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Silent Hill: Shattered Memories trailer rocks out

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 2nd 2009 at 4:20PM }

Konami has released a new trailer for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and ... it kind of rocks. Literally. Rather than flooding the senses with creepy atmosphere, rusted metal and sexually confusing nurses, the trailer opts instead for a montage of the game's characters and some rock music, specifically "When You're Gone," a new theme composed by the series' longtime (and recently departed) maestro, Akira Yamaoka.

Sharp-eyed viewers will also notice that Cybil, the friendly police officer from the original Silent Hill, appears in two different variations in the trailer. The version of Cybil encountered will be different for each player, depending on the player's actions prior to meeting her in the game. Also featured in the video: Monsters. Lots of 'em.

Shattered Memories releases December 8.

Silent Hill's Akira Yamaoka officially leaves Konami

by Richard Mitchell { Dec 2nd 2009 at 1:58PM }

That eerie, oppressive sound you hear is that of a million Silent Hill soundtracks being played in memoriam of Akira Yamaoka. Original Sound Version has confirmed Yamaoka's departure from Konami, a rumor that began circulating yesterday. Yamaoka is known primarily for his work on the characteristic soundscapes of Konami's Silent Hill series, including the upcoming Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. In fact, the man has composed the soundtrack for every game in the series (with the exception of the GBA spinoff, Silent Hill Play Novel). He has also served as a producer on the series since Silent Hill 3.

Exactly where the composer plans to go from here is unknown, though OSV claims to be preparing an interview with Yamaoka in "the coming days." In the meantime, we plan to let his music lull us into a nervous, nightmare-ridden sleep.

[Via Hell Descent]

Famitsu: Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker strides into Japan on March 18

by David Hinkle { Dec 1st 2009 at 11:30AM }

This week's issue of Famitsu lifts the cardboard box off Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker's release date, outing the PSP title for a March 18, 2010 release in Japan. Given Konami's history of timely Metal Gear localizations, it might not be too long until the game reaches its excited Western audience.

We loved what we played at TGS and we're willing to bet those of you who braved the Japanese demo likely felt the same. If you were frightened by the lack of understandable words, have no fear -- an English demo is currently in the works!

Rumor: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka leaves Konami

by Alexander Sliwinski { Dec 1st 2009 at 10:00AM }

Aeropause claims that Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for Silent Hill's evocative sound, has apparently left Konami after 16 years and is currently vacationing in Europe. Fans of the survival-horror series would rightfully claim that Yamaoka, whose work has been a constant in the entire series, is inextricably linked to Silent Hill.

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett told Joystiq in an interview back in June that Yamaoka's music "adds a special element, it's kind of the atmosphere of the town." He continued, "If Akira's music isn't there, it just doesn't sound quite right. And I'm sure that there are people out there who could emulate the sound and try to get it close, but there would be something missing." We've followed up with the publisher for confirmation and comment.

Why 'Lords of Shadow' wasn't 'Castlevania: Lords of Shadow' at first

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 27th 2009 at 1:30PM }

Being Dave Cox, head of European development for Konami, can't be an easy job. For one, he's not Hideo Kojima, so he's already got that going against him. Worse yet, he's had to tow the company line and let his upcoming Castlevania: Lords of Shadow languish out of the spotlight while Castlevania Judgment got all the attention. It seems Konami didn't even have the confidence to allow Lords of Shadow the Castlevania license -- nor did fans. "It was quite a radical departure from what had gone before with Castlevania, and there was a little bit of nervousness that perhaps it wouldn't be accepted as a Castlevania game," Cox told GameReactor.

Though he claims the project was approved originally as a Castlevania game and was built from the get-go with the vampire-hunting series in mind, the folks in charge at Konami had cold feet going into the big reveal at Games Convention 2008. "Senior management took the decision that we were going to announce it as Lords of Shadow, see what the reaction is, and if it's a good one then this would become a fully-fledged Castlevania." It was definitely a good one.

Gallery: Castlevania: Lords of Shadows

[Via VG247]

Xbox Live Top 10: People apparently played CoD4, World at War

by David Hinkle { Nov 18th 2009 at 10:30AM }

Seriously, guys? Everyone on the planet runs out and buys Modern Warfare 2 and you're still playing Call of Duty 4 and World at War? We can understand you folks who chose to play Halo 3 -- the whole Modern Warfare 2 experience may not be your idea of a good time -- but Major Nelson's Xbox Live activity chart for the week of November 9 simply vexes us.

In less puzzling news, the XBLA activity is along the lines of something we're used to seeing. Trials HD remains atop the list, followed by Castle Crashers and South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play. Konami's Zombie Apocalypse also managed to survive the gauntlet and make its way onto the list and, combined with the recent release of Left 4 Dead 2, we feel mankind is finally starting to reach acceptable levels of preparation for the inevitable future of a world plagued by the undead.

Konami's iPhone games on sale for one dollar each

by JC Fletcher { Nov 17th 2009 at 10:00AM }

Konami has marked its entire slate of iPhone/iPod Touch games down to just .99 -- the magic price point at which we're willing to try something, even if it's Silent Hill: The Escape. Now is the time to satisfy your curiosity about Metal Gear Solid Touch or Krazy Kart Racing! Well, maybe you could download the demos first to satisfy your curiosity, and then buy the games if you feel there's a chance for even one dollar worth of enjoyment.

The full selection of Konami games includes (iTunes links): Dance Dance Revolution S+, Dance Dance Revolution S, Frogger, Metal Gear Solid Touch, Silent Hill: The Escape, Krazy Kart Racing, Power Pros Touch, Silent Scope, and Field Prowlers Police Rush! This deal is active in the US and Canada. We're checking with Konami to find out how long the offer will be available.

[Thanks, Jordan!]

DSi-exclusive 'Monster Finder' is now 'Foto Showdown'

by JC Fletcher { Nov 16th 2009 at 12:15PM }

The DSi-only monster-training game, Monster Finder, just can't seem to nail that whole title thing. In Japan, it's half exciting ("Monster") and half not-so-exciting ("Finder.") As GameStop's listing for the North American release shows, the same problem is happening even in localization. "Showdown" sounds fairly action-packed, but "Foto Showdown" fails to convey the whole monster-combat thing.

Foto Showdown is suddenly not the only game in town when it comes to monster generation on the DS. This game, with its camera-based monster system, is now in a showdown of its own -- with Tecmo's just-announced Monster Rancher DS.

[Via Siliconera]

Metal Gear Rex toy will launch a nuclear assault on your heart

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 13th 2009 at 3:15PM }

Created with the capability to launch a nuclear slug, halfway across the world -- undetected -- Metal Gear Rex is anything but cute. That is, until you shrink it down to toy size, at which point it becomes positively adorable. The killer collectible was initially spotted by a Toyark forum member, who noted it was coming from threeA. The forum dweller further noted that Rex appears to be 15 to 17 inches tall.

We're not sure if the railgun is functional but, if push comes to shove, you could definitely launch some rubber bands off of that thing. Pricing and release information have not yet been revealed.

[Via TomoPop. Thanks, Gusto]

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories debuts on Wii Dec. 8

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 12th 2009 at 1:30PM }

It looks like GameStop got it right, as IGN reports that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories will arrive on the Wii on December 8. The PS2 and PSP versions have yet to be given solid release dates, with Konami promising to reveal further information at a later time. Given the Wii version's proximity to the holiday shopping season, it sounds like PSP and PS2 players can consider their sanity safe until 2010 -- though not long after, considering our experience with the PSP version at Tokyo Game Show.

Wii owners, on the other hand, should start preparing now by stocking up on flashlights, blankets and plenty of batteries. Just remember, so long as you're completely covered they can't get you. Braver readers might consider perusing some of our terrifying Shattered Memories preview coverage.

DDR purse is actually kind of neat

by Justin McElroy { Nov 9th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Printing a description on something doesn't necessarily make it so, as the hundreds of XXL T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Way 2 Sexy" all over our nation's Wal-Mart's will attest. But there's truth in advertising for this purse made out of a Dance Dance Revolution dance pad, which is, in fact, pretty cool.

As a bonus with this handy how-to, you get to see several lurid close-ups of a dance pad's guts. Sure, it's not the internet's biggest fetish group, but it's nice to see them being thrown a bone.

[Thanks, Liz]

Konami income declines as expected in first half of fiscal 2010

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 9th 2009 at 5:31PM }

Konami courteously warned its investors last week that the first half of this fiscal year had been ... unfavorable to the company. It forecasted a year-over-year decline in net income of 82%, falling from ¥12 billion ($132 million) in the first half of FY 2009 to ¥2 billion ($24 million) in the first half of FY 2010. This forecast now seems incredibly pessimistic in light of the recently released financial report, which reveals a net income decrease of 81%, down to ¥2.2 billion ($24.4 million) in the first half of FY 2010.

See, Konami? Shake off that melancholy. That's one whole percent less than you expected to lose! Hey, you know what they say: When life takes one less lemon away from you than you expect it to take, then you can make lemonade with that lemon. Sure, it'll be fairly weak lemonade with just the one lemon, but it'll still be crisp and refreshing.

Prototype Wii game found in developer portfolio

by JC Fletcher { Nov 4th 2009 at 6:40PM }

The website for Eric Testroete, who recently made the rounds for his "big head mode" Halloween costume, shows work-in-progress screens of an unannounced Wii war game he animated for MLB Superstars developer Deep Fried Entertainment. The game uses an almost top-down, zoomed-out perspective, and appears to put the player (or players) in control of jeeps equipped with machine guns.

As Kotaku notes, it looks rather like Konami's Jackal, prompting the site to speculate that it's a ReBirth made for Konami, like the recent Castlevania, Contra, and Gradius games. If true, it would be the first ReBirth title not to be developed by M2 in Japan. Of course, the American side of Konami is also working on refreshes of old Konami franchises in the form of Rocket Knight, so there is precedent.

Gallery: Undisclosed Deep Fried Entertainment game (Wii)

Two Konami 'Xbox Live' Compilations discovered on GameFly

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 4th 2009 at 3:30PM }

GameFly now has listings for Xbox Live Compilation Vol. 1 & 2 from Konami on its site. Noted by Siliconera, Konami's XBLA releases include Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Frogger 2 and a slew of classic titles. The site speculates that if Konami's subsidiary Hudson is thrown in the mix, the collection could also include Bomberman titles.

GameFly is known to "simply post information as it is supplied to [it] by the publishers." We've contacted Konami for any further details and will update if it responds to our request.

Source -- Xbox Live Compilation Vol. 1 [GameFly]
Source -- Xbox Live Compilation Vol. 2 [GameFly]

[Via Siliconera]

Konami forecasts 82 percent decline in net income

by David Hinkle { Nov 3rd 2009 at 3:21PM }

Konami has revealed its financial forecast for the six months ending September 30, 2009. Comparing profits to the same time last year, the company predicts that net income attributable to Konami corporation would fall 82 percent, from 12 billion yen ($132 million) to 2 billion yen ($24 million). Of course, Konami blames this sharp downturn on a lack of key titles (again), especially in contrast to MGS4 which buoyed much of 2008.

The company is hopeful for a climb into the black this time next year, forecasting net income to be around 16 billion yen ($177 million). Konami doesn't say what it expects to drive this rise in profits, but titles like Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and PES 2010 will likely play a part in that. Next year also promises the appearance of a revitalized Castlevania, a portable Metal Gear Solid and -- maybe -- a Rising action star.

[Via GI.biz]

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