shacknews.com
Age of Conan Still Slated for Xbox 360
01.12.2008 16:11
shacknews.com
Though there's been no official word for a while and developer Funcom recently laid off some staff, the studio is still planning to deliver the long-promised Xbox 360 edition of its mature MMO Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. "The Xbox 360 version of the game is still in production, but as before we are not committing to any specific dates," product manager Erling Ellingse told MTV Multiplayer. "I wish I could give you more information, but I can't at the time being." As for the layoffs, Ellingse noted that "our a...
World
Computer Games
Uncharted 2 Confirmed, First Details Released
01.12.2008 16:11
shacknews.com
A sequel to Naughty Dog's PlayStation 3 action title Uncharted: Drake's Fortune has been confirmed by way of a video teasing an upcoming trailer. GameInformer has also released some details of the sequel, officially titled Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Protagonist Nathan Drake will predictably return, facing a quest that revolves around 13th century explorer Marco Polo. The game will feature a new emphasis on story, as well as a "free climbing mechanic" and stealth gameplay. Following the original's 2007 release, Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells told Three Speech that fans could "pretty much count on us doing one in the near future." The trailer will debut on Spike TV's 2008 Video Game Awards ceremony on Sunday, December 14. The teaser is copied below.
World
Computer Games
Microsoft Confirms Cases of NXE Breaking Xbox 360 Sound Output, Apologizes and Pledges Fix
01.12.2008 16:11
shacknews.com
The launch of the New Xbox Experience brought more than just a new interface and a few temporary Xbox Live issues. Since the new Xbox 360 dashboard hit on November 19, some HDMI-connected owners have literally been playing their games in silence. The problem appears to afflict a select group of devices that properly handled Xbox 360 audio prior to the New Xbox Experience, such as the BenQ G2400W monitor. It is believed that the issue stems from an updated HDCP handshake--the protocol used to establish an HDMI connection--which the older devices are not compatible with. Now, Microsoft has acknowledged the issue in a statement to Shacknews, apologizing for the "inconvenience" and noting that a fix is in the works. Said Microsoft: While the vast majority of our users worldwide are enjoying the New Xbox Experience with no problems, we are aw...
World
Computer Games
Flagship Co-founder Phil Shenk Forms Gravity Bear
01.12.2008 14:17
shacknews.com
Flagship Studios co-founder Phil Shenk has established a new studio titled Gravity Bear, Shenk confirmed to Shacknews. The former Blizzard developer will serve as CEO of the new company. Best known to gamers as his Diablo 2 doppelganger Shenk the Overseer (pictured left), Shenk held the position of art director on Hellgate London, and worked as a lead artist on Diablo 2 and its expansion Lord of Destruction. Though Shenk did not detail the studio's makeup or projects, Shacknews has learned that at least one former Flagship has joined the new studio in a prominent role: Kevin Klemmick, former senior software engineer on Hellgate London, will serve as Gravity Bear's technical director. Shenk joins the long list ...
World
Computer Games
Free Burnout Paradise Island Now Premium DLC
01.12.2008 14:17
shacknews.com
Developer Criterion has pulled back the curtain on Big Surf Island, the first bit of downloadable content that will add new land to its open-world racer Burnout Paradise. Originally slated to be a free piece of downloadable content, the island will now sell for an undisclosed fee. "We never expected to create anything this ambitious, but as it progressed we got more and more excited about what it could become," said the studio. Big Surf is the "culmination of everything we learned creating Paradise City," the developer added on its site
World
Computer Games
Skate 2 Video: The Story of San Vanelona, Precious
01.12.2008 14:17
shacknews.com
This Skate 2-themed developer video is presented by Gollum-esque EA producer Chris Parry. In addition to his Smeagol impression, Parry also wears a bear suit, and talks about the game a little. Skate 2 hits January 21 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. [video]13354[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.
World
Computer Games
Square Enix Bringing FF Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time to North America
01.12.2008 14:17
shacknews.com
Square Enix today announced that it will bring its latest RPG, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time, to North America on the Wii and Nintendo DS. The title is set for a Japanese release on January 29, but will make it to North America sometime in the vague area of "spring," according to Square. The game will be simultaneously launched on both platforms. Echoes of Time will continue the cooperative action-based gameplay of the series' previous DS entry, Ring of Fates. Most notably, Echoes of Time will allow for cross-platform play between Wii and DS players, either online or locally. Players will be able to switch between single and multiplayer modes in-game.
World
Computer Games
Rumor: LEGO Harry Potter In Development
01.12.2008 14:17
shacknews.com
Harry Potter will be the next film franchise reduced to blocky form for a LEGO videogame, according to a report from CVG which cites anonymous sources. The supposed LEGO game would likely be timed for release with next summer's Harry Potter "movie event," Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Harry Potter film distributor Warner Bros. recently published Traveller's Tales' LEGO Batman: The Videogame. Shacknews has contacted WB for comment on the rumor.
World
Computer Games
New Prince of Persia Trailer: Press Hype, Part 3
01.12.2008 12:14
shacknews.com
With Ubisoft Montreal's Prince of Persia hitting PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this week, and PC next week, publisher Ubisoft has released the third and final entry in its "Hero Factor" series, which has folks dishing out praise between snippets of gameplay. [video]13355[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream. In case you missed them, be sure to check out part one and part two.
World
Computer Games
Michael Phelps Gets His Own Game
01.12.2008 12:14
shacknews.com
An unknown developer is currently preparing a Michael Phelps-branded video game for undisclosed systems. Word of the game emerged during a profile of the Olympic swimmer in the latest episode of CBS news program 60 Minutes, Gaming Target reports. No other details were mentioned. The 14-time Olympic gold medal winner recently worked with publisher Activision to promote two of its releases, receiving a copy of Call of Duty: World at War on NBC's The Today Show and appearing in a television commercial for Guitar Hero World Tour alongside celebrated athle...
World
Computer Games
Street Fighter Sackboys Invading LittleBigPlanet?
01.12.2008 12:14
shacknews.com
The "little" PlayStation 3 surprise Capcom recently teased looks to be downloadable Street Fighter-themed outfits for Media Molecule's PS3 platformer LittleBigPlanet. The above images recently surfaced on Spanish PlayStation fansite PSN!, but were quickly removed at the request of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Fortunately, Ripten and 1UP were able to archive the pictures before their removal. If legitimate, and it certainly appe...
World
Computer Games
Black Mesa Mod Trailer Teases Prettier Half-Life
01.12.2008 10:13
shacknews.com
Back in 2004, a small team began crafting a Half-Life 2 mod that would recreate Valve's first Half-Life with the latest in graphical bells and whistles. Come 2008, it's still in development, and the Black Mesa team has produced a trailer showcasing its work. [video]13353[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream. The oft-anticipated mod is expected to arrive on PC in 2009.
World
Computer Games
Destroy All Humans! PS3 Not Cancelled in Europe
01.12.2008 10:13
shacknews.com
The PlayStation 3 version of Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon will still hit Europe, despite the "development issues" that lead to its cancellation in North America. The PlayStation 3 version was cancelled in North America "due to the game being shipped earlier," publisher THQ explained to Eurogamer. "Furon will be released on both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 formats on February 13th 2009 across Europe." The open-world sci-fi action game, still an Xbox 360 exclusive in North America, ships off to retailers today. It was ...
World
Computer Games
Wii Shop Channel Gains Pit Crew Panic, Space Invaders Gets Even and Metal Slug 2
01.12.2008 10:13
shacknews.com
As Monday arrives, so does set of additions to the Wii's online Shop Channel: WiiWare Pit Crew Panic! (Hudson) / 800 Wii Points ($8) Space Invaders Get Even (Taito) / 500 Wii Points ($5)
World
Computer Games
Leaked Video Reveals The Witcher for PS3, 360; Developer CD Projekt Responds
01.12.2008 10:13
shacknews.com
With developer CD Projekt RED teasing a major announcement, a supposed leaked video has revealed that the developer's acclaimed PC RPG The Witcher is heading to PS3 and Xbox 360 and will "look much better" than the PC release. "The controls are very different in the console adaptation, designer Jakob Stilinsky stated in the video, embedded below. "They are actually better than in the original." The PC version of The Witcher. "We created a completely new combat system that is more dynamic and more engaging," he added. "In the console version, players have full control. There are hundreds of new mo-cap animations in the console version." ...
World
Computer Games
English