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The ESRB recently rated Sonic the Hedgehog 4 for North America and, as you might expect, has shed light on a few previously unknown details. The most important of these details is the fact that Sonic will free trapped animals from a machine at the end of each Zone. Yep, just like in the old days! Yet another pleasing hint that Sonic 4 is on the right track. 

Here’s what the ESRB has to say about Sega’s furry revival:

This is a side-scrolling adventure game in which players zoom through themed levels, collect gold rings, and jump on tiny robot enemies. Players earn points for collecting “power-ups” and freeing tiny animals that are trapped in the robots. During boss battles at the end of levels, players may encounter an arch nemesis in a mechanical device that gets charred and emits some flames when damaged.

I love how being charged and emitting flames is cause enough for concern, but aside from that, I like what I’m hearing. Sonic 4 is out this Summer and I’m working on getting some hot news to you before then. It’s pretty much my most anticipated game right now, and you can shove it up your arse if you disagree.

[Via GoNintendo]

The US Army once considered purchasing a large number of Xbox 360 systems from Microsoft. Computers of equal caliber can cost around $1000 each, but an Xbox 360 starts at only $200 — quite a considerable cost saving. The consoles could be used as virtual training tools, with games like America’s Army and Full Spectrum Warrior placed in army “classrooms” stockpiled with Xbox consoles. The more cynically inclined can imagine the system as an effective tool for recruitment: join the Army, get a free Xbox.

However, Microsoft turned down the Army’s offer, according to the Army’s Roger Smith. He told Wired that Microsoft was concerned about the cost associated with the sale. The Army would be unlikely to buy more than one or two games for each system, thereby reducing Microsoft’s chances of recouping the costs of subsidized Xbox hardware. In addition, Microsoft was afraid of a PR backlash. Smith recounts a Microsoft rep’s worries: “Do we want the Xbox 360 to 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?” With games remaining an easy target for mainstream media, their concerns seem warranted.

Since then, the Army has lost interest in pursuing a deal with Microsoft. “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,” Smith told Wired. Perhaps the Army is pursuing a different option: buying PS3s en masse … or maybe they’re simply waiting for Halo Reach?

[Via Eurogamer]

Report: Microsoft turned down US Army’s order of Xbox 360 systems originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a strange pairing, Del Taco and Atari have teamed up to promote Star Trek Online by giving away beta keys with a purchase.

Buy a “Macho-sized” drink at Del Taco and you’ll not only get a limited edition Star Trek cup, but a free 48-hour trial of the upcoming Star Trek Online. Up to four codes can be redeemed per account, and those who redeem four codes get an additional 48 hours of gameplay time before they have to pony up some cash to continue boldly going where everyone else who purchased a “Macho-sized” drink has gone before.

If you do decide you like what you play, those who purchase after the trial get a free Type-8 Shuttle pet add-on that will be exclusively available through Del Taco. Also exclusive to Del Taco: the Macho Taco and the Breakfast Taco Del Cabron.

Damn, I’m hungry.

In news that has caused a flurry of shaking heads and angry Tweets from members of the gaming media, it has been revealed that Crispy Gamer’s entire editorial staff has been laid off, a month after the company acquired the GamerDNA social network.

It seems the decision was made partly thanks to the GamerDNA acquisition, as the evil magistrates in charge wish to build a social network for gamers and have no interest in providing editorial content. Wonderful news for them, but not so good news for a staff that included Kyle Orland, Scott Jones, James Fudge and many others.

In protest, Crispy Gamer’s CEO Chris Heldman has resigned. The fired staff are being paid for the month but their termination is immediate. GamerDNA’s CEO apparently didn’t even know about the layoffs until the story went public.

Crispy Gamer’s staff were hard workers and responsible for some very interesting analysis. It’s a shame to see a talented group of writers fired through no fault of their own, just because the corporation in charge got bored of something they bought. Just makes me very grateful to work for an independently run company. We might have to tighten our purse strings now and then, but at least we won’t wake up to find we’ve all be fired because some suit doesn’t like us anymore.

Crispy Gamer editorial staff laid off, CEO resigns in protest [Joystiq]

A second piece of Brutal Legend DLC is slated to hit PSN and Xbox LIVE soon — as in December 17th, soon. Dubbed “Hammer of Infinite Fate,” the content adds several new Eddie Riggs outfits, a few item upgrades, and four fresh multiplayer maps. Sounds f’ing metal, right? Below are some quick-hits.

• The three new outfits for Eddie Riggs are as follows: Mountain Man, Black Metal, and Zaulia Threads. Seven more back patches and even new paint for the Deuce are coming as well.
• Those having trouble locating all the serpents should be pleased with the “Oculus of the Lost,” one of the new items introduced by “Hammer of Infinite Fate.” The Oculus operates like a GPS, pointing out the locations of these numerous and sometimes well-hidden stone beasts. (Sorry, GameFAQs.)
• Purchasers will also be able to get their hands on three fresh (and sharp) weapons: the Eye of Sorrow, The Disgorger, and the Coiling Maw.
• New Achievements and Trophies.
• And finally, the four new maps are: the Altar of Blood, Coiled Remains, Crucible of the Titans, and the Amplified Cliffs. All of which will supposedly pack an “in-game element of surprise,” according the official release.

The DLC is slated to hit at 480 Microsoft Banana Dollars over Xbox LIVE and around five bucks ($4.99) over PSN, which seems like a rather rad deal. How many of you are interested in this?

click to take off into the galleryNamco announced two notable iPhone launches today. Garters & Ghouls, its 19th-century twin stick zombie shooter, has been updated with iPhone 3GS compass functionality — the first game, Namco Networks claims, to make use of the feature. Now, physically moving and rotating the phone to face different directions will help locate powerups in the game. The update is free for those who already have the game, and will be included in new downloads of the $4.99 title.

The other new release: Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion, which brings the long-lived flight franchise to iPhone. We found that the controls worked just fine during our brief look at the game at TGS, but have yet to delve into the full game. It’s featured at a $4.99 sale price for its first five days.

Garters & Ghouls ($4.99)
Ace Combat Xi ($4.99)

Namco launches iPhone Ace Combat Xi, updates Garters & Ghouls with 3GS compass originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today, Sony announced that Q-Games’ PixelJunk Shooter — the fourth in its PlayStation Network PixelJunk series — would be released on December 10. While you’ll have to wait until then to play it (and to read my review), here’s a short taste of what to expect. 

What you’re seeing is me navigating the game’s first level, “Into the Abyss,” solo. (You can play with up to one friend locally.) The controls and concept, like previous PixelJunk games, are simple. The left analog stick moves the ship, with the right analog directing your missiles, which are fired by pressing down R1 or R2. Holding down the fire buttons will charged up a series of homing missiles, in case you want to do some real damage. 

The other half of the gameplay puzzle involves using L1 or L2 to throw out a grappling hook that can be used to pick and rescue up the game’s workers, diamonds, and more. Oh, and there is that little matter of the lava and the water… watch carefully to see how that works, as it’s key to proper PixelJunk shooting. 

Check back on Thursday, December 10 for my full review of PixelJunk Shooter. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a giant lava spider to kill…

Like Mega Man? Sure, who doesn’t? Like Doom? Used to, at least? Well, how about a combination of the two? That’s exactly the idea behind this Mega Man Doom mod.

It’s an 8-bit deathmatch, complete with 8-bit textures and sprites. Mega Man’s weapons will react exactly as they did in the 2D games, only in a 3D space. The plan is to have all the weapons from the first six games included when it’s finally finished. The creator, Cutmanmike, is looking towards completion some time in 2010.

The mod is still in alpha, but you can check it out here. There you’ll also find full instructions on installation. The creator reminds that just about everything you see could change before the game is finished. If the current screens are any indication, this could be pretty cool.

Bioware has revealed the planet of Alderaan will be one of the environments for players to explore in the upcoming MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic. Before it was reduced to an asteroid field by the Death Star, Alderaan was a planet known for its natural beauty and peace. Thankfully, a bloody civil war begins, giving gamers plenty of stuff to viciously click on.

Honestly, while we’re excited to see the planet again, we also can’t help but be a little sad. Like watching the movie Titanic or Lindsay Lohan’s career, it just doesn’t feel right when you know the whole thing will end in tragedy. For those of you looking to practice epic MMO-clicking, Bioware’s official site houses more media and information on the doomed planet.

Return to Alderaan in Star Wars: The Old Republic originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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