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Blizzard's Paul Sams, chief of operations, said in an interview with GamesIndustry that the Activision Blizzard merger was their choice, and that the game company wasn't dragged into the deal between Activision and Vivendi. In fact, Vivendi approached Blizzard and talked about the idea for a while, and it was Blizzard who picked Activision as their choice ally.

"I think maybe people believe that Activision and Vivendi got together and sat in a room, and thought it would be great, and then informed us," said Sams.

But as he revealed at the World Wide Invitational, it was the other way around in fact: Blizzard was the one who said that it would be great idea. And it was Blizzard who informed Vivendi that Activision would be the perfect choice. He continued,

And honestly, when [Vivendi] said to us they were thinking about exploring the possibility of something like this, we said that if we were going to do something like that, it should be with Activision - those words came from our mouth.

CEO Mike Morhaime reassured fans back at the 2008 WWI that they won't even feel a change in Blizzard's operations, as the merger will not affect their work, their staff, or their projects.

The big change, however, will be who Morhaime has to report to. That would be Bobby Kotick, CEO and savior of an almost bankrupt Activision, who's also going to be the CEO of the soon-to-be Activision Blizzard entity.

Ceasar S. on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

 

According to NPD Groups investigations, the week ending June 21, 2008 has undeniably seen the success of EA Maxis' appetizer, Spore Creature Creator, though Electronic Arts' other Sims 2 recompilation, The Sims 2 Double Deluxe, follows closely behind Spore's heels.

During that week alone, Maxis reported to have eyed one million Spore creatures being shared within the launch week alone, though more are constantly on the way.

The Spore Creature Creator pack, available at an easy US 9.99 price tag, sold enough to even contend with every type of software sold during the week. NPD's report places Spore Creature Creator at the sixth place for the All Categories list and was the only game to appear on the top ten. The full list of top-selling PC games in the US as of June 21 are as follows:

1. Spore Creature Creator (EA)
2. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe (EA)
3. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (Eidos)
4. World Of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Expansion Pack (Vivendi)
5. World Of Warcraft (Vivendi)
6. World Of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Vivendi)
7. The Sims 2 FreeTime Expansion Pack (EA)
8. The Sims 2 Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff Expansion Pack (EA)
9. Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision)
10. Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures (LucasArts)

Ceasar S. on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

 

It's been almost a year since we last heard from MK2k's Sleep'n'Wake homebrewed application for the PSP. If you haven't heard of it yet, Sleep'n'Wake is just the application that you need if you need something other than a straightforward alarm clock program to wake you up.

This program actually helps in lulling you to sleep by playing your music of choice at low volume, and wake you up by playing another playlist at full volume at a predetermined time. Yes, it's better than your standard alarm clock in more ways than one, and we're glad that MK2k finally decided to release a version of Sleep'n'Wake that is compatible with CFWs 3.xx and 4.xx.

Here's the direct quote from the homebrew developer concerning the update:

The current version 1.99b adds compatibility to Custom Firmware 3.xx and 4.xx by utilizing Mr305's OpenAlarmLib as well as fixes a bug in snooze mode for AM/PM time users.

Aside from the updated CFW compatibility and the above-mentioned bugfix, there are no other new additions to this already-useful application.

Installation procedures are noted in the accompanying readme file, which users should go over first before using of updating Sleep'n'Wake. The readme file is available in both Deutsch and English.


Download: Sleep'n'Wake v1.99b MULTi8
Visit: QJ PSP Development Forums

Sally B. on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

We've got a new patch notice for you today, and this time, it's for The Sims 2 FreeTime. This new patch fixes some bugs that are in the expansion, as well as addressing some system issues within the game.

For the full patch notes, as well as the download, feel free to check below. Do note that not all fixes will take effect on existing The Sims 2 FreeTime saved games:

• Sims will now remember which side of the bed is theirs to sleep on.
• Crash will no longer occur when users attempt to load another lot while associating a neighborhood using the Advanced Neighborhood Options panel.
• "Neon Flamingo" is no longer missing from Buy Mode.
• In Audio Options, Custom Station icon no longer blocks the Stop button.
• University Service NPCs are now able to join a dance contest in a Secret Hobby lot if they are not on the job.
• Sims will no longer pop back onto the screen when Sims walk to a Secret Hobby Lot.
• "Electrono-Ticket Machine" will now correctly turn off when you move a Home lot into the Lots and Houses Bin.
• Saved lots with an in progress dance contest will now reset correctly when placed into the Lots and Houses Bin.
• Sims can now watch UFOs with the "Astrowonder Telescope".
• Sims can no longer mark items for sale on top of the "Upright Pottery Wheel by QuicKraft".
• Iconic Hobbyist NPCs can now be reached by telephone after meeting them.
• "Socialus Butterfly" can now be caught for the Bug Collection.
• Sims will no longer teleport when you cancel the walk home interaction in a community lot.
• Primp interaction is no longer missing from the game.
• First woohoo memory will now occur when Sims woohoo for the first time in a tent.
• The reduced bladder effect from the "ShowMeOff Rack of Glory" will now trigger correctly when Sims are in range.
• Sims reading a book from the cooking genre will now correctly gain Cuisine Enthusiasm.
• Preoccupation will now work correctly at level 10.
• Pets will no longer chew or scratch cribs if they are in use.
• Garden Club members are now treated as townies.
• "Carefree Koi Pond by Simulated Life" no longer displays an environment score.
• Teen and Child Sims will no longer receive the unachievable Bird Watch Want.
• College Grades in German, French, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese is now displayed correctly.
• The Sims 2 FreeTime credit section has been correctly updated.
• Violin Tip Jar will no longer cause an unusable tile after being picked up.
• Child Sims will no longer pop when asked to "Clean Up" the juice tray.
• Vampire Sim can no longer receive a Want to turn Bigfoot into a Vampire.
• Using the Draft Scene interaction will no longer apply a sketch filter to in-game camera snapshots.
• Motive decay on the "H-O-R-S-E of course Basket Ball Hoop", "The Goal of Paul", "Teeny Tikes Activity Table", and "One Man's Junk Car from Mechanically Minded" objects and Go Hiking interaction has been retuned.
• "Basic Blue" and "Gripping Green" wallpapers will now appear in Build Mode.
• Sims will no longer receive a phone call for magazine subscription at level 2 Hobby Enthusiasm.
• Sims will no longer gain fishing skill points while digging for treasure.
• Sims in Custom Neighborhoods can now access secret hobby lots when sub-neighborhoods are unassociated.
• Custom Radio Stations can now be deleted correctly.
• Matchmaking Service will now function correctly when the "Dusty Old Lamp" is on the lot.
• Pregnant Sims can now browse or blog about hobbies on the computer.
• Items created from the "Upright Pottery Wheel by QuicKraft" now appreciate and depreciate correctly.
• Sims can no longer sell home lots from computers on a secret hobby lot.
• Vacation guest who is asked to Join a Sim in a tent will now properly leave the tent after an appropriate amount of time.
• Drinking Eggplant Juice no longer produces a false memory of maximizing a skill.
• Having a honeymoon and a wedding party with a child, toddler, or baby Sim in the family will no longer cause a second wedding party to occur.
• Servo will no longer break in vacation neighborhoods.
• Children will no longer pop when drinking Hot Chocolate.
• Female children will now be able to change into gym wear while playing with "The Goal of Paul".
• "First Place Food Contest Ribbon" can no longer be duplicated by shift clicking.
• Watch Movie Interaction will no longer produce two of the same pie menu option.
• Option to "Offer Free Makeover to" "Zip Zap Zop! Classic Model Car" and "Falconeer Chopper" have been removed.
• FX cloud now appears correctly when destroying Sandcastles.
• "Ask to Join" interaction no longer appears on Iconic Hobbyists Sims when they route to user Sims while relaxing on a bed.
• Servo will now recharge correctly after "Tinkering" with any shower.
• Sims performing the "Join Freestyle" interaction should no longer pop.
• Text Notification no longer spam when raising Music & Dance enthusiasm by performing "Join Freestyle" interaction.
• "Hunka 711 by Hwang Motors" car design now appears correctly.
• Interaction tooltip now appears correctly when Sims use the "Teeny Tikes Activity Table".
• NPCs will now correctly use "The GrroveLayer 90000 Professional DJ Booth by HotBeets" and "The GrroveLayer 10k Professional DJ Booth by HotBeets".
• Memory for achieving Lifetime Want "Woohoo with 20 Different Sims" now appears correctly on the appropriate Sim.
• Romance Sims no longer lose earned platinum tombstones when moved to a community lot.
• Neat Sims will no longer be furious when told to clean up a waterballon puddle the Neat Sim created.
• Sims will no longer autonomously attempt to interact with a computer that is already in use.
• Fish, harvested fruits, and vegetables will now go to the owner's inventory on an owned business lot.
• Foods will no longer disappear when ordering from the hotel room service.
• Graduation Party memory will now appear correctly when Sims have a graduation party.
• Sims will no longer pop while fishing.
• Medicine created from the "Simsanto Inc. Biotech Station" will now be able to cure sick Sims.
• Neat Sims will no longer have the "Lick Clean" interaction.
• "Walk to" lot interaction no longer causes Sim s motives to change abnormally.
• "Tinker" interaction is now available on the "Garbage Ninja by Kitchensations", "Big and Brown Dishwasher by Romantic Notions", "You Got Feets Bathtub", and "SuperJet Corner Shower by Sleek Sensations".
• "Stock" and "Get Leftovers" interactions are now available on "The Coldinator by Kitchensations" and "Solid Sense Fridge by Romantic Notions".
• "Compose Contents" is now available to "Garbage Ninja by Kitchensations".
• "Red Brick Road Walkway", "Neutral Sand Linoleum", "Latipsoh Green Linoleum", "Square Squares Stone Floor in Large Squares", "Square Squares Stone Floor in Small Squares", "Pristine White Marble", "Blank Slate Flagstone Flooring", "Sid's Cement Flooring", "Light Wine Stone Walkway", "Mixed Slate Stone Flooring", "Irregular Views Grap Stone Flooring", and "Octogreat Teracotta Tile" floor tiles will now appear correctly in game.
• Users can now place objects in front of the "Shiny Sewn Curtains".
• NPC Maid will now correctly route to available trash compactors.
• NPC Maid will now correctly clean the entire lot.
• Sims can now call known sales NPC they meet on a community lot.
• Sims can now serve Smart Milk to toddlers who are sitting in the "High Society High Chair".
• Teens no longer have the option to "Birdwatch".
• Servo will now exit correctly after swimming in the ocean.
• Body temperature no longer increases while Sims go jogging without Seasons installed.
• Sims will now autonomously use the "Good Times Changing Table".
• Lot information will now correctly display after deleting a family from the Sim bin.
• Life Time Want "Reached Golden Anniversary" is now achievable.
• Sims will now correctly perform the Hula dance when asked to.

System/Config issues:

• ATI 2000 and 3000HD series graphic cards will now display correct pictures when Sims use the computer or TV.
• Updated SecuRom version to resolve an issue where some players started their game through the launcher or clicked on the game executable, but never saw the game splash screen on monitor and fixed emulation problems players were experiencing.
• Added a new command line option blackfont to make in-game fonts appear in black.
• Updated game code in order for The Sims 2 FreeTime to be compatible with The Sims 2 Store Edition. For users who have The Sims 2 FreeTime Expansion Pack installed, this patch must be installed in order to run The Sims 2 Store Edition with The Sims 2 FreeTime Expansion Pack. This patch runs automatically if FreeTime is already on your computer and you install The Sims 2 Store Edition on top of it.

Download: The Sims 2 FreeTime patch v1.13.0.16

Buy: [The Sims 2]

Victor B. on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

  

On July 31, gamers based in Japan will be getting Phantasy Star Portable for Sony's PSP. Now any fan of the game knows that waiting for approximately one month can be hell. Thankfully, gamers in the aforementioned region won't have to wait that long.

Apparently, Sega has announced plans of releasing a demo for the game on July 14. According to the reports, the demo will probably be available via the Japan PSP Browser page and will allow players to try out both Story (single player)and Multi Mode (co-op with up to four players) .

So it looks like we're going to have to wait for around two weeks before we can try out the demo. while waiting, why don't you check out some screenshots courtesy of Gpara:

    
  

Enrico S. on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Everyone can play and anyone can win in Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 09 featuring dynamic, personalized gameplay via Tiger Woods’ personal coach, Hank Haney. Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 09 is a highly adaptable game that allows both the rookie and the seasoned veteran the ability to have a personalized and customized day on the links. PlayStation.com - New Game Releases on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Everyone can play and anyone can win in Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 09 featuring dynamic, personalized gameplay via Tiger Woods’ personal coach, Hank Haney. Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 09 is a highly adaptable game that allows both the rookie and the seasoned veteran the ability to have a personalized and customized day on the links. PlayStation.com - New Game Releases on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -

Want to read everything about Resistance 2’s 300-foot tall, skyscraper-smashing Leviathan? Then you’ll want to pick-up of the August issue of GamePro Magazine! In the 10-page Resistance 2 cover story, you’ll see the first details and images of one of our boss Chimera, which we call the Leviathan. In addition, GamePro got the chance to play through a lengthy segment of our Chicago single-player level, and checked out our 8-player online co-op and competitive multiplayer. The issue is hitting subscribers now and goes on newsstands early next week, but if you really can’t wait, here’s a sneak peak at a couple of the new screenshots below.

Obviously, you’ll have to go buy the magazine to see more of Resistance 2, which also features an exclusive three-page fold-out cover showing some art our team created of Nathan Hale in Chicago and a few other surprises. Check out a preview here

If you are a Resistance fan, this issue is a must-have.

Next up for us is E3. We’re working hard to prepare for the big show. Stay tuned for lots of new info from us soon.

As always, Bryan Intihar and I will be around answering your questions in the comments section.

James Stevenson on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Title Spotlight, resistance | No Comments -

Second week on the blog – and what a week it’s been!

Here at Criterion, it was great to get the news that the Codename: Cagney update for Burnout Paradise has passed through submission at Sony Europe. That’s a great place to be in. Next step – get the “okay” in the USA and we’ll be sure to be hitting our deadline of 10th July for this awesome FREE pack of game-changing content.

Also, the third episode of our video podcast, CRASH TV is blowing the roof off the iTunes charts with its combination of exclusive footage, news, and details of upcoming PlayStation-specific features.

And talking of upcoming PlayStation-specific features, we’d like to confirm here that Criterion WILL be supporting PlayStation Trophies in a future update of Burnout Paradise. It won’t be the Codename: Cagney update, but Trophies will be coming to Paradise soon.

Now, if that wasn’t enough excitement for the week, we thought we’d talk about Timed Challenges – a new feature that’s coming to Burnout Paradise online in Codename: Cagney that gives you even more ways for you and your online friends to get together and have amazing fun with cars.

If you’ve not played Burnout Paradise before, you may not know about what we call “Freeburn” or “Freeburn Challenges.” So if you haven’t, here’s the deal:

Burnout Paradise is about having fun with cars in a massive, open-world city. Sure, it’s about racing and other game modes, but one of the things that really sets Paradise apart is “Freeburn.” Up to eight players meet online to just mess around in their cars – see who can drift the furthest, get the most air, spins, barrel rolls, drive furthest in oncoming traffic, etc.

Freeburn Challenges are a part of that mode – special challenges that the host of the online game can activate for everyone to do together.

A challenge can be anything from simply driving in oncoming traffic or finding a billboard and smashing it, to lining up all of your teammates and jumping over them. It’s about teamwork and having fun, and there are 350 of these challenges to play with.

Now, Timed Challenges are a new set of 70 Freeburn Challenges that are coming with the Codename: Cagney update that add an extra, but exciting, element – a timer.

When a Timed Challenge is started, players must meet in a specified place within Paradise City. Once there, a timer begins to count down and the team of players must race to complete a challenge in the world in the shortest time possible. If you’re all successful and beat the clock, your best time is put on a leaderboard.

Sounds simple? It is, but it’s loads of fun, and that leaderboard drives everyone back for “just one more go” because you know you can shave a few more seconds off your best time!

And talking of countdowns, it’s just over 9 days to go before you can check it out when Codename: Cagney is released as a free update.

(These exclusive screenshots show a Timed Challenge in progress – here, two new Codename: Cagney cars - a Rossolini Tempesta Dream and a Hunter Steel Oval Champ meet up in a basketball court by the beach and must to leap off the roof of a car park on the far side of the city.)

Simon Phipps on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Title Spotlight, ps3, psn | No Comments -

Homebrew developer uberjack has updated fMSX to version 3.5.35. For those who aren't too familiar with this program, it is essentially an MSX emulator for the Sony PlayStation Portable.

According to the release post, this version of the application is essentially a bug-fix release. Here's a quick look at all the improvements over the previous version as taken from the homebrew's official website:

• Bugfix - many games, especially MegaROM games did not load correctly in the previous version (thanks Victor)
• Added Fast Forward button mapping - while disabled by default, you can map any button to fast-forward emulation in the Controls menu
• Custom mapper types can now be embedded in source code. This version includes built-in support for Zanac Ex and Mon Mon Monster. Contact me if you'd like to add additional mappings

Like all homebrew, be sure to go over the documentation to avoid any problems with the program.

Download: fMSX v3.5.35

Enrico S. on July 1st, 2008 | File Under Uncategorized | No Comments -