Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/JoystiqThe Joystiq Podcast combines insightful commentary on the week's video game news and culture with several disembodied, often spooky, voices. Voices may or may not belong to Chris Grant, Ludwig Kietzmann, Joystiq.com editors, or their guests. Spookiness not guaranteed where prohibited, please check local laws. More information available at www.joystiq.comJoystiq hands-on: Silent Hill: Homecominghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-silent-hill-homecoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-silent-hill-homecoming/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-silent-hill-homecoming/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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What's scarier: Silent Hill, or finding out that the latest game in the series isn't being developed by the folks who made the last five games? For many fans, it was the latter when, at E3 2007, Konami revealed that Western outfit The Collective (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Marc Ecko's Getting Up) - now Double Helix - would be crafting the creeps this time 'round.

Things, as they are wont to do, change ... but from our time with the latest playable version of Silent Hill: Homecoming, we were more scared by the game than we were about how it's going to turn out. The generally positive vibe was generated in large part by what lead designer Jason Allen told us is changing - but also what isn't. Full impressions after the break.
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]]>double-helixhandsonhorrorkonamikonami-gamers-night-2008mysterysilent-hill-5silent-hill-homecomingsurvival-horror2008-05-16T20:30:00+00:00Joystiq hands-on: Rock Revolutionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-rock-revolution/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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In the latest round of the great "our drum kit is better - or at least bigger - than your drum kit" conflict of ought eight, Konami definitely comes out the clear winner with Rock Revolution. However, we don't necessarily know if that's a good thing, based on our experience playing the title at its formal unveiling.

Despite the fact that it will offer support for lead and bass guitars, Rock Revolution is very much a drum-centric game. The behemoth of a drum controller has six pads and a pedal, looking like something Darth Vader would have lying around in his hyperbaric chamber.
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]]>handsonkonamikonami-gamers-night-2008music-gamesrock-revolutionzoe-mode2008-05-16T19:30:00+00:00The B[ack]log: Metal Gear?!http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-b-ack-log-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-b-ack-log-metal-gear/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/the-b-ack-log-metal-gear/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The B[ack]log finally returns with a special, three-part look at Metal Gear Solid:

It seems I've become the architect of my own failure. Instead of demolishing the skyscraper of untouched games in my living room, I recently and rather foolishly added three more stories to it. Three very involving, convoluted and relentlessly ridiculous stories, mind you, but ones that I've already been through once. With the release of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots close enough for me to start using the word "impending," I thought it was time for a Metal Gear Solid replay.

A word of warning: While I've tried to steer clear of plot-related spoilers, we're talking about a game that's nearly ten years old. FYI, the Titanic sinks at the end.

Continue reading The B[ack]log: Metal Gear?!

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]]>BacklogHideo-KojimaMetal-Gear-SolidMGSMGS4SNAAAAAAAAAKEStealth2008-05-16T18:30:00+00:00Rumorong: Rock Band tracks not on South Park: Season 11 DVDshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rumorong-rock-band-tracks-with-south-park-season-11-dvds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rumorong-rock-band-tracks-with-south-park-season-11-dvds/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rumorong-rock-band-tracks-with-south-park-season-11-dvds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The website which reported that three Rock Band tracks would be packaged with the South Park: Season 11 DVDs has now taken that bit of info back. TVShowsonDVD.com says that a Paramount representative informed them the information was incorrect, but that there will be other bonus materials in the release. South Park's eleventh season had the infamous "Guitar Queer-o" episode.

Considering South Park had an entire episode about Guitar Hero, it would have been a little weird if the DVDs came with Rock Band downloads. However things got mixed up, it's a little sad to see the info turn out false -- unless the "bonus materials" end up being Guitar Hero III tracks.

[Via X3F]
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]]>guitar-heroguitar-hero-3guitar-hero-iiiguitar-queerorock-bandrumorongsouth-park2008-05-16T17:30:00+00:00Joystiq hands-on: Metal Gear Solid 4 - the finished gamehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-metal-gear-solid-4-the-finished-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-metal-gear-solid-4-the-finished-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/joystiq-hands-on-metal-gear-solid-4-the-finished-game/#commentsFiled under: ,


The moment we'd been awaiting for ever since Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots was announced at E3 2005 came on Wednesday evening, when we walked up to a PS3 running the final, ready-for-retail build of the game and ever so slowly pressed "start" with quivering thumbs. We were whisked from the title screen - a real-time scene showing a suit-wearing Old Snake in the graveyard from previous trailers - to the Middle East, where after only a few minutes we realized that Kojima has done it again: he's taken MGS in a new direction, with wild ambition, while still keeping sneaking the No. 1 priority.

No spoilers here; we're just as set as you are on having as little of the game ruined for us before we get to sit down and play it, good and proper. That said, make with the clicking and read our tale of 40-odd minutes with what will surely be a system-seller for PS3 after the break!
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]]>handsonkojimakojima-productionskojimaproductionskonamikonami-gamers-night-2008metal-gear-solid-4mgs42008-05-16T16:30:00+00:00Rock Band Weekly: European release trackshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/rock-band-weekly-european-release-tracks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Hopefully, people have been brushing up on their non-English. This week's Rock Band Weekly brings us the songs packaged with the European release of Rock Band. We've known for a while these tracks were coming as DLC, and Harmonix has seen fit to do it the week of Rock Band's European release. Also, all DLC available in North America should be available in Europe beginning May 20.

Individual songs
  • "Beetlebum" - Blur (Cover, 160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Hier Kommt Alex" - Die Toten Hosen (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Countdown to Insanity" - H-BlockX (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Perfekte Welle" - Juli (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Manu Chao" - Les Wampas (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Hysteria" - Muse (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Rock N Roll Star" - Oasis (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "New Wave" - Pleymo (160 MS Points / $2)
  • "Monsoon" - Tokio Hotel (160 MS Points / $2)

Le sigh, videos for all of next week's tracks can be found after the break. The DLC will be available next Tuesday and Thursday for Xbox 360 and PS3 respectively.

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]]>europerock-bandrock-band-weeklyrockband2008-05-16T15:30:00+00:00Golden Axe: Beast Rider impressionshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/golden-axe-beast-rider-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/golden-axe-beast-rider-impressions/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/golden-axe-beast-rider-impressions/#commentsFiled under: ,


Bad news, kids: Golden Axe: Beast Rider won't have any co-op play. Nigel Cook, Senior Producer at Secret Level, Sega's Bay Area studio creating the arcade "reimagining", said it was a "difficult decision" to remove the original's group gameplay and "focus on one player for the first game in the franchise." So, there are going to be more titles, and "the second game in the franchise is going to have all the characters in co-op," but for the first installment it's all about perfecting the combat. Now that you've had a moment to digest the very concept of a Golden Axe without cooperative play, let's discuss that combat system.

Beast combat is what makes the game special, Cook tells us, but it's not the only combat offered. He compared the game's melee system to action paragon Devil May Cry, and the arcade's magic system is back as well. First, the beasts: There are five offered in the game including a giant gorilla, a cheetah-like cat thing that can become invisible, and the "raptor," an enormous T-Rex-esque reptile with a scorpion tail. As you can see, historical accuracy is very important in Beast Rider.
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]]>Golden-Axe-Beast-RiderSecret-LevelSega2008-05-16T14:40:00+00:00Sonic Unleashed impressions: all Sonic, no Unleashedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sonic-unleashed-impressions-all-sonic-no-unleashed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sonic-unleashed-impressions-all-sonic-no-unleashed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sonic-unleashed-impressions-all-sonic-no-unleashed/#commentsFiled under: ,

If you were hoping that Sega was going to use its recent Gamers Day event to show off the "unleashed" half of Sonic Unleashed, you'll be disappointed to learn that the speedy blue hedgehog is still very much "leashed" ... even after breaking out of his cage some months back. Despite being unwilling to sway from its rigid marketing schedule and share what we're assuming is going to be the game's key selling point - the nighttime (and "unleashed" werewolf Sonic we presume) half - Sega does want us to reconsider a traditional Sonic game working in 3D. That would be the daytime half.

The presentation began with an explanation that, although the game is being developed by Sonic Team - the very same development team that delivered the universally panned next-gen Sonic the Hedgehog in 2006 - it is in fact a different team that "didn't work on the last one." Apparently the game's lead designer, Yoshihisa Hashimoto, "understands well where the failings were there." If you find it comforting that Sega's owning up for the previous title's shortcomings, you're not alone but we're a long way from being sold on the latest outing.
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]]>SegaSonic-TeamSonic-Unleashed2008-05-16T13:12:00+00:00Sony unveils first-party PSP and PS3 release listhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sony-first-party-psp-and-ps3-release-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sony-first-party-psp-and-ps3-release-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sony-first-party-psp-and-ps3-release-list/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Although this information has been reported on in one form or another, here's the condensed list of Sony's first-party titles coming out for PSP and PS3 in the foreseeable future:
Dates, titles and everything else are subject to change without warning. If it's LittleBigPlanet though, you'll probably hear quite a bit of whining from us first.
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]]>releasesony2008-05-16T10:20:00+00:00DualShock 3 shakes down US for $10.9 million in Aprilhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/dualshock-3-shakes-down-us-for-10-9-million-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/dualshock-3-shakes-down-us-for-10-9-million-in-april/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/dualshock-3-shakes-down-us-for-10-9-million-in-april/#commentsFiled under: ,


Apparently, rumble does matter to a lot of Americans. According to SCEA, the feedback-giving DualShock 3 had $10.9 million in sales during the month of April, meaning that about 200,000 Americans were ready to put down $55 for some vibration from their PS3 controller.

As we learned from our initial impression of the DualShock 3: Yes, it's worth it. We do know that the Sixaxis is on its way out, but at this point only the MGS bundles come with the DS3. We're still waiting for the "official" changeover to occur with regular PS3 consoles.
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]]>dualshockdualshock-3sixaxis2008-05-16T09:10:00+00:00Konami's Rock Revolution drums revealedhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/konamis-rock-revolution-drums-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/konamis-rock-revolution-drums-revealed/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/konamis-rock-revolution-drums-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Harmonix must be beside itself with this last week finding not one but two companies hopping on the developer's coat tails and revealing a pair of drum kits that bear more than a passing resemblance to those used in Rock Band. However, while Guitar Hero IV's kit still carries some basis in reality, the kit revealed by Konami for the company's newly announced Rock Revolution looks to be designed for players with extra appendages or other rhythm enthusiasts who are not quite human.

With six face pads of three different sizes, as well as a kick pedal, Konami's kit is certainly the most complex of the three. However, according to MTV Multiplayer blogger Patrick Klepek, the drums carry what sounds like a much more forgiving difficulty curve than those in Rock Band, which while great are almost unapproachable by rhythm game newcomers even on the easiest setting. By contrast, and according to his admittedly brief time with Konami's offering, the game doesn't penalize players for improvising during a song, and also features five difficulty settings with the lower two removing the foot pedal entirely. Still, the question remains as to if there is room enough for another peripheral-heavy rhythm game, not so much in the genre but in our own living rooms.
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]]>drumsguitar-hero-ivguitarfreakskonamirhythmrock-bandrock-revolutionzoe-mode2008-05-16T08:40:00+00:00Blue Jackets' Nash to front NHL 2K9http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/blue-jackets-nash-to-front-nhl-2k9/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/blue-jackets-nash-to-front-nhl-2k9/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/blue-jackets-nash-to-front-nhl-2k9/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Sure he and his team may have missed the playoffs yet again and are likely fantasizing about what might have been while swinging at balls from the back nine, but that hasn't stopped Columbus Blue Jackets' young-yet-impressive captain Rick Nash from scoring cover duty on Take Two's fall release of NHL 2K9. Also worthy of note from 2K is that developer Visual Concepts has "taken over" development duties for this latest game in the franchise -- as opposed we assume to working in tandem with fellow studio Kush Games -- and that the devs are rebuilding the title "from the ground up."

Not to take anything away from three-time All Star Nash, but it's still an odd choice, at least by team standings, given the Blue Jackets' once again abysmal campaign during the 2007-08 regular season that saw the fledgling team rank near the bottom of both the Western Conference and overall league in points. However, perhaps those who make these kinds of decisions are hoping this is the sort of voodoo that will turn Ohio's NHL franchise around -- sort of like a reverse Madden curse.
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]]>2k-games2k-sports2kgames2ksportshockeykush-gameskushgamesnhlnhl-2k9nhl2k9visual-conceptsvisualconcepts2008-05-16T02:00:00+00:00YouTube uploads integrated into PS3 gameshttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/youtube-uploads-integrated-into-ps3-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/youtube-uploads-integrated-into-ps3-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/youtube-uploads-integrated-into-ps3-games/#commentsFiled under:

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has announced that it is integrating the YouTube API to allow developers to add video uploading to their titles. The first game to utilize the new feature is Mainichi Issho, a free Japanese PSN title that debuted in November 2006. As seen in the screenshot above, you will now be able to upload in-game video to YouTube for sharing from inside the game.

No other title has been announced to use the YouTube API, either for a new title or updating an exiting game. Our dream? YouTube uploads with LittleBigPlanet. It seems like a no-brainer.
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]]>mainichi-isshosceisonyyoutube2008-05-15T22:35:00+00:00April NPD: GTA IV, Mario Kart Wii race to the tophttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/april-npd-gta-iv-mario-kart-wii-race-to-the-top/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Things that won't surprise you

April proved to be yet another lucrative month for the ol' gaming biz, with total industry sales reaching $1.23 billion, reports GameDaily. Software sales in particular grew to $654.7 million, an increase of 68% carried on the fine leather seats of Grand Theft Auto IV's recently stolen convertible. Rockstar's urban riffraff romp sold 2.85 million copies -- that's 1.85 million on Xbox 360 and 1 million on PS3 -- while Nintendo's Wii took the top spot in hardware sales. Mario Kart Wii, however, had to settle for second place.

Things that will surprise you

It was a photo finish for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but the photographers had likely packed up and left for the day by the time the steeds reached the finish line. Selling 188K and 187.1K units respectively, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were thoroughly bested by the systems that didn't have GTA IV. We'd feel a bit silly if we were them.

- Wii: 714.2K 6.8K (0.94%)
- DS: 414.8K 283.2K (40.6%)
- PSP: 192.7K 104.3K (35.1%)
- Xbox 360: 188K 74K (28.2%)
- PS3: 187.1K 69.9K (27.2%)
- PS2: 124.4K 91.6K (42.4%)

You'll find the top ten in software sales after the break.

Continue reading April NPD: GTA IV, Mario Kart Wii race to the top

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]]>BreakingNewsGTAIVMario-Kart-WiiMicrosoftNintendoNPDRockstarSony2008-05-15T19:45:00+00:00PSN Thursday: Secret Agent Clank PSP demohttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/psn-thursday-secret-agent-clank-psp-demo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Well, PS3 owners don't really have much to look forward to this week from the PSN update, but those with a PSP can try out the new Secret Agent Clank demo. Maybe we spoke too soon, some people might be interested in the Rocketmen expansion or the Dragon Ball Z demo. Don't forget that new echochrome levels are now available, although it isn't technically part of the PSN update, it seems worth mentioning here. Find the full NA update after the break.

The European PSN update is happily posted in the town square over at PS3 Fanboy.

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]]>psnpsn-storepsn-thursdaysecret-agent-clank2008-05-15T18:30:00+00:00New monster-fied screens, videos from Hellboy: Science of Evilhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/new-monster-fied-screens-from-hellboy-science-of-evil/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/new-monster-fied-screens-from-hellboy-science-of-evil/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/new-monster-fied-screens-from-hellboy-science-of-evil/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click to embiggen

Second only to falling on his rear in front of colossal beasts, Hellboy is best when he's digging his demonic fist into smaller creatures. Check out these new Hellboy: Science of Evil screens for more punching goodness. Hellboy is coming June 24 on PlayStation 3, PSP and Xbox 360.
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]]>hellboyhellboy-science-of-evilkonamikonami-gamers-night-20082008-05-15T17:15:00+00:00Silent Hill: Homecoming creeps out of hidinghttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/silent-hill-homecoming-creeps-out-of-hiding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/silent-hill-homecoming-creeps-out-of-hiding/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/silent-hill-homecoming-creeps-out-of-hiding/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click to enlarge
Wait ... where are the floats, the cheerleaders, the awkward slow-dancing? Oh, its not that kind of homecoming. No, it's a Silent Hill homecoming, which means it's really foggy, those "cheerleaders" are grotesque creatures, and the dance move of choice is called "running for your life."

Konami finally rolled out a playable build of the series' fifth installment at its press event last night, and we were on hand to, well ... get our hands on it. We're writing up our impressions, along with Double Helix design lead Jason Allen's musings on bringing the series to a new generation. For now, get tickled by the first screens (on your console of choice) -- and several new videos embedded after the break!
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]]>breakingnewsdouble-helixkonamikonami-gamers-night-2008silent-hill-5silent-hill-homecoming2008-05-15T16:30:00+00:00MGS4 'Gun Metal Gray' PS3 bundle exclusive to Konami websitehttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/mgs4-gun-metal-gray-ps3-bundle-exclusive-to-konami-website/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/mgs4-gun-metal-gray-ps3-bundle-exclusive-to-konami-website/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/mgs4-gun-metal-gray-ps3-bundle-exclusive-to-konami-website/#commentsFiled under: ,


While we've known for some time that the "Gun Metal Gray" PlayStation 3 bundle -- featuring a shiny 40GB model, a matching DualShock 3 controller and a Limited Edition copy of geriatric sneakfest, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots -- would be available to Americans, we didn't know until now that it would only be available to Americans logging onto Konami's website. Online and inevitably scarce pre-orders for the $599.99 package will start on May 19th, so you'd better get clicking if you want Snake and Gray Box to face off in your living room.

No, we mean it. Judging by Konami's labyrinthine sign-up process for the Metal Gear Online Beta, you'll need at least several days to prepare a registration, obtain an ID, convert that into e-currency, trade it in for the microfilm, enter the password, steal the key code, write the secret URL on a postcard and summon Hideo Kojima in an arcane ritual.

Note: This bundle is different from the regular, $499 MGS4 bundle which includes an 80GB PS3 and a DualShock 3.
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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>BundlesGunmetal-Gray-PS3Guns-of-the-PatriotsHideo-KojimaKonamiMetal-Gear-Solid-4Metal-Gear-Solid-4-Guns-of-the-PatriotsMGS4SnaaaaaaaaakeStealth2008-05-15T16:00:00+00:00Konami jumps on the 'band' wagon with Rock Revolutionhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/konami-jumps-on-the-band-wagon-with-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/konami-jumps-on-the-band-wagon-with-rock-revolution/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/konami-jumps-on-the-band-wagon-with-rock-revolution/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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When Guitar Hero first hit PS2, we thought: "Wow, this is like Konami's GuitarFreaks ... and that's been around since the original PlayStation. Why don't they release it here?" Well, our question was answered at yesterday's Konami Gamer's Night 2008 with the unveiling of Rock Revolution. Taking the "Revolution" suffix naming scheme of its other music genre (bemani) cousins, the game, from SingStar developer Zoë Mode, is set for a fall release on PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS. We have the first screens of the HD offerings, along with some salient details:

The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will feature:
  • 40 songs on the disc, with DLC tracks planned
  • Record your own songs in a "Jam Session" (8 separate tracks)
  • Online co-op, versus, and battle of the bands modes
  • Crazy big drum set with six pads, plus pedal
The Wii version adds the ability to play "air guitar" using the Wiimote and nunchuck; and the DS version includes a "Vocalist" mode using the built-in microphone. Check back for our hands-on impressions of Rock Revolution for Xbox 360 -- and be sure to peep the debut trailer after the break!
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Continue reading Konami jumps on the 'band' wagon with Rock Revolution

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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

]]>breakingnewsguitarfreakskonamikonami-gamers-night-2008rock-revolutionzoe-mode2008-05-15T15:00:00+00:00Survey hints at Rock Band 2 with online world tour, drum trainerhttp://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/survey-hints-at-rock-band-2-with-online-world-tour-drum-trainer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/survey-hints-at-rock-band-2-with-online-world-tour-drum-trainer/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/15/survey-hints-at-rock-band-2-with-online-world-tour-drum-trainer/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We've received a handful of anonymous tips indicating that Electronic Arts is conducting surveys (surprise!) for Rock Band 2. From what we've seen, the survey is being conducted by Listen Research for EA. The survey breaks down as follows:
  • The sequel will be full featured and will represent a jump similar to that from Guitar Hero I to GHII, or GHII to GHIII.
  • Separate questions ask the likelihood of purchasing Rock Band 2 Special Edition (i.e. the full instrument package) for $199, $169 and $149, respectively. All current Rock Band consoles (PS3, PS2, Xbox 360 and Wii) are mentioned.
  • There are questions concerning Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 1 and how many expansion packs you are expecting to purchase in the next six months.
  • The survey asks likelihood of purchasing Rock Band over a multi-instrument version of Guitar Hero.
EA reportedly provided details on the new features for Rock Band 2 in some of the surveys, but we haven't been able to confirm this. New additions to World Tour mode are said to include online play, the recording of music videos and hiring of staff members. Other new features include Battle of the Bands, competing against other bands in daily and weekly battles, setting challenges to progress through your band's discography in increasingly harder setlists, as well as a drum trainer mode.

We've requested comment from MTV, Electronic Arts and Harmonix.

[Thanks to Andre and everyone else who sent this in!]
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SPONSORED BY: Age of Empires III - Real-Time Strategy Game Control a European power on a quest to colonize and conquer the New World. AOE3 introduces new gameplay elements, as well as new civilizations, units, and technologies. http://www.ageofempires3.com/

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