FFXIV: Official Website Updated

I already know what I'll be playing come 2010.

The official website is gorgeous as always and the info attached is super schmexy. If you are a fan of the FF series, then get ye to the nearest PC and go visit:

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/

Get to the choppah! Do it now!

There were rumours circulating back in June that Beta was scheduled for September 2009; one can only hope they're true. Guess we'll find out in a month!

FFXIV: Information Released!

I'm so there if this no leveling, no boredom thing is real. Actually, what the fuck am I talking about? I'm so there any fucking way!

Final Fantasy XIV ‘Famitsu Wave’ Interview Pours Information

by Sal on Aug 1, 2009 11:36 am

The September 2009 edition of Famitsu Wave has released in Japan sporting a DVD containing an eight-minute segment on Final Fantasy XIV. A lot of new information has come out of the DVD and we've got it for you.

Eorza is the name of a region that's the main setting of the game and as a full world, Vana'diel (from Final Fantasy XI) is naturally a little bigger. The actual world the game takes place in is called Haiderin. The style of Haiderin will be different from Vana'diel, aiming for a "high-fantasy" style setting. They want the setting to be more modern in comparison to Final Fantasy XI's more middle-age setting. There will be advanced technology in the world, as you've clearly seen from the skyships in the trailer.

The races in Final Fantasy XIV will bring on a familiar look. However, the races of Final Fantasy XI are being reimagined. The Galka-looking character you've seen in the trailer, will not be called a Galka, but something else. Other changes will be in order as well.

Final Fantasy XIV revolves around character growth. There will be no experience points or leveling system this time around, and a new system will come in to play. Square Enix wants to deliver an experience where new players have the freedom to try out any quest and many different things, growing naturally from their experiences. A deep story will be in tact in Final Fantasy XIV, including cut-scenes, but they're going beyond that by also delivering a wider variety of stories and quests. They want players to enjoy the process of character growth.

Jobs were the lasting appeal of Final Fantasy XI. They want to utilize that concept, but stack more on top of it. The focus will be on weapons, determining how you play, grow, and fight. They'll be expanding upon the basic job system. He says this also explains the Final Fantasy XIV logo, which features weapons sticking out of the name.

The main idea for Final Fantasy XIV is to provide freedom of growth through the variety of quests offered. However, players can meet up with friends and set off on adventure or they can play solo. Players won't be left with nothing to do, bored.

Square Enix is considering large scale battles, however, regular battles will be against single enemies. During quests you can gather parties and fight against multiple foes.

The game's music is going to be composed entirely by Uematsu.

"This will be a Final Fantasy that brings the setting to a whole new world that you can experience with the new friends you will meet." Nobuaki Komoto, director of Final Fantasy XIV said. "I welcome you to join us in the world of Final Fantasy XIV and hope you enjoy your time there."

"You can trust that we plan to create a world of new possibilities that redefine the MMO. I hope you're looking forward to everything we have in store."

According to Square Enix, there's a secret message hidden in the trailer. Finally, you can watch the actual interview below.

Can you spot the hidden message?

Grand Slam Theft Auto IV

Moar hookahs to get my health back for my face! Can't wait to play it!

Grand Theft Auto receives acclaim

Grand Theft Auto IV is expected to sell six million copies in a week.

Highly-anticipated video game Grand Theft Auto (GTA) IV has received a string of near-perfect reviews ahead of its worldwide release on Tuesday.

The game is expected to break records for the fastest-selling game of all time and many shops are opening their doors at midnight for gamers.

The game has been classified as 18 in the UK and Mature for US gamers.

In the US, regulators have reminded parents that the title is not designed for children under 17 years old.

In a joint statement the ESRB and the National Institute on Media and the Family urged parents to check ratings on games for their children.

It said: "With the latest installment of the Grand Theft Auto series... parents need to be reminded to make sure their kids are playing games appropriate for their age and level of maturity.

"It is critical that parents consider the assigned rating carefully."

GTA IV is set in a fictional New York.

The GTA series has proved incredibly popular and almost equally controversial in the last few years.

More than 70 million copies of the franchise's titles have been sold worldwide but the series has also been criticised for glorifying violence.

In 2005 the developers Rockstar were criticised after hackers found a way to play a normally inaccessible sex "mini-game" inside the title Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

The mini-game, dubbed Hot Coffee, was never designed to be played by gamers but was unlocked by hackers.

Controversy over Hot Coffee resulted in the title being re-rated in the US for adults only, and games being withdrawn from sale so that stickers with the new rating could be applied.

Reviews for Grand Theft Auto IV have been unanimous in their praise.

UK-based games website Eurogamer called it "game of the year" and handed it a 10 out of 10 review score, while the New York Times said it delivered a "new level of depth for an interactive entertainment experience".

COD4: The New Maps Revealed

I'm was slow on noticing all the descriptions on these (mainly since it'll be a while until/if we ever get them), but for you PS3 and 360 people, check out the maps you'll be paying for. (*snicker*) OR, if you STILL haven't picked the game up and want to play for the console, pick up the Game of the Year ed with a token for the map pack included:

Great news, Charlie Oscar Delta!

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will soon gain some new battlefields in the form of a Variety Map Pack. The new downloadable maps will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace in early April for 800 MS Points.

The critics are buzzing about Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's new additions. See what IGN , GameSpot, TeamXbox and GameSpy had to say about the new Variety Map Pack. While you're there, don't miss the first gameplay footage videos of the new maps.

Below is a description of each of the four new maps...Check them out!

Individual DLC Map Descriptions:

Broadcast
Its size and alternating routes make "Broadcast" great for large team games. A large, multi-story television station with plenty of window vantage points creates the perfect setting for floor-to-floor combat. The station is surrounded by extensive outdoor areas consisting of a long parking lot, surrounding buildings with sniping hiding spots and side-rooftop access to the top and bottom floors of the television station.

Creek
A large wide open village in the woods, "Creek" consists of heavy foliage, great for sniper cover: a deep ravine offers an excellent vantage point for ambushes; an underground cave offers an alternate evasion route; and various multi-floor houses populate a patchwork of connected farmland. This extensive open map is great for snipers with plenty of natural coverage consisting of rocks and trees. There are various routes for advancement from both high and low vantage points over and underneath the hillsides. Another great map for large team games.

Chinatown
A modern revision of the classic Call of Duty "Carentan" map, "Chinatown" takes players to the foggy downtown district of a Chinatown. A night time setting, the cityscape is well lit by the full moon and the glow of brightly colored lanterns and neon lights from local businesses. This district offers a variety of open-street and interior settings, perfect for fire fights throughout the connected roads, courtyards, antique shops and markets within it. Great for all game types and players.

Killhouse
"Killhouse" is an enclosed warehouse made of plywood structures, mock-ups and speed-run courses used for training, creating the right mix of obstacles for small team games or free-for-alls with a variety of soft and hard cover points spread throughout the entire ground level

Also arriving soon is the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Game of the Year Edition, giving gamers the chance to experience the intense cinematic action of the original game while expanding the online experience of 2007's top-selling game by including a free token for the Variety Map Pack. The Game of the Year Edition is scheduled for release at all retailers nationwide on April 3rd.

We have PS3 news as well. In addition to confirming that the Variety Map Pack and Game of the Year Edition are headed to the PS3, we are happy to announce that the New PS3 Patch is Live!

Check out the improvements the new PS3 patch brings below:

• New Kill Cams - Everything that can kill you has a Kill Cam now: grenades, airstrikes, claymores, C4, M203 Rounds, RPGs, anything. Jump online, get owned and check them out. They're awesome, especially Grenades and M203 shots that go across the map and through a window.
  
  
• Improved Sniper Accuracy - The Sniper rifle accuracy has been improved. Your crosshair will be a better representation of where your shot will ultimately land. Try out a sniper class today and up those head shots!
  
  
• Improved ACOG Scope Accuracy - ACOG scopes accuracy on any weapon has been improved. Test it out, throw it on one of your classes and give it a go.
  
  
• Upgraded Spectator Cam - Now when you're a spectator you have the option to follow in 3rd person or 1st person. As well as rotate 360 degrees around the player you're watching. Next time you're dead in Search and Destroy, watch your teammates do stuff you know you could do better!
  

Additional Start Spawn Locations in All Maps - Added a minimum of 9 extra start spawns on each side of all maps

Hey Soldiers, We need your help deciding who the Photoshop Contest winner is. Just for voting you'll receive 1000 points!

Soul Caliber IV: Pretty Screenies

I was looking at a few more pictures of the upcoming "Soul Caliber IV" game for the PS3/XBOX 360, and I must say, they're gorgeous. Looking at the character illustrations attached to the article, it also looks like our fave SC ladies have picked up a few extra pounds as well in the T&A department (although according to her profile, Cassandra claims that she's lost weight).

Here's the official site (with Ivy's huge boobage to lead the way):

http://namco-ch.net/soulcalibur4/index.php

Meanwhile, gorgeous Hilda, gorgeous!!


And here's Cassie. You be the judge of whether the Hollywood Cabbage diet worked or not:

Still no more news about the SC movie though.

Soul Caliber IV: A New Hope!?

Okay, I won't spoil it completely. Suffice to say, WTF!?

The game does look good though.

PS3 Price Drops To Come? (At least in Japan and Europe)

Per Game Watch JP:

株式会社ソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメントの国内向けビジネスを担当しているソニー・コンピュータエンタテインメントジャパン (SCEJ) は、40GB HDDを標準搭載した新モデルのプレイステーション 3を、ちょうど発売1年目となる11月11日に発売する。カラーはクリアブラック (型番：CECHH00) とセラミック・ホワイト (型番：CECHH00 CW) の2種類あり、価格はいずれも39,980円。

　また、PS3の新モデル発売に先駆けて、10月17日より、現行のHDD 20GBモデルとHDD 60GBモデルの値下げも行なわれる。20GBモデルは5,000円安い44,980円に、60GBモデルはオープンプライスから54,980円となる。

According to the article, SCEJ--which is in charge of domestic business for Sony Entertainment--will be releasing a 40GB HDD new model PS3 just a few days before its one year anniversary on November 11th, 2007. The new model will come in Clear Black or Ceramic White, and will be priced at Y39,980 [roughly $340 or E240.)

Additionally, starting October 17th, 2007, the existing models--the 20GB HDD and 60GB HDD models--will be priced at Y44,980 ($383//E272) and Y54,980 ($468//E332) respectively.

この新モデルの発売に合わせ、同社では10月10日より、60GB HDDを標準搭載したPS3に、ワイヤレスコントローラ「SIXAXIS」2個と同社のゲームソフト2本を同梱した「Starter Pack」の価格を、従来の599ユーロ(約98,500円)から499ユーロ(約82,000円) に100ユーロ値下げする。

Meanwhile, over in Europe, starting October 10th, 2007 the "Starter Pack" that comes with the 60GB HDD PS3, 2 Wireless SIXAXIS controllers and 2 pieces of software will receive a 100 Euro price cut taking it from E599 to E499 ($~703).

Hope we see the changes come Stateside as well as I'd love to get a PS3 by the time games are actually released for it. XD

p.s. The new model kinda' looks like a Salton Sandwich maker.

Heavenly Sword: AKA Goddess of War

A scantily clad, bad ass ho bag takes up a killer (literally) sword to avenge her peeps from a Mad Max reject. In the process, cat fights, flipping randomly in the air to expose naughty bits and a liberal amount of ass whooping occur.

It certainly looks like a lot of fun and I enjoyed the "God of War" series for the PS2 but unfortunately, it won't make me go out and purchase a PS3 just because I don't feel like dropping $600 for a single. (Sadly for Ninja theory, a game involving slimes and chocobos might however.)

Ah well, maybe next year.

Battlefield Bad Company: Alpha Gameplay Footage

HAHAHAHAHA.

As much as I hate consoles, blowing up buildings looks pretty fun. WAHAHAHA.

Square-Enix's Tokyo Game Show 2007 Line Up (FFXI Expansion, FFXIII, Last Remnant & Slimes)

I've enjoyed Square and Enix both when they were rival companies (the Dragon Quest vs Final Fantasy fights in class were like Backstreet Boys vs NSYNC vicious back then) so I like to keep an eye out for what they're releasing.

No surprise, it's mostly FF games for the DS and PSP.

Of note to me because I'm a former FFXI player before the economy got crazy is the 4th Expansion アルタナの神兵, or "Altana's Divine Soldiers." I think the Official English name is "Wings of the Goddess" or something. I really enjoyed Vana'diel during my 2 year stint, but when the Scorpion Harness started out at 1.5M, lingered for a month or so at 7M and somehow jumped to 15M, there were problems. I remember at one point, the fuckin' Earth Crystals were going for 5K on the damn AH...and that can't ever be good. My friends that still play say they're now experiencing a DEPRESSION instead of Inflation now that the majority of gil sellers are gone...urrrhh...yeah...

Moving along, FFXIII for the PS3, "Fabula Nova Crystallis." Reading the info it says, "A different hero, a different world view, a different story." We get a heroine this time named Lightning. Here's a screenie of her from Famitsu:



Check this page out for more images of the game (but mostly Lightning): Here

Biotch uses a gunblade looking like hybrid weapon. I hope she's not as lame angst as that pussy Squall.

Now comes "the Last Remnant", an RPG game coming out for both the PS3 and XBOX 360 to be released simultaneously in both the US and JP. Wooo. It kinda looks like FFurrr12.5 and runs on the Unreal 3 Engine. The main character is a sullen looking boy named Rush who...looks like a pussy. Instead of rabbit people like that hot bitch from 12, they have a four armed bat/cat thing and a big headed frog thing that looks like a chibi Thulsa Doom.

And now...ONTO THE BESTEST PART!!

The Square-Enix SMILE SLIME SHOP!! I love you slimes. Believe you me, I will be trying to get one of those slime cell phone straps. Unfortunately, they are not accepting International Orders at the time. BUT IT SHALL BE MINE!



Oh, and they hawk other SE crap too. Like Shinra ID tags and other stuff I don't care about eclipsed by the SMILE SLIMES. Just click on the left hand bar to oggle.

Game Watch's Interview w/ Sony CEO, Hirai Kazuo Snippets

Recently, Game Watch JP interviewed Sony President/CEO Hirai Kazuo about the state of the PS3. The by line reads:

価格付けは重要だが、楽しんで貰えるプラットフォームにすることが先決

Or, translated by yours truly, "Although pricing is important, making the system enjoyable takes precedence."

In other words, no, they won't be lowering the price of the PS3 anytime. And my dreams are crushed once more.

Anyhoo, a couple more snippets:

平井氏　価格というのは凄く大事です。どんな商品であっても、楽しい商品であればお求めやすい価格のほうがいいのは当然です。ただしそれと同じかもっと大事なのは、「どれだけゲームを楽しんでいただけるか」なのです。「E3」や「PLAYSTATION PREMIERE 2007」でもお話させていただきましたが、“今後のラインナップ”をいかにアピールできて「このプラットフォームは楽しいよね」とユーザーの皆様に思っていただけるかが、まず大事です。

Hirai: No matter what the product, I believe pricing plays a major part. And when it comes to a fun product, it's natural for a person to prefer a more affordable price. But just as important as that is the idea of, "How much will you enjoy your gaming experience?" As I also talked about during "E3," or during the "PLAYSTATION PREMIERE 2007" event, what's most important right now is to really appeal our line up to the user and have them think, "Oh, this platform is really fun."

もちろんやらないですけど、と前置きしておきますが (笑)、仮にPS3を9,800円にしました。でもゲームは出てきません。出てきたゲームは面白くないものばかりです。という状況でしたら9,800円でも何の意味もないものになります。価格は凄く大事なのですが、そのうえで楽しめるソフトがいかに出てくれるかがもっと大事だと思っていますので、どちらが先かといわれれば、まずはライブラリの充実。楽しんでもらえるソフトが一杯あることがまず大事で、それで次に非常に大事な価格がついてくると思っております。

Now, let me just preface this by saying that we won't be doing this (laugh), but let's say we lowered the price of the PS3 to 9,800 Y [from 60,000 Y]. But new games won't come out for it. And those that do aren't any fun. See what I'm saying? There's not reason for lowering the price to 9,800 Y then. Yes, pricing is really important, but so is developing and putting out software that can be enjoyed by the user. And if you ask me what ought to come first, it would have to be the establishment of a rich library of games. It's important to have a lot of titles the users enjoy, after which the extremely importantly matter of pricing will follow.

Battlefield: Bad Company Trailer

Since it's getting closer, for those of us that still don't hate EA/DICE, here is that old ass trailer for the (eww) console Battlefield, "Bad Company." If they actually have teh funnehs in the game, I will probably play it since I like the other BF titles:

The big deal about this (other than it being for the console), are the destructible environments.

Right now, BBC has a March 2008 projected released date. XD But before that, I would like to see BF: 1776. Take some musket head shot to the face, red coat!!

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Concept Movie (Type C)

This is off of the Japanese Gran Turismo site:

http://www.gran-turismo.com/jp/movie/d1106.html

Just press the right point arrow to play or feel free to download it from the links below.

HOT! Ahh, I absolutely suck at racing games unless their arcade (because then i can reach my leg over and kick my opponent.)

Here is the GameTrailers version:

Time to start saving for my PS3 (but first, I have to finish working my Vista/DX10 gaming rig.)

Metal Gear Solid 4: GC 2007 Cam Trailer

RAWR!!

Metal Gear Online Looking for 3000 Beta Testers...In Japan

Sad face on everyone's behalf:

Metal Gear Online

この度のクローズドベータテストに関しましては、日本国内へ向けたものとなっており、国外からのお問い合わせにつきましては、サポートの対象外とさせていただきます。

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Metal Gear ONLINE beta test is only open to users who currently reside in Japan and therefore we are afraid that we are unable to provide any support for applications from abroad.

But it's not an MMORPG/FPS or anything. According to IGN:

July 24, 2007 - It's official -- soon you'll be able to pretend to be Snake with a bunch of other Metal Gear nerds pretending to be Snake.

Early this morning at Konami's celebration of Metal Gear's 20th anniversary, the company rolled out the first details and footage of Metal Gear Online -- a hide and seek game for up to 16 players.

We'll have in-depth impressions in a little bit, but Konami's website is already showing nine images from the game and offering the following synopsis.

"At last, Metal Gear Online is headed to PS3! Featuring characters, stages, and the same control scheme as found in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 4, this reloaded MGO experience packs in additional environments, game modes, and team-based multiplayer mayhem to make this the ultimate online companion to MGS4!"