Tag Archives: Video games

Hideo Kojima reveals ‘Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain’

March 29, 2013News, Technology, VideoGame Developer's Conference, GDC, Hideo Kojima, Kojima Productions, Konami, Metal Gear Solid V, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, MGS, MGSV, Playstation 3, PS3, trailer, video game trailer, Video games, Xbox 360Scott Meisner

Do you remember at the 2012 Video Game Awards when an intriguing trailer by the name of “The Phantom Pain” from Moby Dick Studios premiered to much fanfare? Well it turns out that the mysterious title is actually the next installment in the Metal Gear franchise from Konami. At the Game Developers Conference this week, Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima of Kojima Productions revealed Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain with a brand new nearly six-minute trailer that includes cinematic cutscenes and a more extensive look at Snake’s next adventure. Previously Kojima announced another MSG game in development called Ground Zeroes but according to a recent tweet GZ will serve as a prequel to TFP with a potential to ship on the same disc as TFP:

“Ground Zeroes” is a prologue of “MGSV”. 9 years after that event will be “The Phantom Pain”. MGSV is constructed w/ prologue and main game “TPP”. The game play demo I presented today is the opening of “TPP” which is tutorial that starts from crawling.

MGSV takes advantage of Kojima’s new FOX Engine and the game is confirmed to hit the current generation of platforms including Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. No word if the game will make the leap to next-gen consoles such as the PS4 and the next Xbox.

Now, there are reports that Snake will not be voiced by David Hayter, the voice actor who has played the franchise’s protagonist since the beginning in all English-language versions of the MGS titles. In an interview with GameTrailers, Kojima explained it like this: “What we’re trying to accomplish is [to] recreate the Metal Gear series. It’s a new type of Metal Gear game and we wanted to have this reflected in the voice actor as well.” But for fans this pill is surely hard to swallow. David Hayter is Snake, just as Steve Downes is Master Chief in Halo.

There’s no release date in sight yet, but feast your eyes on the next Metal Gear Solid. Like all things Kojima, it’s candy for the eyes.

Capcom is working on a remastered version of ‘DuckTales’, get ready to sing-along

March 23, 2013News, Technology, VideoCapcom, Ducktales, Playstation Network, remake, remastered, trailer, Video games, video games trailer, Wii U eShop, Xbox Live ArcadeScott Meisner

Remember DuckTales, the classic and addicting NES platformer that released way back in 1989 and let players take control of Scrooge McDuck to collect gold and rare treasures from all around the world? The game’s original developer Capcom is joining with Disney and WayForward Technologies to produce a “remastered” version of the title to be released this summer for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Wii U eShop. Though Scrooge and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie are leaving the 8-bit world for today’s advanced graphics, the game’s animation style will still retain a 2D-like design and the original voice cast from the cartoon series that actually inspired the game is back to reprise their memorable roles. The game will feature the same levels from the original, with a few new surprises and challenged sprinkled in to keep things fresh.

Watch the reveal trailer for DuckTales Remasterd in the clip hanging above and sing-along to the unforgettable theme song from the ABC animated series that ran from 1987-1990.

Sony outs PS4 UI in system and mobile screenshots

March 2, 2013Images, TechnologyPlayStation 4, PS4, screenshots, Sony, UI, user interface, Video gamesScott Meisner

During the unveiling of PlayStation 4 last month, Sony briefly glimpsed at what the next-gen console’s user interface will look like this holiday season. Since then, however, a handful of images surfaced on the ‘Net giving gamers an extended look at the PS4’s UI both on the system and on mobile devices. Player profiles, the Share portal, game streaming powered by Ustream, and other menus with a social aspects baked in are all previewed. So without further ado, a gallery filled with shiny screenshots awaits.

[Via Engadget]

Sony introduces the PlayStation 4

February 23, 2013Images, News, Technology, Videoaccessory, camera, cloud services, cloud streaming, controller, DualShock 4, Gaikai, hardware, motion sensing camera, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Eye, product announcement, PS4, PS4 accessory, software, Sony, specifications, specs, Video games, wireless controllerScott Meisner

On Wednesday Sony took the stage in New York to formally introduce their next-generation console, the PlayStation 4. Though the company failed to show industry developers, members of the press, and gamers watching a live stream from all around the world what the actual console looks like, it did reveal two new PS4 accessories (namely the DualShock 4 wireless controller and the PlayStation 4 Eye motion sensing camera) and it did go into some detail about how powerful and socially integrated the system is. Read on to learn everything there is to know about Sony’s next-gen vid-game console. Continue reading Sony introduces the PlayStation 4 →

Bungie reveals its ‘Halo’ followup game ‘Destiny’ (concept art & video inside)

February 18, 2013Images, Technology, VideoBungie, concept art, Destiny, video documentary, Video gamesScott Meisner

Since ending its partnership with Microsoft making Halo games and cozying up with Activision, Bungie finally revealed its next project. The game, which is currently being designed for Xbox 360 and PS3 with an undisclosed post-2013 release date, is called Destiny and it’s a bold, new first person shooter with MMO tendencies. Bungie hasn’t shown all its cards yet, only releasing some concept art and a short video documentary that peels back a thin layer on the new adventure it’s cooking up.

The company offers up this brief bit of background:

Everything changed with the arrival of the Traveler. It sparked a Golden Age when our civilization spanned the solar system, but it didn’t last. Something hit us, knocked us down. The survivors built a city beneath the Traveler, and have begun to explore our old worlds, only to find them filled with deadly foes. You are a Guardian of the last safe city on Earth, able to wield incredible power. Defend the City. Defeat our enemies. Reclaim all that we have lost. Be brave.

Joystiq reports that Destiny will require gamers to have an always-on Internet connection in order to play. The game comes built with quests and an overarching story, but what Destiny is truly about is bringing gamers together and creating an online community where the players decide which direction their customizable avatars traverse inside the massive new universe built by Bungie. “The most important stories we tell won’t be told by us,” admits Bungie’s Joseph Staten said. “They’ll be told by players. Personal legends built from shared adventures.”

Since Bungie is still keeping in the lid on more plot details and character classes, upgrades, and customizations, you’ll have to satiate your hunger for this exciting new title by checking out the concept art below and watching the epic “reveal trailer” that’s embedded after the break.

Continue reading Bungie reveals its ‘Halo’ followup game ‘Destiny’ (concept art & video inside) →

Quantic Dream’s David Cage explores the video games industry and proposes ways for it to grow

February 18, 2013Technology, VideoD.I.C.E., D.I.C.E. 2013, David Cage, keynote, keynote presentation, presentation, Video games, video games industryScott Meisner

David Cage, founder of video games developer studio Quantic Dream which has produced games like Heavy Rain and the upcoming Beyond: Two Souls, took the stage at D.I.C.E. 2013 to lead a thought-provoking presentation he called “The Peter Pan Syndrome: The Industry That Refused to Grow Up.” The keynote speech, which clocks in at just under half an hour, explores the video game industry today and Cage argues that it is about time the industry as a whole undergo some radical changes so that it can reach its full potential and a wider, mass audience. For example, he notes that video games have been around for over 40 years and during this time the majority of titles feature the same themes, worlds, and paradigms. He imagines a future where developers push the envelope and embrace storytelling; he wishes for more games like Journey and less like Call of Duty. He shares a humorous anecdote about a developer who couldn’t comprehend a game without the hero carrying a gun or some sort of weapon. We need to break free from this mold, says Cage, and over the course of his engaging presentation he presents a number of ways in which industry can do so.

Sony highlights the PlayStations that have come before as we near its next major release

February 18, 2013Technology, Videolook back, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Playstation 3, PS2, PS3, Sony, Video gamesScott Meisner

Gamers, take a trip down memory lane with three videos from Sony that encapsulate three generations of PlayStation. All three clips come in at under three minutes but they manage to successfully and succinctly relive the hype surrounding the launches and extended lives of the the original PlayStation, the PS2, and the PS3. The videos end with the hashtag #PlayStation2013 reminding us that this nostalgic look back comes at a time that is mere days away from the highly anticipated launch of Sony’s next home console and entertainment hub, the PlayStation 4. The announcement is expected to go down this Wednesday, so make sure to check back here for all the exciting details.

Embedded above is the first of three clips in Sony’s “Evolution of PlayStation” series and features the OG PS that released in 1994. After the break you’ll find the two others highlighting the massively popular PS2 and the still-going-strong PS3. Continue reading Sony highlights the PlayStations that have come before as we near its next major release →

J.J. Abrams and Valve’s Gabe Newell strike a deal to produce movies and games based on their respective projects [Update: video]

February 10, 2013Movies, News, Technology, VideoBad Robot, D.I.C.E., D.I.C.E. 2013, Gabe Newell, Half-Life, J.J. Abrams, portal, Valve, Video gamesScott Meisner

At this year’s D.I.C.E. summit (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain), co-founder of game developer Valve conversed with filmmaker J.J. Abrams about collaborating on future projects. Gamers and sci-fi fanatics alike, perk up. Newell and Abrams have expressed their interest in bringing some of Valve’s most popular titles–Half-Life and Portal, specifically–to the big screen. “We’re going to try and figure out if we can make a Half-Life movie or a Portal movie together,” said Newell. Additionally, Abrams said that he’d be interesting in working with Valve to create video games inspired by Bad Robot films. Apparently this partnership has been in the making for awhile. “We sort of reached the point where we decided that we needed to do more than talk,” Newell admitted. Though details beyond these are sparse, this is something to definitely be excited about and when more comes through the pipeline you’ll know.

Update: The exciting announcement laid out above came at the very end of a rich 20-minute conversation during which the Bad Robot and Valve founders discussed storytelling methods in movies and video games. At first the two make friendly jabs at each other’s work but quickly the back-and-forth evolves into a stimulating discussion about the importance of the relationship between the viewer/player and the on-screen experience. Watch the full clip courtesy of D.I.C.E. after the break.

[Via Engadget; Joystiq] Continue reading J.J. Abrams and Valve’s Gabe Newell strike a deal to produce movies and games based on their respective projects [Update: video] →

Sony teases something big–is it the PS4?

February 2, 2013News, Technology, VideoPlayStation 4, PS4, Sony, teaser, tech teaser, Video games, video games teaserScott Meisner

On the very last day in January, Sony’s PlayStation handle tweeted out the message “see the future,” providing a link to a website and a video (embedded above) teasing a major PlayStation related announcement coming Wednesday, February 20 at 6PM EST. Though the 45-second teaser doesn’t offer details, it’s certainly tantalizing enough to make you scratch your head and wonder what’s coming. The rumor mill is churning at full speed and rising to the top of the heap is that Sony is readying their next big console release, PlayStation 4. As these things go, time will tell what Sony has up its sleeve.

‘GTA V’ lands a fall release date

February 2, 2013News, TechnologyGrand Theft Auto V, GTV V, release date, Rockstar Games, Video gamesScott Meisner

Grand Theft Auto V gets a release date, at last. The latest addiction from Rockstar Games is due out September 17, 2013 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The highly anticipated game has been pushed from spring to fall to allow for “additional development time” says the game maker in a press release.

“Grand Theft Auto V continues to push the series forward in new ways; Rockstar North are creating our deepest, most beautiful and most immersive world yet,” said Sam Houser, founder of Rockstar Games. “We are very excited for people to learn more about the game in the coming months.”

Watch the trailer in awe again here.

Microsoft Research imagines an immersive future for gameplay with IllumiRoom

January 15, 2013News, Technology, Video2013 CES, 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, CES, Consumer Electronics Show, IllumiRoom, Kinect, Microsoft, Microsoft Research, proof-of-concept, prototype, Video gamesScott Meisner

At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Microsoft Research unveiled one of their latest projects called IllumiRoom. Like most of their ongoing technological marvels of the future this one is quite fascinating so perk up. Imagine you’re playing a video game–let’s say Halo 4–and all of a sudden the on-screen action extends beyond the confines of your TV set. In an instant the mysterious jungles of planet Requiem surround you and you feel as if you’re truly immersed inside the captivating game developed with precision by 343 Industries. Microsoft’s IllumiRoom attempts “to blur the lines between on-screen content and the environment we live in allowing us to combine our virtual and physical worlds.”

So how does it all work? A peek behind the curtain reveals two devices: the pairing of a Kinect for Windows camera and a projector. “Our system uses the appearance and the geometry of the room (captured by Kinect’s sensors) to adapt projected visuals in real-time without any need to custom pre-process the graphics.” Sounds simple now, doesn’t it? Unfortunately like most Microsoft Research projects IllumiRoom is only proof-of-concept, but with engineers working hard to make Kinect even more powerful and projectors keeping pace with high definition resolutions, the technology is there for this prototype to enter the marketplace. Let’s place IllumiRoom in the pile labeled “not if, but when.”

Watch Illumiroom perform its magic in the video embedded above; Microsoft ensures the action was “captured live and is not the result of any special effects added in post production.”

[Via MicrosoftResearch]

‘Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance’ is almost here, watch the brutal new trailer

January 15, 2013News, Technology, VideoHideo Kojima, Kojima Productions, Metal Gear, Metal Gear Rising, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Platinum Games, Playstation 3, PS3, trailer, video game trailer, Video games, Xbox 360Scott Meisner

It feels like eons ago when video game developer Hideo Kojima debuted his Metal Gear spinoff game Metal Gear Rising at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo. The slice-and-dice action game starring cyborg ninja Raiden is been in development for awhile and even saw a name change to Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Kojima Productions failed to get the ball rolling, a deal was struck to have Platinum Games (Bayonetta) take over the reins and develop the game. Kojima’s team still remained heavily involved with the making of the title, however, as the game’s producer. Revengeance, which takes place four years after the events that occurred in MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots, retains Metal Gear DNA even though it plans to tell self-contained plot. Gamers can get a sense of the gameplay when a demo releases in one week on January 22. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance finally ships for Xbox 360 and PS3 in the U.S. on February 19. Preorder today.

Now sit back, relax, and hit play to watch the latest trailer for Revengeance, edited by Hideo Kojima himself. Like all of Kojima’s efforts this trailer is stunningly cinematic with gorgeous cutscenes and equally engaging gameplay.