Archive for March 2nd, 2010

2010 already has a hefty lineup of hardware releases, with Microsoft's Project Natal, Sony's PS3 Motion Controller and Nintendo's DSi XL all hitting stores. All three of those companies will be absent from the GDC keynote schedule this month in San Francisco, however, as the conference focuses on software development. Sony's controller will get its own panel, but the spotlight will be focused on game makers.

Event director Meggan Scavio confirmed that none of the three big players in the console market will appear for GDC keynote addresses, according to EL33TONLINE.

"I've taken a bit of a shift when it comes to programming keynotes," Scavio told GamesIndustry.biz at the beginning of the year. "I really want to focus on developers, and I want to have a developer onstage at GDC every year as a way of showcasing what the conference is about."

This year, that goal will take the form of industry icon Sid Meier. You'll find some speakers from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo scattered about on the show's roster, but the focus has been intentionally directed past big announcements and platform demonstrations in an effort to showcase software development.

Both Natal and Sony's motion controller could benefit from some announcements at this show, even if they aren't going to be front and center. Particularly in Sony's case, a big game announcement or two could go a long way toward igniting some excitement for the fall. A little lip service from some software folks would also go a long way, since Natal's title catalog has already begun to materialize.

What do you think of GDC programming lineup for 2010? Do you think their making a wise decision to prioritize software makers over big hardware announcements? Share your reactions in the comment section below.

2010 already has a hefty lineup of hardware releases, with Microsoft's Project Natal, Sony's PS3 Motion Controller and Nintendo's DSi XL all hitting stores. All three of those companies will be absent from the GDC keynote schedule this month in San Francisco, however, as the conference focuses on software development. Sony's controller will get its own panel, but the spotlight will be focused on game makers.

Event director Meggan Scavio confirmed that none of the three big players in the console market will appear for GDC keynote addresses, according to EL33TONLINE.

"I've taken a bit of a shift when it comes to programming keynotes," Scavio told GamesIndustry.biz at the beginning of the year. "I really want to focus on developers, and I want to have a developer onstage at GDC every year as a way of showcasing what the conference is about."

This year, that goal will take the form of industry icon Sid Meier. You'll find some speakers from Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo scattered about on the show's roster, but the focus has been intentionally directed past big announcements and platform demonstrations in an effort to showcase software development.

Both Natal and Sony's motion controller could benefit from some announcements at this show, even if they aren't going to be front and center. Particularly in Sony's case, a big game announcement or two could go a long way toward igniting some excitement for the fall. A little lip service from some software folks would also go a long way, since Natal's title catalog has already begun to materialize.

What do you think of GDC programming lineup for 2010? Do you think their making a wise decision to prioritize software makers over big hardware announcements? Share your reactions in the comment section below.

PSN problems for the PlayStation 3 aren't the only ones plaguing Sony this week. Europe may have gotten a special "Heavy Rain" PS3 bundle, but the number of individual games shipped to the U.K. appears to have fallen short of demand. Sony has now acknowledged the problem, though, pledging to remedy the situation.

"We have been extremely delighted with the demand for 'Heavy Rain,'" a spokesperson for SCE UK told MCV. "Whilst it isn't out of stock we are aware that supplies are running low. There is still supply in the chain, but I'm afraid if you're hunting for a copy it may require a little extra footwork."

Unlike the PS3's problems, "Heavy Rain" supply issue shouldn't required much overtime on Sony's part to remedy. They just need to get more units out there. The company's representative said that they're on top of things, however, and everything should be fixed fairly soon.

"There will be more stock arriving next week," Sony said.

Having just returned from Liverpool myself, I can vouch for the presence of "Heavy Rain" on a few store shelves there. By comparison to the PSN outages, this problem almost looks like a win for Sony this week, so here's hoping both get solved soon as promised.

Have you had any problems finding a copy of "Heavy Rain"? Was it worth the extra effort if you had to stop my multiple stores to find it? Sound off in the comment section below.

PSN problems for the PlayStation 3 aren't the only ones plaguing Sony this week. Europe may have gotten a special "Heavy Rain" PS3 bundle, but the number of individual games shipped to the U.K. appears to have fallen short of demand. Sony has now acknowledged the problem, though, pledging to remedy the situation.

"We have been extremely delighted with the demand for 'Heavy Rain,'" a spokesperson for SCE UK told MCV. "Whilst it isn't out of stock we are aware that supplies are running low. There is still supply in the chain, but I'm afraid if you're hunting for a copy it may require a little extra footwork."

Unlike the PS3's problems, "Heavy Rain" supply issue shouldn't required much overtime on Sony's part to remedy. They just need to get more units out there. The company's representative said that they're on top of things, however, and everything should be fixed fairly soon.

"There will be more stock arriving next week," Sony said.

Having just returned from Liverpool myself, I can vouch for the presence of "Heavy Rain" on a few store shelves there. By comparison to the PSN outages, this problem almost looks like a win for Sony this week, so here's hoping both get solved soon as promised.

Have you had any problems finding a copy of "Heavy Rain"? Was it worth the extra effort if you had to stop my multiple stores to find it? Sound off in the comment section below.

As I reported earlier today, PS3s around the globe are having serious problems, and it seems Sony has figured out the issue and will issue a fix in the next 24 hours. Here are some of the symptoms to determine if you're stricken with the bug, which apparently is due to some internal clock issues:

The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.

When the user tries to sign in to the PlayStation Network, the following
message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been
signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".

When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears
on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; "Failed to install
trophies. Please exit your game."

When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the
Internet, the following message appears on the screen; "The current date
and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)"

Users are not able to play back certain rental video downloaded from the
PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

Important to note that PS3 Slims are immune to the bug, so no need to fret if that's your set-up. For everyone else with a PS3 Fat, Sony is recommending that users not turn the system on until the issue is fixed, as it may cause more problems to arise. They've stated that a fix is coming in the next 24 hours.

As I reported earlier today, PS3s around the globe are having serious problems, and it seems Sony has figured out the issue and will issue a fix in the next 24 hours. Here are some of the symptoms to determine if you're stricken with the bug, which apparently is due to some internal clock issues:

The date of the PS3 system may be re-set to Jan 1, 2000.

When the user tries to sign in to the PlayStation Network, the following
message appears on the screen; "An error has occurred. You have been
signed out of PlayStation Network (8001050F)".

When the user tries to launch a game, the following error message appears
on the screen and the trophy data may disappear; "Failed to install
trophies. Please exit your game."

When the user tries to set the time and date of the system via the
Internet, the following message appears on the screen; "The current date
and time could not be obtained. (8001050F)"

Users are not able to play back certain rental video downloaded from the
PlayStation Store before the expiration date.

Important to note that PS3 Slims are immune to the bug, so no need to fret if that's your set-up. For everyone else with a PS3 Fat, Sony is recommending that users not turn the system on until the issue is fixed, as it may cause more problems to arise. They've stated that a fix is coming in the next 24 hours.

A few months ago we took a look at the casting call for "LA Noire." Well, it looks like they found their man. According to an article in this month's Game Informer, Aaron Stanton will play Cole Phelps, the protagonist of the game. Stanton will be familiar to fans of "Mad Men," as he plays the unassuming, invariably cheery account man, Ken Cosgrove.

Apparently Stanton is familiar with Rockstar's work:

"Yeah, I've played most of [Rockstar's games]. I played all the 'Grand Theft Autos.' My favorite was 'Vice City.' As far as open-world games, or anything with a story, in the past, I've usually skipped the cutscenes to go into the gameplay. Which is a funny thing, but I'm just being honest."

Stanton goes on to say that effort is being made to make the cutscenes more tied into the gameplay. "[This game] is about trying to enhance the experience and bring those two together into a singular experience, rather than two seperate things, where you're playing, then you put the controller down and watch."

Stanton isn't the only "Mad Men" vet that's working on the game. Michael Uppendahl will be handling the directing of the actors in the game, which is appropriate given that he's directed a number of "Mad Men" episodes.

There's plenty of additional "LA Noire" info in the article, which is on news shelves now.

A few months ago we took a look at the casting call for "LA Noire." Well, it looks like they found their man. According to an article in this month's Game Informer, Aaron Stanton will play Cole Phelps, the protagonist of the game. Stanton will be familiar to fans of "Mad Men," as he plays the unassuming, invariably cheery account man, Ken Cosgrove.

Apparently Stanton is familiar with Rockstar's work:

"Yeah, I've played most of [Rockstar's games]. I played all the 'Grand Theft Autos.' My favorite was 'Vice City.' As far as open-world games, or anything with a story, in the past, I've usually skipped the cutscenes to go into the gameplay. Which is a funny thing, but I'm just being honest."

Stanton goes on to say that effort is being made to make the cutscenes more tied into the gameplay. "[This game] is about trying to enhance the experience and bring those two together into a singular experience, rather than two seperate things, where you're playing, then you put the controller down and watch."

Stanton isn't the only "Mad Men" vet that's working on the game. Michael Uppendahl will be handling the directing of the actors in the game, which is appropriate given that he's directed a number of "Mad Men" episodes.

There's plenty of additional "LA Noire" info in the article, which is on news shelves now.

"Battlefield: Bad Company 2" is upon us, and the multiplayer portion of the game is surprisingly robust, especially when it comes to implements of death that you're allowed to wield. Don't worry, I've got ya covered. Here's a rundown of all of the primary, class-specific weapons that'll be available at launch, including what you'll need to do to unlock them.

This list doesn't include the wide variety of weapons that you can unlock for use with any class. Those unlocks (which include shotguns, pistols and specialty rifles) are tied to your overall rank.

With that out of the way, let's get to the goods.

Assault Class Weapons

AEK Vintovka (Unlocked from Start)
Basically an AK-47 without the branding. Fully automatic and not super accurate.
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 17/22

XM8 Prototype (Requires 3,000 Assault Points)
Experimental and fancy looking. Fully automatic.
Damage - 12/22
Accuracy - 15/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

F2000 Assault (8,000 Assault)
Bullpup design makes it more portable and offers increased rate of fire, at the cost of accuracy)
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 19/22

STG.77 Aug (20,000 Assault)
Low accuracy and high mobility, just like the F2000.
Damage - 14/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 15/22

AN-94 Abakan (28,000 Assault)
Like the AEK, but fires 2-round bursts of semi-automatic fire.
Damage - 15/22
Accuracy - 15/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

M416 (35,000 Assault)
Fully automatic assault rifle, a more portable variant of the M16.
Damage - 15/22
Accuracy - 15/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

M16 A2 (47,000 Assault)
Classic assault rifle, notable for its high accuracy and 3-round burst.
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 17/22
Rate of Fire - 17/22

Engineer Class Weapons

9A-91 Avtomat (Unlocked at Start)
Fully automatic carbine, used in close quarters.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

SCAR-L Carbine (3,200 Engineer)
Fully automatic and highly mobile.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

X8 Compact (6,500 Engineer)
Compact version of the XM8 assault rifle.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 10/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

AKS -740 Krinkov (Unlocked at Start)
Like a mini, silenced version of the AEK.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 15/22

Uzi (26,000 Engineer)
Staple sub-machine gun with an extremely high rate of fire.
Damage - 8/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 19/22

PP-2000 Avtomat (32,000 Engineer)
Sub-machine gun with the highest rate of fire in the game.
Damage - 7/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 22/22

UMP.45 (43,000 Engineer)
Good stopping power and decent accuracy make this a good all around weapon.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

Medic Weapons

PKM LMG (Unlocked from Start)
100-round belt that fires 7.62 rounds with high accuracy.
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 14/22

M249 SAW (3,300 Medic)
200-round belt with high rate of fire.
Damage - 10/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

Type 88 LMG (8,600 Medic)
High recoil and low mobility, but it has great range.
Damage - 12/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 14/22

M60 LMG (25,000 Medic)
Good all-around light machine gun.
Damage - 13/22
Accuracy - 12/22
Rate of Fire - 15/22

XM8 LMG (34,000 Medic)
Based off the XM8 assault rifle model, but with increased damage output due to a larger magazine.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

MG36 (42,000 Medic)
LMG with a bi-pod and built-in scope for added accuracy over long ranges
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 14/22
Rate of Fire - 16/2

MG 3 (57,000 Medic)
Capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute, this is the LMG with the highest rate of fire.
Damage - 7/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 22/22

Recon Weapons

M24 Sniper (Unlocked from Start)
Bolt-action rifle with slow rate of fire, but good accuracy and damage.
Damage - 19/22
Accuracy - 20/22
Rate of Fire - 3/22

Type 88 Sniper (2,200 Recon)
Semi-automatic rifle, good for mid-range targets, especially when equipped with a red dot sight.
Damage - 14/22
Accuracy - 17/22
Rate of Fire - 6/22

SV98 Snaiperskaya (6,000 Recon)
Bolt-action rifle with 10 round clip, good for long range targets.
Damage - 13/22
Accuracy - 18/22
Rate of Fire - 6/22

SVU Snaiperskaya Short (15,000 Recon)
Silenced, shortened variant of the SV98 with lower damage but a higher rate of fire.
Damage - 13/22
Accuracy - 18/22
Rate of Fire - 6/22

GOL Sniper Magnum (21,000 Recon)
Sniper with the best accuracy in the game. Great stopping power, as well.
Damage - 18/22
Accuracy - 22/22
Rate of Fire - 4/22

VSS Snaiperskaya Special (26,000 Recon)
Silenced sniper rifle that lacks range but features an extremely high rate of fire.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 14/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

M95 Sniper (34,000 Recon)
Highest damage per shot in the whole game. This is the ultimate one-hit weapon.
Damage - 22/22
Accuracy - 18/22
Rate of Fire - 1/22

"Battlefield: Bad Company 2" is upon us, and the multiplayer portion of the game is surprisingly robust, especially when it comes to implements of death that you're allowed to wield. Don't worry, I've got ya covered. Here's a rundown of all of the primary, class-specific weapons that'll be available at launch, including what you'll need to do to unlock them.

This list doesn't include the wide variety of weapons that you can unlock for use with any class. Those unlocks (which include shotguns, pistols and specialty rifles) are tied to your overall rank.

With that out of the way, let's get to the goods.

Assault Class Weapons

AEK Vintovka (Unlocked from Start)
Basically an AK-47 without the branding. Fully automatic and not super accurate.
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 17/22

XM8 Prototype (Requires 3,000 Assault Points)
Experimental and fancy looking. Fully automatic.
Damage - 12/22
Accuracy - 15/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

F2000 Assault (8,000 Assault)
Bullpup design makes it more portable and offers increased rate of fire, at the cost of accuracy)
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 19/22

STG.77 Aug (20,000 Assault)
Low accuracy and high mobility, just like the F2000.
Damage - 14/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 15/22

AN-94 Abakan (28,000 Assault)
Like the AEK, but fires 2-round bursts of semi-automatic fire.
Damage - 15/22
Accuracy - 15/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

M416 (35,000 Assault)
Fully automatic assault rifle, a more portable variant of the M16.
Damage - 15/22
Accuracy - 15/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

M16 A2 (47,000 Assault)
Classic assault rifle, notable for its high accuracy and 3-round burst.
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 17/22
Rate of Fire - 17/22

Engineer Class Weapons

9A-91 Avtomat (Unlocked at Start)
Fully automatic carbine, used in close quarters.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

SCAR-L Carbine (3,200 Engineer)
Fully automatic and highly mobile.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

X8 Compact (6,500 Engineer)
Compact version of the XM8 assault rifle.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 10/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

AKS -740 Krinkov (Unlocked at Start)
Like a mini, silenced version of the AEK.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 15/22

Uzi (26,000 Engineer)
Staple sub-machine gun with an extremely high rate of fire.
Damage - 8/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 19/22

PP-2000 Avtomat (32,000 Engineer)
Sub-machine gun with the highest rate of fire in the game.
Damage - 7/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 22/22

UMP.45 (43,000 Engineer)
Good stopping power and decent accuracy make this a good all around weapon.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

Medic Weapons

PKM LMG (Unlocked from Start)
100-round belt that fires 7.62 rounds with high accuracy.
Damage - 11/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 14/22

M249 SAW (3,300 Medic)
200-round belt with high rate of fire.
Damage - 10/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

Type 88 LMG (8,600 Medic)
High recoil and low mobility, but it has great range.
Damage - 12/22
Accuracy - 11/22
Rate of Fire - 14/22

M60 LMG (25,000 Medic)
Good all-around light machine gun.
Damage - 13/22
Accuracy - 12/22
Rate of Fire - 15/22

XM8 LMG (34,000 Medic)
Based off the XM8 assault rifle model, but with increased damage output due to a larger magazine.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 13/22
Rate of Fire - 16/22

MG36 (42,000 Medic)
LMG with a bi-pod and built-in scope for added accuracy over long ranges
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 14/22
Rate of Fire - 16/2

MG 3 (57,000 Medic)
Capable of firing 1,000 rounds per minute, this is the LMG with the highest rate of fire.
Damage - 7/22
Accuracy - 9/22
Rate of Fire - 22/22

Recon Weapons

M24 Sniper (Unlocked from Start)
Bolt-action rifle with slow rate of fire, but good accuracy and damage.
Damage - 19/22
Accuracy - 20/22
Rate of Fire - 3/22

Type 88 Sniper (2,200 Recon)
Semi-automatic rifle, good for mid-range targets, especially when equipped with a red dot sight.
Damage - 14/22
Accuracy - 17/22
Rate of Fire - 6/22

SV98 Snaiperskaya (6,000 Recon)
Bolt-action rifle with 10 round clip, good for long range targets.
Damage - 13/22
Accuracy - 18/22
Rate of Fire - 6/22

SVU Snaiperskaya Short (15,000 Recon)
Silenced, shortened variant of the SV98 with lower damage but a higher rate of fire.
Damage - 13/22
Accuracy - 18/22
Rate of Fire - 6/22

GOL Sniper Magnum (21,000 Recon)
Sniper with the best accuracy in the game. Great stopping power, as well.
Damage - 18/22
Accuracy - 22/22
Rate of Fire - 4/22

VSS Snaiperskaya Special (26,000 Recon)
Silenced sniper rifle that lacks range but features an extremely high rate of fire.
Damage - 9/22
Accuracy - 14/22
Rate of Fire - 13/22

M95 Sniper (34,000 Recon)
Highest damage per shot in the whole game. This is the ultimate one-hit weapon.
Damage - 22/22
Accuracy - 18/22
Rate of Fire - 1/22