Tuesday, June 29, 2010

EA Announce Fast Lane Stuff, A New Sims 3 DLC Pack, Is Coming This Autumn


EA have announced they are working on a new content pack for The Sims 3. Fast Lane Stuff is currently set to come out this autumn at retail and online. The content pack will add 4 new lifestyle options, racing, intrigue, rockabilly and classic luxury. each will offer unique items for your Sim and their homes. you will also be able to create your own garage where you can store your new cars.

Press Release

Buckle your seatbelts and take a ride with the windows down. The Sims Studio announced today that The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff pack is under development and will be available this autumn at retail stores worldwide and through digital download at www.TheSims3.com.

As the first stuff pack dedicated to vehicles and the fast-lane lifestyle, The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff pack allows you to choose from four different lifestyle options: racing, intrigue, rockabilly and classic luxury. Each one offers unique items to outfit your Sims with the newest fashions, home furnishings and vehicles. Now your Sim can create the ultimate garage where they can store their hot rod, professional racing car or even their motorcycle. For example you can give them a sponsor-laden racing jumpsuit, neon wall sign, trophy case, workbenches, tool boxes and loads more! Give them the ride they’ve always dreamed of, and the lifestyle to go along with it. With The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff pack, create the ultimate experience for the car enthusiast in you.

The Sims 3 Fast Lane Stuff pack is currently available for pre-order at the EA Store and will be available this Autumn. For more information on this stuff pack and all of The Sims 3 games, visit the www.TheSims3.com.

*According to NPD data

Its My Birthday Today

Just a quick heads up. its my birthday today, the big 25, and as you can imagine its been fairly busy with family and what not. i'll try to keep the news in brief up to date, and when i can blog posts. But ultimately, i do not know how regularly the site is going to be updated today. Apologies for any inconvenience, but as its my birthday i think you'll forgive me, lol.

PS...if you've been visiting the site for a while now, perhaps as a birthday present you could give a small donation???


Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast For Monday 28th June

This is all the news from Monday 28th June.

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


Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)


  • QTE Blog: Re-Cap of The Weekends News (oldest to newest) http://ht.ly/17UKeZ
  • QTE Blog: Hit X: The News Recapping Podcast For Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th June http://ht.ly/17UMc2
  • UK Charts, Lego Harry Potter, Red Dead Redemption, Super Mario Galaxy 2, 2010 FIFA World Cup, naughty Bear http://ht.ly/249iU
  • PSP: A Japanese retailer has listed a PSP 4000 as coming out in 2010 http://ht.ly/249qI
  • PS3: EA's John Schappert says PS3 "is on fire", stock can't keep up with demand. EA have high hopes for PS3 this year http://ht.ly/24aqL
  • Twisted Pixle announce they are working with Turbine and making a MMO for consoles. http://ht.ly/24aKz
  • THQ Announce they are bringing a Red Faction game to PSN/XBLA. it'll be out before Red Faction Armageddon http://ht.ly/24aNa
  • PC: BioWare admit that after Mass Effect was released, they went back to their conversation system and re-did it http://ht.ly/24bIY
  • 360: Microsoft's Ryan Moore has said that Hardcore will be the first to buy Kinect, a wide range of games out in holiday http://ht.ly/24bMZ .
  • Patrice Désilets doubts there would be an WWII Assassin's Creed, Japanese not keen on Japan Setting either http://ht.ly/24bRK
  • Concept art for a 3rd person survival horror game from Crystal Dynamics has appeared. Speculation its called Downfall http://ht.ly/24bUb
  • QTE Blog: EA Have Released A New Crysis 2 Trailer http://ht.ly/17UTFK
  • Black Rock Studio is reportedly working on a new unannounced PS3 and 360 game, a job posting hints its a racing game http://ht.ly/24ePS
  • Level-5 announce Inazuma Eleven Break is still in development for the Wii and they're also working on Inazuma Eleven 4 http://ht.ly/24eST
  • QTE Blog: Square Enix Have Released A New E3 Trailer For Front Mission Evolved http://ht.ly/17UVJm
  • The Silver Lining, the fan made sequel to Kings Quest, is coming out next month, Activision gave the game their blessing http://ht.ly/24gAW
  • 3DS: its strongly rumoured Reggie Fils-Aime was mistaken when he said the 3DS was coming in 2011, its winter 2010 http://ht.ly/24iPS
  • QTE Blog: This Weeks WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases http://ht.ly/17UZpr
  • PS3: Sony have said reports of a HD remake of Killzone 1 are false http://ht.ly/24jR0
  • iPhone: Apple has sold over 1.7Million iPhone 4's in just 3 days http://ht.ly/24jSt
  • The OFLC has rated Above & Beyond, an unannounced game from Activision. Speculation its the successor to Star Control http://ht.ly/24l4y
  • PS3: Amazon.fr lists the Team Ico Collection HD Classic for PS3 http://ht.ly/24l7v
  • 360: Harmonix confirm that Dance Central DLC will cost more than Rock Band http://ht.ly/24l93
  • 360: Bungie reveal they explored a Halo 4 game before moving to Halo Reach http://ht.ly/24lbn
  • DS: Pokemon Black & White is coming out in Japan on 18th September http://ht.ly/24lQ4
  • QTE Blog: Sony Detail PS3 Firmware Update 3.40, Announce PSP Firmware Update 6.30, And Playstation Network Facebook ... http://ht.ly/17V8uw


Monday, June 28, 2010

Sony Detail PS3 Firmware Update 3.40, Announce PSP Firmware Update 6.30, And Playstation Network Facebook App

Sony have provided details for the upcoming Playstation 3 and Playstation Portable updates as well as revealing a new Playstation Network Facebook App. No specific details for the PSP update where given, all thats been mentioned was that its update 6.30. such a small upgrade probably means that its only a stability update.

The Playstation 3 firmware update 3.40 brings the following additions to the console:
  • PlayStation Plus: PlayStation Network users will be able to purchase membership to PlayStation Plus; a new subscription service on the PlayStation Network that provides you with new options to expand and enhance your gaming experience and enable you to gain an exclusive set of features and content. Friendly reminder, all of you PlayStation Network users will continue to have free access to PlayStation Network’s unmatched and expanding suite of new and exclusive features while PlayStation Plus subscribers will gain access to an exclusive and expanding set of gaming features, content and functionality.
  • Photo Gallery: A new network based photo sharing feature is now available on the Photo Gallery. The enhancement allows you to upload, browse and comment on photos on Facebook and Picasa Web Album. You can also opt to share your photos between your PlayStation Network friends as well as print photos from Photo Gallery.
  • Video Editor & Uploader: Video Editor and Uploader is a new function found on the XrossMediaBar (XMB), which enables you to edit, save and upload video files stored on the PS3 system to sites such as Facebook or YouTube.
  • Five Star Rating Support: Users can rate the PlayStation Store content they have purchased with one to five star ratings.
  • Power Save Settings: The default setting for PS3 System Auto-Off will be set at 2 hours, providing you with additional power save options and further improving power save features on the PS3 system.

Firmware 3.40


Sony have also revealed they are releasing a new Playstation Network app for Facebook. this app builds on the existing trophy app for Facebook by letting you display on your profile your Playstation Network profile. you will also be able to find out which of your friends has a PSN Account and send them a friend request, and you will be able to view your PSN Friends online status.

Facebook app


All these updates are expected to happen at the same time tomorrow, Tuesday 29th June.

From USA Playstation Blog


This Weeks WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases

There are 10 games out today in the USA on the Virtual Console, WiiWare, and DSiWare services.

Virtual Console

Mario Tennis
This is the Nintendo 64 version of the game and its 1-4 players and costs 1,000 Wii Points. the game has 16 playable characters and a variety of game modes.


WiiWare

Jett Rocket
This is a 1 player game only that costs 1,000 Wii Points.  this is a 3D Action adventure game where you have to explore the planet Yoroppa and find out why its been attacked by the evil Power Plant Posse.


Pong Toss Pro – Frat Party Games
This is a 1-4 player game that costs 600 Wii Points. this is a party game based on Pong Toss. this game has a tournament mode for up to 16 players to compete in as well as 6 regulation tables.


Robin Hood: The Return of Richard
This is a 1 player game only that costs 500 Wii Points. this shooting game has 12 levels where you face off against the sheriff of Nottingham.


DSiWare

Maestro! Green Groove
this is a 1 player game only that costs 500 DSi Points. the platforming game is full of music, everything you do in the game makes music. you can even input your own singing and whistling to defeat enemies.


Date or Ditch
This is a 1 player only game that costs 500 DSi Points. this is a dating and social game where you can meet people at parties, go to movies with people, and more. you can even use the DSi Camera to put your face in the game and change settings to make your picture like you.


Animal Color Cross
This is a 1 player only game that costs 500 DSi Points. the aim of the game is to reconstruct an animal image that has been hidden beneath a grid. to do this, just simply deduce the right colour by using numbers on the grid. the game comes with a tutorial as well as 72 grids to complete.


Ancient Tribe
This is a 1 player only game that costs 500 DSi Points. in the game you play as the god of an ancient tribe. the strategy is to expand your village and increase its population whilst defending it from nature and other tribes.


Brain Drain
This is a 1 player only game that costs 500 DSi Points. this is a puzzle game where you have to unscramble a image/model. there are over 200 puzzles to try as well as 3 game modes.


Battle of Giants: Mutant Insects – Revenge
This is a 1-4 player game that costs 800 DSi Points. you need to locate and free the scorpion champion. there are 10 missions to play through as well as the ability to customise your warrior.


Press Release

Three ... two ... one! Happy Half Year! Well, 2010 is just about half way behind us now (or, if you're an optimist, half way ahead of us). Either way, why not make a half-resolution to try out some new downloadable games? This week Jett Rocket zooms onto the WiiWare™ service to thwart the plans of the awesomely named Power Plant Posse. The Nintendo 64™ classicMario Tennis™ on the Virtual Console™ service reminds tennis fans that most matches last less than 11 hours. And Maestro! Green Groove on the Nintendo DSiWare™ service lets you become a virtuoso, as everything you do in the game becomes music.

We've also got new arrivals in the "Big Name Games" section of the WarioWare™: D.I.Y.series, which features downloadable microgames from some of the industry's most talented figures. This week we have some new additions from the Treehouse, Nintendo's game localization team. New "Big Name Games" will be added every Monday through July 26, all available to download for zero Nintendo DSi Points™ to anyone with broadband Internet access and a copy of either WarioWare: D.I.Y. for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems orWarioWare: D.I.Y. Showcase software for the WiiWare service. Visit the Nintendo Channel on your Wii™ system today to learn more about these games.

WiiWare

Jett Rocket
Publisher: Shin'en Multimedia
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points™
Description: Jump and run and fly. Let Jett Rocket explore the beautiful planet of Yoroppa and find out why it has been attacked by the evil Power Plant Posse. Visit tropical islands, poisonous swamps and freezingly cold glaciers. Ride the ocean on your Jet Boat, parachute from giant cliffs, speed through arctic regions on your Jet Snowboard or skyrocket with your Jet Turbine. You will need everything you've got to fight back and save Yoroppa. Just be Jett Rocket in this epic futuristic full 3D action adventure.

Pong Toss Pro – Frat Party Games®
Publisher: JV Games Inc.
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Alcohol Reference, Comic Mischief, Mild Language
Price: 600 Wii Points
Description: Born on college campuses, Pong Toss is the ultimate party-game favorite. NowPong Toss Pro takes it to the next level by featuring a completely redesigned throwing system for complete accuracy and improved graphics. Also new to Pong Toss Pro is Tournament Mode. You can have a four-, eight-, or 16-team bracket play in Pong Toss & Speed Pong. Pong Toss Pro features six regulation tables and the ability to modify simple house rules. Rock it with a high-energy rock soundtrack; listen to the announcer commenting on your play. Rule the table with Fireball bonuses for consecutive shots. In Speed Pong, up to three challengers can compete at the same time. Speed and strategy are the keys to this fast-paced game. Jack up your opponents by using a slew of power-ups that will slow them down. The first one who sinks the last cup wins it all.

Robin Hood: The Return of Richard
Publisher: Nordcurrent
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: While Richard, the true King of England, is absent from his throne, his country rages in chaos. England has been invaded, and enemies burn and destroy local towns and villages. After the house of expert archer and hunter Robin Hood was burned down, he, together with a group of free archers like himself, hides in Sherwood Forest and begins his fight for justice. The fate of the people now lies in your hands. Help Robin to defeat the villains and restore peace in this shooting game.

Features:
Complete 12 levels, defeating numerous enemies and visiting different locations in medieval England
Search for hidden objects to get bonus points
Fight with super villains, such as the Sheriff of Nottingham
Replay the game to improve your score in the High Score Table
Virtual Console

Mario Tennis
Original platform: Nintendo 64
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: The Mushroom Kingdom welcomes another sport to its lineup in the Nintendo 64 smash Mario Tennis. In addition to the bright graphics and intuitive, but incredibly tight, controls that all Mario™ games are known for, a cast of 16 Nintendo characters (including the first introduction of Waluigi™) is ready to take to the court. Along with the ability to unnerve an opponent by varying shots and precisely target their destination, each character has specific attributes in categories such as speed, power and control, all of which combine to offer multiple play styles to choose from. A variety of game modes ranging from a standard tournament to the crazy, item-filled Bowser Stage will keep you – and up to three of your friends – running around the court for quite some time. Whether trying to unlock all the secrets in single-player mode or challenging friends with some intense fun in multiplayer mode, this is a game that definitely holds its serve.

Nintendo DSiWare

Maestro! Green Groove
Publisher: Neko Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Animated Blood, Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Hello. Do you like music? Do you like platforms? Do you like pink bird-like things? Do you like the jungle? You'll love Maestro! Green Groove edition! So jump in and enjoy this wonderful feeling of being a virtuoso using your heart, stylus and voice. Everything you do is music – EVERYTHING! Hit the spiders to play some drums, shoot the fruit to bring out the melody, pinch the strings to play the tune and so on. Challenge the mischievous Staccato the Spider in a melodious battle in which the most talented one will win. For those of you who have no fear, once you have finished the adventure, you can activate the SING/WHISTLE mode to bug everyone around you with your precious talents. And for the talented ones, there is an improvisation mode in which you'll play the levels with the instruments and at the speed of your choice. Enjoy, Maestros from all around the world!

Date or Ditch
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Mild Suggestive Themes
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Think you're a real Casanova? Let's see how you act in real-life situations when you face a whole gamut of dates, from romantic to wild. Date or Ditch is an absorbing dating adventure for both guys and girls, testing you through an evolving scenario. Discover unique game play mixing social simulation, hilarious face-to-face conversations and fun quizzes. Randomly meet someone at a party, go to the movies together, invite your date to dinner and more. And a surprise visit from your ex may spice up your love story a bit. Enter even deeper into the game thanks to the exclusive camera feature: Add your photo within the game and change your face according to your feelings. In real life, make sure you are compatible with your date by taking the Love Test: Based on your names and appearance, are you made for each other? Love has always been a game. We just made it more fun.

Animal Color Cross
Publisher: Little Worlds Studio
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Get hooked on colorful puzzles. The goal of the game is to reconstruct a mysterious animal image that lies beneath the grid. You just need to fill in each square of the grid with one of the appropriate colors available. To solve the puzzle, you can simply deduce the right color by using the numbers written around the grid. Don't worry, a short tutorial shows you the basic rules within a minute. Puzzle-solving champs, sudoku fans or even kids can enjoy the game. You can play 72 individual grids in up to 50 hours of game play. Players can select among eight levels presented as geographical zones including Europe, Oceania, North Pole, Pacific, North America and South America to discover local fauna. Enter a new world filled with fancy colored pixel art.

Ancient Tribe
Publisher: CIRCLE Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: In the ancient world of Savage, you play the god of an ancient tribe in this real-time strategy game. Expand your village by guiding its inhabitants on the hunting grounds to find food and resources. Use them to upgrade your village and increase its population. When the primitive tribe develops to a certain level, they will build a temple to pay tribute to your mightiness. You can recruit new troops and research new classes of tribal people by upgrading the existing tribe's equipment and technology. Besides improving your tribe you can improve your godly powers by sacrificing some of your tribesmen and resources. On the hunting ground your tribe will explore forests, deserts, volcanoes and frozen lands. They will meet various kinds of beasts such as boars, elephants and even dinosaurs. You can help trap and tame them so your tribe can ride on them as part of your army and hunting troop.

Brain Drain™
Publisher: Enjoy Gaming
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Brain Drain is a funny and challenging puzzle game. You have to place the elements of a scrambled puzzle according to a given model. Select four elements at a time with the stylus and spin them to move the elements to the right positions. Some puzzles may feature malicious game effects that will slow you down during your puzzle solving. There are three game modes to choose from:
Challenge: 200 fixed puzzles with preset best times to solve and beat.
Race: A stream of puzzles and best time tables to beat in four difficulty levels.
Random: Relaxed, random puzzling that continues endlessly.
Battle of Giants™: Mutant Insects – Revenge
Publisher: Ubisoft
Players: 1-4
ESRB Rating: E 10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Animated Blood, Mild Fantasy Violence
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: After the defeat of the Mutant King, the Mutant Queen rose up from the core of the Earth and forced the remaining giant insects into submission. Now it is your job to locate and free the Scorpion Champion, the only giant insect with the ability to defeat the Mutant Queen. Complete 10 new missions, defeat your enemies and liberate the Scorpion Champion! Customize your giant insect with tribal stripes, equip it with special powers and enhance your abilities. Challenge your friends to duels of supremacy on the Nintendo DS™ system. Are you strong enough to win this Battle of Giants™?

Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.

Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visitWii.com or NintendoDSi.com.

Square Enix Have Released A New E3 Trailer For Front Mission Evolved

Square Enix have released a new trailer for Front Mission Evolved. this trailer was shown at E3 and is a CGi trailer. the trailer focuses mostly on war in the game, providing hints as to the cause. the trailer also provides some back story for some of the characters and it shows how some of the locations in the game have been attacked.