Japanese games firm to create 50 jobs in Dublin
A Japanese games developer, Gala Inc, is to create 50 extra jobs by 2010 in Dublin. The move will bring the game developer’s workforce at its European headquarters in central Dublin up to 100.
The company, which specialises in non-subscription massively multiplayer online games and is based in the Digital Hub, will create roles in management, engineering, localisation, customer support, and marketing.
Gala says it is to introduce new games and new language versions of existing titles, as well as licensing games from other development companies.
The new jobs are among 150 IDA-supported jobs announced to link with the Taoiseach’s trade mission to Japan. Also revealed today was a new research centre on the Cell, the chip used inside the PlayStation 3. The partners in the Cell project — Sony, Toshiba, and IBM – have linked up with Trinity College Dublin for the centre.
Announcing the new jobs for Gala, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: “Gala is an integral part of the thriving games industry in Ireland, and particularly in the Digital Hub in Dublin. The industry is a strategic target for IDA Ireland and we are becoming a location of choice for the world’s leading internet and digital content companies.”
Satoru Kikugawa, Gala Group CEO, said “We are delighted with the success of our operation in Ireland to date. This decision to expand our presence in Ireland is the right one to support our market growth objectives. Ireland has a strong internet infrastructure and population of young, educated and creative talent. There is a strong supply of software, localisation and technical expertise there which is essential for our further expansion into the European market-place.”
REVIEW: Resistance 2
Developer: Insomniac | Publisher: Sony | Format: PS3
REVIEWER: Brendan Tinnelly || Resistance 2 is the sequel to PS3 launch title Resistance: The Fall of Man. The original, exclusive to Sony’s console, was a refreshing, inventive shooter that combined impressive visuals, art-direction, and game design. However, in an environment dominated by Halo and Gears of War, Resistance’s quirky weapon set and sleepy English setting didn’t quite find the audience or critical acclaim it deserved.
Resistance 2 then, in true sequel form, aims to address the short-comings of its predecessor, and to do so in a bigger! louder! more! way. No longer under pressure to meet a launch deadline, Insomniac have had the time and resources to fully realise their vision.
Have they succeeded? Resistance 2 is certainly bigger and louder. The story has metamorphosed into a sprawling B-movie homage complete with Russian mad-scientists, genetic experiments, zombies and crack commando squads. Street battles in quaint British market towns have given way to gloriously realised full-scale invasions of 1950s San Francisco, to the backdrop of a ruined Golden Gate bridge. The campaign whisks you from American suburbia to dense forests and beyond in an offering of impressive variety.
The enemy too has received an upgrade, both in variety and size. Taking obvious cues from Gears of War, the player is confronted with giant, lumbering adversaries that require nerves of steel and a steady hand.
Sadly, bigger doesn’t necessarily translate as better. Indeed, too many of the new enemy types are a pale shadow of those of the first instalment. Some are inexplicably designed – who thought a stampeding, invisible monster who kills with a single hit was a good idea? – while others simply lack any ounce of style or charm.
The story too, falters. While the plot itself is enjoyable enough hokum, its presentation leaves one wanting. In-game, things are heavy-handily scripted, and the cut scenes that book-end each chapter offer little in the way of exposition. The story may bring you to myriad locations, but there has been no real impetus to explain why you’re there.
So, colour me disappointed. When Resistance launched alongside the PS3, it showed a lot of personality and a lot of invention. Sadly, the intervening time has seen the humdrum banality of other prominent shooters invade Insomniac, and a lot of that personality and invention has fell by the wayside.
REVIEW: Singstar ABBA & Volume 3
Developer: Sony | Publisher: Sony | Format: PS3
REVIEWER: Brendan Tinnelly || Sony’s first-party karaoke franchise has long been a jewel in the crown for the Playstation brand. It’s universal, pick-up-and-play accessibility has been attracting non-gamers to the Playstation 2 when the Wii was still just a pipe dream.
For those coming late to the party, the core mechanic is as so: the player sings the on-screen lyrics of one of forty-odd songs into the supplied USB microphone, and is awarded a score based on the pitch of their voice, which is also represented on-screen. It’s just like karaoke at your local pub on a Thursday, but with a videogame high-score tacked on.
The PS3 iterations boast one real improvement over the previous generation. By purchasing any PS3 SingStar release, you also gain access to the SingStore, where you may cherry-pick songs to download from an impressively vast selection, at a price of e1.49 a song. The store is frequently updated, and while the selection is a little limited, there is certainly enough quality to fuel a couple of nights of karaoke.
The ability to build your own library via SingStore is an important one, as the on-disc content can be very hit & miss. While Singstar ABBA boasts all the classics you know and love, it also contains some more obscure ones that will likely fall flat for most casual fans. Singstar Volume 3 contains a cocktail of pop that lurches from Michael Jackson to Kate Bush via Dizzie Rascal and Smashing Pumpkins. There’s undoubtedly something for everyone, but it’s unlikely one will enjoy the entire selection.
This leads to a niggling fault: while you can build your library via the SingStore, those unpopular on-disc tracks cannot be removed from rotation, and so infuriatingly pop up during the various random-selection party modes. It’s a tiny design oversight, but there is no understating its impact.
Of greater concern, perhaps, is the awkward attempt to turn karaoke into a videogame. For the tone deaf, myself amongst them, the appeal of karaoke has always been in making a holy show of yourself as you butcher a classic song. However, with a high-score metre and instant feedback on your performance, the gaming mind subconsciously curtails your extrovert shrieks and wails in search of a better score.
There has been dismay too, that in the jump to Playstation 3, we are still encumbered with wired microphones. For some, the lack of wireless microphones is a deal breaker. For this reviewer, there is a certain charm in the wired microphone, adding to the illusion that yes, you are in fact Freddie Mercury on stage at Live Aid as you wrap the wire around yourself.
As stand-alone discs, with their limited track-lists, it is difficult to recommend either title as a must-have. However, If you’re willing to open your wallet for the well-stocked SingStore, you have the ingredients for a great night of social gaming.
IMAGES: LittleBigPlanet
December 15, 2008 by editor
Filed under Screenshots
Some shots of Sony’s critically acclaimed, but slow on the sales take up, LittleBigPlanet…
WIN: Prince of Persia
*** THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***
Ubisoft have released Prince of Persia (2008) on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. Thanks to the publisher, we have one copy on Xbox 360 and another on PS3 to give away. To enter, email win@gamestoaster.com answering the question:
- What year was the first Prince of Persia released?
- UPDATE: Due to the high number of people looking for Xbox 360, entries are now just open for PS3
The winner will be selected in the next day or two. As it’s getting close to Christmas please include the answer, your name and address, and what format you want.
You can view the trailer for the game by clicking here, and screenshots and key features are below…
According to Ubisoft the key features of the game are…
A new hero emerges
Master the acrobatics, strategy and fighting tactics of the most agile warrior of all time. Perform perfectly timed acrobatic combinations to traverse canyons and buildings and avoid the evil tremors borne out of the corruption. Armed with a gauntlet acquired from previous adventures, the Prince scale sheer cliff faces and tackle Ahriman’s minions in combat!
A unique visual style
Experience an ancient mythological world brought to life with an all-new art style labeled “Illustrative”, inspired by the highly detailed hand painted illustrations it takes its source from. Prince of Persia’s unique graphic style is a perfect balance between classic drawings and modern modeling, offering the look and feel of a watercolour painting in motion.A deadly new ally
Combine the Prince’s abilities and Elika’s power to deadly effect. Her abilities will help in combat, acrobatics and puzzle-solving. She will enable the Prince to reach new heights of deadly high-flying artistry through special duo acrobatic moves or devastating fighting combo attacks.
An ancient mythological world
From sprawling Persian citadels, deserted kingdoms and perilous lava rifts, discover a vivid and mythological world of unprecedented scale, with an evolving non-linear structure. With multiple paths to choose from, players will influence the game’s final outcome.Nintendo DS fully dedicated version
Continue the adventure in an original story exclusive to the Nintendo DS expanding the story unfolding in the PlayStation 3, XBOX 360 and PC versions.Perfectly adapted to the DS use the stylus in movement, combat and manipulate the corruption with the help of a mysterious ally – the Magus!
Competition rules: Staff, contributors, writers, reviewers, or employees of this website, its partners or of any companies and/or organizations that are involved with the competition, or their families, may not enter. We (this site, and any companies and/or organizations involved) reserve the right to cancel without notice any competitions if deemed necessary. Entrants must be residents of Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Entrants must give us a valid email address, winners will only be notified by email, and asked for a delivery address — the winners names and general location (ie County, or city) will be also published. Winners will have four working days to reply to our email, after such time a new winner will be selected. No cash alternative is offered for these prizes. In some competitions, we reserved the right to extend the duration of a competition and/or withholding prizes in the case of poor response or an inferior quality of entries, and multiple entries may be disregarded. The closing date will sometimes be on the page of which the competition is on; entries will only be accepted at our decision after such date. The Editors decision is final.
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned
November 20, 2008 by editor
Filed under News, Screenshots, featured
Rockstar Games are to release Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned exclusively on Xbox Live on February 17 2009, screenshots below.
The Rockstar North developed game is to be the first of two downloadable episodes announced for the 360. It will feature “all new” content but will make use of the Liberty City of GTA IV.
Rockstar says the game will include: “…a new main character and plot that intersects with the storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV; new missions that offer an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City with new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles; and a diverse soundtrack with additional music – all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of Grand Theft Auto.”
IMAGES: LocoRoco 2
November 20, 2008 by editor
Filed under Screenshots, featured
Sony’s LocoRoco 2 is out tomorrow, Friday November 21, here’s some screenshots…
WIN: Tom Clancy’s EndWar
We have four copies of Tom Clancy’s EndWar to give away thanks to Ubisoft, two on both PS3 and Xbox 360.
*** ENTRY TO THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED ***
Question: What is the war strategy series EndWar’s designer, Michael De Plater, previously worked on?
Send your answer to: cian.ginty@gamestoaster.com with the subject line “Tom Clancy’s EndWar”, please also say if you’re interisted in a copy for PS3 or Xbox 360.
Developed by Ubisoft Shanghai, the publisher describes the game as “an all-new breed of strategy game. Designed from the ground up for consoles, it is a fusion of next-gen. technology, superior design and first-class production values behind which is veteran strategy games designer Michael De Plater who’s previous titles include the Total War series.”
“Set in 2020, with resources growing scarce every nation must look after themselves. Tom Clancy’s EndWar explores a full-scale land war between superpowers. While the narrative engrosses the player in a massive global conflict, with battles taking place in American and European heartlands”.
Ubisoft describes the key features as:
Cutting-edge Technology
- The first strategy game to be entirely playable with voice command (headset required)
- The “commander’s-eye view” offers a view of the action from the perspective of any unit under control
- Rock solid soldiers AI: they autonomously seek cover, engage enemies, and withdraw
Massive multiplayer, endless replay value
- The massively multiplayer “Risk-style” Theater of War campaign groups masses of players in live action
- Online battles allow up to 12 players in live action on the same map
- Unique units customization features (weapons, armour, gears) allow unlimited combinations in online and offline games
Your World in Flames
- 40 real-life recognizable battlefields including Washington DC, Paris and Moscow
- Fully destructible dynamic environments
- Hundreds of characters and vehicles on-screen in real-time, with a level of detail previously associated with first-person shooters
Competition rules: Staff, contributors, writers, reviewers, or employees of this website, its partners or of any companies and/or organizations that are involved with the competition, or their families, may not enter. We (this site, and any companies and/or organizations involved) reserve the right to cancel without notice any competitions if deemed necessary. Entrants must be residents of Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Entrants must give us a valid email address, winners will only be notified by email, and asked for a delivery address — the winners names and general location (ie County, or city) will be also published. Winners will have four working days to reply to our email, after such time a new winner will be selected. No cash alternative is offered for these prizes. In some competitions, we reserved the right to extend the duration of a competition and/or withholding prizes in the case of poor response or an inferior quality of entries, and multiple entries may be disregarded. The closing date will sometimes be on the page of which the competition is on; entries will only be accepted at our decision after such date. The Editors decision is final.
GameStop opens new shop in Limerick
GameStop opened a new store in Limerick on Friday, and it has plans to open four more shops “in the near future,” creating 25 new jobs.
The new Limerick shop on William Street is the third in the city, adding to current outlets at the Crescent and Parkway shopping centres.
Owned by the US retailer of the same name, GameStop now has 56 shops across Ireland and the UK, with the vast majority in the Republic and the North.
The company says it has a large stock of Wii Fit games, but it claims the “game is expected to be in short supply this Christmas so Wii fans should do their Christmas shopping early!”
GameStop are also operating what it calls “a new innovative ‘Play For Free’ scheme” where “Gamers who purchase any games console between now and Christmas, can return it if they don’t like it for any reason, and they will receive a full store credit in return.” Terms and conditions, of course, apply.
Exhibit to feature best of student work
The Digital Hub in Dublin is to exhibit a selection of student work including games, films, animations, and installations.
‘Best in Show’ launches in the Digital Exchange on November 20, and will feature work of students from NCAD, DIT, Limerick School of Art & Design, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Trinity College Dublin, and the London College of Communications.
It will be open to the public from Friday November 21 to Thursday 27, excluding weekends. For more see thedigitalhubexhibit.com.