Resident Evil 5 DLC, Gold Edition details

Capcom revealed a variety of details on the downloadable content and a brand new Gold Edition of Resident Evil 5 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The downloadable content will be released as two new episodes, along with new costumes, and a new mode called The Mercenaries Reunion. The Mercenaries Reunion mode will offer 8 new playable characters and some weapon load outs. The DLC along with the original game will be released at retail as Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition. Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition will be available for $49.99 as a single Blu-ray disc for the PlayStation 3 or as a DVD with a token for the downloadable content for Xbox 360.

The first new episode, “Lost in Nightmares, finds BSAA agent Chris Redfield and partner Jill Valentine investigating Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway. Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has been hiding a new evil deep within the basement of his mansion. Chris and Jill discover this and enter into the catacombs beneath the mansion. To be released at about the same time, are new costume for Chris and Sheva. They don’t do anything other than make you like poretty,

The new mode, reimagining of Mercenaries Mode, gives players new playable characters and weapon load outs which provide additional challenges. Each piece of downloadable content will contain two new playable characters, while the Gold Edition will offer all eight.

Lost in Nightmares and Costume Pack 1 will be released Feb. 17, 2010 in Europe and the U.S. on Xbox 360 and Feb 18 on PS3. The Xbox 360 versions of Episode 2 and Costume Pack 2 will be released on March 3, 2010 in both regions; while the PS3 versions will be released March 4, 2010. Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition hits North America on March 9 and Europe March 12, 2010.

Divinity II - Ego Draconis pre-order details

cdv Software Entertainment USA today revealed the first details on its Divinity II - Ego Draconis pre-order incentive program. Starting today, consumers who pre-order Divinity II - Ego Draconis from GameStop will receive the Blood Echelon Armor and Weapon Set - while supplies last, of course. Like you can run out of digital content? Just make more copies, people.

Anyway, the Blood Echelon is described by cdv as a select lodge of elite Dragon Slayers who have earned the highest of distinctions on the battlefield. Their elite armor and weapon set includes the Blood Echelon Armor (Blood Echelon armor is powerfully sturdy set that is also highly intimidating) and the Blood Echelon weapon (a claymore that can cut through armor like it was mere flesh.

The pre-order program is available now through January 5, 2010 and appatrently exclusive to GameStop GameStop. Incentive items will be available GameStop online or at time of pick-up starting January 5, 2010.

Divnity II - Ego Draconis will be released on January 5, 2010 in North America on the Xbox 360 and PC.

Wii price cut to $199.99 USD

Nintendo has finally decided that a price drop is in order, putting its Wii home console system in the familiar position of being the cheapest one on the market. Starting Sunday, Sept. 27, Nintendo will lower the suggested retail price for the system by $50 to $199.99. The new $199.99 Wii price point includes the same content as the original including 1 Wii Remote and Nunchuck, and Wii Sports.

“Wii has reached more video game players than any game system before because it attracts everyone—both men and women, and people of all ages,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our research shows there are 50 million Americans thinking about becoming gamers, and this more affordable price point and our vast array of new software mean many of them can now make the leap and find experiences that appeal to them, whatever their tastes or level of gaming experience.“

This is the smartest move Nintendo could have made given that both Sony and Microsoft have already cut the price of their home consoles. 

Naturally this will open up new players to already popular franchises like Wii Fit, Wii Sports Resort, Metroid Prime Trilogy - and new stuff like New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nov. 15), and Wii Fit Plus (Oct. 4). Nintendo also announced that it will run some in special events in select cities called World of Nintendo. Kicking off in Long Beach, Calif., World of Nintendo will show off the latest Nintendo Wii and DS games and give consumers hands on time with the likes of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit Plus, Punch-Out!! and WiiWare titles as well as DS/ DSi games like The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box and Nintendo DSiWare titles. A full list of dates for the month of Oct. after the break.

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cdv Software profits soar in first half of 2009

German publisher cdv Software Entertainment AG announced a “significant increase in revenues and profits” for the first half of fiscal year 2009. The company says that during 2009 it has strengthened its position and market share in the interactive entertainment industry. Most of its success so far this year can be directly attributed to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, which helped the company reach a top 3 market position in North America.

Revenues for the company in the first six months in 2009 were 11.3 million euros, compared to 6.8 million euros for the same period in 2008. The increase of 66 percent was primarily due to revenues generated from the sales of video game software in key territories.

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North American Dragonica Online open beta opens August 18

THQ*ICE announced that the official start date for the North American Dragonica Online open beta test will be August 18th starting at approximately 2:00 p.m. PDT. Developed by Barunson Interactive, Dragonica Online merges 3D side-scrolling combat and a hilarious skill system.

Beginning on that day and date those that have signed up for the open beta will be able to experience the game and participate in various events and giveaways. These include a special Odellia Starter Pack, participation in the Dragonica Online Loot Hunt (hunt monsters to receive “Loot Drops” for a chance to win in-game and real world giveaways and other events and giveaways to be announced at a later date.

Ubisoft Q1 sales breakdown by region, platform

Again, as part of its fiscal quarter one financial results released this morning, Ubisoft detailed the breakdown of sales (by percentage) by region and by platform this morning.

First the regional data: according to Ubisoft sales were down in Europe by eight percent (48) from the same period a year ago (57 percent) , while sales in North America were up slightly by one percent (35 percent) from the same period a year ago (34 percent). Meanwhile, the “rest of the world” saw an increase of 9 percent - from nine percent to 18 percent. Europe remains the top region for Ubisoft, which makes sense given that its corporate HQ is based in that region (France).

By platform: Nintendo DS sales were down by 11 percent in the first quarter (from 37 percent to 26 percent), PC sales were up by six percent (from 14 percent to 20 percent), PSP sales remained steady at four percent, and PS2 sales continued to dry up (from three percent to one percent). PS3 sales were down eight percent (from 21 percent to 13 percent); Xbox 360 sales were up by seven percent (from 9 percent to 16 percent) and Wii sales were up by nine percent (from 11 percent to 20 percent).

Namco Bandai Games locks down Dragon Ball rights

Namco Bandai Games America has secured exclusive North American rights to publish future “official” video games for the longstanding classic anime and manga series, Dragon Ball across all major consoles and hand held platforms. The agreement will run for five years beginning in January 2010 and supersedes the existing rights granted to publish titles on the Nintendo DS, Wii, PS3, PSP, and Xbox 360.

“We are very excited to have signed this long term agreement with Toei Animation Co., Ltd and FUNimation Entertainment, which grants NAMCO BANDAI Games North American multi-platform rights to the testosterone driven action packed world of Dragon Ball, said Makoto Iwai, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Namco Bandai Games America. “This move reunites Namco Bandai Games with the Dragon Ball series in North America which will considerably increase our ability to develop titles that perfectly capture every nuance of what makes the Dragon Ball world exciting to the consumer.”

Namco Bandai Games America has secured the right to publish three titles in 2009: Dragon Ball: Raging Blast for the Xbox 360 and PS3, Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo for Wii, and Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans for Nintendo DS.