MS: Xbox Live is 12 to 18 months ahead of PSN

The good folks at Microsoft have never been the type to keep quiet when it comes to sharing how they feel about their main rival in the gaming industry, Sony and the PS3. Yes, they're not afraid of speaking what to them is the truth at all.

While going through the company's recent London Press release, I spotted what really alarmed me, It's true Live might ahead of PSN, although some would argue that the two online services are on par. But 12 to 18 months ahead is kind of far fetched to me.

In the second paragraph, Martin Olausson, Director of Digital Media Research at Strategy Analytics said "Xbox 360 continues to pull ahead of the competition when it comes to delivering on a complete home entertainment experience and we think that Xbox Live currently is about 12 to 18 months ahead of its main rival Playstation Network when it comes to offering service and content beyond traditional games."

"By introducing innovative services and content such as Natal, instant streaming of full 1080P HD video, and integrating social media features such as Twitter and Facebook, Xbox will likely attract a wider audience than its rivals and is in a great position to maximize sales in the next few year."

Um..... Thoughts?

Full thing is here.

11/14/09 Ernice Gilbert

Modern Warfare 2 street date broken by Gamestop

Gamestop has told Kotaku that some of its stores in the U.S have knowingly broken the street date of Modern Warfare 2. Gamestop were the ones who signed off on the decision.

"The past weekend, Gamestop made the decision to break street date and sell reserved copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in select markets where other retailers had broken street date," said Gamestop's Chris Olivera. "Our decision followed many conversations with Activision and was an effort to protect our customer base."

"Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the November 10th street date. The company fully supports the November 10th street date," he concluded.

Buy the game tomorrow for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. The Wii gets its own version: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex.

11/09/09 Ernice Gilbert

Video Thirst: Walmart's COD4 ad

Although this new ad from Walmart is somewhat funny, uh, we don't know what to make of it. They hardly spoke about the content in the game, just that soon it'll be available and they'll bring it to you with lightning speeds. But that's it.

Is Call of Duty so big now that the retailing giant sees no need to even talk about the actual game? If so, Activision has done a phenomenal job at marketing this juggernaut title.

See the full thing after the jump, and let us know what you think? The game's out on November 10th all over.

11/02/09 Ernice Gilbert

Infinity on MDW2: "We want them [gamers] to be emotionally shocked"

The recently leaked Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 video footage reveals that players can shoot innocent civilians in an airport in a realistic rendering of a terrorist attack. MDW2 is rated "M" for mature audiences, but according to Activisoin Blizzard Inc., people should not summarize the entire game based on an illegally taken piece of footage.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the company said the footage was taken illegally and is not representative of the game's overall experience. Instead, the scene is designed to evoke the "atrocities of terrorism." Activision said in an email statement.

Although the leaked footage surprised a lot, it should come as no surprise, because in a recent interview, Vince Zampella, head of the game's developer, Infinity Ward, said that they intended for their game to Startle players.

The company said, MDW2 follows players as they "face off against a terrorist threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse." As part of the plot, you'll infiltrate a Russian villain's inner circle to defeat him. Evidently, the airport attack is one of the scenes in which the player acts as part of the villains group.

"We push the story," Vince Zampella said. "We want the player to be emotionally attached. We want them to be emotionally shocked."

Did people the media (including GamesThirst) give Uncharted 2: Among Thieves game of the year too early? Modern Warfare 2, I have a feeling will be total awesomeness, and surprise us all.

10/29/09 Ernice Gilbert

Video Thirst: Bioshock 2 Capture the Sister mode

In Bioshock 2, the multiplayer will pit you against other players battling to take a little sister from a Big Daddy in Rapture.

Once you've accomplished the extremely challenging task of nabbing the little sister, she'll do her best to get away from you, all while other players try and take her for themselves.

Nice.

Watch after the Jump. Courtesy of CVG.

10/29/09 Ernice Gilbert

Confirmed: Modern Warfare 2 to have single player mode

Say what you want about them but the boys at Infinity Ward are never the type to slack off with their games. Modern Warfare is a prime example of what these guys are capable of, so if you were expecting the same thing you played in the first title, you're in for a big surprise, or should we say, treat?

Infinity Ward confirmed to Kotaku that there will be a third-person mode in the highly anticipated title. Here's Infinity boss Robert Bowling:

"Third-person is a new playlist mode in multi-player. So you can play your favorite playlist [or] game types, like Team Deathmatch just standard, or in Hardcore mode ([with] limited HUD and increased bullet damage), or in the new third-person mode, which means you and everyone in the game is in third-person," Robert said.

"When you're in a third-person playlist you can't toggle in and out, you're always in third-person. You can't toggle third-person view on or off in a standard game type either, people in third-person can't play with people in first-person, they're entirely different game modes. This is just another way to play the game," Bowling concluded.

See how good it is when you please everyone? Never mind. Get the full vibe through the link.

10/27/09 Ernice Gilbert

Square-Enix looking to sell over six million copies of Final Fantasy XIII

The company behind one of the most respected Franchise, is hoping the latest installment will eclipse sales of its predecessors. CEO Yoichi Wada hopes, after making the once PS3 exclusive a multi-platform game, that sales will go well beyond the record set by Final Fantasy VII, this means FFXIII would have to go past the six million mark. Wada also stressed that the company was looking to establish some new IPs that would, in essence, take some load off of the already established names like, Kingdom Hearts, Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy.

Wada continues, saying the company is striving for eight IPs that would constantly provide 2million units sales for the publishing giant. With development time lasting around 2years, the company hopes to release a game every quarter.

Square-Enix recently bought struggling developer Eidos Interactive for $117million, and is said to be changing its name to Square-Enix Europe, a testament to Yoichi and his team's global outlook.

Source

09/30/09 Ernice Gilbert

Cross-game chat for PSN will even out the competition, eliminating XBL's advantage

It's the most requested feature from PSN users, they want cross-game chat and they want it now. Well fear not gamers, Sony it seems have heard your cries, and is incorporating the much requested feature into PSN as we speak, and according to recent rumors, will be made available in late October of this year. Question is, will the addition of cross-game chat to PSN quell once and for all the argument made by Xbox Live users, that their online community is better than that of the PS3's? And with the feature added, will it cause Microsoft to provide its own service free of charge? The reasonable answer should be yes, since after cross-game chat is integrated into PSN, both services will be equal. Here's why.

When the PS3 launched in 2006, it came with the Playstation Network, a network that was weak, in its infant stages and scorned at by Xbox Live users as being nothing even close to what Microsoft offered. The label was true; not only were there significantly less games available compared to XBL, the network was buggy, boring and seen as a half baked attempt by Sony. Things have changed though, and as time went on, PSN essentially caught up with Live, and in some cases outstrip its competitor. Let's look at the rare titles only available on PSN, titles like Wipeout HD, FlOw, and Flower just to name a few. Then add the PS1 classics like Final Fantasy XII, Metal Gear Solid, and much more too numerous to mention you'll realize, not only is PSN a great place, it's actually addictive. Third-party developers are constantly doling out content on both the PS3 and 360 equally, hence eliminating the edge Xbox Live once had. Of course, sometimes content arrives first on the 360, but not as often as before.

I'm not saying XBL is not a good service, on the contrary, it's the reason we had such a revolution in gaming when online play was introduced with the original Xbox, and most won't argue about the robustness of the Xbox Live market place. It's been the life and strength of the Xbox 360, consistently raking in major profits for Microsoft and delivering superb experiences to its members. What some would argue however, is why is it that Microsoft's service was better for so long, to which their inevitable answer is, it's because of the one year head start they had over Sony. To some extent their response rings true; for just as in any other situation, having an early start over your competition gives you time to fine tune your service, get rid of bugs, learn new techniques, and incorporate fresh ideas. Sony was late, but they're making up for that with great additions to PSN, additions like Home, which certainly has come a long way, and is gaining traction, with developers showing support by creating special Home spaces for their games, making the service even more attractive. No doubt, many will point to the user base of Live, claiming it's substantially bigger, yet we can universally agree that PSN has grown exponentially over the years. Sony's service is also free, where as Xbox Live members pay a yearly fee of $50. There are many more comparisons we could list, all showing PSN is on par with its competitor. So why is Xbox Live deemed a better service than PSN, even if they're equal on so many levels? One reason, cross-game chat.

Imagine yourself playing, Killzone 2, or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, with or against your friends on the other side of the ocean, and instead of just messaging, you can talk directly to them, all without paying a staggering phone bill. Now how awesome would this be? Really awesome. It's a feature called cross-game chat Xbox Lives users take for granted, but PS3 owners have yet to enjoy. It's often used as bragging rights by Xbox 360 owners against their PS3 counterparts, and is the sole reason Xbox Live got the edge. So if the rumors are true, (looks like they are), then come October, the 360 crowd will have nothing to brag about. Nothing.

09/26/09 Ernice Gilbert

Netflix: We want to be on all game consoles

The Xbox 360 has been the only game Console this generation, to stream on-demand movies from the Xbox 360, directly unto your TV screen and into your living room using the leading provider Netflix. This is because, for now Microsoft has an exclusive deal with the Company that prohibits them from being on any other gaming platform. But thanks to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, the good folks who own other consoles like the PS3, and Nintendo Wii, the wait will soon be over.

Speaking with Reuters, Mr. Hastings confidently relayed his vision for the Company, here's what he said:

"Eventually we want to be on all the games consoles, all the blu-ray players, all the internet TVs. So we are working in parallel with all those efforts. Currently our Xbox deal is exclusive and we haven't characterized it more than that," Reed stated.

So, if you've been wanting to get the latest movies on-demand, and you don't own a Xbox 360, your wait it seems, will soon be over. Breathe easy.

09/23/09 Ernice Gilbert

Batman: Arkham Asylum ships 2.5 million worldwide

It might just be the best video game iteration of a movie thus far, and sales are definitely rewarding a stellar effort from Rocksteady Studios. When reviews of Batman's latest war against the Joker surfaced, it was nothing short of magnificent. From IGN to Gamespot, all were hailing Batman: Arkham Asylum as the best installment of the series yet. In fact, many have placed their bets, proclaiming it as a solid Game Of The Year contender.

Win or lose, none would deny the greatness of this rear gem. In what is often a rushed out effort by studios so that games based on Hollywood flicks could be released at the same time the movie does, Batman: Arkham Asylum stands as a testament to developers and publishers alike. What's the lesson? Don't rush out the games; you'll only be rewarded with major fail.

According to gamespot, Eidos, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Rocksteady's Batman: Arkham Asylum has enjoyed all sorts of success, both critical and commercial. From since its launch on the PS3 and Xbox 360, the game has managed to ship over 2.5million copies globally. And although the pace has slowed a bit, bats continue to fly off store shelves at an impressive rate. Good for them. And for we the gamers, because this means we'll be assured a sequel. Right?

09/22/09 Ernice Gilbert

New CryEngine 3 Demo: Light us up!

Crytek, the makers of the best looking shooter to date, "Crysis" is not afraid (and rightfully so) of demonstrating it's awesome new engine at the SIGGRAPH 2009 conference in New Orleans. Though the demo's not flashy with guns and the like, it shows how beautiful lighting can make a game look, and Crytek as always is right on point.

08/12/09 Ernice Gilbert

via kotaku

Bungie is ‘Close’ to signing a new IP deal with undisclosed Publisher

We all know that Halo Reach will be Bungie’s last in the saga, but you didn’t think the guys would just pack their bags, close down their studio and go dreaming of Halo forever then then end up working at Burger King did you? Of course not, in fact Bungie’s Lars Bakken, the same guy who broke the news concerning Halo reach being the studio’s last, is now quenching our thirst even better with some new information. He says:

"I think internally we'll know sometime soon. I don't handle these things, but I'd imagine we're going to know way before we make the public announcement of who's handling that! But sure, I think those talks are, I guess, close."

That’s very good news if you ask me. Bungie is undoubtedly one of the better developers in the industry, and will definitely deliver a solid experience no matter what this new IP turns out to be. Also this new game has been in development for over a year, which leads me to believe that soon we’ll be getting more info. Incase you’re wondering, Bungie is not tied down to a particular platform either. Good news? We’ll have to wait and see.

07/28/09 Ernice Gilbert

Thirsty Conversations

So you’re always being told and never getting a chance to tell, right? Now’s your chance. Gamers all around the world get to partake in GamesThirst.com “Thirsty Conversations.” Talk about what you want…really. We’re thirsty to hear.

Aaron Greenberg: “We’re the only console that grew in the first half of the year.”

Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Xbox Live group product manager was more that happy to speak to Gamasutra about NPD Results in the light of his company’s positive showing. Xbox 360 sales had a 9% year-over-year increase, selling just over 240,000 units making the console the only bright spot in the hardware department this month.

This must’ve been sweet music to Microsoft’s ear, because though the Software giant’s console has a decent lead on PS3, it is facing stiffer competition as Sony has been recently turning up the pressure on it’s competitor with major exclusives, more advertising and forging partnerships that will help build the offerings of the PS3 as an entertainment hub that goes way beyond games. But that’s not all, speculation has been rampant about a new PS3 (PS3 Slim) that will hit the market soon accompanied by a price cut of $100.00. If this happens, many believe Microsoft will follow suit and drop the price of the Xbox 360 to counter Sony’s move.

It’s a full blown war between the two giants, a war that breeds innovation, creativity, perfection and sometimes contempt. But gamers are the winners. How can we loose? They make the games and we play them; fight amongst yourselves Sony and Microsoft, it’s okay, just keep on bringing the goods and we will remain under the tent as happy campers.

What do you think about the war going on between Sony and Microsoft? Is it healthy for gamers being that it’s the right formula for competitiveness? Or is there way too much fan boy lambasting going on? Let us know what you think.

07/21/09 Ernice Gilbert

GamesThirst Reviews Ghostbusters: It made me nostalgic

Publisher: Atari
Developer: Terminal Reality
Player (s): 1 (2-4 co-op mode)
Genre: Action
Release date: June 16th 2009
Score: 8.5

Often times we complain about games being made from Films, voicing that they are rushed out to coincide with the movie’s release, or because the publisher figures it will sell at least a decent amount of copies no matter what. We have a truck load of ammunition in our arsenal to back up these bold claims and the total disdain of such iterations, but every now and then a great movie is made into a great game, and Ghostbusters is a glaring example.

The story of Ghostbusters comes into play when Manhattan is supernaturally invaded. If you thought the movie had monsters, brace yourself, there are way more monsters in the game and that’s where you come in. Don't be afraid because all the high-tech weaponry that’s used in the movie is made available to you, so do not, I repeat do not fear.

Ghostbusters is fun and very adventurous even if I felt cheated because the story was building up to a grand climax then halfway through it dropped and ended less than stellar. Other than my personal disappointment (that’s because I love a really good story) the game is extremely fun. The controls are not confusing with overly ambitious mechanics but instead gives you an over-the-top camera (Resident Evil style). Smashing ghosts right before throwing down a trap and pulling them into it will make them weak and an easier battle for you. I never thought trapping a ghost would feel so satisfying, it’s like you’re really in there doing all the work, it really comes through the screen fluidly. As you proceed the ghosts becomes tougher to deal with, (obviously) but that too is not a problem because all your gadgets are upgradeable.

The Multiplayer is also excellent. Four players can join in on co-op that includes voice chat, leader boards and DLC. It’s not story related but stand alone side missions. If it was up to us the gamers, I’m sure we would have rather it be story co-op, but they don’t always listen to us do they?

There are a few flaws in the game that needed to be addressed. First the load times in single player are extremely annoying especially after failing a mission numerous times. There are certain parts of the game that really could have used a map to pinpoint you to the next objective. Some environments are dim, and it’s painstaking to know what to do next with no direction. There’s so much you can do with the Ghostbusters franchise, for example, the game should have more scale. You have Manhattan and Ecto-1. Yes you can destroy almost anything in this game just like the destruction frenzy that went on in the movie but an open world game would have been great.

The graphics are very solid and gives the feel that you’re playing the Ghostbusters movie. The character models are a clear example of my point, basically carbon copies of the real thing. Textures are also very nice, you’ll find yourself in many different recognizable environments. Both indoors and out doors look amazing.

Ghostbusters boasts outstanding audio the helps bring this amazing adventure to life. If you thought the voice of Bill Murray and his master ad-libbing would be compromised in the game, you were wrong. Many times I would burst out in laughter and even having to pause the game. You could sense that the script was not half baked and rushed out the oven. This is a game Terminal Reality took their time with. (makes me proud). All four original Ghostbusters are back and do a very good reprise of their roles. Rick Moranis declined to lend his talent, (retirement’s too sweet I guess). All in all the game’s dialogue shines uncompromisingly with countless laughs and nostalgic moments, so whatever his contributions were, they are not severely missed. (at least not by me).

Overall 6-7 hours of Ghostbusters is not just a quick rental, it’s a must buy for all fans of the Movie. Extremely satisfying, overwhelmingly nostalgic, solid fun, good story, straight forward controls, and with DLC on the way as we speak, Ghostbusters should definitely be part of your Arsenal. Go pick it up now.

7/21/09 Ernice Gilbert

GamesThirst Reviews Prototype: After Infamous, I’m left unimpressed

Publisher: Activision
Developer: Radical Entertainment
Player (s): 1
Genre: Action
Release Date: May 26, 09
Score: 7.0

It’s kinda hard when you’re huge fan of The Incredible Hulk series watching him roam the streets of New York City, feared by the helpless while being chased by the military, and another game becomes a clone. In many ways you feel kinda…..well….. Disappointed. Prototype, Activision’s new action adventure in many ways is The Incredible Hulk with a brand new character named Alex Mercer.

Go figure, the game was developed by the same guys behind the Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction (Radical Entertainment) and follows down twin paths. Both have super natural abilities, both takes place in New York City. Both are open world allowing characters to do almost anything, from climbing atop buildings and doing massive damage without thinking about insurance.

What Quenched my thirst
The freedom of roaming New York City, pushing through crowds, jumping over cars or running on rooftops gives you the feeling that you own the city. Your movement capabilities will be upgraded as you proceed on your journey. Gliding long distances will become child’s play later in the game as you blaze across the skies of New York. Speaking of journey, the sweet juice of Prototype’s story isn’t found on just a run through of the game, you literally have to stop and grab specially marked pedestrians which then triggers flash backs in your mind hence helping you fill in the blanks as you learn what your victims knew about the dangerous plot that made Alex Mercer the way he is. The flashbacks add a deeper intensity to the action and an added incentive for the player to scour the vast city adding more length and replay ability to the game.

Ever wanted to be a super hero? Well Alex’s you guy. His journey begins with powers already not natural to any human being. For example running up buildings and as you proceed you’ll notice that Prototype’s upgrade system will transform Alex Mercer into an astounding monstrosity. There are several power sets to utilize, each with their own unique uses and moves mostly manifested about the super hero’s hand. My favorite is the blade power which turns you arm into a massive edged weapon.

Alex can also take on the look or appearance of any NPC in the game allowing him to blend in seamlessly with the population and in doing so erasing any trace of his whereabouts. You will find yourself using this technique multiple times throughout the game, sometimes to escape and other times to get through enemy strongholds. Also, certain NPCs can be absorbed to learn new skills, example helicopter piloting proficiency.

Another neat aspect of the game is being able to hijack helicopter and tanks, moving towards your objective and laying the smack down on your prey. There’s also a special feature titled: “New Game Plus” Once you’ve completed the game, you can play through again with all the powers and abilities you’ve unlocked. This makes for a good payback because believe me you’re gonna get your butt kicked the first time around.

What left a bitter taste
The game’s difficulty is unbalanced, and that’s extremely irritating. One minute you’re proceeding while kicking some butt, the other you’re dead because they just yanked 3 then 4, plus 1 brand new foes at you, hence finding yourself back at the same check point too many times. The game is not well paced at all, you’re not gradually introduced to new enemies; they just come at you fast and furious. That’s very frustrating.

Apart from the flashbacks that occur when you grab specially marked pedestrians, the story of prototype is bland. No taste at all. The voice acting is so-so and it makes it very difficult to be stoked about what will happen next. You won’t be very intrigued by the characters, especially Alex’s sister; whoever did the voice acting for her character needed to wake up. She’s dry.

The side missions also left me confused. Though some missions synced well with the storyline, some just made no sense at all. What’s destroying a mutant hive has to do with the original plot? I mean, c’mon! I know it’s a side mission but at least make it be relevant in some way to the original plot.

Overall
The game is decent to say the least. While strikingly similar to The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, it’s good to see Radical Entertainment try something new. (most developers are afraid of new IPs). Prototype unleashes a monster’s share of power in your hand and it’ll feel good to scour New York City doing just about anything in order to attain victory. But after playing the master piece that’s Infamous, it’s hard to recommend Prototype as a must buy. Rent first because you might really enjoy playing this one, or you may not. Different strokes, different folks.


07/21/09 Ernice Gilbert

Microsoft's London Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

LONDON – 12 November 2009 - Xbox 360 today announced that it had achieved console sales to 10 million consumers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in just four years. Reaching the landmark number has meant that Xbox 360 is the only console to achieve year-on-year growth across the region this year[1]. The launch next week of instant streaming HD movies, Facebook, Twitter and Last.fm on Tuesday 17th November 2009 transforms Xbox LIVE into the largest social network connected to the TV and strengthens Xbox 360’s already impressive line up of interactive entertainment services.

“Xbox 360 continues to pull ahead of the competition when it comes to delivering on a complete home entertainment experience and we think that Xbox Live currently is about 12 to 18 months ahead of its main rival PlayStation Network when it comes to offering service and content beyond traditional games,” said Martin Olausson, Director of Digital Media Research at Strategy Analytics. “By introducing innovative new services and content such as Natal, instant streaming of full 1080P HD video, and integrating social media features such as Twitter and Facebook, Xbox will likely attract a wider audience than its rivals and is in a great position to maximize sales in the next few years”.

2009 has been a pivotal year in Xbox’s journey from its gaming origins to now changing the way people consume and share entertainment content, interact with each other online and continue to play great games. It’s a change that people are embracing; there are more than 20 million Xbox LIVE active members worldwide and there have been over 1 billion downloads of gaming and entertainment content, with movie downloads doubling in the last year alone.

“Reinventing entertainment through, play, watch, connect and share. This is the vision that we have for Xbox 360 and today that vision is the reality for 10 million Xbox owners. European consumers are very discerning and demand a connected entertainment experience. That’s why we focused on providing content that is right and relevant for them and entertainment beyond just gaming to movies, music and social networking. We have delivered on this promise and next week will bring real innovation into the living room through instant streaming high definition movies, connecting with friends on Facebook and Twitter and a personalised music channel. Together, this represents a real shift in the way people are entertained every day,” said Chris Lewis, vice president Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Europe.

This reinvention of entertainment has already seen a shift in where the Xbox lives in the home, with the majority (60%) of Xbox consoles now becoming integrated into the family living room. It has also caused a shift in the Xbox customer base as now 35% of Xbox customers are women and 64% are over the age of 25[2]. The arrival of the much anticipated ‘Project Natal’ will create a new category of gaming and entertainment experiences through controller-free gaming that makes Xbox 360 more inclusive and relevant to an even wider audience.