B3yond the Report 06.10.08

Posted by Mark Salmela on 06.10.2008

There is a lot of cool stuff going down in the world of Sony. This week saw the unveiling of Afrika, as well as the first edition of interactive online magazine Qore. Check out news on these items as well as news on The Getaway 3, 8 Days, Saints Row 2, Soul Calibur 4, 360 versus PS3 failure rates, oh and Metal Gear Solid 4 comes out this week. Check it out when you go B3yond the Report!




Welcome back to another edition of B3yond the Report! I'm your host Mark Salmela and this week we've got quite the interesting stories to rant about. Oh who am I kidding? I'm just wasting time until I get to play MGS4 on Thursday. I am super pumped and can't wait to get my hands on it. Hell, I'm so pumped I've been writing a 5 week long special about the history of MGS. My latest edition, which details Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater can be found here . I'll have the final part up tomorrow, which will discuss Portable Ops and MGS4. I will also be reviewing MGS4 for 411mania.com, and that should be up about a week from now *maybe more, depending on how long the game actually is and if my work schedule will stop being gay*. Any who, I need to stop pimping upcoming stuff, because I've got to do what I do best first…



Being possessed by Liquid Snake, it's B3yond the News of the Week~!

The wait is finally over



I believe the title of this article just summed it up perfectly. After nearly 4 years, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is finally being released into stores this week. After all of the rumors of MGS4 coming to the 360 and after the horrible PS3 launch, happy days are finally here. 21 years of Metal Gear Solid comes to a close this Thursday *as far as Solid Snake goes* and I can't express in words how much MGS has meant to me. I know that I've been attempting to do it in my specials for the past month now, but I am still unsure how to truly express my opinion on Metal Gear. It's just so perfect. Any who, I've already said just about everything that can be said about MGS4, and I'll save all of the details I know until part 5 of the MGS countdown which goes live tomorrow. But there are a few things that I'd like to mention.

While the regular Metal Gear Solid 4 is not region locked *meaning it will play on any PS3 although MGS4 is region specific for language* Metal Gear Online will be region locked. According to Konami you will only be able to play people who live in the same territory as you, meaning that Japanese players can not play Americans and vice versa. While this is disappointing to some I honestly do not care as I wasn't planning on playing people who don't speak my language anyways. I usually find it annoying when I'm in a room and everyone's talking in a different language. Then I usually say something stupid and get booted, but that's just me supporting my country *USA! USA! USA!*.

Also, to clarify the limitations put on reviewers by Konami last week; early reviewers of MGS4 are not allowed to talk about install times, length of cut scenes, number of environments, the opening cut scene, any product placement in the game, and a number of select story elements. Basically, this is Konami trying to protect gamers from spoilers. While I disagree that talking about install times is a spoiler, I do agree with the rest of their points. I would rather find out how many environments/levels MGS4 has on my own, I don't want to have it spoiled for me *only the first level takes place in the Middle East that we've been shown in trailers*. Also, while we know most of the product placement in the game *the energy drink, the iPod, playboy* I can imagine that there will be at least one or two cool product placement ads that we don't know about, and I'd also like to discover them on my own. I really enjoyed how little we knew about GTA4 right up until its release *barely anyone even saw the game in motion until about a week before its release*, so I want to know as little about MGS4 as possible. MGS4 puts players in control of Solid Snake and it's his last adventure? Terrific, that's all I need to know. Any who, this has still upset certain companies, as for example both the US IGN and EGM are holding off on their reviews of MGS4 until their embargoes are lifted. As for me, well I wasn't invited to the review party *a certain company definitely will not be getting B3yond the Christmas Cards this year*, so I'll have to wait until I get my hands on a copy until June 12th like everyone else. Hell, I've waited 4 years just like everyone else, what's another two days?


Excuse me Sir? I think we have some unfinished business that we need to take care of.

Credit: Konami


Details on Afrika have finally been revealed



After being teased for over 2 years, Sony has finally revealed Afrika to the world. Afrika will be putting gamers right into the wild Afrikan wilderness on a Safari adventure. In what I would best describe as Pokemon snap on the PS3, players will be able to drive around Afrika in their jeep attempting to take pictures of all the surrounding creatures. But unlike Pokemon snap, Afrika is not on rails. Players can go wherever they want, whenever they want. Players can go exploring both at night and at day. While judging from the trailer that animals can attack each other, players will not be able to hunt any animals, which I don't mind. Afrika looks to be a very relaxed and very fun game that doesn't need any violence created by the user. And boy must I say, holy crap does Afrika look amazing. This is what Sony promised PS3 games would look like. Both the animals and the environment look photorealistic, and this might be my new pick for the best looking video game ever *replacing GT5*. Besides going on a photo quest, gamers will be able to look at both videos and pictures of real life animals, making Afrika seem like something you'd find on National Geographic. The best part of all this is that Afrika will be released in Japan on August 29, and a worldwide release should be following shortly after. I've included a trailer below and I expect to hear more from this game at E3 next month.


Best looking Hippo's in a video game ever.

Credit: IGN


The Getaway and 8 Days have been cancelled



Some sad news came out of SCEE this week *Sony Europe*, as Sony's London Studio revealed that they have ceased production on two PS3 exclusives, The Getaway 3 and 8 Days. These two games were cancelled so Sony can move those programmers and developers onto finishing Home, which has been met with constant delays by Sony. While I've expressed my frustrations with Home and would rather actual games not be cancelled in favor of finishing Home, I don't think it's as big of a loss as I originally thought it would be. To be honest The Getaway 2 was pretty bad and we already have GTA4, which would have killed a lot of The Getaway 3's potential. And while I've heard that 8 Days was actually nearing completion, we honestly haven't seen anything from this game since the original CG *computer generated* trailer that was shown back in 2005. So while I'm mad that exclusive video games are being cancelled to work on Home, it doesn't appear as if any major video games are being cancelled. Now if Little Big Planet or Buzz for PS3 get cancelled in order to work on Home, then I'll get really pissed *and blow something up*. Also, for people who don't know Sony has come out since the original story and confirmed that these two titles are legit cancelled. Some people were quick to point out they were only "halted" and could have been restarted later, but Sony has already responded with a "nope, they're officially gone" response. Sorry.

Credit: Games Industry


PlayStation Store update for the week of June 5



Well it looks like all of my complaining has paid off. After bitching and moaning about the abortion that has been the PlayStation Store update for the past few weeks, Sony finally delivers a terrific PlayStation Store update. The highlight of the PlayStation Store update this week is the first edition of Qore, Sony's new online interactive magazine. For $2.99 an issue, or $24.99 for an annual subscription *13 issues plus a copy of Calling All Cars* Qore features in depth looks at upcoming PS3, PSP, and PS2 titles. Qore will have exclusive PS3 Beta's and demos, with the June issue containing a Beta key for users to get into the SOCOM Confrontation Beta. While some people are upset that Qore costs money, I don't really mind. Now this is just my opinion, but I believe everything that will be exclusive to Qore are things that normally wouldn't go up on the PSN. For example the WarHawk Beta wasn't available for regular PSN users, and if it wasn't for Qore I doubt the Confrontation Beta would have ever gone up for PSN users. I believe Qore will be for people like me who want to go beyond *pun* what typical PSN users get, and that's why it costs money. I highly doubt Qore will keep anything exclusive that is multiplatform. Like I doubt a demo for a game like NASCAR 09 would ever become exclusive for Qore members. So people should stop freaking out, because the PSN is still free.

But if you want more out of the experience, buy a subscription to Qore. It's basically a magazine that comes with cool demos and Beta's, except the magazine is entirely online based. The first issue has a ton of cool videos and features on games like Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, Secret Agent Clank, Afro Samurai, SOCOM Confrontation, and more. I also have no idea where the extra "13th" issue fits in, but I'd guess either a special E3 issue or a holiday issue, but these are all things that we'll have to wait and see. I'll update you on Qore news as it comes in, but for now I think it's pretty cool and worth the annual subscription fee *at least try out the June 2008 issue because it's worth $3*. The only problem I had with Qore was the advertisements. I will admit that they are short *you aren't forced to watch more than a 10 second ad at a time* but it is still annoying to know that I paid money for Qore and I still have to watch advertisements. I'm probably not as mad about it as most, but I will agree ads in Qore suck.

In addition to Qore the PlayStation Store update also features Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3. Commando 3 is a top-down shooter that originally came out on the NES but has since received a high-definition makeover. Commando 3 is a very fun game that I highly recommend users pick up if they enjoy NES top-down shooters. Commando 3 will be coming to the XBLA eventually, and I'm very surprised to see that a PSN version of a multiplatform title is out before the XBLA version. Also, NOVASTRIKE was released on the PSN, which is a shooter that I believe I'll be reviewing for 411mania sometime in the near future. So I'll save my impressions for NOVASTRIKE until the review *hopefully*. Demos were also put up for Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution, Battlefield: Bad Company, and NASCAR 09. Bad Company is ok, but with MGS4 coming out this month as well I recommend only picking up Bad Company if you have extra money and have beaten MGS4. The God of War 3 song came up for Guitar Hero 3, and it's ok. It's not bad, but it's not really good either. Finally, there were a bunch of videos, the Rock Band update, and a neat retro theme put up, which I recommend users check out. Good job Sony.

Credit: Sony



B3yond the tabloids!

Ben Heck has made a new controller for PS3, PS2, and PC users. This controller is for gamers who only have one hand, since otherwise they would not be able to use a standard video game controller. While it is quite expensive at $130, it offers a lot of customization options and is really the only option for gamers who are unfortunate enough to only be able to game with one hand. Anyone who's interested can find out more info here.

While I've been to this site before, I realize that I've never pimped its awesomeness before. AllPS3themes.com has hundreds of PS3 themes that users can download straight to their hard drives from their PS3 internet browser. I've personally downloaded over 20 awesome PS3 themes from the site, and while I may sound like a complete tool right now it really is worth checking out. Here's the link for users who want to access via their PC's, but everyone else can download straight from their PS3 at AllPS3themes.com. And once again while it will get me labeled as a 360 hater, it is wroth mentioning that most 360 themes cost money to download, while all PS3 themes are free and anyone can create and upload their own PS3 theme.

In some interesting news, we don't even have any details on BioShock 2 yet Take Two confirmed that their will be a BioShock 3. Take Two confirmed it when they stated that the BioShock movie will release around the same time as BioShock 3. When that is I have no clue.

Ever since Activision announced that there would be no Tony Hawk title this year so they could "reinvent" the franchise *I.E. give them time to rip off Skate*, rumors have been circulating that series creators Neversoft would be pulled from the franchise. Well rumors circulating from an interview by CVG hint that it may be Robomodo, a new development team at Activision, who've been given the responsibility of creating the next Tony Hawk game.

Just to clarify any rumors, there will be no PC version of Resident Evil 5. Capcom has also stated that the alleged racism of Resident Evil 5 has not had any affect what-so-ever on the game's development. To be honest I'm glad that it hasn't, because the alleged racism is complete crap. No one complained when Resident Evil 4 killed Hispanics? And they're in Africa; it's not going to be populated by Chinese.

LucasArts has finally confirmed that they will be downsizing the company, with up to 100 employees possibly being laid off. While LucasArts was quick to confirm that none of these employees were working on Star Wars: The Force Unleashed or Fracture, I still have to ask why did they need to downsize? As far as I know LucasArts is doing just fine *I bet Lego Indiana Jones sold pretty well*.

While one of the biggest news stories this week was about Tomonobu Itagaki quitting Tecmo and then filing a lawsuit against them, really none of it has to do with Sony. Apparently he's upset about a bonus while making DOA4 and Team Ninja just released Ninja Gaiden 2, both of which are 360 exclusives. Now while I think it would be cool to see Itagaki join Sony, I imagine he'll be working for Microsoft in no time. Itagaki has gone on record expressing disinterest for the PS3 in the past, so I doubt Sony would take him.

Command and Conquer 3: Red Alert for the PS3 has not been officially cancelled. While the title has been delayed *and production has halted on the PS3 version*, EA has confirmed that they will go back and finish the PS3 version once the 360 and PC versions have been completed.




B3yond the Cinema!



Here's the really cool looking trailer for Afrika. I don't know about you guys but I think the concept is cool. Then again I also liked Pokemon Snap.



Here's the new Saints Row 2 trailer. In it Saints Row directly attacks GTA4, which I must admit needed to be done. If Saint's Row is to have any chance against GTA4 they're going to need to go after it hard and try and make their game superior, no matter how much we know it won't be.



Here's a music video of God of War using the God of War song that just went up in Guitar Hero 3 this week. The song is ok, although I do like the music video.



Finally, here's some gameplay footage of the upcoming Soul Calibur 4. I'm sorry, but the PS3 version has Darth Vader as an exclusive, PS3 wins.



The One Man Water Cooler~!



This week I'd like to talk to everyone about the WNBA. Now when I was first told that their was a league that brought basketball back to its fundamentals, oooh boy did I ever take notice…

Wait… You mean I didn't get the new job to write the weekly WNBA column? Well screw that, those jock sniffing losers who can't dunk can kiss my ass. Who cares how much you can pass I bet no one in their league has ever even thrown a chair at the ref… Pffttt...

Basically I don't have a whole lot to say this week. I know last week I got on Sony's case again and ranted about how they need to get off their ass and make more games. Funny how two days after I wrote that Sony announced they cancelled The Getaway and 8 Days. Now I could go off on a tangent again about how stupid Sony is for cancelling two exclusive video games to finish the abortion that is Home, but I'm going to save it for another time. I don't have a whole lot to add right now to what I've already stated, and that's Sony will never win this generation's console wars without getting more exclusive games on shelves. If you want to read the rest of my argument from last week, here you go.

But what I have been doing a lot recently however is looking up old class photos and such. I know this is something personal that most of you don't care about but it's amazing to me how I can so easily recognize these people that I went to school with in Kindergarten and Preschool. I know I sound like a wimp saying it but damn if it doesn't make me happy looking back at the days of yesteryear. Hell, it is graduation season, maybe some of you guys should go looking for your old class photos, and maybe even contact some old friends. I think you'll be surprised at how many people you'll instantly remember. There are so many memories that are locked away that we don't even realize we remember until we see these visual cues like old class photos and yearbooks. I guess if I could leave one lasting impression on everyone this week it's to look back at your history. No matter how bad you may think your school career was, I bet looking back now you'll find more than a handful of memories that will put a smile on your face. I know it did for me.

Thanks for putting up with my little rant this week. Feel free to flame me for it, I just wanted to change up the discussion a little bit. I'll get back to the video game discussion now.



B3yond the Mail!



To big dan (Guest): I have no idea how much Ricky Gervais made for his appearance in GTA4, although I would assume it's not very much since all he does is provide a short stand-up routine at the comedy club.

To Rod Oracheski (Registered): That's not Roche's Full Circle banner huh? SHIZZAM bitches! Score one for the B3yond team!

To Sheldon (Guest): I find it really funny how every week my label switches between "PS3 fanboy" and "PS3 hater". Just take a quick look back at some of the comment sections for my older articles and you'll know what I mean. If I'm going to be labeled as something that's fine, but come on guys, at least be consistent. Either way, I'm still going to write the same way that I always have, and that's giving my opinion on the news stories. I've never promised an unbiased article, I just give my view on the news, whether it's good or bad for Sony.

To Toddo (Guest): The reason why I didn't list Alan Wake as a 360 exclusive last week is because we have no idea when the game is coming out. For all we know Wake has been cancelled. We've barely heard anything about the game and it was announced back in May 2005. As for Too Human that is a game that I missed, although to be fair I missed a bunch of PS3 games like Afrika as well. And the reason why I didn't list Ninja Gaiden 2 is because by the time the column went live Gaiden 2 was already on store shelves, and I was talking about games that have yet to be released. As for your question about PS3 hard drives, no they don't void your warranty, they differ in price *the most expensive ones costing up to $150 for 320 GB*, and more info can be found in my in depth look at changing out your PS3 hard drive which can be found here.

To Rod Orcheski and David Redkey: Well I figured I'd give my opinions on the big argument that went on in last week's column.

First off, not to sound like a PS3 fanboy, but the PS3 failure rates are significantly lower than the 360 failure rates. The lowest failure rate that I've heard for the 360 is 16.666%, with reports of failure rates being as high as 33%, something that even Microsoft has recognized and issued comments on. As for the PS3, I've never heard of a failure rate percentage higher than 3% *meaning the 360 is at least over 5 times as likely to break as a PS3*. Once again I don't want to sound like a fanboy but it's a simple fact that the 360 has a higher failure rate than the PS3, I just don't see any way to contradict this point. I'm sorry Rod that your PS3 broke but you're part of a very small minority when compared to the 360. I've had my PSP break before but I recognize that I'm part of a very small minority and I won't complain about it, sometimes shit happens. And to add insult to injury *for the 360*, my 360 just got the 3 red lights again *4th time since I bought my 360 in December 2006*! I just exchanged my 360 back in late March, made sure it was a Falcon, the 360 that supposedly fixed the 3 red lights issue, and sure enough I now have the 3 red lights again. The Falcon 360 has not fixed the 3 red lights problem. Out of all of my friends who've owned a 360 for more than 6 months, only one of them has not broken their 360 yet. The PS3 isn't perfect hardware wise, but it's leagues better than the 360.

Also Rod, the Microsoft warranty for the 360 is one year just like the PS3, only the 3 red lights issue is covered for 3 years. And in case you aren't aware, that 3 years policy means that starting in November there will be people who aren't protected anymore by Microsoft, not 2009 like you stated. 3 years from 2005 is November 2008.

But to agree with Rod on a point, the PS3 install problem is something that is getting out of hand. Sony needs to recognize that there are gamers who only have the 20 GB PS3, and they need to be protected too, because all these 4.5 GB installs are killing them. While I do need to restate that only a small percentage of PS3 games actually require an install, there are enough titles that require it that even 40 GB PS3 owners could be screwed if they don't manage their hard drives properly.

Anyways, there have been several tests and studies such as this one that prove that the PS3 has been tested to be battle proof. The 360, not so much, as demonstrated by EnGadget DailyTech , and SquareTrade, a company who deals almost exclusively with product warranties.


As I said before I always read what you guys send me and I appreciate the comments, even if they're sometimes filled with hate. If you wanted a response to your comment and I didn't respond I apologize.



The 411mania Empire~!



The Full Circle by Joe Roche. Hey Joe, how's MGS4?
Nintendophiles by Theo Fraser. I'm going to be enrolled into Dr. Marioholics Anonymous at this rate.
The PC Centric Extravaganza by Chris Evans.
The Select and Start News by Vincent Chiucchi.
The Negative Edge by Tommy Coloma.
The 10th Hour by Derek Robbins. Derek presents a very nice list about what makes Metal Gear Solid games so awesome.



Signing Off!



Well, I hope you guys have enjoyed the column. I've got to finish the final part of my B3yond the Special, as well as get to work on a couple of games that I believe I'll be reviewing for 411mania. I've also got to make a trip to Best Buy, as I stated above that I've been struck by the 3 red lights again on my Falcon 360 *so much for that*. I think Microsoft purposely downloads viruses onto my 360. Anyways, MGS4 will be out in two days, so I've got to get this work done before I binge on MGS4. Hopefully I find the time to do this column for next week, I'll be back in 7 *hopefully*, cya!