Important Importables: Gackt
As any Japanese video game fan knows, video games and popular music have very close ties in Japan. Singers will have their songs featured in the games. They will be used in advertising campaigns. They may even be called upon for character modeling.
Two weeks ago Important Importables talked about Hikaru Utada, one of the most popular female singers in Japan and her video game connections. This week Important Importables looks at yet another Japanese superstar, Gackt Camui. Gackt is well known for his music, his acting and his contributions to the gaming worldwide. (He’s also incredibly pretty, multilingual and one of my favorite singers.)
Here’s what’s happening at Sony’s 2008 Fan Faire
Sony has released a full schedule and revealed some of the free items attendees will be receiving at Fan Faire 2008. The event is being held at the Las Vegas Hilton (in Las Vegas, Nevada) from August 14-17, 2008. Visitors can purchase a day pass ($39) or an All Access pass ($89) and get in to participate in tournaments, visit a career fair, see live events, get game demos and see the new EverQuest and EverQuest II.
Attendees will receive some nice freebies. Demo CDs of games like Free Realms and The Agency are mentioned, as well as a free in-game item for EverQuest, EverQuest II, Matrix Online, PlanetSide, Star Wars Galaxies or Vanguard. There will also be loot items given away for Legends of Norrath and Star Wars Trading Card Game: Champions of the Force.
Gamertell Exclusive: Peak Products producing Starpex, full-size guitar controller for PS3, PS2
I swear to Jimi Hendrix, this was my initial reaction when a Peak Products rep told me they are producing the first ever full-size, all wood guitar game controller:
1. About friggin’ time!
2. Won’t that be heavy?
3. Well, duh, real guitarists hold those things for hours at a time. And that’s what a guitar strap is for.”
Here was the email response I received from a rep at Max Borges Agency, the PR company representing Peak:
1. Seriously.
2 [and 3]. Not that heavy at all. Lighter than a real guitar of the same size. Held one when they demoed it at our office
Dubbed the Starpex, the controller will be compatible with both the PS2 and PS3, can be used to play both Guitar Hero or Rock Band and can be used as a wired or wireless controller.
The exact release date…
Recap of Sony’s E3 2008 press conference
Headed up by Sony CEO, Jack Tretton, Sony’ E3 2008 press conference (July 15, 2008) was an on-stage affair with plenty of monitors and montages.
The biggest news was that the company is moving most of its focus to the 80GB PS3 and dropping the price to $399.99. There was also plenty of talk about downloadable content (in terms of videos) through the PS Network on PS3 - starting tonight - that can be transfered to PSP.
Here’s a quick recap of the stuff and goodness that was Sony’s press conference that took place today courtesy of our Live Blog…
Disney Interactive shows its E3 2008 lineup
Fashionably late - on the second day of E3 (July 15, 2008), Disney Interactive has officially unveiled its video game lineup for the event. The company will be showing its wares in Meeting Room 309 at the event. As expected, the titles mainly cater to the younger generation of gamers and many new incarnations in popular franchises.
The games below will all likely be billed as family friendly, all ages titles. Some of the most anticipated titles include Pure, Disney Sing It and High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE!. Too bad Disney Sing It‘s description doesn’t mention any classic Disney tunes - if it had songs from the original, animated movies, then I’d want it.
So in Disney Interactive’s own words, from its press release, game descriptions of all its forthcoming titles…
New Yakuza 2 information for you
Sega has released an official press release for Yakuza 2 (PS2) in honor of E3. Once again players will step into Kazuma Kiryu’s shoes to try and prevent a gang war in Tokyo and Osaka. Once again Toshiro Nagoshi and Seishu Hase, the producer and writer behind the first Yakuza, have created a whole new adventure for Yakuza 2. It will be released September 9, 2008.
It seems like Sega has really worked to improve the failings of the original Yakuza in Yakuza 2, and create a more immersive experience. The game will feature only Japanese voice acting, with English subtitles, locations in Tokyo and Osaka to visit (based on real establishments), a better fighting engine, more Heat moves to use in battles and the ability to take down more than one opponent with attacks. There will also be new free time activities for Kazuma, like bowling and putting at the driving range.
Live Blog: Sony’s E3 2008 press conference
Bookmark this page and plan to press REFRESH a lot (either by hitting F5 or CTRL+R). We’re Live Bloggin’ Sony’s E3 press conference. It starts at 11:30 a.m. Pacific time (2:30 p.m. Eastern time), Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
While you are waiting, make sure you check out the rest of our E3 2008 coverage.
Konami files lawsuit against Harmonix, claims patent infringement
Konami is credited for being on the front lines of musical rhythm games. It has produced hits including the DanceDanceRevolution Series and the guitar-based title Guitar Freaks. Konami is hoping to take back its throne when it releases Rock Revolution later this year to compete with Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2. Much like the members of a real-world rock band, there’s little love between game companies when it comes to music. Case in point: Konami is suing developer Harmonix over the instrument designs used in Rock Band.
According to Bloomberg, Konami is claiming Harmonix violated several of its patents from…
Time Hollow, Persona 4 receive US release dates
Two sleeper hits from Konami and Atlus are coming to grace the US market this year with confirmed dates. Konami’s Time Hollow is slated for a late Summer 2008 release while Atlus’s Persona 4 is scheduled to appear on store shelves early December 2008.
Click through for an in-depth look at both releases…
Midway presents its E3 2008 lineup
Midway Games, like most other considerate E3 attendees, has announced a list of games which it will be displaying at the event. It looks like, this year, Midway is going a somewhat safe route when it comes to games, as it will be showing off new installments in its popular Mortal Kombat, Unreal Tournament and Touchmaster series at the event.
The selection this year seems to reflect Midway’s desire to reach two, very different audiences. Games like Unreal Tournament 3 (Xbox 360), Wheelman (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (PS3, Xbox 360) are being released for Midway’s faithful fans, while titles like Touchmaster 2 (DS) and Game Party 2 (Wii) are for casual players.
Without further ado, Midway Games’ official E3 games list taken directly from the press release…
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