Game News 8.14: Mafia II Demo & BioShock Infinite

This week I was rather happy with the release of the Mafia II demo and the announcement that there will be a new installment in the BioShock series.

If you haven’t played the Mafia II demo, I would suggest getting it here for the PC. Alternatively, you can download it through XBL or PSN to your console. And why not ‘like’ Mafia II on Facebook, and pick up Mafia I while your at it.
–Mafia II Demo Link

Just scroll down a little and look to the right to see a little gray box that says “Download the Demo.”

I was in for a shock when I saw the new teaser for BioShock: Infinite, the newest title in the BioShock series. Apparently, it is going to take place in the sky, in a city called ‘Columbia,’ according to CVG. It is expected to be released in late 2012. Of course, I’ll keep everyone who visits up to date on everything BioShock: Infinite.

A little background on the story:

“You, playing as ex-private detective Booker DeWitt, are hired to track down a woman who disappeared during the Colombia incident. The girl, Elizabeth, holds a secret; she’s hugely powerful and lies at the center of whatever is going on aboard the floating city.”

For more on the story, go here.

A preview of Columbia.

Check out more screens over at CVG.

Mafia 2 & Infinite Vids:

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Sources:
Infinite via CVG

Image via CVG

Game News 7.1: ‘Mafia 2’ Disposes of Multiple Endings & BioShock 2 Single Player DLC

First, I would like to thank you guys for checking out my blog. I know the beginning of this may sound like the starting of an acceptance speech, but whatever.

An anticipated release for me, Mafia 2, will no longer feature multiple endings. The original concept featured four different endings, according to Senior Producer Denby Grace. He said,

“We had four multiple endings at one point in the game, and then we looked at it and we had one really outstanding great ending to end our story..”

He continued on to talk more about Mafia 2 which can be read at this nice little link. Basically, I’m happy with one ending. I mean, it’s a game and story about the Mafia, how many endings could you possibly have? Either you raise to power and become a Don or not. What I’m really excited about, and this may seem small and petty, is the changing environments that Mafia 2 will feature. If you saw the video below, they point out that the weather changes from snowy and winter-y to nice and spring like. Which is something that you really don’t see in a lot of open-world mafia/gang-based games such as The Godfather and Scarface: TWIY. Well, they are aiming towards realism, so way to go.
Mafia 2 will be released in August 2010 for the US.

Speaking of 2k and multiple endings, 2k Marin’s BioShock 2 will be getting a single player DLC next month on August 3rd for PC, X360, & Ps3 for 400 MS Points/$4.99. Basically the new DLC will be called “Protector Trials” and will feature 6 new maps, 3 unique difficulty levels, new unlockables, and 7 new achievements/trophies. The DLC will focus around you, the Big Daddy, fighting off splicers to protect the little sister while she gathers (hence the name “Protector Trials”). This seems a little disappointing considering I thought that the most tedious part of BioShock 2 was the gathering with the Little Brats..er..I mean, Sisters.

Hm.. two videos?

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Mafia 2 via Playstation Lifestyle
BioShock DLC via Buzzfocus

Game News 5.27: Rockstar Says “You’re a bad parent,” Mafia II, Guitar Hero 6, MW2, Free Nintendo DS, & Just Cause 2

J ust Cause 2 has a new DLC Black Market ‘Boom” Pack available from the Xbox Marketplace. It costs 160 MS Points and adds three new items: Quad Launcher Launcher, Cluster Bomb Launcher, & an Air Propulsion. Expect some serious damage with all these weapons!

Rockstar, creators of Red Dead Redemption, said that if you bought RDR then you’re a “terrible parent.” “Our games are not designed for young people,” said Rockstar Games’ John Lazlow talking in an interview with the BBC last Friday. “If you’re a parent and buy one of our games for your child you’re a terrible parent. “We design games for adults because we’re adults. There’s a lot of kids games out there that we’re not interested in playing. Just like you enjoy watching movies and TV shows with adult themes and language and violence that’s the kind of thing we seek to produce.”

2K Games is going to release a Collector’s Edition for Mafia II. The special edition will be sold for $79.99 and will include two cars, a “vintage tux” for Vito, a 100-page art book, official orchestral soundtrack CD, and map of Empire Bay with marked spots. If you pre-order the game, then you’ll receive exclusive DLC content. Basically, depending on what place you buy it from then that will determine what DLC you will get.
GameSpot: Vegas Pack & War Hero Pack
Amazon: Renegade Pack
Best-Buy: Greaser Pack
Wal-Mart: $10 Gift Card
You can view the details for the packs here.
MW2 three-day weekend has been announced by Robert Bowling: Robert Bowling on Twitter:

“Memorial Day weekend is coming up, which means 3-DAY WEEKEND! We’ll be flipping on double XP for Modern Warfare 2 on all platforms!”

Guitar Hero 6: Warriors of Rock will feature the following songs:
AFI – Dancing Through Sunday
Black Sabbath – Children of the Grave
Buzzcocks – What Do I Get?
Children of Bodom – If You Want Peace… Prepare for War
Def Leppard – Pour Some Sugar on Me
Dethklok – Bloodlines
DragonForce – Fury of the Storm
Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing
Kiss – Love Gun
Megadeth – Sudden Death
Metallica & Ozzy Osbourne – Paranoid (Live)
Muse – Uprising
My Chemical Romance – I’m Not Okay (I Promise)
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Rammstein – Waidmanns Heil
Silversun Pickups – There’s No Secrets This Year
Slayer – Chemical Warfare
Tesla – Modern Day Cowboy
The Cure – Fascination Street
ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man
Enjoy. I’m personally kind of sick of seeing Guitar Hero games. Not to mention that Sharped Dressed Man was on Guitar Hero 1. The only songs that I am remotely interested playing is the live version of “Paranoid” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Apparently, Nintendo of Australia received a letter from an 11 year old girl doing a school project requesting a Nintendo DS because “her parent’s did buy her one because the family already has a Wii.” In response, Nintendo checked the validity of the claim and sent the girl a free Nintendo DS to share with the class. But that doesn’t mean that Nintendo will just give things away for free, they contacted the principal. Good for them.

MW2 Resurgence Pack:

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

Just Cause 2: http://www.gamerzines.com/xbox-360/news/black-market-boom-pack-out-now.html via David Scammell @ gamerzine
“Terrible Parents”: http://www.gamerzines.com/ps3/news/rockstar-games-terrible-parent.html via David Scammell @ gamerzine
GH6: http://www.whattheyplay.com/blog/2010/05/25/guitar-hero-6-will-be-warriors-of-rock/ via Nadia Oxford @ WhatTheyPlay
Mafia 2L http://www.nowgamer.com/news/3268/mafia-ii-collectors-edition-detailed via Dave Cook @ NowGamer
Mafia II: http://www.justpushstart.com/2010/05/26/mafia-ii-collectors-edition-pre-order-bonus-detailed/ via Mark Fajardo @ JustPushPlay
Mafia II AGAIN: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6263833.html?tag=nl.e576 via Tom Magrino @ GameSpot
MW2: http://playstationlifestyle.net/2010/05/26/celebrate-memorial-weekend-with-double-mw2-experience/ via Kyle P @ Playstation Lifestyle
Free DS: http://www.whattheyplay.com/blog/2010/05/24/nintendo-of-australia-receives-little-girls-letter/ via Nadia Oxford @ WhatTheyPlay (Original)

Sunday Game News 5.23: BioShock’s Original Document, BioShock 2 PC DLC, Mafia 2’s Awesome Graphics & A Hands On Preview, & GameStop’s One Rich Bastard

I’d like to apologize for not posting over the past few days, but I’ve been rather busy. So let’s get this started shall we?

First off,  a BioShock 2 DLC will be released for PC this Tuesday. It’s the same as the 360 version, the Rapture Metro Map Pack, 2 Characters, and the new Kill ‘Em Kindly Multiplayer Mode (for free).

Speaking of BioShock, Irrational Games has released the original pitch for BioShock 1. Take a look at it here. It’s pretty interesting to see what BioShock could have been and what it evolved into.

GameStop has done fairly well for itself, it’s first quarter sales rose 5.1% from one year ago to 2.08 billion dollars. While everyone else is doing not so good, GameStop is showing some impressive growth, although the executives would like to see something even better. Go figure.

One of my top anticipated games of the year, Mafia 2, will feature really impressive graphics for the PC: “The integration of PhysX and NVIDIA APEX technology, including the APEX Clothing and Particle modules, enable the city and personalities of Empire Bay to truly come alive on Windows PC. The NVIDIA APEX Clothing module allows for more dynamic movement in clothing, making in-game characters even more realistic and reactive to environmental conditions.” I honestly can not wait for this game. But for right now, I’m stuck playing the original Mafia.

Mafia 2 Hands-On @ E3 ’09:

–Taylor Paige
©2010 taylorpaige09

BioShock 2 DLC PC: http://www.incgamers.com/News/22841/bioshock-2-pc-dlc–patch-tuesday
BioShock Pitch Document: http://irrationalgames.com/insider/from-the-vault-may/
Original Source for Pitch: http://www.incgamers.com/News/22793/irrational-posts-the-original-bioshock-pitch-document
GameSpot: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-gamestop_21bus.ART0.State.Edition1.df5d4bd.html
Mafia 2 Graphics: http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Mafia-II-For-PC-To-Feature-NVidia-s-Stereoscopic-3D-And-PhysX-Clothing-24658.html
Mafia 2 Video via holkoun on Youtube

Game News 5.15.10: Sony, DLC’s, & a Developer Diary or Two.

If you’ve heard about Sony’s recent idea to make a movie based off the PC game series, RollerCoaster Tycoon, then you probably had the same reaction I did. WTF. Sony obtained the license earlier this week and they plan to bring the game to the silver screen. I’m not sure how exactly they are going to base a movie off the game, but they claim it is going to be “”live-action/CGI hybrid.”” Personally, if and when this movie comes out, I am most likely not going to see this. Although I think that RCT is a fun game, but I think it should remain just that..a game. Comments?

This week in downloadable content(Prices and dates are for the X360):
-Forza Motorsport 3
-5.11: The Exotic Car Sample/Free/96 MB
-5.11: The Exotic Car Pack/400 MS Pts/96 MB
-Rock Band & Rock Band 2
-5.11: British Steel 30th Anniversary Album/1200 MS Pts/293 MB
-5.11: British Steel Individual Songs/160 MS Pts/20-41 MB
-Lost Planet 2
-5.11: Map Pack #1/400 MS Pts/63 MB
-Skate 3
-5.14: Time is Money Pack/400 MS Pts/172 KB
-BioShock 2
-5.11: Zigo & Blanche Characters/160 MS Pts/108 KB
-5.11: Rapture Metro/800 MS Pts/659 MB
-5.11: Kill ’em Kindly/Free/659 MB
Modern Warfare 2 will be receiving a new DLC June 3rd. It will include five new maps will debut on Xbox 360 first, then the Windows and PS3 add-on’s will be released later.

In other news, 2k Games has released another developer diary for Mafia II. This one discusses the games combat, cars, and explains the game a bit further. If you haven’t seen it, you can view it here:

And if you haven’t seen the first one, well here it is:

Additional videos:
BioShock 2 Kill ‘Em Kindly Trailer via IGNEntertainment

Lost Planet 2 Map Pack Trailer via SCRAWLfx

Rock Band 2 Breaking the Law(Live) via corporalgregg3

Forza 3 Exotic Car Pack via Machinima

Sony story info obtained from different resources.
DLC info obtained from marketplace.xbox.com
Developer’s diary and all other videos obtained from YouTube, credit is given to the users.
Modern Warfare 2 DLC info obtained from http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20005032-1.html

–Taylor Paige
© 2010 taylorpaige 09