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Thursday 19 May 2011

The Portal 2 Effect


Just how much Portal 2 have you been playing?
Portal2 is a pretty big deal. In fact, it's such a big deal that we thought it would be a great idea to ask the folks at Raptr to share their stats of just how much Portal 2 people have been playing in the first three weeks of its release and how its release affected other Portal-related games. Check out the graphic below to see the data generated from the PC and Xbox 360 versions of Portal 2 (PlayStation 3 data was unavailable due to the PSN's downtime).
Portal 2 Data
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Brink Graphics Comparison


We compare how Brink looks across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.
Brink Graphics Comparison
Brink makes use of the id Tech 4 graphical engine. Other notable games to make use of the engine include Doom 3 and Wolfenstein. Since the engine's release, it's been used in Prey and other id-related titles like Quake 4.
The game features a variety of environments, but because Brink is based around small teams of cohorts trying to clear various objectives, the maps all tend to be medium to small sized, which the id Tech 4 engine (not so coincidentally) excels at rendering.
Brink on the PC has the best-looking textures and features overall, but the consoles don't do all that badly (which we'll get to later). As usual, the PC version benefits from graphical horsepower and can drive extra features like ambient occlusion, antialiasing, high-quality post processing, and higher resolutions. Speaking of resolutions, the Xbox 360 runs at the lowest internal resolution, which is then scaled up to 1280x720. The Xbox 360 makes use of antialiasing whereas the PlayStation 3 does not.
We captured images on the Xbox 360 running at 1280x720 using a Matrox MXO2 Mini over HDMI cables. PlayStation 3 images were captured running at 1280x720 over component with an AJA Xena LH. The PlayStation 3 enables HDCP, which prevents HDMI image capture. Stills from the PC version of the game were captured using FRAPs at 1280x720with 4xAA/16xAF with maximum-quality settings running on a Radeon HD 5870. All images were shrunk down to fit into the rollover images. Zoomed images are pixel-to-pixel extractions from the original files.
We'll break down how the images stacked up as we go across each set.

Texture Lag on Consoles

Both of the consoles suffer from a little texture lag. Most games take a little while to pull in all the textures, but Brink does something interesting. When completely rendered, the console versions of the game pull in textures that seem to be on par with the PC high-quality variant, if we disregard the actual resolution advantage the PC gets.
The perk is nice, but it comes with a trade-off. Objects and terrain behind you get pushed out of memory, so when you look at them again, you'll trigger the low- to high-quality transition. In practice, if you're walking down a hallway, everything in front of you will appear high quality after the initial load. If you keep walking in a straight line, everything will remain nice and pretty. The moment you turn around, it will all get kicked out, and the low to high cycle will kick in for what you're looking at in that moment. Should you do another 180-degree turn and look forward again, you'll see the same transition again from low to high quality. The entire process doesn't take more than a second or two to finish, and if you're focused on shooting enemies, you likely won't notice much.
Xbox 360 - Initial Look       Xbox 360 - 2 Seconds Later      
Xbox 360 - Initial Look       Xbox 360 - 2 Seconds Later      
PlayStation 3 - Initial Look       PlayStation 3 - 2 Seconds Later      
PlayStation 3 - Initial Look       PlayStation 3 - 2 Seconds Later      

Aquarium Match Start

Lighting in the upper-left area of the screen looks noticeably different on the PlayStation 3; almost as if it were turned off. You can also see that the zeroes in the signage and the word "Standby" don't glow like they do on the PC and Xbox 360. On the PC, the banners in the middle of the screen are illuminated, but neither of the consoles include that feature.
PC       PlayStation 3       Xbox 360      
PC       PlayStation 3       Xbox 360      








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Square Enix RPG spin-off still on top; new Haruhi Suzumiya games and Steel Diver closing in.


Even with a few noteworthy releases for the week of May 9, the updated spin-off of Dragon Quest Monster 2 Joker Professional still reigns supreme in Japan. Square Enix's expanded version of the monster collecting-reliant RPG retained its first place position with 20,722 units sold, according to the recent Media Create charts.
Two versions of the new game based on the Haruhi Suzumiya anime series, titled Haruhi Suzumiya no Tsuisou, have made strong debuts on the chart. The PS3 version of the game is in third place with 18,831 units sold, while the PSP version is in fourth place with 14,953 units sold. Roughly translated as The Reminiscences of Haruhi Suzumiya, the latest videogame adaptation of the franchise takes place after the events of The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya anime movie where players control main character Kyon and explore an alternate version of Haruhi Suzumiya's setting.
Even with a Dragon Quest game on top, Haruhi Suzumiya games aren't slouching around in the sales department.
While Steel Diver has been releasaed in the USA, U.K, and the rest of Asia, the submarine simulation game made its debut in Japan last week. The game is in third place with 17,408 units sold. Other notable games include PSP rhythm action game Patapon 3 in fifth place with 12,959 units sold, and PSP RPG Final Promise Story in eighth place with 6,915 units sold.
The PSP and 3DS are still dominating the top two spots, with the former selling 34,655 units and the latter selling 18,324 units. Both system's sales numbers have taken a dip since the previous week. On the sales week of May 2 to 8, the PSP sold 54,882 units while the 3DS sold 29,149.
JAPAN GAME SALES WEEK OF MAY 9-15
Software 
Rank/Title/Publisher/Platform/Unit Sales
1. Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 Professional / Square Enix / DS / 20,722
2. Haruhi Suzumiya no Tsuisou / Namco Bandai / PS3 / 18,831
3. Steel Diver / Nintendo / 3DS / 17,408
4. Haruhi Suzumiya no Tsuisou / Namco Bandai / PSP / 14,953
5. Patapon 3 / SCEJ / PSP / 12,959
6. Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 / Konami / PSP / 10,166
7. Planetarian – Chiisa na Hoshi no Yume Tohoku Earthquake Charity Version / Prototype / PSP / 9,222
8. Final Promise Story / Imageepoch / PSP / 6,915
9. Pro Baseball Spirits 2011 / Konami / PS3 / 6,586
10. 2nd Super Robot Wars Z Hakai Volume / Namco Bandai / PSP / 6,290
Hardware
PSP – 34,655
3DS – 18,324
PS3 – 13,789
Wii – 6,336
DSi XL – 5,358
DSi – 5,292
Xbox 360 – 2,763
PS2 – 1,319
DS Lite – 208
PSP Go - 171
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2nd Super Robot Taisen OG to come in $500 limited edition package.


The Super Robot Taisen (or Super Robot Wars) series have always been a crowd-pleaser in Japan due to the assortment of mechas players get to command in turn-based battle glory. Namco Bandai announced that it will be releasing a new entry on the PS3 called 2nd Super Robot Taisen OG (short for "Original Generation"), according to a recent article in this week's Famitsu magazine. Much like past games, the third game in the main series still retains its strategy-RPG roots, with the battle scenes themselves composed of 3D backgrounds with 2D character sprites.
More robots, more problems.
In addition to a standard copy, fans can also buy the limited edition of the game which includes a Blu-Ray disc set of all 26 episodes of Super Robot Taisen OG: The Inspector anime, along with a companion booklet and a package with art from the anime's character designer Risa Ebata. The set will cost gamers 41,790 yen ($510.89), while the standard version will be 8,329 yen.
2nd Super Robot Taisen OG will be out in August in Japan. An English version of the game has yet to be confirmed.
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Action game from Platinum Games on hold until next January.


Gamers wishing to bust some heads with either MadWorld's Jack Cayman or the Black Baron in Platinum Games' latest will need to wait a little longer. According to an update on Anarchy Reign's Japanese website, the game is now slated for a January 2012 release date instead of its original Q3 2011 time frame.
Anarchy won't Reign until 2012.
Anarchy Reigns is a third-person action brawler set in a postapocalyptic warzone filled with tsunamis, black holes, and all sorts of hazards. Players get to duke it out online using existing characters from the studio's previous work MadWorld, as well as a few other original characters.
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Wednesday 18 May 2011

check out the kinect gamez......


GAMEZ SUTABLE FOR KINECT
Title↓Developer↓Publisher↓Japan↓North America↓Europe↓Australia↓Exclusive↓Kinect-only↓
Adrenalin MisfitsKonamiKonamiNovember 20, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Body and Brain ConnectionNamco BandaiNamco BandaiNovember 20, 2010February 8, 2011February 11, 2011February 10, 2011YesYes
Brunswick Pro BowlingFarSight StudiosCrave EntertainmentTBAApril 8, 2011February 15, 2011December 16, 2010NoYes
Carnival Games: Monkey See, Monkey DoCat Daddy Games2K PlayTBAApril 12, 2011April 15, 2011April 15, 2011YesYes
Dance CentralHarmonix Music SystemsMTV GamesJune 2, 2011November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Dance MastersKonamiKonamiNovember 20, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Dance ParadiseMindscape,Universal MusicTBAFebruary 15, 2011November 19, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Deca Sports FreedomHudson SoftKonamiDecember 16, 2010November 18, 2010November 26, 2010December 2, 2010YesYes
Def Jam RapstarTerminal RealityKonamiTBAOctober 5, 2010November 26, 2010February 10, 2011NoNo
EA Sports Active 2.0EA VancouverEA SportsTBANovember 19, 2010November 16, 2010TBANoYes
Fantastic PetsBlitz Games StudiosTHQFebruary 22, 2011April 12, 2011April 15, 2011April 14, 2011YesYes
Fighters UncagedAMA StudiosUbisoftTBANovember 4, 2010November 10, 2010February 18, 2011YesYes
Game Party: In MotionFarSight StudiosWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentTBANovember 18, 2010November 26, 2010December 9, 2010YesYes
Get Fit With Mel BLightning Fish StudiosDeep SilverTBANovember 26, 2010TBATBANoYes
Harry Potter and the Deathly HallowsEA Bright LightElectronic ArtsNovember 16, 2010November 16, 2010November 19, 2010November 18, 2010NoNo
Kinect AdventuresGood Science StudioMicrosoft Game StudiosNovember 20, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Kinect Joy RideBigParkMicrosoft Game StudiosJanuary 20, 2011November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Kinect SportsRareMicrosoft Game StudiosNovember 20, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
KinectimalsFrontier DevelopmentsMicrosoft Game StudiosDecember 9, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Michael Jackson: The ExperienceUbisoft MontrealUbisoft, Triumph InternationalTBAApril 12, 2011April 15, 2011April 19, 2011NoYes
MotionSportsUbisoftUbisoftNovember 18, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Sonic Free RidersSonic TeamSegaNovember 20, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
The Biggest Loser: Ultimate WorkoutBlitz Games StudiosTHQTBANovember 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Yoostar2Blitz Games StudiosYoostar Entertainment GroupTBAMarch 8, 2011March 11, 2011March 10, 2011NoYes
Your Shape: Fitness EvolvedUbisoftUbisoftDecember 9, 2010November 4, 2010November 10, 2010November 18, 2010YesYes
Zumba FitnessPipeworks SoftwareMajesco EntertainmentTBANovember 18, 2010November 26, 2010December 2, 2010NoYes

Announced games


Title↓Developer↓Publisher↓Japan↓North America↓Europe↓Australia↓Exclusive↓Kinect-only↓
Child of EdenQ EntertainmentUbisoftTBAJune 14, 2011June 17, 2011June 19, 2011NoNo
Codename D (working title)Grasshopper ManufactureMicrosoft Game StudiosTBATBA 2011TBATBAYesYes
Dance Central 2Harmonix Music SystemsMTV GamesTBATBATBATBAYesYes
Robots Dance CentralHarmonix Music SystemsBlue Sky StudiosTBATBATBATBAYesYes
Doodle JumpLima SkyLima SkyTBATBATBATBAYesYes
Forza Motorsport 4Turn 10 StudiosMicrosoft Game StudiosTBATBATBA 2011TBAYesNo
Gears of War ExileEpic GamesMicrosoft Game StudiosTBATBATBATBAYesNo
Grand Slam Tennis 11EA CanadaEA SportsTBATBATBATBANoYes
HauntNanaOn-ShaMicrosoft Game StudiosTBATBATBATBAYesYes
Heavy Fire: AfghanistanTeyonMastiff GamesTBASeptember 30, 2011TBATBANoNo
KinectalloonsJSTV MediaJSTV MediaTBATBATBATBAYesYes
Kinect Star WarsTerminal RealityLucasArtsTBATBATBATBAYesYes
Kung Fu Panda 2THQTBAMay 24, 2011TBATBAYesYes
Let's Dance with Mel BLightning Fish StudiosUbisoftTBATBAMay 27, 2011TBAYesYes
Michael Phelps: Push The LimitBlitz Games Studios505 GamesTBAJune 19, 2011TBATBAYesYes
Nicktoons MLBHigh Voltage Software2K GamesTBASummer 2011TBATBANoYes
Project Draco (working title)Grounding Inc.Microsoft Game StudiosTBATBA 2011TBATBAYesYes
PowerUp HeroesLongtail StudiosUbisoftJune 2011June 14, 2011June 2011June 2011YesYes
Rise of NightmaresSegaSegaTBAJune 2011TBATBAYesYes
Sesame Street: Once Upon a MonsterDouble Fine ProductionsTHQTBATBA 2011TBATBAYesYes
Untitled SpongeBob SquarePants gameTHQTBATBATBATBANoYes
Steel Battalion: Heavy ArmorCapcomCapcomTBATBA 2011TBATBAYesYes
The GunstringerTwisted PixelTwisted PixelQ4 2011Q4 2011Q4 2011Q4 2011YesYes
Top Angler: Real Bass FishingInterOneInterOneTBATBATBATBAYesYes
UFC TrainerYuke'sTHQJune 21, 2011June 21, 2011June 21, 2011June 21, 2011NoYes
Virtua Tennis 4SEGA AM3SEGAJune 30, 2011May 10, 2011April 29, 2011May 5, 2011NoNo
Winter Sports 3RTL EntertainmentZoo GamesTBATBATBATBANoNo
Wipeout in the ZoneActivisionTBAJune 14, 2011TBATBAYesYes
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