Living LIVE News Report 06.06.11
Posted by Trace Aber on 06.06.2011
News and thoughts the Call of Duty subscription service, Metal Gear Solid coming to the Xbox, an announcement regarding L.A. Noire's DLC, a Kinect-enabled Mass Effect 3, Esoterica America takes the Indie Spotlight and more!
Welcome everyone to another issue of the Living LIVE News Report, and as always, I'm your host for the evening, Trace Aber.
Call of Duty Elite Announced, Detailed
Over the last couple of years rumors have been running wild that Activision will introduce a subscription-based service in order to play their massively popular Call of Duty series. These rumors persisted even though Activision made promise after promise that players will never have to pay to simply play, and thus far that promise has held true.
On November 8, 2011, the latest in the series, Modern Warfare 3, will be released and with it an optional subscription service called Elite, a PC and mobile service that allows players to track their stats, win prizes and form social groups across the Call of Duty franchise. The keyword is optional, though those not interested will still be able to benefit from some of the service's features.
Since Elite has more testing to go through, with an official beta starting up this summer (join the beta here), so it's not set in stone what will be free and what you'll have to pay for. One of the big advantages of joining Elite is that you'll never have to pay for DLC again, assuming you're a member. Other features include in-depth stat tracking, social-networking options to create groups and clans based off your interests, and a multitude of competitions to compete in for prizes and giveaways.
We expect to hear more from the service, possibly at E3, but for now it looks like a way for Actvision to make a bit more money from the Call of Duty service without taking anything away from the base game, which will still be free to play. Hardcore players will likely love this, being able to track their stats to the most minute detail, which promises to "transcend expectations of websites for multiplayer video games." Hopefully we'll know exactly what is free and what isn't, plus the price, in the coming weeks.
Random News and Notes
Konami announced last week that both Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders will be getting HD compilation releases and that both will be available on the Xbox 360! The MGS pack will include Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker along with remastered audio and achievements. The ZOE pack will include Zone of the Enders and Zone of the Enders 2, with the same bells and whistles. Rumor has it Konami is also working on a Silent Hill compilation pack. I love these packs, though it's a shame we won't be seeing the original Metal Gear Solid in HD.
CD Projekt has confirmed that PC title The Witcher 2 will be released on the Xbox 360 this year, with absolutely zero drop in quality, and will feature improvements to make it run as smooth as possible.
Some of the older readers might remember how great the side-scroller Rayman was, as I certainly do. Well, good news! XBLA will be getting another Rayman game in the form of Rayman Origins this holiday season! The game is expected to be at E3, so more details to follow.
The box art for the highly anticipated Mass Effect 3 was released on EA's Online Store a bit prematurely last week. Nothing too exciting except for the one sentence at the top of the box: Better with Kinect. Nobody seems to know what it means for sure, but it could mean being able to issue out commands by speaking aloud and waving your hands. Expect more information at E3.
Downloadable content for L.A. Noire has been announced by Rockstar, as well as an all-in-one pass for those planning on picking everything up. Already available is The Naked City" DLC case (320MP), "A Slip of The Tongue" DLC case (320MP), Broderick Detective Suit and Gun (80MP), Sharpshooter Detective Suit and Gun (80MP), The Badge Pursuit Challenge (160MP), and Chicago Piano Machine Gun (free community unlock). These were the pre-order bonuses. June 21 will see "Nicholson Electroplating Disaster" DLC case for 320MP and "Reefer Madness" DLC case on July 12, also 320MP. If you plan on getting everything, you can pick up the L.A. Noire Rockstar Pass for 800MP, which saves you about half if you didn't preorder the game.
The Digital Downloads Games on Demand
Motionsports: Play for Real ($49.99)
Fighters Uncaged ($49.99)
The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout ($49.99)
Overlord II ($24.99)
Esoterica America (240MP)
I'm a sucker for any game that tries to be different, and Esoterica America fits that bill perfectly, and despite a few control issues, the game seems to have enough intrigue and a strong concept to keep players interested.
EA starts off in a dream where your father discusses the importance of the stars and how they affect our lives. You wake up from your dream with your mother yelling for you that it's time to get up, which like any good RPG means it's time to start your adventure. The game begins on your birthday and with a conversation involving your mother, who gives you a book written by your deceased father entitled, you guessed it, Esoterica America. Shortly afterwards you gaze into a crystal ball and talk to some higher life forms, who take you to another plane of existence, one where physical boundaries do not apply.
You then embark on a journey that involves secret societies, esoteric literature, chakras and personal enlightenment while trying to uncover the location of your father. Your father's book acts as your inventory and gives you hints throughout. The game does have its fair share of cut scenes, which are acted out decently enough for an indie game. Everything plays from an overhead angle and despite the sometimes clunky controls the game looks great. It's a very unique art style and the game explores various themes and ideas throughout.
Esoterica America is not the most action packed game, but it is a very unique game. It's story-driven, something you don't see that often on the indie channel, and dares to try something different. This may be more of a niche title, but I apparently fit into that niche and suggest that everyone gives it a try. Rating: 8.0
Signing Out
That does it for me this week. Be sure to check back next week as we discuss all of the latest Xbox 360 news, including releases, rumors and reviews! Also, don't forget to bookmark 411Mania! And a note to all of the Indie Game developers out there – if you have an upcoming title that's going to be released soon drop me a line at traceaber@gmail.com and let me know. I'll write a full review of your game to be posted on 411Mania.com, which is a great way to get your game promoted!
The reason you will not see MGS on 360 has everything to do with it being re-released on PSN. Therefore, the license is still active. I guess the license for Peace Walker ran out pretty quickly.
Posted By: Guest#8329 (Guest) on June 08, 2011 at 01:41 AM
"The reason you will not see MGS on 360 has everything to do with it being re-released on PSN. Therefore, the license is still active. I guess the license for Peace Walker ran out pretty quickly."
Kojima said they didn't remake it because of its age. They couldn't just swap in higher res textures and call it a day because of the really low poly models. He wants to remake it and edit some story things to make the continuity fit again but says it would take too much time to do right now.
Posted By: lol (Guest) on June 12, 2011 at 11:10 PM
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