GamerNode: Latest Game and Console News

Sucker Punch lacked guidance with inFAMOUS

When inFAMOUS was released earlier this year, it was expected to fare no better than the (then) ailing PS3 library of games that didn't meet gamer expectations. Much to everyone's surprise -- including Sucker Punch, the developer behind the game -- inFAMOUS was a huge hit that propelled the validity of the PS3 as a worthwhile gaming platform into the spotlight. However, the road to gaming glory was nothing short of rocky for Sucker Punch.

During an interview with the October issue of Game Developer Magazine, Sucker Punch co-founder Chris Zimmerman described the hardships the development team suffered while struggling to find some sort of guidance with inFAMOUS:

"For the first year of the project, we really didn't have much of an idea of what kind of game we were building. We were sure about ...

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PS3 cross-game voice chat accidentally confirmed

Recently a Naughty Dog developer went and did something, well, naughty in accidentally confirming cross game voice chat for the PlayStation 3 on the official PlayStation 3 message boards. The developer's fitting user name, ReklissAbandon, has since edited the post to "deleted," but that didn't stop both word of the update and the quote itself from getting out into the internet.

"I think they wanted people to have fun and enjoy the show since all dead players can talk to each other no matter what team you are on," posted the developer on why it is possible to spectate an opponent when information on the opponents can be given out over Skype. "But I will suggest it anyway."

ReklissAbandon then dropped the unintended bombshell. "Not to mention that the next PS3 firmware update is going to allow...

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Uncharted prequel comic planned

Recently picked up Uncharted 2: Among Thieves? I hope you are enjoying it, but have you always wondered where Nathan Drake came from? Well if you have, Naughty Dog looks to answer your many questions in an Uncharted motion comic, titled Uncharted: Eye of Indra.

Naughty Dog's Travis McIntosh and Neil Druckmann recently spoke with PlayStation.Blog, announcing the project. They said that many of the game's voice actors are participating and that the story to be featured was formerly a part of Uncharted 2, but was cut from the game.

Here's hoping the motion comic retains the wit and humor from the games and is just as explosive.

[PlayStation]

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CryENGINE 3 released

Crytek has announced that their ambitious continuation of the successful CryENGINE software system is now available for license to all developers.

Dubbed CryENGINE 3, the new development toolkit promises next-gen uniformity across current and upcoming game platforms by allowing modifiable graphics and processing power to accommodate any new hardware iterations in the coming years.

In addition to supplying developers the means to crank out jaw-dropping visuals, the new engine brings along an updated version of the CryENGINE sandbox editor that allows modders to do their thing without having to muck through tiring code.

Finally, a new method of creating and editing games is possible with the arrival of CryENGINE 3 Create. This tool gives developers the choice of editing their game on a single P...

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Madden NFL Arcade announced for XBLA and PSN

EA announced today that an arcade version of Madden NFL 2010, appropriately named Madden NFL Arcade, is coming for XBLA and the PSN Store. The game will follow EA's previous arcade sports release, NHL Arcade 3 on 3, as a 5 on 5 arcade experience.

The game will have a "unique art style" and feature all 32 NFL teams for play. The game uses an altered set of rules for play: First team to 30 wins, each team only receives four downs to drive the ball down the 60 yard field, and there are no penalties or field goals. The game also featues "Game Changers," a la NFL Street and NBA Street's Gamebreakers, that will allow a team to try and turn the tide of a match or widen the lead.

Also featured is online play, four person co-op on one console, leaderboards, and achievements/trophies. Madden NFL Arcad...

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Joe the Condor and Zero revealed as last two Tatsu...

We've finally got the last two characters to be featured in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. Capcom has revealed that both Zero and Joe the Condor will join the cast. Zero comes from the Mega Man X series and was also featured in another crossover fighting game, SVC Chaos: SNK vs Capcom. Joe the Condor is another Gatchaman character, or as the series is know here, Battle of the Planets. This series paved the way for other shows such as Voltron and Power Rangers.

This completes the US cast of the game, which is getting far more content, characters, and modes than the Japanese arcade and console release. Check out the character videos over at IGN for the two new fighters and get those arcade sticks ready for the game's release on January 26, 2010.

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Queen: Rock Band may happen

Looks like Queen wants to get in on some of that Beatles action. In an interview with BBC, the Queen guitarist Brian May talked about all things Rock Band. He mentioned that a Queen: Rock Band is a possiblity and added that "yes, we're into it, I think it may happen."

Although Queen is a great band, I think they are confusing their inclusion in Lego Rock Band and their song packs in Rock Band for a band-specific title. I don't see them having the popularity of The Beatles for it to work. I could be wrong though, and a Queen: Rock Band could be coming. What do you think? Is Queen: Rock Band high on your list of games you want to see?

[Joystiq]

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Two years of Dragon Age: Origins content planned

BioWare recently told The Game Reviews that they have DLC planned for up to the next two years for Dragon Age: Origins. Executive Producer Mark Darrah said the content will likely be "item packs" and "larger quests that might last an hour or two, up to even fully fledged expansion packs."

He went on to say that the content should make it onto all platforms, though pricing is mum as of now. We'll see if BioWare can produce on this comment. They said roughly the same thing about Mass Effect, but the game only received two DLC packs.

[TheGameReviews]

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Assassin's Creed III may be set in WWII

Ubisoft has already "had discussions" on where Assassin's Creed III could take place, and one setting brought up was a female assassin in World War II-era France and England.

"Where would that make sense?" asked producer Sebastien Puel about a female assassin. "We don't want to just decide we want to change and have a female hero, as the first inspiration is always the time period, but if you're talking about, say, World War II, the economies in England and France were run by women because the men were off fighting. So maybe in this context you were a woman in England during WWII. Why not? Nothing prevents us from doing it," he said.

Creative director Patrice Fortier added that the Assassin's Creed series, originally intended to be a trilogy, may grow and grow beyond just three games.

"What's...

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GameStop director sells over $60 million in shares...

GameStop director Leonard Riggio has recently sold 2.3 million shares of the company, accumulating approximately $60.2 million in the process. The move is being seen as a sign of pessimism by Riggio and a possible foreshadowing of bad times for the game retailer.

"He's got a lot bigger stake in Barnes & Noble," said Form4Oracle co-founder Alex Romayev of Riggio, who is also board chairman and founder of the bookstore chain. "Clearly he thinks selling GameStop is better than selling Barnes & Noble."

Riggio's stake in the company has dropped to 5.5 percent from 6.9 percent before the sales. Last time he sold stock, it was right before a 62 percent loss.

Most analysts believe however that thanks to the holiday season and price cuts on all three major consoles, retailers like GameStop and Best B...

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Movie prop outs Resistance 3?

Over on NeoGAF, user "goldsoundz" took the picture you see above, a billboard for what seems to be Resistance 3 by Insomniac Games. According to the user, this was taken on the set of Battle: Los Angeles, a sci-fi action movie starring Aaron Eckhart of The Dark Knight and Thank You For Smoking fame. The movie is currently filming in Shreveport, Louisiana, where the user snapped the pic.

Of course, the reality of the picture is in question, but a franchise like Resistance was bound to get a third installment anyhow, and with Ratchet and Clank's newest venture due out in two weeks, perhaps there will some nugget of info tucked in there to confirm what we see above.

Two questions first: first, the Statue of Liberty in the A of Resistance foreshadows a trip to New York City, eh?

Secondly, why is...

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Voice actor verifies inFamous 2

The recent success of the PS3 Slim isn't the only thing that PS3 gamers can celebrate about. A fresh Tweet by a voice actor confirms the development of inFamous 2, the sequel to developer Sucker Punch's first PS3 title.

"First voiceover/motion capture audition today for a video game. Re-casting of Cole in the sequel of inFamous. 'I'll melt your face.' e.g"

inFamous follows the sandbox-style adventures of bike-messenger-turned-electric-god Cole MacGrath in a city steeped in chaos. The game was lauded for its solid and engaging gameplay along with a compelling story to support the electric fireworks. A sequel seemed inevitable, as similar open-ended titles have spawned numerous follow-ups and spin-offs that continue the story from where it left off and inFamous is no exception.

No official ...

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This week's releases: 10/11 - 10/17

The week ahead features a square-off between a treasure hunter and a roadie, as two of the big titles of the Fall 2009 quarter hit stores. PlayStation 3 owners will be taking Nathan Drake on another adventure to find Marco Polo's lost treasure in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, while every console owner will get the chance to save the world of rock as Eddie Riggs in Brutal Legend. Without further adeu, here is the full list of games coming out this week.

DS:

Cake Mania 3Cars Race O RamaHero's Saga: Laevatein TacticsMario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter GamesPetz Pony Beauty PageantPokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of SkySqueeballs PartyWhere the Wild Thins Are: The Videogame

PC:

Cabela's Outdoor Adventure 2010Fallout 3: Game of the Year EditionFate: The Traitor's SoulNBA 2K10

PS2:

Cars Race O Rama

PS3...

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DJ Hero Renegade's Jay-Z, Eminem compilation CD de...

Planning to buy DJ Hero? Looking to nab the Renegade Edition that comes with that sweet DJ table? Well, you'll also be receiving a compilation CD that features both Eminem and Jay-Z if you didn't know already. But what is featured on that CD?  Rolling Stone has the scoop on the track list for the disc, that will feature some songs from both artists' back catalogues. While Jay-Z sticks exclusively to old hits, Eminem contributes "Taking My Ball," a new track exclusive to the Renegade set. Since the game is rated Teen, it'll be curious to see if the CD is censored.

DJ Hero looks to bring an interactive music experience to the hip hop crowd, the same way Guitar Hero brought rocking out in our living rooms to the rock crowd. Check out the full set list here.

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Dragon Age: Origins launch trailer released

BioWare has uncovered the launch trailer for their upcoming fantasy-RPG Dragon Age: Origins, which depicts brutal combat between heroes and foes alike.

Four warriors trudge through a frost-laden landscape in search of the Sacred Ashes, only to be waylaid by savage Darkspawn seeking their demise. A furious battle ensues with swords clanging and spells flying through the air. Also, a huge dragon shows up to ruin the fun. Don't you hate it when that happens?

If the trailer smacks a little of something we've played or watched before, you're not alone on that assumption. Granted, the cinematic is beautifully executed; however, the inclusion of an epic dragon battle might te...

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Twitter/Facebook update date removed from Xbox UK ...

If you've been waiting with bated breath for the Xbox 360's Fall Dashboard Update, which brings Facebook and Twitter functionality to the system, it seems the release date has become ambiguous once again. The Xbox UK site had listed the update for a Novemeber 17 release previously, but now the date has been removed and replaced with "service launches Autumn 2009."

The update will release this year, but we have to wait in secrecy for the time being. It may still drop on November 17, but until then, you can enjoy GN's very own NodeBar with its Twitter functionality. It's just as awesome.

[Joystiq]

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Full track list for Lego Rock Band revealed, can b...

The full track list for Lego Rock Band has been revealed today, showcasing the songs that will be featured on the home console versions and Nintendo DS version. Lego Rock Band is developer Harmonix's aim at a family friendly music game, bringing tweens, teens, and parents together to rock out. Also revealed is the ability to export the Lego Rock Band track list to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Rock Band and Rock Band 2. This feature will require you to input the serial number from the Lego Rock Band manual and pay a transfer fee of $9.99 or 800 Microsoft Points.

The full track list is as follows:

All American Rejects, "Swing, Swing"The Automatic, "Monster"Blink-182, "Aliens Exist"Blur, "Song 2"Bon Jovi, "You Give Love a Bad Name"Boys like Girls, "Thunder"Bryan Adams, "Summer of 69"Carl D...

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Final Left 4 Dead 2 campaigns revealed?

Three of the five campaigns for Left 4 Dead 2 have been announced so far, but what about the last two? The answer is revealed with the appearance of two new movie posters on a Taiwanese website that allegedly showcases the remaining campaigns for Left 4 Dead 2.

"Dead Center" seems to pit the survivors against the infected hordes in a shopping mall setting -- gee, where have we seen that before? The clever tagline "Prices Aren't the Only Things Getting Slashed" alludes to a possible homage to zombie flick Dawn of the Dead or Capcom's Dead Rising.

"Hard Rain", which serves as the fifth and final campaign of the game, transports the survivors to an abandoned factory or some similar industrial structure. Heavy rain pours upon the drenched group as they stand amidst a jumble of pipes and girders,...

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Massive game deals this week, Oct. 11 - Oct. 17

The only thing bigger than this week's new releases are the game deals awaiting you and your wallet.

With Brutal Legend and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves arriving in stores Tuesday, it should come as even better news that if you buy two of anything game related at Toys R Us, you'll get the third item free.

Yep, games, consoles, accessories up to $100, and handhelds are all fair game. That's a pretty intense deal. It's unclear from the ad if mixing and matching games, accessories, etc. will stil fall under the deal's criteria, so plan out your purchasing strategy and contact your local Toys R Us to confirm your purchases will count in the three-for-two deal. 

But that's not al for this week's game deals. At the end of September, gaming news site Joystiq reported that more than 200 Game Crazy l...

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No underwater combat in Modern Warfare 2

Keen-eyed gamers may notice a few snippets of underwater action in the teaser trailer released by Infinity Ward for TNT; concerns were raised that the upcoming Modern Warfare 2 will involve some sort of underwater combat level, complete with dwindling breath bar or sluggish controls.

Infinity Ward assuages our worries by clarifying the details of the underwater portion of the trailer. "It's mostly...the opening to a level," explains Infinity Ward CCO Vince Zampella in an interview with GameTrailers TV. "There's not any underwater combat or anything...that's how the CO's generally infiltrate."

So there you have it; the developers have mostly solidified the fact that combat in Modern Warfare 2 will largely revolve around land action. Kudos to Infinity Ward for maintaining such a high degree of...

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