Split-Screen :: The Game-Geek’s Daily Read

by Ravi Sinha

The Games Conference 2008 at Leipzig will be an event to remember… and in true expo disappointment fashion, one to loathe. For every hopeful announcement, there were at least one or two others that went morality hunting.

At least one of the Sony-oriented announcements, concerning the release of several of AAA titles for their console, was undeterred. Hence, in the coming months we can confidently look forward to LittleBigPlanet, Bioshock and Fallout 3 on the PS3 this October. In corelation with the above “evil must balance good” disclosure, Sony underlined quite a few awkward points that we’ve magnified for your benefit. Sony at least put in a decent effort — Microsoft didn’t seem bothered, and Nintendo was just too good to show up this year. Also: Conflicting reports of Mirror’s Edge being a timed exclusive for the PS3.

Mirror’s Edge to Join Final Fantasy XIII?

The future authoritarian society of Mirror’s Edge developed by DICE (Digital Illusions CE) has shown both incredible and disorienting gameplay potential in the past few months. However, according to Heise Online in a translation of its GC2008 synopsis, Head of SCEE David Reeves announced that Mirror’s Edge will first be released on the PS3 before the PC or the Xbox 360. DICE later commented, “That we know so far nothing. But it is possible that there is collusion at the highest level, of which we are still not informed.” Kind of like the “understanding” between Namco and Sony to produce Soul Calibur III only for the PS2 a few years back?

Nintendo MIA at GC 2008

The heralds of gaming and inventors of Mario, Zelda and Metroid redefined their own past convention efforts… by not coming at all.

There were absolutely no Nintendo Wii or DS titles on display this year at Leipzig. Miyamoto was unavailable for comment and was rumoured to have been swimming in a pool of cash, laughing maniacally at his own craftiness. After all, who else but Nintendo could have the kahoonas to disappoint at not just one expo (this year’s E3 being the first) but two?

Microsoft’s Lack-luster Line-up and Press Con Absence

Microsoft’s showing lacked any major announcement this year, accentuated by the complete absence of anything Gears of War 2-related.

There was also no press conference, as the company ran a few open demos and some closed ones. Aside from Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise (yet another sequel to the game no one cared about), Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (design your own vehicles! Forza’s got nothing on this!) and Halo Wars (which, thank the Lord Almighty, is being developed by Ensemble Studios), there wasn’t much by way of compelling titles. Fable II is still caught up in controversy concerning bugs in its pub mini-games and GTAIV downloadable content has its very own place in this list of shame.

160GB HDD PS3: Sony’s own 360

Here’s a brilliant idea for a new product that no one is ever gonna want, not in a million years. First announce another product that no one will want a month in advance. Then, to insure they don’t have time to think, release the former right away.

Oh, and since they speak a different kind of English there, make sure not to provide it to Australia. Decide in advance who should have the choice of not buying it. Then, sit back and watch as people scorn you, your product and your common sense for days, maybe even weeks on end. For added challenge, try not crying to yourself in the fetal position when you’re all alone at night.

Heavy Rain: The Casting Gameplay Unveiled

Heavy Rain had some sort of spark the with the very first trailer. When it was announced that gameplay footage would be showcased at Leipzig, the eminent buzz surrounding this title looked to be finally justified.

Not that the game itself was that bad, it’s just that, (a) Silent Hill wants its eerie walls and bloodied floors back, (b) Gameplay has the same Quick-Time Event bullshit that other games purported, only that’s really the only thing you can do here, and (c) Is it just me or does the game actually look worse than the very first trailer (from which this screenshot is taken)? There are still some bugs to work out, but let’s hope the story doesn’t devolve into the same inanity that Indigo Prophecy shot itself in the foot with.

GTA-IV Downloadable Content: Beating the Dead Horse Dry… and then some

For all those wonderful souls who sold this game three weeks after buying it, there’s some great new exclusive content comg soon for the XBox360 version that will be totally amazing. Of course, none of it was revealed, but maybe instead of a 100 missions with the same objective, it’ll be just 50!

Doesn’t that just make your heart squeal like a cardiac arrest victim? And reviews will be completely unbiased — because nothing says “unbiased” like a “perfect 10, don’t ask me how it is, it just is, stop looking at me like that, please, I have to feed my kids”.

The PSP 3000: Unfortunately Releasing this Millenium

Sony made good on its promise to reveal the new PSP 3000 this year at Leipzig. They also made absolute payday on their unerring desire to change absolutely nothing of essential significance to the platform whatsoever.

The battery lasts longer, the screen has anti-glare properties and it may be lighter. Oh, and it has a microphone and a different button layout. Sounds fascinating. Remind me again how many games are coming out for the PSP in the next 6 months? Seven? Yes, that includes the four Square-Enix titles and Patapon 2.