Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS2, PS3, Handhelds, PSP, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, 3D, Action, Adventure, Casual, FPS, Shooter, MMO, Online, Party, Puzzle, Racing, Role-Playing, Sim, Strategy, CCG & TCG, Conventions, GamesCom

There has been a serious information explosion from Sony at GamesCom 2009 today, which rivals, and perhaps even puts to shame, the E3 2009 Sony press conference. After comparing the announcements, I’m definitely feeling more excited now.

The main announcement was the confirmation of a $299 slimmer PS3 that comes packaged with a 120 GB hard drive. The new version of the system will debut September, 2009. All existing PS3 models will experience a $100 price drop and will also cost $299 starting August 19, 2009. The new PS3 slim is 2/3 the size of the original PS3, and also uses 2/3 the power of the original PS3. It also comes with system software 3.00, has the Bravia Sync feature which lets you use a remote control, comes with a vertical stand and doesn’t allow other operating systems to be installed on it.

There’s also a big expansion coming to the PlayStation Store that PS3 and PSP owners have been waiting and begging for, TV shows and movies. Content for each region’s video section will be different and specifically tailored for that region, but it’s still great to know that it’s coming in November, 2009 for both the PS3 and PSP.

Europe will also be getting some new PSP colors soon. There will be Blossom Pink and Turquoise Green PSP-3000s released. The green PSP will also be available in a LittleBigPlanet bundle, in case you’re interested.

Some other major PSP announcements concern two new additions to the PlayStation Store. The first are minis, which are games that will be under 100mb. Minis will first be made available in North America and Europe on October 1, 2009. So there’ll be more downloadable goodness for PSPgo owners, especially since Sony is promising around 50 minis by the end of 2009 and EA is commiting to Sudoku and Tetris minis. The other big announcement is that digital reader is finally on the way, and will be in the North American and European PlayStation Stores in December, 2009. Marvel Comics, iVerse Media, Image Comics and IDW Publishing are among the comic companies who have commited to making content available via the service.

Sont also released a cavalcade of information about the following forthcoming games:

• Heavy Rain (PS3)
• ModNation Racers (PS3)
• Invizimals (PS3, PSP)
• Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time (PS3)
• Eye of Judgement (PSP)
• echoshift (PS3, PSP)
• Buzz! Quiz World (PS3, PSP)
• Fat Princess (PSP)
• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)
• SingStar Take That (PS2, PS3)
• White Knight Chronicles (PS3)
• MAG (PS3)
• Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier (PSP)
• EyePet (PS3)
• LittleBigPlanet (PSP)
• DC Universe Online (PC, PS3)
• MotorStorm Arctic Edge (PS2, PSP)
• SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 3 (PSP)
• God of War III (PS3)
• The Last Guardian (PS3)
• LocoRoco Midnight Carnival (PSP)
• PixelJunk Shooter (PS3)

And last, but not least, a bit of good news for Home fans. A version 1.3 upgrade is on its way, which will allow avatars to carry more stuff and also mark the debut of SingStar‘s community space.

Read [PlayStation.Blog Europe] Also Read [Stuff.tv] Also Read [Joystiq]

Full Story ? | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?

Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Mashups

Haven’t caught all of the Gamertell news this week?? Here’s your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles!

• Best Buy may be matching used prices on new games in some markets
  “The game retail market could be getting a little more competitive, if the photo of a recent Best Buy ad is any indication. An eagle-eyed Cheap Ass Gamer reader in Utah spotted a Best Buy advertisement proclaiming…” MORE ?
• Latest Xbox Live update features games on demand, Netflix upgrades
  ” Several much-awaited updates to Microsoft’s Xbox Live go into effect today (August 11, 2009).? The Games on Demand service allows for the purchase of full Xbox 360 games (either by credit card or with Microsoft Points) from the Xbox…” MORE ?
• Mimobot’s making a fancy Hello Kitty USB Flash drive
  “Mimobot, makers of fancy USB Flash drives, today (August 11, 2009) announced the upcoming release of a Hello Kitty themed Flash drives. The drives will be available early September 2009, pre-empting Hello Kitty’s 35th Anniversary on November 1,…” MORE ?
• Apple App Store gaming update for the week of August 3 to August 9, 2009
  “The Apple App Store gaming update is Gamertell’s weekly look at the previous week’s Apple App Store game releases. We cover them all – good and not so good – in their respective categories with a breakdown…” MORE ?
• PAX 2009 schedule announced
  “The independent gamers gathering, Penny Arcade Expo (aka PAX), has made it to a sixth year (which cannot be said for some corporate sponsored expos). The event will take place September 4 through 6,…” MORE ?
• Gamertell Review: Bionic Heart for PC (also Mac and Linux)
  ” Title: Bionic Heart Price: $19.99 System(s): Windows PC (also for Mac and Linux) Release Date: July 27, 2009 Publisher (Developer): Tycoon Games (Tycoon Games) ESRB Rating: N/A. Since there are some mature themes and…” MORE ?
• Expect to see Ankama at GamesCom 2009
  “Ankama, the force behind DOFUS, Wakfu and Dofus-Arena have decided to fully support GamesCom 2009 by attending the August 19-23, 2009 convention in Cologne, Germany. And when I say fully support, I mean…” MORE ?
• PlayStation Store Update: Trivia Guru’s delight! (August 9 to 15, 2009)
  ” This week’s PlayStation Store update features the game TV Show King for $9.99 for the PlayStation 3, in the style of the more popular television game shows like wheel of fortune, weakest…” MORE ?
• Sony Home Update: Criss Angel Mindfreak exclusives on Home
  “Home Theater Special items and Giveaways This week members of the Sony Home community are treated to exclusive clips from Criss Angel’s upcoming show and an exclusive limited time free item at the theater now through Aug. 12, 2009. The…” MORE ?
• Gamertell Preview: The Clique: Diss and Make Up, (aka Queen Teen: The Clique) for DS
  “When a game for girls is released, especially if it has a title that could be considered cute or an attempt to be overly feminine, it is often dismissed by the gaming masses as something…” MORE ?

Full Story ? | Written by NEWS for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?

Section: Gaming News, Features, Lists, Mashups

Haven’t caught all of the Gamertell news this week?? Here’s your chance to catch up on this week’s top 10 articles!

• Monster Hunter Tri on the way to the Wii in 2010
  ” Capcom’s formally announced what many of us already knew thanks to the company’s May investor briefing – Monster Hunter Tri, aka Monster Hunter 3, is going to be released outside of Japan. The game just…” MORE ?
• Special Effects: A few fanciful game industry predictions
  “There’s no doubt that the current economic recession is having an impact on the video game industry. Companies are downsizing, consolidating or closing (which means games are getting delayed or canceled), games stores are cutting back and game-related publications are also feeling the pressure. Of course, a recession cannot last…” MORE ?
• Apple App Store gaming update for the week of July 27 to August 2, 2009
  “The Apple App Store gaming update is Gamertell’s weekly look at the previous week’s Apple App Store game releases. We cover them all – good and not so good – in their respective categories with a breakdown…” MORE ?
• PlayStation Store Update: Let them eat cake! (August 2 to 8, 2009)
  ” This week’s PlayStation Store is featuring the game Fat Princess for $14.99 for the PlayStation 3, this game is about capturing and keeping your enemies princess while rescuing your own, except there’s…” MORE ?
• Sony Home Update: Zombies spotted, Fat Princess wants cake
  ” This week on PlayStation Home there are several new events taking place that will continue to entertain the PS Home community and one very promising upgrade to one of PS Home’s hangouts.? New and…” MORE ?
• Gamertell Review: Help Wanted for Wii
  ” Title: Help Wanted Price: $29.99 System(s): Wii Release Date: May 12, 2009 Publisher (Developer): Hudson (Hudson Soft) ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+ for Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence and Mild Suggestive Themes Pros: 50…” MORE ?
• Get Madden NFL 10 free with a Sports Illustrated subscription
  ” Boom! If you don’t have to be the first kid on the block to play Madden NFL 2010, Sports Illustrated has a deal for you. You can get 28 weeks of Sports Illustrated and a copy of the wildly…” MORE ?
• Pokemon Platinum owners can connect to Wi-Fi for Darkrai
  “Owners of Pokemon Platinum for the DS will be able to do what Action Replay DS owners have all probably done by now, get the Member Card to trigger the Darkrai catching event! The MORE ?
• Sims go around the world with the first Sims 3 expansion pack
  ” That was quick. EA has already announced the first Sims 3 expansion pack. Of course, we all knew this announcement was coming. Honestly, I think it’s a bit tardy. After all, the game came…” MORE ?
• A look at the allure of Harvest Moon
  ” The Harvest Moon games are something special. They’ve developed a devoted cult following, which people who have never experienced the games may not understand. Especially since, on the surface, each game seems to be pretty much the same.…” MORE ?

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Section: Exclusives, Originals, Features, Nostalgia, Consoles, GameCube, PS1, PS2, Wii, Handhelds, DS, GBA, PSP, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 2D, 3D, Sim

The Harvest Moon games are something special. They’ve developed a devoted cult following, which people who have never experienced the games may not understand. Especially since, on the surface, each game seems to be pretty much the same. Natsume obviously gets it, as the series is probably it’s best known property. Games in the series have appeared on practically every system, including the Wii, GameCube, PS2, PS1, PSP, DS, GBA, Game Boy Color, Game Boy and SNES.

It’s only when you take a closer look at the Harvest Moon series that you appreciate what the games allow players to achieve. I recently had the opportunity to rent the Wii entry, Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility, and fell in love with the series again because of it.

So if you’ve never played the games and are wondering why people are drawn to them, here’s a brief overview of Harvest Moon‘s many charms.

There’s more to the world than what you can see.

There’s a strong fantasy element present in the Harvest Moon world, in the form of the Harvest Goddess, Harvest Sprites, and occasionally the Harvest God, Witch Princess and Wizard Prince. These fantasy characters won’t do mystical and magical things every day, but sometimes Harvest Sprites will help you at your farm or the Harvest Goddess will bestow some kind of blessing. It’s really more about the element of fantasy being there, but the whole point of the game is to focus on hard work and real, daily life.

Hard work is rewarded.

In Harvest Moon the overall goal is to be a successful farmer. And, thankfully, there’s really no way to fail. If you want to focus on crops to build your wealth, go for it. Or if you’d prefer to raise animals, that’s fine too. There’s really no way to totally waste or lose money, especially in the Wii entry, Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility, where you can take a part time job during the day at one of the island’s establishments to earn some extra cash. As long as you’re making some sort of effort, you’ll gradually earn money that you can put toward expanding your place.

There’s no need to rush.

There are no deadlines in the majority of the Harvest Moon games. You can work at your own pace to achieve your goals, and you can spend as much or as little time a day/week/month playing the game to reach those goals. Once you’ve developed a basic farming routine for essential work and your character has built up some stamina, it’s easy to complete many tasks. There is an in-game clock, but unless it’s a festival day, you need to attend to a potential spouse event or you need to get to one of the stores before it closes, you can pretty much ignore that.

Small actions can make a difference in the lives of others.

Harvest Moon also has elements of a communication game. Players can develop relationships with all of the townspeople, and sometimes even the supernatural characters like the Harvest Goddess, Harvest Sprites, Witch Princess, Wizard or Harvest God. If you become good friends with people, you could unlock special events, earn the right to enter their homes, get special items, learn new recipes or perhaps even get one of the bachelor or bachelorette characters to marry your character. Building a relationship could be somewhat trying in earlier games, where you’d have to talk and give gifts to townspeople, but in more recent games relationships can be built by talking on a regular basis or working at the same job together.

No two games are ever really the same.

There are two basic plot elements to every Harvest Moon game – the Harvest Goddess is in some kind of trouble and there’s a dilapidated farm your character is going to restore to prosperity. Plus there’s the whole animal/crop raising and townspeople to make friends with. Aside from the fundamentals, Harvest Moon is sort of a sandbox game. Since there are no requirements that must be met to have a successful farm, you can achieve it any way you want. So you could mine, ranch, harvest, fish or work part time jobs until you get enough money to expand your little empire. Plus, there can be different villagers, crops or farm animals in each entry. Occasionally the tasks to assist the Harvest Goddess do require players to perform certain tasks, but again, assisting her isn’t mandatory. Each time you play, you can use different strategies to succeed.

Site [Natsume]

Full Story ? | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?

Section: Gaming News, Exclusives, Features, PCs, Mac

Animation and manga software company Smith Micro has just released it’s newest version of Anime Studio and Gamertell was able to get an exclusive look at it at the 2009 San Diego Comic Con.

Anime Studio is a program that allows you create fun and detailed Anime cartoons. It’s easy to use and great for a beginning animator. I was able to get a hands-on view of all the features of this program.

The animator started out with a basic drawing – a big blob – and then got to the animating. By clicking on an icon, the animator was able to add bends to his blob so that it was able to bend it’s appendages. He also showed me how to expand or contrast an object so that it got bigger or smaller as it walked across the screen.

On feature I thought was cool was the motion sensor. The animator took an object and had it move across the screen for a few frames, then he added a sensor to a different object that allowed it to follow the first one across the screen. In this case it was a car driving down the street. He added a motion sensor to a chicken he took from the clip art and that caused the chicken to follow the car (at a distance) creating the illusion that it is chasing the car.

I was also shown various effects you can add to your animation such as rain falling, wind blowing, and even allow for a warp speed effect (for a spaceship). These effects are built into the program, and you can also create your own effects. There is also clip art included into the program for quick use, all you have to do is add the animation. You can even import 3D animation onto the program and into Flash.

From what I saw in the display, the controls all seem simple and easy to use. There are many different things you can do to make your character animated. As with everything, it will take practice to get all the effects down, but once you get to know how each icon works, you will be able to make great anime cartoons.

You don’t even have to be an artist, you can make a great cartoon using some of the clip art and scenery already included in the program, as well as your own crude or well drawn characters.

The product is in stores now and is available for $199.99. A bit pricey but worth it if you are truly trying to become an animator or just have a passion for it. It is available on both Mac and Windows.

Site [My Smith Micro] Read [Gamertell] Also read [Designer Today]

Full Story ? | Written by Jessica Moen for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?

Section: Gaming News, Exclusives, Features, Lists, Previews, Consoles, PS3, Handhelds, PSP, Gear, Accessories, Comics-and-Graphic-Novels, Gear-Other, Ads & Media, Movies, TV, Other Media, Home Video, Updates, Playstation-Store

This week’s PlayStation Store is featuring the game Shatter for $7.99 for the PlayStation 3, this game is an interesting twist to the old school classic Super Breakout with each level more challenging than the one before. The game features multiple game play modes, a trophy system, more than 90 minutes of original music and a leader board system so players can challenge friends.

Calling all Final Fantasy fans! This is a must download demo of all time. Dissidia Final Fantasy free at the PSN store for the PSP. In this game you can assume the role of your favorite Final Fantasy hero or villain in this battle of ultimate destiny. Who wouldn’t want a second chance to kick Kefka’s butt or even wipe the smile off Kuja’s face again? Or relive the battle between Sephiroth and Cloud? Fight in various environments every Final Fantasy game deserves.

Also, with Comic-Con 2009 underway the PlayStation Store has created a special category for all things comic related from movies to games and an exclusive sneak peek of an upcoming animated film Green Lantern: First Flight available for download.

PSOne Classics:

• Spec Ops: Covert Assault (PS3/$5.99)
• Wild Arms 2 (PS3/$5.99)

Downloadable Games:
*Free themes are available now until July 31, 2009, with purchase of any of these Tomb Raider downloads.

• Tomb Raider: Legend (PSP/$12.99)
• Tomb Raider: Anniversary (PSP/$12.99)

Game Demos:

• Call of Duty: World at War Demo (PS3/Free)

Bonus Game Contents:

• Cross Edge Fluffy Synth Pack (PS3/Free)
• Cross Edge Chicken Prediction Pack (PS3/Free)
• Cross Edge No Sense of Direction Pack (PS3/Free)
• Cross Edge Fickle Woman Pack (PS3/Free)
• Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires Additional Music Set 2 DLC (PS3/Free)
• Dynasty Warriors Strikeforce Pack 3 (PSP/Free)
• Overlord 2 Battle Rock Pack (PS3/$4.99)
• Killzone 2 Napalm & Cordite Pack (PS3/$5.99)
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2010 Banff Springs (PS3/$7.50)
• Wipeout HD? Fury Add-On (PS3/$9.99)
• Killzone 2 DLC Bundle Pack (PS3/$11.99)

Guitar Hero World Tour Music Packs:

• Vagrant Records Track Pack (PS3/$5.49)

Individual Songs:

• “All the World is Mad” by Thrice (PS3/$1.99)
• “The Martyr” by Senses Fail (PS3/$1.99)
• “Young Cardinal” by Alexisonfire (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Music Packs:

• Kings of Leon Pack 01 (PS3/$5.49)

Individual Songs:

• “Crawl” by Kings of Leon (PS3/$1.99)
• “Molly’s Chambers” by Kings of Leon (PS3/$1.99)
• “Sex on Fire” by Kings of Leo (PS3/$1.99)

• Rancid Track Pack 01 (PS3/$5.49)

Individual Songs:

• “Last One to Die” by Rancid (PS3/$1.99)
• “Time Bomb” by Rancid (PS3/$1.99)
• “Ruby SoHo” by Rancid (PS3/$1.99)

• Rise Against Track Pack 01 (PS3/$5.49)

Individual Songs:

• “Prayer of the Refugee” by Rise Against (PS3/$1.99)
• “Re-Education (Through Labor)” by Rise Against (PS3/$1.99)
• “Savior” by Rise Against (PS3/$1.99)

Single track:

• “Sweetness and Light” by Lush (PS3/$1.99)

Rock Band Unplugged bonus content:

• “The Boys are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy (PSP/$1.99)
• “Casey Jones” by Grateful Dead (PSP/$1.99)

Free Game Videos:

• Alpha Protocol CG trailer (E3 Trailer) (PS3/Free)
• Alpha Protocol Developer Diary #4 (PS3/Free
• Battlefield 1943 Launch Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Digger Trailer (PS3/Free)
• Gran Turismo B/W Trailer (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Killzone 2 Boltgun 4400 (PS3/PSP/Free)
• Killzone 2 Napalm & Cordite Pack Video (PS3/PSP/Free)
• The King of Fighters XII Trailer 3 – Be the King (PS3/PSP/Free)

New Movies to Rent or Own:

• Confessions of a Shopaholic. Rated PG (Rent/SD Format/$3.99)
• Confessions of a Shopaholic. Rated PG (Own/SD Format/$14.99)
• Coraline. Rated PG (SD Format/$14.99)
• Fast & Furious. Rated PG-13 (SD Format/$14.99)
• Dragonball: Evolution. Rated PG (Rent/SD Format/$3.99)
• Dragonball: Evolution. Rated PG (Rent/HD Format/$5.99)
• Dragonball: Evolution. Rated PG (Own/SD Format/$14.99)

Wallpapers and Themes:

• Overlord II Minions Theme (PS3/Free)
• Overlord II Overlord Theme (PS3/Free)
• College Football Theme: Miami (PS3/$1.99)
• College Football Theme: North Carolina (PS3/$1.99)
• College Football Theme: Michigan (PS3/$1.99)
• College Football Theme: Tennessee (PS3/$1.99)
• College Football Theme: Utah (PS3/$1.99)

Read [PlayStation Store Blog] Site [PlayStation]

Full Story ? | Written by Lucy Newman for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, Shooter, Updates, Game-Content

By now PS3 Killzone 2 players have probably gotten a bit tired of the “Steel & Titanium” and “Flash & Thunder” downloadable content map packs. After all, the first was released April 30, 2009 and the second June 11, 2009. Well, the PlayStation.Blog has just announced that “Napalm & Cordite,” the third add-on, will be released July 23, 2009.

Like the previous Killzone 2 dlc, “Napalm & Cordite” is going to contain two maps to be used in the multiplayer mode. The first is the mining village environment Suljeva Cliffside. The second is situated in Blood Meridian’s defense post area and is called Arctower Landing.

“Napalm & Cordite” also contains a bit of a surprise. The previous add-ons simply contained new maps and trophys. “Napalm & Cordite” also allows players to use two single player mode weapons in multiplayer. The VC1 Flamethrower appears in Suljeva Cliffside and the Boltgun 4400 appears in Arctower Landing.

So if you own the game and you’ve been searching for an excuse to pick it up and play again, “Napalm & Cordite’s” as good a reason as any.

Read [PlayStation.Blog] Site [Killzone]

Full Story ? | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?

Section: Gaming News, Consoles, PS3, Game-Companies, Developers, Publishers, Genres, 3D, Action, Shooter, Role-Playing, Updates, Game-Content

Bad news for PlayStation 3 owners of Fallout 3. That downloadable content that you thought was going to be available in June, 2009, isn’t. Of course, you probably already realized that by now, given that it’s July already. The thing is, you’re going to have to wait quite a bit longer to play “Operation: Anchorage,” “The Pitt,” “Broken Steel,” “Point Lookout” and “Mothership Zeta.” Think September, 2009. Well, technically October, 2009, since the official PlayStation.Blog says the first DLC will be out at September’s end.

In order to make up for the massive delay, the release schedule is going to be altered. “Broken Steel”, which continues the main story, raises the level cap and adds in new enemies, will be released first. (It was the third add-on for the Xbox 360 and PC versions.) “Operation: Anchorage” and “The Pitt” will be released next, and Bethesda teases that they may be out at the same time. “Point Lookout” and “Mothership Zeta” will be released last.

Originally, the Fallout 3 DLC wasn’t going to be released for the PS3, but Bethesda changed its mind and, in May 2009, announced that the PS3 would also receive all of the add-ons available to Xbox 360 and PC owners. So while this delay is a crushing blow to PS3 owners’ spirits, be happy that you’re getting the downloadable content to begin with.

By the way, that chuckling you hear? That’s the Xbox 360 and PC owners gloating over the fact that they already can own and have all of the add-on DLC with the exception of “Mothership Zeta”, which comes out July 28, 2009.

Read [PlayStation.Blog] Via [Joystiq]

Full Story ? | Written by Jenni Lada for Gamertell. | Comment on this Article ?