Monday, August 16, 2010

Sony Announce Vidzone Update 1.15 And Reveal EMI Music Has Joined Vidzone Bringing 8,000 New Music Videos


Sony have announced that EMI Music have joined Vidzone, meaning there are now over 8,000 new music videos from EMI Music artists. This applies to all 18 countries where Vidzone is available. Sony have also announced that the VidZone application has been updated to 1.15. this update, which is out now, brings the following:
  • Speedy updates: The VidZone application will start-up exceptionally faster and content refreshes will be processed and downloaded quicker.
  • Optimised search: Search is now better than ever before. You can find more of what you want as virtual keyboard becomes default.
  • Advanced settings: Our videos are multibitrate with hi, med and lo quality settings. You can now control your bandwidth use by fixing these settings
  • Overall experience: We have fixed a few minor bugs which will make a big difference to your music experience.

From EU Playstation Blog


Funcom Reveal The Games They Are Bringing To GamesCom And Razer Partnership


Funcom have revealed the games they are bringing to this years GamesCom. The games are Bloodline Champions and The Secret World. The Secret World will only be shown to media, but Bloodline Champions will be playable on the floor and there is a chance to win Beta Keys to it. the Funcom Booth is at Hall 9, stand A031, but due to their partnership with Razor, you can also play Bloodline Champions at the Razor booth at Hall 9, stand B031. the Razor website will also be lice streaming Bloodline Champion battles on their website.

Press Release

Durham, USA – August 16th, 2010 – Funcom is pleased to announce the company's presence at this year's GamesCom. From August 18th to August 22nd, Funcom will be present at the Cologne game show to showcase both the new arena-based multiplayer game 'Bloodline Champions' as well as the upcoming modern-day massively multiplayer online game 'The Secret World'.

While 'The Secret World' will only be shown to the media this year, visitors will get to try out 'Bloodline Champions' on the showfloor. Until now only a select number of beta testers have been allowed to try the game out, and the reactions have been very favorable. The press is also starting to dig into it, with sites such as The Examiner calling it 'brilliantly simple, fun and quick to play'. Now the 240.000 visitors expected to GamesCom will also get a chance to experience the intense battles of 'Bloodline Champions', and could possibly also walk away with one of the thousands of beta keys that will be handed out during the show.

"We are very excited to be bringing 'Bloodline Champions' to this year's GamesCom," says Funcom Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Morten Larssen. "The game is perfect to pick up and play at a show like GamesCom; it is instantly enjoyable and it only takes a few minutes getting used to the controls and your character's abilities. The developers at Stunlock Studios are doing terrific work, and we are thrilled to be showcasing the game at this year's show."

Through a special partnership with Razer, the world's leading manufacturer of high-end gaming products, 'Bloodline Champions' will be available at both the Funcom booth (Hall 9, stand A031) and the Razer booth (Hall 9, stand B031) where players can either take part in competitive games or just try it out for fun. Renowned professional gamer James Harding will be present at both booths to provide live commentary on several of these battles, and those emerging victorious from the competitions will be able to walk away with exclusive prizes such as t-shirts, beta keys and even superior computer peripherals provided by Razer.

Razer will also be live streaming the 'Bloodline Champions' battles as well as their other activities onto their website so that even if you are stuck at home you can still take part in the fun! Journalists present at this year's GamesCom will have the opportunity to check out the latest developments on 'The Secret World', Funcom's upcoming modern-day massively multiplayer online game. Game Director and Executive Producer Ragnar Tørnquist and Lead Designer Martin Bruusgaard are present to show all new content, locations and features from the game. More exciting news on the game will be released before, during and after GamesCom.

'Bloodline Champions' is currently in beta and is slated for release later this year. The game is being developed by Stunlock Studios and is being published by Funcom. For more information please visit http://www.bloodlinechampions.com. 'The Secret World' is currently in development and there is no publicly announced release date.

Firemint Announce Flight Control HD Is Coming Out On The Playstation 3 On 15th September


Firemint have announced that Flight Control HD is coming to the Playstation 3 PSN and will be released on 15th September in the UK, EU, Asia, And Australasia. It will come out on 21st October in Japan. Firemint have also announced that the Playstation 3 version will support Playstation Move and Stereoscopic 3D. the game will also support 1080P and up to 4 player drop-in drop-out multiplayer. Multiple local Profiles are supported and the game will have extensive online leaderboards and trophies.

In the game you play as a air traffic controller, tasked with making aircraft land at the correct landing zones. however, as your game progresses, there are more and more aircraft to land as they come in faster. there are 16 different aircraft types to manage in the game over 9 normal maps and 4 super-sized maps, one of which is called "Metropolis" is a Playstation Exclusive map that has a day and night cycle.

Press Release

MELBOURNE, Australia, 17 August 2010 - Acclaimed game development studio Firemint today announced that Flight ControlTM HD is expected to land on Sony PlayStation®Network from 15 September 2010, and will be one of the first games to support the PlayStation®Move motion controller.

The highly addictive gameplay in Flight Control HD casts players in the role of an air traffic controller in charge of an increasingly busy airport. Players are challenged to direct aircraft to their correct landing zone while avoiding collisions. The game starts gradually, but players will need keen eyes, steady hands and smart strategy to keep their airspace under control once planes arrive thick and fast.A fast-forward setting can speed everything up even more, for complete chaos that will challenge even the most advanced players.

Players have the option to fly solo or play collaboratively with friends, in a party-style multiplayer mode for up to four people. New players can join in the game at will in drop-in, drop-out style while aircraft continue to arrive. “Multiplayer is insanely fun, you can never be quite sure whether a new player is going to help or hinder your efforts so there tends to be a lot of laughing and jeering,” commented Firemint’s CEO, Rob Murray. “It’s turned Flight Control HD into an extremely social game.”

Flight Control HD’s distinctive retro graphics also soar to new heights on the PlayStation®3, with upgraded art and effects in glorious 1080p resolution. Flight Control HD also supports an optional stereoscopic 3D mode throughout the game, with aircraft appearing to float over the landscape (requires compatible 3D television and 3D glasses).

Players can control 16 different aircraft types including jets, sea planes and helicopters, across 9 maps, with 4 super-sized maps including the PlayStation® exclusive “Metropolis” map that cycles through day and night. Other maps include an Australian outback landscape, where emergency air ambulances take precedence over player-controlled aircraft; an aircraft carrier that slowly rotates while a range of fast military aircraft attempt landings; and a windy winter wonderland, where drifting snow and a windsock indicate the prevailing wind direction and runways close and reopen accordingly.

In classic “just one more go” style, Flight Control HD challenges players to beat their personal best scores. Multiple local profiles and extensive online leaderboards and PSN integration also mean players can compete against their friends or the best in the world, and collect numerous trophies to display on their PSN profile.

Flight Control HD will be available as a digital download via the PlayStation®Store for play on the PS3 system. The game can be played using the DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller, SIXAXISTMWireless Controller or PS Move motion controller together with the PlayStation®Eye camera. The PS Move navigation controller is not required. Multiplayer games can use any combination of the supported controllers.

Flight Control HD is expected to be available on 15 September 2010 in the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia, and 21 October 2010 in Japan. Pricing information has not yet been released.

###

About Firemint

Firemint creates fun, addictive games. Firemint’s best known titles are its self-published games Flight Control, the ultra-casual, broad-appeal hit, and Real Racing, the high-end 3D racer critically acclaimed as one of the best on any handheld platform. The studio previously worked with the industry’s leading publishers developing over 30 titles from notable franchises as well as originals. Founded in 1999 by CEO Robert Murray, Firemint is located in Melbourne, Australia’s games development hub, and employs 40 people.

Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast For Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August

This is all the news from Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August.

You can subscribe to the Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast on iTunes and if you do or are already a subscriber, it would be very helpful for me if you can rate and review 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:
http://qtegamers.podbean.com/feed

And on qtegamers.blogspot.com:
http://qtegamers.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio Re-Cap


The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Saturday 14th And Sunday 15th August


  • QTE Blog: The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Friday 13th August http://ht.ly/18zlWw
  • THQ Have registered the 'Red Faction Battlegrounds' web domain. its not known what this is. http://ht.ly/2pALq
  • Namco have registered the Web domain "Antiques Roadshow: The Game" http://ht.ly/2pALR
  • PS3: Media Molecule announce the Little Big Planet 2 beta will start soon. http://ht.ly/2pAM8
  • QTE Blog: THQ Have Released New Screenshots For Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine http://ht.ly/18ztlq
  • QTE Blog: Hudson Have Released New Screenshots And A Trailer For Deca Sports 3 http://ht.ly/18zvlj
  • QTE Blog: Namco Bandai Have Released A Video Q/A For Ace Combat Joint Assault http://ht.ly/18zxg9
  • QTE Blog: Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast For Friday 13th August http://ht.ly/18zzqs
  • Wii: Natsume's Graham Markay says its very unlikely that Harvest Moon 64 is coming to the Virtual console http://ht.ly/2pMCa
  • QTE Blog: Marvel Have Released New Artwork From The 4th Marvel Little Big Planet Costume Pack http://ht.ly/18A4GF
  • 360: its rumoured Robot Entertainment will be at GamesCom to show off Project S (Spartan) http://ht.ly/2pMCM
  • 360: Digital Foundry discuss+examine how 3D would work. HDMI 1.4 3D could be issue, games could be lower rez + more http://ht.ly/2pMHX
  • QTE Blog: PomPom Games Announce The Playstation Mini's Version Of Astro Tripper Is On Hold And A New PS3 Game Is Coming http://ht.ly/18A6Ae
  • Housemarque announce they are revealing a new PSN/XBLA game at PAX, 3rd-5th September http://ht.ly/2pMJs
  • 3DS: Julian Gollop, creator of original X-Com franchise, reveals he's working on a launch title turn based tactical RPG http://ht.ly/2pMKw
  • QTE Blog: What Have You Played This Week? http://ht.ly/18AhPC
  • QTE Blog: QTE Tweets Of The Week http://ht.ly/18AliH


Sunday, August 15, 2010


QTE Tweets Of The Week

This top 10 shows the most clicked tweets from my News in brief Twitter stream. The big hit this week was the new on BioShock Infinite, which is great for me as it was on my site. There was also a lot of interest in getting Zombies in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Videogame. Places 3-8 were very close whilst there was a gap to the 9 and 10 most clicked stories.I have highlighted parts of 7 and 5 to show which link was clicked more.

10 360: Microsoft's sending out kinect Beta invites via Microsoft Connect. Individual/Party Chat will be disabled http://ht.ly/2nfiU

9 360: Deadly Premonition is coming out in Europe for £25 this Autumn http://ht.ly/2o41l

8 QTE Blog: United Front Games Announce ModNation Racers Patch 1.03 Is Coming Today http://ht.ly/18vSkx

7 Real Time Worlds confirm some staff have been laid off. http://ht.ly/2pgaN other rumours point to much bigger issues http://ht.ly/2pgbs

6 360: rumoured DLC for Castlevania: Harmony of Despair has been found. 2 additional characters and a pyramid stage http://ht.ly/2mnjz

5 Real Time Worlds confirm some staff have been laid off. http://ht.ly/2pgaN other rumours point to much bigger issues http://ht.ly/2pgbs

4 PS3: Naughty Dog describe some of the tech behind their Dynamic Theme, say it took weeks to make, has particle effects http://ht.ly/2pd1d

3 360: Bungie reveal the Halo Reach team came up with 150 missions for the game, only around 20 made it in. http://ht.ly/2oCuA

2 QTE Blog: Ubisoft Have Released 2 New Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Videogame Trailers And Reveal How To Unlock Zombies http://ht.ly/18vZ1H

1 QTE Blog: Irrational Games Announce BioShock Infinite For The Playstation 3, Xbox 360, And PC http://ht.ly/18xUcX


What Have You Played This Week?

Well I managed to play a lot more this week. It was a mixture of frustration, relief, and happiness at finishing a couple of games. Still, i'm determined to finish 3D Dot Game Heroes as i'm soo close to the edge. To complete this task, other games may fall by the wayside next week.

Football Manager 10 – PC – I managed to finish my first season in the championship without getting relegated which is great. Towards the end I had several injuries which started making things tight with relegation but thankfully I managed to stay up. Heading into the second season in the championship, i've sold some young players who've not really made enough progress as well as a star player cause I need the money. I have a new stadium which should help things. And I look set for a mid-table finish.

3D Dot Game Heroes – PS3 – I'm stuck on the Fire Dungeon. It is by far the most difficult dungeon i've come across. The idea is that you have to hit switches in the dungeon as you progress, but you cannot die cause it sends you straight back to the begging and resets all the switches. You cannot save and start from that save as it also sends you back to the beginning of the dungeon with the switches reset. Couple this with the fact that the dungeons are also getting longer and more complex...simply put the dungeon is frustrating. But, its not soo frustrating that its distracting from the game.

Shatter – PS3 – I was looking for something else to play whilst I was frustrated with 3D Dot Game Heroes. I really like Shatter but hadn't played the game for a while. When I started I remembered I stopped cause I couldn't get past level 8. thankfully, not only did I get past level 8 on my first go, I also managed to complete the game without any trouble.

Blast Factor – PS3 – After finishing Shatter so quickly, I again looked for something different to play. I find this game difficult, I usually die near the end of the 3rd or 4th cell. It was fun to play it again after having not played it for a while, but I don't think i'll go back to it much because of its difficulty.

Transformers: War For Cybertron – PS3 – I only played a couple of games. I decided to take a break and focus on other PS3 games this week.

Monsters (probably) Stole My Princess – Mini – PS3 – I completed the PSP version last week and decided to play it on the PS3 as well. Its a shame there's no cloud saving, so my PSP save would be downloaded to the PS3 and vice versa, as i've managed to do better on the PS3 version than the PSP version.

Did you manage to play more games than I have over the week, or do you have any comments on my experiences or questions about the games i've played? If you do, feel free to add them in the comments section.