This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s a big week for Xbox 360 racing fans with the release of Forza Horizon, the latest installment in Microsoft’s venerable driving-game series. If shooting is more your bag then Medal of Honor: Warfighter should keep you happy. PlayStation Vita owners have a pair of new titles for great gaming on the go: Street Fighter X Tekken and Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz. Lastly, The Unfinished Swan is available for all PlayStation Network members this week. I really, really hope some of you guys and gals give this game a shot. It’s wonderfully different.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s a pretty solid week for new games. Leading the way is Doom III BFG, edition. If you don’t know much about this rerelease then be sure to watch Justin’s interview above. James Bond fans will want to get ready for the upcoming Skyfall with 007 Legends. Any Vita owners out there looking for Halloween frights? If so then Silent Hill: Book of Memories will scare you good. Looking for a quirky Japanese RPG with a distinct art style? Mugen Souls is just what the doctor ordered. Lastly, if you’re a PlayStation Plus member then be sure to take advantage of early access to The Unfinished Swan. It’s such a beautiful and unique game.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

This Week’s Videogame Releases

This week is packed full of awesome games. Harvey Smith’s Dishonored has been getting fantastic reviews. I’ve been high on this game since E3 2012 and I’m jazzed by its critical reception. XCOM: Enemy Unknown has also been high on my list of 2012 games. This sci-fi strategy game has an old-school feel and stands out in today’s market — very sweet blend of retro gameplay with modern trappings. Pokemon Black and White Version 2 is out, ready to entertain millions of Pokemon trainers. Fable: The Journey brings one of Microsoft’s most popular franchises to the arm-flapping world of Kinect. Adding to the motion madness is Harry Potter for Kinect, which offers mainstream entertainment for muggles, witches, and wizards. Lastly, Code of Princess is a slick action-RPG that could be one of the sleeper hits of the year.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

Sony Computer Entertainment America Sues Kevin Butler

Millions of gamers have been entertained by fictitious Sony executive Kevin Butler. The character has been used in dozens of fantastic PlayStation commercials and viral videos. It looks like the hilarious reign of Butler is over and will end in a legal squabble. Sony Computer Entertainment America has filed suit against Bridgestone Americas and Wildcat Creek, Inc. The president of Wildcat Creek is Jerry Lambert, the actor that portrays Kevin Butler.

The lawsuit is over a series of Bridgestone commercials. Lambert can be seen in the commercials and promotional materials, some of which feature the Nintendo Wii. Obviously Sony isn’t keen on having someone that is associated with its console seen with a competing system. VentureBeat received the following statement from Sony Computer Entertainment America’s Dan Race:

Sony Computer Entertainment America filed a lawsuit against Bridgestone and Wildcat Creek, Inc. on September 11. The claims are based on violations of the Lanham Act, misappropriation, breach of contract and tortious interference with a contractual relationship. We invested significant resources in bringing the Kevin Butler character to life and he’s become an iconic personality directly associated with PlayStation products over the years. Use of the Kevin Butler character to sell products other than those from PlayStation misappropriates Sony’s intellectual property, creates confusion in the market, and causes damage to Sony.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. I will guess that Bridgestone and Wildcat Creek will claim that Lambert is playing a character that has nothing to do with Kevin Butler. Sony will claim that some consumers will be confused by Lambert appearing in commercials that use the Nintendo Wii as a prize; the argument is that many people only know Lambert as Kevin Butler and are not familiar with his other roles. Without knowing the details of Lambert’s contract and what kind of non-compete clauses in contains, it’s impossible to say (but it’s fun to speculate).

What do you think of Sony vs. Bridgestone and Wildcat Creek? On a surface level, do you think Sony has a case? Will you miss Kevin Butler hocking PlayStation goods?

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The Unfinished Swan Hits PSN on October 23

Giant Sparrow has announced that The Unfinished Swan will be available on PlayStation Network on October 23, 2012. PlayStation Plus members will be able to download the game a week early, getting access on October 16, 2012. As many of you know, this was my favorite game of E3 2012. It’s creative, inventive, and beautiful to watch. While I’m uncertain of its mass appeal, The Unfinished Swan is perfect for people that like “artistic” games. I hope you guys and gals give this one a shot. It’s different and refreshing. I’m confident that the game will do well with critics, but I hope lots of people buy it. In a world full of balls, guns, and sequels, The Unfinished Swan stands out.

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Spend $100 on PlayStation Network, Get $20 Voucher

Sony is having a nifty October promotion. If you spend $100 on PlayStation Network then you’ll get a $20 voucher for future PSN purchases. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying games, movies, TV shows, etc. As long as you hit $100 then you’ll get the $20 voucher. Additional details can be found here.

The deal is pretty sweet, especially if you’re a PlayStation Plus member that digs digital downloads. Remember, those cats get an extra 10 percent off select “Day 1 Digital” games.

Any of you planning to take advantage of Sony’s October promo?

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This Week’s Videogame Releases

A trio of interesting games hits store shelves this week. Leading the way is Resident Evil 6, which has been met with mixed reviews. Some critics are loving the game while others are kind of “meh” on it. It’s almost time for NBA basketball! To help you get ready for some NBA action, which by the way is fantastic, is NBA 2K13. The PlayStation Vita gets the next installment of one of the most underrated and under-appreciated games this console generation in New Little King’s Story. Hopefully Vita fans give this game some love.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

Coffee Talk #521: Is a 10% Digital Discount Enough?

Sony Computer Entertainment released more details on its “Day 1 Digital” initiative. Aside from having triple-A games available digitally on the same day the boxed copies hit store shelves, Sony is giving PlayStation Plus members a 10-percent discount on select digital versions. So a $59.99 game will run PlayStation Plus members $53.99 if they pre-order or buy the game during the first week of its availability. My question for you today is this: Is that enough of a discount to make you buy digitally?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, getting excited for the U.S. presidential debates, Lady Gaga showing off her “fat” body, or Boone Logan’s unfortunate meltdown, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

Sony Computer Entertainment released more details on its “Day 1 Digital” initiative. Aside from having triple-A games available digitally on the same day boxed copies hit store shelves, Sony is giving PlayStation Plus members a 10-percent discount on select digital versions. So a $59.99 game will run PlayStation Plus members $53.99 if they pre-order or buy the game during the first week of its availability. My question for you today is this: Is that enough of a discount to make you buy digitally?

In the small but lovely RPad.TV universe, I’m in the minority — I’m all about digital media. Most of you seem to prefer physical copies of games for various reasons. Would saving a little bit of money change your purchasing habits? Or would you forego the discount in favor of the flexibility physical discs offer? Please leave a comment and let me know if Sony’s Day 1 Digital initiative will change the way you buy PlayStation games!

This Week’s Videogame Releases

It’s a pretty loaded week for videogames! Fans of fighting and scantily-clad women will want to pick up Dead or Alive 5. If football is more your thing then FIFA 13 — available on pretty much every platform known to man — will do you good. Pro Evolution Soccer 13 doesn’t have the broad availability of its competitor, but many football fans I know think its the better series. Do you love birds and hate pigs? If so then Angry Birds Trilogy should be right up your alley. A few of my writer friends were surprised by The Testament of Sherlock HolmesWipeout 3 should satisfy fans of high-speed racing. I usually don’t include PC games on this list, but World of Warcraft: Mists of Panderia is simply too big to ignore.

Any of you picking up new games this week?

PlayStation 3 Slimmer Coming in September

At Tokyo Game Show 2012, Sony Computer Entertainment unveiled a new and slimmer version of the PlayStation 3 console. The company claims that it’s smaller (volume) and lighter (weight) than the original PS3 by more than 50 percent. Compared to the PS3 “Slim,” this bad boy is 20 percent smaller and 25 percent lighter. Other distinct features include a ridged top (like Ruffles!) and a “sliding disk cover.” The 250GB model will be available as part of an Uncharted 3 bundle for $269.99 on September 25, 2012. The 500GB model hits on October 30, 2012 for $299.99.

One curiosity that won’t be coming to America is the 12GB flash storage model, which will be available in Europe for €229. Similar to Microsoft’s entry-level Xbox 360, this model has a limited amount of local storage but can be upgraded later through peripherals. It would have been fascinating to see Sony Computer Entertainment America give this model a whirl at a very aggressive price. Sadly, it’s not meant to be.

As for the hardware that we will be seeing in North America, are any of you down for Sony’s new PlayStation? What do you think of the looks of the PS3 Slimmer?