Fighting games often have a very steep learning curve. Neophytes can easily master simple combinations of punches, kicks and maybe even pull off some cool moves by accidentally mashing buttons, but it takes hours of practice, patience and sore thumbs to achieve true mastery in most of these games due to the sheer number of moves and timing involved. One of the greatest examples is Marvel vs. Capcom 2, where a huge stable of familiar characters are playable from Mega Man to Iron Man.
I admit to enjoying the game immensely, though I never graduated past the frantic button mashing stage. It remains a fan favorite however, so many will be excited to hear that there are more rumors that the Dreamcast title is making its way towards downloadability. Rumors began last October with an ESRB ratings list and now a leaked achievement list suggests again that the title might be resurfacing on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. Given the current propensity of the comic book world to huge cross-over events, it feels quite appropriate.
What’s better than release dates? Nothing, you say? Release hours, man! Valve has decided to indulge us all with the hour during which the free survival pack DLC for Left 4 Dead will be released.
“At roughly 2am PST”, they announced, which means that quite a few gamers will be staying up well through the night to get in on some zombie action. The pack adds the fast-paced survival mode alongside bringing the Dead Air and Death Toll campaigns to Versus.
PC gamers are left in the dust this time, as no specific hour was given. It is “targeted for release later in the day,” noted Valve.
With Activision busy promoting the Guitar Hero: Metallica game, the rumored Guitar Hero: Van Halen title has been rated by the German Voluntary Monitoring Organization of Entertainment Software (quite a mouthful), though Activision is yet to announce it.
The listing was put up and taken down over the weekend. Fortunately, 1UP was smart enough to take a screenshot of it.
Early rumors pegged the game for release on PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii this August. Activision is yet to breathe a single word of the game.
Quite possibly revolutionizing the MMORPG industry, Big Stage Entertainment, GGL Global Gaming and Funcom have announced that players of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will soon be able to bring their own faces and voices into the MMO.
This is made possible through user-provided digital images, which when used with Big Stage’s web-based technology creates a 3D “@ctor”, which can then be customized with accessories. GGL is handling promotion for the feature, with prizes for those who share their “@ctor” the most.
The technology is currently limited to videos and images on the web, though they promise that the “@ctors” users create today will be supported in-game soon.
Ubisoft sent out word that its long-running PC MMO Shadowbane will shut down its servers on May 1 – more than six years after its 2003 launch.
The game, originally launched in 2003, was bought by Ubisoft a year later and became a free-to-play MMORPG in March 2006. Developer Wolfpack was then closed by Ubisoft in May 2006; a majority of its veterans moved on to form Stray Bullets Entertainment, which continued to support the game and work on a new MMOG.
Below is the official farewell:
We come to you now with regret and sadness, but also happiness and pride.. Regret and sadness that it has finally come to this, and as of May 1, 2009 the Shadowbane servers will be powered down once and for all. Yet happiness that it lasted so very long, and pride to be able to stand before such a passionate community to thank you for your undying support and unwavering loyalty to Shadowbane.
Long-in-development Neverwinter Nights 2 adventure pack “Mysteries of Westgate” will finally arrive as a premium download on April 29, publisher Atari announced today.
Originally intended for release during fall 2007, the download will be sold through Atari’s online stores in North America and Europe for $9.99 and 9.99 GBP, respectively.
Created by the same team as the Neverwinter Nights module “Darkness Over Daggerford”, the pack will feature more than 15 hours of new content, including new quests, new voice acting and music.
Sony has recently released, via their official blog, details regarding the upcoming 5.5 firmware update for the PSP.
First up is the Information Board, borrowed from the PS3, which will display a news ticker featuring things like Playstation Store updates and other things Sony.
Below are the rest of the details, don’t get too excited:
Memory Stick improvements – You’ll be able to create and access sub-folders on your Memory Stick PRO Duo for music, videos and photos. Separately, the available space required to download a file from PlayStation Store to your Memory Stick has been reduced significantly.
Internet search for games directly from the XMB – You’ll be able to easily search the Internet for information about your PSP games. Select the icon for the game, hit the Triangle button, and then select [Internet Search] from the options menu to get search results based on the game title. This feature was added to PS3 with the recent 2.70 update.
Trend Micro trial – PSP’s Internet browser is a great tool for checking out your favorite Web sites on the go, and we’re teaming up with the Internet security experts at Trend Micro to make the Web browsing experience safer and more secure. With the 5.50 update, you’ll have the option to access a free trial of two Trend Micro services:
Trend Micro Web Security uses Web reputation technology to block PSP owners from accidentally visiting a Web site that may contain malicious content designed to steal personal information and confidential data.
Trend Micro Kids’ Safety uses URL filtering technology to prevent children from accessing Web sites that feature inappropriate content.
Nintendo has recently released details on their weekly update for the DSi and WiiWare services, along with the Virtual Console.
This week, Mario will make his debut on the DSiWare starring in Dr. Mario Express. If you’ve played the previous Dr. Mario titles you’ll be familiar with the Tetris like gameplay. The game will hit the service for 500 Nintendo DSi points.
For everything else included in the update read on:
Nintendo DSiWare
Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche (Nintendo, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 200 Nintendo DSi Points): Master of Illusion Express titles offer mind-bending magic tricks pulled from the popular Nintendo DS™ game. Learn the illusions, practice up and amaze your friends.Master of Illusion Express: Deep Psyche asks a series of pointed questions and reveals a startling truth.
WiiWare
CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R1 (SQUARE ENIX, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points™): In CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R1, you must deploy various units such as Soldiers and Black Mages to stop wave after wave of encroaching monsters from escaping the area with your party’s crystals. There are many different types of units to choose from, some specializing in powerful short-range attacks, some wielding far-reaching magicks, and still others equipped with bows that enable them to bring down aerial foes. Deploy units in strategic locations to take full advantage of their traits. Each time an enemy breaches your defenses and reaches a map’s exit, your party will lose crystals. When all your crystals are gone, the game is over. CRYSTAL DEFENDERS R1 comes complete with a plethora of exciting stages, each varying in layout and difficulty. Can you defend them all without losing a single crystal?
Virtual Console
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Cartoon Violence, 900 Wii Points): The once-quiet town of Xenobia is under attack from fierce and gruesome monsters. As Leo, it’s up to you to save Xenobia from danger as you navigate through a series of worlds in a race against time. Use your sword and jumping abilities to battle foes. Watch for power-ups that will increase your health and add to the amount of time you have to complete your missions. Go it alone or play co-op with a friend who can take the role of Priscilla. Do you have what it takes to save the world?
If you’re a fan of the popular SingStar karaoke game, you’ll be happy to hear that the game was recently updated adding a few new features.
You probably could have guessed that the game would be getting trophies with over 30 being thrown into the update. That’s not all as Sony has also announced that both the SingStore and MySingStarOnline have been redesigned, updated, and enhanced.
The biggest feature, however, is the fact that you can now browse through the game’s menus just by speaking into the mic. Sony hasn’t said much more about this future but the patch is free and available now for everyone to tinker with.
