Membership Doesn’t All Ways have it’s Privileges..

   As I’m writing this I’m literally, waiting in a que for Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood Beta game session.  I’ve only been able to get into 2 games in the passed 2 hours; and people are quitting out of my current session.  I’m not sure what’s more infuriating the fact that I’ve only played 2 games or that people are actually going back into a even wider que thinking things are going to be quicker.

     This is the exclusive beta that only people who have pre-ordered(I pre-ordered), some PSN Plus Members, or members of the press were allowed into and then only just this week.  Before that, t was only European Plus Members and Press.

    This is one of two “exclusive” betas that have sprung up for different games in the past couple of weeks and I’m sorry but I think this was a TERRIBLE IDEA!  These are multiplayer games, that need LOTS of people to play them in order to test server load, game balance, etc…  Considering the time of the year, this probably the second worst time to be holding one of these “exclusive betas.”  The first of course, being actual holiday season which in the US starts around November 1st.

 

    The other offending Beta is Dead Space 2 Multiplayer Beta.  Which I got into, I guess, because I’m a member of the press and a member of EA Gun Club or maybe one or the other.  I don’t know.  EA never really explained why anyone got in, the invites just showed up.  Also apparently, if you were a PSN Plus member you were in the group to be chosen.  Whatever, that actually meant.

    I booted up Dead Space 2 Multiplayer around 5 times at different times of the night and I have NEVER gotten into a game.  Some of the times, I must admit, I only tried to get in once or twice and then got fed up and left but the other times, I spent upwards of 20 minutes trying to get on.  Nothing…

    My point is that if your going to make an exclusive test anything, you might want to be sure that there will be enough people out there to ACTUALLY test what your working on.  Otherwise, other than a marketing stunt; your beta hasn’t achieved anything.  Not to mention the people who pre-ordered and are now thinking the game will be a failure because no one “seems” to be playing it.

    Now, I hear that Killzone 3 will have an exclusive PSN Plus grab bag type beta sign up.  Great, should I just not bother if I get sent the code?  Because if it’s just me, and 101,000 people, then I’m probably never going to get on. 

Technorati Tags: deadspace2,assassinscreedbrotherhood,EA,Ubisoft,PSN,PSNPLUS,PSN+,PS3,beta

DC Universe gets Delayed! But it’s not all bad news!

         “Today Sony Online Entertainment announced that DC Universe Online will be delayed until early 2011….

….SOE has also revealed new details regarding the beta program. Players with VIP key cards and those having registered at the DCUO website will receive access on a priority basis starting as early as next week. As an added thank you, everyone that has already pre-ordered the game, and those who do so by November 15th, 2010, are assured access to beta by November 30th (North America only).
Anyone pre-ordering the game after November 15th will gain beta access one week prior to the launch date and will be able to participate in the special beta ending event entitled Battle of the Legends with the rest of the beta participants. As an additional bonus, all beta participants will be recognized post release with a special emblem for their character when the game goes live. Beginning October 7, 2010 instructions on how to qualify to receive your pre-order beta key will be located here: www.dcuniverseonline.com/betakey.
Those wishing to register for beta without pre-ordering have until 11:59pm PST tonight. This is a general queue and does not assure access.
Lastly, due to overwhelming demand from the community, SOE is pleased to announce that a Collector's Edition for the PlayStation 3 will also be released (North America only), which includes the same items contained in the PC version announced earlier this year – the DCUO Batman statue, the limited edition Art of DC Universe Online art book, the DCUO Legends Issue #0 comic book with a Jim Lee variant cover, the DCUO Prestige comic presentation of the DCUO back-story and the limited edition Jim Lee-drawn poster Version of the Legends Issue #0 comic book variant cover…”DC Universe News.

     So that’s the story folks.  I’m not surprised considering how everything seemed to be going as far as coverage.  Normally an MMORPG has a heck of a lot more coverage when it’s only a month before launch than DC Universe Online EVER had.  This game looks great and it’s also wonderful that Sony is working so closely with their dedicated fans and give everyone some serious beta time to chew on while they wait for the game to come out.  Can’t wait to play the beta for this brand.

Technorati Tags: DCUO,DCUNIVERSEONLINE,Sony,MMORPG,Superheroes,PC,PS3

NEW SUPER STREET FIGHTER 3DS Trailer! BEST THING EVER!

Bioshock Infinite! I Think I'm in Love!

Video Games | BioShock Infinite | Ten-Minute Demo Gameplay HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

      This is absolutely Ken Levine, I can see his stamp all over this thing.  I cannot wait to play this game.  I have same feelings about this game as when I saw the first Bioshock debut.  Except more so.  The story looks tight and I LOVE the way the world and the main characters interact.  The best part here is that it really doesn’t matter what is or is not scripted.  All the player wants to do after they see this trailer, is to find out all they can about it.

       I can certainly see the hooks that relates it to the Bioshock series but I can’t wait to see if there are more when we actually get to play the game.

Technorati Tags: Bioshock,Ken Levine,Bioshockinfinite,Bioshock2,2Kgames,XBOX360,PS3,sony,microsoft

Enslaved by the PS3! Demo on PSN, when it comes back up!

       Last night after I got home, late!  I dropped on to Playstation Network because I knew that the whole thing was coming down today for maintenance.  I grabbed some demos and among them was Enslaved: Journey to the West.  There should be a demo coming to XBOX LIVE, eventually…  Considering the game comes out in about two weeks, hopefully this is sooner rather than later.

       The demo allows you to play what looks like the first level of the game.  The first thing you will probably notice in this, Ninja Theory game; is how absolutely amazing all the hair looks.  The main character Monkey, who even has a tail.  Has some amazing hair, and other protagonist has amazing looking red hair, her name is Trip.  Andy Serkis voices Monkey and as much as I like Mr.Serkis his voice is as recognizable as Nolan North which can take you out of the story just a little.  Some of the graphics in the game are better than others, but then this is a demo.  I’m sure the polished title will look much better.  The world itself is a very un-Fallout like future.  The world is in ruins, robots that helped create this destruction are still all over the place ready to kill anything that moves.  The world has come back in a more natural sense and makes the world look really beautiful.

        The gameplay of Enslaved looks to be split into two main parts.  Combat and platforming.  Both seem to be incredibly well evolved.  More than I would have imagined given Ninja Theory’s last game; Heavenly Sword.  Which was kind of split between combat and rail shooting.  The fact that you are basically jumping from one glowing object to the next is awesome.  This is definitely in the tradition of Uncharted 2.  Which is some pretty stellar company to be in.  What I’m hoping is that this story will be deep and involved.

       The most important part of the gameplay that you won’t see in this demo is the interaction between Trip and Monkey.  They have to rely on each others abilities to get through different areas.  In the demo you are learning Monkey’s basic controls which will definitely be fun to use in the rest of the game.  I’m told you do take control of Trip for short instances but these are probably only mini-games or short sequences.  Monkey is definitely the main character here.

        I wasn’t too interested in Enslaved before this demo.  But now, I am honestly very interested in playing this game when it comes out October 5th of this year.  But you don’t have to take my word for it, just go on over to PSN, when it comes back up; and download for yourself.

Technorati Tags: Enslaved,PSN,PS3,XBOX360,Microsoft,Sony,NinjaTheory,shooting,platforming

Everything Halo Reach in Video form!

Video Games | Halo: Reach | Review HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

More Halo: Reach - (Xbox 360) Videos

After much work, I finally get all the video coverage I could. Enjoy. If you guys like this please let me know in the comments.

Much Needed DC Universe Information from Gamespot Interview

Killzone 2 Move Support Demo!

Video Games | Killzone 3 | PAX 10: PlayStation Move Walkthrough (Cam) HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

I might actually get into Move, looks like the "core" games might be good. Who knows it looks like something I would have to try out myself.

Star Wars Old Republic: Revan is in the Game! Awesome!

More Mortal Kombat Footage and an interview with Ed Boon!

Mortal Kombat Gameplay from PAX! Best thing EVER! Even if the video isn't HD...

Video Games | Mortal Kombat | PAX 10: Tag-Team Walkthrough (Cam)

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Bastion! First Look Trailer! Someone tell me the narrator narrates the whole game!

I Love you TRMK.org! Mortal Kombat Gameplay!

Speaking of the Witch!

Video Games | Dragon Age: Origins: Witch Hunt | Exclusive Debut Trailer HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Vanquish Demo is out! Don't miss it!

I just played the demo on PSN, I WILL get around to the XBOX 360 too; I've very interested in how the two control and look. Both of which seems incredibly important to this upcoming game. I didn't have chance to ACTUALLY play Vanquish at E3; so this was really wonderful. I played the tutorial to try and get a feel for the combat and movement. But you really don't know how Vanquish actually plays until you actually hold the controller in your hand and have enemies coming at you that shoot back. This is an incredible 3rd person shooter. One of the best I've played in ages. The speed of game is certainly similar to Bayonetta but different in that you never feel like you are just trying something against an enemy. It's more like a calculated logical strategy. Often I found myself planning where and when I would pick up an ammo refill far before I needed it. You do play the E3 level, so go try it out. And found out for yourself how wonderful this new game is going to be.