It’s been a bit of a slow week for news; everyone’s getting geared up for the upcoming North American Vita launch! Also, most people has been too damn busy to do much of anything, other than play Skyrim.
The recently released Creation Kit and accompanying Steam Workshop, has been a huge hit. Within the first week of release Bethesda states that over 2,500 mods have been published, and over 2 million mods have been downloaded.
This on top of already published crazy numbers, like how the average numbers of hours logged on the PC version (which is the most popular one) is 75 hours. Again, that's the AVERAGE.
Online Passes Will Be Necessary For Some Vita Titles
It looks as if online passes are here to stay. The primary tool publishers have been using to recoup from the lost revenue of used game sales has finally hit portables.
Some Sony offerings for the upcoming handheld will require a code to enable online functionality. Thus far it's just WipEout 2048 and Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational, but they certainly won't be the last ones. Sorry, poor people.
iCade 8-bitty Is An NES Controller For Your iOS Device
Makers of the popular arcade cabinet-like housing units for the iPad are expanding their line of offerings. At the New York Toy Fair the company unveiled the 8-bitty, which looks and feels like an old school NES controller (despite having four face buttons and two shoulder ones).
Not only is it intended for both iPad and iPhone users, but it's for the gamer who is strapped for cash. Whereas the original iCade retails for $100, this much smaller package will only cost $25.
Since the revival of the franchise has gone fairly well, why not a movie? It's looking like there's one in the cards. Rumor has it the plot seems to mirror the one from the recently released game, word for word - and that's a good sign.
As for who is attached, the only name revealed so far is Brian Taylor, one half of the Neveldine/Taylor power combo. They were behind the helm of the Crank movies which were pretty awesome, but in contrast they were also responsible for box office bomb Gamer.
A Sequel For L.A. Noire Might Happen
Many assumed that given all the problems that took place behind the scenes with L.A. Noire developer, a follow-up would never happen. Especially since the studio itself is no more.
However, that doesn't seem to be the case. Rockstar mentioned the possibility of a new game in the franchise down the road. Nothing else has been said, but it's at least something to hold onto. Fingers crossed.
Game Center Coming To OS X
Apple's answer to the social aspects of Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, which have done well in the mobile space thus far will be coming home.
In the recently revealed update to OS X, Mountain Lion Game Center will be one of many new additions to the operating system that is becoming even more iOS like everyday. And given how gaming appears to be a key part of the rumored iTV initiative, Game Center may indeed be going directly head-to-head with the aforementioned services soon enough.
Many were wondering when or IF, the second most popular streaming solution for movies and TV was coming to Nintendo's console. It's had a Netflix app for a while now, and is even the most popular version among all the home systems.
The perceived exclusivity among Xbox 360 and PS3 is no more. Functionality-wise, it's the same thing, only with no HD output.
Double Fine's Adventure Is Expanding
Tim Schafer and company have posted their first update to their Kickstarter, since it first made headlines by setting new records for hitting the million-dollar mark in no time flat.
The update details where all that extra money is going. Specifically, voice acting for the American market, and versions for French, Spanish, Italian, and German territories.
Psychonauts 2 May Not Be Happening
Double Fine's return to the adventure gaming genre was met with such a warm reception, there was talk of a sequel for the equally beloved Psychonauts. One of its biggest fans, Notch (Minecraft) stepped up to the plate and offered to helm the initiative.
With the success of the Kickstarter, many wondered if something similar could happen for the dream game - but that's apparently not the case. Notch recently explained that it would require far more money than initially assumed. While there's still a possibility, it won't be as easy as was once assumed.
Things keep getting worse for Sony's new handheld in its homeland. Sales of the system continue to dip week by week to ridiculously low numbers. But worst of all is news of how developers are supposedly jumping ship.
And where are they going instead? The 3DS. Perhaps dude to the fact that recently revealed numbers on Nintendo's end paint a far better picture these days. In response Sony has called such rumbles nonsense.
