Gamespot had a little interview with konami talking about the upcoming horror game SAW, the video will be showing some gameplay elements and some scenes, another thing is that the game will be heading to the 360, PS3 and PC this halloween, video below.

Gamespot

In two months, one week, a day and some number of hours, Michael Bay’s highly-anticipated summer sequel Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will finally be released, but Superhero Hype! got an advance demo of the new Activision tie-in game by Activision production coordinator Mike Mejia. The game will be released in stores one day before the movie on June 23rd. Activision has been working even closer with Michael Bay and DreamWorks to make sure that the movie and the game were intermeshed, so that they enhance each other.

There are a couple of distinct differences between the new game and the previous Transformers game, released in 2007 in conjunction with the first movie, the biggest one being that Activision has created a separate game specifically geared to the Wii platform, rather than just the same game across all platforms. (More on the those differences below.) According to Mejia, Activision played close attention to what gamers liked and didn’t like about the earlier game and made three big changes: The first is that they’ve allowed the player to choose a lot more characters on both sides of the battle, as well as a lot of different missions, rather than just following the same story linearly. Mejia confirmed that they’ve completely redesigned the robots’ transformations, so that the changes happen more fluidly without causing a loss in momentum during gameplay. For the first time, they’re also taking advantage of the Xbox Live environment allowing for full-feature multiplayer games like “Death Match” and “Capture the Flag” that can either be played via factions (user chooses which side and can only work with others on their side) or non-faction. Mejia described the latter as a way people can simulate “playing with their toys” in that basically anything goes.

Being that the sequel is shrouded in secrecy, the Activision reps couldn’t say too much about the voice cast for the game–which apparently includes a few people not in the movie–nor could they talk about how many Autobots and Decepticons you will be able to play nor the other robots that will be available for purchase via Xbox DLC (downloadable content). None of that has been announced yet, but we got a great look at some of the things you’ll be able to do in the new game and the overall gameplay in various modes.

At the end of the last movie, Megatron was defeated, and since then, Starscream has taken over the leadership of the Decepticons as various incursions have been popping up all over the globe. The humans are now working closer with the Autobots to stop those incursions, particularly the human’s military unit NEST (standing for Networked Elements: Supporters and Transformers), all of which comes into play in the new movie and game.

The first mission we were shown takes place in Shanghai and takes full advantage of the new gameplay feature as you have a choice of a number of Autobots or Decepticons with which to play the level. Mejia went with Ironhide, and the level intro showed Tyrese Gibson’s Sgt Epps briefing Ironhide on his mission as he lands on a roof in the city and immediately starts battling against the Decepticon Sideways (the one in the trailer we see turning into an Audio RI inside a building). Each of the robots in the game has their own special abilities and specific weapons, Ironhide having a gun turret that can be laid down to provide extra fire. Ironhide’s transformation did seem more fluid than with the previous game as the Autobot was able to change back and forth to his jeep mode with ease, as well as being able to climb up buildings in his robot form.

We were then shown how that same mission might be played from the other side, as we went through the same level as Sideways, a completely different experience in that the Decepticon not only fought Ironhide, but also had to take on the Autobot’s military assistance. His objective and M.O. is considerably more destructive–his special weapon is a landmine–and it essentially enhances the playability of each level depending on which robot you decide to play it with.

Mejio ran us through another level using Bumblebee, showing how the robots will integrate with humans in the game; in this case, it was Shia LaBeouf’s Sam, who becomes a part of that particular mission. After that, we were given a demo of Starscream’s new flight mode in a scenario where he attacks a fleet of aircraft carriers.

The big question on our minds when we came to this demo was answered as Mejio showed us presumably one of the later missions in the game, where Optimus Prime faces the Devastator, the enormous amalgam of six Constructicons that appears briefly in the trailer. The Devastator looks AMAZING, completely to a scale that makes the 30-foot Optimus look puny, and the game gives us a really good look at the amount of enhanced detail that went into its design, as Mejida paused the game and used the camera controls to zoom in and around the enormous robot to show that the giant adversary was just as detailed from every angle. Seriously, if the Devastator looks this good in the video game, we can only hope that it’ll be even more amazing when we see it on the IMAX screen; it’s certainly one of the more impressive and imposing game bosses we’ve seen in a long time. (They couldn’t say whether the Devastator would be playable or whether we might see it in its six individual components sometime earlier in the game, but let’s hope so.)

Afterwards, we were given a brief demo of the Wii version, which looks and feels very different, although is also much closer to the previous version of the game in some ways, being more linear than the Xbox version and with fewer choices along the way. What’s enhanced is the ability to play with two players at once, taking advantage of the Wii’s Co-Op capabilities for teamplay, where a second player can jump in at any time and help the robot facing the level. In the case of Ironhide, the second player gets a Remote Weapons System that can create a shield in front of the robot or provide added fire, as well as share energy in case the primary player is running low. There will also be an “Arena Mode” in which two players can each play a robot taking on hundreds of adversaries. We were also shown the same Starscream level we saw earlier in Wii mode, again using some of the same Co-Op features, but also taking advantage of the Wii nunchuk controller, which can be used to make Starscream do elaborate rolls while in jet mode. The important thing to note is that the levels in the Wii version follow a similar story as the main version and presumably the movie, although we were told there were things that one might only see briefly in the movie that are expanded upon for the game.

The Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen video game will hit stores on June 23, followed a day later by the Michael Bay movie of the same name (Sorry, that one you can just watch, not play.) You can already pre-order the game for all the varying platforms from Amazon.com and check out more screenshots from the game at the newly-launched official site, though you’ll just have to take our word on how cool the Devastator looks.

Comingsoon.net

If you’re a veteran gamer, then you’re probably familiar with faulty hardware. Whether it was the NES, which required constant blowing of the cartridge. The original Playstation, which often demanded gamers to flip it upside down in order to read the disc. Or maybe your first experience with shoddy hardware was the PS2’s disc read error. Whatever the case may be, we as gamers have much experience with crappy hardware. The ironic thing about this is the fact that each of the aforementioned consoles, no matter how defective they were, went on to become the most successful platforms in their respective generations. The one thing these consoles had in common was the fact that there was no substitute for the fun factor these consoles provided when they were up and running. So how in the hell did the 360 survive with a 33% failure rate and the PS3 breathing down its neck.

1. Playstation 3 Late Out of the Gates

Microsoft was able to survive via the cushion that the late release of the PS3 provided. They were alotted time to iron out all of the mistakes due to the fact that there was no substitute on the market. While Sony was trying to make sure all of the Blu-Ray diodes were working properly, Microsoft was busy establishing its name and working on an RROD solution.

2. Xbox Live

If there were a worthy substitute for the X-box Live experience, the consumers would have switched. Being that the PS3 failed to offer a comparable online experience, customers continued crave the community feel provided by the 360.

3. Nintendo Pursued Different Market.

Nintendo’s decision to pursue another market altogether also provided Microsoft with insulation against its mistakes. Although they have an install base of 48 million, the 360 provides an experience that they also can’t replace.

4. Extended 3 Year Warranty

One thing people must understand; consumers will buy almost anything as long as you tell them that you will replace it if it ever breaks. This is one thing Microsoft understands. Consoles are not automobiles. Therefore dependability has never been a major selling point.

5. Sony’s abysmal 2007

Whether it was the media’s depiction of Sony, or Sony just failed to deliver. Whatever the case, the consumers perceived notion of the PS3 being an inferior system at a higher price point, again provided MS with the time they needed to establish itself. Lets face it, Sony came out of the gate stumbling all over the place. You can argue that MS did the same in their first year, but this is the luxury of being the only option on the market provides you.

I do not claim that the 360’s failure rate has not affected its sales. I am merely suggesting that the lack of a proper substitute in the early going provided Microsoft with the luxury of being able to make many mistakes at hardly any consequence.

Written By: bakerboy

thisis50

Island Def Jam chairman Antonio “L.A.” Reid recently revealed his thoughts on 50 Cent’s success within the music industry labeling him one of the “all-time greats.”

Speaking with renowned television host Charlie Rose, Reid dished out Fif’s accomplishments comparing his head-to-head 2007 Soundscan battle with Kanye West.

“50 Cent is one of the all time greatest [rappers],” Reid explained. “He’s one of the greats. First of all, he had a great voice and as a rapper, an amazing voice. He was authentic, he is also a great song writer, right? So they were evenly matched for the sort of battle. And I think Kanye, at that point, had the better song…I like to believe it’s always the great song. It’s always the song…[But] a good artist with a great song can be a one-hit wonder. It can be number one…Some of the greats don’t always go for a number one record…Or Jay-Z who in my opinon is the Frank Sinatra of our day has had many, many hits and has huge success but Jay told me he had never had a number one pop record. But he has more number one albums than any artist alive…But I do know he won’t jeopardize his integrity to get a number one record. (The Charlie Rose Show)
Along with handling multiple rap acts, Reid recently gave fans an update on whether Jay’s Blueprint III would be released on Live Nation or Def Jam.

“We still have an arrangement with Jay-Z,” he said in an interview. “We’re hoping we could figure it out. If we can’t figure it out, it won’t lessen my interest in his record and in his career…To me, the Blueprint 3 is an important album, however it comes out. If it comes out in a cereal box, it doesn’t matter to me. As long as it’s one of the great records of our time…I wanna know that artists like Jay-Z and business people like Jay-Z can have a 40-year career…I wanna know that hip-hop has the legs, and it wasn’t a trend in music. It wasn’t something that can come and go, but it will stick around and last.” (MTV News)
Covering a variety of music acts, Reid has always expressed his focus on developing artists’ careers.

“I love being in the middle of it,” Reid said in an interview. “Exactly. I live for it. Over my entire career I have always identified talent, whether I was an artist at the beginning of my career, as a writer and producer, as label head. For the most part it has been the same thing. I live–and I have always lived–to identify with and associate with artists that I’ve found incredible.” (Ebony)
Reid is responsible for helping guide the careers of past and present urban stars.

L.A. Reid is the co-founder of LaFace Records. He and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds were responsible for helping bring TLC, Usher, Ciara, Outkast, Dido, Avril Lavigne and Pink to multi-platinum album sells. He was once appointed president of Arista Records from 2000 to 2004. He soon was appointed as Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group. As chairman of Island Def Jam, Reid is responsible for bringing R&B group 112, and rapper Young Jeezy. He is also responsible for appointing rapper Jay-Z as president of Def Jam and Def Soul Records, and guiding singer Mariah Carey’s comeback with her 2005 hit album, The Emancipation of Mimi. (Net Glimse)

While this game has been out for over a year, I just recently was able to get my hands on it. While it might be very late for some of you, for those of you who haven’t had a chance to pick it up or try it out check out the full review.

STORY:
Fans of Final Fantasy VII will most likely love the story. All of the classic characters are back, and even some new ones are introduced. The game helps explain some questions and goes into more detail about some characters. Questions revolving around the youth of Cloud, the history of Sephiroth, and the relationship between Zack and Aerith are answered.

Zack’s story is an interesting one. You learn about some major events surrounding Shinra, the Buster Sword, and lesser known chracters like Genesis and Angeal (Both 1st Class SOLIDERS).

While the game is great for those familiar with the story, the same cannot be said for those new to the Final Fantasy VII world. There were even times when I was wondering what the hell was going on, and was questioning characters motives for some actions.

The story has parts where it feels rushed and not fully developed, but for those who either want a interesting story or some more information on the Final Fantasy VII world then Crisis Core will keep you well entertained.

Story Score: 3.5 out of 5

GRAPHICS:
The graphics are simply amazing. What Square Enix was able to pull off on a portable console is truly a testament to their team. The game is either best looking PSP game or one of the Top 3 best looking PSP games. It could pass off for a first generation PS2 game actually.

The cut scenes are well made, and the rare CGI cut scenes are spectacular with graphics comparing to that seen in Crisis Core. The game simply continues Square’s tradition of making beautiful looking games with high-quality CGI cut scenes.

Graphics Score: 5 out 5

Final Score:
4.25 out of 5