Remember the mysterious Xbox Live rewards program that select subscribers were emailed about last month? It apparently kicked off as of yesterday — for those who were chosen for the pilot program, that is.
Joystiq noticed this morning that Microsoft’s official rewards website has gone live, and it has all the details on the program, what incentives are available, and the kind of activity subscribers are being rewarded for. Essentially, a small number of Microsoft points will be added to a user’s account whenever they renew their Live subscription, subscribe to Netflix, purchase items on the Marketplace, or take the occasional survey.
Save for the surveys, most of those seem like the kind of things Live users were probably already planning on doing. The trial run of this program is going from now until April 30 of next year, so we’ll see how much that all changes before it becomes available to everyone.
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3D Dot Game Heroes plays like a tribute to The Legend of Zelda, complete with extremely similar enemies and gameplay. It has its own unique hero and story though, which slightly detaches it from Nintendo’s storied franchise. It doesn’t have to be that way though.
As you can see in this video, it’s possible to go into the character creator and make a hero of your own. As always seems to happens with games like these, this enterprising designer opted to create Link.
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It’s Tuesday and that means it’s… Nintendo Fuse Podcast Day! Last week, we had an exclusive two and a half hour interview with Tommy Tallarico and yesterday, we had an exclusive interview with Carsten Myhill, a developer for the Wii game Academy of Champions. Missed out? Don’t worry, you can listen to the old episodes here or by subscribing in iTunes by searching for Nintendo Fuse or by clicking this link.
Doing the interviews was a ton of fun, but it’s time we got back to the Nintendo news… and now we have two weeks worth of news to discuss! At 9 pm eastern time, we are going to be discussing Excitebike: World Rally, rumors of a Wii 2 with Blu-Ray, the DSi XL announcement, Netflix coming to Wii, and TONS MORE! It’s going to be packed with discussion. And the best part is that YOU can call in and join us! There are actually three ways to participate…
1) Chat in the chatroom by going to the Nintendo Fuse TalkShoe page once the podcast begins at 9 pm est.
2) Call in with your phone by dialing (724) 444-7444 and when prompted for the Call ID, dial 59264#. You can then press 1 to join in as a guest, or you can create a free account on TalkShoe and enter your PIN number on the phone.
3) Call in with your microphone on your computer by downloading TalkShoe Live for free from here. Once installed, go to the Nintendo Fuse TalkShoe page and then select the option to connect through TalkShoe Live Pro.
Every Tuesday at 9 pm eastern time, we discuss the latest and greatest from Nintendo. Be here tonight to listen and/or join in on the fun!
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Yes, you heard right… Nintendo is going to offer demos of WiiWare games! But before you get too excited, let me give you the full details. In the recent Financial Results Briefing in Japan, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said that they would begin releasing demos of WiiWare games sometime this month, but just for a few games. This will be done as a test to see if it will get more people to start using the Wii Shop Channel. Iwata doesn’t think demos will help much, but Nintendo is going to try it anyways.
Keep in mind though that this was just mentioned by Iwata and there was no official announcement with a press release or anything, so we don’t have the full details. There’s a chance it could only be for Japan, and we don’t have an official start date aside from sometime this month. Hopefully we’ll get more details soon.
[Via IGN]
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Sorry for the crummy gaming skills, I was playing while looking through the camera lens…
After seeing the trailer for this game and some info floating around after E3 it sparked my interest, but I wasn’t sold on it… that is until I got to play it.
The game looks fantastic on the Nintendo DS, I mean really crisp, clean, and fast. The game never dips below 60 FPS and draw distances and models are top notch. I was afraid of another “jaggy edge” game, but when playing it my fears were put to rest. Developer, Nouredine Abboud, said that the development team is squeezing every bit of possible information and performance out of the Nintendo DS. He even said that the team is analyzing code and text dialog trying to cut away any characters because the game is so big.
The demo I played offered a variety of different Gameplay options. The game is open world, so you have free range of anything you want, but the game walks a fine line of side mission/exploring open world and 24 style pacing to keep the games main story thumping along. During the demo that I finished I encountered a driving element, a shooting element (Metroid/Resident Evil 4-esqe shooting controls), puzzle element, and “act quick” elements. The demo left me wanting MORE! Luckily I stayed a little late and developer Nouredine Abboud showed me some other stages in the game. The game takes place in New York City and the surrounding boroughs (and New Jersey). We played a level in New Jersey that took place in the snow during the main characters flash back. The mission was to race this car through the streets of NJ, but being careful not to damage the car too much and/or come in last place (GTA style). After completing that mission we got to ride a dune buggy with some great physics involved.
The open world area of the game offers zero load time and access to any vehicle on the street. You are also able to utilize boats, unfortunately no planes or helicopters. The core game is comprised of about 60 main missions with a bunch of side/achievement stuff to keep gamers who need that 100% completion satisfaction. The game is roughly 50% driving, 30% shooting, and 20% mini games. The mini games are rather clever though and are weaved throughout the main game. Mini games are things like scanning a casino via there security camera’s to find the person you’re looking for, codes for breaking into prisons, setting up blockades, etc…
C.O.P. stands for Criminal Overturn Program and sets the them for the game fairly well. You’re main character is inherently a “good” guy, but will do what it takes (Jack Bauer style) to get the job done, the devs had a name for this, “Faster than Justice”.
Plot
The game will follow Dan Miles, a former street racer who becomes a new recruit in the Criminal Overturn Program (C.O.P.). Under the terms of the C.O.P., Dan becomes a detective working to protect the citizens of New York against large-scale threats. Working with his mentor, Detective Brad Winter, Dan is investigating a series of terrorist attacks in the city when Brad is falsely arrested, putting the investigation on hold. While trying to uncover the truth behind Brad’s arrest, Dan goes undercover and returns to his life on the streets. Little by little he gets wrapped up in a deadly, widespread conspiracy and must work to prevent a potentially catastrophic attack on the city.
Gameplay
The game will be a third person shooter and a driving game, in an open-world city with around 6 square miles. The game will have about 60 missions with over 20 hours of gameplay. It will be also possible, using the DS system’s microphone (and the in-game PDA), call the S.W.A.T. team, create barricades, road blocks, call an ambulance and access the city’s camera system.
Check out WiiNintendo’s Exclusive Developer Preview Video:
VIDEO: Exclusive Developer Interview and Preview
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NAMCO BANDAI GAMES’ FOOD NETWORK: COOK OR BE COOKED IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR Wii™
Master More Than 30 Delicious Food Network Recipes in Your Living Room
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (Nov. 3, 2009) – Hungry? Wish you knew how to whip up the perfect T-bone steak, or maybe just a quick pasta with meat balls? Good news. Leading video games developer and publisher NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., announced today that Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked is now available at retail stores throughout North America for Wii™. Developed in partnership with Food Network, the first cable network dedicated to the power and joy of food, players can now learn the real, practical skills needed to cook more than 30 mouth-watering Food Network-worthy recipes.
Using the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™, players master an array of culinary techniques as they progress through recipes developed by Food Network chefs themselves. Designed to take the cooking experience from practice to practical, the game gives players the cooking “chops” they need to create each dish in their real kitchen with ease. Even the most kitchen-phobic of players can master staples such as “Overly Easy Bacon and Eggs” or a “Classic Cheeseburger” and work their way to a tasty “Pan-seared T-Bone Steak with Red Wine Reduction” or “Lasagna Toscana” – perfect for impressing dinner guests, or just the chef.
In addition to cooking recipes straight from the Food Network kitchens, players will also encounter Food Network personalities, Vice President of Marketing and The Next Food Network Star judge, Susie Fogelson, and Food Network Kitchens chef Mory Thomas, to coach and judge their culinary efforts along the way.
For those looking for company in the kitchen, or a little friendly competition, Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked lets up to four players cook side-by-side in cooperative Hot Potato multiplayer mode, or face-off in a two-player split screen competitive mode.
Developed by Red Fly Studio, Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $39.99. For more information on the game, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com or www.cookorbecooked.com.
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WE CHEER™2 NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY for Wii™
Pom-Pom Shakin’ High-Energy Cheerleading Game Offers Licensed Soundtrack of Top Hits, Robust Character Customization and Exciting Gameplay Modes for One to Four Players
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (Nov. 3, 2009) – Ready? Okay! Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that We Cheer™2, exclusively for Wii™, is now available at retail stores in North America. We Cheer 2 delivers the ultimate cheerleading experience, offering a fun and approachable way to enjoy the challenge and spirit of the sport. Utilizing the Wii Remotes™ as virtual pom-poms, players follow on-screen Trace Lines for choreographed routines that utilize a full range of arm and body movements. We Cheer 2 is the only cheerleading video game to offer a hit soundtrack of licensed music and features a brand new lineup of 30 heart-pumping songs that will get players charged up and ready to cheer.
We Cheer 2 steps it up with more exciting options than ever before. The game now offers the option to play as boys as well as girls, for a total roster of 45 playable characters, which is more than double the original line-up. Players can also personalize both their character their entire squad with awesome customization options including uniforms, hats, shoes and even facial features like eyebrows and lips. New choreographed routines can be performed in one of more than 20 stages with choices for day time and night time versions of each. For added flexibility, players can choose to perform the diverse array of routines with two Wii Remotes (one for each hand) or use just one in either the right or left hand.
With various difficulty selections and options for single and multiple players, We Cheer 2 caters to all skill levels from newbie cheerleaders to varsity level pros. A Watch Routine option allows players to preview a routine before tackling it themselves. This mode also allows players to take snapshots from favorite spots in the routine which are saved to a photo album that can be shared with friends online through the Message Board. Players can learn the basics in Cheer Camp or get their hearts pumping in Workout mode. Successfully completing challenges in the single player Championships mode allows players to unlock new stages and songs as well as earn Cheer Points that can be used at the Cheer Shop for new outfits and accessories for the squad. Multiple cheerleaders can enjoy We Cheer 2 with options for two players to play cooperatively and up to four players to face-off in competitive Cheer Off modes. With its simple yet addictive gameplay, players will lose themselves in the music and moves as they perfect the routines and earn top spot as captain of the squad.
We Cheer 2 is rated “E10+” by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $39.99. For more information, please visit http://www.wecheergame.com/ or www.namcobandaigames.com.
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WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND MTV GAMES ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF
LEGO® ROCK BAND™
Kid-Favorite LEGO Combines with Critically-Acclaimed Rock Band to
Build the Ultimate Family Band Videogame Experience this Holiday!
Features Hit Songs and Unique Gameplay for the Music Genre at a Family-Friendly Price
BURBANK, Calif. – November 3, 2009 – Get ready to build a band and rock the universe with LEGO® Rock Band™, the multiplayer music videogame that will have the entire family drumming, strumming and rocking to the beat. Published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), LEGO Rock Band is available now at retail stores in North America for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ console, and Nintendo DS™. Offering affordable family entertainment, LEGO Rock Band for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii is available for $49.99, and Nintendo DS for $29.99.
Combining two of the most popular videogame brands, LEGO Rock Band pairs the fun, customization and humor of LEGO videogames with the multiplayer music experience pioneered by Rock Band. Filled with 45 chart-topping songs and classic favorites, LEGO Rock Band allows family members of all ages and skill levels to break loose on the bass, drums, guitar and mic to a soundtrack filled with hit songs from Queen, Foo Fighters, Jackson 5, The All-American Rejects, Jimi Hendrix, Good Charlotte, Tom Petty and more.
With LEGO, Rock Band brings its highly successful series to Nintendo DS for the first time. In addition to the classic instrument play found in the console versions, LEGO Rock Band offers the same level of engagement without the need for peripherals to play the game and is compatible with Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS™ Lite and Nintendo DSi™. Also unique to LEGO Rock Band is the introduction of Rock Power Challenges. Players can harness the power of rock to pull off killer riffs so intense they can demolish a building, thwart an angry octopus or send gamers on other crazy missions. And in the LEGO style of “build-and-play” gaming, players can customize their own experience by creating their minifigure avatars, band and entourage.
Fans can extend their experience with family-friendly downloadable content from the massive Rock Band™ Music Store on their Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles that contains more than 350 songs that can be played within LEGO Rock Band. Players can also export songs from LEGO Rock Band to their Xbox 360 beginning November 3, 2009 and PlayStation 3 beginning November 12, 2009 to play across other Rock Band games. LEGO Rock Band is compatible with most third party instrument controllers and microphones. For a list of compatible peripherals, please visit http://www.rockband.com/compatibility.
Developed by TT Games in partnership with Harmonix, LEGO Rock Band for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii is rated “E10+” by the ESRB. Developed by Backbone Entertainment, a Foundation 9 Entertainment studio, the Nintendo DS version is rated “E” by the ESRB. For more information, please visit www.legorockbandgame.com.
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