Monday, June 1, 2009

THQ - Cars Race-O-Rama Announced. Screens and Video - Press Release

THQ have just announced Cars Race-O-Rama for the Wii, DS, 360, PS3, PS2, and PSP. this is the third game in the series of Cars games that THQ have released.
You play as Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks in Radiator Springs as you prepare students to take part in the Race O Rama. there are 12 new characters, Lightning McQueen will also have improvements. Players can modify him, and he also comes with new racing kits.
The game is expected Fall 2009.






Press Release

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Jun 01, 2009 THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced plans to bring a new video game based on Disney Pixar’s highly successful Cars film, Cars Race -O-Rama, to all major systems worldwide beginning in fall 2009. Cars Race -O-Rama is currently in development across six game systems, including Wii™ video game system, Nintendo DS™, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Cars Race -O-Rama will mark the third installment in THQ’s highly successful Cars video game franchise, which has shipped more than 13 million units worldwide to date. In addition, the game will be showcased at the upcoming E3 Expo 2009 being held in the Los Angeles Convention Center.

In Cars Race -O-Rama, players will join Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks in Radiator Springs as they prepare their academy of student racers to compete in the Race-O-Rama Exhibition. Players will encounter 12 new playable characters making their video game debut. A new and improved Lightning McQueen will come fully equipped with special racing kits, allowing him to better maneuver brand new, action-packed tracks that will take players to metro city streets, the Baja desert and sandy beaches. In addition, players are now able to modify Lightning McQueen’s wheels, rims, hood, side skirt, rear bumper, spoiler and paint with special customization features, giving Lightning a personalized style and look that has never been seen before. As players compete in this high-speed, racing adventure game, they will be able to utilize Lightning McQueen’s newly designed drifting abilities and perform “Kachow” poses for enthusiastic reporters and fans encountered throughout the game. Cars Race -O-Rama will also feature multiplayer mini-games based on Disney Pixar’s “Cars Toons,” a series of animated shorts that are currently being aired on the Disney Channel.

For more information on the Cars Race -O-Rama video game, please visit www.carsvideogame.com. Information on the rest of THQ’s line-up of family-friendly titles can be found on www.playthq.com.

About Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar Animation Studios, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is an Academy Award®-winning film studio with world-renowned technical, creative, and production capabilities in the art of computer animation. Creator of some of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time, including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille and most recently, WALL•E. The Northern California studio has won 22 Academy Awards® and its eight films have grossed more than $4.8 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The next film release from Disney•Pixar is “Up” (May 29, 2009).

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About THQ

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.

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

PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

All other trademarks are the 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 Cars Race -O-Rama video game, 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.

EA - New Fight Night Round 4 Screenshots

EA have released some more screen shots for Fight Night Round 4 showing new fighters.

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

What a weekend. leaked, pictures and videos of the PSPgo aplenty!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

PSPgo - As it Happened, What We know, Strange Things On Top Of It.

Yesterday saw the leaked release of news regarding the PSPgo. Whilst it seems that most of the big news sites knew about this, they were all beaten to the news by little known Gaming Console Network. Whilst i'm sure there may have been other sites not mentioned in the article, this is how it happened yesterday for me.

Once news got out (and it didn't take long) little bits of information sprung up all over the place. first this video was released, the first leaked footage from the June Quore Episode. (unfortunately the original Youtube link has been removed, but this is what was shown)



Once NEOgaf got hold of the information, it didn't take them long to dig out more information
and pictures for the PSPgo and for a thread to start.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363406

Playstation Lifetstyle, the ones who leaked Trico last week, came in and showed the insider information they had...but also then made the comparison with the boxart for the PSPgo to the PS3 Slim with this picture.
http://playstationlifestyle.net/2009/05/30/psp-go-box-pics-look-strikingly-similar-to-ps3-slim-box/
This picture itself began all sorts of talk regarding the PS3 Slim again, and what went from a dismissed rumour suddenly became alot more concrete.

The first "big" site that responded to to all this was Eurogamer. they released official pictures for the PSPgo. http://www.eurogamer.net/gallery.php?game_id=&article_id=587698#anchor

Finally someone uploaded the full length episode of Quore which showed even more information regarding the PSPgo.


Lastly, Kotaku did a feature showing, an estimate of, the PSPgo against the PSP, DS, DSi, and iPhone. firstly it's obvious to see how small the device actually is in comparison.

http://kotaku.com/5273302/portable-size+off-how-the-psp-go-measures-up?skyline=true&s=i

So what do we know?

Specifications:

  • Offical Name - PSP Go
  • 3.8″ LCD Screen
  • 43% Lighter then PSP-3000 (3.8 ounces now)
  • 16GB Flash Memory
  • Memory Stick Micro Support
  • BlueTooth Support - HeadSet and Cellphone Support
  • All Digital Content (No UMD)
  • Slide Out Controls
  • Remote Play Support (just like PSP-3000)
What Is On Top Of It?
as a owner of the PSP GO
Cam, i was wondering where on the PSPgo would i put it. after looking at the HD version of June's Quore episode (which was in this article earlier) i took a screen grab of the PSPgo at a point when the top of the PSPgo is most clear.

As you can see from the Pic, the two shoulder buttons are clear to see, pretty big and silver. but whats in the middle? the volume controls are no longer with the buttons, so it's possible the middle piece could be the volume controls. the two buttons, one next to each shoulder buttons, could also be volume buttons, making the middle thing perhaps a cover for the Mini USB port on the PSP. if this was true, the two screws would then be used to secure the PSP GO Cam/GO Explore in place much like previous PSP Models.

I'm sure more will be announced come E3, when the original release of the PSPgo was meant to happen.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Star Trek Online Update - Excalibur Class

Cryptic studios have unveiled a new starship for Star Trek Online. this time they have taken the iconic Constitution Class, USS Enterprise and USS Enterprise A for example, and modernised it to create a cruiser that's able to fill a variety of roles for Star Fleet in the 25th century.


Following previously announced vessels this is also designed to be very modular, a way for them to explain why the player can customised their vessels whilst keeping it a part of the Star Trek Universe. because of this, it is more versatile than a ship designed specifically for science or battle.

Due to it's versatility, they explain that its used alot for cargo runs and resupplying, perhaps a hint of missions in the game, and also able to help evacuate civilians. in battle, they say when talking about its Warp Core, "...transfer power to damaged ships or extend its shields to protect an ally without impacting its own defenses or systems. Engineers on an Excalibur-class starship can reroute that power to boost its tractor beams, allowing it to grapple enemy ships that could easily break away from lesser vessels..." perhaps hinting at control schemes, being able to mange power from one thing to another.

They finish off the article by saying ""We can send her anywhere and she can do anything," said Graarvin Narl, primary designer of the Excalibur class. "The Excalibur will carry Starfleet into the 25th century, and she'll do it with style." suggesting that this will be a fairly common class, differenced by the user picking different modules for it.

Information from http://www.startrekonline.com/ships/excalibur
Picture from http://media3.startrekonline.com.s3.amazonaws.com/img/ships/excalibur.jpg

Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

Sony Pictures - Ghostbusters Gear Will be in Home from June. Expect T Shirts, Figurines, Costumes and more - Press Release

Sony Pictures have announced a collaboration with Loot to provide Home with various branded interactive items such as figurines, T Shirts, Costumes and more.
Expect mini-Stay Puft Marshmallow man, Slimer ghost, Ecto-1 car and ghost trap which can be bought individually or together in a Fan Pack.
The Ghostbusters Firestation will also be re-created, as a Home Space, with Full size Ecto 1 and Slimer ghost and a special Stay Puff Head for your Avatar.
All items will be Priced from $0.49 to $4.99 and will be avaliable from june.



Press Release

CULVER CITY, CA – May 28, 2009 - The cult-classic sci-fi movie Ghostbusters is coming to PlayStation®Home, thanks to “Loot,” a group of innovative developers dedicated to creating branded interactive entertainment products and experiences for Sony Computer Entertainment America’s PlayStation Home, and Sony Pictures Consumer Products. Loot (http://www.twitter.com/lootgear) will provide PlayStation Home with an array of interactive Ghostbusters-branded items – such as figurines, t-shirts, costumes and more – in conjunction with the worldwide release of Ghostbusters on Blu-ray the week of June 16, 2009 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and the simultaneous launch of “Ghostbusters: The Video Game,” the highly anticipated videogame from Atari, celebrating the film’s 25th anniversary.

Ghostbusters is one of our most popular franchises and, thematically, it was a natural fit for the social gaming world of PlayStation Home,” said David Sterling, VP of Business Development for Sony Pictures Digital Authoring Center and General Manager of Loot. “We’ve created an experience where fans can virtually participate in the movie environment.”

Starting today, Ghostbusters figurines – including mini-Stay Puft Marshmallow man, Slimer ghost, Ecto-1 car and ghost trap – go on sale individually or as a Fan Pack, followed by Ghostbusters regular and logo T-shirts and Ghostbusters Proton- Pack Costumes in the coming weeks. Among the products to be released is the Ghostbusters Firehouse On-Location, which is a replica of the three-story firehouse from the movie featuring a fireman’s pole, a full-size Ecto-1 car, a flying Slimer ghost and exclusive furniture as well interactive stage set cameras. With the purchase of the Firehouse, users get a bonus Stay Puft Marshmallow man costume head.

All of the Ghostbusters-branded interactive items, created by Loot and offered in conjunction with Sony Pictures Consumer Products, and selected by Sony Computer Entertainment America will be available for purchase in the coming weeks from the PlayStation Home Mall. Prices range from US$.49 to US$4.99.

Directed and produced by Ivan Reitman (Meatballs, Stripes), with the screenplay written by Dan Aykroyd (My Girl, The Great Outdoors) and Harold Ramis (Knocked Up), Ghostbusters stars Bill Murray (Meatballs, Stripes), Dan Aykroyd (My Girl, The Great Outdoors), Sigourney Weaver (Aliens, Copycat), Harold Ramis (Knocked Up), Annie Potts (TV’s “Designing Women”), and Rick Moranis (Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Spaceballs).

The Infogrames group, including the Atari brand and the massively multiplayer online game company Cryptic Studios, is a global producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software for all market segments and all interactive game platforms including consoles from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony, advanced smartphones, Personal Computers, web and online. Its games are sold in more than 60 countries through an international distribution network and direct to consumers via www.atari.com.

Atari’s extensive catalogue of popular games is based on original franchises (Test Drive®, Alone in the Dark®, V-Rally®, My Horse & Me®, Backyard Sports franchise, Total Annihilation®, Outcast® etc.), Cryptic Studios titles (StarTrek Online™, Champions Online™), publishing properties (Ghostbusters®, The Chronicles of Riddick, The Witcher, Race Pro etc.), international licenses (Dragon Ball Z®, Dungeons & Dragons®, Jamie Oliver etc.) and classic games covering the entire history of the video game industry (Pong®, Missile Command®, Asteroids® etc).

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. SPE is a division of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 100 countries. For more info on Blu-ray Disc™, visit www.sonypictures.com/bluray.

Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. (SPCP) is a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (SPE) based in Los Angeles which handles the merchandising and branding efforts for some of the most recognized properties in film and television.

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com.

©2009 Atari Europe SASU. All rights reserved

For more information, please contact:

SPE Press Line
(p) 310.244.7737