via Eurogamer


EA has revealed that the latest instalment in the Need For Speed series will be available across nearly every format in the world ever on 1st November.

The big thrills this time will come from being able to tinker under the hood of your car, not just draw silly patterns on the outside. It means you can design and build your ride from scratch, then head online and show your friends how good it looks.

Races will come in various shapes and sizes, from grip, drag and drift modes to the all new speed challenge.

Need For Speed ProStreet is also promising better graphics, more realistic crowds, photo-swanky cars and dirty street atmosphere. It's likely to stay in the charts for roughly a year, too, if past experiences are anything to go by. ...

Via: IGN

US, August 29, 2007 - Camelot is known as the developer behind some of gaming's most critically acclaimed hits, including the original Hot Shots Golf, the Mario Golf series, and RPGs like the Shining Series and Golden Sun. So fan disappointment late last year when the small developer announced plans to focus its efforts on an online PC golf game was understandable.

We're not sure what happened to the online golf game, but Camelot is back in console gaming! First revealed in this week's Famitsu, the company is working on a new Wii golf game called We Love Golf. The game is set to be published in Japan through Capcom.

We Love Golf has cute Hot Shots style characters and colorful visuals, but the real area of focus seems to be on the control. Camelot is making full use of the Wiimote's motion sensing capabilities to give players the feeling that they're actually swinging a golf club. You aim your shot by first pointing at the screen; this is meant to be similar to how a real golfer will use his club to get all his angles straight. To swing, you first hold down the buttons on the Wiimote, which is the equivalent of gripping your golf club.

The result of your swing is affected by more than just the way in which you swing the Wiimote. The combination of buttons that you hold when gripping the Wiimote also results in a variety of shot types. You can achieve draw and fade shots and add backspin based on how you hold and swing the controller. For instance, to perform a backspin, you hold down the 2 button along with A.

Famitsu managed to get Camelot execs Hiroyuki Takahashi and Shugou Takahashi, aka the Takahashi brothers, to sit down for an interview. Joining them was Capcom's Hironobu Takeshita, producer of Wii Love Golf and Treasure Island Z.

Asked why the team chose the Wii for its first collaborative effort with Capcom, Hiroyuki Takahashi noted that We Love Golf is a game that couldn't be done on any system but the Wii. In fact, he believes that people will feel that We Love Golf uses the Wiimote better than any other Wii sports game that's currently available.

We Love Golf is currently 60% complete and is due for Japanese release this Winter. Capcom tends to have a big booth at the Tokyo Game Show, so hopefully we can look forward to some hands-on time in late September. ...

Via: IGN

US, August 29, 2007 - Marvelous Interactive's mysterious Project O now has an official name. The latest issue of Famitsu reveals that the game, being developed by an all-star staff whose resume includes Final Fantasy XII, Dragon Quest VIII and Harvest Moon, will be known in Japan as Ousama Monogatari. This translates to English as "King Story."

Following three staff interviews in which we were given nothing but artwork, the magazine also managed to come through with first screenshots of the game, as well as a few gameplay details.

In King Story, you play as Corobo Bread, a sick boy who finds a magical crown that transforms him into a fine king. Taking control of Corobo, your primary goal is to dole out jobs to residents in an effort to make your kingdom grow. Thankfully, Corobo's crown makes people follow his orders.

The game begins in a small town that, aside from your own home, consists of nothing but green fields. As you walk around, residents of this little town will follow you. Group enough people together, and you can start issuing orders for tasks like clearing the land, searching for treasure, and building roads and houses. Different tasks require different numbers of people, with groups ranging from just a few people to scores of people.

As your kingdom grows in size and population, you'll start to see new types of development. Famitsu hints that specialty stores could pop up in your town, from weapons shops to restaurants.

You'll also have to deal with pests who get in the way as you attempt to build your kingdom. In one example, a fire-breathing dragon wrecks havoc upon your kingdom. You'll have to lead a group to face off against the beast. Enemies range in size, with larger enemies requiring masses of troops to defeat. It's possible that the larger enemies will take the role of bosses as part of the storyline.

Outside of this hefty simulation component, King Story is expected to have a more personal side, where all residents have a life of their own. By communicating with some characters, you may find yourself presented with dramatic story sequences. In previous interviews, the staff has hinted at plans to have RPG-style developments the background; for the record, the game's genre is listed in Famitsu as both simulation and RPG.

King Story is only 35% complete, according to Famitsu, and isn't scheduled for release until some time in 2008. First video footage will be shown at September's Tokyo Game Show. ...

Via: IGN

US, August 29, 2007 - Sony's official confirmation of LocoRoco PS3 came quietly as part of a post E3 Japanese product announcement event. Today, thanks to the latest issue of Famitsu, we have a few new details on the game, which is officially known in Japan as "Oiedeyo LocoRoco!! Boo Boo Cocoreccho!".

Some rumors have popped up suggesting that this PS3 version of LocoRoco is actually just a fancy wallpaper program. This doesn't seem to be the case, as the game is listed in Famitsu as an action title, complete with online rankings.

There are some major differences from the PSP version. You take control this time of a butterfly, or perhaps a group of butterfiles, known as "Cocoreccho." By pressing the circle button, you can make the Cocoreccho shout "boo boo." This makes the sleeping LocoRoco in your area wake up and come to you. Your goal is to lead the LocoRoco to the stage's goal.

The game's title, incidentally, tells the whole story. "Boo Boo" is what Cocoreccho say to make the LocoRoco come to them ("oideyo" is Japanese for ordering someone to come to you).

Based on the slight blurb in Famitsu, LocoRoco PS3 seems to be an entirely different game from the PSP original. We'll have to try it out for ourselves to be sure, though. A PlayStation Network download, the game is due for Japanese release on 9/21. Pricing has yet to be announced. ...

Via: HEXUS.gaming

Sony has confirmed that Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, a prequel title showcasing the forthcoming Gran Turismo 5 for PS3 will be available both on Blu-ray disc and as a download from the Playstation Network at the end of this year.

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will features over 40 cars – including vehicles by Lotus, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Ferrari for you to race on real-life tracks: including the Eiger Nordwand, the London City Track and Suzuka – all rendered in incredible High Definition graphics. There's also all-new driving physics and new, improved opponent artificial intelligence for the toughest race challenge yet.

For the first time ever in the history of Gran Turismo, you'll now be able to race online. Up to 16 players will be able to go head-to-head on some of the world's best racetracks. Once you're up and revving, Global Online Rankings and the My Garage homepage feature will leave the world in no doubt as to just who is the best at Gran Turismo.

The Online Dealership will provide a wealth of information on cars and manufacturers and also Gran Turismo TV – a dedicated online channel available exclusively from PSN and packed with some of the greatest content that Motorsport, car manufacturers and TV has to offer. Gran Turismo 5 – the full title – launches in 2008. ...

via Eurogamer


Sony has issued a statement clearing up its latest announcement that downloadable versions of WarHawk will be tied like a lasso to your PlayStation Network account, so only the owner of the game will be able to play it.

The rule has been put in place to maintain the integrity of the free online service, which will also let you download the game on up to five other PS3 consoles. But if you do decide to show it off at your friend's house, bear in mind you won't be able to play it on another PS3 for 24 hours.

WarHawk is due for release tomorrow on the PlayStation Network, lifting-off at GBP 19.99.

But on the bright side of life is news that account-tying won't affect the Blu-ray version that launches slightly later on 21st September. ...

via Games Industry


The ESRB is refusing to detail its reasons for re-rating Manhunt 2, despite a California legislator's demands.

Last Friday, Rockstar announced that it made modifications to the game and received an M rating from the ESRB. The game was originally given an AO rating, effectively preventing the game from being sold in the US.

California State Senator Leland Yee, whose 2005 legislation banning the sale of violent videogames was recently determined to be unconstitutional, demanded that the ESRB disclose specific reasons for the new rating.

In a written response, ESRB president Patricia Vance said:


Yee has called for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the ESRB. ...

via Games Industry


GamesIndustry.biz has learned that the Xbox 360 version of Virtua Fighter 5 may not be released in Japan due to the console's low installed base.

Speaking at last week's Leipzig Games Convention, lead designer Tohru Murayama said "it's true" that 360 has not proved too popular with Japanese gamers.


Just under 400,000 Xbox 360 units have been sold in Japan since the console launched in December 2005. The figures for PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii, which launched a year later, stand at more than 1 million and 3 million respectively.

Virtua Fighter 5 is already available for PlayStation 3, but the new Xbox 360 version will feature online modes. According to Maruyama, these weren't included in the PS3 game due to time constraints.


Virtua Fighter 5 for Xbox 360 is due out this autumn. ...

Regarding the news of new Wii Straps with a locking clip instead of a slider, it seems to be confirmed.

You can request for replacement wrist straps by going to Nintendo's website, filling in required information and your Nintendo Wii serial number. For those who have already entered their Wii serial number and exceeded the maximum quantity allowed, you can either email or call Nintendo and request for the new straps.


Source: GoNintendo ...