Monday, December 21, 2009

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

Here is today's Audio Re-Cap of The Weekends news.
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Re-Cap of The Weekends News (oldest to newest)

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

  • PS3: Modern Warfare 2 patch 1.07 is out now, it brings re-balancing and fixes. PC/360 version coming soon http://ow.ly/NFZQ

  • TechRadar poll results show people are more interested in next Playstation Console than the next Xbox Console. http://ow.ly/NG0A

  • QTE Blog: Sega Have Released Banjoe & Kazooie Screenshots, A Trailer, And Boxart For Sonic & Sega's All Star Racing http://ow.ly/16boIf

  • Ubisoft has trademarked Ghost: Recon: Future Soldier for use in videogames. speculation is thats its Ghost Recon 4 http://ow.ly/NInQ

  • 360: Microsoft has filed a patent for avatars. the avatar could become individualised by physical characteristics. http://ow.ly/NIub

  • QTE Blog: EA Release A new Trailer For Army Of Two The 40th Day On The Playstation Portable http://ow.ly/16bpNs

  • Bioware have said that Mass Effect 3 will end the current story arc. http://ow.ly/NIvo

  • PSP: XSEED reveal details of Limited Edtion version of Lunar Remake. it has soundtrack cd and 13 cards. http://ow.ly/NIwD

  • QTE Blog: Sega Has Released A New Trailer For Vancouver Winter Olympic Games 2010 http://ow.ly/16bqhP

  • Wii: Nintendo has trademarked WiiRelax in Europe. its speculated its the Software that'll come with the Vitality Sensor http://ow.ly/NIyr

  • RT @psncomics: I'm afraid there is no word on the Ireland store yet. Hang in there

  • QTE Blog: Sony Online Entertainment Detail The Free Realms Winter Update http://ow.ly/16br1v

  • QTE Blog: Sony Online Entertainment Detail The Winter Events In Many Of Its MMO's http://ow.ly/16brDs

  • QTE Blog: Sony Online Entertainment Announce Their Child’s Play Winter Charity Drive http://ow.ly/16brDt

  • QTE Blog: Sony Online Entertainment Announce Changes To Station Players Premium Features For EverQuest, EverQuest I... http://ow.ly/16bsHS

  • Sony has filed a USA trademark for Qriocity. its registered for use with portable gaming machines and game services http://ow.ly/NXGS

  • Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has teased that vehicles could come to borderlands as a DLC pack. http://ow.ly/NXHM

  • QTE Blog: Android Game Of The Week – Frozen Bubble http://ow.ly/16bFVC

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

  • QTE Blog: QTE Tweets Of The Week http://ow.ly/16bKgt




Sunday, December 20, 2009

QTE Tweets Of The Week

The Following are the top 10 most clicked QTE Gamers tweets of the week.

10 PS3: T3 have come up with concept images as to what they think the final PS3 motion controller will look like. http://ow.ly/NxsG

9 Travellers Tales, Jon burton , thinks Natals Lag and its controllerless UI may limit its success. praises Sony's http://ow.ly/NxvY

8 PS3: Sony has slashed the OS memory from 120MB to 50MB. optional things, like in game music, moved from OS helps. http://ow.ly/NxAS

7 QTE Blog: Disney Interactive Reveal Tron Evolution Details http://ow.ly/169x5z

6 QTE Blog: This Weeks UK WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases http://ow.ly/16b7zk

5 PS3: Gran Turismo 5 Demo, not much different from GT prologue, max framerate drop is to 52 fps, low quality shadows http://ow.ly/MNkn

4 QTE Blog: Konami Have Released A New Trailer For The DSi Only Game Foto Showdown http://ow.ly/16aptX

3 UK Game Charts, Modern Warfare 2, Wii Sports Resort, Assassins Creed II, Wii Fit plus, FIFA 10 are top 5 http://ow.ly/LUpq

2 Zune: Twitter should be coming to the Zune Today. http://ow.ly/MGpM

1 Zune HD: Microsoft have updated the twitter app to stop it from censoring tweets. http://ow.ly/Ntae


What Have You Played This Week?

Not a lot this week. Hopefully with a break over Christmas i'll be able to relax and play a lot of games.

Football Manager 09 – PC – Decided to start something new with Cheltenham. Not far in so far, but having an average start to the season. In the Bayern Munich game, I won the World Cup with Italy.

WET – Xbox 360 – I enjoy games like WET and Stranglehold, the hack and slash game. Even though the game didn't review well, I was still interested in giving the game a try. The game looks ok, about average, but the music is great. The music is used much like how Taraintino uses music and there is a lot of it. There is a list of them at the start of the game. The game starts twice, you play a chapter, you then get the credits, and you start again a year in the future. I'm not too far to comment on the story much, but what I have played of it, but it has flowed so far and isn't too ridiculous. The combat is typically over the top for a game like this but it does flow well. You have to unlock many of the great moves as your only given a small amount in the beginning. There are other things to unlock throughout the game which is good encouragement to pull of many moves and combos. Some of the bigger encounters can feel a tad too long.


Tinker – PC – When Games For Windows Live went live Microsoft were offering Tinker for free, and most likely still are. Its a fun little puzzler which gradually introduces you to different hazards. There is a detailed tutorial section with 20 levels as well as normal levels to play through. You play as a robot and have to get from a to b. there are hazards to either watch out for or move. You have a to complete the level before the robot runs out of power. In the beginning you've given plenty of power, but towards the end of just the tutorial levels, the amount of power is greatly reduced. Its a ok game, one to go back to now and then. You do get achievements and it is free.


Fat Princess – PS3 – I managed to get the trophy for 2253 kills which was great. The games i've been playing recently have felt really hardcore with players cheating some of the levels to get the princess. It's a shame that players feel they have to cheat to win, thankfully people are aware of the cheats and are quick to stop them succeeding.


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





Android Game Of The Week – Frozen Bubble

Frozen Bubble
Developed By Pawel Aleksander Fedorynski
Free
Version: 1.5
Size: 495KB

The Good
Graphics
Controls
Amount Of Levels
Game Size

The Average
Controls
Frequent Updates

The Bad
Music
Sound Effects.

Frozen Bubble is probably a well known game on the Android Market. Whilst it probably has been on the Market for a while, most people may come across it in the By Date section in the Market as it's been updated frequently recently. The file size of the game is small, but the amount of the levels included in the game are huge. Its a bubble popping game most similar to the Bust-A-Move series, and some people familiar with that series may find some of the levels familiar.

There is only one mode in the game where you play many levels trying to clear the bubbles. The bubbles go down and if they cross a line at the bottom of the screen it will be game over. You can though start from the level you were playing and repeat it until you complete the level. There are many levels in the game with much variety between them. But if you have played similar games before some of these levels can feel very familiar.

Even though the game is very familiar, the graphics look good. The bubbles are distinct from each each and the game has a colourblind option and inserts shapes into the bubbles. The background is a little plain but it does look good and stands out from the bubbles. The Little penguin who moves the machine animates well and has a good style to it. There is no music in the game and the sound effects are very simple, just the noise of the bubble machine moving. Of course though you can play your own music whilst playing the game.

The game uses the Phone roller ball to control the angle which the bubbles shoot. There are no button controls beyond the menu button bringing up the games menu. As the game uses the roller ball, how good you are using the ball will determine how accurate your aim will be in the game. Personally, I found using the ball to be ok but I would have liked a option to have a line show where the machine was pointing, to get used to using the roller ball.

The lack of a line showing the angle of the machine is probably the only issue with the game. I experienced no frame rate drops or any other issues. There are things that I would have liked seen added to the game like a time attack mode as Many games in this genre have more modes beyond the main bubble popping. Having just the main mode does make the game more portable friendly.

This game may be similar to other games in the genre but it is well done. The graphics in the game are well done and the gameplay is solid. There is a large quantity of levels, making the game a good portable version of the bubble popping genre and a game that will take any player a long time to complete.


Saturday, December 19, 2009

Sony Online Entertainment Announce Changes To Station Players Premium Features For EverQuest, EverQuest II, And Vanguard Saga Of Heroes


Sony Online Entertainment have announced that from December 17th, SOE will no longer charge for access to Station Players Premium Features for EverQuest, EverQuest II, and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Access to premium Station Players features will be included at no additional cost for each respective game for subscribers with active, paid subscriptions in good standing.

Sony Online Entertainment have also announced a special promotion that will run from December 23rd to January 3rd. during this period, players will be able to double the value of all Free Realms Station Cash retail game cards, not including the starter cards. cards that are redeemed during this period will have their value doubled. cards bought before this time can be used as long as they are redeemed between December 23rd - January 3rd.

Press Release

WHAT: Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) is pleased to announce that, as of December 17, 2009, SOE will no longer charge for access to Station Players premium features for EverQuest®, EverQuest® II and Vanguard: Saga of Heroes™. Access to premium Station Players features will be included at no additional cost for each respective game for subscribers with active, paid subscriptions in good standing. Station Access™ subscribers with active, paid subscriptions in good standing will continue to have access to all Station Players premium features.

As SOE continues to demonstrate a commitment to its player community, each of the Station Players sites will be upgraded with new art, improved navigation and features requested by players, including a new integrated chat bar and streamlined profile pages. Players will also benefit from new game update pages featuring up-to-date community news for improved communication. Additionally, for the first time, users will be able to access the new Station CashTM Marketplace catalog for the latest in-game items.

From December 23, 2009 to January 3, 2010, SOE will also give players an opportunity to double the value of all Free Realms™ Station Cash retail game cards (excluding Free Realms Starter Cards) purchased and redeemed during that time period. Cards may be purchased anytime in advance, but must be redeemed successfully during the promotional period in order to receive the bonus. Once successfully redeemed, the cardholder’s wallet balance will reflect the new pre-paid Station Cash balance plus a bonus of 100% of the card’s Station Cash value which can be used anytime. Station Cash can be redeemed in EverQuest®, EverQuest® II and Free Realms™ in-game marketplaces.

WHEN: Station Players premium features are scheduled to be included with active subscriptions beginning on December 17, 2009.

Bonus Station Cash is available from December 23, 2009 to January 3, 2010.

WHERE: EverQuest players can visit: http://eqplayers.station.sony.com/

EverQuest II players can visit: http://eq2players.station.sony.com/

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes players can visit: http://vgplayers.station.sony.com/

Free Realms Station Cash game cards available at participating retailers including: 7-Eleven, Best Buy, Blockbuster, CVS, Rite Aid, Speedway, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
• Promotional offer open to all EverQuest®, EverQuest II® and Free Realms™ players with active accounts in good standing
• Station Cash™ offer is valid for items, services and/or Free Realms Membership through the Marketplace in EverQuest, EverQuest II and Free Realms
• Offer valid for pre-paid Free Realms Station Cash game cards (excluding Free Realms starter cards) successfully redeemed from December 23, 2009 to January 3, 2010.
• Offer valid only on pre-paid game cards available at participating retailers including: 7-Eleven, Best Buy, Blockbuster, CVS, Rite Aid, Speedway, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart
• Station Cash promotion subject to all SOE’s Terms of Service

ABOUT SOE: Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games which have entertained millions of players around the globe. SOE creates and delivers compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchise EverQuest®, its successful online trading card game Legends of Norrath®, as well as the recent kids’ phenomenon Free Realms™, SOE continues to raise the bar for online gaming and players worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, with additional studios in Austin, Seattle, Denver, Tucson, and Taiwan, SOE has a slate of engaging, high-quality games currently in development across new genres for all platforms and audiences.

SOE, the SOE logo, EverQuest and PlanetSide are registered trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC. Free Realms and Legends of Norrath are trademarks of Sony Online Entertainment LLC.

All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

Sony Online Entertainment Announce Their Child’s Play Winter Charity Drive

Sony Online Entertainment have announced they are supporting Child's Play. they will hold a Child's Play Winter Charity Drive this year in EverQuest, EverQuest II, And Free Realms. Sony Online Entertainment have created items that can be bought in these games. for every item that is bought, Sony Online Entertainment will donate $10 (up to $50,000) to Child's Play.

The Items that can be bought are:
• EverQuest: Child’s Play Anklebiter Doll (500 SC)
• EverQuest II: Child’s Play Bouncing Baby Panda Cub (500 SC)
• Free Realms: Child’s Play Triceratops (500 SC)
*SC - Station Cash


Child's Play Items



Press Release

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – Dec. 17, 2009 –Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is making it easy for players to support a good cause while playing one of their favorite online video games during the Child’s Play Winter Charity Drive. With new limited-time Child’s Play items available in EverQuest®(EQ), EverQuest® II (EQII) and Free Realms™, participants can be charitable and receive fun in-game items in the process. The second annual fundraising effort is scheduled to run from December 17, 2009, until January 17, 2010.

After last year’s successful campaign, SOE will continue its support of Child’s Play by donating $10 (up to $50,000 total) each time a player buys one of the Child’s Play items from the in-game Marketplace with Station Cash™ (SC), SOE’s in-game currency. In addition, the EQ and EQII Child’s Play items are “giftable” this year, giving players the opportunity to purchase the EQ Child’s Play Anklebiter Doll or EQII Child’s Play Bouncing Baby Panda Cub for friends, family, and guildmates.

“We were thrilled with the contributions our players allowed us to make to the previous Child’s Play campaign and with the addition of Free Realms this year, we are hoping to double our previous $21,000 donation,” said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. “The support the video game industry has given Child’s Play over the years is fantastic, and we are humbled to be a part of it.”

Child’s Play is a charity that is dedicated to providing children with toys and age-appropriate games at more than 70 hospitals worldwide. SOE’s players will be able to purchase the following items:
• EQ: Child’s Play Anklebiter Doll (500 SC)
• EQII: Child’s Play Bouncing Baby Panda Cub (500 SC)
• Free Realms: Child’s Play Triceratops (500 SC)

“With the help of industry initiatives such as this, Child’s Play is already over the million dollar mark and is looking to beat our record total of $1.3 million,” says Robert Khoo, Managing Director of Child’s Play.

To participate in the SOE Child’s Play promotion, fund your SOE wallet with Station Cash or purchase Station Cash cards from participating retailers. Find out how by visitinghttp://www.station.sony.com/en/stationcash/ or http://www.freerealms.com/gameCards.vm.

For more information, visit www.childsplaycharity.org.

About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games which have entertained millions of players around the globe. SOE creates and delivers compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchise EverQuest®, its successful online trading card game Legends of Norrath®, as well as the recent kids’ phenomenon Free Realms™, SOE continues to raise the bar for online gaming and players worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, with additional studios in Austin, Seattle, Denver, Tucson, and Taiwan, SOE has a slate of engaging, high-quality games currently in development across new genres for all platforms and audiences.

About Child’s Play
Since 2003, over 100,000 gamers worldwide have banded together through Child’s Play (www.childsplaycharity.org), a community-based charity grown and nurtured from the game culture and industry. Over five million dollars in donations of toys, games, videos, books and cash for sick kids in 70 partner Children’s Hospitals across North America and the world have been collected since our inception.