Tuesday, August 24, 2010
In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Sony of Europe's President, Andrew House, shared his thoughts on EA's and THQ's recent efforts to counter used game sales.
One of the more controversial topics of the past year has been EA's "Project Ten Dollar." A system designed to, in part, combat used video games sales, Project Ten Dollar sees the removal of online-enabled portions of select games such as Mass Effect 2 and Madden NFL 11. These portions are then made as premium downloads, costing between $5 and $15, which customers must purchase before being able to play their game online or accessing specific, online-oriented content such as roster updates or DLC expansions. This fee is waived for customers that purchase the game new via a one-time use code included inside the game box.
While EA's intents were and are obvious, the number of inconveniences imposed on customers by Project Ten Dollar speak for themselves. Concerns were raised again when Ubisoft, having taken heavy criticism for the ridiculous DRM (Digital Rights Management) used in the PC version of Assassin's Creed II, went on record that they were carefully watching EA's efforts and stated that they would probably follow suit in the future. Thus far Ubisoft has yet to implement an online pass system into their games, however publisher THQ was quick to act, adding an online pass to May's UFC Undisputed 2010.
Now it seems it may be Sony's turn. Speaking with GamesIndustry, Andrew House, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, expressed support for EA and THQ's online pass structure when asked about it and rumors that Activision will eventually charge for Call of Duty's multiplayer. "On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee, we're broadly supportive of that. And we're exploring actively the same option for our own content," House said. "In terms of just a charge for basic online play, thats something that we have to talk about a lot more and we struggle with a little bit because we feel very vindicated and base a lot of the success of PSN today - a 70 per cent connection rate across consoles - on the fact that weҒve removed that major initial barrier to entry."
Should these plans lead to games such as SOCOM 4, Resistance 3, Killzone 3, or MLB 11: The Show having online passes, it wouldn't be Sony's first attempt at combating used sales and pirates in this manner. Two PlayStation Portable games, ModNation Racers and SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo 3, have already used online "entitlement codes" required in order to play them online. This would, however, open the proverbial floodgates with third-party publishers wasting no time following Sony's lead -- at least on the PlayStation 3.
Source: GamesIndustry (Registration Required), via Kotaku
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Posted by Warp on 08/24 at 04:01 AM
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Sunday, August 22, 2010
Amazon has stopped selling Xbox Live Arcade Games, but is continuing to sell Microsoft Point cards.
Buying Microsoft Points - the currency used on Xbox Live - is now the only way to purchase Xbox Live Arcade Games from Amazon. Previously, the online distributor allowed individuals to purchase games using money, instead of Microsoft Points. This was advantageous because Microsoft Points were designed in such a way that buying a card almost always led to having leftover points. Microsoft has recently lowered the increment of points sold from 500 to 400, to stay in line with Xbox Live Arcade Games which typically cost 400, 800, 1200, or 1600 points. Here is the official statement from Amazon:
"We are no longer selling Xbox LIVE arcade game codes on Amazon.com. You can continue to purchase Xbox LIVE points on Amazon.com and those points can be redeemed through your Xbox 360 console to purchase any of the games that were previously available."
Source: Kokatu
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Posted by Spiner202 on 08/22 at 10:05 PM
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Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Aerial warfare has evolved. So have you. As a member of the ultra-secret HAWX 2 squadron, you are one of the chosen few. One of the truly elite. You will use finely honed reflexes, bleeding-edge technology and ultra-sophisticated aircraft their existence denied by many governments ֖ to dominate the skies. You will do so by mastering every nuance of the worlds finest combat aircraft. You will slip into enemy territory undetected, deliver a crippling blow and escape before he can summon a response. You will use your superior technology to decimate the enemy from afar, then draw him in close for a pulse-pounding dogfight. You will do all this with professionalism, skill and consummate lethality. Because you are a member of HAWX 2. And you are one of the finest military aviators the world has ever known.
Posted by Al on 08/18 at 06:47 PM
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Monday, August 16, 2010
After a community backlash, Blizzard has stated that users will be given one free name change but have the option to pay for name changes afterwards.
When a player first logs into Starcraft II, they are prompted to create a screen name. What many did not know, was that this screen name was permanent, and unlike past games, was an identity, as opposed to a save file. After many complaints, Blizzard decided to take action by allowing players one free name change, in order to make up for any mistakes that may have occurred initially. Furthermore, players have the option to change their name for a fee later, however the price was not disclosed.
Though this is clearly positive news, the community has not necessarily responded that well. Some fans believe that users should be allowed unlimited free name changes because of the simplicity of programming required for a name change while others feel that paid name changes hold a player responsible for their actions. In any case, Blizzard has had some clear troubles with the launch of Starcraft II and it seems in the eyes of the fans that they can do no right, despite their best intentions.
Source: Kokatu
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Posted by Spiner202 on 08/16 at 11:48 PM
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Sunday, August 15, 2010
Ubisoft offers a bit of extra in-game content and some swag for fans willing to fork over an additional $40.
Are you tired of every major release this holiday season having a "Special," "Limited," or "Collector's" edition? Grin and bear it a little longer, as Ubisoft revealed their Collector's Edition for Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood last week. Priced quite a bit higher than your average, run-of-the-mill special edition, Brotherhood's will cost you $99.99. In addition to the game, the Collector's Edition also includes two exclusive in-game maps, a full-sized, hard copy map of Rome, an art book, and a bonus disc featuring a "Making-of," a sneak peak at the upcoming Assassin's Creed comic, trailers, and Brotherhood's soundtrack.
The biggest item in the Collector's Edition, however, is a fully functioning Jack-in-the-Box. Retailers such as Amazon will stock versions that come with a Jack-in-the-Box modeled after The Doctor, whom first appeared in Assassin's Creed II, while GameStop will stock their own exclusive version that includes one modeled after The Harlequin. Both toys appear to be of fairly high quality, making the decision of getting one over the other that much harder.
Regardless of whether customers purchase the standard or Collector's Edition, Amazon and GameStop both have additional goodies available for those who pre-order. Pre-ordering either edition at Amazon nets customers a download code for "Helmschmied Drachen" armor, exclusive in-game attire for use in single-player. If customers opt for the standard edition Amazon also throws in a $10 "Video Game Credit," good for $10 off their next video game-related purchase. This isn't included with the Collector's Edition. Over at GameStop customers that pre-order either edition will get a download code for an exclusive character, The Harlequin, for use in Brotherhood's multiplayer mode. And don't forget about GameStop's exclusive multiplayer beta either, which is still ongoing exclusively for the PlayStation 3 version while supplies last. The beta runs from September 13th to September 27th, and the only way to get access is via a code from GameStop.
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood is scheduled for on November 16th for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The PC version, which currently doesn't have a Collector's Edition, is slated for release on February 22nd, 2011.
 
 
Source: Amazon; GameStop; Kotaku
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Posted by Warp on 08/15 at 08:40 PM
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