The Full Circle: 360 News Report 06.26.09
Posted by Joe Roche on 06.26.2009
It's the weekend...well almost but before we get there 411Games Joe Roche needs to bring you the news you want to hear about Crackdown 2, Modern Warfare 2, Lucha Libre in your living room, problems with Fight Night Round 4 and more. You're working for the weekend but first we're going around The Full Circle.
For those who don't know I wear a couple different hats here at 411mania – I am both the resident Xbox 360 fanboy/apologize and author of this weekly jaunt through the news of the week, but I'm also a columnist in the boxing zone. It's with that in mind that I tell you that this week was a joy for me. Getting my hands on Fight Night Round 4 was a delight. Having only put a limited time into the game I'm not prepared to give my final thoughts but next week I should have a review for you.
In a somewhat related story (ok not related at all) I am the proud owner of the Fallout 3 DLC "Point Lookout" and should be playing through that over the next couple of days for an official 411Games review, so look out for that.
Oh and if you're looking for some online boxing fun my gamertag is as always jdroche on Xbox Live. With that out of the way allow me to welcome one and all underneath the big top for the column that you can't end the week without. Join me now as I take you around The Full Circle.
Survey Says: You're Stupid! According to a poll conducted by game tracking service GamePlan Insights, and reported by Gamasutra, 50% fewer people knew about the upcoming Modern Warfare 2. GamePlan head Nick Williams remarked that "in other words, the Call of Duty brand association essentially doubles the awareness for the game."
Is this for real? I mean are people genuinely confused about what Modern Warfare 2 is? Every week I read stories that leave me questioning not only myself but all of mankind, and this is one of those stories. Not only am I disappointed that this might be real, but I'm also pretty let down that Activision and Infinity Ward didn't do a survey like this BEFORE deciding to drop the Call of Duty moniker in the first place. I mean what company cuts their target audience in half without thinking that it might have a negative financial effect? Now granted this survey doesn't necessarily lend itself to the proposition that GamePlan jumps to, and there is just as good a chance that the people who took this survey are not game journalists, or frequent video game website visitors so they just haven't been caught in the deluge of Modern Warfare 2 advertisements yet. I am going to go out on a limb and say that by October, once the hard sell is in full effect, this survey could be done a second time and that number might be closer to 75 – 80% as opposed to the current 50%.
Assistance, Consulting and Administration is Coming Immersion Software is currently in production of a wrestling game featuring the stars of the Mexican Lucha Libre promotion AAA. The game is scheduled for a late 2009 or early 2010 release on the PS3 and Xbox 360, with a Wii, DS and PSP release sometime thereafter.
If you want to check out the trailer for this game you can find it posted in the Viewing Room section. AAA is one of those promotions that you hear about a lot when you travel in wrestling circles, but you very rarely get to see. I know when I lived down in Florida we used to get a channel that would broadcast AAA on a regular basis and I would try to catch it as much as possible. The best way to describe the promotion would be to say that everyone is very colorful, and Konnan plays (or played) a prominent role or at least he appeared to be, I speak very little Spanish. I'm a supporter of this idea though; more wrestling games can only make the current product better. Of course I would hope that the developers take a look at what TNA did with the Impact game and then do the exact opposite. We want a large roster, with plenty of CAW space, a storyline mode that allows us to play as any number of characters (not a video game created character that five months later becomes a member of the active roster), and each guy should have their own move set. I also expect a lot of colorful masks and facepaint, La Parka, Konnan, and you must under any circumstance include the MINIS! That's right folks, AAA has midget wrestling, and if that's not worth at least a rental I don't know what is. Now that we've got that out of the way this will most likely be the last you hear about this game until Christmas when we start hearing rumblings about it's imminent release.
Crackdown intact While Crackdown 2 is being handled by Ruffian Games and not the original developer Realtime Worlds fans of the series should not be alarmed as more then half of the group working on Crackdown 2 came over to Ruffian from Realtime to work on the project.
This story should come with the subtitle – it's a slow news week. I wanted to mention it because there were rumblings in some corners of these internets about Crackdown 2 being handled by a new team, and the potential that the game would not be of the same quality as the original. I hope this clears up any confusion that people were having. While it probably wasn't the best for Realtime Worlds, who maintain that they felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under them on Crackdown 2, it should be good news to Crackdown fans who can't wait to return to Pacific City.
XBLA and Classic FPS Croteam is reportedly working on a HD remake of the classic first person shooter Serious Sam for the Xbox Live Arcade.
It is now apparent that if you're a classic 3D first person shooter you will be remade on the Xbox Live Arcade at some point. We've already got Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, and Duke Nukem 3D and now here comes Serious Sam. One thing about all of the FPS games that came out during this period is that they were essentially interchangeable. I mean each had their own personality, but it was tough to distinguish exactly where one game ended and the other began. With that in mind it's tough for me to remember exactly how much time I spent with Serious Sam, but just seeing the picture below brought back a wealth of memories which leads me to believe that it was substantial. Either way it's fun to see all of these updated versions of games I got tired of 10 years ago making a come back so that I can spend my money and time on them once again.
Full Disclosure Round 4 Team Xbox is reporting that players have noticed a bug with Fight Night Round 4 that causes that Xbox to inexplicably freeze causing players to have to manually turn off their console.
The problem with doing this column is that this news item started showing up around 4:15 PM on Thursday afternoon, but the column won't go live until midnight. During the interim EA may very well solve the freezing problem (doubtful since a similar issue effected the demo) leaving this item out in the cold. However, since I love Fight Night Round 4, and since this hasn't happened to me yet I thought it was only fair that I report on it to not look like a complete EA apologist. I am not sure what the problem might be here but I hope that EA can figure it out because I'd hate for this to happen to me while I'm punching James Toney in the head with Mike Tyson.
The Viewing Room
It's the debut trailer for the AAA video game.
This is the third (and least funny) installment of Jack Black's "Brutal Thoughts" as the hype machine for "Brutal Legend" hits full stride.
I'm not necessarily thrilled with the idea of plugging a Transformer's: Revenge of the Fallen game, but it's a slow week and the seamless way that Bubblebee transforms makes me wish I could trust this to be anything other then a cut scene/CGI trailer.
Soy:I'd definitely get Broken Steel for Fallout 3 - enough to do (not to mention higher level cap) that it's well worth the $10. Haven't gotten The Pitt or Operation: Anchorage yet, though.
Soy you get to bat lead off this week because you happen to catch me during a phase where I love Fallout 3. Over the past week I picked up all the DLC for Fallout 3, including Point Lookout and I intend on making my feelings known about all of the DLC as soon as I finish it all up (including an official review of Point Lookout).
Jake G:Again, this goes back to definitions, whereas I think of bands like Zepplin, and the Rolling Stones when I think of rock and roll music from that era...
There is nearly a 10 year difference between when the Beatles started and when Zepplin started. By the time Zepplin was starting into rock, Beatles were going into harder rock than they were before.
The Beatles early 60's rock sounds just like all the other early 60's rock. Comparing them to a band that hit it big in the 70's is like comparing Hoobastank to Beethoven. Different eras had different sounds for what is generally considered the same genre of music.
When every major music industry, body, artist, etc consider the Beatles ROCK, then you're wrong. It's okay to have a different opinion, but you can't have a different opinion to fact.
Other than that, good article.
I am intentionally not touching the Beatles issue anymore because I think I did enough last week to justify my position. My problem Jake is with your claim that "you can't have a different opinion to fact" as if fact is established by a group of "major music industry, body, artist, etc." coming to some sort of agreement (which we can agree to disagree actually exists). It's ok that you love the Beatles, and it's ok that you think they're a rock and roll band – they do not fit the mold in my mind, but then again we live in a world where KISS is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but both Madonna and Run DMC are. The group of people that you point towards to support your Beatles as rock and roll is fact theory, are the same people who think Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five should be in the same wing of a museum as Pink Floyd.
wlighter:With regards to The Beatles being a boy band comment, i think it not only has to do with how you define a rock n' roll band but how you define a boy band as well. when i think boy band, i think backstreet boys and the like, not the beatles. group of guys singing and dancing as opposed to guys playing their own instruments.
I'm only mentioning this comment so that I could give a shout out to the TFC Princess who always gets upset with Rascal Flatts who she believes is a boy band, and I try to explain to her that they are an actual band, whether or not they sing in a high tone and frost their hair. When I throw around the "boy band" label I don't mean it to mean a group of non talented marginally attractive teenagers who might dance and lip sync. I meant it more along the lines of a non offensive, female audience directed, band. Whether or not they play instruments is really immaterial to that definition and I guess in this line of reasoning, The Beatles really were the Rascal Flatts of the 1960's. I guess we can anticipate Joe Don and the Flatts to come out against the US policy in Afghanistan any day now.
Byzdalmyt:I think the only DLC I've bought has been: Soul Calibur 4 for Vader, SW Force Unleashed character "skin" packs, and SvR 2009's first roster pack.
Hey look at that someone who actually answered the question of the week. I don't have Soul Calibur 4 so I doubt I'll be picking that particular DLC up, and I actually don't have Force Unleashed either so it's all a wash in the end. I avoided the Smackdown v. Raw 2009 DLC pack because it came really late, and by the time it was released I had already had my fair shake of SvR09 so there was little incentive for me to pick the game up just so that I could play as Ted DiBiase Jr.
I guess you must be suffering from a case of amnesia or something. Clearly, you do not remember that the only game that was really worth buying on the original Xbox was Halo and Halo 2. That was the main reason people bought that console.
So, Sony CAN put all their eggs into one basket (like Microsoft) and they can come out the better for it. Hell, they COULD just copy Microsoft this generation and release PS4 in a year or two. *shrugs*
Pride is a funny thing, and it seems that Microsoft fanboys have pride for possibly (more than likely) finishing in second place. It doesn't seem that the 360 will EVER catch the Wii, but I guess fanboys are just concerned about Sony. *shrugs*
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 12:19 AM
That Mexican wrestling game reminded me of the old N64 games for some reason - just the look and animation of them. We'll have to see how it performs.
Posted By: Rod Oracheski (Registered) on June 26, 2009 at 12:24 AM
David,
So, basically, you're saying that there were no good third-party games on the 360, right? My roommates and I burnt more hours playing NFL 2K5 than we did either Halo game, plus there was Ninja Gaiden, the Splinter Cell series, the Burnout series, and the GTA games. You're telling me that if the EA and 2K sports games, Ninja Gaiden, Burnout, Splinter Cell, GTA, and Manhunt had never come to the Xbox, it would've survived?
Pride is in fact a funny thing, and it seems that Sony fanboys have pride for possibly (more than likely) finishing in third place. It doesn't seem that the PS3 will EVER catch the Wii or the 360, but I guess fanboys are just content with being the best game system last generation (and that's only because Sega screwed the pooch). *shrugs*
Posted By: Wyatt Beougher (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 01:26 AM
Joe,
I read this somewhere and thought it was good advice
"Trolls should be ignored. Do not feed the troll...."
Posted By: TWilliams (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 02:35 AM
Wyatt,
Well, Halo 1 and 2 were the only games that caused the majority of people to buy an Xbox. What you are mentioning is niche games that didn't really move consoles like Halo 1 or 2. If it wasn't for those games, it would be very difficult for anyone to actually back them coming into this generation.
Posted By: Guest#0437 (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 03:48 AM
Joe,
My comment was in response to what your argument against Drew's point...
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 03:52 AM
'Pride is a funny thing, and it seems that Microsoft fanboys have pride for possibly (more than likely) finishing in second place. It doesn't seem that the 360 will EVER catch the Wii, but I guess fanboys are just concerned about Sony. *shrugs* "
Dave, you really don't have the right to call anybody a fanboy, all things considering. How can you be upset with Microsoft fans for beign happy their console is doing well, when you latched onto the PS3 like a teet, and haven't let go since?
Posted By: Todd Vote (Registered) on June 26, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Guest#0437,
Niche games? Really? I mentioned some of the best-selling series of all time (Madden/2K sports, GTA) which did HUGE numbers on the XBox, and you're calling them niche games? I bought an Xbox because I was tired of inordinately long load times on the PS2, not to play Halo or Halo 2, and, not unlike the Wii two years ago, had I not had an aunt who manages a Wal-Mart, I wouldn't have been able to get an XBox during the initial launch season. That tells me that people were buying the systems without ever having played Halo. I myself bought Dead Or Alive and NFL 2K1 with my Xbox, and didn't pick up Halo until about six months before Halo 2 came out, when it was a Platinum Hit and only $20. In that same time frame, I'd bought NFL 2K2 and 2K3, Splinter Cell, and a handful of other games as well.
Now, I realize that I'm in the minority, but do you realize that you are spouting hyperbole, or do you not realize how exaggerated your claims are?
And, just for argument's sake, if Halo 1 and 2 were the system movers, how much better than MGS4 must they be, because it's the only system mover on PS3?
Posted By: Wyatt Beougher (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I admitted as much to being wrong in the comments section.
Posted By: Drew Robbins (Registered) on June 26, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Todd,
Name one good reason that I should favor the 360 more than the PS3? I can name multiple reason why I think the PS3 is superior to the 360.
#1 Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 4 are exclusive to Sony systems and the PS3 (respectively).
#2 My 360 leads all consoles I've owned with the most hardware failures (2-DVD drive dying after 8 month and RROD a few months after that).
#3 Free online play. No fee. No playing one less game a year (that is about the cost of a year of XBL).
#4 I love the feel of the Dualshock 3. Actually, I love the feel of every Sony controller. They initially reminded me of SNES controller, and it went on from there.
#5 If I want to play a Disgaea game, I need a PSP, PS2, or PS3.
#6 If I prefer the PS3, that is my own opinion. I could go on and name more reasons, if you really want that.
Do you even understand the damn term fanboy? If I was such a fanboy, I wouldn't own an Xbox, Xbox 360, N64, Gamecube, Wii, GBA SP, or DS. Frankly, I buy whatever game I want to buy....
I would have to kiss a good chunk of my gaming collection good buy. Hell, I give Microsoft a fair shake. You have NO idea. However, I realize what they represent. They represent a company that release a failure prone product to be first to the market.
You know what that brought them? A second place finish. Hell, the 360 isn't even superior to a suped up Gamecube. That suped up Gamecube may get Netflix (it may not), and the man your defending couldn't even figure out WHY Netflix would ever think about bring their services to the #1 selling console week-in, week-out.
So, you need to take a hard long look about who you are defending, then come back here and try to shovel that same garbage. Because, I gave you some reasons why I prefer the PS3 over the 360.
Do you have any argument to sway my judgement, or are you just going to sit their with your fanboy defense?
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Dave 'Man Crush' Redkey takes cherrypicking to a new level. I said that 'GIVEN THEIR RECENT FOCUS ON HD MATERIAL' it made little sense to move to the Wii.
You're a special little guy, Dave. The only person I've had to block on multiple e-mail, forum accounts, and now on PSN. Get a life already.
Posted By: Rod Oracheski (Registered) on June 26, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Wait, David, just checking your logic here...how is the Metal Gear Solid franchise exclusive to Sony? The franchise is primarily Sony but it has certainly dipped into other consoles, such as the Gamecube, and recently, the 360.
Posted By: Drew Robbins (Registered) on June 26, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Well Dave, I have no reason to defend the Xbox 360. To me a fanboy is someone who blindly defends a console and refuses to admit when they have a problem. I'm not defending the xbox by any means, as I know for a fact it is a very badly put together machine, I've said this many times. But that doesn't make your blind defense of all things Sony any less fanboyish.
I just think it's annoying when the pot calls the kettle black, thats all. I'm not against the PS3, far from it. It's been well documented that my decision to go with the Xbox over the PS3 was strictly based on games available, and price. Nothing more.
Your rant was fanboyish, because not only did you not address the subject Joe references, (whether or not losing Activision will hurt them) you simply started throwing a bunch of matter of opinion BS out to defend your console of choice. Then choose to attack the Xbox owners simply because they are happy being in second place this generation. Meanwhile blindly supporting your console, never owning up to any of Sony's bone-head decisions. If you prefer the PS3, good for you, but don't come in with blinders on like Sony can do no wrong. Sony, as a video game company, has gotten arrogant, and they are constantly shooting themselves in the foot. Sure they may ultimately have the better gaming system, but what good is that if they won't make certain concessions to get the product out in the market?
To me, that makes a fanboy, and that is you down to the T, David. But let's not forget that you are also of the mind that you are absolutely never wrong, and I guess all this goes in one ear and out the other for you, doesn't it?
Posted By: Todd Vote (Registered) on June 26, 2009 at 02:25 PM
"I don't know a single person still playing Saint's Row 2.."
Well, I bought mine way back in October & it's still sealed, as I just beat SR1 a few weeks ago. Got to love the backlog bug! The statistics show I put 60hrs into that damn game. One would think I would now be ready to finally crack the cellophane on SR2, but now I want to finish Crackdown!
I was very excited to see the Crackdown 2 teaser at E3 & now motivated to jump back in and beat that final gang (I think it's the Triad or whatever).
Also, I seen the AAA trailer earlier this week & as a long time wrestling game fan, I am very hopeful on this title. The brief gameplay glimpses have that AKI (VPW/Revenge/No Mercy) look to it. After the disappointing new engine attempts by TNA iMPACT & Legends of Wrestlemania, I hope this game puts them all to shame. I don't know where the developer is from or what they've worked on before, but how great would it be for them to outdo Yukes or even Spike (that hasn't done shit since FPR)
Final note, I just rented FN4 due to all of the mixed complaints on various messsage boards. I was going to grab it new, but these days with being older & having less time, patience, as well as extra income (real money, not credit card money) I like to make sure I try before I buy. I use to always bust my ass to get the latest title when it came out, whether I had the time or money to play it. That creates the backlog bug.
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 02:57 PM
" We want a large roster, with plenty of CAW space, a storyline mode that allows us to play as any number of characters (not a video game created character that five months later becomes a member of the active roster), and each guy should have their own move set. I also expect a lot of colorful masks and facepaint, La Parka, Konnan, and you must under any circumstance include the MINIS! "
Can we also want the option to have menus in English? Granted Spanish will probably be easier to figure out than Japanese, but it would be nice if they give you a language option. (flashes back to huge 60 page binder with the King of Colosseum translation FAQ...)
Posted By: Byzdalmyt (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 03:02 PM
"Wait, David, just checking your logic here...how is the Metal Gear Solid franchise exclusive to Sony? The franchise is primarily Sony but it has certainly dipped into other consoles, such as the Gamecube, and recently, the 360."
Since Kojima said he isn't working on MGSR and it's coming to 360. David can't seem to persuade himself to count it as a real MGS game.
Posted By: Guest#0728 (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 04:20 PM
"Do you even understand the damn term fanboy? If I was such a fanboy, I wouldn't own an Xbox, Xbox 360, N64, Gamecube, Wii, GBA SP, or DS. Frankly, I buy whatever game I want to buy...."
Just getting upset and bringing up all the systems you own makes me think you're a fanboy. You call ppl trolls and try to belittle them when they're on the other column defending why they prefer 360, but here you are on a 360 column defending why you prefer PS3. Not only does that make you a fanboy. It also makes you a hypocrite
Posted By: TWilliams (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 05:28 PM
*MAJOR FACE PALM*
You guys seriously lack reading comprehension. You all need to go back to grammar school. I can't really help you there because I laid it out as plain as day (that goes for you as well Drew).
Todd,
WHEN have I ever showed blind defense for ANYTHING Sony? I am the first person that admits its faults. Hell, I'm the first person that will go on and on about what they are doing wrong. So, you have a funny ability to take what Rod says as gospel. He loves twisting the truth around to fit his own ends...as he clearly states right after me.
This bloke is the person that E-MAILS MY PERSONAL e-mail to talk crap. He actually spams my personal gmail account. We get into an argument, and he blocks me. Well, I'm glad he isn't e-mailing me anymore. It is all about the little victories, I guess.
I can actually picture him as an organ grinder and you dancing in a little monkey suit. So, why don't you try to alleviate that perception, huh? That will go a long way.
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 26, 2009 at 10:26 PM
I'm a toolbag, and I like sticking my dick in my PS3
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 27, 2009 at 01:08 AM
"He loves twisting the truth around to fit his own ends...as he clearly states right after me."
Taking the snippet you pulled from what I said and putting it into the greater context of what I ACTUALLY said...that's twisting the "truth" now?
Oh, my bad. I forgot only Redkey knows the 'truth' in the world lol.
Posted By: Rod Oracheski (Registered) on June 27, 2009 at 12:56 PM
It is nice for you to admit the truth, intentionally or not. That is a big step, my friend.
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 27, 2009 at 04:33 PM
"You guys seriously lack reading comprehension. You all need to go back to grammar school. I can't really help you there because I laid it out as plain as day (that goes for you as well Drew)."
I've read all the comments and I don't see any of them asking you to list your reasons why you favor the PS3 over 360.
So what if the 360 fans are happy to be in 2nd. Only jealous people let things like that get to them. Bet you wouldn't have anything to say if those places were reversed.
Posted By: Guest#9750 (Guest) on June 27, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Guest#9750,
If the Playstation suffered the same level of failures, you bet your ass I would have some choice word against Sony.
For someone that quotes my text, it seems you do not understand the reason behind my statement. I'm not going to explain it for the umpteenth time; so, you are on your own, my friend.
If that is too cryptic for you, I would suggest asking a parent or another adult for assistance. They will will, hopefully, be glad to help you.
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 28, 2009 at 01:04 AM
Sure thing Dave, you stay classy. Where did you get that I listen to Rod, exactly? Oh yeah, thats right, Redkey was put in his place so he has to start fabricating false truths and, twisting shit.
There ya go, that was from Rod. Hate to make you look like a liar. Stay Classy Dave
Posted By: Todd Vote (Registered) on June 29, 2009 at 11:21 AM
The amount of immature "fanboy" and "troll" name calling has gotten SO out out of hand. WHO THE HELL CARES WHAT SYSTEM YOU PREFER. This is a gaming section, which is going to emcompass ALL areas of gaming. If you don't like the 360, or the Wii, THEN DON'T READ THE ARTICLES THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO THEM.
Look, I only own a PS3, and I'm content with that, and I know they're messing up, and because of that people aren't getting to see how great of a system it is.
Take that sentence I just wrote and interchange ANY of the three systems, and it would still make sense, Wii with its not so great online support, and weak HD support, 360 with its hardware flaws and Sony with its pricing. ALL THREE CONSOLES HAVE THEIR FLAWS.
People, my point is grow the fuck up. You have a preference? That's great, but don't bash the fans of other systems, what the hell does that accomplish besides making you look like a tool.
And finally, to the writers here at 411mania, guys, the people that rag on you keep coming in week-in and week-out to read your articles, and comment to get a rise out of you, just do they can see more of your writing style, don't drop to their level with simple name-calling, let it go, and move on with your great columns.
Posted By: Gambit_9166 (Guest) on June 29, 2009 at 06:29 PM
"If the Playstation suffered the same level of failures, you bet your ass I would have some choice word against Sony."
For someone that thinks they know everything. Maybe you should go ask a parent or another adult for assistance because I was talking about you having a problem with 360 fans happy about being in 2nd.
Posted By: Guest#6422 (Guest) on June 29, 2009 at 11:04 PM
#6422,
You said I wouldn't say anything if the places were reversed, I gave you my answer, and then you try to act like you the ability to comprehend english. So, I guess you tried to be an ass, but you look like an idiot instead.
BRAVO!
*slow clap*
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 30, 2009 at 06:29 AM
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