NEWS: Ubisoft’s DRM Server Issues

Ubisoft’s latest attempt to combat piracy was delivered a rather hard blow over the weekend when their new DRM servers overloaded leaving gamer unable to play the recently released PC version of Assassin’s Creed II.

The game requires gamers to have a constant internet connection otherwise the game is unplayable and more use as a coaster than anythign else.

Assassin’s Creed II which was released last week was one of the first titles to support the new DRM system and so far has been plagued with issues. Gamers have complained about connection outages, inability to connect and a slew of other issues which have left the game unplayable for many.

Ubisoft are working on fixing the problem as soon as possible with them apologising for the difficulties

More news on this as it becomes available.

Video: Halo Reach Multiplayer

From what appears to be a leaked Korean trailer we have our first look at the upcoming multiplayer elements of Halo Reach. The trailer gives us a glimpse at the much anticipated jet pack and assassination elements as well as a quick look at some of the multiplayer modes on offer.

VIDE: Red Steel 2

With it’s March 26th release date fast approaching what better time to enjoy a new video featuring a range of the games more entertaining moves.

Red Steel 2 is the highly anticipated sequel of Red Steel, the first title ever announced & entirely designed for the Nintendo WiiTM.

Red Steel 2 is a first-person-action-game where you impersonate a lonesome fighter who can fight with his sword and his gun at any time. This sequel sets a new milestone by being exclusively designed for the Wii Motion PlusTM, greatly increasing the precision of the controls. The game is particularly intuitive: just pick up the controls and experience the strength of the swing of the sword of an expert fighter.

Fight your way through a grand solo campaign taking place in an edgy city in the middle of the desert.

Red Steel 2 brings you the best sword & gun fighting experience you’ll ever face on console!

KEY FEATURES:

BE THE SWORDMAN

You are a lonesome fighter, a badass with an attitude, a hard man full of mystery. Your goal is to defeat the wicked plans of a Warlord who has set his headquarters in the middle of a strange city.

Face various and increasingly stronger enemies and defeat challenging bosses in epic and intense fights. Discover the truth about your presence in this mystifying metropolis.

IMMERSIVE EDGY WESTERN SETTING

Your adventure takes place in a high-tech metropolis located in the middle of the desert, a place where the East meets the West.

EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED FOR THE WII MOTION PLUSTM

Thanks to the Wii Motion PlusTM 1:1 recognition, your sword movements are precisely reproduced within the game. Slice the villains the way you want!

What’s more, the WMPTM measures the power of your swing. The harder you swing the Wiimote, the harder you swing your sword in the game!

This very intuitive concept makes the game really accessible. However the wide range of difficulty levels allows you to have a very challenging experience if you chose to.

Red Steel 2 is the core title for the WMPTM.

CLOSE COMBAT SYSTEM

The first-person-view drives you right to the center of the action and the WMP allows you to immediately feel like a powerful swordmaster and gunslinger.

Fight up to six enemies at the same time and feel free to use your sword or your gun at any time.

The Wii Motion PlusTM and the improved controls also allow you to master numerous combos with your sword and your gun. You can also trigger impressive and various finish kills on your enemies.

Parry your opponents’ attacks and deflects their bullets with your sword!

Upgrade and improve your weapons throughout the adventure.

NEWS: Download C&C:Tiberian Sun, Red Alert and More for Free

EA are now offering free downloads of many classic Command and Conquer titles to celebrate the upcoming release of C&C: Tiberian Twilight. Titles available on the site for free download are Tiberian Sun + Firestorm, Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert.

All titles are available for free download here.

NEWS: Biggest Year in Xbox 360 Gaming History

Microsoft’s X10 video game showcase took place this week in San Francisco with Microsoft announcing a slew of 360 exclusives.

The X10 event allowed for a chance to hear more about some of 2010′’s biggest games including Alan Wake, Halo: Reach, Fable III, Splinter Cell Conviction, Dead Rising 2, Lost Planet 2, Crackdown 2o and new content for Left 4 Dead 2.

Gamers can grab their Xbox 360 controllers and envelop themselves in heroic tales f revolutionaries and kings, struggles to save mankind from annihilation, and action-packed stories of mystery and espionage, or simply have some nostalgic fun with family and friends across the globe on Xbox LIVE with the following games:

· “Halo: Reach” (Bungie). As the blockbuster prequel to the best-selling Xbox franchise of all time, developed exclusively for Xbox 360 by acclaimed developer Bungie, “Halo: Reach” puts you front and center in the fateful moments that forged the “Halo” legend. As part of Noble Team, a squad of heroic Spartan soldiers, you will be called upon to defend the planet Reach, humankind’s last line of defense between the terrifying Covenant and Earth. Starting on May 3, the “Halo: Reach” public multiplayer beta will give you the opportunity to drive the latest advancements in multiplayer gameplay in the blockbuster franchise that started it all on Xbox LIVE. Access to the beta will be available through the “Halo 3: ODST” game disc on Xbox LIVE.

· “Alan Wake” (Remedy Entertainment Ltd.). Launching May 21 in Europe, nightmares come to life in this Xbox 360 exclusive that will establish a new gaming genre, the gripping psychological action thriller. It is built like a chilling episodic TV series, where your wits and light are your only allies and you can pre-order your copy at participating retailers to reserve your Bright Falls Bonus Pack, which includes exclusive content such as avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, and a “making of” video3. Those looking to immerse themselves in the mystery beyond the game can also pre-order the limited collector’s edition, packed with bonus discs of behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive in-game commentary and hints from Remedy, a game soundtrack, “The Alan Wake Files” book, and more, all bound together in a hardcover bookshelf-worthy package.

· “Crackdown 2” (Ruffian Games). Available exclusively on Xbox 360 and hitting store shelves later this year, the sequel to the 2007 smash hit features over-the-top action, a massive living world, unprecedented online and multiplayer capabilities and stylish graphics. Reserve your copy in advance and stand above the crowd — you’ll receive a code to download four exclusive suits of Agency-Issue armor: Gold, Brushed, Red and Blue Metal.

· “Dead Rising 2” (Capcom). Following the 2006 bone-crunching, zombie-bashing action adventure hit, “Dead Rising 2” puts a new offbeat defender in the heart of the fight to save the United States from complete zombification. Before the mayhem launching in August and September, “Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO” will release as an exclusive Game Add-on only on Xbox LIVE.

· “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” content pack (Infinity Ward/Activision). The first content packs for this award-winning title and biggest entertainment launch ever will be available first on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE.

· “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction” (Ubisoft Entertainment). Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC on April 15 &16 in Europe, “Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction” is the highly anticipated sequel in the multimillion-selling “Splinter Cell” series, and one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox franchises of all time. Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high-octane, no-holds-barred storyline, the game also features intense co-op espionage missions on Xbox LIVE, making Xbox 360 the only console where you can unleash your inner renegade spy.

· “FINAL FANTASY XIII” (Square Enix). The Xbox 360 “FINAL FANTASY XIII” Special Edition Bundle includes a 250GB hard drive, two wireless controllers, exclusive downloadable avatar items and a standard-edition copy of the dramatic sequel in the multimillion-selling series. Xbox 360 is the only console outside of Japan to be bundled with the game, available in stores starting March 9, while supplies last. In addition, a very limited number of “FINAL FANTASY XIII” Limited Edition Faceplates have been created by designer Tetsuya Nomura. These faceplates are only available promotionally in fixed quantities across select retailers in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

· “Fable III” (Lionhead Studios). “Fable III” delivers an unparalleled action and adventure experience as players journey from revolutionary to the ruler of Albion and beyond. With your trusted canine companion, you will embark on an epic hero’s quest against injustice, forge alliances, crush your enemies and take control of your kingdom. But with great power comes great responsibility. Will you honor promises made in your rise to power, or sacrifice allegiance for personal gain? Choose wisely, as the decisions you make will forever impact your ever-evolving world.

· “Lost Planet 2” (Capcom). The next installment of the popular third-person shooter returns you to breathtaking environments, unique Vital Suits and larger-than-life bosses of the world of E.D.N. III. The story picks up 10 years after the original game as players follow the exploits of their own customized snow pirate on their quest to seize control of the changing planet. You’ll be able to play through the intense and action-packed campaign mode with three of your friends on Xbox LIVE. “Lost Planet 2” launches in Europe on May 18.

· “Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing” (Valve). The first Game Add-on brings the original “Left 4 Dead” survivors down south for a meeting with the “Left 4 Dead 2” cast, while delivering new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay, exclusively for Xbox 360 and PC. Targeting an early spring release, “Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing” will include new co-operative campaign and associated narrative and new arenas for Survival, Versus and Scavenge modes, and introduce a new co-operative challenge mode.2

· “Toy Soldiers” (Signal Studios). An intense action game kicking off the Xbox LIVE Arcade House Party on March 3, “Toy Soldiers” casts players into a fantastic, miniature world where antique toy soldiers fight in vintage World War I dioramas. To celebrate the release of “Toy Soldiers” on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Microsoft is launching a companion Facebook experience on Feb. 12, “Toy Soldiers: Match Defense,” which will have you and your friends matching items to collectively win countries and conquer Europe.

· “Game Room” (Krome Studios Pty Ltd.). Launching this March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade House Party, “Game Room” lets gamers relive the glory days of classic arcade and console games in their original forms, as the player’s avatar takes part in the original sights, sounds and gameplay only on Xbox 360 and Windows-based PC.

· “Perfect Dark” (4J Studios). Fire up your Farsight and prepare for assignment — the Dark returns this March as part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade House Party. Agent Joanna Dark brings her epic tale of galactic conspiracies in future America to Xbox 360 with remastered visuals, LIVE-enabled multiplayer modes, leader boards, achievements and avatar awards.

· “Scrap Metal” (Slick Entertainment Inc.). Launching in March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade House Party, “Scrap Metal” lets gamers drift around corners with guns blazing and take out competitors in this fast-paced, top-down racer. Gamers fight their way through explosive, action-packed missions, defeat cunning bosses, or jump on Xbox LIVE to race against their friends, exclusively on Xbox 360.

Not since the console’s launch in 2005 has there been a better time to jump into Xbox 360. With the year’s biggest lineup of blockbuster titles and most-anticipated exclusives launching now and throughout 2010, leading up to the holiday debut of “Project Natal,” only Xbox 360 offers the revolutionary gaming and entertainment experiences that everyone craves.

“If you’re a core gamer we’ve never ever had a line-up like this all in one year, plus [motion control add-on Project] Natal, plus everything we’re doing around [online service] Xbox Live innovation,” he said. “Last year we saved a lot of our big news for E3. This year we absolutely have a lot of big news for E3, but we have so much that we are starting early.

“It’s going to be a big year… it’s going to be the biggest year in the history of Xbox.”[/quote]

VIDEO: Sonic the Hedgehog 4

After months of speculation regarding just what Project Needlemouse is, Sega has finally announced that is in fact Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 is to be a throwback the the Genesis era Sonic and will pick up shortly after the end of Sonic and Knuckles. The game will be available this summer as a downloadable title for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Wii.

VIDEO: Dead Rising the Movie

Lets be honest, even though the case proclaims that the game is not based on George A. Romero’s classic Dawn of the Dead only the most naive of people would believe that after 5 minutes of playing the game. The question now is, will Romero’s lawyers rub their hands in glee given the announcement that a film based on the game is currently int he works?

From the trailer it seems that director Keiji Inafune , producer of the original game and the creator of Mega Man is trying to give the film it’s own look and fell. He film follows the adventure od brothers Jouji and Shin who have to escape from a town over run by the living dead. The trailer promises buckets of blood and guts and while the acting may not up to the level of thespians such as Takashi Kitano it certainly captures the sense of fun inherent to the games success.

The film is being designed to give the viewer the feeling of being in a FPS and is set to be released online sometime this year. Xbox Live subscribers are due to have early access to the film and fingers crossed if successful we may see a big screen version.

PS3 Cracked?

A few dayts back noted hacker george Hotz announced on his blog that he had finally cracked teh PS3 console statign that it had taken him 5 weeks to do so.  He wrote “I have read/write access to the entire system memory, and HV level access to the processor. In other words, I have hacked the PS3.” In the 3 years since the consoles release Hotz is the first to successfully hack the console due to the tight security restrictions of the console.

At this time Hotz is refusing to reveal jsut how he accomplished the hacl but has said that it’s not something which is patchable but that” Sony can make implementations much harder.”

Sony have said that they are currently investigating the reports but nothign can be verified till more information becomes available. What this means for gamers is unknown, could it lead to the first pirated games appearing for the PS3 or will it be more akin to the home brew community found on the PSP. One thing is clear though, even if the console has been cracked many gamers will be exploiting the ability to pirate games given the large file size of most PS3 releases.

VIDEO: Arkham Asylum 2 Trailer

After the massive critical and financial success of the Arkham Asylum a sequel was inevitable and now we have our very first look at teaser trailer for part 2 and well it looks sublime. If this years Arkham was anything to go by then next years game of the year could already have been deided.

VIDEO: Joe Madureira Interview

Here we have an interview with Joe Madureira Creative Director of Vigil games on their upcoming game Darksiders.

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