via Joystiq


Distributor Koch Media announced today the point and click adventure title Secret Files: Tunguska is coming to both Wii and DS systems. According to the studios handling the development, 10TACLE for the Wii and Keen Games for the DS, Secret Files is "a perfect-match" for each platform's unique control schemes. The DS port will be out later this year with the Wii version following Q1 2008. The PC version of Secret Files is already at-large.

The adventure genre has struggled to maintain its presence on consoles and handhelds in recent years. The DS has revived the scene with Phoenix Wright, Trace Memory, Hotel Dusk, and the upcoming Myst DS. Secret Files will be the first traditional adventure game for the Wii. Could motion-sensitive controls shock a little life into players' interest in the genre? ...

via Joystiq


Sure, you could get excited about a new Grand Theft Auto IV trailer, "Looking For That Special Someone," being released later this month, but you won't see us smiling. It's nice to know and all, but we can't help but wonder ... where's the countdown? Do you remember the hours, days we all shared, as a nation, watching the seconds peel away? Where does Rockstar get the right to rob us all of that?

Worse still, how do we know exactly how long it is until the thing drops? See, for all our charm and wit, we here at Joystiq are genuinely terrible at math. Ask us how many "q"s are in our name and we'll stare at you blankly for a few seconds before sheepishly replying "...blue?". Ah well, maybe it will keep us math-challenged folks from making the internet explode whenever the trailer actually is released. Enjoy it, Einsteins. ...

via Computer and Video Games


Publishers and developers can no-longer focus on a single format, according to Yoichi Wada, chief executive of Square Enix, who says that the technicalities of the new consoles hugely limit their appeal.

"In the old days, we could just focus on the PlayStation or the GameBoy, but the environment has changed completely," said Wada, who believes that developers need to focus on making games that also cater to "a new breed of gamers".

Discussing Square's shock decision to shift the previously PS2-focused Dragon Quest series over to DS with the latest instalment, Dragon Quest IX, Wada told Financial Times: "We chose the Nintendo DS because the widest array of people use it, including people who previously did not play games before."

The current generation of consoles are too complicated to reach this wider audience, Wada points out. "There are too many specs - and you also need a high-definition TV, a broadband connection and a deep knowledge of gaming - these consoles are mismatched to today's environment.

"In a year or two years they will fare better," he adds. ...

via Eurogamer


Red Storm, the team responsible for multiplayer in GRAW 1 and 2, has revealed it's working on a new America's Army game exclusively for Xbox 360.

It's called True Soldiers and is expected in the U.S. this September, although publisher Ubisoft was unavailable to confirm a European date.

Team-play is the big focus of the title, as you might expect from an officially licensed Army simulation game, and online battles will be won and lost based on tactics and communication, rather than rocket jumps and chainsaw attacks.

You'll be able to play as one of five classes: Rifleman, Grenadier, Auto-Rifleman, Sniper, and Team Leader. These all progress in roughly the same way, by earning experience points for completing training events, objectives or entire missions. Once you rack them up, you can spend them in one of four main skills, each branching out into a further two sub-skills. For instance, Snipers will want points in Marksmanship, as well as Focus and Observation sub-skills, and possibly some Stealth.

Squad Leaders will make the plays, so to speak. They can order in artillery strikes and coordinate attacks using interactive maps and reconnaissance data. Team Leaders report to them and order their Fire Teams around based on those instructions.

Alongside standard team Deathmatch on Xbox Live there will be eight cooperative missions for up to 16 people to take part in. There's also a new mode called Competitive Training that puts you up against up to 15 others on one of three different target ranges. You'll then have to blow the stuffing out of anything that pops up, like targets or vehicles. You can choose to have a time limit or a score limit, it's up to you - it's also a great place for clans to hone their abilities.

Red Storm also has a grand plan to reward honest, helpful players, and to increase active socialisation online. It's based around a system that rewards you with "Honor" points when you play, well, honourably. And these will dictate your rank and standing on the all important leaderboards.

You can earn points through respect tokens, too, which are are dished out at the end of games. And it's up to you which helpful or nice player you want to reward with your share. Recruiting people into your clan, or Army Unit, will also net you respect. So in summary, the more you sew, the more you reap; help and be rewarded for it.

It all sounds like it's making for an engrossing and realistic Army Simulation experience. But whether we'll actually see a release here after the previous version was mysteriously canned is yet to be seen. ...

via Kotaku


Over at game blog Rumor Reporter, they're floating more details on the rumbled PSP slim. According to the site, the updated PSP won't have big speed increases and will be outfitted with a slot UMD loader. Screen-wise, the site states that its the same size and is "Sidekick-esque." That would give the portable a "flip-factor" and decrease the system's overall size. Underneath the screen, there's a "Home" button—just like there is now. There are also all new controls for UMD movie chapter and music skipping.

Hardware-wise, it's still the same writes the same. Battery-life will be improved, but Rumor Reporter says the screen isn't LED, but still LCD. What's more, Sony is considering Bluetooth capabilities for the PSP slim, but is only providing 4GB of on-board memory — though Rumor Reporter does mention that could change. Sony, the site reports, is still deliberating, but apparently the PlayStation Portable name won't change, and this new PSP would eventually replace all existing models. Pricing is "currently the same," and the release date is Fall 07.

True? Rumor Reporter's GDC predictions were way off, but the site did break news on Warhawk's troubles. We spoke with our insiders today, who confirmed the slot loading and pointed out that Bluetooth was an obvious PlayStation inclusion. What about the "Sidekick-esque" design and the LCD screen? My take: Sony wants to compete with the DS Lite (in Japan, esp.) and is going to release a competitively priced product that doesn't veer too far from the familiar PSP. Only E3 will tell us whether any of these rumors and these insiders are right or completely wrong. Can't wait.


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New from Play Asia



The nations of Erion had always held an uneasy peace, as the various kings and queens watched each other for any signs of weakness. When the country of Valentine is obliterated by the power of an ancient artifact, it sparks a bloody war between the fairies of Ringford and the warriors of Ragnanival. Little do they know that they are acting out an almost-forgotten prophecy: one that, if fulfilled, will lead to the destruction of the entire world. Take control of the warrior princess Gwendolyn, daughter of Odin, and follow the threads of an intricately woven story as you uncover the truth behind the prophecy – and how to bring it to an end.

The story is explained in detail on the website, so the only way to find out more is to visit! We invite you to come and experience the enchanting world of Odin Sphere. ...

New from Play Asia



Ninja Gaiden Sigma puts realistic battle and acrobatic ninja moves at your fingertips. As Ryu Hayabusa, you are seek revenge after your clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. All you have are your wits, sword and skills. Your weapons & combat skills are great, but only time will tell if they're enough to beat the Holy Emperor and reclaim the magic sword named "Ryuken". Upload your Karma scores on the Playstation network & compare leader boards ...

Nutki has updated Lameboy for the DS, which is a Gameboy/Gameboy Colour emulator.

Heres the news:


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sephiroth ff7 has updated his puzzle game for the DS:


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