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  • Twisted Metal delayed, edited for Europe - Jaffe

    While Twisted Metal is on the home stretch of its development cycle, the game has suffered a last-minute delay in European territories due to localization issues.

    According to a post made by the game's director David Jaffe on the gaming board NeoGaf, Twisted Metal has been delayed in European territories due to publisher Sony insisting on cuts being made to the game.

    In the post, Jaffe assures readers the cuts are only minor, revealing the tiny edits were made to both the gameplay and cutscenes. While he didn't detail the exact changes, he did provide an example of the edited gameplay, saying that instead of shooting a live man strapped to a gurney full of TNT, the game will now feature a dead man strapped to the explosives.

    As for cutscenes, the Twisted Metal director assured fans that the cuts are nowhere near as drastic as those made to Twisted Metal: Black, where, according to Jaffe, all the character videos were removed from the game ahead of its European release.

    "I sat with the editor--who was the same editor of the American movies--and we went through and addressed the notes from Europe and made sure the stories still worked," Jaffe said in the post. "And to be fair, there have not been that many cuts. For example, in the scene we've released on the Internet from the introduction where the girl stabs Tooth in the eye, the SCEE version has this, but we cut away right before the scissors make contact with Tooth's face. It's clear what she's doing, and I think we even keep the sound effects in and such, but the last few frames are gone."

    Jaffe went to say that like every other PlayStation 3 game, Twisted Metal would not be region locked. In regards to how long this would delay the game's release in Europe, Jaffe speculated that the game would arrive in Europe in March.

    These changes put Australian gamers in a precarious position as Sony Computer Entertainment Australia usually sources the same code as its European counterparts.

    GameSpot AU contacted Sony Computer Entertainment Australia to find out whether or not Australia would be getting the edited version but was told:

    "SCE Australia have yet to confirm the exact street date for Twisted Metal. [We] look forward to sharing more detail with you shortly."

    GameSpot AU will continue to chase this story and will update it as information develops.

  • PALGN editors quit en masse

    Independent Australian video games site PALGN is on the rocks at the moment after numerous staff members quit over disagreements with the site's owner Roland Kulen.

    In an email to GameSpot AU, former PALGN staffer Jeremy Jastrzab said that: "As of the close of business on Friday, February 10th, the current PALGN editorial team will no longer be producing any content for the site and will be leaving to pursue their own interests. The reason for this decision stems from an inability for the editorial team and the PALGN ownership to come to agreement on how the site would function. Whether or not PALGN will continue to produce any video game content will be solely at the discretion of the current ownership and what they wish to do with the site."

    According to a document anonymously uploaded onto Pastebin, the mass exodus comes after a long stoush between Kulen and various editors over how to improve the site.

    GameSpot AU has attempted to get in contact with both Kulen and Jastrzab to verify the authenticity of the transcription but was unable to reach either party.

    In the meantime, a new Facebook brand page for a site called Something Rocket This Way Comes has appeared. According to the page administrators, PALGN alumni have been working on the project, saying "For those who were wondering, some writers from PALGN will indeed be featuring on this new website of video gamerdry [sic]."

    PALGN was originally started up in 2003 as a hangout for Australian IGN users but expanded over the years to produce its own editorial content.

  • Aussie Emulation Mash-Up: Feb. 3

    Developer Double Fine is no stranger to working on children's titles for the Xbox 360, and this week sees the release of the studio's second game aimed at youngsters--Double Fine Happy Action Theater. Like Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster before it, this one uses Kinect in a minigame compilation that boasts an age rating of 2-102. Activities range from putting silly faces on your opponent's head to playing with bubbles.

    The other game to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade is Rhythm Party, from the makers of last year's Dance Masters. The objective here is to dance in time to the music and hit the notes on the screen as they pop up. (Think along the lines of Zumba meets boxercise.)

    Unfortunately, the PlayStation Store is once again down, making it impossible to confirm its new arrivals this week. We'll update this story as soon as the PlayStation Store is back online.

    On the Nintendo side of things, it's been quite a while since WiiWare has been updated, but that's changed this week, thanks to TNT Racers. The game is an arcade racer that has players driving miniature cars around novelty tracks. Like any good arcade racer, expect to be picking up power-ups to gain an unfair advantage on your adversaries and doing lots of drifts.

    As for Nintendo's portable platforms, Pinball Pulse: The Ancients Beckon comes to the 3DS eShop, while DSi owners get a taste of real-time strategy thanks to Castle Conqueror.

    Xbox Live Arcade:
    Double Fine Happy Action Theater - 800 Microsoft points
    Rhythm Party - 800 Microsoft points

    WiiWare:
    TNT Racers - 1000 Nintendo points

    DSiWare:
    Castle Conqueror

    3DS eShop
    Pinball Pulse: The Ancients Beckon


  • Aussie Bargains: Feb. 3

    With the weather across Australia exhibiting some positively schizophrenic behavior this summer, we're breaking down this week's bargains into seasons (you know; just for fun). Each group makes up games that are set during that particular season, and right now, there's a good chance that players will come across a game set in similar conditions to those happening right outside their windows. So, let's get to it.

    Summer:
    Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception - A$42.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Battlefield 3 (PC) - A$45.15 from Play Asia
    Kinect Sports: Season Two - A$37.61 from Play Asia

    Autumn:
    Rayman Origins (PS3) - A$29.95 from Oz Game Shop
    Batman: Arkham City (PS3) - A$39.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Halo: Reach - A$37.99 from Oz Game Shop

    Winter:
    SSX (preorder) A$51.74 from Play Asia
    Resident Evil: Revelations - A$42 from Harvey Norman Direct Import
    Lord of the Rings: War in the North (PC) - A$29.99 from Oz Game Shop

    Spring:
    FIFA Soccer 12 (360) - A$47.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Enslaved: Odyssey to the West (PS3) - A$17.99 from Oz Game Shop
    The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC) - A$40.61 from Play Asia

    Remember, bargain hunting is a communal activity, and there's a thread over on the GameSpot AU forums dedicated to finding cheap games. If you spot a good deal online or at a store, be sure to jump in and tell your fellow GameSpotters. Even if you're new to the forums, pop in and say hi!

  • Crackle now streaming to Aussie 360s

    The console wars are no longer fought over games alone but have also expanded onto the multimedia battlefield. As both Microsoft and Sony fight to outmanoeuvre each other, a Sony-owned video-streaming service has arrived on the Xbox 360 in Australia.

    While the Crackle app is available on both the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 in the US, the service has not yet been dated for Sony's console Down Under.

    The video-streaming program is free to use and is supported by advertisements. Once users download it from the Xbox 360 App Marketplace, Crackle can be controlled by either a controller or the Kinect.

    GameSpot AU contacted Sony Computer Entertainment Australia regarding a release date for Crackle on Aussie PS3s, but the publisher was unable to comment.

    While Crackle does host some original video content (short-form TV shows and independent films), the majority of its library comes from parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment.

  • GAME AU cancels Game Swinging events

    Last year, Australian games retailer GAME Australia hosted its first Game Swinging event, a speed-dating-like night for gamers that debuted in Sydney.

    At the time, a number of rumours surfaced claiming that several people in attendance were paid to be there by the event organisers, and, while GAME Australia denied the claims at the time, it has now cancelled future Game Swinging events slated for Melbourne and Brisbane.

    In an email sent out to participants, GAME Australia said that future Game Swinging events have been cancelled due to complaints. A spokesperson for the company told GameSpot AU:

    "Sadly, we received a fair few complaints from the general public that were not in favour of the events. Whilst we were only getting started, we had to take these complaints seriously. GAME decided that the events could cause negative brand image, and could leave a 'bad taste' in some consumers' mouths if we continued. Therefore, the events were cancelled."

    GameSpot AU has contacted GAME managing director Paul Yardley for comment and will update this story accordingly.

    The full email that was sent out to participants can be found below:

    “Hey Player,

    "Thanks for your interest in attending Game Swinging.

    "While we were looking forward to bringing you the event that rocked the pants off Sydney, unfortunately it was received better by some than others!

    "Due to the number of complaints received, we've been left with no other choice but to shut down the Melbourne and Brisbane events.

    "Don't worry, though; we're going to continue to push the envelope in the world of entertainment experiences…so make sure you're following us on Facebook to find out what's next!

    "Cheers,
    The Game Swinging team"

  • Tekken 3D Prime Edition debuting Down Under Feb. 23

    Tekken 3D Prime Edition for the Nintendo 3DS will launch in Australia on February 23, close to a year after the console's initial launch.

    One of Tekken 3D Prime Edition's most impressive features is its sturdy frame rate. Unlike last year's Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, Tekken 3D Prime Edition will run at a full 60 frames per second, in both 3D and 2D. On top of the graphics, Namco is squeezing more than 40 fighters into the game's roster and will include a Tekken trading-card minigame that makes use of the 3DS Street Pass.

    Also shipping on the same cartridge as Tekken 3D Prime Edition is last year's animated movie, Tekken: Blood Vengeance. The film's story takes place between Tekkens 5 and 6 and was originally released alongside Tekken Hybrid for the PlayStation 3.

    Tekken 3D Prime Edition is the first Tekken game on a Nintendo portable platform since Tekken Advance for the Game Boy Advance in 2002.

  • THQ trimming down Aussie office?

    Kotaku Australia has today reported that THQ's Australian office has cut 14 staff members from its roster, making them redundant. The tip-off comes from an anonymous source who also claims that THQ's Japanese office is also in the firing line and has been shut down completely.

    GameSpot AU has contacted representatives of THQ in Australia but had received no response at the time of publication. Last week, THQ confirmed that it had laid off an undisclosed number of employees in its administration and publishing wings as part of its organizational restructure.

    Last year didn't treat THQ's Australian business too kindly, with the company shutting down Blue Tongue Entertainment and THQ Studio Australia. On top of that, rumours started circulating two weeks ago that THQ was cancelling its entire 2014 lineup in preparation to selling itself off to the highest bidder. THQ has since refuted those rumours.

    [UPDATE] THQ has confirmed that the job cuts from last week have affected its Australian operations; however, the publisher declined to go into any detail regarding how many jobs were cut locally. According to a statement provided by THQ, details regarding the reorganization will be announced during a conference call scheduled for February 2.

    THQ's full statement is as follows: "THQ confirms a reduction in force to the company's administration and publishing organisation. As recently announced, the company is exiting the kids' licensed games category, and is focusing on its core game franchises and developing its digital initiatives. The streamlined organisation reflects the company's new strategy. THQ's five internal studios were not affected by this action. The company will provide greater financial detail regarding the costs and organisational benefit on its third quarter 2012 conference call scheduled for Thursday, February 2, 2012."

  • GameSpot AU SoulCalibur V community event photo gallery

    This week GameSpot AU teamed up with the good folks at Namco Bandai to hold a special preview event and competition in Sydney for the upcoming brawler SoulCalibur V.

    The tournament, held at Event Cinemas on George Street, saw punters go head-to-head in a number of heated SCV rounds leading up to the grand final, which was played out on a cinema screen in front of a crowd of more than 150 cheering fans.

    Youssef Faddoul was crowned winner at the end of the night, winning an all-expenses-paid trip to Europe to participate in the global SCV tournament. Several runners-up also took home a copy of the game and SCV merchandise.

    Check out our photos from the event below!

    The line just gets longer, and longer, and longer. Punters wait as the SCV event gets ready to kick off.

    The event kicks off, and fans wasted no time jumping on the consoles to try out the game.

    Dude, you brought your own stick? Yes folks, he sure did. (Luckily, he didn't need it because Namco had its own!)

    The crowd getting pumped for the start of the tournament.

    Namco allowed players to warm up with the game before the official tournament kicked off, getting in some much-needed practice.

    And they're off! Players were called randomly from the list of attendees to participate in SCV rounds.

    The key to winning is to remain cool, calm, and collected…

    …and not let the pressure get to you…

    …despite someone flashing a camera in your face.

    Those who got knocked out early stuck around to offer encouragement to others.

    Post-tournament smiles all around!

    The lucky winner: Youssef Faddoul! (Although let's face it, luck didn't have much to do with it.) Congrats Youssef: you're heading to Europe!

  • Aussie bargains Jan. 27

    If yesterday's public holiday gave you an opportunity to put a dent in your pile of games to play, and you're looking to restock, then let us help you out! As we normally do on a Friday afternoon, we've rounded up some of the best bargains we've spotted and compiled them into one easy list located below:

    Dead Island (PS3) - A$33.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Gears of War 3 - A$39.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Portal 2 (PC) - A$28.40 from Play Asia
    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - A$50from Harvey Norman Direct Import
    Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (PS3) - A$52.16 from Play Asia
    Sonic Generations (PS3) - A$17.96 from Play Asia
    Alice: Madness Returns (360) - A$26.99 from Oz Game Shop
    WWE '12 (360) - A$39.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Uncharted 3: Drake' s Deception - A$49.99 from Oz Game Shop
    Battlefield 3 (PC) - A$44.99 from Oz Game Shop

    Remember, bargain hunting is a communal activity, and there's a thread over on the GameSpot AU forums dedicated to finding cheap games. If you spot a good deal online or at a store, be sure to jump in and tell your fellow GameSpotters. Even if you're new to the forums, pop in and say hi!

  • Aussie preorders for Sony's 3D goggles start Friday

    At last year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Sony was busy pushing 3D displays, unveiling a variety of different units. One prototype that caught the attention of many attendees was Sony's Personal 3D Viewer--a Geordi La Forge-like visor that contains two OLED screens.

    Skip ahead 12 months, and Sony is finalizing plans to bring the HMZT1 (aka the Personal 3D Viewer) to Australia. Preorders for the Personal 3D Viewer kick off on January 27, and you'd better start saving now if you're thinking of throwing some money down because the unit sells for A$899.

    At this stage, Sony Australia hasn't gone into specifics as to when the Personal 3D Display would actually arrive on Australian shores, simply announcing its preorder campaign.

    GameSpot AU tried to get in contact with Sony to confirm launch details but was unable to confirm anything at time of publication.

    Boasting twin 0.7-inch 720p OLED screens and 5.1 virtual surround-sound headphones, Sony is aiming to re-create a cinema-like experience with the Personal 3D Viewer. The goggles themselves slip over the user's head, positioning the dual screens directly in front of the eyes.

    There are no direct inputs located on the Personal 3D View goggles; instead, the unit connects up to a little box on the side that processes the data, which then sends the images to the displays.

  • Nintendo offers up free 3DS demos in Australia

    Nintendo Australia has begun to offer 3DS customers free downloadable demos of selected upcoming titles for the stereoscopic handheld after initially promising the demos would arrive as part of the console's November 2011 update.

    Currently, demos of the Capcom-developed Resident Evil: Revelations (released in Australia and New Zealand on February 2) and 505 Games' Cooking Mama 4 are available from the Nintendo eShop.

    Nintendo says the eShop will be periodically updated with new game demos, including a Nintendo 3DS demo of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D (set for release later this year), which will make use of the console's outer cameras and gyroscopic motion sensor, as well as Sega's Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

    The latest system update for the 3DS will give users access to the Nintendo eShop, where a variety of free applications are available for download, including the Nintendo Video application that can access a range of 2D and 3D video content; Nintendo Letterbox, which can send messages, drawings, photos, and sounds; and Poxedex 3D, which allows users to view Pokemon images in 3D.

    The eShop also allows users to download other software, including 3D Classics, Virtual Console, and Nintendo DSiWare games directly to their 3DS system.

    For more on the first game to sport a 3DS demo, check out GameSpot's latest preview of Resident Evil: Revelations.

  • Aussie bargains Jan. 20

    Last year was a great year for games, but, with so many titles coming out over such a short period of time, chances are that you missed a few. Thankfully, there's a bit of a lull with game releases at the moment, and now is a great chance to catch up on last year's hits. You may as well shop online and save a few dollars as you try to make your way through any games that have slipped through the cracks. With this in mind, the focus of today's roundup is games from last year that you may have missed.

    Remember, bargain hunting is a communal activity, and there's a thread over on the GameSpot AU forums dedicated to finding cheap games. If you spot a good deal online or at a store, be sure to jump in and tell your fellow GameSpotters. Even if you're new to the forums, pop in and say hi!

    Red Faction: Armageddon (PS3) - A$12.99 at Oz Game Shop
    Mario Kart 7 - A$44 at Harvey Norman Direct Import
    Sonic Generations (360) - A$12.99 at Play Asia
    L.A. Noire (PS3) - A$24.14 at Play Asia
    Deus Ex: Human Revolution (360) - A$23.99 at Oz Game Shop
    Portal 2 (PC) - A$27.99 at Oz Game Shop
    Forza Motorsport 4 - A$39.99 at Oz Game Shop
    The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword - A$44.99 at Oz Game Shop
    Crysis II (PC) - A$17.99 at Oz Game Shop
    Total War: Shogun 2 - A$20.99 at Oz Game Shop

  • Blizzard expands support hours in Australia, NZ

    Blizzard has announced that it will be expanding its phone-support hours for Australian and New Zealand players from this week.

    The publisher's support team will now be on hand to assist players for over 18 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Australian players should call 1-800-041-378 (toll free); New Zealand players should call 0800-452-520 (toll free). For updated phone-support hours, visit the official Battle.net support site.

  • Aussie emulation mash-up Jan. 20

    Australian artist Nathan Jurevicius' Scarygirl graphic novel enjoys a loyal following, and it has recently caught the eye of Square Enix, which has released a game this week based on the popular comic. Just like the source material, Scarygirl stars a creepy little girl with an octopus arm and artistically looks like an emo version of Little Big Planet. At this stage, it's only available on Xbox Live Arcade, but it's also slated for release on Steam and the PlayStation Network shortly.

    Other games that have found their way onto Xbox Live Arcade this week include Doom, as well as a spooky Kinect game called Haunt. Originally released for XBLA way back, Doom was pulled from the marketplace last year due to licensing issues, but was rereleased this week.

    Over in the realm of Nintendo, the Wii Virtual Console drought has finally been broken, courtesy of Ubisoft. The old SNES version of Prince of Persia was the game that broke the drought in question, also arriving on the 3DS Virtual Console at the same time. Full releases aside, demos for Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic and Resident Evil: Revelations are also available to download for Aussie Nintendo 3DS owners.

    While the PlayStation Network is still active, the PlayStation Store is down for maintenance at the time of publication, making it impossible to check for new releases. At this point in time, there's no time frame on when it'll be back, so sit tight, and we'll update this article when the PlayStation Store returns.

    Xbox Live Arcade
    Scarygirl - 1,200 Microsoft points
    Haunt - 800 Microsoft points
    Doom - 400 Microsoft points

    Wii Virtual Console
    Prince of Persia - 800 Nintendo points

    3DS Virtual Console
    Prince of Persia - A$7.50

    Nintendo 3DS demos
    Cooking Mama 4: Kitchen Magic
    Resident Evil: Revelations

  • Play The Darkness II at Insert Coin(s)

    Last year, Sydney's nightlife got a much-needed bonus in the form of Insert Coin(s), a video game-themed event at the Oxford Art Factory. With the new year well under way, it's time for Insert Coin(s) to return, and this time around, the event will have a special guest in attendance.

    Not only will attendees be able to get their hands on The Darkness II a few weeks ahead of its launch, but lead producer Seth Olshsski will also make an appearance. While he won't be giving a formal presentation, Olshsski will be wandering around the party and chatting to fans over a few drinks.

    In addition to having 10 playable demo units of The Darkness II, Insert Coin(s) will have arcade machines running golden oldies like Donkey Kong, Street Fighter II, and various pinball machines to keep punters amused.

    Insert Coin(s) kicks off at Oxford Art Factory from 6:00 p.m. tomorrow night, January 19. It's worth noting that there is a small cover charge of A$10, which you can pay at the door on the night or online via MoshTix.

  • Sega outlines Shogun 2 expansion preorder offers

    Sega has today announced its preorder incentives for Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai, which is due out sometime in March.

    The offers vary depending on where you preorder Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai from, with brick and mortar retail customers scoring a double-sided poster and access to the Saga faction pack. The Steam offer is fairly similar; users who throw down money prerelease will receive the Tsu faction pack and a digital version of the game's soundtrack. Finally, those who shop at Sega's own store will be able to play as the Obama faction.

    The original Shogun: Total War game was released in 2000, spawning a franchise that comprises over half a dozen entries (excluding expansion packs). While the series has made its way through various time periods over the years, last year saw developer The Creative Assembly return to its feudal Japanese roots with Total War: Shogun 2. The game scored favourably with the critics and was praised for its artificial intelligence and engaging siege battles.

  • Ninja Gaiden III Aussie CE detailed

    The Ninja Gaiden franchise has always prided itself on over-the-top action and punishing difficulty. However, the burden is now on developer Team Ninja to prove that it can live up to the franchise's legacy on its own, after series founder Tomonobu Itagaki left in 2008.

    As Ninja Gaiden III's March 22 release date in Australia quickly approaches, Tecmo Koei has taken the lid off the special edition. Available for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the Ninja Gaiden III collector's edition comes with an art book, a soundtrack, a Dead or Alive 5 demo, and a Ryu Hayabusa & Masked Man statue.

    The Ninja Gaiden III collector's edition is exclusive to EB Games in Australia and sells for A$148.00, which is A$50 more than the standard edition of the game.

    Ninja Gaiden III marks the franchise's first foray into the online arena, with the game introducing competitive and cooperative online play. Other big changes include the unmasking of Ryu and the removal of limb dismemberment--a hallmark of previous entries in the series.

  • Capcom to host Aussie community event on Feb. 1

    March is shaping up to be a busy month for Capcom, with the Japanese developer releasing three new games during the final month of the first quarter. As anticipation for Street Fighter X Tekken, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, and Asura's Wrath grows, Capcom is flying several developers into Sydney to give Aussie fans a taste of what's to come.

    On February 1, Capcom and THQ (the Aussie distributors of the Japanese publisher) are putting on a special event in Sydney where Aussie fans will be able to come along and play Street Fighter X Tekken, Resident Evil: Raccoon City, and Asura's Wrath, as well as hear presentations from various developers. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 for the PlayStation Vita will also be on show, a full three weeks ahead of its Australian release.

    Capcom's Seth Killian is set to make the trip Down Under to talk about Street Fighter X Tekken, while Resident Evil: Raccoon City producer Mike Jones will be talking all things zombies, and finally, CyberConect2's Hiroshi Matsuyama and Kazuhiro Tsuchiya will be showing off Asura's Wrath.

    The event is only for people over the age of 18, and it is a "first in, best dressed" affair. So to get your name on the door, be sure to email your full name and phone number to capcom.showcase@thq.com.

  • TF2 masks to appear in Saints Row: The Third

    With the launch of Saints Row: The Third just two months ago, THQ and Volition Inc. are busy readying upcoming downloadable content drops. While the Genki Bowl VII and CheapyD's free homie add-on packs are slated to arrive on January 17, THQ has one more surprise up its sleeve for PC owners.

    After teaming up with Valve, PC owners of Saints Row: The Third will soon be able to dress up their Saints avatars in Team Fortress 2 apparel. The items of clothing in question consist of nine Team Fortress 2 masks. The nine disguises will automatically be downloaded via Steam's updater on January 17, and they can then be used in the game straightaway.

    This isn't the first time the 3rd Street Saints have crossed paths with the seasoned warriors of Team Fortress 2; earlier this month, Valve released three Saints Row: The Third-themed in-game items for Team Fortress 2, which were exclusive to those who preordered THQ's open-world game.

    Saints Row: The Third sees the 3rd Street Saints expand into a new city called Steelport and take on an international gang that's trying to take them out. Before the game's release, THQ announced that preorders for Saints Row: The Third had quadrupled those of its predecessor, and THQ expects the game to reach the coveted 3 million copies shipped by March.