The Good, The Bad and The Ugly News Report 06.01.09: The PSP Go!, Arkham Release Date, Kojima's Announcement, Midway's Sale and More!

Posted by Armando Rodriguez on 06.01.2009

411’s Armando Rodriguez discusses the new release date for Batman: Arkham Asylum, The PSP Go!, an update on the sale of Midway Games, the latest on Kojima's big announcement and more! Check out the full column for all the details!

Welcome to another exciting, incredible, amazing edition of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly News Report! As always I am your host Armando Rodriguez and these are your news! In order to catch up with my backlog of games, I finally started to play Grand Theft Auto IV on PS3 after borrowing it from a friend. However, I have yet to put any significant amount of time in it due to the fact that I am still playing my career in UFC Undisputed and my Road to the Show Career in MLB 09, in which I finally got called up to the majors after a measly 11 games in AAA. I guess the Astros suck that much! Plus, I acquired Mirror's Edge from a friend and I am trying to find time for that, too. With all these games my idea of running out like a maniac to purchase InFamous has been put on hold for the foreseeable future.

The closer we get to E3 the bigger the news and the larger this column is going to be, so sit back, pop open a cold one and get to reading!

Biggest News of the Week: PSP Go! Revealed in Qore!

Though Sony's E3 Press Conference isn't until 11:00 a.m. on June 2, one of its centerpieces appears to have been prematurely exposed. A YouTube video of what appears to be the next issue of the PlayStation-focused video magazine Qore has revealed that Sony will use its event to unveil a new PSP model, the PSP Go.

As had been widely rumored, the PSP Go will have a sliding form factor like the Mylo, Sony's ill-fated Internet communicator device. The new handheld--which does not sport a second thumbstick--is shown several times in the video, which features Qore host Veronica Belmont and John Koller, director of hardware marketing at Sony Computer Entertainment America.

According to Koller, the main differences between the PSP Go and the PSP-3000 are "on-board memory, the flash memory, and 16 gigs of space. There's Bluetooth on board as well, so you can use a Bluetooth headset, and you can actually tether it to your cell phone as well. But ultimately, it's the portability. Since you can bring all that content with you in a smaller form factor, you've got the most immersive games to play, and now you've got a smaller unit to do it with."

Though he does not say that the device will not have a UMD drive--as is rumored--he did say that the emphasis will be on downloadable games. "Little Big Planet, Jak & Daxter, Metal Gear Solid--all those will be available. So will all the movies you can rent or buy on the PlayStation Network. So you can bring so much content over with you and fill up that 16 gig of flash memory."

Koller also appears to revealed that the long-lost PSP Gran Turismo Mobile game--first shown off in 2004--will resurface at next week's expo. "There are games like Gran Turismo being announced at E3," said the executive

Host Belmont then asks, "So since it's called the PSP Go, I would image it will work with Remote Play as well." Koller responds with the following blanket statement: "Integration with the PS3 is very important, and it works just like the PSP-3000. A lot of people like to be able to take their PS3 content with them on the go."

As for the PSP Go supplanting its predecessor, Koller said flatly: "It won't replace the PSP-3000. We're going to keep them both on the market." Koller did not mention a price, release date, or whether or not it would have a touchscreen when closed. Sony Computer Entertainment America reps had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.
Credit:Gamespot.com

This PSP is ready to Go!

GOOD/BAD I am really torn here. For one, I like the new PSP Go!. It looks sleek and refined and more portable than other PSP models. The added memory and Bluetooth capacity is a nice bonus. But the thing is that it lacks (as far as we know, we won't know for sure until E3) the two features that PSP owners (or prospective owners) demand: Dual-joysticks and touchscreen. I don't own a PSP, but I have a lot of friends that own one and I am pretty familiar with the device. Playing some games, especially Resistance Retribution, without a second joystick felt awkward. Also, with the Nintendo DS, the iPhone and other telephones/devices with touchscreen, people expect this feature from their portable gaming device *Face it, no touchscreen, not cool*. Once more we see Sony ignore the demands of their own consumers and this is not good market strategy. PSP sales have been lukewarm at best and I don't think this new PSP will cause a revolution of sorts that leads to more sales and better games.

More on Kojima's Big Announcement!

So far, Konami's publicity department has had a pretty sadistic 2009. After famed designer Hideo Kojima teased "the next MGS" at the end of his 2009 Game Developers Conference keynote address, his publisher partner rolled out a drip-teaser campaign that has bordered on torturous. After teasing a big Kojima Productions announcement as coming May 18, Konami launched a teaser page bearing a countdown timer that ended three days later with...another countdown timer. This was followed five days later with one more countdown timer, accompanied by an image of MGS series character Big Boss, which is set to expire at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 31--the day before the Electronic Entertainment Expo press events kick off.

Now the teaser site has changed again, revealing yet another teaser site for what might be an all-new IP. Sometime this week, the Kojima Productions logo in the lower right-hand side of the page was obscured by what looks like a ghostly face. The face also links to the URL www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/mask/, which yields a black page with the Konami and Kojima logos in the top two corners. The center of the page is filled with a metallic mask of a feminine face reminiscent of the classic silent film Metropolis, with a second face in the motif on the mask's forehead.

Though the information in the HTML only says "KOJIMA PRODUCTION 'Mask,'" there is no shortage of theories about what the teaser site is for. Besides the obvious prospect of an all-new IP, the most common hypothesis is that the game being teased is a reboot of Snatcher, the Kojima-designed digital-comic adventure released on various platforms in the late '80s and early '90s. The game's main antagonists are a race of "bioroids"--artificial biomechanical beings like the characters in the anime Ghost in the Shell--leading to speculation that the mask on the page may belong to one.

Another reason to suspect that the mask page is for Snatcher is that Kojima himself has said he is working on a remake. In a 2007 interview with Famitsu spotted by gaming blog Joystiq, Grasshopper Manufacture chief Goichi Suda confirmed that his long-germinating collaboration with Kojima, "Project S," was indeed based on both Snatcher and a radio drama inspired by it. "I think I will call it 'Snatchers.' I can't talk about the details of the story at this point," he reportedly told the Japanese gaming magazine.
Credit: Gamespot.com

Is this classic getting remade?

GOOD: After all the hype, Kojima and Konami better deliver! Not only have they teased a new Metal Gear, but also a remake of Snatcher! If they reveal both titles at the show, they will surely be the winners at the convention. Judging by the image of Big Boss, I can guess *keyword GUESS* that it will not be a game about Raiden, but instead a sequel *or prequel* to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater *which is awesome news!*. Second of all, Snatcher rocked. The world it was based in is an amazing setting for a game and I can't wait to hear more about this game *if it's indeed Snatcher* but with Kojima already hinting at it two years ago it is possible that they finally have some footage to show.

Eminem, Jay Z to Appear in DJ Hero

Earlier this month, Activision officially confirmed DJ Hero, the latest spin-off of its rhythm-game franchise, which ditches the guitar and melodic rock in favor of a turntable and scratch-heavy beats. Along with releasing photos of the DJ Hero Turntable Controller, the publisher said the Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2 game would feature hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronic, and dance genres, as well as let players produce their own tunes.

Today, Activision announced that hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Eminem will help launch the DJ Hero franchise. Both artists have signed on to lend unnamed tracks to the game, and Activision also said that both artists will be the subject of downloadable content later this year.

Further, Activision said it has partnered with Jay-Z and Eminem on a special edition of DJ Hero. The custom package will include "an advanced version of the game's turntable controller," as well as a metal traveling case that doubles as a "performance-ready DJ stand" and two exclusive CD compilations that feature original mixes from each performer.

DJ Hero is one among a sea of Guitar Hero-related rhythm games set for release in 2009. With Guitar Hero: Greatest Hits penciled in for June and Guitar Hero 5 dated for September 1, Activision also expects to release Band Hero and Guitar Hero: Van Halen later this year.
Credit: Gamespot.com

Yo, Yo, I am a DJ Hero!

GOOD: Activision is serious about dominating the music-game genre and by signing arguably the two most popular names in the Hip-Hop scene *Besides half-dollar…err.. 50 Cent* they give DJ Hero a boost of credibility that it was sorely lacking. I am still not sold into purchasing the game *they need more than two big names* but I am starting to believe that the game is not going to be the utter failure I believed it was going to be.

Batman: Arkham Asylum Gets New Release Date

Eidos and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment led off May with news that Batman: Arkham Asylum needed a bit more time in the development ward. Instead of its anticipated June release, Arkham Asylum would remain remanded until "the end of summer 2009," with additional development time targeted toward ensuring "the highest quality for gamers," according to the publisher.

Today, Eidos attached an exact date to Batman: Arkham Asylum, saying the Rocksteady Studios-developed action adventure will arrive for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on August 25 in North America. Batman: Arkham Asylum's European release will occur three days later on August 28.

Cowritten by Paul Dini, producer of TV's Batman: The Animated Series, the game begins when the Joker breaks out of jail and escapes to Arkham. There, he orchestrates a plan to kill Batman and wreak havoc on Gotham City with the help of myriad accomplices. As an added incentive, PS3 gamers will be able to play as Gotham City's quintessential madman in the game's challenge map modes.
Credit: Gamespot.com

GOOD: Finally we get a new release date! Batman: Arkham Asylum is one of the biggest games of the year and it is good to know that we just have to wait two months or so to get our hands on the game. However, due to the delay I am a little nervous * I am starting to believe it will not be as good as we all hope* and they better show me something between now and the release date to restore my faith in the title.

Lego Indiana Jones 2 Confirmed

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games have had a good deal of success with taking venerated properties, reducing them to block-sized Lego elements, and adding a humorous bent. So it came as no surprise when, in March, an animator revealed the inevitable next installments in the Lego spin-off series, saying J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter was being Lego-ized alongside a second installment in LucasArts' Indiana Jones franchise.

Today, WBIE and TT Games confirmed one of those new games, saying Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues will arrive for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, DS, and PC this fall. Whereas the first Lego Indy game focused on the first three films in George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's classic action adventure, Lego Indy 2 will include elements from all four films--including the most recent addition, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

TT Games has a number of new features that it will be packing into Lego Indy 2. Namely, the title will introduce the ability for gamers to create their own levels and environments--as well as build on existing ones--which can then be shared. The game will also feature a number of characters from Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, as well as new episodes from the original three films.

From a gameplay standpoint, TT Games has also tweaked character animations, as well as added new vehicles and weapons. The game also features 60 playable characters and will support two-player drop-in, drop-out cooperative play.
Gamespot.com


I am back!

GOOD/BAD: Lego Indiana Jones was a great game and I expect the sequel to be of similar quality. However, it all depends on how much new content is really there. I mean, how many levels can they possibly create from Kingdom of of the Crystal Skull ? And how many new levels can they create from the few unexplored areas of the first movies? The thing with the Lego games is that once you play one you have pretty much played them all and the lack of a significant amount of new content will escalate the problem. For now I will take the wait and see approach *although I am leaning towards a BAD response* until we get some more info and footage of the game.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Revealed

Sega got a taste of crossover success with 2007's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, and the publisher has been making the original gaming speed freak play nice with other brands ever since. Beyond this year's Winter Games follow-up, Sonic also crossed over into Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Sega Superstars Tennis, and now Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.

Set for release in 2010 on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, and DS, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing will bring together characters from throughout the publisher's catalog to compete on a number of fanciful tracks. As in other mascot racing games, All-Stars Racing will mix up the action with a variety of shortcuts and special power-ups to be collected as players make their laps.

All-Stars Racing will also feature another staple of the genre in party-focused multiplayer modes. The game will be playable online with races of up to eight players, or in an offline split-screen mode for four. While Sega did not put a number on the roster of characters, it did reveal that Tails, Amy, Dr. Eggman, AiAi, and Amigo would be joining Sonic at the starting line.

While racing is a regular Sonic pastime (as featured in such games as Sonic R, Sonic Riders, and Sonic Rivals), this will be the hedgehog's first time behind the wheel since a pair of Sonic Drift titles on the Game Gear in the mid-1990s.
Credit: Gamespot.com

If I am so fast, why do I need a kart ?

BAD: Yes, unfair to say BAD to a game we have yet to see and play. But just analyze Sonic's recent track record: Horrible platform titles, horrible crossover titles. Let's be fair though, I enjoyed Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games *although it got boring and repetitive quick, it was mildly fun* and believe it or not, I found Sonic Riders a decent title. But the tennis game was abysmal, the recent platform titles are horrible and I just don't see a way for Sega to turn it around. I just hope Sega proves me wrong and deliver a Mario Kart-esque title that leaves my jaw dropping. Plus, let's not ignore the logic *or lack thereof* of Sonic, a super fast hedgehog, needing to use a kart to race. You know who Sonic reminds me of? Matt Hazard, a former video game great that whored himself out by appearing in horrible games of all types. Yes, I know the whole backstory is fictional, but they might as well replace Matt Hazard with Sonic in it and it will be ok.

More PS3 Greatest Hits Titles Revealed

While next week's Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 is set to give gamers a peek at the biggest releases of holiday 2009 and beyond, they might need something to tide them over in the meantime. To that end, Sony today announced the latest additions to its PlayStation 3 budget-conscious line of Greatest Hits titles, games from years past that have "reached a significant sales threshold," according to the company.

Sony is adding six games to its line of $29.99 Greatest Hits: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Battlefield: Bad Company, Army of Two, Devil May Cry 4, and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Those titles are still available in their standard releases, but the Greatest Hits-branded versions will begin to arrive in stores June 16.

This is the second batch of PS3 titles to be dubbed Greatest Hits, bringing the catalog of budget blockbusters up to 16 games. Sony revealed the first wave--including titles like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Ninja Gaiden Sigma, and Resistance: Fall of Man--at its 2008 E3 media briefing. They were easy to spot on store shelves because the Greatest Hits editions came in eye-catching red-tinted Blu-ray cases.
Gamespot.com

GOOD: Every time we get cheaper games, I am happy. We have a good selection of titles here, but I still would not pay $30 for what is essentially a Gran Turismo demo. Sorry Sony, you have to do better than that! Plus, a few months ago I got Battlefield: Bad Company for $25 at Wal-Mart *and both, Bad Company and Army of Two are $20 now* so I don't see how the move to greatest hits will affect those titles.

David Harrison Steps Aside, Arari Loosing Millions!

It has been a turbulent few years for the various incarnations of Atari, with its American arm battling with stock-market delistings before being folded into parent company Infogrames last year. After the reorganization, the company continued to bleed cash despite a recent uptick in revenue.

Things looked to be turning around for the publisher when former Sony Worldwide Studios head Phil Harrison came on board as Infogrames president. Along with new CEO David Gardner, Harrison declared that the company wanted to "stop losing money" and that it was to increase its focus on online and social games. Then, in a dramatic move, it acquired Cryptic Studios, developer of the massively multiplayer online role-playing games Champions Online and Star Trek Online at the end of last year.

The company's recovery seems to be progressing slowly, though. Today, Infogrames reported its full-year results for the 2008/2009 financial year and also announced it was changing its name to Atari. Unfortunately, it also revealed a massive annual net loss of ˆ226.1 million ($319.5 million, £197.7 million). The company pinned the massive shortfall--up from 2007/2008's ˆ55.1 million ($77.7 million, £48.2 million) loss--on one-time costs relating to the firm's "transformation." These included ˆ13.9 million ($19.6 million, £12.1 million) of restructuring charges and a ˆ40.3 million ($56.9 million, £35.2 million) impairment of goodwill charge. Once those are disregarded, Atari posted an adjusted net loss of ˆ50.2 million ($70.3 million, £43.9 million).

Ironically, revenues were up significantly year on year, with the company bringing in ˆ136.4 million ($192.4 million, £119.1 million) during 2008/2009, compared to ˆ90.3 million ($127.4 million, £78.9 million) in 2007/2008. Broken down by platform, the Xbox 360 was responsible for more than a quarter of the firm's income last year. The year prior, it was the DS, which led the charge, bringing in almost a third of the firm's revenue. PC titles accounted for 22 percent of the firm's revenues in 2009/2009, followed by the Wii and DS with 15 percent each, followed by the PlayStation 3 (12 percent), PlayStation 2 (8 percent) and PSP (2 percent).

Looking ahead to the 2009/2010 fiscal year, Atari is making some drastic changes. Not only is it shifting primary business operations to the US, but it is also shaking up its management. After taking the presidency to much fanfare just over a year ago, Harrison is stepping down, assuming the role of nonexecutive Director of the Group where "he will continue to assist, support and guide the company's strategy." Board member Jeff Lapin--former CEO of both THQ and Take-Two Interactive--is taking the position of chief operating officer under CEO David Gardner.

Games-wise, Atari made the ominous announcement that it "has cancelled projects which do not meet higher return on investment criteria and require significant working capital investments." No specific games were mentioned. More positively, it touted its lineup for the year, including the recently released Chronicles of Riddick and Ghostbusters: The Video Game, due out next month. Champions Online is due out for the PC in September, and Atari revealed it will arrive for the Xbox 360 during the all-important October to December holiday quarter. Star Trek Online is still expected to launch by the end of Atari's fiscal year on March 31, 2010.
Credit: Gamespot.com


UGLY: More cancelled games, David Harrison *who is one of my favorite game executives* steps aside because of the losses….this is truly a sad day at Atari land. I still believe Harrison stepped aside too early, but I guess this is the way the business works. I still have high hopes for Ghostbusters, but Atari needs more interesting games in their portfolio to turn this around.

Madden 2010 Getting Online Co-Op

At the tail end of March, EA Sports made its customary announcement for the latest season of Madden NFL football, saying this year's edition will arrive on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii on August 14. Today, EA unveiled one of the headline features that will be introduced with Madden NFL 10, saying that for the first time, the football simulator will include online co-op play.

Even more intriguing, however, were statements made by senior designer Ian Cummings in a developer diary introducing the online co-op functionality. In talking about the new feature, Cummings notes that an even more requested online feature may also be in route with this year's edition of the game. "[Online co-op] might attract a lot of different people to try out online who maybe they'll go try out online franchise after that," Cummings said. (Emphasis added.)

An online franchise mode was a notable omission from Madden NFL 10, especially considering the feature's high-profile inclusion in NCAA Football 09. Responding to requests for comment, an EA Sports representative wasn't willing to explicitly confirm online franchise mode in Madden NFL 10, saying only, "We'll be making another major announcement regarding our online plans for Madden NFL 10 at our [Electronic Entertainment Expo] press conference on June 1."
Credit: Gamespot.com

GOOD: Online Co-Op is a great step forward, because Co-Op Madden is a lot of fun. They should make Co-Op modes mandatory on every sports game *they are called team sports people!*. I am still not sold on Online Franchise modes because they require a lot of commitment and few people in the internet have the attention span and responsibility necessary to play such a mode, but I know there are fans out there craving this mode and it seems EA is ready to give it to you.

Midway Sale Could Be Approved Next Week!

Although the eyes of the industry are already fixed on the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles, the week's biggest industry-reshaping news could potentially be coming from a Delaware bankruptcy court. That's where Midway Games said today that it expects to receive court approval for the proposed sale of most of its assets to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for a sum of $33 million.

Originally revealed last week, the WBIE offer would give the Lord of the Rings rights-holder another flagship property in the Mortal Kombat fighting franchise, as well as the Wheelman brand. However, that offer did not include Midway's Newcastle (UK) and San Diego studios or the TNA Impact wrestling license.

Even if the WBIE bid receives court approval, the acquisition would not be a forgone conclusion. Other companies can make bids for any portion of the company through June 24. That will be followed by an auction on June 29 to determine the bid or combination of bids that will bring in the most money, after which a July 1 hearing will give court approval to those transactions.

In its announcement confirming the June 2 hearing on the WBIE bid, Midway made a hard sell to potential bidders, touting the strength of not just Mortal Kombat but its fledgling properties such as the TNA Wrestling license, Wheelman, This Is Vegas, and Game Party. Looking further back, the publisher also emphasized its rich history of arcade hits, including Spy Hunter, Rampage, Joust, and Gauntlet.

Regardless of which offer (or combination of offers) is ultimately accepted, the buyer(s) would not assume any debt or liabilities of Midway, or become entangled in the legal actions surrounding the publisher's deeply discounted sale to a mystery buyer last year.
Gamespot.com

GOOD: Yes, GOOD! Or shall I say FINALLY! I am sad to see Midway go, but the sooner everything gets done the less it will hurt. The sale would mean a new Mortal Kombat and Wheelman developer that can start doing something with those properties instead of sitting around dying a slow death. We always hoped for Midway to survive, but we all knew this was coming. The big looser will be TNA since I don't think there is one developer out there remotely interested in getting the license *The dismal Midway game sure doesn't help* and it seems we will be back to only one wrestling franchise.


Try as I might, I found NO USELESS NEWS this week! That means that we are jumping straight into the Reader's Voice.

The Reader's Voice:

Last Week We Asked: What is the worst rated game you actually loved playing?

Our winner this week is Mark Salmela's favorite writer, Todd Vote!

Todd Vote says: Advent Rising
Psi-Ops
Both Matrix console games
There are just a couple. I'm sure there are plenty more though...

Anybody who mentions the awesomeness known as Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy gets #1 in my book. That game was the bomb.

Sam Pow says: I would have to say that the most underrated game I've ever played and loved was Sneak King. I picked up this Burger King stealth game at Gamestop for 99 cents as a joke, but I brought it home and popped it in, and I honestly can't figure out why everyone hates it. It has fun missions, a cool creepiness, graphics that are kickass for a game made by Burger King, and it makes you hungry! After seeing averages between 4-5, I would give this game a seven easily.

Mr. Pow, I challenge you to include this game in the next Game Pow. It should be worth a couple of laughs.

Now on to this week's question:

What is your most anticipated game of 2009?

Once more the top answers will be a part of next week's edition of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly News Report.


Goodbye:

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