Metal Gear Solid 4, Metal Gear Online to be playable at TGS 2007

Listed in: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, News, Games, Metal Gear Online Tags: podcast, Konami, Ryan Payton

For those of us currently debating on whether or not to pack up and leave for TGS, here's another reason to push you over: the fact that both Konami's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Online will be playable at TGS. Yes, no more living vicariously through Kojima's demo video - you'll finally be able to experience both games on your own, and see if Old Snake still can kick it like his younger self could.

This little bit of good news comes directly from Kojima Production's own Ryan Payton, via a podcast in which he revealed that the two games will be available for fans to get their own quality time with. Not only that, but he mentioned that there will be a new trailer shown in conjunction with the Metal Gear Solid 4 demo, and he describes it as being a bit too revealing.

Spoilers, anyone? Let's hope not - after all, who could resist watching a few more minutes of new MGS4 goodness? Not many, and certainly not yours truly, that's for sure. Check back here for more updates on all things Metal Gear!

[Via i-revo]

Top 10 Jumped Up Posts in the last 24 hours

Listed in: News, Games, Conan Tags: THQ, World War II, Nihilistic Software

For those of us eagerly anticipating to get our hands on a copy of the gorily-violent Conan (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii) and the groundbreaking RTS title, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, Christmas has indeed come a few months early. THQ has decided to release both titles ahead of schedule, which means that we'll all be knee-deep in some delicious hack-and-slash action and tactical warfighting come late September of this year.

A little backgrounder on both games: Nihilistic Software' Conan puts you in the shoes of Robert E. Howard's musclebound machine of Cimmerian rage in a side-scrolling, third person adventure of blood and bisected bodies.

Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, on the other hand, is the standalone expansion to the critically-acclaimed to the World War II RTS Company of Heroes, and has you fighting one of the most brutal campaigns ever fought.

Not bad for an early Christmas present, THQ, not bad indeed. Updates as we get them!

[Via Eurogamer]

Warhawk update: Major issues fixed, but small percentage of players are still affected

Listed in: News, PlayStation Network, Warhawk, Games Tags: Incognito Entertainment, Dylan Jobe

If you remember a recent news update about Warhawk, it was about the guys over at Incognito Entertainment churning out a patch to resolve a number of online multiplayer issues with the game. The patch itself resolved the issues for a lot of people, but it seems that a small percentage of the player population is still being plagued by these issues.

If you're among the unfortunate ones in that percentage, then rest assured that the team is aware. Dylan Jobe's update about the situation, as is:

While monitoring the stats situation over the weekend we were largely pleased with the results. The vast majority of you were having proper stats registered on the server. That said, as of Monday, we are now seeing some players NOT getting their stats again. A smaller portion for sure, but there's still a problem.

Dylan Jobe then cites the two problems still being experienced - namely, stat resets and problems in joining a big game. The first one, fortunately, is more of a temporary glitch than anything else. If you find your stats suddenly being reset, then don't panic - it's just the game losing connection to the database rather than your points and medals being wiped clean. Logging out and then logging back in would do the trick.

The latter is a bit more serious, and it has to do with players attempting to join a highly-populated game. What happens is that even though a game declares that it has open slots, it will still reject a join attempt. Another facet of this issue is a player being notified of a game being full after an excruciatingly-long connecting period. Ouch.

Rest assured, though, that Dylan Jobe and the others are working hard to make sure these issues are completely eliminated with the next patch. So for those of us having difficulties, let's all just sit tight and hope for the best.

[Via Playstation Boards]

Clive Barker's Jericho: Delgado of the Occult Warfare squad

Listed in: Videos, Games, Clive Barker's Jericho Tags: Codemasters, Clive Barker Clive Barker tries once again to break into the gaming scene after his long hiatus with the upcoming blood fest of an action shooter, Clive Barker's Jericho (PC, Xbox 360, PS3). Codemasters is giving everyone a nice teaser video into each of the seven man Occult Warfare squad.

Today we feature Sgt. Frank Delgado, the powerhouse of the team. He's a heavy weapons expert who doubles as a Pyromancer - someone who controls the fire spirit encased within his right arm.

There's no doubt of the destructive capabilities of Delgado in action. From explosive rockets and heavy chain gun rounds, to the blazing path his fire spirit can carve through the freakish ranks of opponents that he faces, Delgado is one man you sure don't want to mess with.

Tomorrow we'll take a look at who they'll put the spotlight on. In the meantime, take a look at the video and stay tuned for more updates here as we receive them.

Buy: [Clive Barker's Jericho (PS3)]
Buy: [Clive Barker's Jericho (Xbox 360)

Saints Row 2 first details in EGM November issue

Listed in: News, Games, Saints Row 2 Tags: THQ, EGM

Confirmation for Saints Row 2 back in May of this year didn't go as smoothly as one would expect from a highly successful franchise. The companies behind the game didn't want to talk about it at first and then slowly but surely, things fell into their rightful places. THQ finally announced that it will be coming out on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

After that, however, information and details became scarce and the camp of Saints Row became quiet once more. But online site Xboxkings is now saying that one of its sources has confirmed that the first details and screenshots of the sequel will be revealed by gaming magazine EGM.

Those who've been closely following the development of this title might want to know that the said revelation will be done in the publication's November issue and it will become available in bookstores beginning October. The site, lastly, wouldn't name its source and said that "jobs are at stake here."

[Via Xboxkings]

SouthPeak announces Monster Madness: EX for PS3

Listed in: News, Games, Monster Madness Tags: SouthPeak Games

SouthPeak Games has announced that they will be releasing Monster Madness: EX early next year. Based on the original Monster Madness: Battle For Suburbia on the Xbox 360, this game will have players saving their characters' town from an unspeakable evil.

This beat-em-up on the PlayStation 3 is old school gaming at its finest. The players have to guide their characters to the exit of each level. Along the way, you'll be picking up more weapons and power-ups to improve your survivability. SouthPeak Games' Executive VP Melanie Mroz spoke about the release saying:

The Monster Madness series has a lot to offer gamers of all ages, whether they're old school or new school. The top down camera combined with the co-op and online multiplayer make it the perfect title for the PlayStation 3 system.

Hopefully, this game will also have four-player multiplayer which really made the first Monster Madness fun. So far no specific dates have been mentioned on when this game will be coming out. However, they were nice enough to provide a few pieces of concept art to give gamers a look at what to expect.

KISS guitar controller for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

Listed in: News, Games, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Tags: PS2, RedOctane

Axe and you shall receive (ok, that was an awful pun). But seriously, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii) gives everyone the chance to rock in style as they offer a customized KISS-themed guitar controller for the game.

Art Guitar is offering to produce limited editions of the AG Riff Master Guitar Controller, the official RedOctane "axe" for the game. These thematic controllers will be modded from actual guitars with the fret buttons and strum bar still intact. The strings will, of course, be removed to make way for players to jam to their heart's content.

The design for the body itself will feature the legendary band, KISS. Having spanned through all the incarnations of Guitar Hero, they make another encore performance for this latest iteration with their song, "Rock and Roll All Nite" in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

The controller isn't without a hefty price tag attached to it however. This pretty little piece is priced at US$ 399 and Art Guitar is currently accepting pre-orders for it already. Also, for those looking into a little more variety, Art Guitar will be announcing more varied styles in the coming months.

Buy: [Guitar Hero 3 Bundle]

[Via Gamespot]

KISS guitar controller for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock

Listed in: News, Games, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Tags: PS2, RedOctane

Axe and you shall receive (ok, that was an awful pun). But seriously, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (PC, Mac, Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii) gives everyone the chance to rock in style as they offer a customized KISS-themed guitar controller for the game.

Art Guitar is offering to produce limited editions of the AG Riff Master Guitar Controller, the official RedOctane "axe" for the game. These thematic controllers will be modded from actual guitars with the fret buttons and strum bar still intact. The strings will, of course, be removed to make way for players to jam to their heart's content.

The design for the body itself will feature the legendary band, KISS. Having spanned through all the incarnations of Guitar Hero, they make another encore performance for this latest iteration with their song, "Rock and Roll All Nite" in Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

The controller isn't without a hefty price tag attached to it however. This pretty little piece is priced at US$ 399 and Art Guitar is currently accepting pre-orders for it already. Also, for those looking into a little more variety, Art Guitar will be announcing more varied styles in the coming months.

Buy: [Guitar Hero 3 Bundle]

[Via Gamespot]

Crisis Core secret cinematic confirms Final Fantasy VII remake?

Listed in: Rumors, Games, Screenshots Tags: Square Enix, Sony, GameFAQs

According to Kouli, a member of the Gamefaqs Boards, Square Enix is indeed making a Final Fantasy VII remake. Proof of this can be found in a secret trailer video at the end of PSP game Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. We know, and maybe Kouli knows as well, that this is something hard to believe but he has got some screenshots for the naysayers.

The forum member said that one has to finish the game twice and after the credits has finished rolling, the secret cinematic will begin to play. It was also said that the video is quite similar to the one shown at E3 2005 in the Final Fantasy PlayStation 3 Tech Demo.

It is uncertain, however, if the rumored Final Fantasy VII remake will be released on the PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Portable. Both Square Enix and Sony has yet to comment on the matter. Until they do, we're putting this one for now in our rumor basket.

See the other screenshots after the jump!

[Full Article]

[Via GameFAQs Boards]

*UPDATE* PlayStation 3 firmware 1.93 goes live

Listed in: News Tags: Japan, Europe, North America, firmware updates, Eric Lempel

Originally posted Sep 12, 2007 at 04:39PM

Just in case we caught you snoozing on firmware watch, here's an update: firmware 1.93 for the PlayStation 3 has gone live in Japan and basically everywhere else (read: North America and Europe).

According to a blog post by PSN Operations Director Eric Lempel (yesterday), the PS3 update will be bringing about a fix for the "network disconnect" issue that plagued some players after 1.92. PSP owners, on the other hand, will be getting new features as requested. Lempel didn't really go into much detail as to what the changes would be, though we really didn't have to wait that long for the back-to-back firmware updates to make their rounds.

We'll get back to you with the changelog, among other details so stay tuned (plus news on the PSP FW update as well).

Thanks to salimdao and dumbdrinker for the tips!

---

*UPDATE* Just as promised, the PlayStation 3 firmware update was a fix for the network issues experienced by a lot of players. We've got the changelog from the official PlayStation website for Japan and well, it contains a single line:

• Stability of network connection was improved.

Pretty much sums it up. We're still keeping our eyes peeled for other changes made to other regions so keep it here.

Famitsu confirms Eternal Sonata for PS3

Listed in: News, Games, Scans Tags: Famitsu, Japan, Sony, Tri-Crescendo

Adding to the hopes of Japanese RPG fans with a PlayStation 3 is a scan from Famitsu loaded with Eternal Sonata (Trusty Bell in Japan) goodness. Right, let's not run circles and just jump to the beef of the matter - from the looks of it, Tri-Crescendo's Xbox 360 exclusive is coming to Sony's console with a few extras.

From what we gathered, Crescendo and Serenade will be playable characters in the PS3 version. Another additional feature is the ability to change the characters' clothes, which is most welcome considering how desirably fancy and unique their get-ups are inside Frederic Chopin's head.

Aside from that, Trusty Bell seems to be scheduled for a Spring 2008 release in Japan. We could use some help in figuring out the rest, because the Famitsu spread is packed with text we can't decipher.

Thanks to kayos for the tip!

[Via Jeux France]