Well, it was a slow news day, so you get a video courtesy of the good folks over at GameTrailers.com. Don’t you feel all special now? Admit it, you’re feeling all warm and fuzzy now, aren’t you?
What I’ve got for you today is a look at Sony’s Gran Turismo 5 Prologue – the latest in the company’s venerable racing franchise. What you’re about to watch is some in-game footage of a race through city streets. I’d say it was a thrilling run, but the fact that the driver can’t seem to avoid smashing into things kind of takes away from the whole presentation. Still, this video is about getting to see the level of detail of your surroundings – so maybe I should be spending our time looking around instead of critiquing driving skills.
Anyway, check out the video below – I’m sure you’ll agree that the game is looking good – and the fact that Sony has added an in-car mode has certainly got me excited about this one.
As I’m sure you well know, Gran Turismo 5 Prologue will be a PlayStation 3 exclusive.
A demo of Electronic Arts’ Burnout Paradise for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 765MB.
A demo of Electronic Arts’ Burnout Paradise for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Asia via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 835.53MB.
Please note: As of late November, it appears that Microsoft has re-instituted the one week wait before free content becomes available to Xbox Live Silver members. As such, if you're not an Xbox Live Gold member, this demo most likely won't be available for download until sometime next week.
A demo of THQ’s MX vs ATV Untamed for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 715MB.
A demo of THQ’s MX vs ATV Untamed for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 911.78MB.
A demo of Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed ProStreet for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 907MB.
A demo of Electronic Arts’ Need for Speed Pro Street for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 654.64MB.
A demo of THQ’s Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 969MB.
A demo of Sega’s SEGA Rally Revo for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 713MB.
A demo of Sega’s SEGA Rally Revo for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Japan via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Download size is approximately 691.82MB.
A demo of Flatout: Ultimate Carnage for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate demo size 751.67MB.
A demo of Electronic Arts NASCAR ’08 for the PlayStation 3 is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 569MB.
An PlayStation 3 demo of DiRT is now available for download via the PlayStation Store. Download size is approximately 553MB.
A demo of Koei’s Fatal Inertia for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace in Japan and The United States. Approximate file size is 380.09MB.
I’ve got to say that I’ve already tried this demo and I was a little disappointed in it – If the game wants to occupy the same hallowed ground as Sony’s Wipeout series, it’s going to need a lot of fine tuning and course design changes.
In a post over at ForzaMotorsport.net, the folks at Turn 10 announced that Nissan will be sponsoring a free downloadable car pack for Forza Motorsport 2 along with several Nissan themed events to be held via Xbox Live.
Naturally, the most exciting thing about the announcement is the addition of three free cars starting today. The Nissan car pack will include the 2007 models of the Nissan 350Z, Sentra SE-R and Altima. I said it back when Cadillac sponsored a car pack for Project Gotham Racing 3, and I’ll say it again – this is the way in-game advertising should be done. It’s unobtrusive, shows off the product and is something people will actually go out of their way to obtain. Sure, this example really only works for racing games, but it’s still a case where the end user doesn’t feel like they’re being pimped out by a game they’ve spent sixty or more dollars on.
As if that’s not enough, Nissan will also be hosting several events including a Sentra SE-R tournament race as well as a car customization contest. As an avid collector for Forza 2 cars, I certainly can’t wait to see what people come up with for that one. (Though I wonder if we’re going to see some controversy surrounding people using unlocked vinyls and claiming them as their own.)
While we’re on the subject of Forza 2, I should also note that one “premium” car will be debuting in the Xbox Live Marketplace tomorrow. A paintable Peugeot 908 race car will be sold for 50 Microsoft Points ($0.63).
In all the excitement surrounding the Heavenly Sword demo, I realized this morning that I forgot to post this one. Sony has made a remixed version of it’s downloadable PlayStation Network title Gripshift available for purchase in the PlayStation Store. Gripshift 2.0 is available for $9.99 and has been rated E for Everyone by the ESRB.
"GripShift™ combines high speed driving and platform gaming action! Stunt through 150 crazy levels and experience all-out, pedal to the metal thrills as you collect power-ups, avoid traps, and beat the clock. Challenge the No. 1 leaderboard spot, or compete in online multiplayer, to be the Master of Faster!" – PlayStation.com
A demo of THQ’s MotoGP ’07 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace in all regions except Asia. Approximate file size is 901.46MB.
A demo of Electronic Arts NASCAR ’08 for the Xbox 360 is now available for download via the Xbox Live Marketplace in Australia, Canada, Germany, The United Kingdom & The United States. Approximate file size is 589.32MB.
Just a quick note here to let you know that a demo of THQ’s Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights for the Xbox 360 is now available for download in all regions except Japan and South Korea via the Xbox Live Marketplace. Approximate download size is 1.31GB. Is it just me, or does the title of this game sound like something other than a racing game?
1UP.com is reporting that Sony will be releasing a downloadable game in the Wipeout series for the PlayStation 3 before the year is done. Wipeout HD will not be a full fledged sequel – that job will be left to an as-of-yet unnamed Wipeout title which should be hitting the PS3 some time in 2008. Wipeout HD will most likely feature an online multiplayer mode played out on high-definition versions of the tracks found in the upcoming Wipeout Pulse for the PSP.
Now, back when the series first started, I was a huge fan of the game. I remember playing the game on my Sega Saturn and loving it, only to have my jaw drop to the floor a few months later when I picked up a PlayStation and witnessed it with the PSX’s lighting effects. Hell, I loved the game so much, that when I purchased a second PlayStation just prior to the release of Resident Evil 2, I immediately picked up another copy of Wipeout along with a system-link cable in hopes of playing some two screen races with friends. While the more recent additions to the series have lost something along the way, I’m still looking towards this release with some anticipation – after all, you never know when lightning could strike twice.
Bizarre Creations has released the next sneak peak of their upcoming Xbox 360 racer Project Gotham Racing 4. Last time, they showed us what the rain in St. Petersburg would bring – this time around, they’re treating us to snowfall in Nurburgring. Looks like Bizarre plans on making the environment’s ability to change driving conditions a big part of the PGR experience. Check it out below courtesy of the fine folks over at GameTrailers.com.
Hopefully the release of PGR4 will also result in Geometry Wars 3 being brought to the masses. Project Gotham Racing 4 will be an Xbox 360 exclusive and is currently slated to release some time this holiday season.
I’ve been playing quite a bit of Forza Motorsport 2 on the Xbox 360 lately, and while the game itself certainly is a load of fun (despite the lack of an in-car cockpit mode – and no, I won’t stop harping on that), the thing that I’ve been the most fascinated by is the incredible custom artwork some players have already come up with. I can’t begin to imagine the patience making some of these designs must require, as I gave up on my first custom paint job attempt after about 30 minutes and only a few shapes.
Perhaps the greatest feature of the game is the fact that the individuals who have spent the time to create these great designs can then put them up for sale via the Forza Motorsport 2 Auction House. Say what you want about the time spent coming up with some of these designs, but I can guarantee that the people who made them are swimming in credits right now and can easily afford to purchase just about any other custom painted car they may see. Doesn’t seem as much of a waste of time now, does it?
As for the rest of us – you know, the ones who couldn’t make a decent design to save our lives, we can spend our time racing for credits so we can also drive around in a car that amazes our friends. Since no article about the custom paint jobs available online would be complete without some examples, I’ve posted some pictures of the best cars I’ve managed to come out of the auction house with.
Click on the below pictures for larger sized images.
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I guess the ultimate compliment I can give some of the designs I’ve seen is that I can barely believe they were made using the in-game vinyl decal system. To all those custom car painters out there, I salute you – keep up the great work!
If you’re wondering why I haven’t said much about the upcoming Halo 3 multiplayer beta or why I haven’t posted any of the dozens of videos floating around the net recently, it’s because I’m trying to avoid as much of the pre-beta hoopla as possible so that I step into the fun without any expectations of how the game is going to play or how each weapon will feel. Sorry about that, but I hope you understand where I’m coming from on that end.
To make up for it, what I do have is a video of the rain effects in Project Gotham Racing 4, and once you see it, you’ll probably be drooling over PGR4 just as much as I am at the moment. It’s funny – I used to hate the PGR series and love Forza, but having played the Forza 2 demo, I suddenly find that usual role reversed. I guess I’ve just grown too fond of PGR’s cockpit view. Anyway, enough rambling – on with the video!
Computer and Video Games is reporting that the next car pack for Project Gotham Racing 3 is coming soon and will be adding 12 more cars to the game. As with the Speed Pack, CVG is stating that the 12 cars in the pack will be available for 400 marketplace points ($5) as a group, or that each car can be purchased separately for 60 marketplace points ($.75).
The report lists the following cars as being included in the Style Pack;
No date was given for the release of the pack, but we’ll naturally keep tabs on this one and let you know as soon as that changes. Check out the full CVG report here and hope that they’ll increase the number of garages in the game this time as well.
There hasn’t been much word on Forza Motorsport 2 since E3, however an update on the official Forza website states that the game is currently being prepared to be shown to automobile licensees for approval
“In last week’s Pitpass Report, I mentioned that the team was busting ass on finishing a build to use for licensing purposes, meaning that we have to show manufacturers what the final car models will look like in their pristine and damaged forms. If they like what they see —Â everybody happy. If not, our 3D vehicle artists bear the brunt of the revisionist labor.” –Che Chou, Community Manager
It’s nice to hear that the game is at least moving along at a pace as I was worried when Microsoft had nothing to show beyond a CGI trailer at E3 when the game is scheduled for an October release. Looks like they were just too busy trying to get the game done to make a full demo. Here’s to hoping the manufacturers like what they see.
It looks like Rare will be having a homecoming of sorts. The UK based, Microsoft owned, developer has announced that they will be teaming with Nintendo to bring Diddy Kong Racing to the Nintendo DS. Given Rare’s long history with Nintendo prior to the Microsoft buyout, this should be extremely happy news for dedicated Nintendo fans.
"Diddy Kong Racing is our first official DS project, and Nintendo are busily promoting it as part of their next wave of big DS offerings for late 2006. Based on the N64 classic but improved and expanded in ways that only the DS allows" – Rare Press Release
DS owners, you may now do yet another “Dance of Joy”. Check out the Rare Website for more details.
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