SimCity Societies OFFICIALLY Announced

Electronic Arts has officially announced the next title in the company's long running Sim City PC franchise, SimCity Societies, detailing the title's recently announced shift in focus, which aims to let players create “a variety of cities with the unique societies they desire.”

The game, which was previously confirmed via a Games For Windows magazine cover and is expected to ship this November, represents a major shift for the popular world building franchise, with the title being handled by Caesar IV developer Tilted Mill Entertainment instead of series creators Maxis. EA notes that since its inception in 1989, the series has sold more than 17 million games worldwide.

Among the new features being introduced in SimCity Societies is an interesting focus on creating cultures, societal behaviors and environments on top of the routine day to day management of the virtual metropolis. To help manage this social aspect, the game includes new resources called “social energies,” which can be mixed and matched to determine “the social energy of your city.”

Of course, the city building is also expected to play a key role in the gameplay as well, with EA noting that SimCity Societies will include more than 350 building types, each of which can be combined, connect and re-arranged freely.

Rod Humble, VP and studio head of EA's The Sims Division, describes the game as “the most flexible city building game ever,” stating that “sometimes I build an aggressive police state where stragglers are dragged off to re-conditioning centers and emerge ready for work. Other times, I build a green community in the tropics, where the citizens grow their own food and have a small environmental footprint.”

Even so, as previously reported, the turn for the franchise has not come without some measure of growing pains, including complaints from the player community on a variety of community forums, including those of Tilted Mill itself, to which own president and director of development Chris Beatrice defended the game by calling it “its own unique creation” while admitting that it is “not [focused] on realism and detail.”

[From Gamasutra]

PS3 to PSP Connectivity More to Come?

PlayStation Underground members recently received a survey, grilling them on potential PSP-PS3 connectivity features. While surveys aren't necessarily indicators of services to be offered, they do show what the company is experimenting with. Some potential ideas thrown around in the survey include:

• Use the device to complete side missions for console games (unlockables, etc.).
• Transfer media (music/pictures/video) wirelessly from the console to the device (broadcast television, new levels for games).
• Use the device WHILE PLAYING the console game as an additional weapon/utility to help the gameplay (2nd player option, radar for incoming enemies, etc.).
• Record console gameplay video for ...

[From PSP Fanboy]

Alone In the Dark 5 to be Released in November

Along with Assassin's Creed, Alone in the Dark 5 will also be released in November.

I had no idea there were even five of these games made or what they are even about. Here is the trailer of the game for a recap.

[From Xbox 360 Fanboy]

PaRappa the Rapper 3, Silent Hill 5, EA Wants More

According to EGM and 1up the third installment of PaRappa the Rapper is heading out towards the PS3. No date as of yet. In the article 1up also mentions that Silent Hill 5 for the 36o and PS3 will be made by a US team instead of a Japanese team, and like EA doesn't have enough exclusives they want more, they are trying to make deals with the MLB and NBA to have exclusivity of almost every sport out there.

[From Kotaku]

This Week's VC Update

Nintendo has 3 more games up for downloading today they are:

Lode Runner(R) (NES(R), 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points):
This landmark action-puzzle game has been a worldwide fixture in video games from the moment of its inception until today, producing many sequels and related products along the way. The player controls the hero, or "Runner,"
who collects gold nuggets located around every stage, all the while avoiding capture by enemy robots. The action itself is simple, but the stages are designed as increasingly challenging puzzles, and none of the 50 stages is as
easy as it seems. The Runner avoids enemies by digging holes in the floor to the right and left of his position--by doing this, he can clear a path to places that, at first glance, seem unreachable. Players must use their brains
to collect all the gold nuggets in every puzzling stage if they want to escape to the next. In addition to normal play, this version of the game features an Edit Mode that allows players to design their own stages, adding a new level
of enjoyment to the game.

Sonic the Hedgehog(TM) 2 (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points):
Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik) is back to continue his zealous search for the Chaos Emeralds needed to fuel his new Death Egg contraption. The evil doctor secretly follows Sonic to his vacation spot, Westside Island, and launches a full-scale attack, imprisoning all the helpless animals of the island and turning them into mindless worker drones. Now Sonic must thwart the doctor's plans at all costs. This time he isn't alone, as a peculiar two-tailed fox named Miles Prower (aka Tails) decides to aid him in the battle. Together they must locate the Chaos Emeralds before Dr. Eggman does, and put an end to his diabolical scheme.

Golden Axe(TM) II (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older - Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points):
Not long after the devastating reign of the wicked Death Adder, another evil arose. Dark Guld and his minions invaded and took hold of the prized Golden Axe with plans to destroy it. Once again, as a fierce barbarian named Ax-Battler, a fearless female Amazon known as Tyris-Flare or a ferocious dwarf named Gilius Thunderhead, you will wield steely swords and powerful magic in an all-out war to recover the sword. Once you slash your way through the six side-scrolling levels, you'll get the chance to defeat Dark Guld once and for all.

[From Kotaku]

New Releases: Week of 6/10

Title	Platform	Genre	Release Date
7 Wonders 2	PC	Puzzle	Jun 12, 2007
911: First Responders	PC	Action	2007
Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree	WII	Puzzle	Jun 11, 2007
Call of Juarez	PC	Action	Jun 12, 2007
Chicken Shoot	DS	Action	Jun 15, 2007
Crash Bandicoot Action Pack	PS2	Action	Jun 12, 2007
Crazy Machines 1.5	PC	Puzzle	Jun 15, 2007
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer	PS2	Action	Jun 15, 2007
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer	WII	Action	Jun 15, 2007
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer	X360	Action	Jun 15, 2007
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer	PS3	Action	Jun 15, 2007
Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer	DS	Action	Jun 15, 2007
Go! Puzzle	PS3	Puzzle	Jun 14, 2007
Model Train 3D	PC	Simulation	Jun 14, 2007
Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia	X360	Action	Jun 12, 2007
Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia	PC	Action	Jun 12, 2007
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 2	PS2	Action	Jun 12, 2007
PQ2: Practical Intelligence Quotient	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 12, 2007
Prince of Persia Classic	X360	Adventure	Jun 13, 2007
Puzzle Scape	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 12, 2007
Raw Danger	PS2	Action	Jun 12, 2007
Scarface: The World Is Yours	WII	Action	Jun 12, 2007
Super Trucks Racing 2	PS2	Driving	June 2007
Tenchu Z	X360	Action	Jun 12, 2007
The Sims 2: Pets	WII	Strategy	Jun 12, 2007
Time Ace	DS	Simulation	Jun 12, 2007
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas	PSP	Action	Jun 12, 2007
TrackMania United	PC	Driving	Jun 11, 2007
UFO: Afterlight	PC	Strategy	Jun 11, 2007
Zendoku	DS	Puzzle	Jun 13, 2007
Zendoku	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 12, 2007

[From Gamespot]

DS Browser Released by Opera

Representatives from Oslo, Norway-based developer Opera Software have officially announced that the Nintendo DS Browser, the handheld port of its bespoke product, has been released to retail and Nintendo's online store for the standard DS and DS Lite.

The DS Lite version will be available both via Nintendo's online store and retail outlets, with the older standard DS version, unique because of its differently-shaped GBA slot, will be exclusive to the online store.

Already available in Japan for nearly a year, and across Europe since October 2006, the Nintendo DS Browser, powered by Opera's web browsing technology, offers two rendering modes for surfing from the Nintendo DS.

Browsers can use the fit-to-width mode, originally created for mobile phones, which displays the contents of a page in a single column stretched top to bottom across the DS' two screens.

They can also use the DS mode, which puts a zoomed out view of the website on the bottom screen along with a movable thumbnail to change the zoomed view being displayed above.

Said Opera marketing EVP Scott Hedrick, "With the DS Browser, Nintendo continues to expand the possibilities for users of this tremendously popular game platform. Opera is excited to work with Nintendo to bring the easy and accessible way to browse the Internet to DS lovers in North America. DS Browser makes it easy to check news, popular user generated content sites or comparison shop while in a Wi-Fi hotspot."

[From Gamasutra]

Wii Mic on the Way?

In the article a person writes an Email to Nintendo asking about the possibility of the Wii having a mic add-on. To their surprise they got an Email back that said:

Hello,
While the chip is there, there is no inherent microphone function in the Wii Remote. Even the article you link to says it's not used yet. However, you never know what the future holds for new accessories that would attach much like the nunchuk! We've created a microphone accessory for the Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, and built one into the Nintendo DS/DS Lite, so it goes to reason we might think ahead in case we ever want to build one for the Wii! Keep an eye on http://www.nintendo.com for official information.

Nintendo of America Inc.
R.M. Rickets

[From WiiLoaded]

I wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo did do this. At first they weren't going to do online. Now they are working at it. I think Nintendo will do what the costumers want, and if the costumers want a mic they will get a mic eventually.

360 To Get Price Cut THIS Year?

Microsoft executives have given the firmest indication yet that the Xbox 360 console will see a price drop in the near future, as part of a new article on the console’s future by financial news service Bloomberg.

The article implies that it is competition from the Wii, rather than the more expensive PlayStation 3, that is leading current thinking on Xbox 360 pricing and software, with Microsoft apparently planning to add more family games and change retail displays to make children’s titles easier to find.

No specific new titles were mentioned however, except for existing multiformat title Guitar Hero II, which Microsoft claims is popular with female users. "That's a necessary first step to getting more players to consider the Microsoft console", Xbox director of global platform marketing Albert Penello is quoted as saying. "If you don't start building that content and reputation it never comes. I don't want to be pigeonholed as a hardcore machine."

"If we don't make that move, make it early and expand our demographic, we will wind up in the same place as with Xbox 1, a solid business with 25 million people," said Xbox boss Peter Moore. "What I need is a solid business with 90 million people."

Referring to the price of the Wii, Xbox product manager David Hufford states that, "When mom walks into the store and sees she can get a console with a game for $250, she sees it as a $300 value. They've done a good job."

"We are well aware that the sweet spot of the market is really 199 bucks," added Hufford, who refused to directly confirm a price cut for the console. Internet rumors have suggested that Microsoft may be considering a drop in price for this September.

[From Gamasutra]

Details of New "Slim" PSP Coming THIS Year?

Today, thanks to several sources close to Sony, we bring you that nitty gritty as the redesigned Playstation Portable nears completion.

Keep in mind this isn't Playstation Portable 2, but rather a redesign of the original, so it will be sporting the same internal hardware. But that's about the only thing that hasn't changed. The new Playstation Portable will have a much slimmer design, thanks mostly to a new LED screen that will deliver an ultra-crisp image but take up far less space. That LED also helps pump up the battery life of this sexy new model, which can last as much as four times longer than the original PSP. While the new PSP still makes use of the UMD drive, it will be a faster version and to help speed up loadtimes and gameplay, the portable will come packed with 8GBs of internal flash memory. Finally, the PSP's much maligned buttons have been revamped and the D-Pad has gotten a major overhaul, giving portable gamers something more like a Playstation 3 D-pad to play with.

The company is still trying to decide whether or not they want to include a built-in camera, as they weigh whether the cost of adding the device will be worth the benefit to gamers. Our money is on no camera because of the competitive price issues. Those of you holding out for a touchscreen are, unfortunately, going to have to wait, though word has it that it will most like make an appearance in Sony's next portable gaming device. While the new PSP will remain black, Sony is still trying to decide whether it will have a glossy or matte finish.

The final price for this new PSP hasn't been set, but Sony is hoping to sell it for under $170 or so. Manufacturing should commence in the upcoming weeks, and the product is going to be officially unveiled at this year's E3. The sale date being tossed around is August, but don't be surprised if it's pushed back to September. What's this reworked PSP called? It doesn't have a name as of yet.

[From Kotaku]

Smash Bros. Brawl Can Use All FOUR Controllers

The upcoming Smash Bros. game will not be discriminate of what controller you use. Feel free to pick your favorite controller to play the game:

The Nintendo Wii really is a versatile piece of hardware.
I mean, when it comes to controllers, there are pretty much four different types.

I guess I have no choice but implement them all!

There’s no need to be confused about what does what—just choose the play style you prefer!

I suppose I would recommend the Nintendo GameCube controller, though. I like the feel of that powerful rumble.

Still, try out the other controls—they definitely give you a fresh experience.

[From Smash Bros. DOJO!!]

Harmonix Wants YOUR Suggestions for Rock Band

Harmonix needs your help. With their wannabe Guitar Hero killer Rock Band releasing later this year, Harmonix is looking to the community for songs to include in the game. To tell them about a song/band, head on over to Rock Band's official website and suggest up to four rocking songs that you feel would be a great fit for the game. MTV and Harmonix will then look at all the suggestions, tally up the most popular, and try their darnedest to include the top songs in the game. It's kind of like a musical democracy.

[From Xbox 360 Fanboy]

Metal Gear Solid 4 '07 Release Date CONFIRMED

We thought we just got a remake of the same E3 trailer we've been seeing for a year, but we were wrong. What was in this trailer could be the biggest news for the PS3 that may have well brought the system back to life. What could this have been you ask? The numbers 2007. The 360 has Halo 3, now the PS3 has MGS 4. Don't count out the PS3 this holiday season. I included the trailer for your enjoyment:



[From youNEWB]

Ninja Gaiden Website NOW Up

Tecmo today announced that it has launched the official website for its upcoming PlayStation 3 title Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Making heavy use of Flash, the site features a number of trailers, screenshots and bits of other information, including a plug to the downloadable demo currently available on the PlayStation Network.

The site can be found at www.ninjagaidengame.com, though you'll need to be at least 18 in order to enter.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma is slated to hit store shelves on July 3rd exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

[From IGN]

Assassin's Creed Release Date Made Official

Ubisoft has announced the fairly unknown game to be released in November for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. The game will sell for the standard $59.99 price point and for an extra $10 you can get the limited edition. I'm sure more details will arise as the release get date gets closer.

[From Gamespot]

Myst Coming to DS

For all you Myst fans out there, the franchise that first started on the computer is now coming to the DS. Press Release:

Release Date: Nov-2007
Age Rating: PEGI 3+
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Adventure

Myst is an immersive experience that draws you in and won't let you go. You enter a unique setting, venturing alone to varied times and places, the worlds that compose Myst. There are no instructions, and you encounter no living beings but soon realize your actions may help individuals who are somehow trapped in a parallel dimension.

You don't so much play Myst, as experience it. Of course you must solve a multitude of puzzles, mazes, and problems, but Myst's principal attractions are its environment and the underlying intrafamily drama that unfolds as you explore.

Unlike most adventure games, Myst offers no inventory, no death, and no dialogue. Although puzzles don't seem to have much direct connection to the game, they share a commonality. They take on many forms but follow a consistent thread. Some puzzles are very challenging, even obtuse, creating an odd paradox: many buy Myst, but few complete it. It is immensely popular, but most nonadventurers quit in frustration. Fortunately, Myst's popularity has spawned several online sites for hints, walk-throughs, and even saved games .

[From Destructoid]

Fallout 3 Trailer and Details Released

While Bethesda is keeping this game in tight quarters, some details were able to be found about the upcoming game. The trailer can be found here. The details, while not released by Bethesda officially, the upcoming issue of Game Informer lists the title to be released on the 360 and PS3. Bethesda has announced the PC release date as fall 2008, no word on the console versions.

[From IGN]

New SimCity CONFIRMED by EA

It has been confirmed that the next version of SimCity is on its way. The name is currently SimCity Societies ("working title"). EA has claimed that the game is different than SimCity 4, and while there is no other official news available at this time, subscribers to Games for Windows Magazine will get an inside look at the game sometime this week while EA will do a "formal" announcement the following week. EA has also said the game will be available at this years E3.

[From Joystiq]

PS3 Price DROP Soon?

Not that much of a surprise, but a Japanese newspaper has translated the words of the Sony president, Yomiui Shimbun, saying "the company does not rule out the possibility of lowering the price" of the PS3. While we all know that the PS3 will eventually drop in price, the question is when? With the Blu-ray players lowering in price I think the PS3 will eventually drop as well, maybe even the $100 drop the players have seen (yea I know, in my dreams right?). I'm going to put out another PREDICTION; the PS3 will see a price cut THIS year. When? could be in September to try and slow down Halo 3, maybe in October with the GTA IV release, but the best bet is the holiday season, so don't go running out to buy one yet.

God of War PSP Demo Hits in Septemeber

Those of you who signed up to receive the free demo will only have 3 more months to wait. Sony is saying that the demo will be released on September 7th. They also are saying to keep an eye on your Email inbox because you will be receiving some exclusive info over the next 3 months.

[From Destructoid]

This Week's XBLA Release

Yes, this is this week's release Pac-Man Championship Edition and that BIG announcement that you heard all over the internet that was going to be made by Microsoft, well this is it, yea I know how you feel, but in Microsoft's defense the game does have a new look, which I like by the way, and well you have to give them some props for having the guts to mess with Pac-Man, the game hasn't been changed in 26 years.

Name: PAC-MAN Championship Edition
Price: 800 Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Details: Single Player, HD (High Definition). Try a 3 minute time-limited version of Pac-Man Championship Edition. With new and unique gameplay features, including six game modes, a time limit, constantly evolving mazes, and enhanced graphics and sound! Practice hard and play well to experience increased gameplay speed! Experience the evolution of Pac-Man! Size: 49.5 MB (approx.)

[From Major Nelson]

The new things in the game you ask? Well here's the official press release:

Today Microsoft Corp. and NAMCO BANDAI Games made video game history by unveiling the “Pac-Man Championship Edition” — featuring the first new Pac-Man mazes in more than 26 years — available only on the Xbox 360™.

The “Pac-Man Championship Edition” is the same beloved “Pac-Man” game played in arcades of the ’80s but is updated with new features that former “Pac-Man” fanatics and new generations of fans alike will love. It includes new mazes that dynamically change shape during gameplay, six new timed game modes, new soundtracks and high-definition (HD) graphics. Details include the following:

- Classic 2-D “Pac-Man” presentation with a new, modern look in HD
- Six new, timed game modes:

* The Championship Mode. This is the main game mode designed by NAMCO BANDAI Games and Iwatani specifically for the championship round of the Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. This mode – as well as all others within the “Pac-Man Championship Edition” – features redesigned mazes with wide maze walls and a widescreen configuration to better enable high-speed game play. Timed limit of five minutes.
* Challenge Mode 1 (Patience and Reward Course). This mode is an evolution of the Championship Mode. Patience mazes strategically offer fewer Power Pellets and Reward mazes provide a large number of Power Pellets – providing unique challenges and rewards for the player. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
* Challenge Mode 2 (The Darkness Course). In this mode, only the area directly around Pac-Man and the Ghosts is visible and the maze walls are completely hidden. Timed limit of 10 minutes.
* Extra Mode 1 (The Freeway Course). An extremely high-speed mode for advanced players, this mode features warp-speed Pac-Man and Ghosts and plenty of tunnels. Timed limit of five minutes.
* Extra Mode 2 (The Manhattan Course). A mode inspired by the streets of Manhattan — the home for the first-ever Xbox 360 Pac-Man World Championship. Timed limit of five minutes.
* Extra Mode 3 (The Overall Course). A mix of all other modes resulting in extreme mazes for the most devout Pac-Man fans. Timed limit of 10 minutes.

- Xbox LIVE leaderboards, Achievements and Gamerscore
- Rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board
- Costs 800 Microsoft® Points
- Available for download only on Xbox LIVE Arcade on the Xbox 360 starting at 0900 BST on Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Since launching in 1980 in Japan and in 1981 around the world, “Pac-Man,” its host of ghosts and its famous “wakka wakka wakka” sound have become global pop-culture icons. This arcade game played an instrumental role in establishing the video game industry in the 1980s, while the launch of Xbox LIVE in 2002 was a key factor behind the rapid growth in popularity of online gaming. Today, Xbox LIVE Arcade is the premier online destination for digitally distributed HD games offering fans around the globe a great opportunity to connect, compete, and enjoy the fun.

“‘Pac-Man’ was the game that ignited the world’s passion for video games, with every member of the family hooked on avoiding Clyde and eating up all the Power Pellets,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “It is a tremendous honor that NAMCO BANDAI and Toru Iwatani are going to use the power of the Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE Arcade platform to deliver the next evolution of ‘Pac-Man’ to the world.”

Blu-ray Gets A Price DROP

Sony will be unveiling the brand new BDP-S300 unit this summer. This newer, cheaper, and improved standalone Blu-ray player was originally reported to debut at the price of $600, but in a surprise revelation made only just yesterday, Sony formally announced that the product would instead be priced for $100 less.

According to a report from Market Watch, Sony announced Monday that the the S300 unit would feature a reduced price due to lowered Blu-ray component costs and revised production "efficiencies". The player's new price of $500 is now only half the cost of its predecessor, the BDP-S1 unit, when it launched just six months ago.

Of course, with the lowered cost of these new Blu-ray players also comes the inevitable talk surrounding a possible price cut for the PS3. Analysts have begun to speculate in droves over what these improvements to Blu-ray manufacturing technology will mean for Sony's struggling next-gen console system.

"If the cost of Blu-ray is coming down, you can drop the price of anything with Blu-ray in it," commented Arvind Bhatia, an analyst at Sterne Agee & Leach, Inc.

[From GamePro]

Free Music Content Coming To Xbox LIVE

"The Ignition program is designed to help artists connect with a substantial consumer audience," said Christina Calio, director of Music Marketing for Zune. "Consumers are looking for ways to find new music, and Ignition helps connect artists with potential new fans by giving them multiple opportunities to listen to, watch or read about the artist across Microsoft's online platforms."

This program will focus on the release of new, downloadable music and music-related content created by cutting edge artists on the verge of worldwide success. The first group to debut on the Ignition program's initial month of service is the U.K. band Maxïmo Park, who have attained recent notoriety in their native England through their latest album, Our Earthly Pleasures.

Although the majority of Ignition's content will be featured predominantly on Microsoft's Zune service, video downloads will also be available on the Xbox Live Marketplace. For instance, Maximo Park's video of their song Our Velocity has been made into a free download for connected Xbox owners all throughout the month of June. Assuredly, more new artists will be announced in the coming months.

[From GamePro]

Play Sigma Demo Recieve Reward

As if PS3 owners didn't have enough reasons already to play the incredibly awesome Ninja Gaiden: Sigma demo, Team Ninja is giving us yet another. IGN writes that in the full version, you will be rewarded with an amount of in-game currency (Yellow Essence) depending on how far you've gotten in the demo, allowing you to purchase power-ups and items at the very beginning of the game. Did you unlock Rachel's level? Well you'll get a nice little bonus waiting for you when you start up the final version.
[From PS3 Fanboy]

P.S.: Ninja Gaiden: Sigma is assumed to be a PS3 exclusive, although it has been denied many times by Team Ninja, no "official" confirmation that it will not come to the 360 has been made at this time.

The PS3's FIRST MMO

The Agency, a massively multiplayer online game casting players as James Bond-a-like spy characters, is the first confirmed MMO for PlayStation 3. The mag expects a holiday 2007 release date, but publisher Sony Online has clarified with GamesRadar that no official date has been set yet.

Developed by Sony Online Entertainment, the brains behind EverQuest Adventures on PS2, The Agency will offer "action, adventure and intrigue," along with "betrayals... the stuff that hasn't been tapped yet in the genre," promises executive producer Matt Wilson.

What's more, "you are what you wear," Wilson has told our sister mag PSM, which reveals The Agency in its latest issue. In other words, if Tom Clancy-esque blasting is for you then strap on the flak armor and combat fatigues - but if undercover stealth is your preferred spy-style, you'll be wanting to pull on some less conspicuous threads.

There'll be two factions to align yourself with, hinting at PvP combat/espionage, but there's no word on RPG elements. We do know, however, that once you build a reputation you can start to collect your own AI-controlled secret agent team. We're excited to see MMOs taking a different direction from genre-busting World of Warcraft, and with luck our Agency dossier should be packed with brand new info real soon.

[From Games Radar]

Questions About BioShock? 1up Has Answers

Back in April, we put out the call for your questions about BioShock to find out what you wanted to know about the upcoming shooter. Then on a recent trip to the developer's offices just outside Boston, we pulled out the list and presented it to Irrational president Ken Levin.

You can check out all the questions and answers here.

[From 1up]

GTA IV Will NOT be Delayed

You couldn't blame people for believing the rumors of Rockstar delaying GTA IV because of Halo 3. Today, Rockstar has squashed all of these rumors in confirming that the game is still on track for an October release, Halo 3 or not.

[From Kotaku]

F.E.A.R. Sequel Name is Up To YOU

Well Vivendi (publisher of the game) owns the name F.E.A.R. and they are planning to come out with another game titled F.E.A.R. 2. Monolith (previous developers for the game) can't use the name the Vivendi owns. To fix this Monolith has asked the customers to come up with a name (please pick one that's not so annoying to type). You can send in your submissions to nameyourfear.com until June 22nd. Also to help with the "creative process" they have sent a little information about the game:

A monstrous explosion devastates an American city: thousands dead, innumerable injured.

Within the chaos, Alma awaits…

A child born with extraordinary psychic power, Alma was once the center of an advanced weapons research program. The program was designed to breed psychic commanders who could telepathically control an army of bioengineered soldiers. Despite her potential, her power proved uncontrollable - with deadly results. The program was closed and buried.

Some cruelty cannot remain hidden. Freed from the program's containment facility, Alma stalks a shattered city. Her motives are unknown.

Sent by the government, you must seek out the answers to the unfolding catastrophe. As the line between reality and nightmare blurs, Alma's suffering has just become yours.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss… but not this time

[From IGN]

Starcraft 2 Beta Keys to be at Blizzcon?

Blizzard announced some of their things they will be giving away to visitors at the Blizzcon event. Included in the gifts is a "beta key to an upcoming Blizzard game" (Starcraft 2 anyone?). Also included will be a passcode for an unlockable murloc suit for one of your characters.
[From WoW Insider]

This is just a RUMOR. The upcoming game could be anything, but the only upcoming game I can think of is Starcraft 2.

P.S.: If your interested in Starcraft 2 IGN has just released an interview with Blizzard about the upcoming game. You can get to it here.

Hardrive Announcement for Wii at E3?

With so many games coming the virtual console the Wii's 512 MB of memory may be putting a limit on what people will buy. It is expected that at this year's E3 Nintendo will be making an announcement pertaining to this issue.
[From CVG]

This could be true or not. It could be something as small as a new memory card to go into the Wii's built in SD card or a whole new add-on to the Wii itself. I know one thing and that's if they want to make selling the VC games longterm they need to have something.

Nintendo Patents New Online Invitation System

Pretty self-explanatory.

Nintendo was issued US Patent #20070123353 which basically says that they can create an “Invitation system for online game”. Hopefully this improves the Wii online service.

[From youNEWB]

Gametap is Now FREE

Officials from Turner's GameTap service have announced the launch of a free to play, advertising-supported program aimed at capturing a larger global audience of gamers beyond its already established North American audience.

The free version of the service will give players a sample of the full paid subscriber service with a rotating sample of GameTap's library, as well as a portion of GameTap TV's library of streaming videos. Currently GameTap's subscription service is available only to North American PCs, with a version for Macintosh users expected later this summer.

In addition, GameTap has also opened up its recently announced digital retail storefront, which will offer "a large library of titles from vintage to brand new" for purchase.

The first game to be launched in GameTap's new model offering both full purchase and subscription play is Eidos' Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, both coming June 5th, the same day as the title hits retail.

GameTap's digital marketplace will also host more than 450 titles, including Space Empires IV Deluxe, Civilization IV, Psychonauts, and Resident Evil 3.

"We've opened the door even wider-so that practically anyone with a broadband connection can give GameTap a spin," said Stuart Snyder, Turner's executive vice president and chief operating officer of Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media. "We want people to sample not just the massive library of GameTap titles, but the adrenalin rush that attracted over 20 million game plays last year."

[From Gamasutra]

This Weeks VC Update

This week Nintendo has added 4 games to their ever growing list of Virtual Console, which today has reached the milestone of 100. They will be:

Wii-kly Update: Four New Classic Games Mark Wii Shop Channel Milestone

For six months, classic games have flowed at a steady rate into the gaming reservoir that is the Wii Shop Channel. And this week Wii™ fans will see that pool of games hit a new high-water mark, as Nintendo adds a wave of new entries: Nos. 97, 98, 99 and 100. Why not dive in and see what treasures you find?

The four new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Milon’s Secret Castle® (NES®, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 500 Wii Points): It is a world where music is the language of the people. An evil warlord from the north arrives and captures the castle. The princess is imprisoned deep within the castle, and the world’s musical instruments are taken and hidden away. Our hero, Milon, takes it upon himself to fight the warlord, rescue the princess and recover the people’s musical instruments. He has only his wits and the magical Bubble to aid him on his quest. Help Milon along the way by looking for hidden doors, finding secret items and defeating fierce enemies. Make sure to look for the shops inside the castle, where you can buy hints and valuable items. Whenever Milon finds a Music Box, he will be transported to a bonus stage. Each instrument you find will add a layer to the background music. Try to grab all seven instruments to create a performance worthy of a music-themed game.

ToeJam & Earl™ in Panic on Funkotron (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone – Comic Mischief, 800 Wii Points): During ToeJam and Earl’s trip back home, a number of Earthlings hitchhiked on their spaceship and are now infesting planet Funkotron. ToeJam and Earl must track down the Earthlings in order to capture them in large jars and ship them back to Earth in spaceships. It is also their funky mission to find 10 beloved objects belonging to Lamont the “Funkapotamus,” the source of all funk in the universe, so they can persuade him to return to his favorite funk-filled planet. ToeJam and Earl must use their “funk powers,” such as Funk Move and Funk Scan, to assist in evading and capturing the Earthlings.

Dead Moon (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points): This side-scrolling shooter includes a total of six scenes spanning areas from Earth to the moon. The story begins with a comet discovered in thevicinity of Pluto that is headed on a sudden collision course with Earth. Mankind narrowly succeeds in diverting the comet’s course, and it crashes into the moon. However, investigations into the damage uncover that what hit the moon was not a comet, but a gigantic mother ship. Power up your ship, destroy enemies and fight your way through the bosses in an attempt to reach the moon’s core and protect Earth from alien invasion. Enjoy the unique world of Dead Moon, including various stages with beautiful backgrounds, a power-up system that increases your attack as well as your defense and bosses that have you altering your ship’s direction to fight them.

… and the 100th game in the Wii Shop Channel:

Zelda II™ – The Adventure of Link® (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 500 Wii Points): Link returns to Hyrule to search for the Triforce and to awaken Zelda from an endless sleep. Embark on a quest to find the Triforce of Courage and save Hyrule from ruin. Learn magic spells, talk to people in towns to get clues, collect items to increase your power and explore six palaces where the underlings of the evil Ganon await you. This sequel to the Adventure classic uses a side-scrolling visual engine unique to the series for more technical combat, and features more in-depth world roaming as Link encounters townsfolk while on his quest.
[From Destructoid]

New Releases: Week of 6/3

Title	Platform	Genre	Release Date
ATV / Monster Truck Mayhem	DS	Driving	Jun 8, 2007
Call of Juarez	X360	Action	Jun 5, 2007
Call of Juarez	PC	Action	Jun 5, 2007
Chicken Shoot	DS	Action	Jun 5, 2007
Circus Empire	PC	Simulation	Jun 4, 2007
Deal or No Deal	GBA	Puzzle	Jun 5, 2007
Dragon Ball Z: Harukanaru Densetsu	DS	Strategy	Jun 5, 2007
Dream Day Wedding	PC	Puzzle	Jun 4, 2007
Gold Miner Vegas with Gold Miner Special Edition	PC	Puzzle	Jun 5, 2007
Hide & Secret: Treasure of the Ages	PC	Puzzle	Jun 5, 2007
Hospital Tycoon	PC	Simulation	Jun 5, 2007
Planet Puzzle League	DS	Puzzle	Jun 4, 2007
Puzzle Scape	PSP	Puzzle	Jun 5, 2007
Rainbow Mystery	PC	Puzzle	Jun 5, 2007
Shrek the Third	PSP	Action	Jun 5, 2007
Space Force: Rogue Universe	PC	Simulation	Jun 5, 2007
The Sims 2: H&M Stuff	PC	Simulation	Jun 5, 2007
Tomb Raider: Anniversary	PS2	Adventure	Jun 5, 2007
Tomb Raider: Anniversary	PC	Adventure	Jun 5, 2007
Tomb Raider: Anniversary	PSP	Adventure	Jun 5, 2007
UFO: Afterlight	PC	Strategy	Jun 4, 2007
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link	WII	Role-Playing	Jun 4, 2007

[From Gamespot]