GamerNode: Latest Game and Console News

Nolan North hints Hugh Jackman is favorite to play...

Nolan North, the voice and motion capture actor for Nathan Drake in the popular Uncharted series, has hinted heavily in a recent interview that Hugh Jackman is the front-runner to land the lead role of Drake in the upcoming Uncharted movie.

North, a favorite of fans to play the role himself, said in a telephone interview with The Official PlayStation Magazine UK, "I would love to do the movie, obviously I'd love to do it as Nathan Drake [...] but I've done film and television and I understand the reality of the business."

He was then asked who he would like to see play the role of Drake if he was not chosen.

"Jackman is who I'd like to see," North answered. "I think the producers would like to see Jackman too, because he has that tough guy exterior, but [...] there's also a lot going on behin...

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God Of War III demo included with District 9 Blu-r...

Sony has spruced up the December 29 Blu-ray release of Neill Blomkamp's film District 9 by throwing in a holiday nugget for PS3 gamers worldwide -- namely, an exclusive God of War III demo.

Contained within the disc along with the movie, the demo features a special clip that showcases GoW III's development that can be unlocked if you manage to guide Kratos through his latest escapade of button-mashing carnage.

Peter Dille, senior vice president of marketing and Playstation Network, lauds the Blu-ray support of the PS3 as an incentive for PS3 gamers to uphold their systems as a capable entertainment platform:

"Blu-ray functionality has long been a differentiator that separates the PS3 from other home entertainment systems. Through this collaboration with Sony Pictures Home Entertainment we...

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3D Dot Game Heroes coming to America

If you haven't heard of 3D Dot Game Heroes yet, take a seat and open your ears. The action adventure game from developer From Software is a love letter to retro gaming and the days when 8- and 16-bit games ruled the world.  The game releases November 5 in Japan, and up until now, American gamers' only option to get it was through your favorite importer.

Well no more! The official PlayStation Twitter page has announced that the game is indeed receiving a U.S. release. "No need to import - 3D Dot Game Heroes for PS3 is DEFINITELY coming to NA! Spread the word, more to come."

No word on which publisher is localizing the title and what our release date will be, but this is one game to definitely keep an eye out for.

[PlayStation Twitter]

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First Brutal Legend DLC "Tears of the Hextadon" me...

Stage Battlers around the globe will have a couple more areas in which to vanquish their enemies come November. EA and Double Fine Productions announced today that the first DLC pack for Brutal Legend, titled "Tears of the Hextadon," will release on November 3 on Xbox Live and November 5 on PSN. The pack will run 400 MS Points on XBL and will be free on PSN until November 19.

The pack contains two new maps, Cicle of Tears and Death Fjord. Circle of Tears features "vile waters that have carved a rough-hewn circular battlefield into a forsaken land that players must circumvent to destroy their opponent." Death Fjord has players fighting on a snow mountain pass that has a "dense cluster of fans that lie below, waiting to be harvested by those brave enough to capture them without cover from ene...

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Dev: Modern Warfare 2 was hidden from Activision

Continuing the trend of endless updates about the juggernaut arrival of Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward Community Manager Robert Bowling has divulged the fact that Infinity Ward had chosen to veil work on the game to publisher Activision until far into the development cycle.

Speaking to Official Xbox 360 Magazine UK, Bowling credits Infinity Ward's devotion to gamers and fans alike for justifying their decision:

"We know the game we want to make, and especially with Modern Warfare 2, we didn't even show Activision the game until very much later in the development process. Because we want to stay focused, really the only opinion we care about is what our fans think."

Bowling further elaborated by explaining the lengths Infinity Ward had taken to accrue player feedback and opinions during t...

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"A Real Horror Show" on Big Red Potion

Our friends Sinan Kubba and Joe DeLia over at Big Red Potion just can't seem to get enough of the GamerNode guys. The dynamic duo have once again invited me to join them on their show, this time grabbing GN's Jason Fanelli to join in on the conversation, too. With Halloween just around the corner, this time we're talking about horror games, and how they are or are not inherently different from other types of games in the way they engage the player. We discuss all the usual suspects in the horror genre... and Animal Crossing. Yeah, Jason brought it up.

You can catch the episode on www.bigredpotion.com, and be sure to subscribe to the BRP podcast, right alongside the Versus Node podcast on iTunes.

[Big Red Potion]

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Excitebike: World Rally coming to WiiWare

(Above Image is from Excitebike NES Version)

Nintendo announced today that a new entry in the Excitebike series is coming soon. Announced via the Nintendo Week show on the Nintendo Channel, Excitebike: World Rally will be released on Nintendo WiiWare on November 9. No price has been given yet.

The game will be a 2.5D update to the original Excitebike on the NES and will offer both motion-based and classic controls, as well as feature online multiplayer via Nintendo Wi-Fi and a level creator. No word on level-sharing, but here's hoping it makes the cut. Check out the announcement trailer here.

[Kotaku]

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Modern Warfare 2 to feature third-person view

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is quickly earning the "everything, including the kitchen sink" moniker. Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling dropped that there will be a third-person mode available in Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, but only in certain playlists.

"It's not something you can toggle on and off in ANY game," said Bowling. The view can only be played in private matches, where it will be possible to toggle it on and off, or in playlists specifically designated for third-person play. Bowling said that everyone will be restricted to the third-person view in those playlists, and added, "this is just another cool way to play the game; you obviously will still have the option to play gametypes normal as well."

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 releases on Nov. 10.

[Joystiq]

Additional reporting...

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GoldenEye returns?

A recent update to an animator's resume has shed some light on what possibly could be a new GoldenEye game in development for the Wii, with the potential for Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.

The animator in question was Craig Peck, who works at Eurocom Entertainment Software. Having previously developed Quantum of Solace for various platforms in 2008, it would seem that Eurocom's next Bond project will involve a Wii release and a return to the world of GoldenEye.

The resume -- now removed from Peck's website -- contained this writing:

"Eurocom Entertainment Software, Derby, United Kingdom: July 09 - Sept 09 Animator - GoldenEye 2010 (Wii) - Animator on Activision's James Bond series for the Nintendo Wii."

Apart from a previous confirmation by Activision that a new Bond game is in the works, no o...

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Update: Netflix support for PS3 announced, uses sp...

Well, the cat is finally out of the bag. After countless rumors and whispers around the industry about Netflix coming to other consoles, today the video rental service announced that their streaming service will be coming to the PS3. The service will also be free for all Playstation Network users who have Netflix accounts, compared to the Xbox service which requires a Xbox Live Gold account.

PSN users will have access to all the features that Xbox users have, such as managing your queue right from your PS3 and HD streaming. The service is expected to drop sometime next month.

Update: It looks like PS3 Netflix users will be required to use a special Netflix disc in order to access the streaming service. You can reserve your disc here and it will ship to you when they are available. The disc w...

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DJ Hero expected to have slow initial sales

With the massive hype train and amazing soundtrack behind it, you would think DJ Hero would be the a sales juggernaut this holiday season for music fans all over. Not so according to Kai Huang, co-creator of the Guitar Hero franchise. Huang voiced his expectations of the new title saying, "We're expecting this to be the type of game that may come out of the gate a little bit slower, but continue to grow over time."

DJ Hero may follow the same path that the original Guitar Hero took. The original fret-slapping music title started slow and gained more momentum through word of mouth and positive reviews. We'll have to see if DJ Hero can do the same and attain the financial success and popularity that its rock brethren have gained.

[IGN] 

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PS3 aiming to outsell Xbox 360 in 2009

It's easily apparent that the PS3 has been faring better within the recent months. Boosted sales of the PS3 Slim and the popularity of Uncharted 2 has surged PS3 sales to stratospheric heights. High enough, in fact, to warrant a prediction that the PS3 has a chance of overtaking the Xbox 360 in overall console sales by the end of this year. But does the PS3 have enough steam to leap ahead of the Green Giant?

According to website Playstation Insider, it does. The PS3 has already recovered its dismal launch numbers by closing the gap that the Xbox 360 established when it was released.

The momentum does not stop there, as the console is already conquering the 360 in Japan and Europe; an additional hundred thousand units sold would place the PS3 ahead of the 360 within the U.S. PS3 sales have re...

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Modern Warfare 2 boycott 'official'

Infinity Ward has caused quite a stir over the implementation of their own online infrastructure known as IWNET and removal of user-based dedicated servers for Modern Warfare 2. Angry comments and a petition with over 135,000 signatures urging Infinity Ward to change back to dedicated servers have been all over the web since the announcement.

The worst isn't over for the developer of Modern Warfare 2, as Gamers Nexus user Lelldorianx has laid out and is attempting to implement an "official" boycott for the game. In it the writer has laid down ground rules for anyone on the boycott to follow in order to achieve a level of success.

"After reading several hundred comments across multiple collaborative news sites (like N4G.com), I've come to the conclusion that reporting it in an unbiased manner...

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Ubisoft has decided on Assassin's Creed III settin...

Ubisoft knows when and where the next installment in the Assassin's Creed series will be, but the company isn't about to announce that setting just yet.

Asked if Ubisoft knew what "pivital moments" in history Assassin's Creed III would cover, Montreal studio boss Yannis Mallat replied, "oh yeah." But the studio boss wouldn't say what those moments were.

"We know how to keep our secrets," Mallat added. "Think about it, Assassin's Creed as a brand is definitely oriented towards reliving pivotal moments in history. So along that path we may revisit some interesting moments."

The Ubi Montreal president was then asked if the company had planned out the ending for the story to Desmond Miles. "Who talked about an ending?" teased Mallat.

This has been the second time Ubisoft has hinted that Assassin's...

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Force Unleashed PC system requirements released

Aspyr Media has released the system requirements for the impending PC port of Lucas Arts' action game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

Many PC gamers were jilted to learn that Force Unleashed wouldn't appear for computer systems, according to an interview with Lucas Arts producer Cameron Suey conducted last spring. Citing difficulty with scaling the technical and graphical aspects of the game, Suey surmised that only owners of extremely high-end computers would be able to run the game correctly.

Lucas Arts pulled a quick about-face at this year's Comic Con, with the announcement that the Apprentice will indeed return to grace the monitors of computer gamers.

With a tentative early-winter release planned for the upcoming port, many gamers have been waiting with bated breath for more information...

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Ignition Entertainment announces Arc Rise Fantasia...

Ignition Entertainment has announced today that they will localize the Japanese Wii RPG Arc Rise Fantasia for North America. The game is the newest title to be developed by Image Epoch, developers of the Luminous Arc series. The game will be turn-based and will have players step into the shoes of L'Arc, a "calm and composed mercenary, who sets out to defend the Meridian Empire from an impending invasion of ferocious creatures."

According to the press release, the battle system allows you to queue up attacks in any manner you want or summon monsters to help the party. You can also execute team-up attacks a la Chrono Trigger for massive damage.

"It's an ambitious Japanese role-playing game with deep gameplay, top-notch production values, and an unforgettable story line -- Wii owners have been...

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Fable III to have in-game 'shop' for microtransact...

Support for Project Natal wasn't the only announcement Peter Molyneux had for those attending the BAFTA Annual Video Game Lecture in London regarding Fable III. The well-known game designer also revealed a microtransaction system for the game.

Speaking of his vision of the future of videogames, Molyneux announced that the next game in the Fable series would have an in-game shop where microtransactions can take place. He proposed the shop would include special items such as weapons that would be offered for a fee of around $1.70 USD.

The store will also sell access to DLC areas, such as Knothole Island from Fable II, for a higher fee. Molyneux stated he was looking for a more harmonious way of merging a game with its DLC.

[That VideoGame Blog]

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Korg DS-10 Plus coming to America courtesy of XSEE...

XSEED Games announced today that it will bring Korg DS-10 Plus to North America for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi. Developed by AQ Interactive, Korg DS-10 Plus is a sequel to the original DS game which was a replica of the Korg synthesizer. It brings all the features and user experience of the real synthesizer to the handheld. It's less a game and more of a music application that allows you to create your own music to share or export. You can also have up to eight systems play music together or swap tunes.

The new version will include four analog synthesizers, eight drum synthesizers, up to twelve tracks on one song, and real-time editing. DSi owners get two extra effects layers. No release date has been set of yet.

If you want a taste of what the tool can do on DS, check out this recreation ...

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Civilization Network launching on Facebook in 2010...

To the Civilization addicts out there, now you definitely won't be able to escape the "One More Turn" disease. Sid Meier has announced a Facebook version of the popular turn-based strategy games. Civilization Network will drop on Facebook in 2010 and feature a "fully persistent environment" and be "free to play."

The CivNet Facebook page will be looking for beta testers soon, so if you need to statisfy the addiction early, head over and grab the details. As for me, now I definitely won't find time to get away from my PC. It'll be Civ at night and more Civ on Facebook during the day -- a recipe for success at stealing my time.

[Facebook]

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Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 upcoming DLC includes s...

Marvel Comics got a little antsy and spilled the beans on new content coming to Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. According to a blog post over at Marvel.com, the upcoming DLC for the game will feature simulation missions and former PS2- and Wii-exclusive character Psylocke.

They go on to detail what the missions will be: "Insidious Alliance" will have you up against other Marvel bad guys in arena style combat. The second mission is sure to get arcade and retro gamers salivating. "Titled Balance" is an homage to old side-scrolling beat-em-up games like, in Vicarious Visions Mark Webster's own words, the original X-Men arcade game.

I can't wait to see how that mission will play out. Anything even remotely resembling that old six-player co-op X-Men arcade cabinet is ok in my book.

[Marvel.com]

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