The Jon Venture

The 2009 Tokyo Game Show has provided great fanfare for Capcom, including the announcement of Super Street Fighter 4 and the revamped retail PS3 release of Resident Evil 5 Alternative Edition. The updated release of Capcom’s 2009 survival horror third-person shooter will contain the original game and all currently available downloads, a new gameplay episode, and motion control support, reports IGN by way of Famitsu.

Among the new features added to RE5 AE will be the use of PS3’s yet unnamed motion controller. While possible to play the game with just the Dual Shock controller, staff members at Sony’s Tokyo Game Show briefing apparently used the Dual Shock for movement and the motion controller for aiming and swinging about your knife.

Apparently we are also to expect new combat elements that one would expect from a motion controller. Know why we would expect these “new” elements from a motion controller? We’ve already seen them implemented on the Wii.

Thanks for playing!

The new gameplay episode that will probably draw most players in will feature Chris Redfield and series favorite Jill Valentine in a mansion from a RE5 flashback. The approximate two hour gameplay add-on will actually be separate from the RE5 AE game and feature more of a horror vibe. Conveniently, the add-on was deemed too large to be offered as DLC, so RE5 fans will be shelling out for two hours of new content and motion control support.

Know what I’d like to see in Resident Evil 5 Alternative Edition? An alternative partner that didn’t merely serve as an ammo mule during the single player experience. How about an alternative soundtrack featuring alternative bands?

Better yet, how about the alternative option to run and shoot at the same time Capcom?

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” – Confucius

I can easily go down the list of those independent spirits who have achieved their goals despite adversity, but then again you’ve heard it all before. Keep your head up, eyes on the prize… all those quotes that your parents rattle off to you when they question your career choice and still remain temporarily supportive and optimistic fit here as well.

#@%& that, you’d rather be playing video games all day.

Even better, you think you could make a career out of gaming. You think that your critical eye could improve the medium that calls to every conscious being within the internet’s nearly global reach. Playing your games in the middle of the night, full of caffeine and cheap Mexican fast food, you decide that you want to get into the gaming business. So you do your research, scrape together every cent in your name, and declare to your folks that you want to make a career out of video games.

When the shouting match subsides, probably ending in one or both parties throwing their hands up and exiting the room in disappointment, reality begins to set in. If you’re going to do this, if you are really going to make your way into E3 rather than PAX, then there will be a few obstacles in your way. You had better believe that the odds are stacked against you and you’re not the only youthful soul who wants to get paid to design, write about, or even play games all day. With that in mind, you build up your portfolio and sharpen your skill set.

After many revisions you send out your resume to every company you can think of, every tiny independent publisher and designer willing or desperate enough to take a chance on a rookie fresh out of technical school. Days pass, then weeks as you check your inbox and mailbox for an acceptance letter.

Your first letter arrives, and the first line reads:

“We thank you for your interest, but…”

Fail. You weren’t accepted. Then another one arrives.

“Upon review of your application, we are unable to…”

That one hurts. You thought you were definitely in this time.

They keep pouring in now, soulless letters filled with compliment sandwiches that leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Your heart sinks with each rejection and your youthful ambition is slowly draining away.

Then your Golden Ticket arrives.

“We are pleased to inform you…”

Good job, rookie. You made it.

Everyone struggles at first, everyone gets rejected. What you need to remember is that perseverance and patience pay in dividends. Yes, there is something to be said about commitment bias, but the same respect cannot be earned by those who never try.

Even Tim Schafer was rejected long before he became a Brutal Legend.

To all of my family and friends pushing against the odds, to all of my fellow staff members at SFX 360 working and taking full class loads between posts, and to each and every person who is fighting for their big break…

Don’t give up.

If you’re one of the few gamers on your friends list that does not already have the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 title reserved at your local game retailer, you’re probably still sitting on the fence and waiting for a demo to decide if you’ll join in the fray. News from the front lines, recruit… there will be no demo for Modern Warfare 2 prior to launch.

The news was delivered via Twitter by Infinity Ward Community Manager Rob Bowling (@fourzerotwo):

“No plan for a Demo before launch. The entire team is focused on polish all the way up to ship of the full game.”

You would think gamers would be up in arms about eliminating a demo for one of the most anticipated games of the year, but I’m confident most of the key demographic will still be busy playing the first Modern Warfare game to notice. Why spend time setting up and delivering a demo for a game that has already pushed other key franchises into next year?

Exactly, I don’t have an answer either.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 deploys on 11-10-09. As if you didn’t know.

Look, Wii. I know I told you last time we broke up was the last time we’d be together, but you tugged at my heartstrings. Rather than letting me go, letting me have my fun with other platforms, you throw a holy hand grenade of nostalgia and release Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up. You know my weakness for TMNT, you vile white box, so you had to go on and tout how you had Ubisoft, Super Smash Bros. Brawl co-developers Game Arts, and former members of Team Ninja all involved in the project. That’s not fair. If I hear the words “Team” and “Ninja” in a single combined utterance in that specific order, there’s a certain high level of quality I’m expecting. So I spent some time with you last night, after I told myself I would never pick you up again for anything less that a new online multiplayer Star Fox title filled with aerial dog fighting and devoid of friend codes. This, my dear Wii, was a clever ploy to get us back together for one night. We played this fighting game earlier this year at E3, and I was actually looking forward to a few rounds with you upon TMNT: Smash-Up’s release had you tightened things up a bit. You let me down, Wii, you let me down.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up was your attempt to cash in on the memories I have of the classic 80’s franchise by loosely fitting it on a Super Smash Bros. frame. You know the story just as I do: four turtles washed away in the sewer, were covered in retromutagen ooze, and trained as ninja by their anthropomorphic sensei and father figure Splinter. The Ninja Turtles were the greatest heroes in New York since Spider Man. Not the whiny emo Tobey McGuire Spidey, but the wise cracking @#$ kicking hero the world has loved for years. So there’s a lot I’m expecting out of what could very well be a Ninja Turtles/Smash Bros. crossover that would rip a hole in the fabric of time itself and send millions of fans spiraling into pure gaming nirvana. Then I actually played the game, and things turned ugly. Rabid Chihuahua ugly. Oh, and don’t get me started on the Rabbids, I’ll get back to them later.

After the first few rounds of TMNT: Smash-Up, I understand where you’re coming from Wii. You have good intentions. The 16 characters in the roster were responsive though they didn’t have the same snap as anyone in the SSBB lineup. The four brothers are present, as were their human sidekicks and Splinter, but many of the characters I was hoping to see weren’t accounted for. You gave me recent characters that populated the 2003 cartoon series and I was hoping for throwbacks like Usagi Yojimbo, Groundchuck, and Panda Khan that populated my childhood toy box. None of them were there, but I forgave you. I was hoping you’d make it up to me with some serious flashy moves, but I was left wanting more. There wasn’t an “Ahhh” factor when I threw my sword (spinning, by the way) as Leonardo only to have it come back. You want a response out of me? Send me over the top like you did with Samus’ Final Smash attack; that @#$% was incredible the first time I saw it.

I know it’s unfair to keep comparing last night to all the fun we had with Smash Bros. Brawl, but you deserve it for the high expectations you set with components from two incredible franchises. The marketing supervisors behind TMNT: Smash-Up knew exactly what they were doing by putting “Smash” in the title of a Wii fighting game: pushing units. That’s also probably why an iteration of the classic TMNT logo was used rather that the more recent logo with lots of sharp edges. I’m aware that the game was also released on the PlayStation 2, but that ship sailed so that you could come into my life, Wii. No more games. There isn’t nearly as much content as I was hoping for from TMNT: Smash-Up. The game’s roster is disappointing when the Ubisoft Rabbids are the highlights and the toughest opponent is actually a giant alligator that serves as an environmental hazard. The “magical” items thrown in with standard ninja fare cannot make up for the awesome chaos that Pokemon and Assist Trophies bring to the table in SSBB. And while the graphics are polished clean with plenty of Turtle Wax, there’s just not enough substance to keep my attention for more than a few plays of the single or multiplayer modes.

Know what it all boils down to? During the time you and I spent playing TMNT: Smash- Up last night, I simply kept asking myself “Why don’t I just play Smash Bros.?” I had no solid answer, Wii, and that’s why once again we must part ways.

I’ve had enough of the sob stories from friends who can’t get around because their car is unreliable or imaginary. Here’s your chance to win a free BMW M3 Coupe from the good folks at EA and the Need for Speed Shift Team. Whether a fan of the racing series or not, all you have to do is follow @NeedforSpeed on Twitter and complete one of the missions of their M3 Missions Sweepstakes to earn an entry into the drawing. The contest runs from September 21-25, so you had better get to it now before time runs out. One lucky US resident 18 years or older will win a BMW E3 Coupe, and others will pick up prizes including copies of Need for Speed Shift, free t-shirts, and EA games for a whole year. A whole %@#$ing year of free games as a consolation prize, are you guys %@#$ing kidding me? No excuses, pedestrian. Go complete a mission and see if you can’t stop bumming rides from Mom and her minivan. That’s not going to work out for you too much longer…

Details and official rules can be found on the Need for Speed Twitter page and shift.needforspeed.com.

In a recent G4 interview at the 2009 Tokyo Game Show, No More Heroes’ designer and C.E.O. of Grasshopper Manufacture, Inc. Goichi Suda elaborated on some of the changes being made in-game to improve upon the highly anticipated Wii-exclusive sequel: No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle. After almost a year and a half in development, Suda 51 spoke of Travis Touchdown’s new ability to dual wield those incredible beam katanas found in the first NMH, which increases his strength and power and change the slashing moves performed with the Wii motion controls. The dual wield katana combat enhancement in NMH2 and the re-inclusion of NMH1’s wrestling mechanics will surely help against the improved A.I. of the enemies Travis must slice and slam to become the top assassin of the UAA. Speaking of which, Suda 51 also revealed that Travis’ rise to the top of the United Assassins Association will be a bit longer as he is now ranked 51^st (no doubt a nod to Suda) rather than beginning at the eleventh spot.

In the TGS interview with Suda 51 we are also shown through gameplay how No More Heroes 2 will retain the sprinkling of 2D sprites that gave the first game so much personality. The love for 2D was taken to such a level that the entirety of the mini games will be composed in 2D as well. With a sequel on the horizon and mentions of a No More Heroes 3 already coming from the man himself, Suda 51 remains content partnering with Nintendo and looks forward to future development of games when he sees where Nintendo’s new technology leads. If you’ve not played the first No More Heroes, now would be the time to pick up a copy and get ready for Desperate Struggle’s pending January 2010 release date. No More Heroes was definitely a reason to own a Nintendo Wii last year, and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle will be the reason to keep from slicing it clean in half.

The Goichi Suda TGS 2009 interview can be found here.

As Rocktober 13^th approaches, our controllers wear even thinner after continual play sessions of the demo for the upcoming action-adventure game Brutal Legend. Designed by Tim Schafer and all that is good and leather in this world, Brutal Legend lets gamers explore a heavy metal fantasy land forged by the titans and inhabited by the last remnants of humanity. On the game’s official website, brutallegend.com, developer Double Fine Productions’ Art Director Lee Petty discusses some of the inspiration and development behind the event that is Brutal Legend. Rock on.

The entire gaming community is buzzing over a leaked internal document reported on Shacknews.com that reveals possible plans for PlayStation 2 games to be downloaded via the PlayStation Store on PS3. The August 5^th notes of a SCEA meeting which appeared on Sega’s Media FTP discussed a few other topics as well, including marketing strategies for upcoming projects: Sega branded PS Home destinations, IP compatibility with the upcoming motion controller, and a partnership at E3 2010.

What these notes reveal are the inner workings of an industry focused and determined to reach as many consumers as possible in key demographics. Nostalgia will be tapped into yet again with a “Best of Sonic” collection on a single blu-ray disc for around $99. The upcoming Sonic Racing title was revealed to be open to PS3-specific DLC including characters from the Rare or Fable universes, but no such love for Ratchet and Clank. The plans for a Bayonetta Collector’s edition with a Bayonetta action figure, for example, were the least important details concerning that upcoming Sega IP. The sound strategy behind the timing of the Bayonetta demo before a proposed January 5^th shipping date shows how the industry plans and perpetuates hype for its releases. Based on business models and consumer response, any or all of these projects could get pushed back in order to attain the highest possible market penetration. It’s all about the hype; it’s all about the numbers… including this very report.

Either someone at Sega made a grievous error, or this is all part of the plan. Discuss and decide for yourselves, gamers.

If you’re in the market for Sony’s upcoming UMD-less portable gaming console, the PSP go, then Slickdeals.net has come to the rescue yet again. The PSP go, scheduled to release on October 1^st, 2009, is available for preorder at Dell Home for the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $249.99, but can be picked up for $212.49 with the listed coupon code or $206 if you’re paying with a Dell Preferred Account. Your PSP go also comes with free shipping from Dell. Bib to catch the drool caused by all the cash you’re saving not included.

Sony’s PSP go is poised to loosen Nintendo’s seemingly eternal death grip on the handheld gaming market when it arrives later this year. Similar to Apple’s iPhone and iTouch, the PSP go will feature numerous downloadable games and features for players to enjoy without the need of discs, cartridges, or game cards. There’s no telling how long this sale will last, so go grab your credit card or ask mommy reeeally nicely.