Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast For Thursday 15th July

This is all the news from Thursday 15th July.

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The Re-Cap: News From QTE Gamers From Thursday 15th July

• QTE Blog: Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ht.ly/18946G
• QTE Blog: Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast For Wednesday 14th July http://ht.ly/1896yD
• Rockstar San Diego confirm around 40 employees have been let go from the studio that made Red Dead Redemption http://ht.ly/2bSs9
• Tim Schafer describes his outburst yesterday about Bobby Kotick as "an accident" and "I need to keep my mouth shut," http://ht.ly/2bSUv
• PS3: A Best Buy Employee has found a hidden Madden 11 PS3 Bundle mentioned in Best Buy's Database http://ht.ly/2bSWR
• All future patches for Aliens vs. Predator are cancelled, PS3/360 patches being worked on have also been scrapped http://ht.ly/2bT1u
• Gamefly have Spiderman Shattered Dimensions Boxart, revealing final Spiderman. Fans suggest he's from Secret Wars http://ht.ly/2bT8j
• 3DS: BioWare's Dr. Greg Zeschuk says he's "blown away" by the 3DS, says they could do a game for it http://ht.ly/2bTmo
• PS3: nDreams' Patrick O'Luanaigh says Playstation Home could be next big Gaming Platform, discusses its potential http://ht.ly/2bTqU
• Abe Mudokon, from the Oddworld games, tweets. he's announced something's going to be revealed in around 48 hours http://ht.ly/2bTw2
• City Interactive patch the PC version of Sniper: Ghost Warrior, 360 coming soon. AI, Multiplayer, Optimisations + more http://ht.ly/2bTzT
• QTE Blog: PopCap Announce Zuma Blitz Is Coming Next Month To Facebook http://ht.ly/189eO7
• PS3: Joystiq have a walk through video of Hulu Plus, showing its main features and how to use it http://ht.ly/2bWKF
• Double Fine announce they are working on 4 games. all 4 have publishers. some are retail, some are Downloadable http://ht.ly/2bWO4
• QTE Blog: Activision Reveal The Artists In DJ Hero 2 And Announce The Game Has Over 80 Tracks http://ht.ly/189hQk
• 360: Lionhead announce that Fable III will contain more than 47 hours of recorded speech, Fable II only had 36 Hours http://ht.ly/2bXpe
• PS3: FirstPlay accidentally said Killzone 3 has 4 player Co-Op, it doesn't, its rumor. they Apologise for this mistake http://ht.ly/2bXsX
• QTE Blog: Microsoft Announce 1 vs 100 Will Not Be Returning For A 3rd Season http://ht.ly/189m6v
• Codemasters' Rod Cousens Suggests companies release unfinished games, users Microtransaction elements of full game http://ht.ly/2bXK9
• Zombie Studios announce they are already working on Blacklight: Tango Down 2, coming Summer 2011. original gets no DLC http://ht.ly/2bXOB
• QTE Blog: OG International Have Released New Screenshots For John Daly's ProStroke Golf http://ht.ly/189ooY
• 360: Kinect doesn't work with people lying down. game companies have to create a work around themselves http://ht.ly/2c4i3
• Rocksteady Say Batman Arkham Asylum Detective Mode was too strong, it'll be toned down/more Augmented Reality in Sequel http://ht.ly/2c4kQ
• QTE Blog: Nintendo Have Released A New Gameplay Video For Sin & Punishment: Star Successor http://ht.ly/189qZy
• Wii: No More Heroes 2 has a Japanese release date of 21st October. "Hoppers Edition" comes with Soundtrack + DVD Re-cap http://ht.ly/2c5EU
• iPhone: iOS 4.01 is out now, iPad update 3.2.1 is also out now http://ht.ly/2c5Wl
• Sony Online Entertainment announce they have laid off 35 employees. the cuts "better align the company's resources..." http://ht.ly/2c5Yo
• PS3: Its reported/rumoured that 3D On the PS3 is capped at 720p http://ht.ly/2c61c
• Changes to the UK games ratings won't happen until 1st April 2011, Digital Economy Act cited for the delay http://ht.ly/2c644
• A teaser video has been found for a Russian 1908 Assassins Creed Comic. it has some connection to the Tunguska Event http://ht.ly/2c81Q
• Yoichi Wada admits Square Enix is finding it “difficult to determine” the direction the Final Fantasy Series should take http://ht.ly/2c8AR
• PS3: Sony has filed a patent for 2 player split screen 3d, with each player seeing a different image http://ht.ly/2c8Dz
• PS3: A Recent Live chat with Minis Developers reveals that some Minis Developers are asking for Trophies on PS3 http://ht.ly/2c8EK

Nintendo Have Released A New Gameplay Video For Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

Nintendo have released a new gameplay video for Sin & Punishment: Star Successor. this video offers some gameplay tips for the game. The video shows specific moves, with slow-mo replays showing specifically how things are pulled off in the game. The tips range from how to deflect attacks, using charge attacks, and how to earn extra bonuses.

OG International Have Released New Screenshots For John Daly's ProStroke Golf

OG International have released new screenshots for John Daly's ProStroke Golf. these screenshots are in-game and they show some golf courses in the game as well as the control options on how to strike the ball, either from a Tee shot or putting the ball. the controls shown are for the Playstation 3 version of the game, but it would be fair to assume 360 controls are similar. the screenshots show that the Hole is always on screen, with a marker showing how far away it is from your current location.

Screenshots

Microsoft Announce 1 vs 100 Will Not Be Returning For A 3rd Season

Microsoft have announced that after two seasons of 1 vs 100, there won't be a third. Microsoft have announced that the team and tech behind 1 vs 100 have moved on to new projects which will be unveiled in the future.

Press Release

After two successful seasons, "1 vs 100" on Xbox LIVE will not be returning for Season 3.

This pioneering show which combined the best of TV experiences and interactive video games was a ground-breaking pilot in an entertainment genre that will continue to grow and evolve. During the Beta season, more than 114,000 people played "1 vs 100" on Xbox LIVE simultaneously, setting an official Guinness world record for the most contestants in a game show.

“When we started on this journey, we knew we were creating an entirely new genre of entertainment that would be a continually evolving concept,” said Dave McCarthy, General Manager, Microsoft Game Studios. “We’re very proud of the ‘1 vs 100’ team and their accomplishments, and are excited to apply what we’ve learned to future programming.”

The “1 vs 100” team is now focusing their skills and applying the technology used to develop “1 vs 100” to new projects that will be unveiled in the future.

Activision Reveal The Artists In DJ Hero 2 And Announce The Game Has Over 80 Tracks

Activision have revealed the artists that are in DJ Hero 2. there are over 100 artists in this game who's songs have been used in over 80 tracks in the game. The artists are:

• 2Pac
• 50 Cent
• Adamski
• Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
• Armand Van Helden
• A-Trak
• B.o.B.
• Basement Jaxx
• BlakRoc
• Bobby Womack
• Bruno Mars
• Busta Rhymes
• Calvin Harris
• Chamillionaire
• Chic
• Chris Willis
• Clinton Sparks
• Colby O'Donis
• Daft Punk
• Damian Marley
• David Guetta
• Deadmau5
• Deee-Lite
• Dillinja
• Diplo
• Dizzee Rascal
• DJ Shadow
• Donna Summer
• Dr. Dre
• Drake
• Edwin Starr
• Eminem
• Estelle
• Flo Rida
• Gorillaz
• Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
• Harold Faltermeyer
• House Of Pain
• Iyaz
• Jackson 5
• Janet Jackson
• Justice
• Kanye West
• Kaskade
• Kelis
• Keri Hilson
• Kid Cudi
• Kool & The Gang
• Lady Gaga
• Lil Jon
• Lil Wayne
• LL Cool J
• M.I.A.
• M|A|R|R|S
• Major Lazer
• Malcolm McLaren
• Mase
• Melle Mel & Duke Bootee
• Metallica
• Missy Elliott
• Mos Def
• MSTRKRFT
• N.O.R.E.
• Nas
• Nate Dogg
• Naughty By Nature
• Nelly
• New Boyz
• New Order
• Newcleus
• Nightcrawlers
• Orbital
• Pharoahe Monch
• Pirate Soundsystem
• Pitbull
• Puff Daddy
• Pussycat Dolls
• Rihanna
• Robin S.
• RZA
• Salt N Pepa
• Sam Cooke
• Sam Sparro
• Sean Paul
• Skibadee
• Sneaky Sound System
• Snoop Dogg
• Snow
• Soulja Boy Tell Em
• Sparfunk & D-Code
• Static Major
• Stevie Wonder
• Talib Kweli
• The Chemical Brothers
• The Crystal Method
• The Egg
• The Notorious B.I.G.
• The Prodigy
• Tiesto
• Tiga
• Timbaland
• Tweet
• Walter Murphy
• Warren G
• Wayne Smith
• Will.I.Am
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs
• Young Jeezy

DJ Hero 2 is set to come out this fall on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, And The Nintendo Wii.

Press Release

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- When the party starts this October, budding beat chemists, singing sensations and all of their friends will fire up two turntable controllers and a microphone and experience hits from the biggest names in music as they've never heard them before in Activision Publishing Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ATVI) DJ Hero® 2. Taking the soundtrack to "the most innovative and immersive music experience of 2009"* and recipient of over 20 "Best Music Game" awards to the next level, DJ Hero 2 spins together tracks from over 100 of the biggest artists from around the world – who have combined U.S. full albums sales alone in excess of 375 million** – creating an all-new, unparalleled music experience. Featuring the hottest hits from artists such as Lady Gaga, B.o.B., Pitbull, Deadmau5, Iyaz, David Guetta, and Rihanna and classic anthems from legendary artists including Eminem, Daft Punk, Dr. Dre, The Chemical Brothers, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and LL Cool J, the DJ Hero 2 soundtrack mixes the perfect blend of pop, dance and hip hop music.

"With DJ Hero 2, we wanted to create the ultimate party experience of 2010, and that meant not only revamping and adding social and multiplayer game modes, including full microphone support, and all-new levels of creative freedom, but also mixing and mashing hits from over 100 of the biggest and most popular artists on the planet," said Dan Neil, Music Director, FreeStyleGames. "We can't wait to drop details on which of these artists' hottest tracks, as well as how we've mixed them together exclusively for the game, later this year."

"With the success of DJ Hero and overwhelming response to its soundtrack, we are excited to be working even more closely with our label partners, including Interscope Geffen A&M, on DJ Hero 2 to hand-pick the best music from the most recognizable artists in the world," said Tim Riley, Vice President of Music Affairs, Activision.

"We're excited to bring the hottest hits from our biggest artists to DJ Hero 2 including Eminem, Lady Gaga, Soulja Boy, 50 Cent, M.I.A., Timbaland, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and many more," said Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M. "The blockbuster lineup of music we've contributed, when mixed by world renowned DJs exclusively for the game, will help deliver one of the best soundtracks in all of entertainment."

With the highly skilled DJ's and music producers at FreeStyleGames – joined by Deadmau5, David Guetta and a crew of world renowned mixologists – dropping the beats, everyone will have a chance to experience the following artists' music in an all-new way:
2Pac
50 Cent
Adamski
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force
Armand Van Helden
A-Trak
B.o.B.
Basement Jaxx
BlakRoc
Bobby Womack
Bruno Mars
Busta Rhymes
Calvin Harris
Chamillionaire
Chic
Chris Willis
Clinton Sparks
Colby O'Donis
Daft Punk
Damian Marley
David Guetta
Deadmau5
Deee-Lite
Dillinja
Diplo
Dizzee Rascal
DJ Shadow
Donna Summer
Dr. Dre
Drake
Edwin Starr
Eminem
Estelle
Flo Rida
Gorillaz
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Harold Faltermeyer
House Of Pain
Iyaz
Jackson 5
Janet Jackson
Justice
Kanye West
Kaskade
Kelis
Keri Hilson
Kid Cudi
Kool & The Gang
Lady Gaga
Lil Jon
Lil Wayne
LL Cool J
M.I.A.
M|A|R|R|S
Major Lazer
Malcolm McLaren
Mase
Melle Mel & Duke Bootee
Metallica
Missy Elliott
Mos Def
MSTRKRFT
N.O.R.E.
Nas
Nate Dogg
Naughty By Nature
Nelly
New Boyz
New Order
Newcleus
Nightcrawlers
Orbital
Pharoahe Monch
Pirate Soundsystem
Pitbull
Puff Daddy
Pussycat Dolls
Rihanna
Robin S.
RZA
Salt N Pepa
Sam Cooke
Sam Sparro
Sean Paul
Skibadee
Sneaky Sound System
Snoop Dogg
Snow
Soulja Boy Tell Em
Sparfunk & D-Code
Static Major
Stevie Wonder
Talib Kweli
The Chemical Brothers
The Crystal Method
The Egg
The Notorious B.I.G.
The Prodigy
Tiesto
Tiga
Timbaland
Tweet
Walter Murphy
Warren G
Wayne Smith
Will.I.Am
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Young Jeezy

The ultimate mixer of music and friends, DJ Hero 2 will deliver the definitive way for players to come together and party with a host of new multiplayer modes – including DJ Battles that pit DJ against DJ in mixes produced specifically for battle gameplay – and invite vocalists into the spotlight with integrated on-screen singing and rapping of lyrics and rhymes while bringing the party to life with jump-in/jump-out Party Play gameplay. Featuring the biggest dance, pop and hip-hop hits by the hottest artists everyone knows and loves remixed by world-class DJ's in an all-new way, the game's soundtrack delivers over 80 unique creations only available in DJ Hero 2. Further immersing players into the music, the game offers a heightened level of creative input and allows everyone to add their own touch, directly impacting the beats they're spinning with freestyle scratching, crossfading and sampling. The game will also feature an all-new career-based Empire Mode where players start out as an up-and-coming DJ on the road to becoming the head of a major entertainment empire, all of which is founded solely on their success as a DJ.

Dropping this fall, DJ Hero 2 will invite a wave of new digital disc jockeys to the turntables as the game will be available as a Party Bundle which will include a copy of the game, two turntable controllers and a microphone, offering the ultimate "party-in-a-box." Gamers who experienced the #1 new videogame intellectual property of 2009 can pick up DJ Hero 2 as a Turntable Bundle featuring one turntable controller and a copy of the game or as standalone software. The game is in development by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. The game is rated "T" (Teen – Mild Suggestive Themes, Lyrics) by the ESRB. For more information about DJ Hero 2, please visit www.djhero.com,www.facebook.com/djhero and www.twitter.com/djhero.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands,Australia, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's website,www.activision.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as "outlook," "will," "could," "would," "might," "remains," "to be," "plans," "believes," "may," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "estimate," future," "plan," "positioned," "potential," "project," "remain," "scheduled," "set to," "subject to," "upcoming" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing's titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing's ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing's products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, litigation risks and associated costs, rapid changes in technology, industry standards, business models including online and used games, and consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres such as music, first-person action and massively multiplayer online games, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality "hit" titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, and the other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Guitar Hero, DJ Hero and Activision are registered trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. All rights reserved.

*USAToday.com
**Nielson Soundscan data

PopCap Announce Zuma Blitz Is Coming Next Month To Facebook

PopCap have announced Zuma Blitz, a Facebook adaptation of the 20 Million selling Zuma game, is coming out Next Month. The game will be initially launched as a Beta, with PopCap continuing to evolve the game through its Beta and when its fully released. PopCap have used the knowledge they gained from Bejeweled Blitz, and whilst the games are different, both have social centric features, both are aimed at all skill levels, and both only give you 60 seconds to get a high score.

When Zuma Blitz is released, it will have these features:

• Weekly tournaments and leaderboards

• New levels introduced regularly

• An “experience points” system to unlock additional features and capabilities

• A “Treasure Chest” virtual currency-based system for obtaining in-game power-ups

• New features such as time extenders, score multipliers and the “Hot Frog” speed mode

• Additional information on friends' in-game performance and status such as medals won, achievements earned at various point thresholds and experience level

Press Release

DUBLIN, Ireland – July 15th, 2010 — PopCap Games, the worldwide leader in casual video games, today announced that Zuma®, its second best-selling franchise with nearly 20 million units sold worldwide, will soon be debuting on Facebook in a free, social form. Zuma Blitz will be the first adaptation of the seminal ball-blasting favorite to offer fans the opportunity to see how they stack up against other players, and will include a host of other social-centric features new to the game. Zuma Blitz is expected to roll out gradually via Beta launch in approximately three weeks.

“We've received a ton of feedback regarding how players consume Bejeweled Blitz and other leading social games, and incorporated a number of those insights into this initial phase of Zuma Blitz, with more to come,” said Jason Kapalka, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at PopCap. “Zuma is a very different game than Bejeweled, so the social adaptation has gone in different directions. Zuma is already a fast-paced arcade game, so the challenge was to make it feel approachable to players of all skill levels, even with just sixty seconds to play.”

PopCap plans to continue evolving Zuma Blitz over time, in a fashion similar to the ongoing addition of major new features and functionality in Bejeweled® Blitz. New features available at the introduction of Zuma Blitz next month are expected to include:

·Weekly tournaments and leaderboards
·New levels introduced regularly
·An “experience points” system to unlock additional features and capabilities
·A “Treasure Chest” virtual currency-based system for obtaining in-game power-ups
·New features such as time extenders, score multipliers and the “Hot Frog” speed mode
·Additional information on friends' in-game performance and status such as medals won, achievements earned at various point thresholds and experience level

“Once again PopCap is bringing a beloved game to the Facebook Platform and enhancing already successful game play with social features and functionality,” said Gareth Davis, Facebook Platform Manager. “Zuma Blitz will provide a fun and engaging way for our more than 400 million users to play with their friends on Facebook.”

Zuma Blitz joins Bejeweled Blitz as PopCap's second full-fledged social game on Facebook. Bejeweled Blitz has attracted nearly 30 million users since its introduction 18 months ago, and more than 100 million sessions of the game are played each day by consumers worldwide.

About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106 and are available anytime, anywhere. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of more than 275 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, Seoul, and Shanghai. Its games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled, has sold more than 50 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap’s games are played on the Web, social platforms, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod, iPhone, iPad and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox and DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap has been one of the most innovative companies in the video industry since its inception a decade ago. Pioneering new game mechanics, sales models, and platforms ranging from mobile devices to online and location-based games of chance, PopCap is the only video game provider in the world with leading market share across the entire spectrum.

#  #  #
The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are listed at www.popcap.com/trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or its licensors and may be registered in some countries Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. Other company and product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and are used for the benefit of those owners.