Activision’s done it again! Continuing its strategy of charging UK gamers extra money just because it can, Starcraft 2’s publisher is offering the highly anticipated strategy sequel at an inflated retail price. Activision has done this before with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and is planning to do likewise with Black Ops.
Starcraft 2’s recommended retail price in the UK is £44.99, which is more than PC games usually cost. Fortunately, there are many retailers who aren’t massive twats, so they’ve shaved ten quid off the asking price anyway.
That doesn’t change the fact that Activision is being incredibly slimy with its continued UK price gouging.
This is what Activision does though, and it’s not like gamers will ever give that publisher an incentive to stop. While we continue to pay inflated prices for games and DLC like idiots, Activison will continue to exploit our gullibility. Just remember to shop smart — there is no reason for you to pay above the odds for this game, even if it is Starcraft 2.
Starcraft 2 gets inflated RRP from Activision Blizzard [CVG]
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Activision’s done it again! Continuing its strategy of charging UK gamers extra money just because it can, Starcraft 2’s publisher is offering the highly anticipated strategy sequel at an inflated retail price. Activision has done this before with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and is planning to do likewise with Black Ops.
Starcraft 2’s recommended retail price in the UK is £44.99, which is more than PC games usually cost. Fortunately, there are many retailers who aren’t massive twats, so they’ve shaved ten quid off the asking price anyway.
That doesn’t change the fact that Activision is being incredibly slimy with its continued UK price gouging.
This is what Activision does though, and it’s not like gamers will ever give that publisher an incentive to stop. While we continue to pay inflated prices for games and DLC like idiots, Activison will continue to exploit our gullibility. Just remember to shop smart — there is no reason for you to pay above the odds for this game, even if it is Starcraft 2.
Starcraft 2 gets inflated RRP from Activision Blizzard [CVG]
The whole Street Fighter X Tekken and Tekken X Street Fighter madness from this past weekend is super interesting, and not just because of how crazy the concept — two separate (but similar) games from two developers — truly is. There are many burning questions; today, we get some answers.
Perhaps most importantly, how far away are these games? And how the heck are Capcom and Namco going to handle marketing for the two projects? Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono revealed to Famitsu SF X Tekken’s release target: two whole years from now, which will likely end up being before Tekken X SF.
Another fun tidbit from the talk is that the development teams won’t be collaborating, so to say. Instead, they’ll be off doing their own thing for the duration. Ono even made a joke about how Chun-Li could appear nude in Namco’s game and Capcom wouldn’t have the slightest idea.
“We’d like to challenge one another in all areas, including sales, and get fans of both series excited,” he says. Even at this early stage, I can’t see this “battle” being anything other than ridiculous. Get pumped!
Yoshinori Ono Details Street Fighter x Tekken [andriasang]
The whole Street Fighter X Tekken and Tekken X Street Fighter madness from this past weekend is super interesting, and not just because of how crazy the concept — two separate (but similar) games from two developers — truly is. There are many burning questions; today, we get some answers.
Perhaps most importantly, how far away are these games? And how the heck are Capcom and Namco going to handle marketing for the two projects? Capcom producer Yoshinori Ono revealed to Famitsu SF X Tekken’s release target: two whole years from now, which will likely end up being before Tekken X SF.
Another fun tidbit from the talk is that the development teams won’t be collaborating, so to say. Instead, they’ll be off doing their own thing for the duration. Ono even made a joke about how Chun-Li could appear nude in Namco’s game and Capcom wouldn’t have the slightest idea.
“We’d like to challenge one another in all areas, including sales, and get fans of both series excited,” he says. Even at this early stage, I can’t see this “battle” being anything other than ridiculous. Get pumped!
Yoshinori Ono Details Street Fighter x Tekken [andriasang]
Not content to claim that online multiplayer is going subscription-based, analyst Michael Pachter has continued to predict a future filled with empty wallets by claiming that the highly anticipated 3DS will lead to more expensive titles than we’re used to seeing on a Nintendo handheld.
“We view the 3DS as a revolutionary device, and expect its launch to spur hardware and software sales,” claims the Jungle VIP. ”Due to the unique 3DS experience previewed by Nintendo at E3 this year, we believe Nintendo will be able to sell millions of units even at a price of upwards of $250.
“From a software perspective, we believe Nintendo will be able to increase DS software prices, from a blended average of around $25 today to over $29 next year.”
Pachter’s speculation is pretty reasonable to assume, actually, given the significant upgrade that 3DS games are going to receive compared to regular DS titles. Frankly, some of the games already look worth that minor rise in price.
How much will you be willing to spend on 3DS games?
3DS to have higher game prices – Pachter [CVG]
And you thought that the consoles were only going to get the Warhammer 40,000 third-person shooter love, eh? That’s crazy, talk — THQ has announced today that Warhammer: 40,000: Space Marine will hit Windows PC, along with the previously announced versions for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
“The loyal PC audience is incredibly important to us here at Relic,” says Jonathan Dowdeswell, General Manager at Relic Entertainment, the game’s developer, “so we are delighted to announced the PC version of the game.”
Space Marines is Relic’s first-person take on the Warhammer 40,000 universe, mixing melee and ranged combat as players battle against the barbaric Orks. It’s out in early 2011.
Good news for those who wanted to play Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light on the 360. It turns out it will be coming out 4 weeks earlier on Microsoft’s console and then on the PS3 and PC. This is evidently because Microsoft requires the game to be exclusive for at least four weeks in order to participate in the hugely successful Summer of Arcade event.
“The agreement with Microsoft is, in order to participate in their hugely successful Summer of Arcade promotion, there is a window of exclusivity. That window of exclusivity is a set four weeks,” said brand manager Karl Stewart. That means that the delay at minimum must be four weeks, but it could be even longer. Evidently it’s not quite as easy to pick and choose your release window with downloadable titles.
“As with all arcade titles, irrespective of platform, you have to go through your submissions before they agree and approve a date,” Stewart said. “Unlike a disc-based title where we can pick our window, you have to go by what the first parties approve and give you a date, to make sure you’re not coming out on the same day as five other titles. They like to manage the release window accordingly. We have requested a specific date and hopefully we’ll get that and it’s not too long after the 360 SKU.”
If you’d like to do some math, then you can deduce from the August 18 release date of the game on Xbox Live that the earliest we will be seeing it on PlayStation 3 and PC is Sept. 15.
Lara Croft a four-week Xbox 360 exclusive [Eurogamer, via 1UP]
Doublefine ’s Tim Schafer is no fan of Activision. After all, the evil publisher did refuse to publish Brutal Legend, then attempted to block Electronic Arts from publishing it out of sheer maliciousness. It’s no wonder, then, that the cult developer thinks that its Satanic bossman is a total prick and a dick.
“His obligation is to his shareholders,” criticizes Schafer. “Well, he doesn’t have to be as much of a dick about it, does he? I think there is a way he can do it without being a total prick. It seems like it would be possible. It’s not something he’s interested in.”
Schafer also added that Kotick “makes a big deal about not liking games, and I just don’t think that attitude is good for games in general. I just don’t think we’re an industry of widgets.
“We can approach it like we approach bars of soap, where you’re just trying to make the cheapest bar of soap. He definitely has that that kind of widget-maker attitude. I don’t think he’s great for the industry, overall. You can’t just latch onto something when it’s popular and then squeeze the life out of it and then move on to the next one. You have to at some point create something, build something.”
The Psychonauts creator hopes that Kotick will go to an industry where he’d be more suited, like ball bearings or weapons manufacturing. Man … that would be really nice.
Double Fine’s Tim Schafer [Eurogamer]
After months and months of gossip, Sega has FINALLY confirmed that its beloved Dreamcast library is going digital. Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi are to be the first of a series of classic Dreamcast titles hitting PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.
These digital rereleases will be enhanced for the modern age, with improved resolution, surround sound, online leaderboards and Achievements/Trophies. Sonic Adventure will lead the series this upcoming Fall in order to coincide with the 11th anniversary of the Dreamcast’s US launch.
So yes, this is a thing that is happening and it’s exciting! So… what Dreamcast games do you want to see on PSN and XBL?
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (June 10, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced plans to bring classic titles from its popular Dreamcast™ console to Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®Network later this year. Sonic Adventure™ and Crazy Taxi™ will be the first two classics made available, with Sonic leading the pack in Fall 2010 for the 11th anniversary of the launch of the Dreamcast in the United States.
Each game is based on the original Dreamcast incarnation, featuring all of the gameplay that older players fell in love with, whilst allowing a new audience to discover it for the very first time. The games incorporate all-new enhancements and features such as high resolution visuals and surround sound. Online leader boards are now implemented, allowing players to compare their skills with friends across the world! In addition to this, all-new Achievement and Trophy integration will be available for each game released.
Launched on September 9, 1999, the SEGA Dreamcast is one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed consoles of all time. Featuring a software library of over 650 titles, the system was widely hailed as being ahead of its time, and was the first to introduce online console gaming, with Internet support for games through a built in modem.
“The Dreamcast is fondly remembered by a large community of dedicated fans as a console that was ahead of its time in terms of graphics, quality and online gaming” commented Haruki Satomi, VP of Digital Business at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “There are few things that are more requested from us than making Dreamcast classics available for download in today’s digital market place. We’re very excited to begin offering gamers our beloved Dreamcast titles again on the current console systems.”
Sonic Adventure will be available for download in Fall 2010. Both Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi will be on display at SEGA’s booth (#2023) at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.
After months and months of gossip, Sega has FINALLY confirmed that its beloved Dreamcast library is going digital. Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi are to be the first of a series of classic Dreamcast titles hitting PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade.
These digital rereleases will be enhanced for the modern age, with improved resolution, surround sound, online leaderboards and Achievements/Trophies. Sonic Adventure will lead the series this upcoming Fall in order to coincide with the 11th anniversary of the Dreamcast’s US launch.
So yes, this is a thing that is happening and it’s exciting! So… what Dreamcast games do you want to see on PSN and XBL?
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (June 10, 2010) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced plans to bring classic titles from its popular Dreamcast™ console to Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®Network later this year. Sonic Adventure™ and Crazy Taxi™ will be the first two classics made available, with Sonic leading the pack in Fall 2010 for the 11th anniversary of the launch of the Dreamcast in the United States.
Each game is based on the original Dreamcast incarnation, featuring all of the gameplay that older players fell in love with, whilst allowing a new audience to discover it for the very first time. The games incorporate all-new enhancements and features such as high resolution visuals and surround sound. Online leader boards are now implemented, allowing players to compare their skills with friends across the world! In addition to this, all-new Achievement and Trophy integration will be available for each game released.
Launched on September 9, 1999, the SEGA Dreamcast is one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed consoles of all time. Featuring a software library of over 650 titles, the system was widely hailed as being ahead of its time, and was the first to introduce online console gaming, with Internet support for games through a built in modem.
“The Dreamcast is fondly remembered by a large community of dedicated fans as a console that was ahead of its time in terms of graphics, quality and online gaming” commented Haruki Satomi, VP of Digital Business at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “There are few things that are more requested from us than making Dreamcast classics available for download in today’s digital market place. We’re very excited to begin offering gamers our beloved Dreamcast titles again on the current console systems.”
Sonic Adventure will be available for download in Fall 2010. Both Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi will be on display at SEGA’s booth (#2023) at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo.
