Monday, February 8, 2010

THQ Reveal Brock Lesnar Will Feature On The UFC Undisputed 2010 Cover


THQ Have announced that Brock Lesnar will feature on the cover for UFC Undisputed 2010. THQ Have also revealed more details for the game. UFC Undisputed 2010 is coming to the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 on 25th May. A PSP Version of the game will come out later this year.

THQ Have revealed details on what fans can expect the game to have. The game will have greater fighter customisation, intelligent and Intuitive combat, a Robust career progression, New Gameplay modes, and Online Modes

Press Release

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Feb 08, 2010 THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Zuffa, LLC today announced the first gameplay details surrounding UFC®Undisputed™ 2010, the follow-up to the critically and commercially acclaimed debut videogame based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship®. Poised to deliver intelligent and intuitive combat, increased fighter customization, robust career progression, challenging new gameplay modes and explosive online offerings, UFC Undisputed 2010 is currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system versions are scheduled for release on May 25, 2010, while the PSP system version is scheduled for release later this year.

In addition, current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar will be featured on the cover of UFC Undisputed 2010. A mixed martial artist, as well as a former professional and amateur wrestler, Lesnar made his UFC debut during UFC 81: Breaking Point against former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir. He went on to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship by defeating Randy Couture at UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar, held on November 15, 2008, and has retained the Championship since that time. Lesnar is tentatively slated to return to the Octagon in 2010.

“UFC Undisputed 2010 will deliver the most advanced and superior virtual MMA action based on the world’s most prominent and respected organization in mixed martial arts, Ultimate Fighting Championship,” said Brian Coleman, Vice President of Global Brand Management, THQ. “Through enriched gameplay and extensive new options, players will understand and appreciate what it takes to be a real UFC fighter.”

“Brock Lesnar’s intensity and relentless commitment to the sport of mixed martial arts, as well as to the UFC, make him a perfect candidate to be the cover athlete for UFC Undisputed 2010,” said Dana White, President, UFC. “You want to be a fighter? Videogamers and fight fans around the world need to step up to Brock’s level when they enter the virtual Octagon in UFC Undisputed 2010!”

About UFC Undisputed 2010
UFC Undisputed 2010 is the only mixed martial arts (MMA) videogame this year that will deliver the action, intensity and prestige of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Players will navigate an unparalleled roster of more than 100 prolific UFC fighters, each fully rendered to convey a photorealistic appearance. Prominent UFC personalities, including commentators Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg, veteran voice of the Octagon Bruce Buffer, the Octagon Girls, referees, trainers and more, will return to showcase an authentic and memorable UFC videogame experience.

Enhanced combat will offer players a new Sway System with full upper body and head movement that allows for the dodging of attacks. On the ground, a new Posture System will enable players to deliver stronger, fight-ending strikes from every position. In addition, players will manage Octagon control with new strikes, submissions, transitions and cage positions, as well as experience added realism with the introduction of Southpaw stance. Players will also enjoy customizable freedom with created fighters by combining moves from numerous MMA disciplines, including new moves taken from Sambo, Karate and Greco-Roman Wrestling, to become true mixed martial artists.

UFC Undisputed 2010 will encourage online camaraderie like never before, as players will have the ability to form fight camps and leagues, train like real-life UFC fighters and go online to compete against other camps in the virtual UFC world. Career Mode will also return, including a new “Game Is Watching You” system that will track every action and use this information to dictate in-game commentary, opponent intelligence and overall career progression. In addition, players will enhance their Career Mode experience through online co-op sparring sessions with their respective fight camps and form unique personalities for created fighters to increase their cred, popularity and sponsorships based on interactions during weigh-ins and interviews.

UFC Undisputed 2010 will also introduce players to three new gameplay modes. Title Mode will enable players to fight through one of UFC’s five official weight classes to earn and defend a championship belt. In Title Defense Mode, players will see a fighter’s condition remain persistent but offer milestone challenges built in along the way. In addition, the game’s Tournament Mode will allow players to explore up to 16-player individual and team tournaments within one system. The mode will be compatible with both UFC and created fighters, as well as deliver two unique gameplay styles. Arcade-style play will offer the ability to repeat a fighter’s appearance, while simulation play will limit fighter representation to one appearance.

More information about UFC Undisputed 2010 can be found at www.ufcundisputed.com and www.thq.com.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa™, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, BellTV, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, Viewers Choice, and WOWOW in Japan, and Premiere Combate and SporTV in Brazil, and via the Internet worldwide on Yahoo! Sports, and commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com, UK.UFC.com,GERMANY.UFC.com or UFCEspanol.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC and affiliated entities in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox LIVE logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the release of the UFC Undisputed 2010 videogame, and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Audio Re-Cap of The Weekends News (oldest to newest)

Here is today's Audio Re-Cap of The Weekends news.
Don't forget, you can subscribe to the Audio Re-Cap Podcast on iTunes. if you do, it would be great if you can review and rate the podcast.

A podcast is available on iTunes from:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=328547861

A RSS Feed from Podbean:
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And on qtegamers.blogspot.com:
http://qtegamers.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio Re-Cap


Re-Cap of The Weekends News (oldest to newest)

  • QTE Blog: Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/16vVfT

  • 360: Microsoft have announced that the 120GB HDD will be discounted in the USA to $129.99 whilst stocks last. http://ow.ly/14zv3

  • PS3: The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the PS3 is loosing 6 cents for every dollar, $18 loss for a $300 console. http://ow.ly/14zwu

  • QTE Blog: Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/16vXdT

  • QTE Blog: EA Have Released A New Trailer For Command & Conquer 4 http://ow.ly/16vXdS

  • The9 has reportedly invested around $15M into Red 5 Studios. http://ow.ly/14zxp

  • 360: Left 4 Dead 2 is getting a update. various Gameplay and Map fixes have been detailed in the link. http://ow.ly/14zC3

  • N.Y Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo is investigating several retails for deceptive advertising. GameStop is one of them http://ow.ly/14zCD

  • 360: Peter Molyneux says Fable III is 'almost at its final edit' stage, polishing the game about all that's left http://ow.ly/14zE5

  • QTE Blog: THQ Have Released A New Promo Trailer For MX vs ATV Reflex http://ow.ly/16vY9B

  • QTE Blog: Sega Have Released A New Mini Game Trailer For Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll http://ow.ly/16vY9A

  • PS3: Atlus are letting Demon Souls players pick the games World Tendency for Valentines day. http://ow.ly/14zSq

  • Xbox: Bungie are calling fans to come together on 14th April to give Halo 2 a big send-off before Xbox Live support ends http://ow.ly/14zTp

  • Concept art has emerged from 3 EA games that were in development, Road Rash, Oliver Twist, and Arthurian http://ow.ly/14zUw

  • PC: its reported Championship Manager Online has been canned, apparently without prior notice to players http://ow.ly/14zVj

  • QTE Blog: This Weeks UK WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases http://ow.ly/16vZ2J

  • QTE Blog: Sega Have Released A Launch Trailer For Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll http://ow.ly/16vZ2K

  • Wii: its rumoured that Sonic will be a playable character in Mario Galaxy 2. http://ow.ly/14zWa

  • Its reported that Wii development is in decline. iPhone development increasing. http://ow.ly/14A0F

  • Facebook: EA say they will introduce Madden NFL on Facebook, make it more accessible, simpler experience. http://ow.ly/14A1x

  • Gran Turismo PSP sold 1.8M units, GT5 Prologue sold 4.650M units. Gran Turismo Series has sold 55.450.000 Units http://ow.ly/14A2Z

  • QTE Blog: Sony Online Entertainment Announce Vengeful Gods, The 9th Expansion For Legends Of Norrath http://ow.ly/16w0td

  • PSP: Kojima Productions say that Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker still has surprises in store. http://ow.ly/14A3W

  • PC: Diablo III Artwork has revealed a Female version of the Monk Class. http://ow.ly/14A4X

  • Ubisoft and THQ reportedly hint that they know about Nintendo's new platform. possible Ubisoft announcement next week http://ow.ly/14A80

  • GC: Nintendo Reveal the GameCube was designed with 3D in Mind. it had the ability to play 3D games. http://ow.ly/14A93

  • The back of the Final Fantasy XIII 360 box confirms that there will be DLC for the game. http://ow.ly/14CA4

  • PC: Following Championship Manager Online's closure, co-Devs Jadestone have blamed Eidos for shutting it down http://ow.ly/14CNs

  • QTE Blog: Our 1 Year (+5 Days) Anniversary!!! http://ow.ly/16wk4C

  • QTE Blog: About QTE Gamers http://ow.ly/16wl1W

  • QTE Blog: Why I Decided To Create QTE Gamers http://ow.ly/16wl1V

  • QTE Blog: What A Year Its Been – The Evolution Of The Site http://ow.ly/16wlRa

  • QTE Blog: What A Year Its Been – QTE Gamers And PR http://ow.ly/16wnlp

  • QTE Blog: Tips For Future Videogame Bloggers http://ow.ly/16wpdV

  • QTE Blog: What Have You Played This Week? http://ow.ly/16wqjA

  • QTE Blog: QTE Tweets Of The Week http://ow.ly/14ZcO



QTE Tweets Of The Week

10 QTE Blog: Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/16uSl0

9 QTE Blog: Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/16uTQ0

8 QTE Blog: Sony Announce That Temco's Fret Nice Is Coming To The PSN This Week http://ow.ly/16uA5g

7 QTE Blog: Cryptic Announce Klingon And Ferengi Playable Characters Are Available For Purchase http://ow.ly/16uA5f

6 360: Ubisoft have announced that Splinter Cell Conviction is coming out on the 13th April. http://ow.ly/13OoP

5 Nokia: Ovi Maps Racing has been released as a free download.its a top down racer that makes tracks based on your location http://ow.ly/13OqA

4 THQ Have said that there will be another De Blob game sometime between April 2010 and March 2011. http://ow.ly/13OwQ

3 360: A picture of a Natal Prototype has been released. its made in the same factory as the iPhone http://ow.ly/13SWX

2 PC: Atari have announced that there are over 1 Million registered accounts for Star Trek Online. http://ow.ly/13OD0

1 Game Crazy Parent company, Movie Gallery, has filled for chapter 11 bankruptcy. only 250 stores will remain. http://ow.ly/13OtL


Sunday, February 7, 2010

What Have You Played This Week?

Not too much played this week. There generally was a lot of news to deal with meaning I only played a little here and there. Also we had the plumber in to fix radiators which took up Monday-Tuesday. Wednesday was very busy catching up on the week.

Football Manager 10 – PC – Still playing through with FC Bayern. Also i'm now manager of Ireland. Only through the second season so far.

Okami – Wii – only played a little which is a shame, wish I had more time to play it.

Uncharted 2 – PS3 – Only played a little of the game, not really progressed much further.

Fl0w – PS3 – decided to play to get a couple more trophies. I also spent time just relaxing to the game.

Half Minute Hero – Demo – PSP – a lot of people have been talking good things about this game so I was eager to have a go. The demo is very short, even though it offers 2 stages, but this is more a result from the game itself. It took a little while to get used to the very different style of gameplay, but it's quick, exciting, and fun. The graphics are charming and so is the music in their retro styles. I recommend people try the demo as it may surprise them.

What have you been playing this week? feel free to add your weeks gaming selection in the comments, or comment on my selection for this week


Tips For Future Videogame Bloggers

After doing this for a year, I feel I could offer some advice for people who are thinking of starting their own videogame blog.

1.Don't be afraid to have a grand vision. It is something to aim for. But start small, slowly introduce sections and the amount of work you do. Don't worry if it takes a few months for your site to grow into your grand vision, or even if you don't reach your vision. Try to get the main parts in, see what your audience reads and make sure they are catered for.

2.Try to be different from the other sites. Its easy to copy what others do, but it's harder to make your site unique. Have a good look around the web and see if you can find a niche that's not being catered for. If you want to do something that's similar/same as other sites, spend some time getting posts down on your site, then try contacting those sites either offering news tips, or show them your work.

3.It would be handy to have some money put aside to spend on your site. Its ok to use Blogger/Wordpress, but there comes a point where owning your own domain name would make your site look more professional.

4.Don't be afraid to experiment with new technology, many websites were slow to use Twitter, and try to keep on top of social trends. All this will give you a leg up on the big sites and will help build a audience.

5.When talking to PR, understand that you may not get a response. Remain calm and polite and ask again. Some companies will refuse to talk to you because of the size of your site. Understand and move on to others who will.

6.Have a go at doing a podcast, either solo or with mates. Try experimenting with other things like video's on youtube. If your looking at moving to a bigger site, understand that they use audio/video reporting heavily and any experience is essential.

7.Don't expect to get a job at a big site because you have a small site. Having your own site is a good way to earn experience in writing and the videogame industry, but it doesn't mean your guaranteed a job a major site. It will be a let down, but you should be enjoying working on your site, if you haven't been enjoying it...perhaps working in the industry isn't for you.

8.Always check your work. Read what you have written and check for mistakes. It may sound simple but all the sites suffer from this time to time.


What A Year Its Been – QTE Gamers And PR

One of the biggest experiences I've had is dealing with PR. For the most part, I've had good experiences in dealing with PR. But I went in knowing that I wouldn't get a reply to every email I sent, and knowing that I was a small blog and I wouldn't be given a lot of attention from the big sites.

In the beginning, I talked a lot to PR from various different companies. I was trying to get access to press sites to increase the amount of news I was reporting on myself, and not news from other sites. But it took time to get access to many of these press sites, so instead I would send of email questions to various companies to create some news. More often than not I wouldn't get a reply, but companies like Zen Studios were great and answered questions I posed them. Unfortunately, as I got access to more press sites, I didn't have the time to ask other companies questions like I did In the beginning. For me that is a disappointment, I would like to ask lots of questions, but now i've signed up to many press sites, I rarely get the free time.

Out of the main 3 console makers, I have to say that Sony have been by far the most helpful because neither Microsoft or Nintendo have gotten back to me when i've asked questions. As I said before, not every question I ask gets a response, but Sony have been great in providing answers. Some times I ask questions that they don't have answers for or can't provide a answer for, for example i've asked many questions about the Motion Controller but as its still in development, Sony can't answer my questions.

Out Of The Big Publishers/Developers, i'd say that EA, Majesco, And THQ have been very helpful. Unfortunately companies like Capcom won't work with small sites, and others like Codemasters use a press site i've not been granted access to.

Press releases can be very frustrating. Rarely provided, when a new game is announced for example, is a screenshot or the games logo. I always try to have a picture of the game/company mentioned in the news, but some companies make that difficult. Other issues are that most press releases are full of filler. Sometimes the news is only 1 paragraph, yet the press release will have an additional 4+ paragraphs of filler/fluff. Some of the better Press Releases come from smaller companies, they tend to me more to the point, come with a screenshots/video/game logo, which all together makes my job easier and makes it easier to get the news across.

I have tired to get review copies of games before but as i'm a small new site, i've always been denied. There has been the rare couple of times when a PR contact has said they will send me review code, but they have never come through with it. My main issue is time. I would like to do some reviews, but some days I spend soo many hours working that I don't get a chance to play games whether they are review or for fun.