Even though I got this the day it came out in the UK, and then subsequently traded it in for the Collector’s Edition, this is most definitely heartening to those PC gamers who don’t have a 360. Because they’re making sure it’s right.

Mass Effect will be released on May 28th for North America, and June 6th in Europe. This is to get it right, and get it down. Some of the features are new, and I hope they will be part of the 360 version via downloadable patch.

Despite how I have the 360 version, I’ll probably end up buying the PC version anyway. Because this game has me by the metaphorical, wallet-based balls.

Tags: pcgaming, mass effect

I never expected a game to sell THIS well before it actually came out. But at the same time, it’s the PS3 that is really generating this story, and you all know my reasons for believing PS3 games selling well.

Play.com has run out of it’s Pre-Orders of GTA IV, and GAME and Gamestation websites are putting up warnings of stock running low. Play.com’s head of Games Gian Luzio, said to MCV that GTA IV was ‘far and away the biggest selling title’ he’d ever seen on the PS3, and as such has ordered over 9000 more copies (4chan meme. Not real. But you can see where I’m coming from). He also stated that it was ‘already proving a real hardware driver’ for the PS3.

Game is now saying that they cannot guarantee new pre-orders being delivered on the day of release, and Gamestation has said they are no longer taking pre-orders.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The PS3 good games sell well because there are NO OTHER GAMES on the system that are worth any merit. It’s good that they are spacing out the good games, to wring as much cash out of people as possible, but still; get some mediocre games that people in niches will enjoy.

MCV is going down in my books. Check my article on Year of the Sony, for example.

Tags: sony, gta iv, ps3, mcv, hype, i can’t call bullshit

Yes, this is one of the games I am willing to get up in a fizz about. As much as I hated GH for being MOTS to Frets on Fire, Rock Band is the whole deal; guitar, drums and singing. In case you didn’t know.

Rockband is slated for release on May 23rd on the 360, with PS3, PS2 and Wii versions following ‘later this summer’. However, there is a bite to this. The game will be sold separate from the instruments. That’s bad enough, but when you factor in that a guitar, a set of drums, and a microphone will set you back £129.99, and the game itself will no doubt retail for about £45-£50, the amount of people that will actually buy it is dwindling every second. GH charged £65 for the 360 version, and that was WITH the guitar. Guitars will apparently be sold for £59.99, with the drum kit for a tenner extra.

What the hell is EA thinking?! As much as I hate Guitar Hero, I wouldn’t even consider shelling out £233.99 for the four-member’d band. Seriously, bring the price DOWN. Or we’ll all import.

Tags: rockband, harmonix, mtv games, ea distribution

Computer and Video Games have been told by an unnamed source that there is a LittleBigPlanet in development for the PSP, at Sony Studio Liverpool. Nothing is more concrete than that, but since the PSP is basically becoming an advanced peripheral of the PS3, the chances of them both working together are pretty substantial. CVG also speculates on a level editor, and basic 2D gameplay.

It seems like Sony is trying to rope people into the PS3 with all this PSP link-up nonsense. I’ve had a PSP for a while, and I’m thinking about selling it. Why? Because the games I have aren’t really that good, and the ones that are coming out that are good, chances are will require a PS3 and the PS3 version of the game to get full functionality. Totally not a plug, since I have no link.

I’m honestly not holding my breath just yet, but if it’s a standalone title, and confirmed soon, I will definitely retract the selling idea.

Link.

Tags: littlebigplanet, sony, ps3, psp, sony studio liverpool, computerandvideogames

David Reeves, the SCEE CEO and president, has criticised the Byron review for being ‘too nice’ the the British games industry, saying that the report should’ve been ‘more direct’. He also stated that PEGI ratings should have ‘more teeth’, and become legally binding.

For most stores, it already is. Or at least in policy. Get caught, and you get fined as if it was a BBFC product. Working in retail myself, I know for a fact that were I to sell Call of Duty 4 to a 12 year old, I would be referred to internal disciplinary boards, or outright reported to the police. According to Byron, we should have BBFC on the front (for 12, 15, and 18 games) and PEGI ratings on the back (for 3+ and 7+ games)

Once again, Dr Byron neglects to notice that she is interfering with competition laws. And as such, she’s playing a dangerous game by recommending one over the other. Reeves is doing the same, but since he’s, quite frankly, a big-shot with an even bigger wallet, he can get away with it. Not to mention, he’s doing the right thing. Gordon Brown wants us to be part of the EU; let our games be governed by it.

One or the other. Not both.

From MCV

Tags: byronreview, sony, scee, pegi, david reeves, video game violence, game ratings