PS3 Update 3.21 - New Features But...
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
onlinegamescentre
Usually Sony's new updates in its PlayStation helps fans like us at onlinegamescentre.net and we like new updates and also eagerly wait for them too.
But unfortunately this time the new update has made us fans sad because we are facing new problems in playing their favorite games through PS3.
Sony has released PS3 firmware 3.21 which, among other things, removes the option to install and alternative operating system - so no more Linux on PS3 for our onlinegamescentre users.
Sony cited the rather vague sounding "security concerns" as the main cause why the alternative OS option is being removed.
According to Sony new Firmware Update, the fans will have to buy original PS3 games from Sony and its partners in an order to play and enjoy them.
This could be Sony's first response to claims from the guy who 'jailbroke' the iPhone and iPod Touch (so a pretty significant hacker) that he's also managed to hack the PS3 and gain access to its inner workings.
If true, it would be the first serious example of the PS3 being hacked.
Sony is forcing its fans to update their older PS3 to newer PS 3.21. If you don’t upgrade your PlayStation according to the direction by Sony, you will be denied from these following features that were previously accessible.
They will be denied from new updates and features that are added to the PS3 system software version 3.21.
Playback of copyright-protected videos that store on a media server is now only for latest version holders and older users have no entry.
Now, they could not be signed in to PlayStation Network without latest version of 3.21.
Blu-ray Disc Videos have been promoted to latest version 3.21 so users of older PS3 are not allowed to get benefit out of them.
Sony has left you with no other choice than to install new OS.
Reportedly, Sony is not happy either with the decision too and they say that the decision was taken due to security problems. They don’t want hackers to highjack their systems so they were bound to take that step.
But if you do want to keep your Linux install you'll have to go without the update and, in turn, access to PSN.
|
Tags: PS3, Sony, Playstation, Update, Linux
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FF7 Remake?
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
onlinegamescentre
|
CEO of square Enix, Yoichi Wada, has after years of encouragement by fans, especially those in the internet community, announced that he will be willing to look into a possible remake of Final Fantasy VII (that is 7 for those who can't be bothered to work out the Roman numerals.)
This is a welcome announcement, which will only be followed through if enough people put on the pressure to have this classic game re-made using modern technologies. However, one of the greatest debates that have occured over the countless forums that dedicate themselves to this sole topic is the gameplay.
Whilst many believe that a re-make would also bring with it a welcome change to the turn-based battling mode, others believe the turn-based aspect of the game is one of the characterisations of FFVII and cannot be touched. The modern format of freestyle combat has a completely different feel, evident in the recent Dissidia game for PSP.
But for those who have played a game like Tales of Eternia will see that the development of a linear battle style mediates between the two and might be a popular choice for a FFVII remake.
What will happen in the end will ultimately be driven by the fans. The gaming industry seems to work on a democratic level at times and it is believed that this is one of those times. Majority rules, make your voices heard...
|
|
Tags: FF7, FFVII, Remake, Final, Fantasy, 7
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Game Developers Focus On Social Games
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
onlinegamescentre
.gif)
A panel of industry veterans at Game Developers Conference's Social and Online Games Summit have agreed that the increasingly popular social gaming movement is still far from reaching its maximum audience potential.
In a session at the San Francisco show titled 'Why are Industry Veterans Flocking to Social Gaming?' representatives from Zynga, Playdom, Slide and The Inspiracy suggested that the huge numbers currently regularly playing the likes of Farmville and Mafia Wars represent just a small fraction of the total potential audience.
"Years back we never predicted the true scale of the mass market, even though we guessed it would be pretty big," confessed Zynga's chief designer Brian Reynolds, later adding: "There's really no limit on social gaming, and I think even now as we predict just how big it is, we still have no idea how big it can go."
Reynolds also speculated that there is to be a huge rise in the quality and complexity of social games, saying that presently developers are at the 'start of a slope' as they learn what constitutes a good social gaming experience.
"There's a ton of room to grow," added fellow panel member and Slide creative director Brenda Brathwaite. "We are in the infancy of social gaming media in terms of that quality and complexity, and there's an enormous potential for growth.
But Steve Meretzky, VP of game design at Playdom approached the topic with more caution, stating: "We do have to be careful though. That new complexity could deter the new audiences we are talking about. That is very important, and something that could be a danger."
|
Tags: Social, Games, Mafia, Wars, Farmville
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RED STEEL 2
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
onlinegamescentre
.gif)
Red Steel 2 will be released for the Wii on 26th March, just three days after the game is set to be released in the USA.
Red Steel 2 was originally due for release last year but was delayed, along with Splinter Cell: Conviction, "to ensure quality".
The first-person action game is going to come bundled with the Wii MotionPlus peripheral for more accurate swordplay. It transposes the original game's urban yakuza action into a more stylised samurai Western setting.
Ubisoft's sequel has ditched the contemporary crime world entirely, replacing it instead with a fantastical futuristic setting. The murky dives and gleaming penthouses of Tokyo have been swapped out for a bizarre collection of cinematic references.
First look indicates that we are going to have a shooter/combat game on our hands however, Craig Harris from IGN UK paints a different picture of ascending ladders, scaling ledges and flipping switches. It is the 2 cultures of Japan and America that have been smashed together with the concept of a Samurai Cowboy that has created a holy alliance, combining swordplay and shooting to no end which is mimicked by the samurai sword and six-shooter combo. Interesting then how with the addition of ledges, ladders and switches as an equal if not greater part of the game than swordplay and shooting, we are seeing a Prince of Persia / Tomb Raider evolution in Red Steel 2. The Prince with his sword, the Lady with her guns (no pun intended at all), both utilising similar movements and activities in different surroundings. Red Steel 2 will definitely be a force to be reckoned with but the news that one can complete the game without even using any weapons as claimed by Ubisoft defeats the sense of excitement that the prospect of swordplay gives. If it is not required, what is the point? The whole idea of going through the game without using any weapon sounds a little far-fetched.
Ubisoft have apparently been quiet about this game so whatever is said cannot be taken to heart until the game is actually played. We do know that asides from the gameplay, number 2 has no other connection with Red Steel 1 being, as it is, an episodic, standalone game that is set in its own universe and has its own character. There is some philosophy that can be derived from this, an understanding that two seperate entities can acheive different successes in a similar manner. So the Red Steel games are still linked only not in narrative.
Obviously, swordplay is one of the most anticipated desire for gamers with Red Steel 2 now the game has entered the domain of the Wii Motion Plus. It all sounds like it will be quite exciting once we get a hold of it but like everything else already mentioned, there is no reason without cause. The game needs to be experienced before anything anyone says about it can be justified.
|
Tags: Red, Steel, 2, Ubisoft, Game, Wii, Motion, Plus, ...
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No Tax Breaks for Games Industry
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
user no longer registered
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, is likely to reject pleas from the UK's video games industry to bring tax breaks to help one of the country's most likely-to-succeed digital industries forward.
The news comes as the ailing Labour government attempts to prepare a pre-election budget that will minimise the chances of its decimation in the next national vote.
The Daily Telegraph reports that, "Calls from video game developers for government support are understood to have fallen on deaf ears, with chancellor Alistair Darling expected to reject the idea of a tax break for the industry in the pre-budget report."
The news was met with anger by Richard Wilson, chief executive of the videogame trade association Tiga, who classified such a non-move as "a colossal mistake and a failure of imagination on behalf of the government".
Tiga proposed a structured tax plan that would have cost the nation initially £192 million. This is "roughly equivalent to three days' worth of interest payments on the burgeoning national debt – over a five-year period", according to the broadsheet report.
Tags: Games, Industry, Thriving, Chancellor, Darling, T...
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wii Dominates 2009 Best Selling Games
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
user no longer registered
Four out of the five biggest-selling games in the world last year were for the Wii, with only the top-spot free from Nintendo's clutches.
The Wii has been berated by hardcore gamers for the lack of games which don't involve using the Wii-mote as a novelty tennis racquet, but its popularity in the mass market cannot be denied and these latest figures prove that.
Although Modern Warfare 2 nabbed the top-spot, filling the remaining four places of the top five is some achievement for Nintendo.
Worldwide sales
The chart was compiled from data crimped from The NPD Group (North America), GfK Chart-Track (PAL) and Enterbrain (Japan) which cover the three largest markets for videogames.
The games in order of popularity are:
•Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 – 11.86 million copies sold
•Wii Sports Resort – 7.57 million copies sold
•New Super Mario Bros: Wii – 7.41 million sold
•Wii Fit Plus – 5.80 million sold
•Wii Fit – 5.44 million sold
Tags: 2009, Wii, Best, Selling, Games, Call of Duty, Mo...
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MI5 and MI6 to recruit over Xbox live
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
user no longer registered
Intelligence agency GCHQ is to run a recruitment drive over Xbox Live, using banner ads and videos to attract what it calls “quick-thinking 18-34 year olds”.
The agency, which works alongside MI5 and MI6 to safeguard national security interests, is using recruitment firm TMP Worldwide to co-ordinate the six-week campaign, which will include adverts on the Live dashboard as well as, apparently, in-game advertising through streaming video banners. Exact details on which games would be used to promote the campaign have yet to be announced, however.
In a statement, a GCHQ spokeswoman said that in-game skills such as “quick thinking, problem solving, and teamwork” were identical to the core criteria that the agency looks for in its recruits. The 18-34 age bracket, which accounts for the majority of Xbox Live players, is also ideal for the agency, according to the statement.
The representative went on to say: “As well as tackling ‘traditional threats’ GCHQ's work is also about helping government departments, such as the Ministry of Defence, to protect their information and communication systems.
“This means we can offer excellent training and careers for people with specialist technical skills. However, the fact remains that many potential candidates remain unaware of GCHQ and what we do. Using video on Xbox Live helps carry our message to the right people in a creative and innovative manner,” she concluded.
A similar campaign aimed at gamers using advertising in 2007's Splinter Cell: Double Agent saw traffic to GCHQ's website increase by 500 per cent.
Tags: Xbox, Live, MI5, MI6, UK
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xbox: latest press release
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
user no longer registered
All Game Add-on content available with full games in special edition retail packages this month
For players who have yet to experience the blockbuster action of "Gears of War 2," or the epic story of Fable II, Microsoft Game Studios is making it easy to jump into all the excitement of both critically acclaimed titles with the launch of "Gears of War 2: Game of the Year Edition" and "Fable II: Game of the Year Edition", available from 18 September across Europe*.
"Gears of War 2: Game of the Year Edition" comes complete with the "Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection" Game Add-on, which includes all 19 extra multiplayer maps, the "Road to Ruin" campaign chapter and the chance to unlock every Achievement to-date worth a total of 1750 Gamerscore.
If that weren’t enough, "Fable II" joins "Gears of War 2" with a Game of the Year Edition of its own. The package will see the mystery and intrigue of the "Knothole Island" and "See the Future" Game Add-ons bundled with the full game as "Fable II: Game of the Year Edition."
"Gears of War 2" and "Fable II" are available exclusively on Xbox 360 for an estimated retail price of £39.99 and rated PEGI 18+ and PEGI 16+ respectively.
Tags: Xbox, Latest, Press, Release, Gears, War, Add-on,...
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 for Nintendo DS
[Report Abuse]
Reason
Posted by:
user no longer registered
At the end of Kingdom Hearts, a secret promo for the next entry spurred rumors of the future game's adventure. However, Kingdom Hearts II did not come until after the interim title Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. Again, a secret promo in Kingdom Hearts II pointed towards Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep as the next major entry to the series. Once again, fans will have to wait, as the newest title in the series, Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days, is another interim title. Staring the main villains of Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II, 358/2 Days invites fans to uncover few more secrets in the series' mythos.
Good news for fans of main console entries: 358/2 Days uses a portable rendition of the original action battle system—no cards battle systems this time. Unfortunately, the limited buttons on the DS hampers some of the controls, particularly the camera. The DS's touch screen acts like a second analog stick to control the camera angles, but this camera choice rarely plays out well. In both camera settings, the R button is part of the camera, hence the conflicts with targetting. To lock onto an enemy requires rapidly tapping the R-button, but, if hit too many times, then the lock on will be turned off as soon as it was activated. Overall, the camera often works against the player.
In the single player story mode, Roxas typically fights alone or with a rarely supportive ally. Like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, players must customize Roxas in order to meet any challenge alone. 358/2 Days's panel system is one of the largest highlights due to the simplicity and level of customization. Each ability, item, spell, weapon, and even character level takes up space on a grid. However, players are occasionally rewarded with various size blocks that open up expansions on basic abilities. Instead of equipping single levels, the level up panels can be linked up with a level doubler, tripler, or quadrupler to increase levels at an exponential rate to save room. For example, blocks for double cast exist to utilize a single spell for more. However, players must organize their setup within the space determined by how many slots have been unlocked. Squeezing in all of the abilities and their linked blocks quickly turns into a puzzle game, but the level of customization with the abilities pays off in the end.
358/2 Days follows the 358 days of Roxas's tenure as an Organization XIII member. The body of the plot builds around Roxas's development into a human and is easily one of the more enjoyable elements. However, the true focus of the game is centered around the new fourteenth member of the Organization, Xion. Despite her absence from the rest of the series up to now, she plays a critical part of Roxas's development and various other plot twists, including some cryptic nods at the yet to be released Birth By Sleep. The story alone may alienate fans due to the high levels of retconning. The game progresses through daily missions (with an occasional one to two week skip; not all 358 days are playable). Due to the slow paced nature of the mission system, the plot becomes monotonous as the main characters muse over the existence of their hearts, which quickly grows tiresome. In terms of cameos, no Final Fantasy characters beyond the shopkeeping Moogle appear in 358/2 Days, and the Disney characters tend to keep to themselves as they rebuild their worlds after the chaos from Kingdom Hearts. The series' original characters take the spotlight of the plot with little other competition.
Outside of the story mode, players can locally team up to tackle missions that are unlocked as they progress. The multi-player mode features all of the original thirteen members of Organization XIII from the start and more characters from the series can be unlocked to reach a combined roster of nineteen characters. Each character has their own stat bases, but their equipment uses the story mode's panel system. Since all of the various characters in multiplayer will be using the story mode's panel system, 358/2 Days only offers purely defensive ones. Many weapons feature additional combo commands to supplement the lack of offensive skills. Lastly, each character possess a unique Limit Break available while on low HP.
For a DS game, 358/2 Days exhibits very detailed replicas of the original character models and worlds from the console entries. The cutscenes near perfectly emulate the quality of those from Kingdom Hearts II with only the background taking a hit in the polygon count. The game's real time engine resembles the graphics of Final Fantasy VIII, but DS's smaller screen helps condense pixels to produce a clearer model. While only a half dozen worlds are visited, each world closely follows their original layouts in Kingdom Hearts and Kingdom Hearts II with a few adjustments.
Unfortunately, 358/2 Days also emulates the original soundtracks of the previous games. However, no liberties are taken to remix the soundtrack. "Passion" by Utade returns as the J-pop vocal theme, and all the original world themes and battle themes reprise their roles. While the songs sound fine on the DS, the complete lack of any new pieces soils the experience turning once decent tunes into annoying jingles that refuse to die. Fortunately, the limited voice acting is up to par with series standards. All of the old rolls have their previous actor return, except Naminé is voiced by her Re:Chain of Memories actress.
358/2 Days's story lasts for twenty-five to thirty hours depending on how many optional levels the players commits to. However, the unlockable multi-player missions and various challenges (such as mission time trials) present dozens of hours of extra monotony. Unfortunately, to unlock the last two secret characters for multi-player, players must fully clear each of the hundred or so missions in the story mode. The game's overall difficulty can be designated at the start of the game by choosing from three settings. On the standard difficulty, 358/2 Days' difficulty parallels the standard difficulty of Chain of Memories due to the general solo aspect in the story mode. To compensate for frequent deaths, the game allows for players to quickly hit continue and start from the where they left off. Similarly, all of the missions can be aborted in case players chose the wrong setup. While harder than the standard difficulty of Kingdom Hearts II, 358/2 Days presents various commodities to circumvent the typical game over screen, making the game much more player friendly.
358/2 Days excels in only a few areas. The top-notch graphics demonstrate some of the heights of the DS's 3D capabilities, and the local multi-player mode allows for groups of friends to compete against each other in dozens of scenario missions. Each character uses the same simple but highly customizable system, and setup is important in order to conquer the game's challenges, both with friends and in the story mode. Unfortunately, 358/2 Days' attempt to emulate the PS2 games falls short in various fields. The limited controls make the battle system overly clunky, and the plot is largely a retcon mess. Easily the worst offender is the complete lack of originality, with the sole exception of the panel system for customization. The completely recycled soundtrack is the height of 358/2 Days's lack of originality. Fans of Organization XIII will enjoy some insight into their favorite characters' daily lives, but many fans of the series may be turned off by the lackluster controls and odd story directions taken with this portable spin-off.
Tags: Kingdom, Hearts, Kingdom Hearts, 258/2, Birth by ...
Blog Comments
(0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|