Call of Duty : Black Ops

The new Call of Duty has a name, and it's Black Ops.

There's pretty much nothing on the website right now except a release date of November 9 of this year, which shockingly is a Tuesday. That's it.

You can sign up for updates too. Which is very exciting. I should also mention, just for the sake of, that this CoD is not being developed by Infinity Ward. Activision is sticking to its now standard release scedule of an IW CoD one year, a Treyarch one the next. This year is Treyarch's turn.

Should be interesting to see what happens next year.

PSN update -- 'Dark Forces!' edition

Now you're talking Sony, and I'm buying.

The classic PC title (I didn't even know it was on the PSOne) Dark Forces is now available for purchase and play on your PS3 or PSP. For those who don't know what DF is, it's the first FPS set in the Star Wars universe. Players play the roll of Kyle Katarn, a rogue similar to Han Solo. I can't for the life of me remember if it's in the first title at all, but in the sequels Katarn becomes a bit of a Jedi. Powers and Lightsabre and all.

This is a true classic game and it's nice to see Sony actually giving us a good addition to the PSOne classics series. More please.

*oh just to remind everyone- the PSN update will take place on Tuesday starting next week.

First offering of 'Alan Wake' DLC to be free of charge

Pretty nice:

For “Alan Wake” fans looking forward to spending some extra quality time in Bright Falls, they can extend their stay in the eerie small town set in the Pacific Northwest.  Included with every new purchase of the standard or limited collector’s editions of “Alan Wake,” fans will score a token code card to download the title’s first Game Add-on at no cost only on Xbox LIVE when it becomes available later this year.  Make sure to stock up on extra batteries for your trusty flashlight as “Alan Wake” arrives on May 14 in Europe, May 18 in the Americas, and May 27 in Japan.

Activision buys Bungie?

No, not really.

Judging by people's reactions though, you might think this is what happened- it didn't.

What has happened is that Bungie (the Halo company that doesn't own Halo- still an Xbox exclusive) has begun production on it's first non-Halo game in a really long time, (was Oni the last one?) and has given the much maligned super-publisher Activision the exclusive global, multi-platform, multi-device (!)  publishing rights to that title.

So, in a nutshell, we'll be seeing an Activision logo in place of the Microsoft Game Studios logo in the first few screens after starting up the new game on our 360's, PS3's... iPad's? That 'device' part has to make you wonder...

Also, I should note that (even though I didn't want to get into it on this blog) Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward has just very messily broken up (basically) with Activision. So you might think of this move as Activision kind of swapping out IW and slappin' in a fresh clip full of Bungie. At least, on a trial basis.

Full story @ Edge

Nintendo Download -- 'King of Ferrari GT' edition

So we actually get another decent game this week for the DSiWare service.

Ferrari GT is probably pretty self-explanatory so I won't overly get into it here but I will say that it looks pretty fun. King of Fighters '95 also arrives this week on the Virtual Console. If you like classic fighters, you could definitely do worse...

Nintendo release schedule - updated

Nintendo has sent out an update to their 2010 release schedule and it looks like Metroid Other M will be delayed a bit-


For Wii:

• Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (Wii, June 27): The incredible new shooter game from legendary developer Treasure, Sin & Punishment: Star Successor features nonstop action with two playable characters and international online leaderboards to track high scores. Using the Wii Remote^™ pointer functionality, the game offers unprecedented precision in the shooter genre. Broadband Internet access is required for online features.
• Metroid: Other M (Wii, Aug. 31): Developed for the Wii console through a collaboration by Nintendo and the world-renowned Team Ninja, this newest installment of the Metroid saga looks at the classic franchise from a new perspective: While much of the game is reminiscent of 2-D side-scrollers, players can switch the perspective into 3-D at any time as they explore the twisting passages of a derelict space station and delve deep into a cinematic, never-before-told story of bounty hunter Samus Aran’s past. This new approach uses a new control scheme in which players use the Wii Remote controller, held sideways, to battle enemies and navigate the expansive, gorgeous environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in first-person and hunt the world for clues and hidden passages.

For WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare (broadband Internet access is required):

• Photo Dojo (Nintendo DSiWare, May 10): Get ready for some seriously fun Kung Fu action – starring you! Create your own characters and record the sound effects using the Nintendo DSi system’s camera and microphone. Use your imagination to set the stage for a fun-filled fight to the finish. In a special introductory offer, Photo Dojo will be available for free download via the Nintendo DSi Shop from May 10 to June 10. Starting June 11, the game will be available for download for 200 Nintendo DSi Points.
• Earthworm Jim (Nintendo DSiWare, Gameloft, May 10): The classic action platformer is back with a never-before-seen feature, exclusively on the Nintendo DSi system. Run, gun, swing from hooks with your head, launch cows, bungee jump, rocket through speed levels and more, in crazy universes that offer huge game-play possibilities. Earn bonuses with facial expression-based challenges that track your face using the Nintendo DSi camera. Put on a smile, frown or make a variety of other faces to mimic Jim.
• BIT.TRIP RUNNER (WiiWare, Aksys Games, May 17): Marking the first character-based adventure for CaptainVideo, the newest installment in the BIT.TRIP series features rhythm-based action platforming, more than 50 challenges to complete and a pounding chiptune-inspired soundtrack.
• Looksley’s Line Up^™ (Nintendo DSiWare, May 17): In this unique take on hidden picture games, Looksley the rabbit needs your help to find inspiring objects so he can finish the story he’s writing. The objects are hidden in 3-D dioramas made up of cutout layers that shift as you move the Nintendo DSi system. Unique Nintendo DSi camera-based controls let you peer deep into the game’s scenes and hunt for hidden objects just by moving the Nintendo DSi.
• Frogger Returns (Nintendo DSiWare, Konami, May 17): Frogger Returns takes the challenge of the arcade classic Frogger and brings it to the Nintendo DSiWare service for the first time. Classic top-down 2-D game-play is updated with colorful 3-D graphics, a new perspective, new levels, new enemies and game-changing power-ups to dodge and grab.
• Metal Torrent^™ (Nintendo DSiWare, May 24): Compete with players around the world for the highest score in this new action game inspired by classic arcade shoot-’em-ups. Convert enemy bullets into score-generating cubes. Continuously absorb cubes to create score-accelerating combos. Download replay videos from top players via Nintendo^® Wi-Fi Connection, or if you make the top five scores, upload your own video.
• X-Scape^™ (Nintendo DSiWare, May 31): Take on an epic space adventure in X-Scape. As captain of the VIXIV, a highly advanced space tank, you’ll roam the surface of dozens of alien worlds, battling the forces of an empire that is out to destroy you. The touch screen makes controlling your vehicle a snap, and your helpful robot companion is there every step of the way to help you with advice and weapon upgrades.
• Hero of Sparta (Nintendo DSiWare, Gameloft, May 31): Battle like the fierce Spartan warrior you are to avoid a tragic death as you journey through mythical lands and even probe the depths of the Underworld. You will fight the most phenomenal monsters from mythology, defy Minotaurs and the Cyclops, and challenge the gods themselves!
• Flametail^™ (Nintendo DSiWare, June 7): Clean up the space lanes of floating garbage with the starship Flametail. As you wind your way through the mind-bending obstacle course, your flaming tail will ignite the piles of rubbish to eliminate them. But be careful to not get caught in a dead end, or let the barrier that’s following you reach your tail. This puzzle action game is easy for anyone to pick up and play.
• A Kappa’s Trail (Nintendo DSiWare, June 14): Guide a little mythical river spirit to the human world with your Nintendo DSi stylus in this puzzle adventure. Draw a trail, and the little “kappa” will follow. It’s up to you to ensure he makes it through the gauntlet of enemies and treacherous paths of the Kappa Trail. 

I don't see Mario Galaxy 2 on there so it looks like we'll still be getting that next month. Maybe.

Ubisoft starts 'Green' packaging campaign

Which basically means that they'll be saving a lot of money by not printing up game manuals. Instead of the industry standard crappy B&W booklet we get now (but it's a real treat when it's in color isn't it? Seriously, it's a moment of joy), we'll be getting digi-manuals coded onto the game disc itself.

I guess it's cool. It saves trees and Ubi money in printing costs. Which I'm sure will get passed on to us at point of purchase. Right guys?

Release after the break