Don’t mind the mess – We’re getting ready to move
Don’t mind the mess (or extremely old posts) – We’re just preparing to jump servers and as such are moving all of our old blogs over to WordPress format. If you’re currently looking for NYLatenite’s Gamer’s Paradise – (also known as nylatenite.com) – we’re still over at www.nylatenite.com. Thanks!
About
Here’s what you need to know about this wonderful little site that I call home…
This site is entirely based on the personal opinions of the editorial staff, internet reports, conjecture, rumors, and blatant idiocy. In no way should any report, news item, picture or description on this site ever be taken as 100 percent factual. To put it simply, if you think the 10 minutes of research I may do into a specific subject is enough for you to take something as reported at face value, you need to get your head examined.
As implied by the statement above, information on this website can, and probably will, contain numerous inaccuracies and as such should never be used to make any kind of an informed decision on a subject. Seriously. The nature of news on the internet and the business of reporting on rumors, ommissions and, let’s call it what it is, wild-ass guessing should never be mistaken as 100 percent accurate. While all attempts are made to report things as accurately as we can, things are always going to get missed or misunderstood in the shuffle.
In short, take everything on this site as what it is – news being reported by someone who is a fan of the video game industry, but who has no connections to the game industry or related businesses.
If you’ve seen something you feel is inaccurate or misinterperated, feel free to drop us a line at nylatenite@yahoo.com to let us know the truth of the matter. Thank you.
XBOX LIVE ARCADE WEDNESDAYS – BAND OF BUGS
This week’s Xbox Live Arcade title is a fresh release from the developers over at NinjaBee. Truth be told, I really don’t know what to expect from Band of Bugs, as the release announcement was pretty much the first time I’d ever even heard of the title. Based on the description of the game and the screenshots I’ve seen, I’m going to guess that Band of Bugs is going to be a turn based strategy game along the lines of Final Fantasy Tactics. It’s because I have no clue what to really expect from this one that I’m definitely suggesting you download and try the demo before you decide to purchase anything.
Title: Band of Bugs
Developer: NinjaBee
Publisher: NinjaBee
Genre: Xbox Live Arcade
Release Date: 6/20/07
Console: Xbox 360
Players: 1-4
Full Game: 800 points ($10)
Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence
Demo?: Yes
From the Xbox.com product description;
"Maal is an unhappy bug who needs structure and a purpose in his life, so he joins the royal army under the tutelage of the battle-hardened mantis warrior Tiernan. Now, he must begin his quest to save the Queen and the kingdom. NinjaBee’s Band of Bugs puts you in Maal’s shoes … er, footpads, and sets you in the middle of a fast-playing, accessible, tactical strategy game designed specifically for Xbox LIVE® Arcade. This turn-based tactics game expands the genre by providing a unique Level Editor, allowing gamers to create levels and play them online with friends.
- Tasty tactics: One of the few turn-based tactics games available, Band of Bugs provides gameplay deep enough to be satisfying to established fans of the genre, but friendly enough to appeal to all types of casual gamers.
- Multiple game modes: The game includes a story-based campaign and stand-alone missions as well as several unique multiplayer modes: Elimination, Escape, and Capture.
- Create your own levels: The game has fifty levels, but also features a Level Editor allowing you to design custom scenarios and play them solo or over Xbox LIVE with your friends." - Xbox.com
As for last week’s Live Arcade release, I picked up Prince of Persia Classic, and while it certainly is a fun title, I can’t deny that there is a certain level of frustration attached to the title. All too often I’ll find myself dying due to the sensitivity of the controls and in a game that already features very frequent deaths, anything that adds to the total can be extremely unwelcome. I won’t go as far as saying that it ruins the game, but I will say that it’s something prospective purchasers should be aware of. It’s one of those games that I’d normally call a rental, but since we’re talking the Live Arcade here, it’s a take it or leave it situation. My advice is this – if you’re a big fan of 2D platformers and don’t mind a little frustration mixed in with your fun, then grab it. If you’re the type of person who either gets frustrated easily or isn’t a huge fan of retro style gameplay, you’ll probably want to give it a pass.
MICROSOFT SUES IMMERSION FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT
How’s this for a twist? Microsoft has filed a lawsuit against Immersion stating that the company is in breach of the contract the two companies signed when they settled Immersion’s vibration feedback lawsuit against Microsoft back in 2003. Apparently the dispute comes down to certain monetary compensation Microsoft was supposed to receive as part of their purchasing a stake in Immersion at the time.
Quite humorously, ArsTechnica is reporting that at least part of the dispute comes down to Microsoft feeling they are entitled to part of the money that Sony paid out to Immersion when they lost the patent infringement suit brought in regards to the haptic vibration technology used in the Dual Shock controller.
“The complaint details the Sublicense Agreement (SLA) that Microsoft and Immersion entered into in 2003, following the settlement between the two parties. According to the complaint, the SLA entitles Microsoft to a minimum $15 million payment as a result of Immersion’s settlement with Sony. Microsoft and Immersion apparently agreed to share the bounty that would stem from a court battle with Sony, and Microsoft says they have yet to be paid.” – ArsTechnica
The lawsuit shouldn’t have any bearing on Microsoft’s license to use Immersions vibration technology with the Xbox 360, so doomsayers on that end should probably be ignored. For more details on all the specifics, check out the full article over at ArsTechnica.
KEN KUTARAGI OFFICIALLY STEPS DOWN AT SONY
As reported in a previous article, yesterday was Ken “Father of the PlayStation” Kutaragi’s last day as CEO and Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment. While Kutaragi will be staying on as a “special advisor” to the company, the responsibility for SCE’s performance now fully falls to Kutaragi’s successor Kaz Hirai.
Good luck Kaz, you’re going to need it.
- Sony’s Ken Kutaragi Retires – nylatenite.com
PLAYSTATION 3 TEKKEN 5 ONLINE MULTIPLAYER COMPONENT PRICED
Just a quick note here – Kotaku is reporting that Sony has announced that there will be an online multiplayer mode for the downloadable PlayStation 3 version of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection. The online multiplayer component will be an additional downloadable item and will cost $9.99 on top of Dark Resurrection’s normal cost of $19.99. While that may strike some as unreasonable, $30 isn’t an all-together outrageous price to ask for an online fighter.
That said, I still won’t be picking up this pack, because the fun of playing an online fighter is trash-talking your friends as you play it. Seeing how I’m still pretty much one of the only people I know who actually has bought a PlayStation 3, the add-on just doesn’t hold much interest for me.
- Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection – Product page at PlayStation.com
- Tekken 5 Online Confirmed, Priced For US – Kotaku
ELECTRONIC ARTS DELAYS SPORE UNTIL FISCAL YEAR 2009
Say it isn’t so! – Kotaku is reporting that Electronic Arts has confirmed that Spore’s release date has been pushed back from fiscal year 2008 to 2009, meaning the game will be hitting sometime after September 30th 2008. While that news is extremely disappointing for those of us who have been waiting for this game with baited breath, it’s at least better than the report that lead to Kotaku looking into the matter – a report in Game Informer magazine that stated that the game had been postponed “indefinitely”
Now, I’m a huge proponent of not rushing a game, so I can’t sit here and gripe about how long it’s taking for Will Wright and crew to get the game done – especially considering that based on what I’ve seen of the game so far, I’m still not clear on just what exactly the game will have to make it a truly unique experience. Sure, you can create your own creature from scratch, but just how much of that creation process will really matter in the long run? We’ve seen the game in the early ages of a race’s existence and a few snippets towards the end, but there’s been precious little about that all important middle.
Anyway, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that this is at least the last delay notice we’ll hear about Spore and that the game will be something just as addictive as Wright’s other works. Still, it’s time to take Spore off my “most anticipated” list as it’s just too far off now for me to feel any kind of real excitement over.
- Spore – Official Website
- Spore Slip Sliding Away – Kotaku
