Seven45 Studios has released a developer diary on its upcoming game, Power Gig: Rise of the SixString
With its unique controls and story mode, will Power Gig be able to take a slice of the pie that’s dominated by Guitar Hero and Rock Band? I’d love hear your thoughts on the matter.
Engadget posted an excellent preview of the upcoming Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system. One aspect that was touched on (lightly) was the operating system’s connectivity with Xbox Live. The site chatted with Microsoft corporate vice president Joe Belfiore and found out:
We were told by Joe Belfiore during a meeting that there would be two kinds of games on Windows Phone 7 devices — turn based, “app” games, and Xbox Live content which would be full-on arcade experiences. We’re dying to get our hands on something more than just a brief demo of The Harvest, but that’s not possible yet.
Although gaming details were sparse, I highly recommend checking out the article. It reveals a lot of details on what should be an excellent alternative to Apple iOS and Google Android. Whether it’s too late for Microsoft remains to be seen, but the details Engadget revealed are very exciting.
Here are NPD Group’s console software sales figures for June 2010. There are a lot of repeats on June’s list, with Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption leading the way. There’s also one omission that annoyed me. And the the top ten are….
(Nintendo DS)Ugh. Just Dance is back on the list and Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver didn’t make it?!? Come on people!!! Oh well, as a Harry Potter nerd at least I can be happy about the number nine spot. Expelliarmus bitches!
What did you think of June’s top ten? You surprised that Red Dead is still dominating? Wasn’t it interesting that the only version of Toy Story 3 that made it on the list was the handheld one?
NPD Group released its console sales data for June 2010. It was an unusual and exciting month for console hardware. Microsoft did very well thanks to the Xbox 360 “slim”. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true. When you get caught between the moon and New York City. Let’s look at the numbers:
Nobody should be surprised that the Xbox 360 beat the Wii in June. Hardcore gamers bought the new version of the console while bargain hunters snatched up the older model at marked down prices. Sony recently claimed that its inventory problem will no longer be an issue, so it will be interesting to see how the PS3 does for the rest of the year. As for Nintendo…it keeps putting up excellent numbers.
Nintendo reminds me a bit of the Boston Celtics’ Robert Parish; every year sports writers predicted a decline in his stats, but dude put up the same numbers for like 20 years. Some analysts and a lot of enthusiast gamers keep saying, “This is the month Nintendo will decline,” and the company keeps posting excellent sales figures.
Anyway, let me know what you think of NPD Group’s June 2010 console sales figures. Were you surprised that Microsoft did so well? Or was that what you expected from its console refresh?
Here’s a clip of the Evo 2010 finals in Super Street Fighter IV
There are pretty two games coming out this week. First up is NCAA Football 11
Any of you planning to pick up new games this week? List ’em (please)!
A friend notified me that my IMDB listing has been updated to include my writing credits for SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. Naturally, I went ahead and perused the listing. I was surprised to see that the motion-capture actors were listed. The entry noted that former WWE Superstar Paul London, my friend Austin Aries, and my favorite wrestler Claudio Castagnoli did mo-cap work for the game. This surprised me since I didn’t think that THQ and WWE would want the world to know that indie wrestlers were doing the in-game moves for current WWE talent.
According to IMDB, Aries did the mo-cap work for Evan Bourne, Chris Jericho, and Santino Marella. London portrayed Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston. Castagnoli donned the capture suit for Edge and Jack Swagger.
The “Leliana’s Song” downloadable content for Dragon Age: Origins is the best post-launch DLC Bioware has released for its outstanding 2009 RPG. In addition to the things you’ve come to exepct from Dragon Age DLC — new items, new companions, new villains, etc. — “Leliana’s Song” stands out for its excellent voice acting and storytelling. If you’ve ever been tempted by any Dragon Age DLC, this is the one to download before any of the other post-launch content.
(Spoiler alert for anyone that hasn’t played the original!) “Leliana’s Song” is a prequel that examines the titular character’s past as an Orlesian spy. The DLC recounts the circumstances that lead her to chantry life in Ferelden, focusing on the betrayal by her mentor and lover Marjolaine. (And yes, fans of lesbian make-out scenes have something to look forward to.)
The storytelling is well done, thanks to a strong script and some excellent voice acting. Leliana and Marjolaine steal the show, while companions Sketch and Tug add some decent support. If you’re a Leliana fan — and lots of Dragon Age players are — then you’ll enjoy experiencing her past as a manipulative, cutthroat bitch bard. It’s such a great contrast to the seemingly dopey, bless-the-maker character you first encounter in Dragon Age.
The DLC adds some new music that’s completely appropriate for the adventures of the bard. Some of the exploration and battle tracks are lute driven, which is just cool. Along with cowbell, videogame music needs more lute.
In terms of gameplay, there’s nothing new. It’s the same action-RPG combat and exploration that made the original so enjoyable. Most players will be able to beat the DLC in less than two hours. It takes considerably less time if you skip through the dialog and cutscenes (in which case you’re kind of missing the point). Beating the DLC nets you some nifty armor (Battledress of the Provocateur) that can be used in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age: Origins Awakening. Next to the Felon’s Coat, it’s the second-best light-armor in the game.
Most diehard Dragon Age fans have already purchased “Leliana’s Song.” If you’re on the fence about it due to disappointment in the other DLC then I recommend taking a chance on this one. It’s another dose of that lovely BioWare combination of fun gameplay and great storytelling. Out of all the Dragon Age DLC, “The Stone Prisoner” and “Leliana’s Song” are the best. This DLC is a nice prequel chapter in the Dragon Age saga that offers a few hours of fun and some nice armor that can be used in the full game.
Microsoft has a ton of Guitar Hero, Lips, and Rock Band songs on sale as part of its Live-a-Palooza event. Check out the list and let me know if you’re picking anything up. I just purchased “Wonderwall” by Oasis and am tempted by several other songs. Must resist!
Rock Band 1 & 2
AFI Pack 1 440 Points
Blink 182 Pack 2 240 Points
Boston Pack 1 440 Points
Disturbed Pack 1 240 Points
Foo Fighters The Colour and the Shape (Album) 800 Points
Going Country Pack 1 440 Points
Green Day Pack 1 240 Points
The Killers Pack 1 240 Points
Megadeth Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? (Album) 440 Points
Metallica Pack 1 240 Points
Nirvana Pack 1 440 Points
Oasis “Wonderwall” 80 Points
Pearl Jam Backspacer (Album) 800 Points
Pearl Jam Ten (Album) 800 Points
Red Hot Chili Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Album) 800 Points
Slipknot Pack 1 240 Points
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack 1 440 Points
Weezer “Buddy Holly” 80 Points
The Best of The Who Rock Band Edition 800 Points
Wolfmother Pack 1 440 Points
Guitar Hero 5 & World Tour
“Another Way To Die” by Jack White & Alicia Keys 80 Points
“California Queen” by Wolfmother 80 Points
Classic Rock 2 Track Pack 240 Points
“Cut Your Hair” by Pavement 80 Points
“Drive by Incubus” 80 Points
The Eagles Track Pack 240 Points
“Life In The Fast Lane” by The Eagles 80 Points
Metallica Death Magnetic Full Album 960 Points
Motorhead Track Pack 240 Points
“Monkey Gone to Heaven” by The Pixies 80 Points
“Negative Creep” by Nirvana 80 Points
“New Slang” by The Shins 80 Points
“New Wave” by Against Me! 80 Points
“No Rain” by Blind Melon 80 Points
The Killers Track Pack 240 Points
The Rolling Stones Live Track Pack 400 Points
The Silversun Pickups Track Pack 240 Points
Vagrant Records Track Pack 240 Points
Vampire Weekend Track Pack 240 Points
Victory Records Track Pack 240 Points
Lips
“Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus 80 Points
The Cardigans Song Pack 240 Points
Colbie Caillat Song Pack 240 Points
Coldplay Song Pack 240 Points
Creedence Clearwater Revival Song Pack 240 Points
“Fallin'” by Alicia Keys 80 Points
“Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp 80 Points
“Linger” by The Cranberries 80 Points
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell Song Pack 240 Points
New Edition Song Pack 240 Points
Paula Abdul Song Pack 240 Points
“Shake It” by Metro Station 80 Points
Snow Patrol Song Pack 240 Points
“So What” by P!nk 80 Points
The Supremes Song Pack 240 Points
The Temptations Song Pack 240 Points
“You Get What You Give” by The New Radicals 80 Points
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” by the Righteous Brothers 80 Points
Activision has released a video that reveals all the songs in Act One of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
