According to Christian lore, Lucia of Syracuse spurned her pagan suitor in the 3rd century, instead devoting her life to the church. None to pleased, the bridegroom denounced Lucia as a Christian, and the Roman authorities promptly plucked her eyes out, after finding that they could not move or burn her. In addition to sainthood, the series of events has earned Lucia immortalization as a headliner for Dante’s Inferno downloadable content. As detailed in a trailer for the Trials of Saint Lucia add-on (see below), the expansion will introduce an online co-op mode and game editor into Dante’s Inferno on April 29. EA has not yet announced platforms or pricing information for the downloadable expansion. EA has taken some measure of creative license with the depiction of Saint Lucia. The game editor will let players design their own trials challenges, which can then be downloaded by other players, as well as rated. Trials pit players against increasingly menacing waves of enemies, including ones that have been pulled from the core Dante’s Inferno game, as well as introduced in the Trials of Saint Lucia add-on. The online co-op mode lets up to two players compete in these challenges, assuming the role of either Dante or Saint Lucia. Dante’s Inferno will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PSP on February 9. For more information, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage . [ Watch Video ] Read and Post Comments (There are currently 81 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot ” Dante’s Inferno DLC intros co-op Apr. 29 ” was posted on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:06:03 -0800
Dante’s Inferno DLC intros co-op Apr. 29
Xbox 360 | NBA 2K11: Mike Wang Returns to 2K Sports
We talk with 2K Sports’ Mike Wang about leaving EA Sports to return to NBA 2K11, plus what to expect from this year’s hoops game. Get the full article at GameSpot ” Xbox 360 | NBA 2K11: Mike Wang Returns to 2K Sports ” was posted by Brian Ekberg on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:10:37 -0800
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Xbox 360 | NBA 2K11: Mike Wang Returns to 2K Sports
Xbox 360 | Bungie rules out Halo: Reach Natal support
Washington studio says Microsoft’s camera-based motion sensor will not be used in upcoming shooter this fall. Speculation has run rampant as to whether Bungie will integrate Microsoft’s Project Natal into its top shooter franchise, Halo, ever since the motion-sensing device was revealed at the 2008 Electronic Entertainment Expo . Though Microsoft initially insinuated that Bungie may be delivering a compatible game for the device upon its launch–an event scheduled for this holiday–the publisher has also noted that Natal support in Halo won’t happen “until it makes sense.” Emphasis in original. Now, it appears as if Natal support doesn’t make sense for Halo: Reach, a game that is “probably” Bungie’s last effort in the franchise . In a post to its Web site , Bungie stated that Halo: Reach will not make use of Project Natal when it arrives for the Xbox 360 later this year. The refutation comes after a recently released screenshot for the game showed an off-center targeting reticle, which some took as confirmation that the device would in fact be supported. “Halo: Reach is NOT a Natal title and is being developed expressly with the traditional Xbox 360 controller in mind,” the developer said in a post to its official site. (Emphasis in original.) As for the errant targeting reticle, Bungie said that it could be chalked up to a bug in the game’s code (“Bug #15163 to be exact”). Depicting some of the same events that took place in the novel Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund, Bungie’s latest shooter will follow a squad of multiple Spartan soldiers. According to Microsoft, the six-Spartan group is Noble Squad, the military unit that will be the focus of the game. Halo: Reach will apparently chronicle their battles with the Covenant as they try to protect Reach’s human inhabitants from their relentless onslaught. For more information, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage of Halo Reach . [ Watch Video ] Comment on this video Watch this video in High Def Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot ” Xbox 360 | Bungie rules out Halo: Reach Natal support ” was posted by Tom Magrino on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:17:31 -0800
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Xbox 360 | Bungie rules out Halo: Reach Natal support
Third Borderlands DLC loaded with new vehicles, mechs
One week ago, Gearbox Software revealed a third downloadable add-on was in the works for the studio’s double-platinum action RPG Borderlands . Without revealing a name, a member of the development staff did say the expansion would raise the game’s current level 50 cap and also be the “biggest” downloadable content yet. A Crimson Lance mech? Uh-oh. Today, Gearbox named the expansion, which will be called The Secret Armory of General Knoxx. As the name implies, the expansion will focus on providing players with new weapons, presumably from the weapons locker of the aforementioned military officer. Gearbox said the add-on’s quests will be geared at players level 34 to 50 but did not give a release date or price for the new content. New vehicles also appear to be in store. Two shots accompanying the announcement indicated that General Knoxx is likely a commander of the Crimson Lance, the elite corporate army featured in the latter levels of the original game. One shot shows that the already heavily armed Lance troopers will be backed up by full-blown mechs with thick armor and nasty ranged and melee weapons. Another screen shows players driving a new type of vehicle: a six-wheeled off-road truck battling what appear to be giant spiders in the desert. [ Watch Video ] Comment on this video Watch this video in High Def Read and Post Comments (There are currently 102 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot ” Third Borderlands DLC loaded with new vehicles, mechs ” was posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:13:57 -0800
Xbox 360 | Mass Effect 2 ships 2 million
EA and BioWare’s sci-fi role-playing shooter for Xbox 360, PC marks double-platinum deployment in first week. Mass Effect 2 launched for the Xbox 360 and PC in North America on Tuesday, and the game’s European rollout occurred today. Even in that short span of time, retailer interest has been strong, as Electronics Arts announced today that it has shipped more than 2 million copies of BioWare’s sci-fi role-playing shooter worldwide. Commander Shepard isn’t a man to be trifled with. Mass Effect 2 resumes the solar-system-hopping adventure of Commander Shepard, which began with the events in the acclaimed original Mass Effect . However, this time out, Shepard finds himself indebted to the pro-human Cerberus Corporation, though his focus remains on ridding the galaxy of the mysterious Reaper threat. BioWare has bolstered Mass Effect 2’s on-disc offerings with a batch of downloadable content through its in-game Cerberus Network. Free for those who purchased the Xbox 360 and PC game new, the DLC currently includes a new crew member who can be recruited as well as a bonus mission. Down the road, BioWare has said that it will introduce new weapons like the M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun as well as the Hammerhead hover tank. For more on Mass Effect 2, check out GameSpot’s spoiler-rich interview with project director Corey Hudson as well as additional coverage . [ Watch Video ] Comment on this video Watch this video in High Def Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot ” Xbox 360 | Mass Effect 2 ships 2 million ” was posted by Tom Magrino on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:25:29 -0800
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Uncharted 2 demo now exploring PSN
Perhaps the biggest addition to the PlayStation Network Store this week won’t cost PlayStation 3 gamers a thing. Those not yet convinced that Naughty Dog’s highly acclaimed , multi-award nominated Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is worth their time can pick up a free single-player demo for the game beginning today. The multiplayer-centric PlayStation Heroes pack, which contains seven character skins from other high-profile PS3 exclusives, such as Killzone 2 and Resistance 2, is also available for $4.99. The PS3 has a trio of original games added to its downloadable library this week as well. VooFoo Studios’ Hustle Kings brings billiards to the PS3 for $9.99. Thexder Neo, from Square Enix, is a revamp of the classic PC side-scrolling shooter and features new graphics, features, and modes, as well as six-player online action, for $9.99. Having previously released the game for the Xbox 360 and PC, Wanako Studios will be bringing its top-down shooter Assault Heroes to the PSN this week for $9.99. PS3 gamers shouldn’t need much convincing to at least try Uncharted 2. Two PSOne Classics also surface on Sony’s store this week. Originally released for Sony’s first gaming console in 1996, Epic Games’ Extreme Pinball is available for $5.99. Bullfrog Productions’ futuristic racer Hi-Octane: The Track Fights Back also zips in at the $6 price point. There’s a dearth of content on the PSP store this week, though four new PSP minis will see release. The new micro games released this week are Dracula – Undead Awakening ($4.99), Pinball Dreams ($6.99), Route 66 ($3.99), and Deflector ($3.99). A full list of the week’s deals and new PlayStation Store content, including themes, wallpapers, demos, and add-on content, is available on the official PlayStation Blog . [ Watch Video ] Comment on this video Watch this video in High Def Read and Post Comments (There are currently 50 other comments) | Get the full article at GameSpot ” Uncharted 2 demo now exploring PSN ” was posted on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:20:55 -0800
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PSP | Big in Japan Jan. 18-24: Valkyria Chronicles 2
Sega’s PSP-exclusive turn-based strategy sequel sells nearly 100,000 in first week but can’t outpace the super-selling New Super Mario Bros. Wii. After two weeks playing second fiddle to Kingdom Hearts’ PSP debut, New Super Mario Bros. Wii recaptured the top spot in the weekly sales chart for Japanese tracking firm Media Create . For the week of January 18-24, Nintendo’s multiplayer mascot platformer tallied 110,918 sales, good enough to regain the best-seller designation. Note to self: When designing a tank, don’t use brightly colored parts for weak points. Sega’s PSP turn-based strategy game Valkyria Chronicles 2 gave New Super Mario Bros. Wii a run for gamers’ money, debuting in second place on the charts with 94,444 copies sold. Trailing in third place with more than 76,000 copies sold was the week’s other big new release, Namco Bandai’s anime-based 3D fighting game Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s Portable: The Battle of Aces. Sales for the best-seller of the previous two weeks, Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, sagged significantly. The latest entry in the publisher’s Disney crossover line fell to fourth place with nearly 60,000 units sold, down more than 65 percent week-over-week. The remainder of the software chart was filled with familiar faces, including a reentry to the charts for Capcom’s Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which was recently rereleased in a budget package. On the hardware front, there was little change. Every system saw sales declines from the week before, but the pecking order was unchanged. The PSP took first place with nearly 53,000 sold, while its digital distribution-bound cousin the PSP Go was dead last with fewer than 1,800 new systems sold. On the console front, the Wii once again came out on top, with its 45,167 tally easily besting the PlayStation 3’s 26,966 systems sold. Meanwhile, Microsoft no doubt can’t wait for the recently announced Monster Hunter Frontier to hit Japanese Xbox 360s , as the system sold a relatively meager 3,343 systems for the week. JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF JANUARY 18-24, 2010 Software: Rank / Title / Publisher / Platform / Unit sales 1) New Super Mario Bros. Wii / Nintendo / Wii / 110,918 2) Valkyria Chronicles 2 / Sega / PSP / 94,444 3) Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A’s Portable: The Battle of Aces / Bandai Namco / PSP / 76,088 4) Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep / Square Enix / PSP / 59,566 5) Tomodachi Collection / Nintendo / DS / 45,002 6) Wii Fit Plus / Nintendo / Wii / 33,640 7) Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles / Capcom / Wii / 23,245 
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite / Capcom / PSP / 16,117 9) Wii Sports Resort / Nintendo / Wii / 15,753 10) Inazuma Eleven 2: Kyoui no Shinryokusha – Fire and Blizzard / Level 5 / DS / 13,951 Hardware: PSP – 52,909 Wii – 45,167 PS3 – 26,966 DSi XL – 24,059 DSi – 20,373 DS Lite – 4,966 Xbox 360 – 3,343 PS2 – 2,088 PSP Go – 1,773 [ Watch Video ] Comment on this video Watch this video in High Def Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot ” PSP | Big in Japan Jan. 18-24: Valkyria Chronicles 2 ” was posted by Brendan Sinclair on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:33:33 -0800
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PSP | Big in Japan Jan. 18-24: Valkyria Chronicles 2
PC | FIFA Online shoots West in June 2010
Free-to-play, PC-exclusive online installment in EA’s soccer sim coming to NA, Europe this summer; beta sign-ups now underway. In 2006, EA partnered with Korean game distributor Neowiz on an online-only PC version of its popular FIFA soccer simulation. Having achieved considerable success in that venture, EA announced today that it is developing a microtransaction-supported, free-to-play version of FIFA Online for PC gamers based in the West. Who can forget the scintillating exploits of FIFA_Star403? EA plans to roll out FIFA Online across the globe in stages. European gamers can sign up to participate in a closed beta test for FIFA Online now through the game’s official Web site . The closed beta test, which will involve some 20,000 participants, will continue until June, when EA expects to open up the testing phase to “hundreds of thousands” of gamers. The English-language version of FIFA Online will be available for the PC worldwide in June. EA plans to release versions of the game in other languages in Europe and North America over the subsequent 12 to 24 months. As for the game itself, FIFA Online features 30 licensed leagues, 500 clubs, and more than 15,000 players. The game features a variety of modes, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa tournament and league play. Gamers will be able to build their own teams by acquiring or training players, upgrading skills, and purchasing in-game items and apparel. Players can earn in-game currency or purchase those funds with real-world money through microtransactions. This is not EA’s only free-to-play online endeavor. Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online recently entered open beta testing , and EA Sports president Peter Moore has called free-to-play business models the future of his division. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot ” PC | FIFA Online shoots West in June 2010 ” was posted by Tom Magrino on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:01:55 -0800
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PSP | Disgaea Infinite US-bound this May
“Adventure novel” spin-off of strategy series casts players as Prinny protagonist searching for a would-be assassin. The Disgaea series of strategy-role-playing games continues to expand its horizons. Nippon Ichi Software America today confirmed that it will be introducing the franchise to a new genre this May, when it releases a localized version of the “adventure novel” PSP game Disgaea Infinite in North America. Etna and the rest of the original Disgaea gang will return for the spin-off. In Disgaea Infinite, players will take on the role of a Prinny, a demonic penguin-like servant in the thrall of original series protagonist Laharl. When an assassination attempt on Laharl is foiled, the young demon lord orders the player to uncover who is responsible. As the Prinny, players can use a magical clock to inhabit other characters’ minds and piece together the assassination puzzle in the process. This is not the first time Nippon Ichi has dedicated a spin-off Disgaea game to the Prinnies. Last year, the publisher released the side-scrolling action game Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? for the PSP. That game launched to a glowing critical reception , and was nominated for Best PSP Game, Funniest Game, and Best Boss Fights (a category which it won) in GameSpot’s Best of 2009 awards . Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot ” PSP | Disgaea Infinite US-bound this May ” was posted by Brendan Sinclair on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:05:36 -0800
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PSP | Disgaea Infinite US-bound this May
Resident Evil 5 – Lost in Nightmares Hands-On
What started as a flashback in Resident Evil 5 is now a full-fledged downloadable episode. We’ve got hands-on impressions.
Resident Evil 5 came out last March to widely positive reviews, with critics praising your ability to unleash deadly haymakers on zombies, alligators, and even boulders. Nearly a year later, Capcom is still at it with a pair of upcoming downloadable episodes that seek to shed some light on the events that were only alluded to in Resident Evil 5’s main narrative. (In other words: Those alligators can finally rest easy.) Dubbed Lost in Nightmares and Desperate Escape, these episodes will be released first as downloadable content, then bundled with the original game shortly after that when Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition arrives in stores. We recently played through select chapters from both, and though you’ll have to wait a bit for our impressions of Desperate Escape, here’s what you can expect from Lost in Nightmares.
If you played Resident Evil 5, you may recall the flashback sequence when Chris Redfield tells Sheva about the fight he had with Albert Wesker back in the Spencer Mansion. This fight is memorable for two things: the mighty choke slam Wesker delivers to Chris, and the fact that it ends with Jill Valentine and Wesker crashing through a window into almost certain doom. Lost in Nightmares will tell the story of the events leading up to that pivotal choke slam (and the subsequent potential deaths of two primary characters) as you assume control of Chris and Jill through the treacherous Spencer Mansion.
I played through a chapter that had me and my teammate working our way through a prison–what mansion is complete without one?–while occasionally dealing with anchor-wielding maniacs popping out of jail cells and crumbling walls. While not as massive as, say, the executioner you meet early on in RE5, these guys were every bit as intimidating due to the fact that their anchors could kill us with a single hit. It was a tense scene made even tenser by the relatively scarce amount of ammo and green herbs scattered around.
Lost in Nightmares is meant to look and play like Resident Evils of old, back when you had to maneuver your way through dank indoor corridors rather than brightly lit African villages. This prison sequence had that vintage Resident Evil feel to it, with narrow, curving hallways leading you toward suspicious groaning sounds and doorways that could only be opened after finding the requisite puzzle pieces. There was also an element of isolation, too, because those anchor guys were the only enemies we encountered–it was mostly atmospheric tension, dimly lit pathways, and an overwhelming sense of dread over what might be around the next corner. This, combined with RE5’s cooperative mechanics (assist jumps, sharing items, and the like), made for a pretty interesting experience.
