Eurogamer goes LBP mad

It seems that the internet has gone LittleBigPlanet mad, with tons of new info emerging today, so lets get down to business.

Voice and Viedo Functionality:

Media Molecule boss David Smith has stated that LittleBigPlanet will feature in-game voice chat and Playstation Eye functionality;

"I can tell you we have VOIP. It's really useful when you're making a level with a friend who happens to be in a different country. It fits really nicely into the game,"

Smith also commented on other features that the game will incorporate, saying that in the future the team would like to add new new features to the game after its launch.

"There's some more cool stuff about this that I'm not going to go into right now. We are using the camera for some of the creative features of the game. It's a pretty powerful way of getting new content into the LBP world.

"We have a big wish list of things that we'd like to add after the initial launch of the game. Making videos of theatre plays and stunts is definitely on the list. Whether we add the feature or not is partially up to you guys. How much do you want it? Tell us!" he added.

Running speeds:

Smith has also revealed that the game will run in 30 Frames per second and at 720p, meaning a proper High definition experience for those who care and a hopefully a decent frame rate throughout the game.

"The game uses a lot filmic techniques like depth of field and motion blur, so this fits the game pretty well."

Smith has also been talking about Hard drive installs, with more and more games taking up hard drive space with installing this is becoming more and more important every day.

"We haven't finalised the details on this."

However, he did go on to add, "The game is designed to be fairly lightweight, to make the sharing of new content easier. Our levels squidge down into really tiny files, which means that when the community makes new ones, they'll download quickly.

"The HD install is perhaps around a gig. Perhaps more or less. It's not finalised yet."

Beta:

Smith, again talking to Eurogamer has stated that the game is currently being Beta tested, saying that he hopes to get the playstation community and fans in on the action soon.

"A beta trial is really important for us to make a game like this. We already have trials in progress! It should gradually grow to include more people," Smith said.

"The beta is starting off in a very controlled way, but will hopefully open up to lots more people. We aren't at a stage yet to know what direction we need to go with this. Personally, I'd love the beta to have as many people as possible, but we need to wait and see."

Sound track:

Smith has finally revealed some information on the sound track the game will feature, saying that they have snapped up music from The Go! Team and Battles and put it in LittleBigPlanet.

"I can confirm that we've licensed music by The Go! Team and Battles as featured in some of our trailers," Smith told Eurogamer in a live text interview.

"The game has lots of other awesome licensed music which is not just a feature of LittleBigPlanet's Story mode, but is available to you to use in create mode (assuming you have collected a given track's music object).

"Even more exciting is the interactive music system which allows you to musically score your levels as you see fit by placing down interactive music objects at key points in your level where you want the music to change," he added.

LittleBigPlanet is set to launch this October.

Sources: Eurogamer 1, 2, 3, 4

Halo Wars screens

Five to be exact, and they are looking pretty stunning as well.

Graphically, the screenshots look fantastic, the varying terrain from the snow capped mountains to war torn battlefield look very detailed indeed, with the character models looking prety much as good (if not better) than they do in Halo 3.

Being made by Ensemble studios, this RTS title is looks to be shaping up nicely, hopefully there will have some gameplay demos to be shown at E3, this title looks like one to watch for the Xbox 360.

Source: Internal

Resistance 2 screens

Gamepro has revealed new images of Resistance 2, showing new concept art and screenshots, one being particularly Shadow of the Colossus like.

There are in total 5 pieces of art work which show the style and direction the team at Insomniac were trying to re-create, the artwork is heavily influenced by posters and style of the time of the Second World War, trying to look like a newspaper from the time period the game is set in.

Secondly (and more interestingly), Gamepro have revealed the first Boss we know of in Resistance 2, named " The Leviathan", this giant thing stands at 300ft in height and is said to "be guarding a crucial secret in Chicago".

The Leviathan is a 300-foot tall Chimera, capable of leveling buildings and aircraft with each swipe of its massive arms.

If you hadnt already guessed, the game is set in the United States this time, as opposed to first title which was set in England. Expect to see more of Resistance 2 (and probably the Leviathan) at E3 this month.

Source: Internal and Gamepro

Another Resi Film Coming ?

Director Paul W.S. Anderson has talked to MTV Movies blog about the chances of another Resident Evil film being made.

He says that there is a possibility of another film being made, however talks are in the very early stages.

I'm just starting to talk to Sony about it,” Anderson confessed. “I don’t even know if anything will come of it, but there’s a possibility it might happen.”

“I love the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise and we always try to make the best possible movie we can. If we could find a good ‘Resident Evil 4’ to make, then we would do it,” he said. “But I wouldn’t just do it for the sake of it, that’s for sure.”

The last film did end on a Cliff Hanger so there would be an easy way to bring about the next film.

Of course, the films have only ever vaguely resembled the Resident Evil films, maybe if a new one actually followed along the lines of one of the games it may be a success.

Source: Kotaku

Bobby talks console prices

Activision boss Bobby Kotick is worried about consoles prices, it seems Bobby believes that high console prices may effect game sales.

It used to be the case that we did well during slowdowns because if you couldn't afford to go to the movies or to travel to a theme park, you stayed home and played a computer game. But now I think that the hardware manufacturers are going to have to think about reducing their prices because the cost of purchasing some of this stuff is prohibitive.

Well it makes sense, if he is referring to kids, however, this probably isn't the case for Adults.

Source: Kotaku

HMV

HMV, one of Briatins largest High street media sellers clearly see gaming as a key part of their future business strategy.

They have announced today that they will begin to sell Second-Hand games in stores, replicating the success that companies such as Game and Gamestation have been having.

“We embarked on successful trials of a ‘next generation’ store format, featuring a social hub providing access to entertainment websites, multi-player games zones and transactional kiosks.

"All product lines in the trial outperformed the rest of the chain, providing a basis in the coming financial year to convert 10-15 stores and open all new stores in the new format.

"We continued to enhance our credibility with customers and suppliers in the fast-growing games console and software market, and are planning to launch a pre-played games offer in 2008/09."

HMV Head of Games Tim Ellis earlier stated how video games are becoming a major player in the media market, stating that Video Games are entering a "Golden Age" and are "the new Rock and Roll".

"Anyone who has been following the development of our games offer really shouldn't be that surprised by this level of growth," he said, after the company revealed that the technology and games division now makes up 21 per cent of the overall revenues, up from 14 per cent a year ago.

"We'll always love music - it's in our DNA after all, but, if it's not too much of a cliché to say it, the truth is that games really are the new rock 'n' roll."

Source: MCVUK and GamesIndustry.biz

Dual Shock 3 Euro Confirmed

The seemingly illusive Dual Shock 3 controller has finally been confirmed for Europe, the release date has been set for July 3rd (this Thursday)

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has announced that the DUALSHOCK 3 Wireless Controller will be available for PLAYSTATION 3 in Europe from July 2, 2008. The eagerly awaited wireless controller with vibration function will put truly responsive gaming power into players’ hands, shaking up gaming experiences when it arrives on PS3 this summer.

With Firmware 2.40 and now Dual Shock 3 both being released this week, its like Birthday and Christmas all rolled into one for Playstation owners this week.

Source: SCEE