News
Disgaea 3 shoots for Europe
Debut next month on the cards
Square Enix's colourful RPG Disgaea 3 is on the way to Europe, the publisher confirming that a continental release on the PlayStation 3 console is likely in February.
The PAL release will hit these shores on the 20th of February, we're told, and Nippon Ichi are enthused about the prospect.
"With Disgaea 3, Nippon Ichi have created a wonderful world full of bizarre characters and deep, addictive gameplay. I hope everyone enjoys playing this unique and rewarding title," offered Square's John Yamamoto.
The game is of course already available as an import, but only in English.
Nintendo listening to fans - Fils-Aime
Nintendo boss confident his firm are paying attention
Speaking with US game site GameDaily, Nintendo US chief Reggie Fils-Aime has taken issue with the suggestion that Nintendo are leaving behind their hardcore fans as they chase mass-market greatness.
On the contrary, Reggie reckons Nintendo's ears are constantly open. "We listen to our fans all the time," he assured.
"Nintendo fans are some of the most passionate in the world, and believe me, they make their opinions heard. We’re not claiming our way of doing things is better or worse than anyone else - it’s just different."
He concludes: "We listen very closely to what people have to say, both pro and con, and keep those feelings in mind as we plan ahead."
Nintendo have previously affirmed that 2009 is a year that will see more 'hardcore' games on the Wii. Fingers crossed.
Mad Catz offer Street Fighter IV controller
HAWX Flight Stick, too
The CES show is now getting its shake on in Las Vegas, and peripheral makers Mad Catz have confirmed a few new products to kick off proceedings.
First up is a retro-styled Street Fighter IV controller, then there's also a new HAWX-themed flight stick, not to mention a new PC flight stick, too.
The Street Fighter IV Arcade FightStick is for the PS3 and Xbox 360, and includes "dual-speed Turbo functionality" for each of the eight buttons, as well as LED Indicators, and an integrated D-Pad switch. There's even a place to display character cards.
There's also the SF IV FightPad, FightStick Tournament Edition and a number of other Street Fighter branded oddities coming from the controller makers.
The Saitek Aviator Flight Stick, meanwhile, also supports the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, as well as the PC. An oversized flat base is included, as are three dedicated Fire Buttons, a Combat Trigger, POV Analog Stick and a throttle lever.
The 360 version offers Live headset support, while the PS3 edition includes a Home button.
Saints Row 2 set for PC and Steam
THQ release shooter online, and beige box
Word in from publisher THQ today reveals that the firm's PC version of open-world shooter Saints Row 2 is available today stateside, and will hit Europe on January 29th.
Volition's action game has gone down well with reviewers, and Valve Software also send word today that the game is even available on their Steam download platform.
On Steam, the game is only available to American users, while we've no word on whether the title will reach Europe via download, too.
Kappow.
Cuboid set for PSN release
Exclusive puzzle game confirmed
The PlayStation Network will be getting a new puzzle offering in the not too distant future, according to word in today from developers Creat and TikGames, who confirm that Cuboid will be an exclusive downloadable on the PSN.
The block-based brain-twister features 3D visuals and is set in exotic locales; it can be yours for 9.99 USD.
We're promised mystic landscapes and engrossing puzzle action, complete with relaxing music. A PS3 exclusive it be, as we mentioned.
Nothing else to say, really... ah, four paragraphs...
Lionhead close in on Fable 2 DLC launch
RPG tops 300,000 sales in the UK
Speaking to UK blog VG247 today, a spokesperson for UK developer Lionhead has revealed that the company is closing in on a downloadable content launch for hit RPG Fable 2.
We've known the new DLC is in development for some time, with a new patch for the Xbox 360 title set for release at the same time. Knothole Island, is the name of the fresh content.
The pack was set to arrive in December, but was delayed to this month as Lionhead struggled with technical issues.
Finally, the developer also lets slip that their opus was the fifth fastest-selling game in UK history, sales having now topped 300,000.
DSi rules latest Japanese charts
Nintendo's handheld runs away with Christmas
It isn't Friday, but the new year disruption meant that this data didn't arrive last Friday as per usual (it was a national holiday in Japan), so we can today reveal to you Japan's best-selling gaming hardware - between December 22nd and the 28th.
The latest figures, as usual, come courtesy of Japanese publisher Media Create, who reveal that the DSi was Japan's Christmas number one - selling over 245,00 units over the week in question.
Second on the chart is the Wii, selling nearly 135,000, while the PSP isn't far behind with nearly 119,000.
After that there's a big jump down to the PS3, which sold 46,000, followed by the distant Xbox 360, which managed 13,000 over the week.
The PS2 is last with less that 11,000. More from Japan later this week, we'd imagine.
Vegetarians back Fable II
RPG promotes veggie diet, says PETA
Animal welfare group PETA has voted Fable II the most "animal-friendly videogame", at their annual Proggy Awards ceremony.
Apparently, the Xbox 360 exclusive RPG is a "vegetarian's dream come true". Why? You might ask. The game purportedly puts vegetarians on a level playing field with their meat munching cousins.
"In this virtual fight between good and evil, characters powered by tofu are just as powerful as their meat-eating counterparts-and are more fit and attractive to boot," offer PETA on Lionhead's creation.
"Featuring a strong pro-vegetarian theme, eating a plant-based diet helps you rack up 'purity' points, whereas eating meat makes your character fat and evil. A fun and innovative game, it's also an effective tool that teaches gamers the real-life benefits of a vegetarian diet."
In other news: Peter Molyneux has chained himself to a railing outside Burger King in Guildford High Street...
Tetris mental health benefits revealed
Puzzle game aids trauma treatment progress
A new BBC report today reveals that, despite being infuriatingly addictive, playing Tetris can actually help reduce the impact of traumatic stress - that's the word from new UK research.
Participants in the new survey were shown 'distressing' images, then given the classic puzzle game to play for 30 minutes afterwards. Apparently, those playing the game experienced less frequent flashbacks, the game potentially disrupting 'the laying down of memories'.
The study was quick to point out that research could not match the intensity of real-life traumas, but researchers hope this discovery might help develop a viable approach to treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"We wanted to find a way to dampen down flashbacks - the raw sensory images of trauma that are over-represented in the memories of those with PTSD. Tetris may work by competing for the brain's resources for sensory information," said Dr. Emily Holmes.
"We suggest it specifically interferes with the way sensory memories are laid down in the period after trauma and thus reduces the number of flashbacks that are experienced afterwards."
New Clancy-brand shooters this year
Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon set to return
Word on the interweb this afternoon suggests that - perhaps unsurprisingly - Ubisoft are planning to confirm new Tom Clancy-themed shooters, with the next iterations in the Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six series' set to step into the light.
CVG were apparently told of the forthcoming revelations by Ubisoft insiders. The games in question will be unveiled later this year, and could be available in time for Christmas.
We're not sure whether the new titles will continue in the Advanced Warfighter or Las Vegas furrows previously ploughed by the French publisher, although it seems unlikely we'll be heading back to the city of sin, given past hints that the next Rainbow Six will take the action elsewhere.
More on this idle gossip as we get it.
