The Select and Start News Report: 03.05.07
Posted by Vincent Chiucchi on 03.05.2007
Konami creates a time paradox causing positive Sony news which makes me keep playing Guitar Hero II forcing the WSVG to end.
Welcome to The Select and Start News Report, where shares went down another 75 points today. So unless down means up and 75 means 200, I'm screwed. Also, mark March 9th on your calenders everyone: That's when on Celebrity Deathmatch, it'll be Dave Chappelle vs. Carlos Mencia. It'll sort of ease the pain of Wrestling Society X about to be canceled and TNA screwing themselves.
Big News
METAL GEAR GOES OFFLINE, CREATING A TIME PARADOX [credit: 1UP, GameSpy]
Enjoy your days of playing Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence online as much as you can, because Konami announced (in what some might describe as "earth-shattering") that the online support for the game will cease April 2nd. The following was on Konami's site:
The last day of online service for Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence in North America will be April 2nd. Konami sincerely thanks all of the Subsistence online community for their dedication to the game and support of the Metal Gear Solid series. The Metal Gear online tradition of stealth, action and team play continues on the PSP system with Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops with all-new characters, levels and modes of play - don't miss this incredible evolution of Metal Gear Online.
No online play huh? Well then that pretty much kills this game. And too bad, because it isn't like Metal Gear Solid is one of the best single player games to play and any chance of a sequel coming within the year to make up for this is just slim to none.
THE POSITIVE SONY NEWS REPORT [credit: GameDaily, Gamasutra, Kotaku]
It seems that a week couldn't go by without Sony making negative news for themselves. But this week, we FINALLY have some positive news to report about Sony! Yes, you've read that right: POSITIVE SONY NEWS.
The first positive news of the day comes from the disagreements between Sony and Immersion. They weren't getting along due to the lawsuits over the rumble feature and is mainly the reason the PS3 controller has no rumble. But guess what? Sony and Immersion have kissed and made up!
Immersion will receive the amount of the judgment entered by the District Court, which includes damages, pre-judgment interest, costs, and interest, in addition to retaining compulsory license fees ordered by the District Court which were already paid.
The new arrangement will also give SCE rights "with respect to Immersion's patent portfolio," most likely referring specifically to its previously touted "TouchSense" technology which can support both vibration and gyroscopic movement in tandem -- long held by Sony as the reason vibration was removed from the SIXAXIS.
The agreement will also see Sony paying Immersion twelve quarterly payments of $1.875 million each, beginning next month, totaling $22.5 million, along with other fees and royalties. Immersion, along with the rights to its patents, will agree to no further suits against Sony.
"We are pleased to have put this litigation behind us," said Immersion CEO Victor Viegas.
Even though nothing was mentioned about future PS3 controllers having the rumble feature, it's nice to see something going Sony's way for once. And on to Part Two of the Positive Sony News, which actually begins negatively for Sony.
It started when Kotaku was going to post a rumor story about how a possible new technology called the Playstation Home, PS3's somewhat blending of Mii and achievements. Sony told Kotaku not to publish this story, and if they did, Kotaku would be blackballed from the company, losing their debug PS3 ad unable to attend official Sony meetings. Kotaku posted the story, Sony blackballed them. Kotaku decided to post the e-mail given to them and the internet was said to have "imploded".
BUT WAIT! DON'T SEND YOUR ANGRY E-MAILS AND CEASE YOUR FORUM RANTINGS! Sony and Kotaku quickly made-up and resolved their differences! The story is still posted, Kotaku is no longer blackballed from the company, and everyone can continue doing their jobs like nothing happened.
Good to see Sony doing something right for a change. Or, actually, do something wrong but making up for it.
THE PLAYSTATION 3 EUROPEAN LAUNCH REPORT [credit: CVG, Gamasutra, GameSpy, GameDaily]
March 23rd is the launch day for the PS3 in Europe (if anybody over there still cares). Here's the latest info:
-Sony president Phil Harrison says there will be "over 1,000" (what, 1000?!) PS2 titles that will be backwards compatible with the PAL version of the PS3. This news comes after Sony announced they'll be using a software emulation (like Xbox 360) rather then the emotion engine for PAL PS2 games. Even though it also means lower manufacturing costs, there's no official word on a price reduction.
-Sony revealed the following titles will be available on the Playstation Network: Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection for £6.99, Blast Factor for £3.49, and the free Gran Turismo HD will come out March 23rd. Super Rub a Dub will be released on March 30th, followed by flOw on April 6th, Go! Sudoku on April 13th and Go! Puzzle on April 20th.
-The pricing for the PS3 games will be ˆ59.99/£39.99 ($79/$78), which is the same price as games for the Wii. PS3 games will also cost the same as Wii games in Australia and New Zealand. The pricing however is based on first-party games at launch only, so it could change down the line.
Meanwhile, back in North America, According to CEO Jack Tretton, Sony will have two million PS3's shipped in North America by the end of March and that the shortages at retail (what shortages?) will be completely alleviated by this May. Sony is also keeping their worldwide target at 6 million.
LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN [credit: GameSpot, GameDaily]
While Take-Two is settling their lawsuits and money losses (of $185 million), Rockstar has begun the countdown for the first trailer of Grand Theft Auto IV. The site has a timer which if I'm right, the trailer will start at March 29th, 6PM Eastern Standard Time if daylights saving doesn't interfere.
The only thing known about this game is that it uses the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE) found in Table Tennis. Other then that, you'll have to stay tuned on that day.
Tidbit News
-Not only is there positive Sony news, but negative Nintendo news! According to an EA producer Eric Chartrand, Nintendo hasn't provided tools to third-party developers looking to utilize the Mii service in their games. [credit: 1UP]
-David Jaffe thinks that video game awards (specifically the IAA) should not be based on the Oscars just to make themselves look serious. I blame Spike TV for making games look like a joke. [credit: GameDaily]
-Game companies sure love to use that Unreal Engine 3; Capcom is now the latest company to license it. [credit: GameDaily, Gamasutra]
-Speaking of stuff to mark on your calenders, mark August 21st (24th if your European) as the release date of Irrational Games' Bioshock. [credit: GameSpot]
-Nintendo shares dropped 2.7% after the Japanese government has sold it's entire stake in the company...at the request of Nintendo? Nintendo officials says this is in order to increase the number of individual shareholders and to increase liquidity. [credit: Gamasutra]
-Think you can make a great MMOG? Then sign up for Dave Perry's "Top Secret" project, where the best designed MMO will be turned into a real game by Acclaim Entertainment. [credit: GameDaily]
-Australian MMO focused developer Micro Forté has announced that it has canceled development on long troubled MMORPG Citizen Zero, instead shifting its internal development efforts towards a "top secret spy-themed MMO." [credit: Gamasutra]
-Much like an aging Rocky Balboa, the Ready 2 Rumble Boxing franchise is coming back to the ring and is now being developed by 10tacles Studios. [credit: GameSpot]
The Other Crap
PROGESS GAMING This week's title: Guitar Hero II
*I was just sitting in my room trying to complete Trauma Center when my parents came into the room and they pulled up a chair and they sat down. I ask them what was wrong, and they said "We've been noticing you've been getting real frustrated in getting past chapter 6-7 because it's too cheap of a level, and we're worried you're going to toss that Wii remote and hurt someone. So we've decided it would be in your best interest to play Guitar Hero II instead." I was going to argue that they shouldn't decide what my best interest in what to play, but Guitar Hero II is actually FUN, so I decided to play that instead.
Guitar Hero II gets hard, but at least it happens on the HARD difficulty and I can make it through. I fucking love this game. I may never complete Trauma Center now.
*May not have happened exactly like this. In fact, it's supposed to be a reference to a Guitar Hero II song. Figure it out yourself.
THINGS I'VE LEARNED FROM MY WII
-A slight number of Americans prefer really cold temperatures over really hot temperatures. No wonder they're making a big deal out of Global Warming...it's because they'd rather want Nuclear Winter.
-In Trauma Center: Second Opinion, "Easy" is Hard, "Medium" is Difícilmente, and "Hard" is actually Duro. This game almost feels like a piece of Merda.
Guys who stuck me in an institution, said it was the only solution to give me the needed professional help to protect me from the enemy, myself
What? The games out now aren't good enough for you?
Well this was a weird week's worth of news. All that's left now is for the final tournament of the World Series of Video Games. Enjoy. World Series of Video Games - Counter Strike Finals
This week we see more familiar faces as Team 3D and Complexity from last year's Championship Gaming Invitational are here. Other teams involved are Pandemic, fnatic (from Sweden) and Alternate attax (from Germany). A total of ten teams have been partipating in the CS finals.
The rules are as follows
-Double Elimination
-Match is made up of two 15 round halves
-First team to win 16 rounds wins
-You win by either planting/defusing the bomb or killing everyone
The players from all the teams talk about the game and their strategies. The odds on favorite is Team 3D, but based on last years CGI, I'd say Complexity are the real favorites. Moto from Team 3D talks about what it's like to act as both a manager and a player for the team.
We go straight to the results of Round 2, where Team 3D defeated Pandemic 16 to 7. Team 3D took on fnatic and beated them 16 to 6. Alternate attax defeated SK Gaming and Hacker defeated Complexity (and this is why I don't gamble often), so it would be between those two teams. Alternate attax defeated Hacker Gaming and hope that they don't have to face fnatic. In the lower bracket, Pandemic eliminated Ninjas in Pajamas. Going into Round 4, it'll be Alt.Attax vs. Team 3D in the upper bracket, fnatic vs. SK Gaming and Hacker Gaming vs. Pandemic in the lower bracket.
It's time for Fatal1ty's "Tip of the Day" for Counter Strike. Sound is very important in the game. Listen carefully to where your opponent is coming from if you want to win easily.
We learn more about David "Moto" Geffon, who talks about how serious and strict his father was. When Moto started pro gaming during school, his father wanted him to quit but Dave kept on gaming. They wound up having a big fallout because of it.
Upper Bracket Round 4: Team 3D (Method, Rambo, ShaGuar, Sievers, Volcano) vs. Alt.Attax (CHEF-KOCH, Chucky, Kapio, Moon, Roman)
The terrorists are Team 3D.
Team 3D starts off by already planting the bomb and nobody is stopping them. Kapio from Alt.Attax is taking out the terrorists at the bomb site but once he's shot down Team 3D takes the first round. We jump ahead to where Alt.Attax is winning 10 to 8. What the hell? Team 3D is playing defensively. Attax finds where their hiding and after a round of fire it's down to a 1 on 1 where Team 3D picks up the win. We jump to Round 21 with the score tied. Attax reach the bomb site and Chucky plants the bomb. The last CT comes in but is shot down for the win. Attax would eventually lead 15 to 10 later in the match. We follow Attax as one is shot down and the rest run away. Attax reach the bomb site and plant it. Volcano is the last CT standing but he gets killed and Attax wins.
Also in Round 4, fnatic dominated SK Gaming and would go on to also defeat Pandemic. So now fnatic is going to face Team 3D to see who will face Alt.Attax in the finals.
Lower Bracket Finals: Team 3D vs. fnatic
Team 3D start as the terrorists.
Volcano has planted the bomb right away. ForestWow is taking out Team 3D and another player is shot down (but instead they're showing the team instead of the freaking game!) and fnatic picks up the first win. After 9 rounds fnatic is ahead 7-2. We start Round 10 with Team 3D moving slowly. Sievers is now charging in and they take out a hiding CT. Archi is shooting from a roof as dsn is on the ground but is killed. Method has planted the bomb as Shag finds Archi and shoots him off the roof. He finishes them off and Team makes 7-3. Later the score would be 12-9 with fnatic still in the lead. Team 3D is moving slowly in the stage. Volcano reaches the train area and wipes out fnatic ALL BY HIMSELF for the win. Team 3D was now suddenly winning 15-12. We start Round 28 with Team 3D as a firefight is breaking out. Each team is taking each other out and Team 3D emerges victorious.
Team 3D is going to face Attax again, but this time if Team 3D loses, they're gone. But first we see the "Play of the Day": Volcano as the one-man army beating fnatic by himself.
Final Match: Team 3D vs. Alt. Attax
We start with Attax taking out Team 3D one by one. The bomb has been planted by...someone as Sievers is the last player for his team. He goes for the bomb to defuse it (so apparently Team 3D are the CT. The WSVG does a really terrible job telling you what's going on compared to MLG). Team 3D is celebrating, but the bomb explodes! We see a replay and it seems he was less then a second away from defusing it when it exploded. HA! That was too funny. After 17 rounds Attax are winning 10-7. Hopefully they won't screw up by celebrating too early.
Off to Round 18, Alt. Attax has spread themselves out but wind up dead anyway. Round 19: grenades are flying from Team 3D. The fire fighting ceases as Team 3D is moving to the bomb site. Team 3D lob many grenades but Kapio takes out three of them. Volcano kills Kapio as Roman gets a jump boost from his friend to kill Volcano from a distance. Round 20: Sievers clears the bomb site for his team as Attax are trying to reach them. Moon and Method are the only ones left but the bomb explodes and the score is 11-9 Attax.
We jump to Round 27 with Attax winning 14-12. Roman is taking out Team 3D. Rambo has the bomb and is off to the site with Sievers. They kill the CT guarding the site and the bomb is planted. Attax charge in but are killed. We jump to Round 29 with the score at 14-14. Kapio kills a terrorist, ShaGuar kills a CT, then Kapio kills ShaGuar. Team 3D is slowly approaching Kapio, the only player left. Kapio hides himself well and is able to take out the remaining players to give his team the win. If Attax wins the next round it's all over for Team 3D. Round 30: Team 3D charge in all together, take out Chef Koch and plant the bomb. Team 3D is taking out the other Attax members and win the final round.
Now the game is going into overtime, where the first team to win 6 rounds wins the match
Overtime. Round 1: Both teams are waiting patiently for the others to take action. Attax toss a couple grenades and Team 3D starts moving to the bomb site and take out the Attax players guarding it. Team 3D plants the bomb as Chef tries to snipe them. The remaining Team 3D players have very low health and are taken out by Chef for the win. Round 2: Team 3D is killed off before they can reach the bomb site. After 5 rounds Attax is winning 4-1. Round 6: Team 3D is spread across the map at both of the bomb sites as Attax are gathered together. Chef tries to sneak kill them but only gets one down. ShaGuar has a sniper and is tossing grenades. Roman is the only player on his team but takes out the other Team 3D members to win it. Round 7: After some intense firefighting it's down to a 3 on 2. Kapio winds up as the last man left, but is able to kill Volcano and Sievers to win it all for Alternate Attax.
Alternate Attax walk away with $50,000 and Rolex watches.
The way WSVG showed this tournament was awful. Half the game is basically skipped, I don't have any idea what the maps are because I don't play this game, they don't say who the terrorists or counter-terrorists are before the match start, and overall, I have no idea what's going on. This series so far isn't exactly something I'd continue watching compared to CGI and especially MLG.
Speaking of the CGI, since the WSVG has wrapped up I'll finally get around to covering the two one-hour specials that aired during the Feb.10-11th weekend, where Fatal1ty is back once again as one of the co-hosts. Will it be just as good or worse then the first CGI? Find out over the next two weeks.
