Matchman enters the side-scrolling shooter arena

Here's a quirky title announced from the UK publishers Lexicon Entertainment: Matchman. Partnered with the Chinese developers TF-H Co. Ltd., this game is scheduled for the DS, Wii, and PS3 in 2009. The game itself is a side-scrolling shooter involving pure black and white graphics in the style of really, really old cartoons.

The gameplay is probably going to be run-of-the-mill, but boss battles seem to switch things up. Instead of firing madly, you give a boss monster apples until its stomach explodes, for example. We assume the game will be a downloadable PlayStation Network title for the PS3.

[via SiliconEra]


Pandemic conquers Middle-earth with new LOTR title

80GB Metal Gear systems on amazon.com tomorrow at 10AM PST

If you've been waiting for the standard 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle, which includes a 80GB PS3, a regular copy of Metal Gear Solid 4, and a DualShock 3 controller, you're going to have to fight the thousands of others that are undoubtedly also waiting to buy the system. You can try your luck in stores on June 12th, when the system (and game) releases ... or you can test your luck with amazon.com tomorrow (Friday).

According to the online retailer, "demand for this item is so great, we anticipate selling out very quickly." Thankfully, you'll have a slight edge over others who may be browsing the site. The bundle will be available at 10AM PST (1PM EST) tomorrow. Get your F5 buttons ready -- and g'luck to all of you.

Update: Please note that the system will be $499 when it is available tomorrow. Any prices you see right now are third-party resellers that are free to charge whatever they want to -- and they want to charge a lot.

Gallery: Metal Gear Solid 4 box

MGS4 may be end of Snake, but not the end of series

Battlefield: Bad Company vids remind us war is not pretty

There are many ways to die on the battlefield and these vids from Battlefield: Bad Company remind us just how many different ways you can kill and be killed. War is truly brutal. War has changed. To keep you alive, perhaps it might be a good idea to bring in some good company; guys you can trust. Say, like Sgt. Redford, Sweetwater, and Haggard -- the gents of Bad Company (yes, the irony is totally intentional) who will be assisting your character through the game's single-player mode.

Producer Patrick Bach details these three characters in the first clip after the break, and talks more about how they were made. There are also another three gameplay vids after the break, so check those out as well. Battlefield: Bad Company should be out later this month on June 23.


Lengthy new Metal Gear Solid 4 video preview
This is what ‘next gen’ Prince of Persia looks like

The Getaway and Eight Days have been cancelled

In another Sony announcement made today, it appears that two games being developed by the internal London studios have now been potentially canned. The Getaway and Eight Days are now out of production, thanks to budgetary redistribution. Gamesindustry.biz have the full statement from Sony, in which they state that "this decision was made following an internal review of all games and it was deemed that with the incredibly strong list of exclusive first party titles coming up both this year and in the near future, resource should be reallocated to enhance those projects closer to completion."

It's thought that this is a direct result of Phil Harrison's successor, Shuhei Yoshida, becoming President of Sony's Worldwide Studios. We heard relatively recently from The Getaway's lead writer that the game was still in production and UK newspaper The Guardian had a recent article claiming Eight Days was ramping up to full production, so it's disheartening to hear that the projects have been canned.

[UPDATE] CVG states that "A Sony UK representative assured CVG that both titles had been "completely cancelled", and so will not be rescued from the bin at a later date."


PS3 version of Alone in the Dark getting a frame rate fix; not cancelled
Sony taking action against unlicensed replica gun

GT Academy frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about this opportunity of a lifetime.

What exactly is the prize?

Two winners will have the opportunity to take part in the Nissan training programme and work towards their international competition driving license. When they receive it, they will line up on the grid for the Dubai 2009 24 hour race.

How old must I be to enter?

Entrants must at least 18 years of age.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes, you will need a full driving license, issued by the relevant licensing authority in your country.

Do I need to have any racing experience?

No, but you do need to be in good health and fit enough to pass a Motor Sports Association (MSA) medical assessment, should you make it to that stage.

Are there any other preconditions?

Entrants should be fit and healthy and must not have been convicted of any criminal offences.

Do I need a copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue?

Yes, you will need a PLAYSTATION 3 and a copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, and you need to have signed up to PLAYSTATION Network.

Does it matter my copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is on Blu-ray Disc or has been downloaded from PLAYSTATION Store?

No, both formats will work just as well.

Do I need an Internet connection?

Yes, your PS3 will need to be connected to a broadband connection in order to register your times.

I have everything I need, so what do I do next?

Simply head to gtacademy.eu and follow the on-screen instructions to register. You will be asked to provide your PLAYSTATION Network ID, password and a few personal details, such as your address and telephone number.

Is there a deadline for registration?

The first phase of the competition starts at 09:00 GMT on June 3 and closes at 23:59 GMT on July 18. You can register at any point between these dates.

I'm ready to go, how do I record a time?

If you've registered on gtacademy.eu and have earned enough credits in game to buy the Nissan Fairlady Z, simply go to the Online section of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and select the GT Academy Time Trial from the list of online events. Then try to complete the fastest lap of the Eiger Norwand track using the predefined car settings.

I'm at the top of the leaderboard, have I won?

Not yet, at 23:59 GMT on July 18, the first phase of the competition will close and the 20 fastest players from each country will be invited to attend the National Final in their territory.

What happens at the National Final?

Participants will compete in various Time Trials on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, as well as mental and physical aptitude tests to determine their suitability for driving a racing car, and an MSA medical examination to comply with the racing license requirements of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).

How will you determine the winners of the National Finals?

The participants who record the fastest laps in the Time Trials and achieve the highest scores in the aptitude tests will have the chance to enter the GT Academy, as long as they pass the medical examination.

I've won my National Final! Can I go to Dubai now?

Not quite yet, first you must attend the GT Academy; a four-day event at Silverstone, England at which the National Final winners compete in real life races against each other and take part in rigorous physical and mental aptitude tests. Two participants will be chosen to join the Nissan training programme.

Who chooses the winners?

The will be chosen by an independent panel of judges.

Is accommodation provided?

The organisers will provide transport to the event from the winner's nearest international airport or train station, accommodation, travel insurance and meals.

How long does the Nissan training programme last?

It runs from September 5, 2008 until January 9, 2009.

When is the Dubai 2009 24 hour race?

It will take place in January 2009.

Academy awards

Improvements abound in FIFA '09

Another year, another round of sports games. Usually regarded as rehashes with slight tweaks, every so often one of the annual sports titles gets a significant makeover. For 2009, that title appears to be FIFA '09 out of the Electronic Arts office ('06 is pictured). GamesMaster magazine published an article about the title, boasting 250 improvements made to the game including responsiveness and a revamped collision system.

The responsiveness is improved by allowing "quicker release of the ball, greater urgency in the off-the-ball running, a new jostle system that takes into account the strength of the players when going shoulder to shoulder and subtle animations that enable players to take first-time shots." The collision system calculates speed, weight, and power as characters collide; each player has unique stats. If you get hit hard in your standing leg, the tackled player may not be able to continue playing that game. If you're just clipped, your character will probably be all right. So, for those who've wanted these things changed, there you go.



Ramos claims Interactive World Cup crown
World of PlayStation: Sport

Deal of the Day: Uncharted for $40 at Amazon

Amazon's Gold Box deal prepares to steal your money once again today as it chops $20 off the price for one of the best PS3 games available, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. At $60 the game was a must-buy, but at $40 there's simply no excuse. If you haven't yet partaken in Drake's epic quest for the gold of El Dorado, then now's your chance to do so. If you need yet more persuading, check out our review of the game. This deal will only last until they are out of stock and there's no telling when that will be, so be sure to act swiftly.


Sony taking action against unlicensed replica gun
Deal of the Day: 2-for-price-of-1 sale at Best Buy