Characters from Super Smash Bros. Brawl re-envisioned as characters from doujin visual novel Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. Not all the Brawl characters, but enough to satisfy our curiosity. This, right here, is truly great stuff. Bravo. More »
Here’s some in-game footage of Codemaster’s upcoming racer GRID. Looks…well, as pretty as a game’s going to look through a grainy, low-res embedded web clip. It’s funny, I bet if Forza creators Turn 10 inherit the PGR series in Bizarre’s absence, this is exactly what the two series’ bastard lovechild would look like. [via vg247]
Pent up anger is bad. So, best way to relax and feel less angry? Take it out on video games. A new study at Middlesex University says that the 292 male and female World of Warcraft players between the ages of 12 and 83 (bwah?) felt calm and tired after playing. Says research Jane Barnett:
Even now, Company of Heroes shines as an example of a PC RTS done right. And while it’s been successful in the West, THQ and Relic can smell the cash money-making potential from the Chinese market wafting in through their windows, and they’re interested. Speaking with 1UP/GFW, Relic have explained that they’ve got a “five year plan” for China, one that involves a persistent-world RTS with the ability for players to “build their character up from private to general through new multiplayer cooperative missions, gameplay modes, and player-versus-player combat”. Hope this isn’t just for the Chinese market, because that sounds pretty neat. Can we have it too please? Company of Heroes’ Next Theatre of Operations [1UP]
Capcom have just announced that they’ve sold 6.3 million Monster Hunter games. Yeah, you can say that’s tempered somewhat by the fact the series has appeared across three platforms (soon to be four, when Monster Hunter 3 launches on Wii), but you can also say that the lion’s share of those sales have been in Japan. Which makes the number a lot more impressive. Should be more impressive still in the coming years, with Capcom taking the time to suggest it will (and this is very unlike Capcom) be appearing on more platforms to come: We believe that by bringing the Monster Hunter series to multiple platforms, it will help the franchise reach an even greater number of users eager for its unique gameplay.
Monster Hunter 360, then? Or DS? Oh come on, as if you’d actually be surprised. Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise hits 6.3 million sales [GI.biz]
Who remembers our Game Club? Anyone? Yeah, no, I don’t remember what happened to it either. I do remember picking up Mr. Robot for it though, and aside from a few control issues thought it was pretty great. Whereas I paid for it, you can now grab it for free, since it’s turned up on GameTap’s ad-supported service. You can’t argue with a game called Mr. Robot, and you can’t argue with free, so no arguing, OK? [Mr. Robot @ GameTap]
No point in pussy footing around. Let’s dive in. Writes Times guest contributor and book author Giles Whittell: I hate video games, on or offline. I hate the way they suck real people into fake worlds and hold on to them for decades at a time. I hate being made to feel hateful for saying so, and I hate being told to immerse myself in them before passing judgement, because it feels like being told to immerse myself in smack and teenage pregnancy before passing judgement on them.
More out of touch pointless ranting from Whittell’s piehole after the jump!
Maybe. Who knows! Unity Technologies, the guys behind the Unity 3D engine, which while being a regular engine is also able to be run in a web browser (see Velociraptor Safari), have announced that it’s been licensed to make an appearance on the iPhone. Sure, it’ll help devs who want to make cheap, good-looking games for the format, but colour me disinterested (on the move AND the iPhone) until I can pick an iPhone up and do naught but run down some feathery raptors on public transport. Unity 3D Engine To Support iPhone [GamesonDeck]
Cops are on the look out. They don’t want it to happen again. Last time, it was an embarrassing spectacle. And then the time after that, embarrassing again! That’s right, Akihabara police are doing their best to prevent arse flashing. Previously, “singer” Asuka Sawamoto hitched up her skirt, splashing her tush thong all over the internet. The story snowballed and was even picked up by Japan’s Yahoo! News. The following Sunday, she showed up again, ready to perform and show NSFW rear-endage again. No wonder last Sunday, when girls in maid outfits (and other costumes) sing, dance and stand in the Akiba streets and sidewalks, police were on handle to prevent any arse hattery. That’s right, cops were on patrol. Butt patrol. Police On Patrol [Akiba Blog]
Yes, technically Ubisoft are now offering games on Steam, but there’s a catch: they’re only available to customers in North America. Why are gamers everywhere else being given the shaft? Valve’s Doug Lombardi can only shrug, point at Ubisoft and say: It’s their call. We offer worldwide coverage, and we’re happy to offer the products to as many customers as the publisher/developer desires.
Ubisoft, do you not desire us non-Americans to enjoy your games? Our money’s good, you know. Better than the American dollar peso, at any rate. Ubisoft Hates The World (Apart From One Bit) [Rock, Paper, Shotgun]
