Igniq.com Gaming News

Wal-Mart Helps Gamers Beat The Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:59:00 +0000

Video gamers very well might end up having a merry holiday season thanks to some fantastic pricing courtesy of Wal-Mart. The major retailer has created some packages for Christmas that will make those who have already purchased consoles and game titles turn green with price envy. With price deals that include the Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS and some relatively decent computers, the chain might just prove to be the hero of the season as the economy continues to pinch even harder.

All told, Wal-Mart is really plugging about 45 different money saving bundle buys. The Xbox 360 package includes a console, two games and an extra controller with prices starting at $259. The PlayStation 3 bundle doesn’t sound like much of a bargain compared to the 360 pricing, but it’s not bad at all. This one saves consumers about $50 and includes an 80GB console, a remote, two games and four Blu-ray movies for $488.

For gamers who like their action on the go, Wal-Mart has created a Nintendo DS Lite holiday bundle. This includes the DS, two games and an accessory kit for a low $149.

Other deals included in the promotion include a Compaq laptop bundle for $438, an iPod 8GB nano bundle for $157.88 and an Xbox 360 and Toshiba 32-inch LCD TV bundle for $698.

With budgets pinched tight for many as the holiday season approaches, these deals will no doubt be welcomed by many. I still can’t get over the 360 and DS pricing bundles compared to how much green I shelled out to buy mine! I have to admit I might be one of the envious.

Walmart Value Bundles

Sony Wants To Get More Girls In The Game

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:02:00 +0000

Breaking the glass ceiling in the video game industry might not be as difficult as it is in the American White House, but that doesn’t mean the task isn’t daunting. My hat is off to Sony Online Entertainment for recognizing this and trying to do something about it.

Torrie Dorrell, SOE’s senior VP of global sales and marketing, recently called on members of the International Game Developers Association to stand up and support the Gamers In Real Life (or G.I.R.L.) scholarship. Money given to this fund helps pay for college educations for women who want to enter the gaming field in such areas as design, creation and production.

"Today, I am challenging everyone to take action to help level the playing field for women pursuing a career in video games,” Dorrell said. “By donating to the G.I.R.L. scholarship, we can encourage diversity in development and make a difference, hopefully creating more opportunities for women and ultimately making more video games women will want to play."

Link

Dorrell called on industry leaders to each make $10,000 donations toward the cause.

My congratulations go to Sony, and Dorrell, in particular for making an issue of the obvious, but often overlooked reality women gamers face. While there’s no denying we exist, all too often were aren’t taken as seriously as we should be. And, the simple truth is a lot of games aren't designed with us in mind - at all!

I’m not a bra burner by a long shot, but it would be nice to see a woman’s touch in some titles – especially in MMORPGs where it seems a lot of the action and design work is geared solely for male players. Conan’s anatomically correct women are fine, but it sure would be nice to not have characters look so perfect!

Here’s hoping the effort to get a few more women actively involved in the behind-the-scenes creativity will result in titles that are at least slightly more balanced for the sexes.

Video Gamers Have A 1 Up On The Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 05:59:00 +0000

In a time when most earning reports are bleak and the economy looks even bleaker, video games seem to be doing more than holding their own. If you’re a fan of console or computer-based gaming, chances are you already know the reason why: Video games can offer a big bang for the buck.

According to Reuters, sales of video game-related hardware and software climbed an estimated 18 percent in October. While sales were down 7 percent in September, Wii consoles became a shining star in boosting the numbers for October. With an estimated 800,000 units sold in that month alone, the little console that could just keeps on going. In fact, the Wii is said to have sold 13 million units since its debut two years ago, making it more popular than even World of Warcraft.

As more people scale back their entertainment spending and look for things that offer repeat fun and real value, I wouldn’t be surprised to see video games continue to do well in sales.

Microsoft, however, isn’t completely banking on this based on David Dennis’ quote: “We feel cautiously optimistic (going into the holidays), we don't see anything in this (NPD) data that leads us to believe there's a pullback."

With the overall industry remaining robust at about $22 billion in sales for the year, Microsoft probably doesn’t have much to worry about.

What Reuters failed to point out in its article is the likely reason why games are doing so well. It all comes down to smart investments. People today can spend $50-plus on dinner and movie or take that same money and buy a game, which can be played over and over again. Console buys are smart, too, because they can double in for other entertainment. Watch a Blu-ray disk on a PS3 or rent a move over Xbox Live and the real beauty of being a gamer in this economy becomes clear.

While critics out there might scoff, gamers are ahead of the curve when it comes to surviving in this economy and having a little fun along the way.

EVE Online Gets New Packaging Deal

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:22:00 +0000

EVE Online has been taking a band of faithful gamers to a galaxy far, far away for about five years now. This coming spring, the space-based MMORPG is hoped to get an interest jolt thanks to a new deal with Atari.

According to Geek.com, CCP, the creator of EVE, has inked a deal to put the game with a cult following back on retail shelves. A boxed release is said to be coming to stores throughout North America, Europe and the Asian Pacific. The boxed set will include all nine expansion packs, 60 days of free play time and some extras. The targeted release is March 2009.

CCP’s CEO, Hilmar Veigar Petursson, is quoted as saying, “This partnership comes at a great time in the history of EVE where, through a series of technical breakthroughs, we are able to support a vast increase in the number of concurrent players in our single shard persistent world.”

EVE, as Geek.com points out, is a very pretty game. While it hasn’t necessarily taken off like some other MMORPGs (WoW), it does have a loyal following. A few friends of mine have been playing the title since practically its launch and have continued to play despite being involved in other games like AoC, Vanguard and CoV at the same time.

The team up between CCP and Atari sounds like a stroke of brilliance that will potentially breathe some new life into this underestimated title. Now, if someone would step in and save AoC from the incessant PVPing that has turned that beautiful game into a veritable ghost town as far as new blood is concerned!

Xbox 360 Price Slash Comes To Australia

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:54:00 +0000

Aussies who have been holding out on buying their very own Xbox 360 consoles in hope of a similar price slash like the one that happened in America earlier this year got their wish in time for the holidays. Microsoft has officially dropped the cost of its 360 Down Under to a price that makes it much cheaper than a PlayStation 3.

According to PC World, the new price points for the 360 in Australia are $299 for the arcade version, $399 for the pro and $549 for the Elite. Sweetening the deal, free games will come with the consoles for a limited time. The basic arcade model will offer SEGA Superstars Tennis. The Pro and Elite models will boast Kung-Fu Panda and LEGO Indiana Jones.

The price slash hit American shores in September. Fans of the system within the States can now find 360s at places like Best Buy for $199 for the arcade version. The elite system will still set a gamer back $399. The pricing change, by the way, does officially make the 360 rival the Wii in pricing.

I have to admit, the prices are just low enough now to make me raise an eyebrow and consider adding a new console to my holiday shopping list. We’re on our second 360 right now and it’s seen better days. While the system is functional, it doesn’t take kindly to having disks swapped out any longer. We’re stuck with Halo 3 in the machine as a result. (Not that this is a bad thing entirely!)

I'm just hoping if I do break down and buy my third 360, it will hold up a wee bit better than the other ones. Not that they didn't get their fair share of use. But, still, in today's economy it's hard to justify spending $200 on gaming every year for a replacement machine.

Deadly Creatures Creeps Into Stores This December

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 02:40:00 +0000

If players of the upcoming Wii title release Deadly Creatures respond like people in a new off-color promotional video, there won’t be many winners.

The new game is a third-person action title that puts players in a desert-scape where deadly lizards, black widow spiders, Gila monsters and other venomous and terrifying creatures rule. To survive, players must command an armored scorpion or tarantula with precision skills.

The THQ title has been given an ESRB rating of T due to violence, mild language, blood and some references to alcohol. It’s expected to hit the streets Dec. 15 with a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Now, about that promotional video. The “Spider Prank” answers the question of just what would happen if a tarantula fell off a building onto unsuspecting passersby. It’s a rather amusing exercise in the obvious and worth the watch if you like seeing people practically jump out of their skins. There’s some profanity (which is expected under the circumstance).

World Of Warcraft’s Numbers Continue To Dominate

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:39:00 +0000

Blizzard Entertainment has reason to celebrate. Not only is its Wrath of the Lich King expansion almost ready to roll out, but its subscriber numbers continue to blow the mind.

Blizzard announced today that its subscription base now exceeds 11 million players. When this number is brought into perspective, the gravity of the announcement becomes clear.

Many countries around the world have population figures that are less than 11 million. For example, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland and even Portugal have population numbers that are lower than the entire subscription base for WoW.

So, why is this game so popular when other, arguably more challenging and visually pleasing MMORPGs flounder with their subscription bases?

It all comes down to playability. Blizzard, unlike so many other game companies, has managed to create an ever-evolving world that balances challenge and fun. The game, its updates and expansions tend to work as expected or close to it. WoW has managed to pull in serious gamers and casual players alike. It, in short, represents everything a massively multiplayer game should offer – something for everyone.

Now, don’t get me wrong. WoW has had its share of problems, but Blizzard has managed to overcome most of them. This is obvious by the numbers. In fact, the figures from Blizzard speak for themselves.

“Since debuting in North America on November 23, 2004, World of Warcraft has become the most popular MMORPG around the world,” Blizzard’s recent press release read. “It was the bestselling PC game of 2005 and 2006 worldwide, and finished behind only World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade(R), the first expansion pack for the game, in 2007. In addition to being the bestselling PC game of 2007 in both North America and Europe, The Burning Crusade holds the record for fastest-selling PC game of all time, with nearly 2.4 million copies sold in its first 24 hours of availability and approximately 3.5 million in its first month.”

Now available in a total of eight languages, WoW continues to please its client base. The company is even proud to announce in this time of layoffs and cutbacks, it’s even hiring.

Whether you played it and hated it, played it and loved it or never played it at all, there’s no denying the incredible impact WoW has had on the gaming world and continues to have.

The next expansion is due out Nov. 13.

Links:
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
WoW's new patch one week on
WoW Insider Weekly Podcast

Far Cry 2 Makes UFC History

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:50:00 +0000

THQ might have paid for premium octagon placement for its Saints Row 2 ad during last night’s UFC 90 match-ups, but it was Ubisoft that made history with its Far Cry 2 ad. Strategically placed on the rear of middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s trunks, the comparatively smaller Far Cry 2 ad was impossible to miss.

The history-making move by Ubisoft was even noted by the Vancouver Sun.

“Here's another MMA first: Anderson Silva's shorts have been sponsored by a video game; Far Cry 2. Gone are the Condom Depot tags, Bob's Security logos and 38-advertisement montage shorts... the sport has gone mainstream.”

The marriage between video games and UFC action is encouraging to fans - myself included. The UFC has flown under the radar for years, doling out its action-packed and artistic style of fighting without gaining much more than a cult following.

Thanks to the launch of Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” and the support of some mainstream advertisers this is all changing fast.

The UFC with its legendary mixed martial arts fighting is finally gaining some serious attention. Bud Light, Harley Davidson and others are lining up to buy ad placements. Microsoft and Epic Games have even bought in for major sponsorship of next month’s UFC 91, which features a main event between Randy “The Natural” Couture and Brock Lesnar.

As the UFC continues to gain in popularity, it’s extremely cool to see video game makers helping with the climb. Kudos go to supporters who have realized the potential this incredibly demanding sport has to offer.

Far Cry 2, by the way, not only managed to get excellent placement, it did so in a heartbreaking match that made UFC history all on its own. Patrick Cote was the first ever to take Silva to the third round. The fight ended when Cote blew out his knee.

While Silva was declared the victor, you could see he took no pleasure in the win. It’s that kind of class and the honor displayed by (most) UFC fighters that makes this such an incredible sport to watch.

Now, I wonder just how much the company paid to have Far Cry 2 on Silva’s butt?

‘Extra’ Wants Its Viewers To Get Wii Fit

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 23:39:00 +0000

Hoping to get your hands on a copy of Wii Fit in time to whip yourself in shape for the holidays? You’re in luck! At least you could be if you’re a fan of “Extra.”
Warner Bros. “Extra” wants to help its viewers get fit while having fun. The entertainment magazine television show is giving away a copy in a promotion to sign up “friends” on its Web site.

Now in its 15th season, “Extra” is the second-longest running entertainment news show on television. Starring Mario Lopez, from “Saved by the Bell” fame, the show covers what’s hot and what’s not in Hollywood.
Gamers or viewers who sign up online to be “Extra” friends will automatically be entered to win a copy of Wii Fit. They can also win one of three Mario Super Sluggers packages.

Interesting promotion, I’ll give them that. Not many news releases catch my eye, but this one did. Wii Fit has become a sensation since it hit store shelves. Shortages in my particular community led a friend of mine to rope an out-of-state relative into sending her a copy. I understand from her it does provide quite a challenging workout along with some fun.

To check out the promotion and have a chance to win your own copy of Wii Fit, click here.

Impressions of WoW's new patch one week on

noreply@blogger.com (Rob) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:40:00 +0000

Echoes of Doom went live on WoW europe servers last week and I've had some time to check out all the new features. Basically the patch is a preview of the upcoming expansion pack Wrath of the Lich King, and includes major new gameplay features though no new content. That will all come on Nov 13th when Lich gets released. Echoes of Doom offers tons for players to do in the meantime however.

There are countless other changes that are all documented in the patch notes (for example Northrend is now viewable on the world map, and there are zeppelin towers being built for transport there when the expansion is released), but the major changes players met upon logging into Echoes of Doom were the revamped talent trees, the achievements system and the inscription profession.

When I logged in the first thing I noticed was all of my talent points had been reimbursed and I had access to the new 51 point talents.

After a week of play it's quite obvious that these talents have made level 70 characters far more powerful than they had been before, and a lot of the end game content is now laughably easy compared to how it had been.

A few days ago I joined a random group and cleared Zul'aman in 75 minutes, including the 'timed event' where the raid needs to complete 4 bosses against the clock, whereas my (casual) guild had been struggling to clear Zul'aman for weeks before the patch hit. Other guilds on my server reported 3-hour clears of Black Temple that would have taken a few days beforehand.

The new talents shook up the pvp aspect of the game as well, with previously all-powerful classes like rogues and restoration druids finding themselves at the mercy of hugely buffed paladins and mages. My first encounter into a battleground felt like the first time I'd ever played the game, because I didn't know the capabilities of my opponents anymore. My character is a restoration druid (a class many thought to be overpowered) but I soon learned the hard way that the new king at the moment is the retribution paladin, and I foresee the top combos on the arena ladders will change radically as time goes on.

As I previously mentioned, the inscription profession is also now live in the game, allowing players to upgrade the individual spells of their characters. At the moment players can attach two major "glyphs" and three minor ones to their characters spells, but will have the option of adding more when Lich comes out.

Last but not least, Blizzard introduced the fantastic achievements system in the patch, which rewards players for great feats like completing all quests on each continent in the game, as well as fun ones like re-enacting Leeroy Jenkins infamous raid wipe(this achievement will earn you the title 'Jenkins' to display proudly over your characters head).

The achievements system is a clever scheme by Blizzard, as it gets all players regardless of how long they have played back exploring the old content in order to complete their achievements. Dusty old raids like Molten Core, Upper Blackrock Spire and Onyxias Lair are being revisited on a daily basis by players increasing their achievement points, which is impressive considering the content is over four years old at this stage.

There are over 900 listed achievements of all varieties to keep players busy building up points. It's unspecified what the points will be used for at the moment, though I suspect we will be able to trade them in for weapons and armour in Lich King.

Some other notable features are a new in-game calendar that lets guilds plan and sign up for raids, a threat meter (of sorts), new storage for mounts, pets and currency (battleground marks, heroic badges and such), and a 'barber shop' in each city which lets you customise your character for a fee.

Despite the re-learning curve in pvp and some bugs that need to be ironed out (a particularly annoying one is the eating/drinking bug), I'm enjoying the new features very much as well as the Hallows End event which began at the same time as the patch.

Here's some more links I've collected about the patch:
Official patch notes
Essential addons for Patch 3.0.2
Complete list of achievements
What are Glyphs?
Raiding has never been easier than in 3.0.2
Ret Paladins to be nerfed "to the ground"

EverQuest Kicks Off 15th Expansion

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:28:00 +0000

Sony Online Entertainment officially unveiled its EverQuest Seeds of Destruction expansion today, marking the 15th expansion of the trend-setting game. Initially launched in March 1999, EverQuest raised the bar for MMORPGs and paved the way for other blockbuster games like World of Warcraft, Warhammer Online and Age of Conan.

Seeds of Destruction offers players of this classic title plenty of room to grow and explore. The expansion opens up some 20 new zones, raises the level cap to 85, introduces new spells and raiding content and even builds on the alternative advancement possibilities.

“With EverQuest rapidly approaching its 10th anniversary next March,
the legacy of the franchise continues to grow along with the amount of new
content offered," Clint Worley, EverQuest senior producer, was quoted as saying. "Seeds of Destruction will take players back in time where they can discover new storylines, adventures and zones."

The new expansion is available via digital download at Everquest.com and is now in stores. Its suggested retail price commands nearly $40. The price of admission, however, gives new players access to all 14 previous expansions.

As an original player of EverQuest, I have to admit I’m amazed SOE has managed to keep this title going strong for such a long time. It’s hard to conceive the game is on the cusp of its 10th anniversary.

While I’ve moved on to other games and personally can be found slaying mobs in AoC nowadays, I can’t help but remember the wonder of cracking the very first EverQuest box and starting to play. Never before had I seen a game that was so rich in content, engrossing and full of depth. The title remains one of my all-time favorites.

My hat goes off to the folks behind EverQuest for setting the pace and keeping it going.

GameStop Gearing Up To Greet Guitar Heroes

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 21:48:00 +0000

It’s hard to imagine that Activision knew before its initial release of Guitar Hero just how popular this title would become. On the heels of the Guitar Hero World Tour release, however, it is clear that would-be rockers love this game. The proof?

GameStop, the world’s biggest video game retailer, is pulling out all the stops to welcome this title to its shelves.

According to Market Watch – the Wall Street Journal’s site – the retailer plans to throw huge parties at all 1,800 of its stores for the midnight release of the game
Oct. 25. The parties will get under way on Saturday at 10 p.m. Fans of the Activision title are invited to take part in Guitar Hero matches, rock star impersonation contests and even air guitar challenges.

"At GameStop, we are witnessing a new generation of gamers who are interested in casual, more social gaming experiences," Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Merchandising, GameStop, is quoted as saying. "Partnering with Activision for the launch of Guitar Hero World Tour lets us give power to the players of all skill levels and gaming abilities."

Although each GameStop store will have a party for the launch, three marquee events are planned – in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City. These events will feature celebrity guests, games and more.

While I have to admit, I’m not necessarily a Guitar Hero fan, I have seen the pull of this particular title. During a recent gaming event I attended, the “Guitar Hero room” was almost as packed as the “Halo Tournament room.” The players were having a ball and the good-natured competition going on made simply watching the game fun.

Upgrade Makes PS2 Games Better On PS3

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:27:00 +0000

At last, an answer to that pesky imaging problem when older PlayStation 2 games are popped into a PS3.

Sony has released a free download that enhances the imaging quality of older games and even movies. It also allows users to watch stored video and more through the Internet via the PlayStation Portable.

According to a report from KomoTV.com, "The software will also work to adjust the image quality of movies so they will look much better on the PS3, which is equipped to deliver higher image quality through next-generation Blu-ray disc technology.

Up to now, people could use the PlayStation Portable to watch content stored in their PS3 through a wireless local area network.

With the upgrade, users will be able to use PlayStation Portables to check out music, photos and video stored in their PS3 machines at home, while on the go, even from abroad, wherever there's an Internet connection. But they won't be able to play PS3 games on their portable console."

This sounds like a very important upgrade for the PS3 in a particular. The ability to play older games on the machine was a draw for gamers waiting for bigger and better PS3 titles to arrive. But, with the imaging issues, some of the fun was sucked right out of the proposition.

Related:
Kutaragi on PS3 backwards compatibility, more 360 attacks
PS3 Has Issues
Find more...
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Shrek The Third Game Hits The Streets

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 14 May 2007 22:28:00 +0000

Activision has released its Shrek the Third video game for fans to enjoy, just days before the huge theatrical release of the third in the series.

The game puts the fate of Far Far Away land into gamers' hands as they take on the role of one of the movie's main characters. Featuring the all-star cast of Shrek, Donkey, Fiona, Puss-in-Boots and even Artie and Sleeping Beauty, the game takes players on a quest to stop the ever-evil Prince Charming.

Call me a big kid if you will, but this movie and its memorabilia really has my attention. Perhaps it's because of my 7-year-old, or maybe it's just Antonio's voice, either way, I'll be there this weekend to see the third installment. It's also possible, the game will make it's way home, too.

The game is available on multiple platforms, ranging from the Nintendo DS and the Game Boy Advance. It's also out for the Xbox 360, the Wii, the PS2 and more. Prices vary depending on the gaming system involved. It starts at $19.99 for the PC version and works its way up to the standard $49.99 fee for the next gen systems.

Related:
Activision Dedicates Studio To DreamWorks
EA’s Loss Is Activision’s Gain On 007
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Xbox 360 Stagnates In Japan

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sat, 12 May 2007 14:16:00 +0000

It might be one of the best-selling consoles on this side of the globe, but the Japanese have had different opinions since day one. It seems those opinions are holding strong.

According to Punch Jump, the Xbox 360 is still hanging out in the No. 6 position in Japan, falling behind most other gaming machines, handhelds, too, in the country.

Average sales for the console on a weekly basis there fall in between 2,000 and 3,000. Software ranking is also sluggish, but that makes sense with the console's popularity or lack thereof.

Still, there's a silver lining in the cloud. Amazon Japan's video game division has Forza Motorsport 2 and another 360 title on its Top 20 list.

Will they be enough to get the console some attention?

Probably not enough. With the Wii and the PlayStation 3 both trouncing the 360 on weekly sales, a pull out of the figures seems unlikely.

Still, it's doubtful Microsoft ever bet the farm on winning Japanese gamers over.

Related:
Japan Gives Xbox 360 Tepid Welcome
Will Xbox 360 fail in Japan?
Find more...
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Spore Delay Not Shocking

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Thu, 10 May 2007 11:44:00 +0000

News that Electronic Arts' and Will Wright's Spore would be delayed broke yesterday to the surprise of probably no one. This game has already earned worldwide interest because of its maker, but its release has never been nailed down despite years of buzz.

In fact, Spore might be the most popular title that ever wasn't.

Considering the build up for the game, I understand the hesitance to release it before it's "perfect." Wright has a reputation to maintain, after all. As the father of The Sims, any creation he makes is expected to rock the gaming world.

Still, all the delays are starting to make me wonder if Spore isn't just a great big mess.

Guess we'll have to wait until 2008 to find out now.

Once released, the game is expected to be a "god" type title where players create their own worlds from the spore up. It's already won numerous accolades and has a following that includes celebrities.

Related:
Wii, Spore Win Big Honors At E3
Robin Williams Goes Gaga Over Spore
Spore B-Roll Movie Leaked
Spore Wins Top E3 Award
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StarCraft MMO Coming?

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Tue, 08 May 2007 16:21:00 +0000

As the May 19 date for a Blizzard Entertainment event in South Korea approaches, speculation is running high about what the company's newest installment in the StarCraft series will be.

According to CVG, a new MMO will be revealed, following in the footsteps of the company's incredible success with World of Warcraft.

"Well placed US sources have revealed to us that the StarCraft MMO will be unveiled at an upcoming Blizzard event on May 19 in South Korea - the epicentre of the sci-fi RTS series' rabid fandom," CVG says.

With millions and millions of subscribers to WoW found all over the globe, there's no doubt this company is a master at creating an MMO. A science fiction entry that has the mass appeal of WoW and the popularity of StarCraft would be hard to beat.

Still the science fiction MMO arena already has some pretty big names that aren't doing as great as one might expect. EVE is considered on of the best MMOs out there by fans, but its subscription base is miniscule compared to WoW and Sony's Star Wars Galaxies is continuing to flounder along.

But, with Blizzard behind the wheel of a StarCraft-based game, anything could be possible. It will be interesting to watch this develop, if it does.

Related:
Blizzard Planning Diablo, Starcraft for DS/PSP?
WoW Edging Toward 7 Million Mark
EVE Online Hits 30k Online At Once
Star Wars Galaxies Subscribers Strike Back
Find more...
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Forza 2 Races In A Few Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:26:00 +0000

There's only a short few weeks left to go before Forza Motorsport 2 speeds on to the Xbox 360. To say there's been a lot of buzz leading up to this release is an understatment.

The highly anticipated game is the subject of many interviews, specs layouts and even has its own Wikipedia entry. It's available for preorder in a number of locations. Amazon.com is offering a 9 percent discount on the $59.99 sticker price from Turn 10 and Microsoft Game Studios. Amazon also is offering a Nissan Fairlady Z for download to those who preorder.

The updated version of Forza runs at 60 frames per second, allows for a 360 degree view of a car with networked screens and features cars that can be fully customizable. The title supports split-screen and system link and can be played by up to eight people via Xbox Live.

Racing enthusiasts wanting to learn more about the title will find there's no shortage of information out. TeamXbox has a great rundown on the cars of Forza 2, complete will full driving specs.

CVG has a prerelease interview with Dan Greenawalt, the game's director, on its site. Greenawalt took the time to answer questions about the title in general, its features and the new decal system, among other things.

The game releases May 29 for the Xbox 360. It's later than many of us thought it would be last year, but the wait sounds like it will be well worth it.

That day's already marked on the calendar in my house. It's a must have.

Related:
Forza 2 Question Answered
Downloadable Project Gotham Racing 3 Demo Available
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Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sat, 05 May 2007 22:05:00 +0000

Courtesy of The EPN and Namco Bandai, the Igniq.com tradition of giving continues.

This time around we have a $20 gift card to GameStop or EB Games courtesy of the two to give away in honor of the recent launch of Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection for download on the PlayStation Network. The card roughly covers the cost of the download.

The Tekken 5 download is a big one. It took us quite some time to get through it, but it was worth it. The game looks great and is a fun play.

To get in on the gift card giveaway, answer this question correctly: What anniversary did the Tekken franchise recently celebrate?

E-mail answers to sherri@igniq.com. Eligible contestants must live in North America and must answer the question correctly. The deadline is May 19. The winner will be drawn shortly thereafter.

Now, in regard to our .hack://g.u. giveaway, the brand new copy goes out to Krista Edlen in Florida, who was among those who correctly placed the world of Norrath with the MMORPG EverQuest. Congratulations Krista! Your game will be mailed out this week!

Related:
.Hack//G.U. Vol. 1 Giveaway
Lunar Knights Giveaway
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Spider-Man 3 Game Springs Into Action

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sat, 05 May 2007 21:55:00 +0000

Spider-Man fans who can't get enough of the blockbuster hit in the theaters can bring the action home thanks to Activision's latest release.

The official Spider-Man 3 Game has made it was to stores. The game is based on the movie and allows players to "experience for the first time Spider-Man's mysterious black-suited persona, as well as heroic red suit while battling villains in a massive New York City playground teeming with activity," says Activision's media release.

The game features scenes from the movie and enables players to choose between the film plot or new storylines as they fight crime and explore the city. The title boasts more than 20 miles of subterranean environment.

Spider-Man 3 is out for a host of gaming devices, from the three next-gens, to handhelds like the Game Boy Advance. It ranges in price from $59.99 to $29.99, depending on platform of play. It's rated E10+.

Sounds like a great way to bring the action home.

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Second Life Security Reminders Issued

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sat, 05 May 2007 21:40:00 +0000

A recent reminder for Second Life players to make wise choices in creating and protecting their passwords has some wondering if the game is experiencing a problem with hackers, spamers or glitches.

MMORPG.qj reported that Daniel Linden, Linden Lab's community affairs director, has suggested that residents of Second Life consider May "Strong Password Month." It seems Linden went on to strongly encourage people to change their passwords right away.

It does sound like a security breach or a suspected one prompted this, but in the gaming world, password security is always a concern. It can't hurt to play it safe.

In other Second Life news, Linden Labs is getting ready to test an age verification tool that will help ensure residents are 18 or older. Beta testing is set to begin soon and will require residents to input some form of ID to help esnure the population follows the age restriction requirements.

Boy, I wish that rule extended to MMORPGs like EQ and Vanguard!

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Tron Coming To Xbox Live

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Thu, 03 May 2007 11:35:00 +0000

Disney Interactive Studios is celebrating the 25th anniversay of "Tron" the movie with a with a re-release of the classic games on Xbox Live Arcade. Both Tron the game and Discs of Tron will be out this summer.

"The 'Tron' film has captured the imaginations of video game players and film fans for generations with its ground-breaking visuals and action-filled story," said Craig Relyea, vice president of marketing, Disney Interactive Studios, in a media release. "The classic arcade games Tron and Discs of Tron are returning this summer through Xbox LIVE Arcade with new features and options for the film's 25th anniversary."

The games include the original versions and also newly enhanced ones, as well. The updated versions include enhanced graphics and audio. There will be four online modes.

There's no word on when exactly these will arrive on Xbox Live, but they will certainly deliver one heck of a blast from the past when they do.

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Saints Row Gets Platinum Hits Status

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Wed, 02 May 2007 19:58:00 +0000

Just nine months after its official release, THQ's Saints Row has been named an Xbox 360 Platinum Hits title.

Players of the game take on the role of a 3rd Street Saints gang member. Living under threat from rival gangs and corrupt officials, the mission is to conquer Stilwater a district at a time.

The title allows players to customize their character and vehicles. The open-world genre title can support up to 12 players on Xbox Live.

As a Platinum Hits title, Saints Row will retail for $29.99. Considering it's only nine months after its initial release, I can't quite figure out if this is actually good news for the title or not, but at least it's good for gamers that want to check it out for less of an investment.

The folks at THQ don't sound too upset though.

"Achieving Platinum Hits status in just nine months is a tribute to Volition's talented development team, and we look forward to leveraging their proprietary open-world engine to continue pushing the genre forward," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ, in a media release.

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DS Gets Voice Recognition

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Tue, 01 May 2007 12:20:00 +0000

AGI and Sega have a quirky little program coming out for the Nitnendo DS that will have gamers talking – literally.

Kokoro Scan is voice recognition software that is designed to gauge a person's mood. The program can tell if users are happy, sad, stressed and so on. It can even be used to scan the voices of others in the area.

The software comes with a few games, including Kokoro Age, which will have players trying to control their moods while talking. Mini-games are also included.

It doesn't sound like much right now, but if Kokoro Scan follows the typical Nintendo pattern, there will be much more there than meets the eye. Quirky + Nintendo tends to equal addictive!

Wii Sports anyone?

Nods to Kotaku

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Xbox 360 Elite Scoring On Presales

noreply@blogger.com (Sherri) — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 21:46:00 +0000

If the presales for the Xbox 360 Elite are any indication, Microsoft might have a serious seller on its hands. Although its name sake is only the second bestselling next-gen console, this bigger and better version is kicking up some real interest.

Punch Jump is reporting the Elite, which features a 120GB hard drive and HDMI, has sold out on preorders via Amazon.com.

The preorders have put the Elite in the "No. 5 position in the best-selling products for Amazon's Computer & Video Games division on Thursday."

While that's not necessarily the No. 1 spot, it does look as if the Elite is garnering some serious attention. With the PS3 still floundering and the upcoming release of Halo 3 drawing closer (we all hope), the Elite might bring only good things to Microsoft.

The new console releases April 29.

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