Sunday, May 1, 2011

What Have You Played This Week?

Its been a couple of weeks since I last did one of these. It was mostly due to a mix of bank holidays, public holidays, internet destroying itself. Still, here we are again and yes there's the usual suspects on this list but it should become clear that I now have a new toy...yep my beloved HTC Hero has been replaced with my phone upgrade the iPhone 4. I did play more games, but the ones I mention here are my particular highlights.

Football Manager 2010 – PC – what i've not mentioned in news on this game is that i've been the national coach of Vanuatu. Some may think its a strange choice and its not easy at all, but I have a special affinity for the country and tend to look to help them out in these sort of games. Havant is doing great in the Championship and pushing for promotion. Its meant to be harder, but i'm finding this season in the championship easier than the last season in League 1.

Pokèmon White – DS – simply, I have all 8 gym badges now. I'm at the stage where i'm levelling up my team to lvl 50+. my current team is, and its the team I used at the last gym, Boldore, Leavanny, Zebstrika, Lampent, Sigilyph, and Samurott. I've also been making use of the Pokèmon Global link now its online. The games are pretty simple, but they are a ok way to waste 10 minutes and get a new Pokèmon for free. The link between the game and site is pretty slow and feels like a workaround limitations...but it gets the job done. So far i've got 5 Pokèmon this way and several items. It'll be interesting to see if the Global Link is only for this game or if it's the start of something much bigger...i personally think it's the latter.

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – PS3 – I didn't play too much. This isn't because the PSN is down, that actually hasn't affected me beyond I haven't had the BBC iPlayer or LoveFilm. I'm kinda having to grind with the necromancer character and i'm finding it a bit tough. Initially it was because I wasn't using the weapons effectively and slowly i'm getting better at using this character.

Game Dev Story – iPhone 4 – This game is very addictive. I love the simple graphics, it harkens back to Theme Park and Theme Hospital. The idea is simple and its very easy to play the game for long periods of time. My first play through was very exploratory and I didn't do that well as a company. The second play through was much better, multi million sellers and I was making money hand of fist. The next play through I aim to play with the staff more and use more of the options the game gives you, like the boosts the salesmen sells. This probably isn't for everyone, but it isn't too in depth and the tutorial is very good and if your curious it's worth playing.

Tiny Wings – iPhone 4 – This game, like the one above, has been talked about for a long time by several people and I was interested to give it a go. Its simple, looks great, and is very fun. I'm glad I picked it up. I was pretty terrible on my first couple of goes, but i'm understanding it more and enjoying the simple challenge it offers. This is more casual than Game Dev Story and I would recommend this for most people.

Super Soviet Missile Master – iPhone 4 – This is made by Behemoth and I had picked this up a while ago on iTunes just in case I did get an iPhone. This is a very basic game, your a missile and you have to avoid things that stop you bombing a country. Its a good way to waste 5 minutes and it very retro in style...maybe 8bit or earlier.

Super Mega Worm – iPhone 4 – This is another game that was popular a while back and when it was free I downloaded it just in case I got an iPhone. The idea here is your a worm and you have to kill everything. The clue in the title is that your more than just a worm...your a Tremors sized worm. Its a fun little game but a little repetitive. The different ways to kill things is fun and the animations are good.

Unpleasant Horse – iPhone 4 – I only recently picked this up and i've not played it much. Graphically it looks fine and it plays fine. Its one of those games that pretends to be easy when actually it requires a bit of skill and luck to truly master it.

Swords & Sworcery – iPhone 4 – People have been talking about this game for a while now and admittedly I was too curious not to get it. I've only played through the first story, the first play through of the game, but I really enjoy the artstyle. Its very stylised but its still clear what everything is. There is also room for your imagination to fill in the blanks, to add more to the art which is an amazing achievement and it comes in handy when it comes to the end of the first part. I enjoyed the music, I find it fits well with the game but I can understand if some people are not too keen on it. Its kinda hard to describe as there really is nothing like it. It is a “point and click” adventure game, but its also an interactive novel (in that your pushing the story along). The use of twitter is good but perhaps a touch gimmicky. Many people say its the first game made for the iPhone that's not some simple mini-game, and although my experience with games on the iPhone is still limited I tend to agree. If you consider yourself a hardcore gamer, than you should have this.


Saturday, April 30, 2011

Hit X Podcast: All The News From QTE Gamers From Friday 29th April

This is all the news From Friday 29th April

You can subscribe to the Hit X Podcast on iTunes by clicking on the link below, and if you do or are already a subscriber it would be very helpful for me if you can rate and review the podcast.

The Hit X Podcast is available on iTunes from:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=328547861

A RSS Feed from Podbean For The Hit X Podcast:
http://qtegamers.podbean.com/feed

And All The Recent Podcasts can be found on qtegamers.blogspot.com:
http://qtegamers.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio Re-Cap


The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Friday 29th April

  • QTE Blog: The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Thursday 28th April http://ht.ly/1coY4o
  • QTE Blog: Hit X Podcast: All The News From QTE Gamers From Thursday 28th April http://ht.ly/1cp1Cc
  • iPhone: There are reports the White iPhone 4 is slightly thicker than the black version, some cases may not fit http://ht.ly/4JBk8
  • QTE Blog: Beeline Interactive Announce Mediatonic's Who's That Flying Is Out Now On iPad, iPhone, And iPod Touch http://ht.ly/1cp4hW
  • iPhone: Unpleasant Horse is out now for free, was originally rejected by Apple. http://ht.ly/4JBlm
  • 360: Fruit Ninja Kinect has been rated in Korea, no official announcement that the games coming to 360 as yet http://ht.ly/4JBmV
  • QTE Blog: Nintendo Have Released New Screenshots For Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident http://ht.ly/1cp7sJ
  • PS3: its reported around 2.2M PSN Credit Card details are trying to be sold by hackers. not known how true this is http://ht.ly/4JBoE
  • PS3: Sony say Download History, Friends Lists, Settings, Trophies, and PS+ Cloud Saves are all fine despite the hack http://ht.ly/4JBqc
  • PS3: Sony are reportedly evaluating ways to show appreciation for PSN users patience during this down period http://ht.ly/4JBqT
  • QTE Blog: EA Announce Peyton Hillis Is The Winning Cover Athlete For Madden NFL 12 http://ht.ly/1cpb01
  • Posting comments on the Playstation Blog affected by PSN being out, only worked up to now due to browser cookies http://ht.ly/4JBtn
  • Rumoured screenshots from Smurfs Dance Party have leaked, rumoured to come out 26th July, Land Ho! are devs http://ht.ly/4JBvP
  • QTE Blog: Gaijin Games Announce BIT.TRIP SAGA For The Nintendo 3DS http://ht.ly/1cpeDt
  • Wii2: Satoru Iwata indicates the new console controller with have buttons and a D-Pad http://ht.ly/4JBy9
  • Just Add Water have delayed the PS3 PSN release of Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD to the Summer, should've come this week http://ht.ly/4JBAy
  • QTE Blog: Sega Have Released New Screenshots And A Trailer For Binary Domain http://ht.ly/1cphth
  • 360: Bethesda is asking users to decline the update for Fallout New Vegas as its causing issues with game saves http://ht.ly/4JXEo
  • Homeland Security and the FBI are both interested and looking into the PSN Breach http://ht.ly/4JYgk
  • QTE Blog: EA Announce Need For Speed The Run Comes Out On 15th November http://ht.ly/1cplrV
  • Ubisoft may have leaked the next Assassin's Creed game is called Revelations, points to Altair return http://ht.ly/4JZok

Friday, April 29, 2011

EA Announce Need For Speed The Run Comes Out On 15th November

EA have announced a new Need For Speed Game. Need For Speed The Run is set to come out on the Xbox 360, PS3. PC, Wii, And Nintendo 3DS on 15th November. Need For Speed The Run is set in the world of illicit racing. players will join the underground racers and race across state borders, up mountains, and through canyons. Need For Speed The Run will also feature The Autolog.


Watch Need For Speed: The Run - Debut Trailer in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Press Release

Guildoford, UK. – April 29, 2011 – Get ready to rip up the road! Adrenaline junkies and speed fiends will find themselves on the wrong side of the law this November when they race for their lives in Need for Speed™ The Run from Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS). The hottest blockbuster this holiday is a game that takes players on a heart-pounding cross-country race from San Francisco to New York. Launching on November 15, Need for Speed The Run lures players into an underground world of illicit, high-stakes racing. The heat is on – and it isn’t just the fuzz who are after you. Entering the race is just the beginning as you blow across borders, weave through dense urban traffic, rocket down icy mountain passes and navigate narrow canyons at breakneck speeds. Powered by DICE’s state-of-the-art Frostbite ™ 2 engine, Need for Speed The Run takes the action racing genre to new heights with stunning visuals and car physics that hug the road even at top speeds all built around a gripping storyline. The cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story will have you at the edge of your seat… all the way from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Empire State building.

“This is the year that Need for Speed goes to the next level,” said Jason DeLong, Executive Producer at EA. “We think that Need for Speed The Run is going to surprise people with its intense, thrilling story and big action feel. But the game would be nothing without hot cars and crazy-fast chases. So that is what we’re delivering -- explosive racing that will have players flirting with disaster at 200-miles an hour.”

Using the groundbreaking Frostbite 2 engine, Need for Speed The Run will set the bar with unparalleled visual quality and enhanced physics. Need for Speed The Run will also take immersive storytelling to a new level with cutting edge performances that will draw the player into a world with no speed limits, rules or allies. Autolog, the Need for Speed franchise’s revolutionary social competition functionality, is back and better in Need for Speed The Run as it will continue to reinvent how people play games, track career progression and compare game stats.

Developed by Black Box , a studio of Electronic Arts , Need for Speed The Run will be available November 18, 2011 in the UK for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PC, Wii™ and Nintendo 3DS™. For more information on Need for Speed, visit http://www.needforspeed.com or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/needforspeed and follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/needforspeed.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile™ and POGOTM. In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.eagames.co.uk/press.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO, Need for Speed and Need for Speed The Run are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. The names, designs, and logos of all products are the property of their respective owners and used by permission. Microsoft and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Sega Have Released New Screenshots And A Trailer For Binary Domain

Sega have released new screenshots and a trailer for Binary Domain. the trailer, titled The Machine Age Has Begun, introduces the backstory of the game and the evolution of machines to where they are now in the game. the trailer is made using in-game assets, which appear to be mostly from in-engine cutscenes.


Watch Binary Domain - Machine Age Has Begun in Tech & Gaming  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Screenshots


Press Release

LONDON AND SAN FRANCISCO (28 April, 2011) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today released the first gameplay trailer for Binary Domain™, the immersive and atmospheric squad-based shooter due for release in early 2012.

By introducing the story of Binary DomainTM the trailer shows how the evolution of machines has left humanity redundant in its wake. In the heat of battle, players must motivate and build trust with their team, adapt under pressure and make real time decisions knowing there will always be consequences that affect the squad and future missions. Humans must regain control of 2080 Tokyo and give the machines an unexpected ending.

Binary Domain is being developed for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. For more information on SEGA games please visit www.sega.com.

Gaijin Games Announce BIT.TRIP SAGA For The Nintendo 3DS


Gaijin Games and Aksys Games have announced BIT.TRIP SAGA for the Nintendo 3DS. BIT.TRIP SAGA is a compilation of all the BIT.TRIP games enhanced for the Nintendo 3DS and coming to retail. The SAGA will come with BIT.TRIP BEAT, BIT.TRIP CORE, BIT.TRIP VOID, BIT.TRIP RUNNER, BIT.TRIP FATE, and BIT.TRIP FLU and each of them will be in 3D.

Press Release

TORRANCE (ALTERNATE REALITY), Calif. – April 28, 2011 – Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment software, is pleased to officially announce that a compilation of the BIT.TRIP series is coming to the Nintendo 3DS™ system All six BIT.TRIP games are transformed into 3D, morphing into a single entity called BIT.TRIP SAGA. Experience the crushing difficulty of the rhythmic galaxies and ride along the long journey with CommanderVideo as he completes his mission and returns...home.

"I am only a man." -CommanderVideo

BIT.TRIP SAGA includes:

BIT.TRIP BEAT, BIT.TRIP CORE, BIT.TRIP VOID, BIT.TRIP RUNNER, BIT.TRIP FATE, and BIT.TRIP FLUX ... in 3D!

- BIT.TRIP BEAT marks the beginning of CommanderVideo's epic journey of the soul with:

o Crazy boss battles!
o Ultra-precise controls!
o A Crazy Chiptune-inspired soundtrack!
o Special Chiptune guest star Bit Shifter!
o Classic gameplay with brain-melting visuals!
o Intriguing cut scenes!

- BIT.TRIP CORE is the second installment in CommanderVideo's soul quest with:

o Beautiful boss battles!
o Classic NES-style controls!
o A thumpin' Chiptune-inspired soundtrack!
o Special Chiptune Guest Star Bubblyfish!
o Mind-melting challenges!
o Revealing cut scenes!

- BIT.TRIP VOID continues CommanderVideo's epic journey with:

o Mid-level checkpoints!
o Epic boss battles!
o A rockin' Chiptune-inspired soundtrack!
o Special Chiptune guest star Nullsleep!
o Synaesthetic music/art/gameplay interaction!
o Hyper-realistic retro cut scenes!

- BIT.TRIP RUNNER marks the first fully character-based adventure for CommanderVideo with:

o Rhythm-based action platforming!
o Boss battles against robotic terrors!
o 50+ challenges!
o Classic NES-style controls!
o A pounding Chiptune-inspired soundtrack!
o Special Chiptune guest star Anamanaguchi!
o New friends for CommanderVideo!

- The BIT.TRIP series comes full-circle with BIT.TRIP FLUX: CommanderVideo's final adventure.

o New power-ups including the full screen paddle!
o New beat types including Avoid Blobs!
o Mid-level checkpoints!
o Classic BIT.TRIP BEAT gameplay now with all the modes including the new Meta Mode!
o Bit Shifter returns as the Chiptune guest star!

BIT.TRIP SAGA has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). More information about Aksys Games and the BIT.TRIP series can be found at www.aksysgames.com and www.gaijingames.com.

About Aksys Games Localization, Inc.
Founded in 2006 in Torrance, California, Aksys Games Localization, Inc. is a localization studio and visionary video game publisher specializing in the Japanese-to-English translation of games and committed to publishing unique, multicultural, high-quality interactive content for all current-generation platforms. The company is known for releasing acclaimed titles such as 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors and the BIT.TRIP, Guilty Gear, BlazBlue and Hooked: Real Motion Fishing series. More information about Aksys Games and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.aksysgames.com.

EA Announce Peyton Hillis Is The Winning Cover Athlete For Madden NFL 12


EA have announced the fan vote for the cover athlete is now over and a winner has been chosen. over 12.7 Million votes were logged during the fan vote, but in the final, Peyton Hillis won 66% of the fan vote to become the cover athlete for Madden NFL 12, beating Michael Vick who only Had 34%. Madden NFL 12 comes out this Autumn.


Peyton Hillis had this to say over being chosen, “This has been a humbling experience and I want to thank all the fans in Cleveland and throughout the country that got behind me and voted each and every week,”. “I’ve been playing Madden NFL for ten years, and it’s a dream to know that I’ll be on the cover of this great game. I’m looking forward to another big season with the Browns to show fans how much we appreciate them.”

Image from
Joystiq


Press Release

Guildford, UK., - April 28, 2011 - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Peyton Hillis, running back for the Cleveland Browns, was selected by millions of fans across the country to grace the cover of Madden NFL 12. Hillis, a No. 10 seed, defeated former Madden NFL 04 cover athlete and No. 3 seed Michael Vick (QB, Eagles) in the finals of an unprecedented campaign with ESPN.com and SportsNation that allowed fans to determine, by an online vote that was open to the public, the player to be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 12 when the game launches in the UK Autumn 2011 .

More than 12.7 million votes were logged overall in the campaign which ran from March 21 – April 27 through ESPNSportsNation.com online and via the mobile Web, the most ever for an ESPN poll or vote. With deep integrations across multiple ESPN platforms, including TV, radio, online, mobile, social media, ESPN Deportes and more, Hillis defeated Vick by a final margin of 66% to 34%. Fans rallied behind Hillis as he continually ousted higher seeded players in the bracket-style voting campaign, including No. 7 seed Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens), No. 2 seed Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), No. 6 seed Jamaal Charles (Kansas City Chiefs), and No. 1 seed Super Bowl XLV MVP Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers).

“Our fans have responded in record-setting fashion to honor Peyton Hillis, and we’re extremely pleased to welcome him into an exclusive fraternity of NFL players to appear on the cover of the Madden NFL franchise,” said Anthony Stevenson, Senior Product Manager of EA SPORTS. “This year’s cover voting campaign with ESPN has sparked incredible debate and conversation amongst fans and NFL players, which is a testament to the interest in and anticipation for Madden NFL each year. The amount of support that Hillis generated nationally and within his home market of Cleveland was truly impressive. ”

“This has been a humbling experience and I want to thank all the fans in Cleveland and throughout the country that got behind me and voted each and every week,” said Peyton Hillis, running back for the Cleveland Browns and the fourth running back to appear on the cover of the Madden NFL franchise. “I’ve been playing Madden NFL for ten years, and it’s a dream to know that I’ll be on the cover of this great game. I’m looking forward to another big season with the Browns to show fans how much we appreciate them.”

In celebration of Hillis’ victory and to officially kick off the Madden NFL 12 season, EA SPORTS hosted an event for fans in the middle of New York City’s Times Square today featuring a photo shoot and a first preview of Madden NFL 12. One image from the photo shoot with Hillis will appear on the cover of this year’s game.

Madden NFL 12 launches Autumn 2011 and transforms on-field action and core gameplay modes, driving innovation in six key areas: Playbooks and Gameplay; Presentation; Franchise and Superstar modes; Dynamic Player Performance; Madden Ultimate Team; and Online Communities.

Playbooks & Gameplay

o All-New Collision System: Now maintain full control of players up to the point of impact – from tackling to blocking – providing the most authentic collisions in franchise history. This new system uses a player’s momentum and over 100 new tackle animations, including 40 gang tackles, to provide more impactful hits, stolen tackles, and consecutive hit tackling.

o Advanced Defensive AI: Over 100 defensive A.I. enhancements resulting in the smartest Madden defense ever. Players in zone and man coverage will properly recognize and react to plays, including the ability to break out of assignments when appropriate, resulting in a defensive team that truly works together.

o Custom Playbooks: The #1 most requested feature by fans in recent years, allows you to build the ultimate game plan by modifying an existing playbook or creating your own by selecting up to 400 offensive or defensive plays from 75 different playbooks. Integrate your custom playbook into a game plan for use with the improved GameFlow system, which executes an authentic, situational game plan for you.

Presentation

o Broadcast Redefined: Experience NFL Sundays like never before with completely overhauled presentation, including 32 team-specific run outs featuring mascots and cheerleaders, over 500 dynamic broadcast cameras authentic to every NFL stadium, innovative “real” on-field cameras shot by expert NFL Films cameramen, and a network inspired new broadcast graphics package.

o Unprecedented On-Field Authenticity: Hundreds of visual improvements across all areas of the game including: new player equipment, helmet stickers, pylon and ball physics, a player degradation system that affects uniforms and helmets based on weather and field surface, 3D grass, and new player specific animations that showcase the personalities of each NFL player.

Franchise and Superstar Modes

o Franchise mode includes more than 100 new features and enhancements, including expanded rosters, an all-new rookie scouting system, a free-agent bidding system, and more.

o In Superstar mode, fans can now control the growth of their superstar with an all-new progression system that allows you to earn skill points by participating in practice and games. More details on Franchise and Superstar modes will be released on May 16.

Dynamic Player Performance

o Dynamic Player Performance is an all-new feature that creates unprecedented realism as a player’s skills and confidence will rise and fall based on his performance throughout a game or in Franchise mode, just like the real NFL. No two players will play the same in Madden NFL 12, and more details will be revealed at the E3 Expo on June 6.

Madden NFL Ultimate Team

o The perfect combination of Madden NFL Football, fantasy football, and trading cards comes to life in Madden NFL Ultimate Team. More information on how to earn, buy, auction, and trade players will be released on June 20.
Online Communities

o Online Communities will provide an all-new way for Madden NFL gamers to meet and play. More details will be released on July 25.

Since its debut in 1989, Madden NFL has over 90 million units sold-in to date. Starting today, fans can visit www.maddenNFL.easports.com to learn more about Madden NFL 12 pre-sale opportunities.

Madden NFL 12 is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon. EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions, and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA JAM, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf , and EA SPORTS Active.

All player participation has been facilitated by National Football League Players Incorporated, the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association.

About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA Mobile™, and POGO™. In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.co.uk. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at www.eagames.co.uk/press.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Active, EA Mobile, and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, FIFA, NHL, NBA, NCAA, Tiger Woods, and PGA TOUR are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

© 2011 NFL Properties LLC. Team names/logos/indicia are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

Officially Licensed Product of National Football League Players Incorporated.