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The Week in Review news piece summarizes and highlights the most important gaming related news and rumors over the past week. This weekly article will keep you plugged in and in-tune. A short week was made all the more blasé by the looming juggernaut that is E3. Consequently, there wasn’t a whole lot of news to share. It was so slow, in fact, that Konami and Kojima’s teaser site has been nearly monopolizing the coverage despite the fact they haven’t revealed much at all. Other than a series of cryptic letters, numbers, and resetting timers, the only real hard info we have is that Big Boss and Raiden will be part of the next Kojima Productions project. Oh, and there is also some strange, shrunken-head, female mask thingy on another related site. All this is likely teasing MGS5, but we all already figured that one out before MGS4 was even released. We’ll know for sure come next week at E3… unless they give us another timer.
Shifting gears from speculation to firm announcements, the Star Wars Battlefront series will be making its triumphant return to portable gaming. Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron will make its way to both the PSP and the Nintendo DS. Both versions will have unique features accentuating the best aspects of their respective platforms including expansive online and multiplayer options. Unfortunately, no firm date has been announced. Rockstar also loosened their lips concerning the next installment of DLC for GTA IV. The Ballad of Gay Tony will have players take on the role of Luis Lopez, the assistant to nightclub manager Tony Prince. The Ballad of Gay Tony will be an exclusive for the Xbox 360 and sell for 1600 MS points ($20) via XBLA. In addition, a disc-based release including both of the DLC offerings will be made available for Xbox 360 for $39.99 entitled Grand Theft Auto IV: Episodes from Liberty City. Last week, rumors abounded surrounding speculation that Microsoft was planning to release a multimedia handheld device. Graciously, the new Zune HD is far more attractive than the photos released last week. In fact, the new portable device is quite the sexy bit of hardware. Featuring HD music and video, Wi-Fi, an OLED touch screen, and extensive Xbox LIVE video support, the new Zune HD might finally give the iPod a run for the money. Now, we just hope gaming will also be forthcoming. Maybe another device is also in the works. E3 2009 should reveal all.
Also, Microsoft decided to toot their horn this week. Apparently, the Xbox 360 is having a banner year in 2009. They have recently eclipsed the 30 million unit shipped mark and now have over 20 million active Xbox LIVE users. Hopefully all that success will translate into some sweet announcements at E3 2009. Sony announced on Thursday that “Best-selling games from both SCEA and its publishing partners” are coming to the PS3 on June 16, 2009 for the mere sum of $29.99. The ‘Greatest Hits’ library includes Army of Two, Battlefield: Bad Company, Devil May Cry 4, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, and Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction. 38 Studios has increased its talent pool, market share, IP diversity, and economic stability after the acquisition of “leading RPG studio” Big Huge Games. Known for their quality work in developing the Rise of Nations franchise and Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties, Big Huge Games seems more like a leading RTS maker rather than an RPG studio. Nevertheless, the studio is currently working on an “unnamed RPG,” and the group’s boatloads of talent should “accelerate 38 Studios’ online entertainment experience.” Thanks so much everyone and we will see you next week! |
