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Rumor: Screens of Dishwasher: Dead Samurai 2 leaked; Ska Studios responds

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 6th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Or, if you prefer: "Tom Morello strikes again; joined by Rebecca Romijn and Zach Braff."

Screenshots of what may be a sequel to the XBLA game The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai have landed on 1UP, allegedly supplied by the same saboteur that leaked those supposed Halo: Reach images. The shots certainly jive with the original game's art style and do feature some new enemies, backgrounds and objects. There are a number of new weapons shown, including a minigun, some kind of halberd, something that appears to be a giant syringe and -- our favorite -- a humongous pair of scissors.

When reached for comment, Dishwasher creator James Silva said, "Ska Studios does not comment on rumor and speculation," and then added, "I'm never inviting Tom Morello, Rebecca Romijn and Zach Braff over again."

Rumor: First screens, details for Halo Reach leaked

by Xav de Matos { Nov 5th 2009 at 6:48PM }

MLG forum user (and MS Paint fanatic) ToM MoReLLo claims to have played Halo: Reach, and was somehow able to nab multiple blurry screenshots of the game as evidence. Now, when we say blurry we mean blurry. In fact, the classic images of Bigfoot were of higher quality than some of these screens. Perhaps our natural skepticism is taking over, but we're taking these images with a rather large grain of salt.

As for details, the forum post claims Reach will feature squad-based combat and perks, similar to that of Modern Warfare. Squad-based mechanics certainly make sense, considering former Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter creative director Christian Allen joined Bungie in 2007. But again, grain of salt.

Halo: Reach -- Bungie's final title in the Halo universe -- is expected to ship in 2010. Microsoft has yet to reply to our request for a comment on the images.

[Via Shacknews & NeoGAF]

Rumor: Xbox 360 Arcade to be offered with $100 gift card at Walmart

by Xav de Matos { Nov 3rd 2009 at 7:15PM }

According to cellphone-camera equipped tipsters at Kotaku, Walmart will apparently offer a $100 gift card with the purchase of an Xbox 360 Arcade unit this Saturday. Supposedly confirmed by Cheap Ass Gamer, the promotion also includes a $148 dollar Sony-branded Blu-ray player and will run until November 13, or while supplies last. If the rumor does prove to be true, we'd recommend waiting in line now in case something happens to your current Xbox. Apparently there's no telling how long those things will last.

Rumor: Gran Turismo 5 to feature track editor

by JC Fletcher { Nov 2nd 2009 at 7:00PM }

The site E4G reports that Gran Turismo 5 will include a very exciting option: The ability to create your own tracks or edit the existing tracks. Eurogamer checked in with Sony to confirm this new feature, and, while Sony refused to confirm the news, the company also refused to deny it, in a carefully worded statement that makes the news suddenly seem more plausible: "We haven't confirmed this and aren't offering any other comment at this time," Sony told Eurogamer.

We contacted SCEA but have yet to hear back, so this rumor is going to have to remain a rumor. Hopefully we'll find out before the game comes out, although Sony also has yet to announce the release date beyond a possible "early 2010." Okay, we'll simplify the whole thing: Gran Turismo 5 is an unconfirmed rumor.

Gallery: Gran Turismo 5

[Original image credit]

PSA: Gearbox isn't working on an XBLA game

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 27th 2009 at 5:30PM }

We're not too proud to imagine we're the only video game blog you read (no, really ... it's okay, we understand). As such, earlier today, you might have read a story elsewhere speculating that Gearbox was busy working on an XBLA game. The rumor began as the result of a Twitter update from Gearbox level designer Zach Ford, which mentioned that he had just seen "our XBLA character rigged." We decided to contact Ford to see just what it was he was talking about, and he was nice enough to clear things up.

"This is just a side project where we're trying to expand our skill sets," Ford told Joystiq. "The project is in no way affiliated with GBX. Just something to play around with after work." So there you have it, no XBLA games on the way from Gearbox -- at least not officially. Now go back to Borderlands.

Nintendo of Japan: Nikkei reveal of new DSi is 'speculation'

by JC Fletcher { Oct 27th 2009 at 2:30PM }

As expected, Nintendo didn't openly announce the new, larger-screened DSi in response to a Nikkei article mentioning it. In a statement to Famitsu (as translated by Siliconera), Nintendo said, "Our company is not doing any interviews. We believe this article is speculation." Of course, that is merely a comment on how Nikkei arrived at that information, and not a denial of the information.

It's familiar, as well. Nintendo of America said almost exactly the same thing about Nikkei's early reveal of the DSi, so we wouldn't dismiss the possibility of a DSi upgrade yet. We're checking in with Nintendo of America to find out more.

[Via Siliconera]

Rumor: Roger Daltrey reveals The Who joining together with Rock Band

by JC Fletcher { Oct 27th 2009 at 1:00AM }

If Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who, has his facts straight, we could all be windmilling and smashing plastic instruments in a Who-themed Rock Band. Daltrey told The Republican when The Beatles: Rock Band was brought up that "The game, yeah, yeah, they're going to be doing a Who one next year. There is one planned." Daltrey called music "our last true great freedom."

As with Green Day, it could just be a Who pack for the existing games. Whatever it means, it involves playing the songs from one of the other most influential and rocking British bands ever in Rock Band, a prospect to which we can say only one thing:

Yeaaaaaaaah!

[Via RockBandAide; thanks, Sean!]

Report: Nintendo updating DSi with bigger screens this year

by JC Fletcher { Oct 26th 2009 at 6:41PM }

The Japanese Nikkei newspaper is reporting that, later this year, Nintendo will introduce a new version of the DSi that replaces the system's 3.25" screens with luxurious 4" screens. The new system will replace the current DSi and will retain the ¥18,900 ($205.50) price tag. According to GameLife's summary of the article, the screen size has been increased with older gamers in mind. The Nikkei article states that it'll be out in Japan sometime this year, but that plans for other countries have yet to be made.

We're inclined to believe Nikkei when it makes predictions like these. It's previously made shocking claims like the announcement of a DS system with a camera and music playback functions, and a Nintendo/Dentsu video service.

Update: Nikkei has now put the article online.

[Via NeoGAF]

Rumor: Animator resume lists work on 'GoldenEye 2010'

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Oct 26th 2009 at 2:50PM }

It'll probably look a bit better than this

Shortly before being pulled from the internet's intimidating view, an animator's online resume may have let out a secret -- concerning an iconic secret agent. According to the eagle-eyed Superannuation, Craig Peck listed work on a game dubbed "GoldenEye 2010 (Wii)," created in association with British developer Eurocom.

Eurocom previously worked on the PlayStation 2 version of Activision's Quantum of Solace tie-in. Assuming "GoldenEye 2010" isn't merely a nostalgic codename, it seems the publisher could be looking to a well-regarded classic for inspiration on a new James Bond game. Alas, Hollywood can't keep up with Activision's annual aspirations.

The publisher won't divulge any of its plans this early, leaving us to wait for further information or for our time-traveling correspondent to confirm the game's existence. He's really more of a GoldenEye 2020 fan -- looking back, that really was the best of the remakes.

Rumor: Eight minutes of footage of the Xbox's Sky Player

by JC Fletcher { Oct 23rd 2009 at 3:30PM }

Even though the Sky Player is headed to Xbox 360s in the UK next week (October 27 to be exact), we have yet to see any kind of demonstration of the streaming television service. TechTV101 came across what looks like some footage (after the break), given to the site by an anonymous tipster. However, without any known source and with the ominous disclaimer "This is only representative of what Tuesday's launch could look like" on the site, we're going to call this a rumor just in case.

The demo shows the channel selection displayed not only in the familiar NXE interface, but also in a "guide" format like those used by cable and satellite boxes. Another NXE-type menu allows for choosing TV shows and movies by category. And yes, you are treated to an ad for Batman: The Brave and the Bold, along with other footage of the actual watching TV part in action.

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Rumor: Epic to announce Unreal Engine 3 for consumers

by David Hinkle { Oct 23rd 2009 at 11:05AM }

Like our sister site Big Download, you may have been asking yourself, "What was going on at Epic Games yesterday?" Well, we think we have the answer: According to the Joystiq Mole™ -- the same mole who accurately predicted NBA 2K10 Draft Combine and LucasArts' Lucidity -- the epic announcement will be the release of an Unreal Engine 3 PC toolset for consumers.

Our mole tells us that the toolset will ship with example objects, like weapons and maps, and will show users how to build their own custom assets. Odds are, the kit being a product for consumers (read: nonprofessionals), that the cost won't be all that high. Of course, knowing who's going to get their hands on this (again, read: nonprofessionals), we're totally frightened by the inevitable flood of Delta Squad fanfics that will unfold on YouTube.

Rumor: Best Buy beginning 'buy 2, get 3rd game free' sale Sunday, Oct. 25

by Christopher Grant { Oct 22nd 2009 at 11:04AM }

If you missed out on last week's Toys "R" Us or Amazon "buy two, get one" sales, a purported scan of this weekend's Best Buy circular promises a third chance. Specifically, it promises the following: "Buy 2, get the 3rd game free -- on any PS3, X360 or Wii games -- mix or match platforms, valid on any game $59.99 or less."

Snagged by NeoGAFfer Wario64, the full-page reveals tasty treats like Borderlands, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Tekken 6, and Forza 3 -- in other words, this isn't limited to a handful of games like Amazon's sale was and, we imagine, Best Buy's stock won't be as easily decimated as that of your local Toys "R" Us. You've got from this Sunday, October 25, until Halloween, the following Saturday, to take Best Buy up on its offer ... That is, if the circular is real. If not ... uh, trick or treat?

[Via Hot Blooded Gaming]

Rumor: PAIN developer Idol Minds lays off more than half of staff

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 21st 2009 at 4:35PM }

Idol Minds, known best for the PS3 downloadable game PAIN, has laid off more than half of its staff, according to a report by Kotaku. The original team of 46 has been reduced to a mere 20 through a series of layoffs, the latest of which affected seventeen developers.

Kotaku's sources point to budget cuts from long-time publishing partner Sony Computer Entertainment. However, it's hard to ignore the irony of the team's namesake: other than a few expansion packs to PAIN, no major releases or game announcements have come out of the studio since 2007. What this means for the future of the PAIN franchise is unclear for now. Calls to both Idol Minds and SCEA were not returned.

Report: EA acquires social games dev Playfish

by James Ransom-Wiley { Oct 15th 2009 at 12:20PM }

Industry sources claim EA has completed a deal to acquire social games developer Playfish, report Inside Social Games and Silicon Alley Insider. Unconfirmed estimates put EA's buyout bill at $250 million, while ISG believes Playfish could earn as much as $75 million in revenue this year alone. That's alotta money for those janky, little games on Facebook, right?

For years, EA has been dabbling in social gaming -- a slightly less dirty designation than "casual gaming" -- starting with the launch and consolidation of the EA Casual Entertainment division in 2007, and then with the creation of EA Blueprint expressly for social ventures in 2008. The company has done plenty of outside spending, too, like throwing some dollars at Napster creator Shawn Fanning for his Rupture service. Just this week, EA launched Pogo Puppies for Facebook -- which actually competes with Playfish's Pet Society (pictured above) -- and scooped up social games publishing technology company J2PLay, as reported by Games.com.

It's difficult to predict how EA Casual's major investments in social gaming might affect the EA Games label -- makers of the kinda games we care about -- but let's just hope there's a mighty thick wall between the two divisions. Okay, so maybe we've got some social anxiety, but we just can't stand the thought of our extravagant, big-budget, dim-the-lights, and shut-out-the-world games go the way of the dodo.

[Via Industry Gamers]

Source – Is EA Going to Buy Zynga or Playfish in Social Gaming Bid? [Inside Social Games]
Source – Rumor: EA Acquires Playfish For $250 Million [Silicon Alley Insider]

Rumor: PS3 cross-game chat in next firmware update

by JC Fletcher { Oct 14th 2009 at 5:45PM }

Update: Sony says: "We haven't made any announcements on upcoming firmware and don't comment on rumor or speculation."

In a PlayStation.com Forums thread about the existing Uncharted 2 chat system, a Naughty Dog staffer with the handle "ReklissAbandon" reportedly said that "the next PS3 firmware update is going to allow cross game chat."

Currently, that alleged confirmation is "deleted" (presumably by ReklissAbandon), but the text reappears as a quote a couple of posts down the thread. We've got the full quote after the break in case all record of the statement should meet with an unfortunate accident, and we've also reached out to Sony for comment. In the meantime, please temper your excitement over hearing your friends' voices with a bit of healthy skepticism.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

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