BitSnark

As usual, the ass end of company financial reports prove to be the most interesting with Ubisoft’s newest financials seemingly revealing a new Driver and Rabbids for release this year, as well as a new multiplayer ‘episode’ of Assassins Creed to be released before fiscal 2011 (anytime before March 2011).

No details have been disclosed on the Rabbids or Driver titles, other than the fact that the new Rabbids title will be fairly lonely in the Ubisoft lineup this year, as the French megapublisher is keen to maximise their market share on 360 and PS3 platforms as opposed to the more causally focused Wii and NDS platforms that they have previously heavily supported.

More as and when.

Well, here we are. Development on perhaps the most eagerly awaited RPG of this generation is complete and has now been fully localised into English. Most impressively all of the character models have had their lip-synching routines redone to more accurately reflect the English language.

As far as the game goes itself, we’re told that the Western version is identical to the Japanese version in so far as no extra features have been added (a not uncommon occurence when FF games were previously released (see FFXII)).

360 owners should be happy too, as the 360 version was said to be ‘no different’ visually to the PS3 version when popular gaming site 1UP.com took the opportunity to see the elusive 360 version during the FFXIII tour which got started earlier this week.

The only differences appear to be a slight decrease in audio quality and CG sequences, due in no small part to the compression needed to fit the title on three or four DVD’s, instead of one shiny Blu-Ray disc.

Still, this is milestone at least and just think; it is less than two months until you can get your mitts on Final Fantasy XIII.

Regardless of import reviews and previews bemoaning its supposedly linear gameplay structure and strict adherence to the JRPG template, I am still excited.

Damn excited.

Nintendo this morning have confirmed a date for the European release of their bulked up rendition of their DSi handheld.

The Nintendo DSi XL will hit European territories on March 5th in ‘wine red’ and dark brown colours.

A price has yet to be given for the handheld, but sources are suggesting that it will command a ‘slight premium’ over the existing DSi price point.

The official press release can be seen below:

EUROPEAN LAUNCH DATE OF NINTENDO DSi XL CONFIRMED

14th January 2010 – Get ready to experience your favourite Nintendo DS games like never before – on the big screens and via the wider viewing angle of the Nintendo DSi XL, launching across Europe on 5th March 2010.

Two 4.2 inch screens, which are 93% bigger than the screen on the Nintendo DS Lite, really bring the adventure and action to life. Experience the legendary side scrolling world of New Super Mario Bros or the twists and turns of the Mario Kart circuit in a whole new way. The larger pen-like stylus also makes extended stylus gameplay more comfortable to allow better control; making directing Link around the dungeons of The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, for example, far more natural to play.

MARIO_KART_NINTENDO_D low resThe Nintendo DSi XL’s improved wider viewing angle screen also provides a new way for you to enjoy games together with friends and family, making it easier than ever to watch and join in the fun.

The new member of the Nintendo DS family is launching in two colours – wine red and dark brown, with a glossy sheen on top and matt finish on the underside that provides excellent grip when resting on a table or other surface during gameplay.

The new console also comes pre-loaded with two Nintendo DSiWare software: Dr Kawashima’s: Little Bit of Brain Training: Arts Edition and Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function, as well as the Nintendo DSi Browser, which enables you to easily access the internet via a Wi-Fi connection.

The DSi XL will feature the full capabilities of the original Nintendo DSi which launched in Europe in April 2009 enabling you to download games through the Nintendo DSi Shop,
create, customise and share photos with friends and family and listen to and play with your music and sounds.

Nintendo DSi XL is the fourth member of the Nintendo DS family which are currently enjoyed by over 100 million people around the world. It features the trademark dual screens and the simple-to-use controls that players have come to love, but will take your gaming experience to a new level.

To truly understand the difference Nintendo DSi XL makes to your favourite games, you need to get your hands on it – get ready to do just that on 5th March 2010, when Nintendo DSi XL is available across Europe.

The Zipper Interactive developed 256 player online shooter has at last been given a date bY Sony Computer Entertainment Europe; and it may be sooner than you think.

MAG is due to hit our fair shores in little over two weeks on January 29th.

Promising huge 256 player battles, a large selection of vehicles and weaponry and an in-depth rank and command structure system, MAG could/should do great things for the FPS genre on the PS3 when it comes out at the end of the month.

After the bad news of the Metroid Prime Trilogy discontinuation the other day, Metroid fans are perhaps in need of cheering up. Well, here is just the thing; Nintendo today have confirmed that the Team Ninja developed Metroid title, Metroid-M, will arrive on the Wii before the year is out.

Nintendo told G4TV: “The next highly anticipated offering in the Metroid franchise is Metroid: Other M, which will be available this year,”

Being one of the standouts of what was otherwise a somewhat lacklustre E3 presentation for Nintendo, i’m very interested to see how this collaboration with the Ninja Gaiden developer will turn out.

This is especially true in the light of the fact that it shuns the Prime series’ 3D trappings, instead opting to return to the good ol’ 2D gameplay of yesteryear.

Those of you expecting to get your hands on the next Star Wars MMO this year will be somewhat disappointed as Bioware this morning has confirmed rumours that it is indeed looking to release its Star Wars MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic, sometime in Spring 2011.

This confirmation coincides with EA big shot John Riccitiello hinting toward the release of a ‘big name’ MMO in Spring 2011.

BioWare’s Sean Dahlberg wrote the following splurge on the official forum:

“While we have not announced a specific date, we can confirm that we are targeting a spring 2011 release for Star Wars: The Old Republic,”

“We’ve got a lot of exciting updates and reveals planned throughout 2010, including the first-ever hands-on testing for the game. It’s not too late to sign up to be a game tester, so go to http://www.swtor.com/tester and sign up today.

“We can’t wait to share more about the game with you as we progress through the year, so make sure you stay tuned to the official website for details.”

I would much rather that they take the time to get this *right*, as this looks like one of the most promising MMORPG’s that we’ve seen in years.

As far as this year goes though, there is of course Square Enix’s forthcoming Final Fantasy XIV as well as the little matter of that pesky World Of Warcraft expansion pack which may shift a couple of units. A potential cult hit you might say.

🙂

The digitally downloadable prequel to cult PSOne RPG tactical gem Vandal Hearts, has finally been given a release date and price point for Xbox Live Arcade with PSN release and pricing details to follow.

Priced at 1200 MSP and releasing on January 20th, the title is expected to exude the same addictive turn based tactical gameplay as the 1997 PSOne original.

Players must aid Tobias Martin and his followers in trying to prevent a war in their homeland of Sostegaria. Vandal Hearts: Flames Of Judgement boasts multiple endings, extensive character customization and over twenty maps.

Time to grab some points methinks 🙂

PSN details will be updated as they are known.

Namco Bandai’s flagship arcade dogfighting franchise once again graces the PSP with an extensive campaign set in real-world locations such as Tokyo, London, San Francisco and more.

Additionally, the developers are also including an eight-player online mode, that includes a variety of gameplay modes such as Versus, as well as four player co-op campaign mode.

The official press release can be seen below:

/’ACE COMBAT^TM JOINT ASSAULT’ /**BRINGS ITS BULLET-STREWN OPEN SKIES TO THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, SUMMER 2010*

*/- The Unsurpassed ACE COMBAT Flight Action Series Returns to PSP^TM (PlayStation^TM Portable) with a Stunning and Intense New Aerial Experience For All -/*

CERGY-PONTOISE, FRANCE – 12 January 2010 – Duck and cover! The pre-eminent aerial combat series from NAMCO BANDAI Games is delivering its next instalment in summer 2010 with the all-new */ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT /*for PSP (PlayStationPortable). Featuring accessible and exhilarating gameplay, incredible new benchmark visuals, an engrossing single player campaign and comprehensive online multiplayer options, */ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT /*will once again remind the world why the /ACE COMBAT /series is the reigning lord of the virtual skies.

Developed by the renowned Project Aces development team at NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. in Japan, */ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT /*is the latest in the acclaimed /ACE COMBAT /series of flight action games, and the second to appear on PSP following /ACE COMBAT X /in 2006. In the brand new */ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT/*, the nail-biting close-quarters combat and incredible visuals are completely re-designed to deliver maximum intensity and an accessible and fun experience for any fan of flight action.

Set in the skies over familiar real-world locations including Tokyo, London, San Francisco and more, players will step into the shoes of allied pilots and set out on numerous original missions to obliterate the enemy in fierce tactical dogfights. The new ‘Enhanced Combat View’ makes the intense combat more dynamic and believable to the player, making full use of the vast aerial environments to produce an incredible high-speed sensation and let players feel the raw exhilaration of delivering ace shots at supersonic speeds. All-new multi-strategic AI evolves the mission flow according to the player’s choices throughout the campaign for an even richer depth of gameplay experience.

Alongside the new gameplay features, the team has focussed on producing the best visuals ever seen for a flight game on PSP while also significantly ramping up the online functionality. Multiplayer gameplay lets ace pilots get even with their foes in the eight player online versus mode, or cooperate with up to four friends in the co-op campaign mode. Let the tracers fly.

*/ACE COMBAT JOINT ASSAULT^ /*for PSP is scheduled to launch across EMEA and Asia Pacific in summer 2010. For more information about the NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe line up visit http://www.namcobandaigames.eu .
*About NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe:*

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher based in Cergy-Pontoise, France. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry’s top video game franchises including the RidgeRacer™, Tekken™, SOULCALIBUR™, Tamagotchi™, Digimon™, Dragonball® and Naruto™ brands.
All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions.

©GeoEye
©JAPAN SPACE IMAGING CORPORATION
ACE COMBAT™ JOINT ASSAULT & ©2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.

The oft talked about and released-on-PC-first remake of Croteam’s classic insane FPS has now finally been given a date and price after 360 owners were left out in the cold last year when the remake released on PC.

Due this Wednesday and selling for 1200 Microsoft Points, Serious Sam HD retains the frantic gameplay of the original but adds four player co-op and a HD sheen to the proceedings.

Get ready to sell your granny and maybe rob a bank or two as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today confirmed that the ‘Ultimate Trilogy Edition’ of the forthcoming awesomeness that is God Of War III, will in fact retail for £109.99 in the UK.

Ouch.

For your cash you get the God Of War Collection (Region free and around £25 to import at the moment), soundtracks for all three titles, exclusive DLC skins, making of DVD and other production materials.

Oh, and it all comes in one big ornate looking box too.

Worth the cash? Possibly not. But those with far too much money and an obsessive love for Sony’s mythological series, will find their collector tastes quite well satisfied with this huge collectors edition.

The rest of us meanwhile will just import the God Of War collection, buy God Of War III at £32.99 on release and shrug our shoulders at the extra ‘content’ while we save fifty odd quid.