In a press release this morning, MTV Games and Apple Corps LTD. announced an original Beatles rhythm game from Rock Band creators, Harmonix.
Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos said the game will not simply be an addition to the Rock Band series but "a new, full-grown, custom game built from the ground up."
Given the blessing of living Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Star and surviving wives Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, the game is said to fully encompass the complete history of the revolutionary band as the press release reads:
...the game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles.
He also said it will cover the Liverpool quartet's entire catalog, from their first album, Please Please Me (1963), to their last album, Let It Be (1970). The game will also incorporate elements of their career, but neither MTV nor Apple Corps. would comment on whether or not Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, or John Lennon would be playable.
Also, Giles Martin - the man responsible for the Beatles "Love" project - will function as the music producer for the new Beatles experience due fourth quarter 2009.
Sony's hugely anticipated upcoming release Little Big Planet will face a slight delay.
According to reports from both Gamespot and GamePro, the game recently came under fire for including a music track that includes text from the Islamic holy book - The Qur'an.
Placing text from the Qur'an to music is deemed offensive to some Muslims as the text of the Qur'an is the word of Allah - the Muslim word for god.
Siting political incorrectness and insensitivity, the Muslim organization "American Islamic Forum for Democracy" asked Sony to recall the game.
Sony is said to have recalled the game from retailers and will ship new versions of the game next week with the music track removed.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo may return to its former glory in 2009.
According to a report from Gamespot, E3 2009 will be up-scaled to nearly the point prior to the abysmal business summit facade beginning to 2007.
E3 will return to its roots in Los Angeles in June and two conflicting reports from G4 and a Newsweek blog state that the public may or may not be allowed to visit the booths of the top developers in the industry.
A recent update by Newsweek blogger N'Gai Croal has stated that his original report that the conference will be open to the public for two days make be incorrect. According to Gamespot, G4's report stated that the public will not be allowed into E3 although more media officials may have access to the media and business summit - I wonder if that means me?
Lets hope for the sake of gamers, and advertising purposes for the developers, the public will be allowed to attend E3 2009 because the best advertising is word-of-mouth. Allowing the public to play these games the best way to initiate word-of-mouth advertising because gamers can go home and tell their friends about how cool the 21st Madden game is and blog about it later.
Gamers from across the globe will have a chance to make a difference this weekend.
This Saturday will mark the first-ever "Extra Life" 24-hour gaming marathon.
This event - in conjunction with sarcasticgamer.com - is a fundraiser benefiting the Texas Children's Hospital, a leader in pediatric cancer research and treatment.
The official website can be found at http://extralife.sarcasticgamer.com/. All you have to do is set-up a gamer account and find sponsors to donate to your cause and game on!
Two events will be held to support the event in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, including a LAN party for $6 per hour at Game Go Computers. All proceeds support the Texas Children's Hospital.
Nintendo announced last week that they are indeed working on a new iteration of the Nintendo DS called the DSi and will be released in Japan on November 1.
According to Gamespot's official report, the DSi will feature a 17% larger screen measuring 3.25 inches diagonally, a thinner design, two new cameras (one in front and one on the back), a new SD card slot, and an updated browser.
These additions could expand the possibilities of the DS by integrating new media via the SD card slots and new gameplay options with the two built-in cameras.
No official word on a European or state-side release.
Gamespot also reported that Guitar Hero World Tour will hit shelves on October 26 and will cost $189.99 for the complete bundle or $99.99 for a guitar-only version for the Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii and $89.99 for the PS2.
However RedOctane will also a deluxe bundle costing $239.99 for the PS3 and Xbox 360 and $219.99 for the Wii and PS2. These bundles will include:
...the game software, a USB microphone, 5-pad drum kit with kick pedal, guitar and drum wireless receivers, two drumsticks, a Guitar Hero World Tour Guitar faceplate, sticker pack, guitar strap, T-Shirt (XL only), dual recharge kit, dual "gig bag," and Guitar Hero keychain.
The question is...is it worth it?
Also, why is the standard version on the Wii the same price as the Xbox 360 and PS3 while the bundle is $20 less?
Sounds like a waste of money for an already overpriced bundle.
Once again, I would like to thank everyone for supporting Video Game Freedom for the last year and for helping to make VGF what it is today.
This blog is just one component of my greater passion for video games that I have experienced throughout my entire life and the culmination of my background in journalism and aspiration to someday become a video game journalist.
Therefore, with no further ado, here is my pick for the top ten greatest video games ever made. These are my top picks from my experiences in gaming and are only reflective of games I have personally played and completed.
10. Super Mario 64
This was first and foremost one of the most, if not the most, revolutionary games of all-time. Super Mario's grand entrance into the 3D realm was truly an awe-inspiring moment for any video game fan when he or she first experienced Mario flying in a three-dimensional world. Although Super Mario 64 was not the first to do take the leap to another dimension, it was the most well crafted of its time.
9. Perfect Dark
Following the footsteps of the widely successful Goldeneye for the Nintendo 64, Perfect Dark far exceeded its predecessor. A rich and engaging story was coupled with revolutionary elements for the first-person shooter genre that not only expanded the visual capabilities of the Nintendo 64, but established a meaningful standard for multiplayer content. The addition of bots in multiplayer modes that held numerous qualities to cater to the strengths and weaknesses of the player was a welcome and additive dimension to the genre. Truly one of the greatest first-person shooters ever made if not the greatest.
8. Kingdom Hearts
What makes Kingdom Hearts such a great title was its reception from the public after it was initially announced. The unlikely partnership of Square and Disney creating a game that featured both the melodramatic characters fro m the Final Fantasy universe and whimsical locals and characters from Disney classic films was not well received and left many skeptical. However, what yielded was a beautifully well-crafted piece of gaming art with a wonderful story, deep characters, interesting gameplay, and amazing music. This was a game that far exceeded expectations and provided a perfect synthesis between two completely difference franchises.
7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Marking a true return to the classic, this Super Nintendo iteration of the NES classic was ahead of its time. A Link to the Past was puzzle mastery at a mild difficulty level which was the greatest flaw of the NES classic. The surprising length and creativity made A Link to the Past an instant classic that has resonated with gamers for years and is truly the pinnacle of 2D gaming.
6. Chrono Cross
Emerging from the golden era of role-playing games, Chrono Cross was a sequel to the widely popular Chrono Trigger for the Super Nintendo. What makes Chrono Cross one of the greatest video games ever made is its investment in its characters and a complex plot that rivals that of popular literature; n ot to mention the game's exquisite soundtrack which is perhaps the greatest ever made. Chrono Cross's unique twist on turn-based gameplay was a wonderfully engaging experience that took much of the bleak monotony from the genre and made battles interesting and fun.
5. Super Mario Bros. 3
Hailed as many as the greatest Mario title ever made, Super Mario Bros. 3 is a giant among video games. Renewing the franchise's classic gameplay, Super Mario Bros. 3 perfectly blended updated graphics, newly imagined level design, wonderful music, mini-games, and classic Mario fun into a package that is the king of the Nintendo era.
4. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
The Metal Gear Solid series as a w hole could easily be honored as one of the greatest entertainment franchises in history. Specifically, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty expanded the revolutionary tactical espionage genre and coupled it with some the most beautiful visuals that the Playstation 2 ever produced - and that game was released within a year of the PS2's launch. Sons of Liberty was the first truly cinematic video game with a story that was so emotional and consisted of so much depth that this is a title that is incredibly atheistically satisfying and holds a fantastic twist. The height of Kojima's mastery.
3. Final Fantasy VII
Many would argue that Final Fantasy VII is the greatest role-playing game ever created and they would have a lot to point to. An awe-inspiring story with a fantastic musical score and the most complex characters in video game history. There is very little if anything that this game does wrong. It embarks you on a journey that is consuming and overflowing with sub-quests and hidden content - Knights of the Round anyone? Easily one of the most imitated games ever made, Final Fantasy VII was the true beginning of the golden age of role-playing games and we cannot thank this title enough for being one of the most well-polished pieces of art in entertainment history.
2. Final Fantasy VIII
Gasp, he did it. I do indeed believe that Final Fantasy VIII is a slightly better game than its predecessor because of the drastically updated visual content of the game and its greater expansion of unique gameplay elements. What makes the entire Final Fantasy franchise so well-crafted is its ability to throw additional gameplay elements in addition to the traditional run and fight a turn-based battle formula of the genre. You sneak across moving trains, ride chocobos, and take part in numerous other activities within the franchise and Final Fantasy VIII takes that a step further. The story and emotional impact of Final Fantasy VIII also feels more well thought out and has an almost cathartic affect on the gamer that only true art and accomplish.
1. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Hands down, the great video game in history is The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This is a game that is perfect in every way. Not only did this game once again revolutionize 3D gaming, but it expanded the very medium itself as an art form. The incredibly surprising length of the game gives way to an outstanding ambient experience that draws on a real emotional appeal without a single line of dialogue spoken. The playful charm of the environments and the people in the villages make the more horrific and beautifully designed temples feel all the more sinister. The puzzles within these temples are also the most well pieced together and carefully crafted elements of game design ever made and have yet to be challenged now ten years later. This is the crowning achievement for the medium and is deserving of the ultimate praise as the greatest video game ever created.
In a press release this morning, MTV Games and Apple Corps LTD. announced an original Beatles rhythm game from Rock Band creators, Harmonix.
e in front and one on the back), a new SD card slot, and an updated browser.
