Street Fighter IV Tourny Tonight!

I am partaking in NH's very first sanctioned Street Fighter IV tournament; tonight at The Game Zone in Concord, NH. If your in the area you should stop by and check out the festivities they are having alongside the event. Gaming, pizza, more gaming and good prizes! I'll keep you posted how me and my boys Sagat and Ken Masters handle the competition.

Location: Game Zone [Concord, NH 03301]
Game: Street Fighter IV
Time: 7:00pm Sharp Kick Off
Prizes: TBD/Unknown
Structure: Bracket Placement / Sanctioned Pro Ladder Set up

Wish me luck!

-GAME HARD-

New ME2 Photos from OXM thru some random dude

As E3 draws near more and more chatter and speculation continues to flog gaming sites across the inter webs. This is all well and good but has put the kibosh on any further predictions from yours truly since all the ideas I had are already well covered or have been leaked. I have read claims of an Xbox 720, peripherals that make virtual orgies come to life, and how hologram technology will be the future of media storage. It is all speculation although some ideas are very interesting.

Bored and sifting through the mess I came across a report of the new OXM containing a large spread on Mass Effect 2. Said report was found with some screenshots and character pics and now I bring them to you from some randoms guys photo bucket page. This person no doubt has the same love for the Mass Effect universe as I do.

Click here to jump to the pictures page

Nuff said.

Bioshock Novel in the Works!

It seems as though the "powers that be" have shined their greatness down onto us once again in the form of a book...not a game. As of today, Take Two (developer for Bioshock) and Tor (notable for publishing the Halo books) have officially announced that they are teaming up to release a Bioshock novel that will, "take you deeper into the realms" of the franchise's story."

N4G reported the following: "The book's announcement comes as a teaser page within the company's late 2009 book catalog, recently provided to Gamasutra. Other than a release date of Fall 2009 and the note that there will be both hardcover and paperback releases of the 400-page book, no more information is given."

Here's to hoping that Tor and Take Two use every resource available to them in order to make this book a god read. We here at Warp 9 take anything Bioshock extremely seriously and to hear this kind of news makes us very happy...and very skeptical. Stay tuned for more information as it arrives on our desks!

-GAME HARD-

StarCraft 2: Update

I would love to hear from anyone beta testing this game, so if you are, please comment. The only info I have so far is that there have been no major bugs or problems encountered. Although that seems like really weak evidence of a successful beta, sometimes that is all you need. I am confident that Blizzard put enough time into this game, so expect a clean and rather eventless beta period. Unconfirmed resources had a release date of June 9th, 2009, but I am almost positive it will not make that. I stand by my August 2009 prediction, anything earlier would be a bonus.

I do have some rather negative news following up on the single player campaign offered with this release. It seems that Blizzard has opted to separate the complete single player campaign into three different games. Each of these three games will release on its own, with a one year separation planned between. The multiplayer will not be effected, because each of the three games will allow full multiplayer access. Basically if you only plan to ladder with the multiplayer, you will only need to buy one game. If you plan to complete the full single player campaign, be ready to wait a year in between, and pay for, three separate games.

The sad news is that Blizzard is stating the reason is "because there is just too much game content to fit on one disc". That COULD be true, but I highly doubt it, and if so, why not release the game once, but include three discs? It would have been smarter for Blizzard to just say that they have decided to extend the single player campaign, but do not want to hinder the release, because over 75% of Starcraft players only use the muliplayer game mode. This would have been easier to handle given the current economy status.

Although many people are already heated about this, I would consider looking past it. All signs point to StarCraft 2 being top contender for PC Game of the Year, and that's even if Diablo 3 gets a 2009 release. Blizzard has put all efforts into making this game perfect, and no matter what u hear from here in, expect this game to deliver greatness. The multiplayer gameplay will be similar to the original, but graphically phenomenal. The single player campaign will be a huge sleeper, which is why I have cleared my gaming schedule... More soon...

-GAME HARD-

38 Studios Nabs Big Huge Games

As of today, 38 Studios has purchased Big Huge Games from powerhouse THQ. With this acquisition comes the rights to such titles as Rise of Nations and Catan as well as the perpetual rights to all of Big Huge's I.P., tools assets and tech as well as all projects currently in the works.

"The acquisition of Big Huge Games will be tremendously beneficial to the growth, market position, financial stability, and long-term success of 38 Studios," says 38 Studios president and CEO Brett Close." -gamasutra-

38 Studios is best known for well..their owner: Kurt Schilling, former Red Sox Picther and avid Everquest monger. Although he hasn't really been in the spot light for the studio he does play a pivotal role in the overall vision that he and his fellow cohorts share. It was said that 38 Studios main reason for buying out BHG was primarily due to their robust RTS/RPG Engine they have used in Rise of Nations. Brett Close, CEO of 38 Studios feels this will "accelerate" development for their upcoming online game revolving around the Copernicus IP (their MMO).

"Big Huge Games and 38 Studios share a common vision – to deliver the most engaging, compelling, original experiences possible," says Big Huge CEO Tim Train. "Joining the 38 Studios family allows us to continue translating our passions into great games."

Acquisitions, although slighted in the spotlight most of the time, are sometimes a good thing. If BHG never found a buyer, THQ would have closed the door on the studio as well as all its' employees. So all in all, things worked out for the best for all parties and as long as the studio who developed Catan for the 360 stays alive, I'll be one happy camper!

-GAME HARD-

Street Fighter IV Weekly Update

After several rumors surfaced over the Internet these past few weeks, Capcom has officially dropped the hammer on Internet speculation that there would be new characters added to the roster. "In in an effort to maintain the core game's relevance," Capcom feels the need to stick with what they have already and "go from there."

"No plans for additional DLC right now. We want the core game to be a completely functional package, and character DLC could split the user-base."

In all honesty, I don't think this comes to a surprise to any Street Fighter IV fan out there. Yes, the game has skyrocketed up the charts these past few months and yes Capcom has been spot on with the patches and downloads (i.e. championship tournament mode and character outfit downloads), but this doesn't necessarily constitute a need for brand new playable characters.

Now, this isn't to say that Capcom will never introduce new characters as add-ons' through DLC but it is safe to squander the fact that this will not be implemented any time soon. Here's to wishing...right?

Here's the full story: n4g

ALSO:
I will be attending my first Street Fighter IV (Sanctioned) tournament this coming Friday (the 29th) right here in good old Concord, NH. If your interested in coming and checking out the event, hit up the GameZone at 603.228.5743 and reference the SF Tournament, they will know exactly what your talking about. Right now, I'm leaning on a couple of character choices:

• Sakura (3rd Choice)
• Ken Masters (2nd Choice)
• Sagat (1st Choice)

Let me know what ya think and wish me luck!

-GAME HARD-

Bare with me...

New Job.
New Training.
New Office (45 Minutes Away)

Daily Posts Will Be Back On Starting Next Monday.

Your Homework Until Monday:

Name The Movie This Quote is From (Google = Cheating)
"Watch Your Top-Knot"

-GAME HARD-

Punch-Out By Giantbomb!

So, we don't normally do this here. In fact we rarely talk about any other system other than the PC and the 360; so when you see a Wii inspired article it's like lightning striking the same spot twice. With that said, We also usually just don't hot-link review write-ups from other gaming sites. However, I thouight it was necessary to show the people out there who own a Wii yet havent utalized it in over a few months due to the lack of "core" games out there, that there are (every so often) a cluster of good games released. Case in point? Punch-Out! Our friends over at Giantbomb [dot com] have just released their review of the game. The review was so good I felt it was necessary to hot link and post the article! Enjoy.

"At face value, the idea of trying to remake Punch-Out!! in the year 2009 seems like a dicey proposition at best. The original Punch-Out!! holds incredible nostalgic value for a lot of people, myself included, but the simple pattern-recognition gameplay doesn't seem like it would hold up today. On the other hand, trying to modernize Punch-Out!! with more complicated controls or a more realistic approach to boxing could very easily undermine the game's accessible appeal. Somehow, Nintendo manages to avoid both of these pitfalls with Punch-Out!! for the Wii, a game that capitalizes on the game's nostalgic legacy without feeling pandering or rehashed.

The biggest strength that Punch-Out!! has is that it recognizes the things that make Punch-Out!! such a fondly remembered game in the first place. First and foremost it's the larger-than-life, caricatured fighters you face off against as the plucky and diminutive Little Mac. The game features the full roster from the original Punch-Out!! To be clear, this means you'll sadly be squaring off against Mr. Sandman, and not Mike Tyson, for your title belt. Mr. Sandman is a fine opponent, and Nintendo has a fistful of good reasons to want to steer clear of Tyson, but for me, it's one of the few improvements that could have been made.

There are a couple of new fighters, as well as one from Super Punch-Out!!, and while many of the fighters are based on cultural or ethnic caricatures that might be borderline insensitive in 2009, it's all presented with a tone that's too easy-going and absurd to take that seriously. You'd have to have a pretty sour disposition to take offense at croissants falling out of Glass Joe when you knock him down, or the pieces of sushi that circle Piston Hondo's head when you've got him dazed. It's perfectly fine, though, to be offended by the fact that they changed Piston Honda's name, presumably for legal reasons.

The game pays a loving amount of attention to the way the fighters look, move, and sound, which is good, because they take up most of the screen and supply the game with its personality. Considering this is the first Punch-Out!! game since polygonal graphics and voice acting became the norm, it's a novelty in and of itself to see and hear these characters rendered this way, but they're also just really well executed. The cel-shaded graphics compliment the fighters' cartoonishly exaggerated physiques, and there's an expressiveness to the characters that, even when they're speaking a foreign language, let you know what's on their mind. Little Mac remains the silent protagonist, though his trainer Doc is eager to spout misremembered boxing platitudes, helpful advice, or whatever errant thought might be sauntering through his head in between rounds. The game mines the classic Punch-Out!! music quite successfully, and it really benefits from the energetic instrumentation.

Also key to the Punch-Out!! experience is the gameplay, which boils boxing down to a simple-yet-effective combination of pattern recognition and crackerjack timing. This isn't Fight Night, so you don't have to sweat ring position or, really, anything remotely resembling actual boxing, but this game does make some appreciable modifications to the core Punch-Out!! formula. Taking a page from Super Punch-Out!!, you can duck as well as dodge incoming punches, and a lot of attacks require you to move in a specific way to avoid taking damage. The other fighters have a bizarre tendency to telegraph their different punches and combos in really obvious, flamboyant ways, and it doesn't help their cause when they flash red right before they come for you. You might recognize a lot of the fighters, and maybe even some of their specific moves and weaknesses, but they've all got a few new tricks up their sleeves. The game takes its time ramping up the difficulty, though there comes a point where your timing and your reflexes are just as paramount to success as your ability to memorize a fighter's patterns.

Structurally, the game initially might seem identical to the original. You work your way up through 13 fighters in three different circuits before you can call the WVBA championship yours. Once you get the belt, though, you unlock a second stage to your career, where you have to defend your title against the same fighters you just bested. This time, though, they've been training for you, and everyone is tougher, faster, and craftier in the ring. Many of them have changed their look dramatically, sometimes in ways that effect their core characteristics.

Glass Joe, for example, enters the ring wearing headgear that keeps his glass jaw from being such a liability. Similarly, King Hippo rolls in with a manhole cover taped over his usually tender belly button. In both of these cases, it adds a second layer of figuring out how to overcome these fighters' new defenses, though everyone comes with a number of devastating new attacks. It's a clever design choice that addresses the issue of brevity when it comes to Punch-Out!!, even if it's not massive. For me, this is where Punch-Out!! really started getting tough in the way that I remember Punch-Out!! being tough, though it doesn't punish you for a loss by starting you back at square one. You can take as many runs at a fighter as you need, and there's a training mode where you can take on a fighter without the admittedly minor penalty of ruining your win/loss record.

The game also offers a two-player split-screen mode, pitting two Little Macs against each other. The action feels decidedly different here, and not just because of the fact that you're going up against someone who, at least to start, is the same size as you. The timing is much tighter, and if you take too long to throw a punch, or your opponent blocks or dodges your punch, you turn blue, which temporarily prevents you from throwing any punches. The best part about the multiplayer is the ability to transform into Giga Mac when you land enough punches. In addition to turning you into a monstrous, wild-haired freak, it switches from split-screen to a perspective that mimics the single-player game, essentially letting you play the game as one of the outsized fighters you're always going up against. Without any options to speak of, the multiplayer feels slight, but it's got some brief appeal.

You can play Punch-Out!! a couple of different ways on the Wii. You can go with just the Wii remote held sideways, providing control that's nearly identical to the NES classic, or you can go with a remote-and-nunchuk combo that you can swing at the screen to throw punches. There's also support for the Wii Balance Board, which you can use to duck and dodge incoming attacks. Personally, I found that the experience suffered with the motion controls and the optional balance board, particularly as the game gets harder. The gameplay in Punch-Out!! is very digital in nature, and the remote-only setup plays to that fact. With the motion controls, I felt like I was getting something that was more complicated without being tangibly better.

Not to harp on this point too much, but save for the inclusion of Mike Tyson, I'm not sure you could expect much better from a Punch-Out!! remake. That's not to say you couldn't make an arcade-style boxing game that was deeper and longer-lasting, but then it just wouldn't be Punch-Out!!"

-GAME HARD-

Sacred II Quick Hands On

First off: Once again I am sorry for the lack of posts these past few days. Normally we are spot on with at the very least one post per day, however, this hasn't been the case over the past week. New job and all, it's still no excuse. 'Nuff said.

Onto the "quick" hands on report. Sacred II was released last Tuesday and has been on a role of receiving high praise by many of the big time gaming review sites (i.e. 1up gave it an A). I picked up my copy as soon as I got back from NC (business work) and I can say one thing about it so far: Excellent! Now I dont want to give too much away just yet seeing as though I am only four or five hours into it but I will however give you a super simplified run down. Let's have at it!

Graphics: 7
Sound: 9.5
Story: 10
Gameplay: 9.5
Loot: 10
Fun Factor: 10

Need I say more? Perhaps, but until I sink another ten hours into the campaign that's all you get! Look for a full review of Sacred II hitting Warp this weekend. Until then you have these fun little nugget's to sink your teeth in:

Uploading

1. SS SoulStealer's #2 E3 Prediction
2. Overlord's #2 E3 Prediction
3. Hands on with Zombie Apocalypse

GAME HARD

Blizzard Update

Good news all around for Blizzard fans. The StarCraft 2 beta is open, and the development of Battle.net 2 is going as excpected. Seeing how it is mid-May, I would safely anticipate that Blizzard is ahead of the game for once. Beta testing usually goes between one and two months, given no huge problems occur. There has been no news of trouble for Starcraft 2 yet, so project testing to finish up around July. A July beta completion would put the release date somewhere between August and September, which will include the release of Battle.net 2.

Some of the features going into Battle.net 2 include:

- Advanced connection capabilites

- In Game Chat

- Ladders and Rankings

- Extended stats
- Avatars, Images and Icons

- Diablo III Hardcore Mode

- Friends Lists with advanced management

- Clan Support

- Automated Tournaments

Wait one second... Diablo III Harcore Mode??? Ok, it is time to get really excited for this game. Make sure you finish up whatever game you are currently undertaking, because if Diablo III makes a 2009 release, you will want to be ready. You know how I feel about this game from previous posts, so even the mention of Hardcore Mode means that Blizzard intends to make Diablo III epic. The fact that Battle.net 2 has confirmed this feature will be available means that game difficulty has been addressed, which was one of my biggest concerns.

Back to Starcraft 2, I would like to mention that Blizzard has been very good at keeping the features of this game a secret. It would be smart to expect this game to be very similar to the original, and to Warcraft: Frozen Throne. I am sure that the story mode will be a complete surprise, because most Starcraft fans play for the multiplayer. It would be sneaky to introduce a complex single player story mode that mimics a Diablo-type adventure. Maybe even include hero evolution and talents like WoW. Since there has been no mention of this, it is a complete hope. A single player mode with that potential, combined with the strategic multiplayer option, would make Starcraft 2 a complete sleeper for Game of the Year. The fact that it will open with Battle.net 2 gives it an advantage that most games will not have, so dont be surprised if this game is better than you thought it would be.

-

If anyone has news on StarCraft 2 beta, or Battle.net 2, please comment. Let us join forces and spread the news. A successful and dominant release of this twin headed dragon will only speed the progression of Diablo III. All considered, it looks like Blizzard is on the ball with this years projects. 2009 might be a year that pushes them above all competition in the PC gaming market.

2 Day Absense...Sorry

Sorry guys for the 2 day hiatus of posts. I will be back in full force Saturday of this week with a preview of Sacred 2! Stay tuned....

-GAME HARD-

Brand New Duke Nukem Forever Footage!

I cant formulate how awesome this is, but I'll try to stutter it out. As of yesterday (late night style) brand new footage of Duke Nukem Forever has surfaced on the inter-webs. Being the gigantic Duke Nukem fan boy that I am, I cant express how pumped up and rip roaring I am that I came across this nugget of Nukem greatness.

After 3D Realms closed its doors last week, many of their distinguished employees have begun the rigorous schlep back into the work force. This however, has shown us some brand new footage of the 12 year's in the making video game. The only downside? Well we can embed the video directly because the designers are currently being all fussy pants with letting people showcase their work. Oh well I can manage...JUST PUT THE DAMN GAME OUT!

A short post for an epic game. Here's the direct link to the video [scroll down the linked page]

DUKE NUKEM FOREVER NEW FOOTAGE

Overlord's Second E3 Prediction!

It's time for another spontaneous and completely random prediction for this years Electronic Entertainment Expo or better put: E3. My last prediction was large in scope so I have refocused my "chi" and inner psychic abilities on more reasonable matters. Jargon aside, lets get right into it!

My second prediction is developer focused; meaning game announcement. It has come to my attention that RARE, makers of such classics as Perfect Dark, Killer Instinct, Donkey Kong Country and even GoldenEye 007, will be announcing a new game. Coming off an extremely good year with the release of Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts I believe that Rare will be dusting off an old I.P. I think it's on...ON like Donkey Kong! My prediction is that Rare will finally unveil the long awaited return of our furry friend Donkey Kong. It's been nearly ten years since last we saw Mr. Kong in the lead role of a game and we here at Warp would love nothing more to be able to pound some grunts, eats some bananas and toss a few barrels!

PREDICTION: BRAND NEW DONKEY KONG COUNTRY

PROBABILITY: 60%

PLATFORM: 360, Wii, PS3

Pen and Paper Dragon Age Style

We don't usually talk about old fashioned tabletop pen and paper RPG's all to often here, but I feel it's necessary when certain parameters are met:

1. The game needs to be based on a noteworthy franchise/I.P.
2. Needs to have a good blend of old school P&P tactics as well as the new-school incantations.
3. MUST be fantasy Role Playing
4. Needs to implement D&D 4th Edition Rule Set

With the upcoming Fall release of Dragon Age, Green Ronin Publishing (well known Tabletop dudes) have been asked to develop, well...just that...a tabletop game based on Dragon Age. Fantasy setting, old and new school tactics, 4th edition and it's based on a noteworthy I.P. Things seem to be looking up for this ambitious pen and paper role playing game! Here's the official scoop via gamespot.

"Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne won't be the only cross-media promotion that EA and BioWare commission for the Canadian developer's upcoming fantasy role-playing game. Following on from the David Gardner-penned prequel novel's debut in March, EA today unveiled plans to bring BioWare's newest universe to the realm of pen-and-paper tabletop gaming.

Green Ronin Publishing has been tasked with development on the P&P RPG, which is expected to be available at "card shops, book, and comic retailers" this summer. The game company's previous credits include work on the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, Black Company, and Thieves' World tabletop RPGs.

EA did not delve into specific details on the Dragon Age: Origins P&P RPG, saying only that it "extends the Dragon Age universe." Green Ronin plans to offer the initial game as part of a boxed set when it releases in the coming months, with additional sets and supplemental books planned for future release."

-GAME HARD-

Weekly Street Fighter IV Update

5.5.09

So, did you buy all the costume packs separately for all the characters? That sucks, cause you could have just downloaded them all in one fell-swoop with the newly released DLC. My opinion, Capcom is kind of "running the gamut" with our money here. We all know those costumes were embedded in the game way before they started hinting at costume DLC packs and now we have to purchase them instead of unlocking them. Don't get me wrong here; Ive already purchased one costume pack (for my boy Ken Masters) and I love SFIV...It's just, come on, can't we just get anything for free these days? Anyways, if you want to spruce your character up a little bit the new DLC pack is now available via XBox Live's marketplace. Enjoy!

-GAME HARD-