What to expect at E3 2010

It seems like just yesterday that Microsoft and Sony jumped on the Nintendo bandwagon and announced motion controllers for the Xbox 360 and PS3.

Turns out it was almost a year ago and the Electronic Entertainment Expo is returning in just under two weeks on June 15-17 at the L.A. Convention Center. Checkout the E3 Expo 2010 official website for more information.

In 2008, VGF had a list of 15 different expectations for E3 2008, many of which were either unfulfilled until 2009 when they were overshadowed by the Natal and PlayStation Move.

So this year, lets look at a few things we desperately hope to see and hear more about at the premier video game expo.

• Some details on the Nintendo 3DS.
• More Natal and PlayStation Move details, release dates, games, anything.
• Word on the mysterious new Zelda title for the Wii.
• More information on Gears of War 3 and Halo Reach.
• Let's see what Little Big Planet 2 can do.
• Rumors have circulated that there will be a pay option for a premier version of the PlayStation Network, is this true? What are the other guys up to?
• How epic is Epic Mickey?
• New Metal Gear Solid, Sonic, Half-Life, Portal, etc? Where's our favorite franchises?
• Whatever happened to the lame Wii Vitality Sensor?
• How painfully aggressive will Nintedo's Reggie Fils-Amie be?
• Still holding on from last year: Kingdom Hearts 3 please.
• Can Call of Duty dominate again or will the new Medal of Honor steal some thunder?
• What's Rockstar's Agent?
• Details on the next Beyond Good and Evil.

In the meantime, the editors from 1up.com pieced together a list of the "Top 50 Most Anticipated Games of E3 2010." Checkout the videos below:

April showers bring more data storage? Xbox 360 and PS3 see media storage upgrades

Spring has sprung, we've hopped past Easter and now the Summer is only about two months away so there's only one thing on the minds of folks in the video game industry - data storage.

Confirmations are fleeting everywhere that an Xbox 360 firmware update will finally allow 360 owners to use USB flash drives for additional media storage. That means game data and other media can now be backed-up and stored outside of the Xbox 360.

But just wait a minute.

Much like the PS3, the size said external media storage devices cannot exceed 16GB and must be larger than 1GB. That quickly dashes one's hopes for circumventing Microsoft's pricey hard drive upgrades by attaching a 1TB external hard drive.

To add insult to injury it is unclear if third-party flash drives are even compatible with the Xbox 360 as Microsoft announced Xbox 360-branded flash drives manufactured by SanDisk. To make matters worse, these 8GB and 16GB USB sticks are priced at $40 and $70 respectively. That's more than twice the price of most USB flash drives.

If you need to back-up your Xbox 360 on an external drive, try your 4-year-old plastic flash drive first.

The Blu-ray Disc Association also announced an upgrade in the storage size of new Blu-ray discs called BDXL.

These high capacity recordable and rewritable discs use three to four recordable layers allowing 100GB to 128GB disc capacity. This a major increase from many existing 25GB and 50GB Blu-ray discs.

A press release by the organization lists the upgrade as ideal for commercial segments such as braodcasting, medical and document imaging enterprises. Why not games?

Since the Blu-ray disc is the physical media format of the PS3, why not integrate upcoming video games on this mega-Blu-ray beauties?

This could also easily pave the way for cross promotion and conglomeration between media by packaging a Blu-ray copy of a popular film release with the video game tie-in on the same disc. This coupling could also easily work the other way by pairing the upcoming expansion to last year's Street Fighter IV with the critically acclaimed (not really) 1994 film starring Jean-ClaudeVan Damme.

The association also announced the IH-BD (Intra-Hybrid disc) format. The IH-BD incorporates a single BD-ROM layer and BD-RE layer to "video, but not overwrite, critical published data while providing the flexibility to include relevant personal date on the same physical disc" according to the press release.

I'm not sure what the gaming application is here, but I'm sure it could mean something.

Playstation 3 Glitch Resolved?

A new update on the official Playstation blog states that Sony's PS3 glitch blunder may be over for millions of upset PS3 owners.

The post in its entirety is below:

We are aware that the internal clock functionality in the PS3 units other than the slim model, recognized the year 2010 as a leap year. Having the internal clock date change from February 29 to March 1 (both GMT), we have verified that the symptoms are now resolved and that users are able to use their PS3 normally.

If the time displayed on the XMB is still incorrect, users are able to adjust time settings manually or via the internet. If we have new information, we will update you through the PlayStation.Blog or PlayStation.com.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

No firmware update? It was just some stupid error with PS3 consoles thinking this is a leap year? How does that affect trophies or other game content?

It seems that Sony needs to release more of an explanation for it's blunder.

Playstationary: Millions of Older PS3 Models Suffering from Playstation 3 Calendar Glitch

Millions of Playstation 3 owners - myself included - were met with a peculiar and annoying "glitch" yesterday that has Sony panicking.

Owners of the non-slim versions of the Playstation 3 failed to connect to the Playstation Network preventing access to online content via the PS3 and also seems to affect games for off-line play.

Media outlets are suggesting that the glitch is somehow related to the date turnover from February to March and is affecting trophy information and possibly corrupting system information.

The console's date and time have reportedly been reset on many systems and the bug seems hit console regardless of connectivity to the internet or not suggesting an internal software error and not an external attack.

Jeff Rubenstein, social media manager with the Playstation Network, wrote on the official Playstation blog that Sony has identified the issue and are working to resolve it:

"Know that we have narrowed down the issue and have engineers working to restore service even as you read this. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and genuinely appreciate your patience while we work to resolve this."

You can follow the status of Sony's resolution on their Twitter page.

PC World has pieced together a pretty concise list of what is known about the glitch thus far.

Playstation 3 owners should be mindful of their usage for the time being because I attempted to play "Bionic Commando: Rearmed" last evening and my full version was somehow reset to a demo mode and I later received a message saying the game was corrupted after I tried to relaunch the title.

Furthermore, I was unable to play "Assassin's Creed II" and re-directed to the XMB because of a trophy malfunction. 

UPDATE: Sony has confirmed that the malfunctions on older PS3 units are due to a "bug in the clock functionality incorporated in the system." They hope to resolve the issue within 24-hours according to Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications and social media for Playstation wrote: 

"In the meantime, if you have a model other than the new slim PS3, we advise that you do not use your PS3 system, as doing so may result in errors in some functionality, such as recording obtained trophies, and not being able to restore certain data."

"Sonic the Hedgehog 4" racing to consoles this summer

Sega made a surprising announcement today that everyone's favorite fast-paced marsupial Sonic the Hedgehog is finally returning to where he belongs - in two-dimensions.

This summer "Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1" will launch on Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 3 consoles as well as one unnamed platform as a download-only game.

16 years after Sonic's last 2D appearance in "Sonic and Knuckles," the same gameplay full of spin dashes and rolling attacks will make its way into the all-new game returning to the Genesis-era.

Details will slowly be released at the game's official web site, but the mere title implies that this may be the first of many installments of the game.

Dante's Inferno Demo Review

Oddly, a stroll through Hell is nothing new for video game fans.

I'm not talking about the dark ages of the Nintendo 64, I'm talking about the various video game incarnations of the dismal abyss mostly notably the "Devil May Cry" series.

Electronic Art's will soon release "Dante's Inferno" a very loosely-based video game translation of Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" written in in the 1300's.

The demo release of the game places protagonist not too surprisingly named "Dante" in a quest to reunite with his slain wife Beatrice - similar to the epic poem.

However, what ensues is an all-too-familiar camaraderie of hack-and-slash action, combo upgrades, magic, and command-based finishing moves.

Basically "God of War" in nearly every way.

A static, yet constantly repositioning, camera work is nearly identical to the popular Sony-exclusive series as is the overall visual flurry of blood splatter and weapon flinging fan fare.

It's certainly not a bad thing to mimic one of the most popular video game franchises as of late, but "Dante's Inferno" is almost exactly "God of War" in every possible way.

In fact, if you mix "God of War" and "Devil May Cry," plus you take a little polish off of each, you have "Dante's Inferno."

Certainly not a bad first-apperance in the free demo, but it feels like more of the same.

Attempted Drug Smugglers Hide Cocaine in a Playstation

Despite tightened international airline safety precautions, a pair Argentinians from Buenos Aires were recently taken into custody in an Italian airport for attempting to smuggle drugs.

The courier method: Sony Playstations.

There is little by way of official information on the incident, but authorities allegedly discovered 10 Kilograms of cocaine and hashish in five Sony consoles traveling with the duo.

No word on the generation of a Playstation console, but the illegal paraphernalia passed through airport security x-rays and the consoles were reportedly operational.

The two would have absconded with the drugs if drug-sniffing german shepard dogs hadn't caught them in-route.

It all begs the question, does that count as a breach of warranty for modifying a console?


Sorry for the brief hideous with the holiday season and a few occupational changes have prevented me from paying as much attention to VGF as of late - for that, I am sorry. Be on the lookout in the coming week for the VGF picks for the top ten games of the decade!

Mother calls 911 because of her son's late-night gaming fest

A Roxbury, Mass., mother had enough.

"I woke up in the middle of the night and saw the light on in his bedroom," 49-year-old Angela Mejia said.

Frustrated and frantic, Mejia did all she could to subdue her 14-year-old son at 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning so she called 911:

"I called (police) because if you don’t respect your mother, what are you going to do in your life?"

The teenager had been playing "Grand Theft Auto" against his mother's wishes.

When officers from the nearby Boston suburb's police department arrived they quickly convinced the boy to carefully place the controller on the floor and go to bed.

The single mother of four had made little progress in convincing her son to sleep over playing video games and made the 911 call in a final act of desperation.

"Sometimes I want to run away, too. I have support from my church, but I’m alone. I want to help my son, but I can’t find a way."

No one was arrested in the incident.

What are your thoughts?

What does it mean when a mother has to call the police to stop her child from playing video games?

Bad parenting? Or has video game obsession gone too far?

Netflix on the PS3 Soon, Wii next

Netflix will be streaming movies to Playstation 3 consoles soon.

Although the movie streaming service was initially a Xbox 360 exclusive, Netflix announced that PS3 users will be able to stream HD movies using the service.

Initially, PS3 owners will need to order a Blu-ray disc will will access Netflix content via the BD-Live service.

Sony console owners won't have to fiddle with a disc for long however.

Sony has also announced that there will be a firmware update integrating the Netflix service to the XrossMediaBar next year.

Wii owners will want to sit tight since it looks like Netflix is coming your way as well.

Last month Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said that the company was looking to expand the Netflix service to other outlets.

Eventually we want to be on all the game consoles, all the Blu-ray players, all the Internet TVs. So we are working in parallel with all of those efforts.

With today's PS3 announcement, it will only be a matter of time until we see Netflix on the Nintendo Wii as well.

"The Beatles: Rock Band" Purchasing Guide

Today "The Beatles: Rock Band" was officially released to the world as well as digitally remastered versions of the full Beatles library.

However, before you run out and drop some serious cash out of "Beatlemania" you might want to reconsider your purchasing plan and figure out what is the best strategy for you.

It is no secret to anyone that the 45-track rhythm-based game is a special treat to Beatles fans and music lovers alike and it is no secret that the "limited edition premium bundle" costs $250. This bundle includes Paul McCartney's signature Hofner Bass replica wireless guitar, a "Beatles brand" drum set, microphone, microphone stand, and the game software itself.

The less expensive "special value edition" still comes with a whopping $140 price tag and includes the game software as well as standard "Rock Band" drums, guitar, and microphone.

That's right, the $110 difference is purely for instruments that look like Paul's bass and Ringo's drums. To make things worse is that the price is consistent across consoles. Normally, the Nintendo Wii version of any "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" title is at least $10 cheaper due to the consoles lower graphically complexity - but not this time.

Fork out the cash Wii owners.

It is clear that this is going to be an expensive purchase if you don't already own either "Rock Band" or "Guitar Hero" bundles - remember, the instruments are inner changeable by law.

So what's the best plan of attack?



The Completest Bundle (all Beatles instruments, 3 microphones) = $510










Sadly, in order receive the full "The Beatles: Rock Band" experience you have to spend enough money to buy a couple of consoles.

The completest will want the $250 bundle as well as John's replica Rickenbacker 325 and George's Gretsch Duo-Jet guitar controllers at $100 a piece for the full Beatles experience.

So now you're at $450, but you're not done yet.

The newest feature in the "Rock Band" franchise is the ability to harmonize with fellow players in the saw way the "fab four" used it. "Rock Band" microphones cost about $30 each and up to three players can harmonize at once so that's an added $60.

Finally, you can have your full "The Beatles: Rock Band" experience at a low price of $510.

That's about the price of either an Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii combined.




The Starter Band (microphone, drums, standard guitar, Beatles guitar) = $240









If you're not into dropping $510 or even $250 to play as the Beatles then you may want to consider the "special value edition" even though you don't get any shinny Beatles instruments.

However, you could couple that purchase with one of the special edition guitars and create your own bundle with a microphone, drums, and two guitars at only $240.




GameStop's "Beatles Rock Band Value Bundle" (Rock Band 2, microphone, drums, standard guitar) = $160













Right now you can get the exact peripherals as the "special value edition" plus "Rock Band 2" for only $20 more through GameStop.

Throw in a Beatles guitar for $100 and you sitting at $10 more than the "limited edition" with two guitars and "Rock Band 2."


Thankfully, I'm not the only one who sees how overpriced this game can be. The hefty price tag and short lived story mode was the highlight of 1up.com's review.

Nevertheless, the game looks great and hopefully you can find a purchasing method that fits your budget.

Sony Motion Controller to have pressure sensitivity and rumble feedback

Followers of Sony's Playstation Blog were treated today by a lengthy interview with Sony research and development guru Richard Marks.

Marks discloses new information about the origin of the new motion controller as well as pressure sensitivity and rumble feedback:

PS3 now $299, Slimmer Model Sept. 1, Firmware 3.0 Update Coming Soon

Once again, Sony is unable to keep any secrets.

Announced today at GamesCom in Cologne, Germany - and to no one's surprise - is an immediate price cut of the Playstation 3 down to $299.

Also, a nameless slimmer version of the Playstation 3 is due to hit retail shelves September 1 and will include a 120 GB hard drive.

Take a look at how the new "slim" model compares to the original PS3.

Check out the announcement from Sony's Playstation Blog:



Another new firmware update for the Playstation 3 is due for release very soon.

Update 3.0 will feature graphical changes to the XMB including a new "What's New" function that will automatically upload news updates and videos on your XMB - so your connection can be slowed even further - and icons linking to the Playstation Store under the "video" and "games" tab - so you can accidentally purchase things easier.

For a full look at the update, see below. Also note the date the PS3 displays. Do you think it may have any significance?

Sony's Response to Hulu Malfunction and PS3 Updates

PC World's Matt Peckham posted an interview with Sony's Director of Network Operations Eric Lempel as he discusses PS3 updates as well as word on Hulu's mysterious malfunction on PS3 browsers.

When asked why the video service is not working properly on the console, Lempel simply iterated that he and the rest of Sony have no idea:

Last week we stared hearing that, and we've tested it out here, and it does seem you can't access Hulu. You can access the site, but when you go to play a video, you get an error message. We're not quite sure why that is. If I speculate I might guess it's because they refined their list of supported browsers and we were a victim, or maybe they're intentionally blocking the PS3, but right now it doesn't work, and you'd really have to talk to Hulu about why that is. We have an open browser, there's a ton of sites that do work, and it's compatible with other video streaming sites like YouTube and music streaming sites, so. But it's true, Hulu's not working right now and I'm not really sure why.

Lempel also comment on the possibility of allowing universal chat - which would include voice chatting outside of games - in an upcoming update:

Yeah, definitely, we realize that a lot of people want that. It's one of the most requested features, and it is something we're looking into. It's a very complex feature, but we are looking into it.

He also teased a new update this year which will attract consumers but would not verify rumors:

You'll definitely see another firmware update this year, but it won't be like what the rumors say. We're working on some consumer features that consumers will definitely like, but it's nothing like what you're reading about, and at this time I don't want to confirm any of those features because they're not completely locked down yet. We're looking pretty good, and timing is a little rough, but just in terms of that rumor, it's not the case.

Until the Hulu issue is resolved, VGF still urges upset PS3 owners to boycott viewing any content on Hulu.com.

Hulu.com Malfunctions for PS3 Owners

It is no secret that the built-in internet browser on the Playstation 3 is unstable causing frequent crashes, even on tame sites like YouTube.

1up.com reported yesterday that PS3 users are being frustrated again when the popular TV, movie, and video media site Hulu.com met PS3 owners with a nasty message reading:

"Unfortunately, this video is not available on your platform. We apologize for any inconvenience."

This comes despite the fact that PS3 owners have enjoyed the video service ever since its launch in 2007.

Engadet.com has determined that it is likely that the change has been made specifically to block video streaming to the Playstation 3.

This could possibly be a devastating move for Hulu.com since its revenue is generated by advertisements coupled with video streams.

By eliminating the PS3 user base, they would limit the number of hits the site will receive and reduce their advertising revenue.

However, it is likely that Hulu is simply updating its service to better accommodate the PS3 browser since videos will occasionally malfunction on the PS3 brower which not only affected the site's videos, but advertisements as well.

If the advertisements don't play, Hulu doesn't get paid.

This all comes days after Sony releases update 2.80 for the PS3 which allows users to text chat with friends in-game among other minor updates.

It is possible that Sony made its own browser incompatible with Hulu, but that would be unwise as well since the beauty of the PS3's browser is that it makes the PS3 a more multimedia based plateform.

Nevertheless, I suggest a full boycott on Hulu.com until the matter is resolved.

Podcast Demo Review: inFamous

Key Points:

Cool open-world environment
Good controls with awesome abilities
Feels a little like "The Force Unleashed"

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