The Digital Vine - 5/27/10

It's Thursday! You know what that means? One more day until TGIF, and yet another trip through gaming news via "The Digital Vine!"

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has made an interesting offer to Treyarch's Community Manager Josh Olin. He's willing to cough up an entire season worth of home game tickets (an estimated $3000 value) in exchange for an advanced copy of "Call of Duty: Black Ops." Olin responded with an offer for Ochocinco to visit the Treyarch studio's and get an early taste of the game behind closed doors. No word on whether or not he accepted the offer. In an amusing side note, Chad also petitioned Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling which obviously didn't yield any results.

President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Andrew House has revealed that plans are in motion for a premium version of the Playstation Network. House assured fans that the current free version of PSN will remain unchanged. No details yet on pricing or what the premium version will offer. Cross-game chat seems like a good place to start.

Mark Hammill has just revealed that he will no longer portray famous Batman villain The Joker following his work on Batman: Arkham Asylum 2. Hammill's words were a bit cryptic stating, "this will be my last, there's no question about that." The actor made famous by depicting Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars trilogy, went on to lend his voice to the fan favorite villain for over twelve years.

Killzone 3 Announced!

Killzone 2 is one of the best Shooters on any gaming system to date. Stellar graphics, unique gameplay and a highly addictive multiplayer helped launch the Killzone name to AAA status. Many fans have been chomping at the bit waiting to hear about the future of the franchise. Rest easy as Killzone 3 has been officially announced for the Playstation 3. Right now details are scarce, but jet packs and the ever popular snow levels have already been confirmed. Those of you accusing Killzone 3 of copying Halo: Reach concerning jet packs, remember that developer Guerilla first introduced the concept in Killzone: Liberation. The question is how it will be implemented and unique from what Bungie has to offer. Below are brand new screenshots of the game in action. New information should come through the pipeline soon.

The Digital Vine - 5/20/10

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has confirmed that Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood will have a multiplayer beta. The time or parameters have not been released yet, but at least we know something is on the way. It'll be interesting to see how Ubisoft incorporates multiplayer into a game that has traditionally been single player only.

Bioware is releasing a patch for Mass Effect 2 on the Xbox 360. The most notable improvement is the increased planet scanning speed. The often tedious task has series fans split on wether the mechanic should even be in the game in the first place. Below you'll find the entire list of fixes in the patch notes.

• Scanning for minerals has been optimized

• Fixed an issue with marking all entries as viewed in the Journal

• Fixed an issue relating to text and the menu screen

• Fixed an issue relating to players starting a new game and loading a save

• Fixed multiple issues when loading a save containing DLC when DLC isn’t present

• Fixed an issue with ammo flashing when it can’t be picked up

• Fixed an issue with crosshairs

• Fixed an issue with Grunt’s Fortification power

• Fixed an issue with enemies and cover

• Fixed an issue where players could receive additional talent points

• Fixed an issue where squad members would overwrite ammo powers the player had assigned them

Heavy Rain is one step closer to becoming a feature film. Production company Unique Features is reportedly about to seal the deal having beat out all other bids. While at New Line, company executives Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne previously produced Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films and the Nightmare on Elm Street series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops World Debut Trailer!

"Call of Duty: Black Ops" made it's official debut during last night's NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The trailer features tons of exciting gameplay for what is shaping to be the best in the series since "Call of Duty 4." Treyarch has their entire 200 plus staff working on Black Ops where as in the past the team would be developing up to three games simultaneously. Below you'll find the full length uncut trailer as well as screen captures from the trailer. Leave a comment with your own impressions!

Call of Duty: Black Ops First Details

Treyarch has had the misfortune of being labeled the "other" Call of Duty developer ever since their first contribution to the franchise, "Call of Duty 3." Despite releasing excellent games for years, Infinity Ward always seemed to crowd the spotlight due to their industry changing AAA titles. Following Infinity Ward's highly successful though eternally defective "Modern Warfare 2," Treyarch is poised to take the mantle of top Call of Duty developer once and for all.

New details have been released via an exclusive with Official Xbox Magazine. Details are still scarce, but a few interesting details have been released already.

• 4 player online Co-op will be available via a separate mode similar to "Spec Ops" from "Modern Warfare 2."
  
• "Black Ops" will take place over a long period of time with Vietnam and Cold War era already confirmed. Locations will include Vietnam, Russia and Laotian.

• New weapons include a cross bow as well as the ability to use secondary ammunition. Incendiary rounds are available for the shotgun and explosive tip arrows are selectable for the cross bow.
  
• You'll play as at least two characters with U.S. forces already confirmed. The player will assume the role of a CIA back special operations force called the Studies and Operations Group.

• There is a mission where you pilot a SR-71 Blackbird, providing reconnaissance to the ground troops below.
  
• The same motion-capture technology as Avatar is being used. The characters will not only display gestures, but facial expressions and highly expressive line delivery.

A brand new trailer will debut during the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Stay tuned here for all the latest details. Call of Duty: Black Ops is set for release on November 9th 2010.

Halo: Reach Beta Impressions

Bungie has officially launched the Halo: Reach Beta to the masses. All you need is a copy of Halo: ODST and you are good to go. The beta will be accessible from the main menu of the single player disc. I've spent a few hours playing through the various game types and I can say with great certainty that Reach is on track to being the best Halo since the original "Combat Evolved."

Right off the bat let me just say that the game is stunning. Halo: Reach multiplayer looks better than most games single player campaigns. Textures are crisp and colors are vibrant. There is a ton of detail in this game. Bungie re-tooled Reach from the ground up and it's evident in every frame. The particle effects are vivid and there is no texture pop in to speak of. This is what Halo 3 should have looked like. I can't wait to see what's in store for the single player campaign.

After you get accustomed to the new visuals, you'll start to notice the various and subtle changes in gameplay. The first thing that becomes apparent is the option of choosing load-outs. Players will be able to choose roles to build strategies. You can take on the role of a hulking juggernaut and use temporary invincibility to draw the attention of your enemies. Meanwhile, your team mate can use their invisible cloaking ability to flank the ability with a well placed grenade or assassination. The assassinations themselves are totally new to the series and as far as I'm concerned are a welcome addition. There's something so satisfying about sneaking up behind your opponent and bring them down with a stealthy knife kill or swift neck snap. Be forewarned, you are completely vulnerable during the animation and can fall victim to the same fate you've just dealt out.

Combat techniques from Halo 3 aren't going to work this time around. Health packs are back in a big way and if you plan on staying alive they quickly become a necessity. Grenades now have physics and are no longer lobbed in a perfect arch. They also feel heavier than in past incarnations and as a result, Hail Mary throws down map aren't really possible. In addition, battle rifles are much weaker then in the past. Emptying a clip and then following it up a well placed melee bash won't take your enemy down. It's going to require team work to take the other team down. There are other more deadly weapons scattered about the map and controlling them will be the key to victory. That being said, the playing field is initially level as load-outs don't allow for weapon customization in most game modes. The special abilities are what makes each class unique. The only time this changes is in the just released "Invasion" mode where various weapon load-outs become available as the match progresses.

Customization in Halo: Reach doesn't end there. You'll be able to earn credits from fragging successfully which can be used to unlock armor variants. You'll be able to customize your warrior to your liking complete with color and symbol selection. Expect to see a few pink Spartans dealing death from time to time. It is unknown if customization will be deeper in the final release, but as it stands it's fairly basic and isn't much of a progression over Halo 3.

I highly recommend taking the Halo: Reach beta for a spin. It is currently slated to run until May 18th, but Bungie may decide to extend the duration as needed. Bungie still has the best match making to date and lag is far less an issue in Reach than in other contemporary shooters. Enjoy it while it lasts as we won't get another taste until Halo: Reach is released this September.

The Digital Vine - 5/12/10

Welcome to a brand new feature called "The Digital Vine!" Here you'll find all the latest in gaming news as it breaks. From major game announcements to the latest controversy, "The Digital Vine" is your one stop shop for the comings and goings of the gaming industry.

A Microsoft Executive has revealed that Project Natal will be released sometime in October. The exact date will be revealed at next month's E3, but at least the time frame has been narrowed. Project Natal is a controller free motion sensing device in which gamers interact using their bodies. No details yet on pricing.

EA has announced a new and controversial method of combating used game sales. The publisher will issue one-time use Online Passes with all of their new sports games. The passes will only be issued when the game is purchased new. Players with used copies wishing to gain access to online features will have to pay an additional $10 fee. No word on whether this policy will eventually make it's way over to other game genres.

Little Big Planet 2 Confirmed!

Despite rumors to the contrary, Sony officially announced today that Little Big Planet 2 will be released Winter 2010! Media Molecule was acquired by Sony earlier this year, so it's little wonder that Sony would want a follow up to the critically acclaimed and financially successful Little Big Planet. Several new features have already been announced including improved community, a better search system, features, new cinematic tools, new characters, controller customization, and power ups. In addition to the already stellar level creator, gamers will now be able to create games in other genres including racing, shooters, role playing. All your hard work won't go to waste either. All of the over 2.3 million levels users created in the original Little Big Planet will carry over to the sequel with new and improved visuals. We'll be sure to keep you posted with all the latest details as they become available.

Demo Round Up - 5/03/10

This week we have a wide variety of demos to cover. Whether you enjoy hugging tight turns or pummeling your opponent to a pulp, we've got something for you.

Split/Second

I was eagerly awaiting the chance to get my hands on Split/Second. I'm a big fan of Black Rock Studio's last release, Pure. It featured addictive gameplay, simple controls, and a large assortment of off the wall tricks. Split/Second promised to deliver a similar fantastical experience with hot cars traveling at blinding speeds. The gameplay revolves around the ability to trigger environmental changes in order to trip-up your opponents. The demo features one track, one car and one race. For those of you who have a tough time making decisions, this demo will be easy on the nerves. Split/Second is based around the premise of a television reality show in the same vein as the film "Death Race." However, it isn't violent or gory in anyway. This is a Disney game after all. The objective is to fill your momentum meter by drifting around turns, and drafting by driving directly behind other racers. Once the meter is full, you can execute environmental hazards to take down opponents. The Tier 2 takedowns are often spectacular and include crashing jumbo jets and helicopter missile attacks. Split/Second is the sort of game that can interest gamers that aren't even particularly big fans of the racing genre.

Verdict: Download it!

UFC Undisputed 2010

This one is a tough nut to crack. I can see that the bones of the game are strong. Somewhere in there is a strong and competitive fighting game, but the presentation in the demo is terrible. UFC Undisputed 2010 assumes you are a well-learned MMA fan with knowledge well above that of the average gamer. I'm not even foreign to UFC and I had a difficult time working through the controls and fighting styles. For every situation there is a unique set of actions depending on offense or defense. This is confusing and more often than not has you button mashing hoping to gain the advantage. There is an action list included, but it requires you to sift through an endless array of menus to find the exact situation you are currently in. More often than not the computer opponent made me tap in 20 seconds. I won a few of the bouts thanks to slamming the punch button until the other fighter was napping on the mat. If you've mastered UFC Undisputed 2009 you are going to have a much easier time in the octagon. Hopefully the full release will feature an in-depth traning mode to break-in newcomers to the franchise.

Verdict: Skip it!