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Lightning strikes the UK and US cover art of Final Fantasy XIII [Update]

by Griffin McElroy { Dec 1st 2009 at 10:30AM }

The Final Fantasy series has been known to have some truly epic box art in the past, such as the man vs. machinery motif of the Final Fantasy VII cover, or the lovely, all-inclusive tableau featured on the front of the last entry in the core franchise. Imagine our surprise when we received the images above from Games Press -- it seems the cover for the UK version of Final Fantasy XIII will be considerably more simple than the box art of its predecessors. [Update: The US version of the box art will be identical to the UK version.]

We've posted larger versions of the two boxes in the gallery below. Check them out, but don't let those eyes of yours wander. Yes, we know her skirt is hiked to a precarious degree. We also know that the baby Jesus is watching your every action.

Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII UK cover art

Prince of Persia dialogue writer wins UK Writer's Guild award

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 30th 2009 at 8:00PM }

The 2008 reboot of the Prince of Persia franchise (which, apparently, is getting shut down) featured some of the most enjoyable snark and pith we've ever heard in a video game. Fortunately, Andy Walsh, the man responsible for the Prince and Elika's sharp-tongued exchanges, was recently recognized for his witty dialogue when he won the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Games Award last night in London.

Normally, this is where we'd drop in a quote from Walsh about how excited he was to receive the award, but it doesn't seem that anyone initiated the optional dialogue with him following the Writers' Guild awards ceremony. Too bad, something tells us we've missed out on the best part.

LittleBigPlanet wins big at the little BAFTAs

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 30th 2009 at 1:40PM }

Unsatisfied with simply winning the "Artistic Achievement" category of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards earlier this year, Media Molecule and its charming, customizable platforme, LittleBigPlanet, took the BAFTA's Children's Awards show by storm last night. The title took top honors during the ceremony, beating out Boom Blox Bash Party, de Blob and Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise for the coveted "Best Videogame" award.

Media Molecule's Mark Healey teased GamesIndustry about the future of the infinitely award-winning title, saying, "LittleBigPlanet has a lot more room to absorb a lot more things before we say goodbye to that one. I think every year from now on should be a big year for LittleBigPlanet, hopefully." With the Online Create mode patch out today and the Water Update coming soon, we think the studio's got plenty of big ideas to keep the Planet turning for a long, long time.

HMV slashes price for DJ Hero, PSP Go in the UK

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 30th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Lucky Brits. Not only do they get to be in closer geographic proximity to the dreamy David Tennant than we do, they're also extended some amazing post-Thanksgiving deals on typically pricey gaming equipment. Electronics retailer HMV is currently running two such offers in the UK -- the company has dropped the price of the PSP Go to £148.99, down significantly from the handheld's MSRP of £224.99. In addition, it's reduced the cost for DJ Hero, normally £107.99, down to just £69.99.

We're not sure how long these prices will stay this low, so if you live in the United Kingdom and have any interest in turntabling or digital distribution revolutions, we suggest you get while the getting is good.

Royal Navy sailors given PSPs to 'encourage studying'

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 29th 2009 at 1:30PM }

So, umm, this is kind of awkward. We're sorry to tell you, British Royal Navy, but it would appear that you've been duped. We know that the electric engineer everyone trusts so much – Reginald, that con artist! – has spent hours convincing everyone at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire how important it is for him to have a Sony PSP for "studying," but we have to tell you: It's a gaming system! He's just using it to play games!

And so even though Reginald said it would be a "smashing idea" for you to buy 230 consoles and spend £50k in the process, we're not so sure this is the best way to educate British sailors. The pre-loaded engineering software may help, but who's to stop users from spending hours with Patapon 2 instead? And no matter how much they claim to be learning about naval combat from SOCOM: Tactical Strike, we're pretty sure that's a lie as well. We hope you've learned from this, and will think twice next time that dastardly Reginald proposes a gaming system as education.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

Nintendo UK announces Reflect Missile for DSiWare, releases it

by Griffin McElroy { Nov 28th 2009 at 8:30PM }

Ready for some fairly unsurprising news? Nintendo UK recently revealed what we all expected yesterday following the OFLC rating of a Q-Games project titled Reflect Missile -- the game is designed for the DSiWare platform, and features Breakout-esque gameplay with strategy elements. You have to use a special set of missiles to help you clear out the aforementioned bricks, but you've only got a limited number, so ballistic conservation is key.

Ready for some completely flabbergasting news? According to the same Nintendo listing, the game is out right now in the UK. Like, this second, now. You can own it, provided you live in the UK, and have access to the fungible assets required to purchase 500 DSi Points. We've contacted Q-Games to find out when Reflect Missile will be fired at North America.

Fun with math: Some Rock Band UK packs inconsistently priced on PSN [update]

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 27th 2009 at 3:00PM }

It appears that, in some cases, the PSN Rock Band track packs in the UK are receiving a price hike in comparison to the individually purchased songs. An EU PlayStation forum user notes the discrepancy, which applies no discount to pack purchases, making it cheaper to purchase all of a pack's tracks individually. The issue had previously been contained to packs with over three songs, but next week's update appears to break that trend. However, reviewing previous weeks with track packs of three, it appears that the EU and UK pricing were accidentally reversed for next week, but we won't be able to confirm that until the update goes live.

We've confirmed the pricing anomaly for the UK PSN Store and we're following up with Harmonix to figure out what's going on. Check out examples of the pricing inconsistencies after the break.

Update: Harmonix responded to Joystiq, saying, "We are aware of the issue and working with SCEE to resolve the problems asap."

[Thanks Si]

Continued →

GAME and Activision UK team up for Modern Warfare 2 charity event next weekend

by David Hinkle { Nov 25th 2009 at 7:30PM }

War Child International is a coalition of organizations that seeks to aid children affected by war. Activision UK and GAME have decided to pitch in and are joining up to host an online event next weekend in Modern Warfare 2, asking that UK citizens play a bit of the game on Xbox Live. The more people enlist for action online, the more Activision UK will donate to the charity.

If you're looking for more information on the event, there's a Facebook page and a Twitter account set up to help coordinate. If you've got a busy weekend ahead of you on December 4, try to make time for at least one online match. It's not every day you can make someone else's life better just by playing a video game.

Sony & Microsoft offer software for UK university education program

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 25th 2009 at 5:00AM }

Keeping in line with recent contributions to President Obama's STEM education initative, both Microsoft and Sony have signed on for development software support to UK school Kingston University. A recent press release from the school boasts a "state-of-the-art laboratory aimed at providing the next generation of game developers with the skills needed to take computer gaming into the future," even employing "Xbox and handheld PSP game consoles" at each workstation.

According to Darrel Greenhill, games technology program head at KU, students are "working to industry standards even before they've left the classroom" with the donated software. Currently the university offers games programming and games technology degrees for undergrads, but will also begin offering post-graduate game development degrees in 2010. Unfortunately, no official date has been set for when computer gaming will reach "the future."

[Via Develop]

Black Wii, holiday demand lead to big sales boost in Europe

by JC Fletcher { Nov 23rd 2009 at 11:00AM }

The black Wii system, originally released concurrently with Monster Hunter Tri in Japan, is now in stores across Europe. And Nintendo is doing its best to keep it there, despite increased demand. According to MCV, demand for the console has risen 60% in the last week, and distributor Nindie.com is working "round the clock" to keep shipments going briskly.

"Of course it would be wrong to attribute all of this to Black Wii as we're all starting to see a natural peak season uplift on all hardware," senior Nintendo product manager Rob Lowe said. But Wii sales have apparently doubled following the release of the smart-looking black system. And, Lowe reminds buyers, "It is a limited edition version of the console so currently we only have plans for it to be available in 2009." That should have some effect on demand as well.

UK Charts: Modern Warfare still tops; Assassin's Creed 2 outperforms original's debut

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 23rd 2009 at 10:39AM }

The Assassin's Creed sequel may not have taken out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from the top spot on the UK charts, but the game did outperform the original's 2007 debut by 12 percent in unit sales. Although Chart Track doesn't give specific unit sales figures, it's staggering to think that Infinity Ward's FPS dropped 86 percent after its launch week and still retained the top spot.

Behind the big boys of violence, Nintendo's New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus took the next three spots, respectively. The hardened Left 4 Dead 2 shambled up to seventh spot.

Source -- Call of Duty stands firm [Chart Track]
Source -- All formats chart [Chart Track]

MMO teaches kids all about road safety ... by keeping them safely indoors

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 20th 2009 at 5:00AM }

Edutainment title Code of Everand is the UK Department of Transport's effort to teach children road safety. The free MMO is targeted at 9-13 year olds and attempts to "encourage and reward" repetition of good behaviors for the real world. The premise is actually surprisingly clever, with players taking the role of the Pathfinders and endeavoring to safely cross "the Spirit Channels," which are glowing streams, laid out like roads filled with monsters.

On that note, if children from almost any other country play the game, remember to first look left before crossing the Spirit Channels and not right -- that's a free protip. Check out the Everand trailer after the break.

[Via Edge]

Continued →

Microsoft: Natal launch details 'not accurate'

by Xav de Matos { Nov 17th 2009 at 7:15PM }

While reports circulated last week that Project Natal would launch sometime in November 2010, Xbox UK boss Neil Thompson says the details were only rumors. Speaking with Eurogamer at a launch event in London for the console's new social media applications, Thompson said the rumors "weren't accurate" and claimed Microsoft has yet to determine "a lot of things" related to the launch of its new motion-sensing technology.

According to the rumors, Microsoft was set to ship around five million Project Natal units next fall, alongside 14 supporting titles at a price point that could go as low as $50 (£30). When asked about the rumored details and price, Xbox's head of Europe, Chris Lewis, jokingly added, "Now you know better than to listen to that stuff! We will announce in good time."

However, Lewis did remind Eurogamer that Microsoft is striving for "unique" and "compelling" experiences with the technology. "That has to happen and will happen," he said. As long as whatever "happens" doesn't follow Microsoft's traditional Xbox 360 peripheral pricing scheme, we'll be happy.

Left 4 Dead 2 delayed in UK, due 'by Friday morning'

by Randy Nelson { Nov 17th 2009 at 4:32PM }

We'd usually say it's a good thing when a zombie invasion gets postponed, but not when we're talking about Left 4 Dead 2 releasing in the UK a couple days after the rest of the world. According to Valve's own L4D2 blog, "copies of the game are still arriving" across the pond, with assurances from the developer that it will "have everyone in the UK playing Left 4 Dead 2 by Friday morning." Wait -- everyone in the UK? Whoa now guys!

While Xbox 360 owners and PC gamers who still buy physical copies of software are out of luck, Valve says that everyone in the region who pre-ordered L4D2 via Steam can play it right now. Of course, those left waiting can pretend they're fighting to survive the scariest of all Left 4 Dead campaigns: "Delay of Game" (tagline: "Patience never killed anyone -- until now!").

Tradewest continues ex-Midway Europe exec hirings

by Ben Gilbert { Nov 17th 2009 at 1:00AM }

Having worked with Nick Howard in the past at Midway Europe where he acted as head of sales, Tradewest Games head Martin Spiess recently added Howard to the growing roster of ex-Midway Europe employees now employed by his newly formed outfit. "Nick has been a key contributor to our business over the years and we are confident that his appointment will accelerate Tradewest's growth strategy," Spiess told MCV.

Howard will act as managing director for the nascent company, specifically looking over UK sales and marketing. We've still yet to hear what Tradewest Games is up to in terms of, well, games, but hopefully this new hire is bringing the company closer to revealing some details.