Evil Avatar http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/ Daily Gaming News... With Attitude en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:07:31 GMT vBulletin 20 http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/images_evil/misc/rss.jpg Evil Avatar http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/ Need for Speed SHIFT Team Racing Pack http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100467&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:05:05 GMT Image: http://www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/nfsshift/thumb.shift_track_002.jpg (http://www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/image.php?image=www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/nfsshift/shift_track_002.jpg) Image: http://www.evilavatar.com/images/previews/nfsshift/thumb.shift_track_003.jpg ...

Electronic Arts sends along a Press Release (and a video) showing off the next (free) DLC for Need for Speed: SHIFT.

Quote:
Electronic Arts Inc. today announced an all-new Team Racing pack for the critically-acclaimed Need for Speed SHIFT. The content pack takes online racing to the next level with an action-packed new race mode and five renowned racing cars - all for free (Need for Speed SHIFT and Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network account required). The Team Racing pack is the first downloadable content for Need for Speed SHIFT and will be available worldwide on December 1st on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. The pack will be released for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system on December 3rd in Europe and on December 10th in North America.

The Team Racing mode brings a fresh new challenge to SHIFT by completely redefining online racing. In this mode, two teams of up to six racers will battle against each other for online supremacy. Individual driving strategy and playing it safe won’t work as team tactics and 200 mph split-second decisions are required to push your team to the podium.

As part of the new content, players will also get access to these legendary racers:

• 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 427
• 1967 Shelby GT-500
• 1969 Dodge Charger R/T
• 1971 Dodge Challenger R/T
• 1998 Toyota Supra Mark IV

The Team Racing content pack is custom-made for Need for Speed SHIFT, a spectacular racing game originally released in September 2009. The game introduces a brutal first-person crash dynamic and a signature cockpit view that delivers a true driver’s experience. The game further personalizes the experience through the all-new driver profile -- a unique persona based on the driving skill and style of each player. With a perfect ‘10’ score from GameSpy.com and G4TV.com, and 90+ scores from IGN.com, Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Team Xbox.com, Game Daily.com, Gametrailers.com and more, Need for Speed SHIFT is the highest rated Need for Speed game in years.

Need for Speed SHIFT is now available on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP (PlayStation Portable) system, mobile and coming soon on the iPhone. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed.
Click on the Headline for the Video. ]]> News Items Evil Avatar http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100467 Smoking Near Apple Computers Voids Warranty http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100466&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:59:28 GMT I ran across this article from The Consumerist over at [H]ardOCP.

Quote:
Unless you've recently arrived in 2009 on a time machine, you know that smoking isn't good for you. Did you know, however, that smoking isn't good for your computer, either? It's true, at least according to Apple. Two readers in different parts of the country claim that their Applecare warranties were voided due to secondhand smoke. Both readers appealed their cases up to the office of God Steve Jobs himself. Both lost.
]]> Totally Off Topic Emabulator http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100466 <![CDATA[UK Gov't Intelligence Agency To Advertise On Xbox Live]]> http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100465&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:08 GMT MI5 and MI6-linked UK government intelligence organization GCHQ hopes to attract new recruits by reaching out to them with an Xbox Live advertising campaign. According to a report in the UK Guardian, the organization's six-week ad campaign aims at the 18 to 34 demographic. It draws parallels between skills and experience required in gameplay -- like "quick thinking, problem solving and team work" -- and those required to work with GCHQ. Ads will run on ...




More... ]]> Gamasutra RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100465 Gameloft Scales Back Android Game Development http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100464&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:08 GMT French mobile publisher Gameloft (Hero Of Sparta) says it's scaling back its investment in development for Google's Android platform -- and that, dissatisfied with Android's weak application store, other developers are following suit. "We have significantly cut our investment in Android platform, just like... many others," Gameloft finance director Alexandre de Rochefort said at an investor conference, as reported by Reuters. Android's app store is "not as neatly done as on the iPhone," De Rochefort ...




More... ]]> Gamasutra RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100464 Class-Action Suit Filed Against Zynga, Facebook Over Offer-Based Ads http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100463&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:08 GMT Sacramento-based law firm Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff (KCR) filed a class-action suit against Facebook developer Zynga, seeking upwards of $5 million in damages due to allegedly misleading lead generation ads featured in the latter's games. The Cost Per Action (CPA) advertisements in question allow users to earn virtual currency for social games like FarmVille and Mafia Wars by completing surveys, taking quizzes, or signing up for trial offers. Some ads are for legit companies like ...




More... ]]> Gamasutra RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100463 LittleBigPlanet getting bluer, blurrier with Sonic costume pack http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100462&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:08 GMT
We're usually hesitant to spend real-life money on virtual clothing, but you can bet we'll spring at the chance to purchase the recently revealed Sonic the Hedgehog costume pack for LittleBigPlanet. See, if we dress ourselves up like the series' speedy, cerulean protagonist, then play one of the many, many Green Hill Zone stages crafted by the LBP community, we can pretend that we're playing a decent, current-gen Sonic platformer.

We've contacted Media Molecule to try and find out the North American release date and price for this costume pack. We shouldn't let the developer hear us say this, but we'd pay anything for that beautiful illusion.

[Via Siliconera]LittleBigPlanet getting bluer, blurrier with Sonic costume pack originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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More... ]]> Joystiq RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100462 Gameloft pulling back on Android development http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100461&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:08 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/11/gamedroid.jpg (http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerElectronics/idUSLK60801320091120) The unsinkable (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/gameloft-sales-up-a-dramatic-18-this-year/) publisher Gameloft...
The unsinkable publisher Gameloft recently revealed that it is planning "significantly cut" its development on Google's Android platform. Said Gameloft finance director Alexandre de Rochefort, "We have significantly cut our investment in Android platform," adding that "many others" in the industry have scaled back Android development as well. The reason, according to Rochefort, is the organization -- or rather lack lack of organization -- of its application store, the Android Market. Rochefort stated that the Android Market "is not as neatly done" as Apple's App Store. Rochefort noted that Google hasn't really gotten many Android users to buy products, saying, "On Android nobody is making significant revenue."

To put things in perspective, Rochefort said that Gameloft has sold 400 times as many games on the iPhone as on the Android platform. Of course, it's worth noting that Apple's iPhone has a significantly larger market share than Android. According to a recent Gartner report released in August, the iPhone accounted for nearly 14 percent of the smartphone market, while Android phones accounted for less than 2 percent. With more and more carriers offering Android phones -- notably the recent release of the Droid on Verizon -- the Android market is likely to expand in the coming months. It will be interesting to see how the mobile market changes -- and whether Gameloft and others change their tune -- a year from now.

[Via Washington Post]Gameloft pulling back on Android development originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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More... ]]> Joystiq RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100461 PSP, PS3 Lead Weekly Japanese Sales Charts http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100460&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT Sony pulled off a two-pronged victory in Japan this week, as the PSP and PlayStation 3 captured the one and two sales spots, respectively, topping the typical weekly dominator, Nintendo DSi. Sony's PSP handheld sold 38,770 units for the week ended November 15, Japanese tracking firm Media Create said Friday. Its home console counterpart, PS3, secured a close second place with 38,498. During the prior week, PS3 outsold all other hardware with 48,925 sold during ...




More... ]]> Gamasutra RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100460 First Tech, Design Details Of Project Natal To Emerge At Gamefest In February http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100459&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT Microsoft this week said the latest technology and design details for its upcoming 3D camera solution Project Natal will emerge at Microsoft's annual Gamefest on February 10 and 11, 2010 in Seattle. The Gamefest conference is targeted at video game industry professionals and media interested in learning more are developing games on Microsoft-owned platforms such as Xbox 360. The Project Natal technical track will teach attendees how to approach development for the new control solution. ...




More... ]]> Gamasutra RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100459 Metareview: Left 4 Dead 2 http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100458&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT
Considering the devilishly heightened difficulty of Left 4 Dead 2, we're surprised enough outlets managed to complete a single campaign in time to submit a review for the title. We have to imagine GameSharks were somehow involved. Regardless, here's what other sites are saying about Valve's follow-up to last year's Zombocalypse survival sim.
  • Eurogamer (9/10): "Whereas once we treated Left 4 Dead as a stopgap between Half-Lifes, this is no longer a weird little side project with modest expectations, and Valve is confident enough to play around with it, safe in the knowledge that you can trust your players. Left 4 Dead proved it. And whereas that game had a personality, this one is overflowing with it."
  • IGN (9/10): "It remains one of the most distinctive co-operative titles out there, and allows for some of the most nerve-searing team-based multiplayer gaming on the market."
  • GameTrailers (8.7/10): "Though not an astounding improvement over the original, Left 4 Dead 2 successfully rekindles that magical zombie-hunting feeling with great new content, and a cool competitive multiplayer mode to boot."
  • Giant Bomb (4/5 Stars): "The core of Left 4 Dead may have lost some of its newness in the last 12 months, but the wealth of additions in this sequel ought to keep you blasting zombies and munching on brains for a good long while."
Metareview: Left 4 Dead 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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More... ]]> Joystiq RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100458 Violent game-opposed National Institute on Media and the Family shuts down http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100457&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT
If you've ever read a story we've written where some organization touts a piece of research "proving" the overwhelmingly negative effects video games have on youngsters, you've probably heard about the National Institute on Media and the Family. They're infamous for issuing typically low-scoring report cards to the ESRB and other entities in the gaming industry, and for propagating the values of the group's founder, psychologist David Walsh. However, it seems NIMF has executed its final evaluation -- according to the St. Paul-based Star Tribune, the organization will shutter its doors on Dec. 31.

We bet some of you are overjoyed that the immeasurably critical group is shutting down -- however, without their constant panning, we expect violence in video games to grow unchecked within the next few months. Soon, every title, from Peggle to Viva Piñata, will be bogged down by excessive amounts of gore. All games will be federally required to contain guns. Titles from previous console generations which don't adhere to this rule will be destroyed, Fahrenheit 451 style. The industry will crash like a sack of lead bricks -- all because NIMF wasn't there to keep it in line.

To quote Joni Mitchell, "Don't it always seem to go/ That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone."Violent game-opposed National Institute on Media and the Family shuts down originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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More... ]]> Joystiq RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100457 British Intelligence recruiting Xbox gamers http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100456&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT Image: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/11/bond-intelligence.jpg (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/nov/20/xbox-gchq-adverts) The Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/nov/20/xbox-gchq-adverts) reports that British Intelligence is looking for a few good men....
The Guardian reports that British Intelligence is looking for a few good men. Specifically, the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is running ads on the Xbox 360 dashboard and within Xbox games to recruit new members. The GCHQ, which works with both MI5 and MI6 (yes, that MI6), seeks to recruit young people with an affinity for "quick thinking, problem solving and team work." GCHQ believes that these criteria are "reflected in game-play experiences on Xbox."

We're expecting a new generation of foul-mouthed, teabagging James Bonds any day now.
British Intelligence recruiting Xbox gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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More... ]]> Joystiq RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100456 National Institute on Media and the Family Closing Down http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100455&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT The National Institute on Media and the Family (NIMF) is closing down, reports Gamasutra. The game industry watchdog group has often been at odds with industry publishers and retailers in its 14 year history. It is shutting down in conjunction with founding sponsor Fairview Health Services, but claims it is in talks with non-profit organizations that may continue its work. "Over the past two years the Institute's board of directors has been in strategic discussions about succession and the Institute's evolving mission and goals," said founder Dr. David Walsh (right). "The current challenging economic environment accelerated those discussions making this the right time to begin transitioning the programs to other organizations who share our mission and values."
Walsh said he is "grateful" to their donors, and calls the work "far from finished." The annual industry "Report Card" was its most well-known contribution, rating the industry on proper efforts for kids. Research from the institute usually sparked ire from gaming circles, but sometimes had kind words when they saw progress. The ESRB was praised as a positive force for keeping Mature games out of kids' hands, and often NIMF would lay the responsibility of managing game time at the feet of parents. Their studies ranged from game violence to addiction.
While it would be easy for game fans to take this as a win for the industry, we shouldn't be too quick to cheer. NIMF may have disagreed sharply with publishers and game fans, but they brought a sense of accountability to the business that may have helped legitimize it in the eyes of people who would otherwise write it off as too insular. And as with any organization shutting down, be it developer or watchdog, we hope anyone affected by the closing lands on their feet soon.


More... ]]> 1UP RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100455 Koei Announces Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce Release Date http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100454&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT
Dynasty Warriors will soon be back, as the release says, "with a vengeance." Koei has announced a firm release date for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce, which are due next year.
Koei is promising several new elements for the port, including 40 console-exclusive missions, online officer trading and a new playable character. The PS3 version will also feature characters from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, while the Xbox 360 version features guest appearances from Warriors Orochi 2.
The PSP version was released earlier this year, and included ad-hoc multiplayer as well as tweaks to the existing weapons system. The console versions will be introducing online multiplayer.

More... ]]> 1UP RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100454 EA Sports Active: More Workouts http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100453&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:20:17 GMT Exercise games on the Wii have been commonplace since the system launched in late 2006, with choices like Wii Fit, Jillian Michaels Fitness, and even Gold's Gym Cardio Workout. So earlier this year, when EA announced that it was bringing out its own fitness program, many (myself included) were skeptical that the studio would be able to create a hit to stand apart from all of those other options. But EA Sports Active was a big success, and many top-rated fitness magazines and trainers endorsed it as a true way to lose weight on the Wii. Well, EA has wasted no time in announcing a follow-up, called EA Sports Active: More Workouts, which improves on the original by adding 35 new routines that target specific areas of the body, revamping the warm-up and cool-down routines, and even throwing in a healthy living cookbook called "The Best Life Diet" by Bob Greene (Oprah's personal trainer).
But the biggest reason to pick up More Workouts is the expanded Six-Week Challenge. This extension of the original 30-Day Challenge offers up 24 pre-set workouts for 89 total exercises, some of which are new (like waterskiing and step aerobics) and some that return from the original Active (like boxing, bicep curls, and cardio). The most welcome additions include the warm-up and cool-down stations, which offer four different exercises to help you warm-up before starting a routine and four cool-down exercises to help stretch out after, and new custom abdominal workouts. They're small additions, but the extra content really helps More Workouts stand apart from its predecessor.


More... ]]> 1UP RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100453 Worms 2: Armageddon Gets a Title Update and DLC (in 2010) http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100452&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:40:23 GMT Image: http://mktplassets.xbox.com/NR/rdonlyres/47B1B3CE-D96D-4F62-87AE-CF003E8623B5/0/cboxworms2armageddon.jpg Team17 has just released an update for Worms 2: Armageddon that fixes a whole lot of bugs and exploits. To coincide with the update Team17 has also mentioned that there will be DLC...

Team17 has just released an update for Worms 2: Armageddon that fixes a whole lot of bugs and exploits. To coincide with the update Team17 has also mentioned that there will be DLC for the title in 2010 that will include more challenges, environments, features and tons more editable options for your Worms team.

Quote:
Team17 can confirm that “Worms 2: Armageddon” has just received a title update on Xbox Live Arcade.

The former no.1 selling title has benefitted from an extensive range of improvements, fixes, feature requests from the community and additional play balancing.

The update is available now and is free of charge to all owners of the game.
Thanks to jigsawhc and XBLRatings.com for the information.

Full Press Release a long with a list of changes after the break. ]]> News Items pwnophobia http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100452 Serious Sam HD : The First Encounter Releases Nov. 24th for PC http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100450&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:21:10 GMT Coming November 24th for the PC and to the XBLA in December is the HD remake of Serious Sam. Check out the final trailer below. rcGYgzqLsOo Coming November 24th for the PC and to the XBLA in December is the HD remake of Serious Sam. Check out the final trailer below.

]]> News Items pwnophobia http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100450 Dedicated Servers for Aliens vs Predator http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100449&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:13:25 GMT Image: http://evilavatar.com/images/thumbs/avp_logo.jpg Gamesindustry.biz has posted a quote (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/dedicated-servers-for-aliens-vs-predator) from developer Rebellion, indicating that the PC version of Aliens vs. Predator will include a dedicated server. ...

Gamesindustry.biz has posted a quote from developer Rebellion, indicating that the PC version of Aliens vs. Predator will include a dedicated server.

Quote:
The PC version of licensed shooter Aliens vs Predator will support dedicated servers, according to a new statement made by British developer Rebellion.

"Despite rumours, Rebellion has always been planning to support dedicated servers for Aliens vs Predator PC and we can now officially confirm that this is the case. Rebellion has always appreciated fan support," said Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley. "We're really looking forward to the release of Aliens vs Predator as much as you guys are!"
]]> News Items Evil Avatar http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100449 Video Game Watchdog National Institute On Media And The Family Shutting Down http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100448&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:10:06 GMT Image: http://www.gamasutra.com/db_area/images/news2001/26181/walsh.jpg The National Institute on Media and the Family -- the non-profit group behind the sometimes controversial MediaWise Video Game Report Card -- is shutting down after 14 years of operation. The group, a frequent critic of the... The National Institute on Media and the Family -- the non-profit group behind the sometimes controversial MediaWise Video Game Report Card -- is shutting down after 14 years of operation. The group, a frequent critic of the games industry, said it made the decision to close down in conjunction with Fairview Health Services, NIMF's founding sponsor. The Minneapolis, Minn.-based institute said its board is in talks with local and national non-profits that may continue NIMF's ...




More... ]]> Gamasutra RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100448 Introducing the Spirit Tower in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100447&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:10:06 GMT Filed under: Arcade

The latest trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, featuring what appears to be the game's introduction, highlights what is certain to be one of the most bemoaned features of the new game: the Tower of Spirits. Yes, like Phantom Hourglass, this game has a central dungeon area to which you'll return throughout the game, though players will be able to skip areas they have already completed this time.

The trailer also seems to suggest that all the train tracks are magical shackles placed on the ground to imprison an evil presence. So that's why there are train tracks around! We would have guessed "interstate commerce."
Gallery: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks




Introducing the Spirit Tower in The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.




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More... ]]> Joystiq RSS_FEED http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100447