Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Blogs | Writers | Paid | My Orble | Login

The Beatles: Rock Band

April 22nd 2009 05:45
Apple Corps., MTV Games, and Harmonix have announced that The Beatles: Rock Band will be released simultaneously around the world on September 9th 2009 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Nintendo Wii, with new Beatles themed Rock Band peripherals being released on the same day.

The three pronged publishing and development team behind the game has announced the following game and instrument bundles, complete with US pricings for each product (price tags for other regions have not been detailed at this time):

* The Beatles: Rock Band Software - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii: $59.99

* The Beatles: Rock Band Standalone Guitars - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii: $99.99
* The Beatles: Rock Band Limited Edition Premium Bundle - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii: $249.99

Beatles Rock Band


The $59.99 price tag is the usual RRP for a game in the US, so you can expect a UK RRP of £49.99 with any luck. The other two bundles are a little bit more of a grey area, especially considering the fact that the pricing of previous Rock Band bundles have been comparatively higher in the UK.

While the guitars bundle pricing of $99.99 translates to about £70 with the current exchange rate, $249.99 for the extravagant limited edition bundle clocks in at a worrying £177 (we can only assume that this includes all the peripherals on offer and a limited edition game).

However, gamers should expect prices to be higher than that in the UK as electronics products tend to be more expensive here than they are stateside.


The announcement also confirmed that all previously released Rock Band peripherals will be compatible with Rock Band: The Beatles, so perhaps the prices won't be quite so harsh on those of you who have already forked-out for a Rock Band studio.

Available on xBox 360, PS3, Nintendo Wii
135
Vote
   


epic games gears of war 2 legendary


The evidence is becoming compelling as the rumours pick up speed. Variety have reported that Legendary Studios (makers of the prettily violent '300') are looking to aquire Gears Of War developers Epic. And as we already know, that the two are in partnership over the upcoming film version of Gears, meaning that the basis for the relationship has some solid foundations.

Microsoft have recently shrugged off a number of their development partners, preferring to keep the IP's and key staff for their own Microsoft Games Studios. Many might dismiss the news, thinking that such as important property couldn't be risked, but they thought the same about Bungie...

What we like the sound of is the link between Epic and the potential list of Movie related games that Legendary has on the books. You just know that Cliffy B would love a shot at Clash Of The Titans and Watchman. Cliffy has stated that there would be a few new properties for Epic and these look like a great start. For the sake of gamers everywhere, lets hope that this is the case, as it may mean that we actually get playable movie related games.

Superman: Man of Steel (2011)
Clash of the Titans (2010)
Gears of War (2010) (already an Epic tie-in)
Untitled 300 Sequel (2010)
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
The Hangover (2009)
Observe and Report (2009)
Watchmen (2009)
Kung Fu (2009)
Ninja Assassin (2009)
140
Vote
   


Are There No More Bad Games Being Made?

October 17th 2008 05:56
fallout 3


The latest copy of PC Powerplay has reviewed a raft of new games, many of which are the big name releases for the coming holiday season. And lets face it, games that are acrsoss platforms these days are pretty much the same. Startling, these games, of which there are eleven, average out at a score of 7.9/10. It's easy to say that most of these titles are flagship IP's for the publishers, but in an age where smaller developers are being consumed by the EA's and Activision Blizzard's of the world, it seems to indicate that blockbuster titles are becoming the norm, designed with low risk and huge amounts of community feedback along the way.
Perhaps you put these remarkably high scores down to the reviews themselves... The question has been raised in the past as to the legitimacy of game reviewers scores, with many tarred with the gamespot brush, but this magazine has long had a reputation for quality and impartiality and there has been no reason to think otherwise.

The actual list of games looks like this:

Fallout 3 : 9
Far Cry 2 : 10
Warhammer Online : 7
Dead Space : 7
Crysis: Warhead : 7
Civilisation 4 : 8
Brothers In Arms HH: 8
Mercs 4 WIF : 7
Pro Evolution 9 : 7
X2 : 8
Falcon 4 : 9

Production values in games are at Hollywood levels now, with professional writers and directors involved. Gameplay mechanics are being improved through the boot camp of expos, media and community events held showing early builds of their games. It's a smart system, allowing hard core fans the opportunity to let the developers know where they are doing well or screwing up and giving them the chance to fix it before launch. And a system that seems to be resulting in monotonously predictable review scores.
The upside is that we are getting higher quality product, it's becoming gamers paradise. The downside... Too many to choose from? Or is it the new ways in which games are selling and marketing themselves through DLC and micro transactions? Like those changes or not, the fact is that consistancy seems to be the word of the season, with something of quality for every genre fan. And in the year to come there can only be more of the same, as developers get to grips with console technology and the emerging engines.

And the reason for the picture? I suppose it's because the moral of the story is that we can now pretty much have our cake and eat it too.

136
Vote
   


xbox 360 blu-ray


Okay, we could ask this question every time someone restarts the 360 receiving a Blu-ray rumour and publish the quote of Robbie Bach, Microsoft’s president for entertainment and devices, saying that its not happening. In fact, todays quote is “(that blu-ray for the xbox 360 is) so far out that there isn’t anything to talk about.”

This does leave the door open somewhat, and it may be a door that Microsoft need to walk through.

Consider the HDD install option, a great way around multiple disks, an option Microsoft has recently introduced. Unfortunately, large capacity hard drives are not an option, as the price is utterly dispicable with many of us needing to sell of one of our lesser used organs to purchase anything of practical size.
Also, as developers push the console further, higher resolution textures and sound are being packed into blockbuster titles. These require space, or a dreaded disk swap. A combination of the two could work, but who wants their one button start up that took them away from PC gaming in the first place to take such backward steps? And even if the game is installed on the HDD you'll still need the disk in the drive.

Of course, if you believe Microsoft, the answer is downloadable content. But lets face it, with new games weighing in at a minimum of 8GB , this is not a practical alternative for the masses, not at least for the current generation and probably not for the next. And as studios work more of a Hollywood angle into gaming, you can be sure these sizes will increase, particularly if the physical limit of the disk were removed via direct delivery.

It would be a safe bet that this is the last christmas that Microsoft can ignore the needs of the industry. To keep pace with an ever improving PS3 who are steadily increasing the worlds Blu-ray install base, the options are limited. Come the gaming explosion that will be next christmas, one DVD will not be enough.

42
Vote
   


Microsoft Tokyo Game Show Booth List

October 8th 2008 03:19
tokyo game show


Microsoft has announced their list of games to be shown at the Tokyo Game Show.... It's looking like a fun place to be


[ Click here to read more ]
67
Vote
   


fracture lucasarts xbox


Our predictions for Fracture are, thankfully, still looking hopeful thanks to the early review of Fracture from Kotaku


[ Click here to read more ]
42
Vote
   


xbox 360


The economic situation in America, combined with the new slimline look Microsoft has adopted for it's gaming division, has combined with the news that the Xbox and Zune divisions will be freezing all new employment


[ Click here to read more ]
59
Vote
   


too human


Recently, news that a development studio has laid off workers ends with said developer ending up looking for a new sugar daddy, but spokeswoman Susan Lusty Of Silicon Knights assures us that their culling season is only due to the traditional cycle all developers go through after the launch of a title


[ Click here to read more ]
58
Vote
   


dead space


EA are letting you choose which console will be the better for the upcoming space horror shooter Dead Space


[ Click here to read more ]
62
Vote
   


Cliff Bleszinski


It doesn't sound like Gears Of War will be heading PS3-side anytime soon


[ Click here to read more ]
48
Vote
   


Microsoft: 360 Outselling PS3 Two To One

September 30th 2008 23:15
xbox 360 sales


Marketing and sales information company no. 573556, Chart Track, have released figures showing that Microsoft have shot ahead in sales across Europe. Up 214 per cent in the past two weeks, the recent price cuts have catapulted the 360 well into the lead


[ Click here to read more ]
46
Vote
   


xbox live


I've felt a little like this after one of those gargantuan nights out, the one that leaves you feeling like you've licked a thousand postage stamps, wired your eyes open while holding a hair dryer to them set at mach 4


[ Click here to read more ]
71
Vote
   


Halo 3 TU2 FAQ Launched

September 24th 2008 23:55
halo 3 TU2


For those Halo 3 gamers who have questions about the latest update to the Xbox killer-app, the good people of Bungie have launched the Halo 3 TU2 FAQ to help get to grips with the changes


[ Click here to read more ]
80
Vote
   


PS3 Left For Dead By Valve

September 24th 2008 05:30
valve


Valve are among the most respected and successful game developers of recent history. With a string of uber-successful titles franchises such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and in the future the highly anticipated Left 4 Dead. Add to that what is arguably the most used and reliable digital distribution system, Steam, and you have a very desirable business partner


[ Click here to read more ]
64
Vote
   


Fallout MMO Hot On The Heels Of Fallout 3?

September 24th 2008 00:17
fallout 3 MMO

The pre-release hype machine is building Fallout 3 to almost unachievable proportions, with any possibility of more Pip-goodness being lapped up like water for a thirsty canine companion. Interplay has supplied one more ration for Fallout starved fans with the hint at a Fallout MMO currently being worked on at their new Orange County office.

[ Click here to read more ]
73
Vote
   


Halo 3 Update 2 = Halo v4?

September 23rd 2008 23:54
halo 3 title update 2


Microsoft and Bungie continue the support that has seem Halo 3 play leapfrog with Call Of Duty 4 for the top spot in the most played on XBL charts by adding 'Title Update 2', releasing details through the Bungie.net site


[ Click here to read more ]
63
Vote
   


quantum of solace


Bond. James Bond. I am a fan, always have been. I've even dabbled in a Martini or two based on nothing more than that they are the drink of choice in the movies. They're good by the way


[ Click here to read more ]
64
Vote
   


Fallout 3 The Weapons: Video Montage

September 23rd 2008 06:15
fallout 3 guns weapons


This may be the only video that could replace the simple yet entrancing appeal of a model in a bikini firing a machine gun, Fallout 3 and its weapons in a glorious montage


[ Click here to read more ]
65
Vote
   


Ensemble Studios "Shocked" At Closure

September 23rd 2008 03:38
halo wars ensemble


Ensemble Studios' Bruce Shelley has let it be known that the recent closure of Ensemble Studios has come as a complete shock to the staff, citing their success and profitibility as reasons why none there saw the decision coming


[ Click here to read more ]
52
Vote
   


tunnel rate 1968 uwe boll


I don't want to like it. I have even found myself watching one of his movies without even knowing it was his and feeling that there was no hope for the future of Hollywood or gaming


[ Click here to read more ]
62
Vote
   


jkund17's Blogs

532 Vote(s)
4 Comment(s)
5 Post(s)
3618 Vote(s)
1 Comment(s)
44 Post(s)
4902 Vote(s)
9 Comment(s)
69 Post(s)
10412 Vote(s)
54 Comment(s)
135 Post(s)
7234 Vote(s)
41 Comment(s)
17 Post(s)
20431 Vote(s)
25 Comment(s)
326 Post(s)
9268 Vote(s)
10 Comment(s)
139 Post(s)
7191 Vote(s)
29 Comment(s)
100 Post(s)
42749 Vote(s)
2253 Comment(s)
522 Post(s)
Moderated by jkund17
Copyright © 2012 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]