Weekly Video Game News and Trailers – 09/02/2012
By Patrick Newman
Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes Announced
An event in Japan celebrating the 25th anniversary of the original Metal Gear was also the site of an announcement that both a new game and movie iteration of the property are in the works. The game, titled Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes, is an open-world title set for release on current-generation systems (according to website Andriasang). The long-awaited MGS-based film will arrive in theaters courtesy of former Marvel CEO Avi Arad, who will be distributing via Columbia Pictures. Also unveiled at the show was a smartphone game set in Kojima’s sci-fi/action world, called Metal Gear: Social Ops. The card-based action game set for worldwide release later this year.
GameStop to sell Vintage Games?
In a promising development for nostalgic button-mashers everywhere, GameStop CEO Paul Raines is considering selling vintage and out-of-print game cartridges and discs through the company website. He’s taking the proposition with a grain of salt, though, telling Polygon at the GameStop Expo that “It’s a big idea, and there’s a few problems with it. The first one is sourcing the product, the condition, the refurbishment, all that stuff. But there’s a customer for it. And we’re working on some stuff we haven’t announced yet.” Also citing the success of vintage game sales on eBay and the necessity of keeping GameStop an essential gaming destination, Raines seems intent on following this vision through.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 – Collector’s Edition Reveal Trailer
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Fuse Announced at PAX 2012
Insomniac’s new game title – Fuse – was revealed at a recent PAX keynote address by developer CEO Ted Price. The game was introduced to a small audience beneath the image of a man fighting a robot, giving the first indication of the game’s content. A countdown clock to September 12th has been posted on FuseGame.com, which may have something to do with Overstrike (“OVERSTRIKE DATA NODE” is printed small in the countdown clock’s upper right corner), according to IGN.
Dead Island Riptide in 2013
The much-anticipated non-sequel to 2011’s zombie shooter Dead Island is set for release in 2013. Called Dead Island Riptide, the game introduces new weather effects and moves the action to an island neighboring the one introduced in the earlier title. Island, which is more an expansion of the original than a pure sequel, also accepts save files from the original Dead Island, and will be coming to the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Hearthfire DLC Official Trailer
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Microsoft working with the LGBT Community
In yet another domino falling towards the general populace’s acceptance of the LGBT community, Microsoft has endorsed Gaymercon, the Kickstarter-funded convention taking place next year. By posting an enthusiastic video supporting the endeavor, Microsoft is taking steps to wash clean mistakes such as their ban (for which they apologized in 2009) of a self-identifying lesbian on Xbox Live. A Microsoft spokesperson recently told GameSpot, “At Microsoft we value the ideas and leadership of all of our employees and believe an inclusive and diverse community is important to a thriving Xbox Live…This video was an employee-driven effort to show support of GaymerCon’s Kickstarter campaign and had the full support of Xbox Live leadership.” Gaymercon will open its doors on August 3rd in San Francisco, CA.
New Tomb Raider Details
Karl Stewart of Crystal Dynamic, the driving force behind Lara Croft’s imminent return to gaming in Tomb Raider, is hoping for greater emotional resonance with Lara this time out. The Mature-rated re-boot of the iconic franchise has no shortage of ambition, as Karl Stewart elaborated to IncGamers: “I think Tomb Raider is more akin to a TV series than it is a blockbuster movie, because we want the player to go through the character progression over such a long period of time.” Tomb Raider is shuttering their plans for a multiplayer mode to focus on crafting a higher-quality single player campaign, which Stewart describes as, “We wanted to use the mature space to really tell a human story; we want the goose-bump moments and the moments that will make you cry.” Tomb Raider is being prepped for release in 2013.
Madden NFL 13 Launch Trailer
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Paragon Studios Dissolved
Paragon Studios, the developers behind City of Heroes, is being dissolved due to Publisher NCSoft’s wishes for “realignment of company focus.” All subscriptions to the MMO have been discontinued, as have in-game purchases. While the servers are still running, Paragon is planning to take City of Heroes off the map before the end of the year. As part of Paragon’s sign-off letter to their fan community, the company encouraged City of Heroes gamers to accept the situation gracefully. “Don’t dwell on the ‘how’ or the ‘why’, but rather join us in celebrating the legacy of an amazing partnership between the players and the development team,” The letter’s ending reads.
Torchlight Sequel in September
Developer Runic Games’ dungeon-crawling 2009 title Torchlight will be receiving its sequel in three weeks on the PC. Originally set for 2011, Torchlight II features new dungeons, monsters, character classes and quests, as well as a new co-op mode added after an overwhelming demand by fans. More information on the title, which hits stores September 20th, will be unveiled at the ongoing PAX Prime gaming convention.
Carrier Command: Gaea Mission Assault Trailer
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From the PunchDrunkGamer Forums:
* 2K Games Announces Borderlands 2 Season Pass for Upcoming Add-On Content
* It’s Everyone for Themselves with Gears of War: Judgment’s Free-For-All
* Unreal Engine 3 Debuts on Windows 8
* Escape The Virus: Shoot’Em Up (DSiWare) coming to North America
* New Sony TV to have resolution 4 times greater than HD
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