Gaming Steve Episode 10 - 04.28.2005

Hey all, this week we have an "extra special episode" of Gaming Steve where I interview Michael G. Shapiro, the music composer for the newly released Empire Earth II. In addition you'll find:

• Intro music from Empire Earth II.
• Turner announces GameTap.
• The V-Chip is coming to video games.
• The Nintendo DS keeps on selling.
• GameTalk: Interview with TV, film, and game composer Michael G. Shapiro where we talk about his music background, how he got into the industry, the development process for composing the Empire Earth II soundtrack, helpful hints for up-and-coming composers, and what games does he enjoy?
• “Name That Game!” contest winner from last week and a new clip.
• Some more random thoughts on the daily craziness of Xbox 360 "news" items.
• Closing music from the Empire Earth II soundtrack.

Get the podcast from this page (77 minutes): Gaming Steve Episode 10.

Download the Empire Earth II soundtrack for free!

You can also subscribe to the weekly podcast.

World of Warcraft Has No Honor?

It appears that a sudden wave of WOW subscribers have cancelled their accounts after being severely disappointed in the new player-vs-player honor system implemented last week. The 35-page thread in the official WOW forum has 700 posts of disappointed people and actually stopped working for some reason.

In addition there is another thread almost 1200 posts large (as of now) of people who hate the new honor system. Hopefully the new Battlegrounds should add true PvP combat to the game, we shall see...

Microsoft Tries to Plug Xbox 360 Leak

Between the images of the Xbox 360 being shown on the ourcolony.net web site and the leaked image of the final design it appears that the leaked image is indeed the final design of the Xbox 360. The images from outcolony.net match up perfectly with the leaked image and now spong.com has a very interesting article detailed Microsoft's attempts to plug the Xbox 360 image leak.

Basically the article details how many gaming publications already had the picture of the Xbox 360 from the "front-on" but could not release the image until May 12. But it seems that somewhere within Europe the image was first leaked and soon after quickly spread over the Internet. They also suspect that someone at MTV may have leaked a second image (pictured above), an actual photograph of the removable 40GB hard drive. The only reason for this speculation is that the press only has access for the "front-on" image so the hard drive image had to come from a different source.

Interestingly enough there is still more for eager Xbox 360 to discover, including the view from the back as well as a view of the controller. But did Microsoft really expect to keep this a secret until May 12 after sending the image to thousands of gaming journalists throughout the world?

Over 15 Titles Slated for Xbox 360 Launch

Computer and Video Games is reporting that around 15 to 20 titles, many of which are new installments in established franchises, will be available during the launch of the Xbox 360.

Some of the new titles reported include Rare's long-awaited and hotly anticipated Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3, Need For Speed Underground 3, Test Drive, and potentially EA's next Burnout game.

As for Halo 3, don't expect to see that at launch-time, but longtime rumors have speculated that Halo 2.5 may come pre-installed on the hard drive. However, the hard drive will be sold separately by Microsoft rather than being an out-of-the-box feature. Halo 2.5 will most likely have much improved visuals that will support 720p resolution and some new multiplayer levels.

The real questios is just how great can a dozen rushed Xbox 360 title be on launch-day? Anyone remember the Xbox launch title Shrek?

The First Real Image of the Xbox 360?

According to reliable sources close to different sites around the Internet, this indeed is the final design of the Xbox 360. It actually looks ... quite nice. Very much like an ipod with the smooth curves, and what's interesting is the lack of any controller ports. It seems like the rumors of wireless controllers are indeed true.

Of course, this could just be yet another elaborate hoax, but I don't know. This design seems like it could be the real deal. What do you think?

Gaming Steve Episode 9 - 04.22.2005

Hey all, sorry for the slight delay in getting this week's show to you. But it is a dozy this week! Nearly an hour and a half long of Gaming Steve goodness where I cover:

• EB Games and GameStop try to take over the world.
• World of Warcraft has honor.
• Nintendo Revolution comes and goes.
• The two flavors of Xbox 360.
• Microsoft serious about Xbox 360 and HD.
• Sony Online to sell virtual property.
• GameTalk: Highlights from the Games & Mobile Forum 2005.
• SporeTalk: Why are the gaming magazines calling me?
• Quicktake: Early impressions of Jade Empire for the Xbox and Psychonauts for the Xbox.
• In-depth review of The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap for the GameBoy Advance.
• RetroReview: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic for Xbox and PC.
• “Name That Game!” contest winner from last week and a new clip.
• Plus some more random thoughts on the upcoming E3.

Get the podcast from this page (86 minutes): Gaming Steve Episode 9.

You can also subscribe to the weekly podcast.

Sony Online Entertainment Future Vision

Today I went to the Games & Mobile Forum where a few interesting little items were revealed to huge audience of 307 people (that was the actual attendance).

John Smedley, President of Sony Online Entertainment, started the conference off with his keynote address and revealed quite a few interesting tidbits.

First the foremost, Smedley revealed that the PS3 will allow online microtransactions (just like the Xbox 360) and these transactions will become more commonplace in the near future.

Smedley then described a future where you could play an online game via your PSP, PS3, PC, and cell phone where you would be able to play the same game utilizing the same character on all platforms. The graphics and experience may be slightly different – for example, you would only be able to perform inventory management of your character on the cell phone version of the game while the PSP, PS3, and PC versions would play the same but have different graphic engines. However, it was important to note that these online games would not be separate games, they would all be the same game, using the same character, across different platforms, where you can play with the same people online. He also said we should expect to see this sort of gameplay within the next six months.

As for selling items within Everquest via Station Exchange, Smedley said that they were still figuring out the exact pricing but expect the Station Exchange to be live in June. He also warned that SOE programmed extensive monitoring tools which will alert SOE if players are excessively camping certain creatures or treasures and may ban these people from EQ.

As for new online chatting interfaces, Smedley explained that they were working on a single text and voice chat interface which would work across all platforms and games (PS3, PC, PSP, Everquest, etc.). So rather than having to leave Everquest to chat with your friends playing an online game on PS3 you could chat across platforms and games within a single interface. No timetable was given for this technology.

All in all it was an interesting keynote to see where SOE is planning on moving in the future.

No Nintendo Revolution at E3?

It appears that Nintendo might just bypass the PS3/Xbox 360 war at E3 this year. Their next-generation console, codenamed Revolution, may not be shown even though they claimed in the past that it would be unveiled at this year's E3 conference.

According to Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata he is "worried about rivals nicking all his best ideas at this early stage" which is pretty much the exact same reason why Mario 128 wasn't shown at last year's E3 and why Super Mario Sunshine wasn't initially shown years ago. Instead, at this year's E3 there will be game demos, but no console or controller will be shown.

Sounds like Nintendo just wants to stay out of the firefight between Sony and Microsoft. This isn't necessarily a bad move, but it's just sad when Nintendo can't unveil their new console at the world's largest gaming expo without being overshadowed. Pitty.

There Can Be Only One!

As every single gaming web site reported today GameStop has purchased Electronics Boutique and the new company will be known as GameStop Corp. Combined the two companies will have over 3,200 stores worldwide, about $3.8 billion in annual revenue, and nearly 22% of the total US video game market.

What will be interesting is that this new company will have a huge monopoly on the video game retail business and will pretty much be able to make or break a game release. And when you factor in Wal-Mart, the two companies will combine to control around 50% of the entire US video game retail market. The big get bigger yet again!

Warriors, come out to play...

Rockstar has finally released some new information on their new game, The Warriors, an adaptation of the 1979 cult-classic. The game appears to be a huge, sprawling beat-em-up that includes a prequel to the movie with a deep but user-friendly fighting system. The levels will feature GTA-like open levels but yet stay true to the original film.

When describing the game Rockstar used the games "Double Dragon" & "Streets of Rage" as loose comparisons. Hopefully there will be a lot more information at this year's E3.

The Warriors is due to come out later this year for both the Xbox and PlayStation 2.

Gaming Steve Episode 8 - 04.14.2005

Another week, another podcast. Here's the latest and greatest where I cover:

• Sony and Microsoft dance around their new launches.
• Xbox 360 name confirmed?
• OurColony.net launched.
• Half-Life 2 expansion pack announced.
• GameTalk: Do Microsoft and Sony even need E3 anymore?
• SporeTalk: What can possibly be put into a Spore expansion pack?
• Quicktake: Early impressions of Jade Empire for the Xbox.
• In-depth review of Metal Gear Acid for the PSP.
• “Name That Game!” contest winner from last week and a new clip.
• Plus some more random thoughts on "building excitement".

Get the podcast from this page (61 minutes): Gaming Steve Episode 8.

You can also subscribe to the weekly podcast.

Xbox 360 Name & Design Confirmed ... maybe

Eurogamer is reporting that they have seen the new Xbox console and that it is indeed called "Xbox 360", the console itself has a concave design, and that the console's color is white. Maybe.

Even Eurogamer is saying that their information might not be accurate. However, their information would support the "leaked" image of the new Xbox 360 controller (which is white) as well as images from the ourcolony.net web site which appear to show the buttons from a white controller.

As for the new name and logo, they are reporting that the logo is described as a simple, round nexus with "Xbox 360" written inside it. Previous rumors had simply the numbers "360" in the disc. It really is amazing just how much press Microsoft is getting on a system which hasn't been confirmed and/or might not even exist.

Now that would be perhaps the one of the greatest hoaxes of all time, don't announce the Xbox 360 at all and just announce the next version of Windows or something at E3. Could you imagine the press?

Every Single Confirmed E3 Title

It seems like a day can't go by without the mention of E3, Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 ... and today is no different. Although today is a rather slow news day it is interesting to see the list of confirmed games being shown at E3. However, keep in mind that the "really big games" won't be announced until just a few days before E3 or at the event itself, such as Spore and the new Blizzard game (oops, said too much!).

Anything on the list look interesting? Click on the continue link to view the entire list.

2K Games:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Cube, GBA, PC, PS2, Xbox)
NBA 2K6 (PS2, Xbox)
NHL 2K6 (PS2, Xbox)
Top Spin (PS2)
World Poker Tour (Unspecified Consoles)

Activision:
Call of Duty 2 (PC)
Call of Duty Console Sequel (PS2, Xbox)
Fantastic Four (GCN, PS2, Xbox)
The Movies (PC, PS2, Xbox)

Atari:
Dragonshard (PC)
Dungeons & Dragons Online (PC)
Indigo Prophecy (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (PS2, Xbox)
The Matrix: Path of Neo (PC, PS2, Xbox)
RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked! (PC)
Tycoon City: New York (PC)

Atlus Software:
Samurai Western (PS2)
Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 2 (PS2)
Riviera: The Promised Land (GBA)
Snowboard Kids DS (DS)
Trauma Center: Under the Knife (DS)
Untitled Console RPG (PS2)

Bandai:
D.I.C.E. (PS2)
Digimon World 4 (Cube, PS2, Xbox)
Meteos (DS)
One Piece Grand Battle! (GBA, Cube, DS, PS2)

Bethesda Softworks:
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Next-Gen, PC)

Blizzard Entertainment:
StarCraft: Ghost (Cube, PS2, Xbox)

Buena Vista Games:
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (Cube, DS, GBA, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox)
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge (PS2, Xbox)

Capcom:
Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance (PS2, Xbox)
Flipnic Ultimate Pinball (PS2)
Killer 7 (Cube, PS2)
Mega Man Battle Network 5 (GBA)
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS)
Without Warning (PS2, Xbox)

Cenega:
El Matador (PC)
The Roots (PC, Xbox)
UFO: Aftershock (PC)

Crave Entertainment:
Sno-Cross 2 Featuring Blair Morgan (PS2, Xbox)
World Championship Poker 2 (PS2, Xbox)

Deep Silver:
Untitled RTS (PC)

Digital Extremes:
Dark Sector (Next-Gen)

DreamCatcher Interactive:
Cold War (PC)
Haegemonia: The Solon Heritage (PC)
Painkiller (Xbox)

Eidos:
25 to Life (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Commandos Strike Force (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Hitman: Blood Money (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Tomb Raider Legend (PC, PS2, Xbox)

Electronic Arts:
Batman Begins (Cube, GBA, PS2, Xbox)
Battlefield 2 (PC)
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat (PS2, Xbox)
Black & White 2 (PC)
Burnout Revenge (PS2, Xbox)
The Godfather (PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox, Next-Gen)
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent (DS)
James Bond 007: From Russia with Love (Cube, PS2, Xbox)
Madden NFL 2006 (Cube, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox)
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (PS2, PSP, Xbox)
Medal of Honor: European Assault (Cube, PS2, Xbox)
NASCAR: Chase for the Cup 2006 (Cube, PC, PS2, Xbox)
Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Cube, DS, GBA, PC, PS2, PSP, Xbox)
NCAA Football 2006 (Cube, PS2, Xbox)
The Sims 2: Nightlife (PC)

Funcom:
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (PC)

High Moon Studios:
Darkwatch (PS2, Xbox)

Imaginary Numbers:
Tactica Online (PC)

KOEI:
Colosseum: Road to Freedom (PS2)
Romance of the Three Kingdoms X (PS2)
Uncharted Waters Online (PC)

Konami:
Castlevania DS (DS)
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (PS2)
Coded Arms (PSP)
Death Jr. (PSP)
S.L.A.I. (PS2)

LucasArts:
Star Wars: Empire at War (PC)
Star Wars Galaxies: Episode III Rage of the Wookies (PC)

Majesco:
Advent Rising (PC, Xbox)
Advent Shadow (PSP)
Aeon Flux (PS2, Xbox)
ATV: Quad Frenzy (DS)
Bloodrayne (PSP)
The Darkness (Next-Gen)
Infected (PSP)
Jaws Unleashed (PS2, Xbox)
Nanostray (DS)
Psychonauts (PS2)
Texas Hold 'Em Poker (DS)

Mastiff:
Pump it Up: Exceed (PS2, Xbox)

Microsoft:
Perfect Dark Zero (Next-Gen)

Midway:
Blitz: The League (PS2, Xbox)
Fear & Respect (PS2, Xbox)
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows (PS2, Xbox)
L.A. Rush (PS2, Xbox)
Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (PS2, Xbox)
Rise and Fall: Civilizations at War (PC)
The Suffering: Ties That Bind (PC, PS2, Xbox)

Mirinae Entertainment:
Kahn the Absolute Power (PC)

Namco:
Arc the Lad: End of Darkness (PS2)
Gumby vs. the Astrobots (GBA)
HUGO Bukkazoom! (GBA)
Shogun Warrior: Real-Time Conflict (DS)
Pac-Man World 3 (Cube, PS2, Xbox)
Soul Calibur III (PS2)

Natsume:
Chulip (PS2)
Finny the Fish & the Seven Waters (PS2)

NCsoft:
Auto Assault (PC)
City of Villains (PC)
Guild Wars (PC)
Tabula Rasa (PC)

Nintendo:
Advance Wars DS (DS)
Animal Crossing DS (DS)
Dance Dance Revolution with Mario (Cube)
Donkey Konga 2 (Cube)
Fire Emblem: Souen no Kiseki (Cube)
Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (GBA)
Geist (Cube)
Kirby: Cursed Canvas (DS)
Mario Kart DS (DS)
Metroid Prime Hunters (DS)
Nintendogs (DS)
Nintendo Pennant Chase Baseball (Cube)
Odama (Cube)
Super Mario Bros. (DS)
The Legend of Zelda (Cube)

NIS America:
Atelier Iris ~Eternal Mana~ (PS2)
Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome (PS2, Xbox)

SEGA:
Condemned (Next-Gen)
Phantasy Star Universe (PC, PS2)
Shadow the Hedgehog (Cube, PS2, Xbox)
Shining Force Neo (PS2)
Spartan: Total Warrior (PS2, Xbox)

SNK Playmore:
King of Fighters '94 Re-Bout (Xbox)
King of Fighters 02/03 (Xbox)
King of Fighters: Maximum Impact - Maniax (Xbox)
Metal Slug 1 (GBA)
Metal Slug 4 & 5 (PS2, Xbox)
Samurai Shodown V (Xbox)

Sony Computer Entertainment:
Jak X: Combat Racing (PS2)
Ratchet: Deadlocked (PS2)
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves (PS2)
SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs (PS2)

Sony Online Entertainment:
EverQuest II Expansion (PC)
Untitled Handheld Game #1 (PSP)
Untitled Handheld Game #2 (PSP)

Team Tarsier:
Metronome (PC, Next-Gen)

THQ:
Battlestations: Midway (PC, PS2, Xbox)
Big Mutha Truckers DS (DS)
Big Mutha Truckers 2 (PS2, Xbox)
Bratz (GBA, PC, PS2)
Danny Phantom (GBA)
Destroy All Humans (PS2, Xbox)
Fairly OddParents (DS)
The Incredibles 2 (Cube, DS, GBA, PS2, Xbox)
Juiced (PS2, Xbox)
Moto GP 3 (Xbox)
Nicktoons (DS)
Power Rangers (GBA)
Scooby-Doo! Unmasked (Cube, DS, GBA, PS2, Xbox)
SpongeBob SquarePants Party (Cube, DS, PC, PS2, Xbox)
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. (PC)
Tak 3 (Cube, DS, GBA, PS2, Xbox)
Untitled Console Game #1 (Next-Gen)
Untitled Console Game #2 (Next-Gen)
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Winter Assault (PC)
WWE Day of Reckoning 2 (Cube)
Zoo Tycoon (DS)

Ubisoft:
America's Army: Rise of a Soldier (PS2, Xbox)
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Lockdown (PS2, Xbox)

Vivendi Universal:
Bulletproof (PS2, Xbox)
Crash Tag Team Racing (Cube, DS, PS2, Xbox)
F.E.A.R. (PC)
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (Cube, PC, PS2, Xbox)
Scarface (PC, PS2, Xbox)

Microsoft and Pepsi Planning Massive Xbox 360 Giveaway

Seems like today is the day of Xbox 360 news and rumors. The latest rumor is being reported by engadget where Microsoft and Pepsi are going to team up to give away over 9,000 Xbox 360 consoles in the weeks ahead of the console's official release. The contest will work in a very similar manner as the Pepsi/iTunes giveaway and use an under-the-cap registration method where one console will be given away every ten minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine weeks straight.

Assuming that the Xbox 360 will be released in mid-November as many people expect, this contest would start at the beginning of September. Which brings up an interesting question, if you win an Xbox 360 in September ... what are you going to play on it? Many people expect an updated/enhanced version of Halo 2 or perhaps demo versions of all the release titles for the Xbox 360.

Either way can you imagine how much these suckers are going to sell for on eBay?

Xbox 360 to Debut on MTV on May 12th

First Xbox 360 was going to be launched before E3 on May 16th at 6:00 pm in downtown LA. Then last week Sony decided to have their launch event for the PlayStation 3 on the exact same day only at 3:00 pm, three hours before the Xbox 360 launch party (and ten miles away which might as well be a million miles when it comes to LA rush hour traffic).

Now Brandweek is reporting that the Xbox 360 will be launched during an MTV special on May 12th. The MTV special, hosted by actor Elijah Wood, will feature a performance by rock band the Killers, and will feature athletes and celebs showing off the console's new features. In addition, MTV will air teaser spots prior to the event and screening parties will be held in countries in which MTV airs.

Sony, it's your move...

Let the E3 Rumors Fly!

After E3 what on earth will the gaming community talk about? Between Xbox 2, PlayStation 3, Spore, and who knows what else this is shaping up to be an interesting E3. And now we're starting to hear rumors on some gaming projects.

Over at Computer Games Magazine they take a look at some potential upcoming projects including Crytek's (Fry Cry) next game, Gas Powered Games' (Dungeon Siege) next game, Remedy's (Max Payne) next game, id Software's (Doom) next game, 3D Realms's (Duke Nukem Forever) next game, and a few others.

Perhaps the funniest/saddest entry is Peter Molyneux's next project:

Lionhead’s Dimitri – Until just yesterday, nothing was known about this game except for the code name but the Computer and Video Games site revealed via a chat with Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux that the game is about recreating the player’s real life. Er…ok. That’s it folks…nothing more to see here..move along.

Gaming Steve Episode 7 - 04.07.2005

Another week, another podcast. Here's the latest and greatest where I cover:

• PSP doesn't sell a million.
• Sony to invent the Matrix.
• New versions of Katamari Damacy, Fable, Halo, and Project Gotham heading your way.
• Xbox 2 unveiled before E3?
• GameTalk: Will the PSP make it?
• SporeTalk: Juicy inside information on Spore.
• In-depth review of God of War for the PS2.
• “Name That Game!” contest winner from last week and a new clip.
• Plus some more random thoughts.

Get the podcast from this page (63 minutes): Gaming Steve Episode 7.

You can also subscribe to the weekly podcast.

PSP Sales Fall Short

According to a survey conducted by Credit Suisse First Boston, Sony’s PSP didn’t quite hit the million mark they were expecting in the first week of U.S. sales. Credit Suisse said that Sony likely sold between 600,000 to 700,000 of the units, which means that 300,000 to 400,000 of the units are still sitting on U.S. shelves. Meanwhile stories in Canada, which had severely limited shipments of the units in order to accommodate the “strong” U.S. demand, had to hand out rain checks to their customers.

Meanwhile, according to Famitsu, the DS has outsold the PSP in Japan by more than 70 percent and Nintendo is expecting to have shipped over 6 million DS units by end of March.

Remember, no portable gaming device has ever beaten Nintendo. Can the PSP make it?

Metroid Prime: Hunters Fully Online

Spong is reporting that the Nintendo DS game Metroid Prime: Hunters will feature full online functionality. According to their source, Hunters will be a fully-optimized real-time FPS along the lines of Halo 2 with deathmatch play, online leagues and so on. The game and online functionality will be shown at E3 and will with the US in mid-summer.

Wow, I guess Nintendo is finally getting into the online play arena, even if it's a little late it's good to see.

Is WOW Doomed?

Over at Grimwell Online they are predicting the near-term death of World of Warcraft. The entire article is rather interesting and makes many comparisons to other MMORPG games which ran a similar course.

Basically he states that WOW players will quickly burn through all the game content and then be left with little to no long-term socialization options. And when the "next big" MMORPG comes out everyone will move over to that one having "completed" WOW.

It's an interesting read, what do all you WOW players out there think?

April's Fools!

Every year the gaming community tries to outdo each other with their April Fool's jokes. Here are a few that I've encountered so far (not all gaming related). If you see any good ones add them!

• World of Wordcraft the world's first MMOWP is announced.
• QuakeCon taken over by Imps.
• LucasArts Announces Sequel Trilogy in 2007.
• HEXUS.net first look at AMD GPU.
• The Game Gear is back.
• Freelancer 2 is announced.
• Richard's Online Journal has game review price rates.
• Tokyo zoo penguins in awe.
• Pirates! 2 Press Release.
• Beyond Unreal has the Unreal 3: Slug Saga - The Adventures of Ne'ban press release.
• Google Gulp. Thirst-quenching goodness, still in beta (of course).
• Sven Co-op is adding a flight sim mode.
• Multiplay UK has info on Frogger Online.