The Rundown: Feb. 5, 2009
The weekend is almost here, can you feel it? Besides some free time and some quality time with your favorite games, this weekend also brings the added benefit of the New York Comic-Con. If you’re in the New York City area this weekend, you might want to take the time to check it out because a lot of games will be on display and playable on the show floor this year.. but I digress.. lots of news after the break.
Sega Scores Winter Olympics Rights
SEGA has secured the worldwide rights to develop and publish games based on the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. Through this agreement, SEGA secures the sole rights to publish console, PC, handheld, arcade, and mobile games worldwide. Sega palns variety of games with winter sports and events including skiing, skating, and snowboard bearing the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem.
Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box Released
Criterion Games and Electronic Arts have released Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box for the PC for $39.99 in North America. A free “Try Before You Buy” trial version is available from the EA Store. Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box is a special edition release that includes Burnout Paradise game, the previously-released Burnout Paradise Cagney and Burnout Paradise Bikes downloadable content updates, plus the brand new Burnout Paradise Party Pack. The Burnout Paradise Party Pack bringssocial fun of Burnout Paradise into an offline multiplayer mode where players compete in different stunt, speed and skill events. The mode is designed to allow up to eight friends to “pass-the-pad” in dozens of quick-fire, turn-based challenges.
3 on 3 NHL Arcade Scores on PSN
Electronic Arts announced today that 3 on 3 NHL Arcade, an all-new downloadable arcade hockey game from EA SPORTS Freestyle, is now available worldwide on the PlayStation Network for $9.99. The game will be available on XBOX Live Arcade for 800 MS Points, on February 11, 2009. Developed at EA Canada by the team that produced NHL 09, 3 on 3 NHL Arcade is a no rules, fast paced, hockey experience that gamers of all types can enjoy.
WAR Goes to Russia
Mythic Entertainment and Electronic Arts have deployed Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning to store shelves across the Russia. WAR gives Russian gamers the chance to take part in Mythic’s Realm vs. Realm MMO in their native language. Russian gamers can purchase one of three different packaging options in the Russian market: Collector’s Edition - 2499 Rub, Limited Edition SteelBook - 899 Rub, or a Jewel Case - 499 Rub.
Wanted Voice Talent Announced
Universal Pictures Digital Platform and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced the voice-over talent for Wanted: Weapons of Fate, the videogame based on Universal Pictures’ action-thriller Wanted, starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie. The cast includes hip hop artist and actor Common (American Gangster, Smokin’ Aces) as Brummel and award-winning Spanish actress Paz Vega (Spanglish, The Spirit) as Araña, as well as Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong, Transsiberian) and Terence Stamp (Superman II, Valkyrie) reprising their film roles as Cross and Pekwarsky. The game is being developed by GRIN Studios.
Street Fighter IV Expansion, DLC
Capcom announced the first expansion pack for Street Fighter IV. The Championship Mode expansion pack will add several options to Street Fighter IV’s feature set free of charge post launch. Street Fighter IV’s Championship Mode Expansion Pack will include: a replay mode, a point system (Championship and Tournament Points), and an Enhanced Tournament Matching System. Capcom also announced alternate costume expansion packs for Street Fighter IV to customize your favorite fighters. Each DLC pack offers an alternate costume for your favorite Street Fighter IV character. The packs are grouped by themes and will be available for 320 MS points for Xbox 360 or $3.99 on PlayStation 3 post launch. Packs will be released throughout February and March and will include new costumes for everyone - released in theme packs. Learn more at the Capcom Unity Blog.
Bionic Commando Delayed
Capcom has confirmed that Bionic Commando, for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, will be released May with the PC version available in the following months. the reimagining of the classic NES game offers new weapons and familiar staples like the Bionic arm - now capable of doing a lot more damage due to the 3D world and the action combat vibe of the game,. More details can be found at the nature of the world. Capcom Unity Blog.
D.I.C.E. Taps Alex Evans
The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences today announced that Alex Evans, co-founder and co-creator of LittleBigPlanet, will speak at the 2009 D.I.C.E. Summit® The event will be held at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, February 17-20, 2009 and feature a line-up of industry leaders, visionaries and decision makers that are shaping the future of interactive entertainment. More details on all of this year’s speakers can be found at www.dicesummit.org.
Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream for Wii
Natsume announced that Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream will be released for the Nintendo Wii this May. Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream uses acustom 3D fishing engine, lifelike fish behavior and smooth environmental sounds,Playuers will be ablke to angleon the banks of pristine lakes, raging rivers and tropical oceans filled with the biggest fish around. Pthey will also be able to keep their best catches in aquariums, take care of them and then release back into the wild. Reel Fishing: Angler’s Dream will ship to retail this May.
Halo Wars Demo Does Live
Microsoft has released the playable demo of Halo Wars on Xbox Live Marketplace of this action strategy title set in the Halo universe - and the last game ever made by Ensemble Studios. To make downloading easier, you can automatically add the Halo Wars game demo to your download queue on the Web by visiting marketplace.xbox.com. Additionally, to help everyone get acquainted to the battlefield, your Leaders and all the units at your command, the game manual can now also be downloaded at Xbox.com/HaloWars. Halo Wars is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and 16+ PEGI, and will be available starting Feb. 26 in Asia, Feb. 27 in Europe and March 3 in the Americas.
