I've got a daughter. I love my daughter, more than life itself. This is all she wants, okay?"" Well, that and for you to stop eating kebabs off the bathroom floor having drunk yourself shirtless, Dave.

""I don’t know if you realise it but I’m going through a rough time right now. And so this could really help me help my daughter.""

Amazingly enough, the shop said they did have one after all, so Dave hopped in his talking car and went to pick it up. "The guy goes: "Are you kidding me? Are you freaking kidding me? Knight Rider! Dude!" And then, forget it, any game I wanted."

Dave said he's been enjoying "the yoga" and "the exercise", presumably in Wii Fit. He also likes Guitar Hero, "which is just sick".

Hasselhoff will shortly appear in Ready 2 Rumble for the Wii, hopefully wearing a light-up jacket and piano keys scarf. All together now, "Worked on a farm, got some muscle in my arm..." ...

via Kotaku


As we've seen, fluctuations in exchange rates are messing with Nintendo's bottom line in the UK. While this won't affect consumers looking for a Wii, the DS might be another story.

According to a "trusted source within the retail industry" (ie a British retailer), Go Nintendo are reporting that thanks to shrinking profit margins on Nintendo hardware the DS is about to go bundle-only. As in, you won't be able to buy just a DS, you'll need to buy one with a game included, at a slightly higher price.

It's close, but no cigar. Ninendo have told GI.biz "We will be increasing the availability of DS Lite bundles with software in the UK, however solus will still continue to be listed". That's the good news! The bad news? The classiest of the console's colour schemes - silver & white - are being phased out. ...