Metal Gear Solid Enters Ground Zero

Hideo Kojima took the wraps off his new project, which is called Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes at the Metal Gear Solid 25th Anniversary event in Japan. Running on Kojima Productions’ new Fox Engine, the demonstration of the game showed something of an open-world environment, where Snake was depicted running around a military base in the rain at night and able to operate vehicles.

Kojima also revealed that Metal Gear Solid: Social Ops is in development. The social game will be made using the Unity Engine and will appear on Japan’s Gree platform, with its first public demonstration coming at the Tokyo Game Show next month.

Finally, it was confirmed that a Metal Gear Solid movie is officially in production. Avi Arad (producer of X-Men and Spider-Man) took the stage, and announced his plans to produce the film with Sony Pictures. “For many years I fought to bring comics to theaters . . . and video games are the comics of today,” asserted Arad.

Source: CVG

Final Fantasy Ultimate Box Detailed

Square Enix unveiled some details for their very cool looking Final Fantasy 25th Anniversary Ultimate Box. It will feature copies of Final Fantasy 1, 2, 4-6 on PSOne, Final Fantasy 3 on PSP, Final Fantasy 10 — 12 for PS2 and Final Fantasy 13 for PS3.

Also included in the compilation will be a special anniversary video disc, an anniversary visual art collection called “Crystal ArtWorks”, a two disc anniversary music selection CD, Final Fantasy XIV Mogu Mogu Earring item code and a mini replica of Amano FF 25th Anniversary visual and stand. Currently limited to Japan, the 35,000 yen ($450) Ultimate Box will be available on December 18, exclusively through the Square Enix e-Shop.

Source: Andriasang.com

 

Activision Lives On IPhone

Everyone remembers great Activision games on the 2600 console. Now, for the first time ever on your iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch, relive these classics and experience the phenomenon that started the video-game revolution. This one-of-a-kind compilation offers the entire Activision 2600 catalog in one app, with controls designed and optimized for each game. Each game is presented alongside the original box art and manuals for retro lovers, and features Game Center support and the ability to earn digital versions of the famous game patches!

 

City Of Heroes Flies Into The Sunset

NCsoft has announced that it plans to shut down Paragon Studios, making some 80 employees redundant; City of Heroes will close down on November 30. Paragon Studios had managed the City of Heroes franchise soon after NCsoft acquired the brand from Cryptic Studios.

“The team here at Paragon deserves special praise for all that we have accomplished over the last 5+ years,” posted Andy Belford, Community Manager at Paragon Studios. “These developers are some of the most creative and talented people in the gaming industry. By now, we’ve all been given this news internally, but to anyone who may be reading this message after the fact; know that your hard work and dedication has not gone unappreciated or unnoticed. To any potential studios looking to grow your team; hire these people. You won’t regret it.”

“Thank you. Thank you for your years of support. You’ve been with us every step of the way, sharing in our challenges, encouraging us to make City of Heroes better, more than everyone else thought it could be. We couldn’t have come this far without you. I implore you all, focus on the good things of CoH and Paragon Studios. Don’t dwell on the ‘how’ or the ‘why’, but rather join us in celebrating the legacy of an amazing partnership between the players and the development team,” he concluded.

[a]list Daily Mobile Apps

Now you can be an insider on the go with the [a]list daily app for iOS and Android!

Developed in-house by Ayzenberg Group, the free to download app delivers our same great daily content for iPhone, iPad and Android devices in an elegant format that’s perfect for viewing on the go. Check out the video to see the app in action.

 

 

Get it FREE for Android!

 

[a]list Daily Social Streams

 

SHOUT!  – Join the dialogue and get the latest news updates. Follow us on Twitter.

 

 

SHARE — Daily posts, picture puzzles, contests, and a place to share your voice.  Join our Facebook community.

 

 

SCHMOOZE — Participate in frank discussions with industry pros and get access to exclusive content you won’t see in the newsletter. Join our professional group on Linked In.

 

Valve Says It’s ‘Jumping In’ To The Computer Hardware Space

Valve has recently played down expectations that they will launch some sort of hardware platform in the future. However, a job posting for an industrial designer points to the company at least seriously exploring the possibility of expanding outside of software.

“Valve is traditionally a software company. Open platforms like the PC and Mac are important to us, as they enable us and our partners to have a robust and direct relationship with customers. We’re frustrated by the lack of innovation in the computer hardware space though, so we’re jumping in,” reads the job posting. “Even basic input, the keyboard and mouse, haven’t really changed in any meaningful way over the years. There’s a real void in the marketplace, and opportunities to create compelling user experiences are being overlooked.”

Source: ValveSoftware.com

Windows 8 Sees Support for Xbox Service

Microsoft announced that their Xbox service will receive support from numerous developers on Windows 8. Studios supporting the service will include multiple mobile developers, including Rovio, Miniclip, Gameloft, ZeptoLab, Glu Mobile and Halfbrick Studios.

“Wave one of our portfolio will bring you many of the games you already know and love; and will include 29 titles from Microsoft Studios, some of which will be exclusive to Windows 8,” wrote Larry Hryb. “Many games will be available starting October 26 with ongoing new releases coming through holiday and beyond. This growing portfolio spans genres and delivers an innovative mix of fun-to-play titles that will be playable on any Windows 8 PC, laptop, or tablet.”

“Xbox games will be easy to find in the pre-installed Windows 8 Xbox Games app and available in the Windows  8 Store,” he continued. “In addition, all Xbox games for Windows 8 will have Xbox Achievements, and many will also take advantage of other Xbox features, including leaderboards, multiplayer modes, and connecting with friends, and more. Have a look at wave one of our portfolio:”

Source: MajorNelson.com

EA Labels President Talks New Console Hardware Plans

EA Labels president Frank Gibeau recently teased that he’s seen the successors to the PS3 and the Xbox 360. He clearly has some insider knowledge, and he spoke openly on changes in the console market coming over the next year.

“We’re into the sixth or seventh year now of this generation of hardware and so it’s a mature market. In terms of [software sales] fatigue, I consider it more of a mature market, a stable market. [Sales] flatten out a bit towards the end [of a console cycle]. Typically a transition year before new hardware comes out you see that flattening effect inside of the business,” said Gibeau. “The new hardware is going to be coming out in about a year’s time, so we’re right around this period in time when the market’s going to slow down and then you have a new game changer coming with all new technology, all new hardware, and another growth period.”

When pressed for details, like if the new consoles will be called Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4, Gibeau responded, “I don’t know what they’re calling them, I’m under non-disclosure so I can’t comment too much about what they’re specifically doing.”

Source: Bloomberg