mgs posts (Subscribe to this feed)

A 'slice' of Forza 3's Japanese cars and tracks revealed

by Xav de Matos { Jul 1st 2009 at 5:00AM }

With an October release just around the corner, Turn 10 is taking the time to slowly reveal the cars and tracks featured in Forza Motorsport 3. Today's details come from the Japanese region, with news that Forza 3 will feature the legendary Suzuka Circuit -- known as one of the most "dangerous motorsport race tracks in Japan" -- the Tsukuba Circuit and the Twin Ring Motegi, home of the Indy Japan 300.

Also revealed in today's press release were 17 of the game's 400 vehicles, featuring standard production cars like the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX MR and 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi, as well as race models from Nissan and Toyota. A full list of the rides revealed today -- which Turn 10 promises is just a 'slice' of Japanese content -- can be found after the break. Brace your faces, racing fans, as Turn 10 trickles out more details for the upcoming racing sim in the coming months.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 3 (Japanese Vehicles)

Continued →

Yahuh! Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack out tomorrow

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 29th 2009 at 1:00PM }

If you're in the market for a delightfully bouncy orchestral video game soundtrack, then we've got some good news for you. Sumthing Digital will be offering the official Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts soundtrack starting tomorrow. We've sampled a few tracks and can confirm that it is most definitely delightfully bouncy and orchestral. All kidding aside, it's actually a pretty decent soundtrack, and certainly better than a lot of the other game music out there.

The soundtrack will also be available from Amazon, and can currently be pre-ordered for $13.99, nearly two bucks off the $15.98 list price. As Rare states on its website, "Nobody has an overabundance of vehicular bear music in their library right now, so this deserves a shot."

Source - Sumthing Digital
Source - Amazon

Pre-order ODST, unlock Sgt. Avery Johnson

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 18th 2009 at 7:28PM }

So here's the news: Pre-ordering Halo 3: ODST at participating retailers will net you a token to unlock Sergeant Johnson as a playable character in the new Firefight mode. We greet this news with mixed feelings. On one hand, A.J. Johnson is undeniably a badass. His in-game model is even chomping his trademark cigar. On the other hand, we're not sure if picking Johnson amounts to cheating.

As Halo players well know, the man is invincible. The guy was jumped by the Flood and survived. Hell, we've seen him take a beam rifle to the head without even flinching. Here's hoping his mortality is restored for ODST. Otherwise it just wouldn't be fair. Check out some screens of Sgt. Johnson in the gallery below, and find a list of participating retailers after the break.

Gallery: Halo 3: ODST Sgt. Johnson pre-order bonus

Continued →

PSN Thursday: MGS1 infiltrates the PSOne Classics' ranks

by Jem Alexander { Jun 18th 2009 at 5:32PM }

Similarly to the European PSN Store update, this week's content is a little lean.

But what's this? Solid Snake infiltrates the store in his original PS1 adventure, Metal Gear Solid. Yours for the premium PS1 price of $9.99. Sure you can probably find a cheaper copy in a bargain bin somewhere, but really you're paying for the ability to play this classic on your PSP. Anywhere. Other than that, there's a new episode of Qore and an NCAA Football 10 demo. PSP owners can grab GRAW 2 and some themes, too.

Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list:

(Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid (PlayStation)

Continued →

Bungie: Don't expect to see Master Chief in ODST

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 15th 2009 at 6:30PM }

Given that Halo 3: ODST takes place directly after the Prophet of Regret bugs out of New Mombasa, it's not too surprising to learn that Master Chief won't be appearing in the game. See, everyone knows that the UNSC In Amber Clad -- carrying Master Chief -- jumped into the same slipspace rupture used by Regret. Duh.

Still, if you were sternly hoping that John 117 might make some kind of cameo, those hopes have now been officially quashed by Bungie's Brian Jarrard. Speaking to Multiplayer, Jarrard stated the totally obvious, "Master Chief, at the time this game takes place, is actually off on other parts of the galaxy." Jarrard elaborated, "In this game, it's all about you playing the role of an ODST," adding, "The way the timelines work in this game, Master Chief is off doing something else."

So there you have it, the only place to find Master Chief while playing ODST is where he can always be found: Our hearts.

Metal Gear Solid Rising getting re-done graphics engine

by Jason Dobson { Jun 13th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Like a case of bad allergies, Metal Gear Solid 4's graphics left us rubbing our eyes. That said, when it comes to developing the recently unveiled Metal Gear Solid Rising, the latest sequel's eye candy is not nearly sweet enough.

According to Kojima Productions assistant producer Sean Eyestone, the team is remaking Rising's engine "from scratch" to make it look better than MGS4. Speaking during a recent Kojima Productions podcast, Eyestone describes the multiplatform project as "a big project like Metal Gear Solid 4," adding that the team "team is serious about making it look as good as possible on every platform." Let's just hope our meager eyes can take it.

[Via 1UP]

Forza Motorsport 3 will ship on two discs

by Xav de Matos { Jun 4th 2009 at 1:30AM }

In an interview with Joystiq, Forza Motorsport 3 content director John Wendl of Turn 10, confirmed the upcoming racer would ship on two discs. As rumors last year noted, the core game will come on the game's first disc while the second will be reserved for other content -- such as vehicles and maps. "It is going to ship on two discs," Wendl said. "Disc one is the full experience, even disc one is bigger than any other racing game out there. Disc two includes a lot of extra cars, even a handful of tracks."

When asked if the second disc would act as a data transfer, downloading the additional content to the hard drive for use with the first disc, Wendl told us that was "exactly right." While Turn 10 assures all gamers will be able to enjoy the full Forza 3 experience, we now have confirmation that not all gamers will be able to enjoy all 400 vehicles promised at the Microsoft press briefing.

Gallery: Forza Motorsport 3

'!' Metal Gear Solid Rising confirmed for PS3, PC

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 3rd 2009 at 6:44PM }

During Konami's E3 press conference today, Kojima confirmed assumptions that Metal Gear Solid Rising will be multiplatform, now announced for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and PC. Kojima also shed some light on the mysteries of "lightning bolt action," calling Rising an experiment in building technology first, and then delivering new content based on it. A team of new, "young" staff will produce the project.

Additionally, Kojima revealed the significance of the storm teaser from his website. Contrary to your seemingly acute observations, the storm symbolizes the current economic situation, and the entertainment business is the force that will "clear up the storm." Shucks. That was so going to be our next guess!

Dress up as Liquid Snake ... for $360

by Majed Athab { Jun 2nd 2009 at 5:00PM }

Style doesn't come cheap, especially if your name is Liquid Snake -- or if you just want to pretend you're him. For $360 ($400 Canadian) you too can dress up like Solid Snake's villainous brother. The coat he wore in the first MGS has been tailored for real-life wear by AbbyShot and can be purchased off its online store.

The coat is full-length and features Liquid's signature shoulder pads. Perfect for a night out in the 80s, we think. Still, buying this may make you look like Liquid, but it won't make you as bad-ass as Liquid.

[Via Kotaku]

Kojima details Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

by Majed Athab { Jun 2nd 2009 at 3:05PM }

Tactical Espionage is back and on PSP. Kojima announced Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker at Sony's conference calling it a "true sequel" that's definitely "not a spin-off or side story." Kojima himself will be writing the script and producing the game, so fans can rest easy they're getting an authentic Metal Gear experience.

The game is set in the 1970s, 10 years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 3. It will star, yet again, Big Boss and will take place in Costa Rica, divulging the back story of Outer Heaven's creation. It will debut in 2010.

The Agency is recruiting again: First Crackdown 2 trailer

by Richard Mitchell { Jun 2nd 2009 at 12:15AM }

"The city is infected. You are the cure."

So begins the first trailer for Crackdown 2. The trailer subsequently showcases one of the Agency's supercops doing what he does best. If you've played the first Crackdown, you'll know that what an Agent does best is basically to be a complete and total badass. The only difference is that this time, it looks like the Agents just might have met their match. We won't spoil it for you, so just go ahead and give it a watch.

Kojima wants to make games until he dies

by Griffin McElroy { Apr 28th 2009 at 11:30PM }

During an appearance at an Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo, Metal Gear maven Hideo Kojima was questioned by a concerned, rabid fan as to just how long he planned to remain in the industry. Kojima proudly displayed a mock resume, which contained the answer to the aforementioned question: "I'd like to continue being on the scene making games until I die." The MGS fans within us certainly hope his life will be as long as his cutscenes, relatively speaking.

He went on to explain that the only thing that could lure him away from the world of game development is, of course, space travel. Oh, aeronautical exploration! Does your temptation know no bounds?

Gamer Doc to host Halo 3 tourney

by Richard Mitchell { Apr 7th 2009 at 12:45PM }

Given that there are only five locations in North America, there's a good chance you haven't heard of Gamer Doc, a new retail franchise that began last year. The fledgling franchise, whose locations have a unique, video game-inspired design, will host a Halo 3 tournament starting May 1 at its Bear, Delaware; Burlington, Ontario; Highland Park, California; and Springfield, Pennsylvania stores -- no love for the Miami store, apparently. Each store will host a double elimination tournament. The winning teams will face off on May 30 competing for a grand prize of $4,000, with $1,000 and $500 going to the second and third place winners, respectively.

Registration for four-man teams will be accepted through April 24, with a $50 entry fee required per team. Visit your local Gamer Doc (if you have one) to register.

The chance at $4,000 sounds pretty nice and all, but let us remind you: Joystiq can get you Recon armor and the Mythic Map Pack for free.

April Fools: Next MGS to star Colonel Campbell

by David Hinkle { Apr 1st 2009 at 11:19AM }

It would appear that Raiden is not the man to star in "the next MGS," as the slide above from Kojima's GDC keynote led us to believe. In fact, it's none other than old crazy man himself, Colonel Campbell, who will shoulder the responsibility of foiling whatever impending calamity is offered by the next MGS. Armed with nothing more than a sweet face visor and deadly cane, the Colonel shows you just how deadly he is in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Rodrigo!]

Continued →

PSA: Gears 2 Snowblind Map Pack out now

by Richard Mitchell { Mar 31st 2009 at 12:55PM }

click to enlarge

Locusts and gentlemen, COGs and girls, the Gears of War 2 Snowblind Map Pack is now available. The pack contains four new maps: Grindyard, Under Hill, Courtyard and a remake of Fuel Depot from the first Gears. If you'd like to make some red snow in online multiplayer -- or mow down Locust scum in Horde mode -- the maps will set you back 800

. For those who'd prefer not to make a blind purchase (get it?), you can check out lots of screens in the gallery below. Even better, watch Joystiq Xbox's hands-on preview video after the break.