via Eurogamer


Rockstar has said that the South Central DLC for Midnight Club: Los Angeles will launch on 12th March.

Available on Xbox 360 and PS3, the content expands the game-map by roughly a third and is completely free.

There's also a premium South Central Content Pack that has plenty of new competitions, races, cars and music to enjoy. A US press release cites a price of USD 9.99, which we suppose would equate to 800 Microsoft Points (GBP 6.80 / EUR 9.60).

The South Central content was accidentally leaked earlier this month; a blooper Microsoft later apologised for.

Fast-eyed and fast-fingered observers noticed a couple of premium vehicle packs added simultaneously, although there's no word on them here. All of the leaked South Central content was removed. ...

via Games Industry


Nintendo has announced the addition of three new colours for its handheld DSi, set to hit the Japanese market in March.

In addition to the traditional white and black colour, March 20 will see the new pink, green, and metallic blue finishes added to the market, at the same cost of JPY 18,000 (GBP 128).

Nintendo recently announced its release date for its new handheld in Europe and the US.

In the UK, HMV has said it has already received "substantial" pre-orders, while GAME is offering a half price trade-in deal. ...

Newly released:



features
Intense high body-count gunplay: Bring the heat with 20+ high powered weapons including heavy machine guns, advanced guided rocket launchers, grenades and explosives
Collaborative G-Unit crew member: 50 never runs alone. He's always got his G-Unit crew covering his back. Select a member of G-Unit to fight by 50's side - each with their own signature weapon
New Brutal Counter-kill system: All new interactive counter-kill system that gives you the control to finish off the enemy
Incredible music and sound: Exclusive music content will immerse you in the war-torn world of all-out combat game play. All of 50's tracks are remixed for the intensity of the game play
Explosive driving and flying sequences: Drive through the city's water runoffs and storm drains in high speed pursuit. Get behind the wheel as 50 while a member of your G-Unit crew shoots down pursuing enemies. Get inside a Blackhawk, mount the Gatling gun and shoot across the opium fields of the mountain valley
Online co-op multiplayer modes: Have your friends join your game online at any time! Have them pick a member of G-Unit's crew to help 50 get payback on those who wronged him
50 Cent and G-Unit music: New, never-before-heard exclusive tracks and classic hits from 50's albums make this the ultimate 50 Cent experience

description
The Ultimate 50 Cent Game Experience!

50 Cent and G-Unit® have just played to a sold-out crowd in a war-torn country. But when 50 tries to collect from the shifty promoter, he's told that a local drug lord named Kamal has screwed him over and stolen the box office receipts. 50 is ready to take his wrath out on the promoter, who begs for his life and convinces him there's a way to get his money back and get revenge on Kamal. With you playing as one of the world's biggest Hip-Hop stars, cue an all out battle across two countries to collect payday and payback on those who have crossed 50 Cent!

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-36cq.html ...

New from SuccessHk



Rock Band 2 delivers the most authentic and ambitious music game to date ?by challenging rockers to master lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and vocals with a polished, streamlined, and amazingly fun and challenging experience. Rock Band 2 features a track list that puts all other music games to shame with more than 80 ondisc from some of the most hallowed bands of the rock pantheon.

Rock Band 2 US version(x1)
Drum(x1)
Guitar(x1)
Microphone(X1) ...

Witness the story of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots as told via the iPhone, in the action-packed official trailer for Metal Gear Solid Touch. As revealed last week, Metal Gear Solid Touch basically retells the story of Metal Gear Solid 4 from a different perspective, with an over-the-shoulder view of Solid Snake's mullet as you tap the screen to take out enemies. I suppose it will be nice for those who want a quick synopsis of the story without have to sit through all of the cutscenes, but beyond that it doesn't look all that exciting. Having said that, it will sell millions.

http://kotaku.com/5159458/metal-gear...ouch-in-action ...

Capcom has high hopes that the upcoming Wii-exclusive Monster Hunter 3 finds the same monstrous success in the West as it has in Japan.

During the Osaka, Japan-based publisher's earnings call for the December quarter, Capcom stated "...We plan to release our leading titles overseas to acquire game users, as the overseas market for Wii is extensive.

"One of our leading titles is Monster Hunter 3. ... If we can gain recognition of this product in the European and North American markets, our market strategy will see a noticeable change."

The Monster Hunter action role-playing franchise is a big hit, primarily in Japan, selling over 6.3 million units as of December 2008, with Monster Hunter 3 for Wii slated for release later this year. Previously, the series had only appeared on PS2 and PSP.

Capcom Entertainment communications director Chris Kramer elaborated on Capcom execs' comments in an e-mail to Edge: "Monster Hunter is huge in Japan, but not as big in the U.S. and Europe. There is a desire on the part of the company to export this huge hit to the rest of the world at the same level it is received in Japan.

"If we can sell a few more million units, the company’s market share will definitely change."

Originally, Capcom planned to develop Monster Hunter 3 for PS3. However, in light of the Wii's popularity and exploding installed base, Capcom announced in 2007 that it would be moving development of the title away from Sony's platform in favor of Nintendo's.

http://www.edge-online.com/news/capc...-wii-prospects ...

Kids warned off The Lost and the Damned, but Common Sense Media praises quality of Rockstar’s DLC

In a pleasingly balanced appraisal of Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto IV expansion The Lost and the Damned, US parenting group Common Sense Media has highlighted the DLC as certainly not safe kids – but spared the time to point out what a great download it is.

The DLC is clearly identified as “most definitely not for children, tweens or teens under the age of 17”, highlighting its full frontal male nudity, bad language, drug references and gang violence – including a scene where someone’s face is pushed on to the spinning wheel of a motorcycle.

However, the site also goes on to add that the download will make you “forget everything you know about downloadable content” owing to the depth of content it offers, giving it a review score of 4/5.


The site also states that: “Families can talk about why Rockstar likes to push the envelope and garner controversy over its games? Why did they have to put full-frontal nudity in the game if it's not integral to the story?

“Do they correlate media outrage with extraordinary game sales? Do players expect Rockstar to stir up controversy with each of its titles, including the Manhunt and Bully series? Families can also talk about the impact of video game violence on players and why so many parents question whether GTA games are appropriate for kids.”

The balanced advice is in stark contrast to other notorious examples, and should set an example to others wishing to educate parents about gaming.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/33340/Pare...-view-on-GTAIV ...

A new survey by GamesIndustry.biz has revealed that 3D gaming is the most anticipated technology to arrive on the market this year.

Over 300 industry professionals in the GamesIndustry.biz Network were polled to gauge interest on new technology, with the Wii MotionPlus, iPhone, Nintendo's DSi and the continued evolution of the New Xbox Experience also piquing interest.

Top of that list is 3D technology and its integration with gaming. With developers such as Blitz Games and publishers like Ubisoft embracing stereoscopic 3D, 2009 should see the early fruits of experiments with the format.

The second most anticipated tech for 2009 is the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for Nintendo's home console, which promises to increase the sensitivity and tracking of the player's actions in games. Electronic Arts and Ubisoft are already working on titles for the add-on, but with no firm release date, they may be waiting as much as consumers for Nintendo to solidify the technology.

Already on the market and picking up increasing support from the development community, Apple's iPhone is the third most popular technology as voted for by the Network. Although established publishers including Konami, Sega and Bethesda are porting their franchises to the device, it's original titles such as Rolando, Drop7 and Dr Awesome that are becoming synonymous with the machine, and 2009 should see developers get more out of the handheld.

Nintendo's DSi is the fourth most anticipated technology, proving that a simple upgrade to features on the already wildly-popular device could be enough to keep the device at the forefront of handheld gaming in 2009. The system is due for release in Europe April 3.

Next on the list is Microsoft's New Xbox Experience, or rather, what comes next for the service. Launched last year, 2009 will see the Primetime service go live, offering real-world prizes for playing online, and along with incremental updates, Microsoft is promising a big upgrade before the year is over.

Following Microsoft's NXE is Sony's PlayStation 3, with industry voters clearly expecting the platform to evolve as developers continue to push the console considered the most powerful on the market.

Perhaps more of a dark horse is Google's Android platform, the mobile software supporting T-Mobile's G1 phone. It might not have the same backing as the iPhone, but clearly some in the industry are interested in the potential of the Android SDK.

While Nintendo has already revealed the MotionPlus, it's also expected to have other gadgets in the works. With the Wii Balance Board proving so popular, it's no surprise to note that a number of Network members voted for a new Wii peripheral, despite nothing officially being announced yet.

Microsoft's DirectX 11 was next on the list, continuing the evolution of APIs for multimedia platforms. Other notable technology included expectations for a new PlayStation 3 controller, the continued evolution of digital distribution, and more details on id Software's Tech 5, due to power forthcoming titles Doom 4 and Rage.

The full top ten follows:

Most Anticipated Technology in 2009

01 3D TV/Gaming
02 Wii MotionPlus
03 iPhone
04 DSi
05 New Xbox Experience
06 PlayStation 3
07 New Wii peripheral
08 Android
09 DX11
=10 New PlayStation 3 controller
=10 Digital distribution
=10 id's Tech 5

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...ment-this-year ...

If these screenshots are to be believed, then an ironic hacker has successfully installed Windows 3.1 onto a Nokia N95 handset. Marchin-PRV used DOSBox to emulate the x86-class processor on the Symbian handset in order to install Microsoft's 1992 OS. Totally useless, yes... and totally badazz.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/24/w...nd-depressing/ ...