Welcome to the second edition of This Week in Gaming! This is the segment where I show you all of the news I've gathered over the past week and organized for your viewing pleasure.
Here is the latest in Gaming News:
New Pokemon Revealed!
It has begun!
Pokemon fanboys rejoice! The above silhouette appeared on an episode of Pokemon Sunday and depicts a 5th Generation Pokemon! The new games, whose names have not been revealed, are in development to release this year. Below, full pictures of the pokemon depicted above have been revealed as well. Spoiler Alert!
There is no information released as to when we could be seeing more of the 5th gen or possibly be seeing the games hit store shelves. Stay tuned and I will keep you updated.
Got a comment? Visit the two discussion threads in our forum and post your opinions!
PSN Charge?
Sony Execs say they are thinking about it
Rumors are circulating that lead many to believe that Sony may be planning to end it free service with the Playstation Network, and may begin to charge for its use. Many believe that if this idea goes through, basic PSN service will remain the same, and the ability to pay for Premium Service may become an option.
"Why don't we charge for [PSN]?" said Sony's VP of marketing, Peter Dille, to IGN. "It's been our philosophy not to charge for it from launch up until now, but Kaz [Hirai, head of Sony games] recently went on the record as saying that's something we're looking at. I can confirm that as well. That's something that we're actively thinking about. What's the best way to approach that if we were to do that? You know, no announcements at this point in time, but it's something we're thinking about."
Source: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702352/Could-Sony-Charge-For-PSN-Sony-Exec-Says-Theyre-Thinking-About-It.html#ixzz0f9tLkKrh
EA Reveals 2010 Lineup
Dragon Age, Sims 3, Spore
Electronic Arts revealed a heaping pile of not-terribly specific information today regarding its stable of 2010 release today in their third quarter fiscal year 2010 report.
Among the upcoming titles listed in the report is a new shooter from Gears of War developer Epic Games scheduled for release in Q4. The report says EA will co-publish the game, suggesting that the game itself might not actually be developed by Epic, but rather by one of Epic’s own studios.
EA also confirmed the existence of a new Dragon Age game for Q4 as well. There is also mention of the Sims 3 coming to consoles, a new Sims games, and a new Spore game.
In addition, EA Sports Active will be getting two new titles, as will the Need for Speed series. There will also be a downloadable “Action Title” for consoles coming out at the end of the year, as well as a new fighting game.
Source: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/tag/261/Wii.html#ixzz0f9uSwF69
Juicy Details
Metroid: The Other M
Nintendo released some juicy information regarding the much anticipated Metroid: The Other M. Nintendo comments that the game will show a more emotional side of Samus, and that this game will be deeper and more hardcore in comparison to past Metroid titles.
Nintendo also announced that the Official Metroid: The Other M website has been officially launched, where you can follow along with the game's development. Here is the link: Official Japanese Website of Metroid: The Other M
Other tidbits of information include that the game will be a mix between a 2D and 3D adventure. Metroid: The Other M is set to be released in Japan in Summer 2010. Although a US release has not been specified, it will hit western shores this year.
Source: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702212/Official-Metroid-Other-M-Site-Launched.html
Xbox 360 and the US Army
Why doesn't the US Army Train on Xbox 360s?
Wired recently posted a fascinating look at the way the U.S. military uses computer simulations to train soldiers, specifically, why they run simulations on PCs and not on Xbox 360s. Consoles seem like the perfect fit for the military: Young recruits are familiar with them, they're finally powerful enough to handle complicated simulations, and they're inexpensive. But the army, apparently, uses PCs to train recruits.
According to Wired's source, Roger Smith, chief technology officer for PEO STRI, the Army command responsible for purchasing training equipment,the military is not training on 360s because Microsoft won't sell them to it. Here's why:
- Microsoft was afraid that the military would buy up lots of Xbox 360s, but would buy only one game for each of them, so MS wouldn’t make much money off of the games.
- A big military purchase could create a shortage of Xbox 360s.
- If the Xbox became an Army training device, it could taint its reputation. According to Smith, Microsoft was concerned that the Xbox 360 would be seen as having the flavor of a weapon. "Do we want Mom and Dad knowing that their kid is buying the same game console as the military trains the SEALs and Rangers on?”
Microsoft says the Army can (and has) team up with developers to create simulations
-- America's Army for example -- but leaves the question of whether Microsoft would sell the military large supplies of 360s unanswered.
According to Smith, it may be a moot point anyway. The Army is less interested in the 360 than it was in the past. “Our initial enthusiasm when Xbox and XNA were new products has cooled. At this time we have no active or anticipated projects or R&D that are looking at using either of those products for military simulations. I would be happy to reopen these discussions if Microsoft is interested in selling these products to our community."
Bringing you the news that matters to you,
GuruSharky
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