The news that the Wii version of Dead Space will be a prequel rather than a port of the original game comes as no surprise. In this particular case, the decision probably has nothing to do with EA downplaying the importance of a Wii release. More likely, they simply expect the game will sell more copies if no one has played it yet. What incentive do you have to buy Dead Space on Wii if you've already gone through it on the PS3?
As it turns out, the incentive is Dead Space Extraction. And looking at the trailer, which appears to contain gameplay footage (albeit quick shots that are hard to get a clear glimpse of), it appears as though shovelware is the last thing EA has on its mind.
Update: According to IGN Wii, Dead Space Extraction will be an on-rails shooter. Unfortunately, this development will probably limit the title's appeal by a wide margin, in spite of the fact that the game's graphics look great.
| Source | Comments (0) |
A new gameplay video for Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure explains how the game's enemies move back and forth between the platforming and puzzle sections of the game.
Henry Hatsworth is slated for U.S. release on March 17th!
| Source | Comments (0) |
MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo has been privileged enough to get a preview copy of the upcoming DS title, Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. In his latest blog entry, he reveals a few details about the gameplay mechanics as well as showcasing a few of the bosses we'll face when the game comes out on March 17th.
As we already knew, players will be able to switch back and forth between platforming and puzzle-solving action. Enemies you defeat in the upper screen will drop into the puzzles below, where you'll have to clear them a second time to be rid of them completely. On the bright side, solving puzzles will result in some nifty power-ups in platforming mode.
What's now been revealed is that Hatsworth's bosses will also dump new blocks into your puzzles, causing all sorts of dual-screen mayhem. For example, in battling Lady D, you'll see from the screenshot that she's capable of creating bothersome vines which not only fill your puzzles, but also grow up to become obstacles on the upper screen.
The second boss, Lance Banson, on the other hand, drops musical notes that affect the puzzles in a completely different way.
Check out Stephen's full expose for more info, or take a look at the screenshots in our gallery below.
Gallery: Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure
| Source | Comments (0) |
Okay, okay. So 2007 was the Year of the Wii. 2008? Pretty much the same story. Now 2009's come around, and it looks like the Wii gets yet another year of shocks and surprises... starting with Dead Space, a "hardcore" game if there ever was one, being brought to the console.
That's not all. According to EA's John Riccitiello, Dead Space Wii "is absolutely going to be the quality of fear factor of the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions." No half-hearted porting effort here. Electronic Arts has allowed the Wii's popularity to get away from them for two years, and now they want in on the profits.
Our prediction: M-rated titles like Mad World, Cursed Mountain, and Dead Space will be the mark we remember in the turning point for third-party support on the Wii. Reggie Fils-Aime said recently that game developers didn't "get" the Wii, and that they won't "get it" until they start making their best content available for it. The day is now at hand.
Will the push for these games end in triumph or in failure? That remains to be seen. But as long as companies are experimenting, we wouldn't mind a version of Bioshock for the Wii.
| Comments (0) |
A sequel to the critically-acclaimed (but low-simmering) Boom Blox is in the works, according to Electronic Arts, developer and publisher of the original game. The upcoming title will be called Boom Blox Bash Party and will contain expanded features in both the single-player and multi-player modes.
The 400 new levels will include new environments such as underwater and zero-gravity scenarios, and there'll be a number of new blox to mess around with as well. No release window has been announced yet, but stay tuned for further info! The sequel should see store shelves this spring.
Via CAVG
| Comments (0) |
| Comments (0) |
The Advertising Standards Authority (UK) has prohibited Electronic Arts from displaying their current television ads for the Wii's All-Play installment of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09. The commercials depict a player swinging a Wii remote in time with an onscreen Tiger Woods - on the Xbox 360.
Obviously, this results in a better graphical quality for the ad than EA would've gotten from using the real Wii version - and EA admits to this, saying that the 360 footage "was closer to broadcast definition." Although they defend this decision by pointing out the "available on all formats" message at the end of the commercials, the ASA concluded that the ad is too misleading to continue airing.
| Comments (0) |
Alas, it looks like more industry cuts are in order - this time for the maker of the most popular football franchise in gaming history, among other lesser-known achievements.
EA CEO John Riccitiello claims that holiday sales have not met expectations thus far, and the "uncertain economic environment" is driving the company to make all possible cost-saving measures. As a result, they're trimming their 2009 gaming lineup, as well as their workforce.
Layoffs are never a happy time for anyone involved, and we hope the talented developers on EA's team will be able to find a new home soon.
Via Gamasutra
| Comments (0) |
Electronic Arts will be releasing NASCAR Kart Racing to the world on February 10, 2009. Note that this is not your typical NASCAR racing game - the vast majority of tracks are not actual NASCAR tracks, but rather "deserts, freeways, back roads, canyons, junkyards and more."
The trailer below makes it look a fair amount like a Mario Kart clone, except with real-world branding slapped over every available surface. The gameplay looks as though it could be fun, however. I'm just not sure you'd want it if you've already got Mario Kart Wii. See the trailer below, as well as a screenshot of the game. The graphics aren't spectacular, but color me interested in the title's potential.
Now, if only they can avoid including items like the blue shell.
Via EA Press
| Comments (0) |
In an episode of Variety's The Cut Scene blog, Variety was able to confirm through an ex-EA employee that the company is currently working on a sequel to the critically acclaimed (and popular with consumers) Boom Blox. No other details were given, as the feature mostly covers the shutdown of EA's fabled Blueprint division.
In any case - Boom Blox 2... yay!
| Comments (0) |
You've got to hand it to Peter Moore. Unlike many other game industry leaders, he's taking the Wii's gaming revolution at face value and responding to it with enthusiasm. Rather than tossing nightmare-inducing shovelware at the influx of newcomers, Moore sees this audience as a legitimate, discerning consumer who wants to like video games, but needs something a little less arcane than the latest Madden title.
"It's incumbent upon us to be able to provide new experiences for that consumer or we're going to lag behind," Moore stated during his address at this week's BMO conference.
And it's true; the changes occurring in the industry present a huge opportunity to grow the gaming population. Microsoft and Sony missed the train over 2 years ago and are now trying to catch up. EA's chance hasn't passed yet (it's easier for a software house than a hardware maker to jump on board after the fact), and thanks to Peter Moore, I think they just might win some new customers over to their side.
| Comments (0) |
Knowing very little of this game other than its title, a handful of screenshots, and that it's a platforming puzzler, I have to say that this game intrigued me right off the bat. Take a little Professor Layton and drop in a hint of Super Mario. What do you get?
Well, in this case you get Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure, a game that we have little reason to be excited over yet, but that fascinates us just the same. Lots of potential, boys and girls. Let's hope EA can live up to it. A piece of game art, a screenshot, and three videos after the break.
| Comments (0) |
EA's answer to living room-based fitness, EA Sports Active, was announced yesterday. Now they've released a bit of preview media. The somewhat uninspiring trailer for EA Sports Active follows:
As an everyday Wii Fit user, this looks like an interesting take on the budding genre. Looks like you won't need a balance board to use it, which was a smart decision given that most Wii Fit owners probably won't see the need for a second fitness game.
| Comments (0) |
