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Kombo's Comprehensive E3 2009 Index Page Every single E3 2009 related update and article posted on Kombo... conveniently organized in one location. Just for you. 
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Heavy Rain Hands-On Is it a game or a new kind of cinematic experience? Whatever it is, it's looks freaking amazing. 
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Assassin's Creed 2 Impressions The sequel to the breakout IP of this generation. Put your faith in the Creed. |
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PS3
Mass: We Pray a Dante's Inferno Marketing Stunt
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 8:22 PM PST
Last week's satirical advertisement for Mass: We Pray, which featured cross-shaped motion controllers and gameplay modes like 'baptism' and 'ring the tower bell', has turned out to be another bit of sneaky marketing for EA's upcoming Dante's Inferno.
All of the game's marketing efforts have tied into the seven deadly sins.
Back at E3, EA held a contest asking attendees to take pictures with booth-babes, which tied in with 'Lust'. EA also sent out checks to media outlets as a tie-in with 'Greed'. Apparently the Mass: We Pray advertisement ties in with 'Heresy'.
Seeing these marketing stunts fall flat, I wonder if the controversy EA is trying to raise is doing the game any good.
Mass: We Pray a Dante's Inferno Marketing Stunt
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 8:22 PM PST
Last week's satirical advertisement for Mass: We Pray, which featured cross-shaped motion controllers and gameplay modes like 'baptism' and 'ring the tower bell', has turned out to be another bit of sneaky marketing for EA's upcoming Dante's Inferno.
All of the game's marketing efforts have tied into the seven deadly sins.
Back at E3, EA held a contest asking attendees to take pictures with booth-babes, which tied in with 'Lust'. EA also sent out checks to media outlets as a tie-in with 'Greed'. Apparently the Mass: We Pray advertisement ties in with 'Heresy'.
Seeing these marketing stunts fall flat, I wonder if the controversy EA is trying to raise is doing the game any good.
source: Kotaku
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PS3
November Marks the Launch Anniversary of Many a Gaming Platform
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 4:08 PM PST
A lot of console and handheld anniversaries are being observed this year, such as the SEGA Genesis, the Dreamcast, and the Game Boy. But November seems to be the month to remember, as many a memorable platform celebrate can celebrate its launch going into the Winter holidays.
First and foremost, one cannot overlook the platforms of this very generation. Earlier this week, November 17th marked the third anniversary of the PlayStation 3's North American launch, while the Wii celebrated its own third just yesterday, November 19th. And at the start of next week, November 22nd, the Xbox 360 will also be able to celebrate, except this will be its fourth.
November Marks the Launch Anniversary of Many a Gaming Platform
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 4:08 PM PST
A lot of console and handheld anniversaries are being observed this year, such as the SEGA Genesis, the Dreamcast, and the Game Boy. But November seems to be the month to remember, as many a memorable platform celebrate can celebrate its launch going into the Winter holidays.
First and foremost, one cannot overlook the platforms of this very generation. Earlier this week, November 17th marked the third anniversary of the PlayStation 3's North American launch, while the Wii celebrated its own third just yesterday, November 19th. And at the start of next week, November 22nd, the Xbox 360 will also be able to celebrate, except this will be its fourth.
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PS3
FFXIII Gets "T" Rating Long After Nintendo Tried Marketing Original to Adults
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 3:08 PM PST
Following the announcement of a release date, The Examiner reports that Final Fantasy XIII now has a rating by the ESRB. And that rating is... T for Teen. Like you thought it would be anything else.
The reason for the rating is Violence (natch), Mild Language (yippee), and Suggestive Themes-- hello. Examiner says that "While the rating shouldn't be a shock to anyone, the use of suggestive themes could be. With the game appearing to have a heavy atmosphere of love and caring, two women who link together to form a car, are surely some other sexual like surprises, the suggestive themes are likely to be minor sequences."
On a related note, did you know that Nintendo once tried to market the original NES Final Fantasy toward adults?
FFXIII Gets "T" Rating Long After Nintendo Tried Marketing Original to Adults
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 3:08 PM PST
Following the announcement of a release date, The Examiner reports that Final Fantasy XIII now has a rating by the ESRB. And that rating is... T for Teen. Like you thought it would be anything else.
The reason for the rating is Violence (natch), Mild Language (yippee), and Suggestive Themes-- hello. Examiner says that "While the rating shouldn't be a shock to anyone, the use of suggestive themes could be. With the game appearing to have a heavy atmosphere of love and caring, two women who link together to form a car, are surely some other sexual like surprises, the suggestive themes are likely to be minor sequences."
On a related note, did you know that Nintendo once tried to market the original NES Final Fantasy toward adults?
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PS3
A Good (or at Least Fairly Decent) Look at Sony's Magical Wand
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 2:57 PM PST
Click for a larger view
While Microsoft has been quite open with Project Natal, showing it to anyone who will look and taking it on talk show after talk show following E3, Sony has been much quieter about their unnamed motion control peripheral. In most cases, there isn't even a very good look at it to be found online.
That is, until now. Sony gave those in attendance at their media and investors conference a better look at the revised form of what I'm calling the Wonder Wand. As you can see in the image above, it has at least six buttons placed upon it, including the standard four PS face buttons, a big central button between them, and the home button below.
Plus, as you can plainly see by the text, it features force feedback, a gyroscope not unlike that in the Wii MotionPlus, an accelerometer, and something called "rendition by light," which may involve that bulb on top that looks like it should be sticking out of the mouth of a clown.
A Good (or at Least Fairly Decent) Look at Sony's Magical Wand
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 2:57 PM PST
Click for a larger view
While Microsoft has been quite open with Project Natal, showing it to anyone who will look and taking it on talk show after talk show following E3, Sony has been much quieter about their unnamed motion control peripheral. In most cases, there isn't even a very good look at it to be found online.
That is, until now. Sony gave those in attendance at their media and investors conference a better look at the revised form of what I'm calling the Wonder Wand. As you can see in the image above, it has at least six buttons placed upon it, including the standard four PS face buttons, a big central button between them, and the home button below.
Plus, as you can plainly see by the text, it features force feedback, a gyroscope not unlike that in the Wii MotionPlus, an accelerometer, and something called "rendition by light," which may involve that bulb on top that looks like it should be sticking out of the mouth of a clown.
source: Siliconera
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PS3
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is the Franchise's Fastest Selling Game
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 2:07 PM PST
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time, the latest outing for the dynamic duo from Sony and Insomniac Studios, unfortunately did not manage to blast its way into October's Top 10 software sales as rated by NPD. However, that doesn't mean its sales were unsatisfactory.
In the latest edition of their Full Moon Show podcast, the bad boys of Burbank revealed that A Crack in Time is nonetheless the fastest-selling game yet in the Ratchet & Clank franchise. Impressive, notes The Examiner, as the previous entries have sold over 25 million units combined worldwide.
Of course, one thing working against Ratchet & Clank would be their release date of October 27th, which means the October NPD would only have covered four days of its shelf life so far. It should be interesting to see if it can aspire to greater heights once the November rankings are revealed.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is the Franchise's Fastest Selling Game
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 2:07 PM PST
Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time, the latest outing for the dynamic duo from Sony and Insomniac Studios, unfortunately did not manage to blast its way into October's Top 10 software sales as rated by NPD. However, that doesn't mean its sales were unsatisfactory.
In the latest edition of their Full Moon Show podcast, the bad boys of Burbank revealed that A Crack in Time is nonetheless the fastest-selling game yet in the Ratchet & Clank franchise. Impressive, notes The Examiner, as the previous entries have sold over 25 million units combined worldwide.
Of course, one thing working against Ratchet & Clank would be their release date of October 27th, which means the October NPD would only have covered four days of its shelf life so far. It should be interesting to see if it can aspire to greater heights once the November rankings are revealed.
source: The Examiner
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PS3
Mozilla Rejects Rumor of Firefox Coming to PS3
by Zach Carmichael | 11/20/09 | 1:07 PM PST
Yesterday, PlayStation Insider reported that Mozilla's popular web browser, Firefox, would soon be coming to the PlayStation 3 emerged. The credibility of this news was a bit shoddy, however, seeing as how the site has been wrong on multiple occasions. Today, Mozilla dispelled said rumor in an e-mail to PS3Center.net:
Well, there you have it. It seems the PS3's OS will not be getting Firefox -- at least not anytime soon.
Mozilla Rejects Rumor of Firefox Coming to PS3
by Zach Carmichael | 11/20/09 | 1:07 PM PST
Yesterday, PlayStation Insider reported that Mozilla's popular web browser, Firefox, would soon be coming to the PlayStation 3 emerged. The credibility of this news was a bit shoddy, however, seeing as how the site has been wrong on multiple occasions. Today, Mozilla dispelled said rumor in an e-mail to PS3Center.net:
"Nope - not sure how that rumor got started but it's been keeping us busy all day :)"
Well, there you have it. It seems the PS3's OS will not be getting Firefox -- at least not anytime soon.
source: PS3Center
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PS3
GameStop's Black Friday Video Game Deals Revealed
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 12:33 PM PST
The dreaded date of Black Friday on November 27th, 2009 draws ever closer. And while Kmart's gamer deals did little to excite, perhaps GameStop's offerings will do a little more for you.
So if you decide to venture forth out into the November cold at 6am for the named-in-poor-taste "Doorbuster" deals that run until 11am, or just any of the other deals which run all week, here is what you can expect.
GameStop's Black Friday Video Game Deals Revealed
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 12:33 PM PST
The dreaded date of Black Friday on November 27th, 2009 draws ever closer. And while Kmart's gamer deals did little to excite, perhaps GameStop's offerings will do a little more for you.
So if you decide to venture forth out into the November cold at 6am for the named-in-poor-taste "Doorbuster" deals that run until 11am, or just any of the other deals which run all week, here is what you can expect.
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PS3
Sony "Confident" It Will Sell 13 Million PlayStation 3's This Year
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 12:06 PM PST
Sony Computer Entertainment is aiming for 13 million PlayStation 3 consoles sold worldwide by the end of the fiscal year, as Executive Vice President Kaz Hirai explained to the press that he is "confident" that they can reach that goal.
Furthermore, they plan to achieve profitability with the platform by March 2011, with cost-cutting and investing in new technologies helping to pave the way, including their plans to focus on 3D gaming and movies with a firmware update.
Gamasutra notes that if Sony is able to accomplish the 13 million number by the end of their fiscal year in March 2010, it would "represent a significant gain over the company's fiscal 2008, which saw 10.1 million units sold." The company's own numbers show that they sold 4.3 million consoles combined over their first and second quarter, meaning they will have to sell over double that amount during the remaining half, which includes the holiday season.
Sony "Confident" It Will Sell 13 Million PlayStation 3's This Year
by David Oxford | 11/20/09 | 12:06 PM PST
Sony Computer Entertainment is aiming for 13 million PlayStation 3 consoles sold worldwide by the end of the fiscal year, as Executive Vice President Kaz Hirai explained to the press that he is "confident" that they can reach that goal.
Furthermore, they plan to achieve profitability with the platform by March 2011, with cost-cutting and investing in new technologies helping to pave the way, including their plans to focus on 3D gaming and movies with a firmware update.
Gamasutra notes that if Sony is able to accomplish the 13 million number by the end of their fiscal year in March 2010, it would "represent a significant gain over the company's fiscal 2008, which saw 10.1 million units sold." The company's own numbers show that they sold 4.3 million consoles combined over their first and second quarter, meaning they will have to sell over double that amount during the remaining half, which includes the holiday season.
source: Gamasutra
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PS3
IBM Ending Cell Processor Development
by Daniel Sims | 11/20/09 | 8:47 AM PST
IBM has confirmed that it will cease development of the Cell Processor used on the PS3 among other systems. This does not equate to an end of production.
IBM has been co-developing the Cell Processor along with Sony and Toshiba. Even after the PS3's launch better models of the processor have been developed between the three. IBM's most recent and supposedly last version of the Cell Processor is the PoweXCell 8i which is currently used in the world's second fastest supercomputer. IBM will not develop the planned 32 SPE version of Cell.
The status of actual development of the Cell Processor does not equate to the status of production of current models of the processor for the PS3. No reports have been made on changes to production or production of PS3s.
Despite ending development of the Cell itself, IBM will still incorporate parts of the Cell into future designs. Apparently they will pursue a CPU/GPU hybrid route in the future.
Technically, Sony can still hire IBM to develop a new Cell Processor for the Playstation 4. Their decision in this matter could affect things like backwards compatibility with PS3 games when the next console comes around.
IBM Ending Cell Processor Development
by Daniel Sims | 11/20/09 | 8:47 AM PST
IBM has confirmed that it will cease development of the Cell Processor used on the PS3 among other systems. This does not equate to an end of production.
IBM has been co-developing the Cell Processor along with Sony and Toshiba. Even after the PS3's launch better models of the processor have been developed between the three. IBM's most recent and supposedly last version of the Cell Processor is the PoweXCell 8i which is currently used in the world's second fastest supercomputer. IBM will not develop the planned 32 SPE version of Cell.
The status of actual development of the Cell Processor does not equate to the status of production of current models of the processor for the PS3. No reports have been made on changes to production or production of PS3s.
Despite ending development of the Cell itself, IBM will still incorporate parts of the Cell into future designs. Apparently they will pursue a CPU/GPU hybrid route in the future.
Technically, Sony can still hire IBM to develop a new Cell Processor for the Playstation 4. Their decision in this matter could affect things like backwards compatibility with PS3 games when the next console comes around.
source: Playstation University
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PS3
Infinity Ward Considered Alien Warfare?!
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 8:45 AM PST
The team at Infinity Ward is made up of quite a unique and creative group of guys, and as such, I'm not surprised when I hear some of the outlandish ideas they originally had for Modern Warfare 2. From zombies and viral outbreaks to alien invasions, the development team considered a number of different possibilities when approaching the sequel.
In an interview with GamePro, Infinity Ward writer Jesse Stern describes the initial thought process that was involved in deciding what direction to take the game.
Hit the cut to see how it all began.
Infinity Ward Considered Alien Warfare?!
by Kombo Staff | 11/20/09 | 8:45 AM PST
The team at Infinity Ward is made up of quite a unique and creative group of guys, and as such, I'm not surprised when I hear some of the outlandish ideas they originally had for Modern Warfare 2. From zombies and viral outbreaks to alien invasions, the development team considered a number of different possibilities when approaching the sequel.
In an interview with GamePro, Infinity Ward writer Jesse Stern describes the initial thought process that was involved in deciding what direction to take the game.
Hit the cut to see how it all began.
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PS3
REVIEW: God of War Collection Gives the PS2 Games a Facelift
by Ryan Olsen | 11/20/09 | 5:45 AM PST
What the Game's About
God of War: Collection is the re-release of the PlayStation 2 classics God of War and God of War II. The games tell of the story of a tortured anti-hero named Kratos who seems to always get tricked by the Olympian gods, gets really pissed and ends up destroying a lot of stuff and people. The reason they are re-releasing on the PS3 is that Sony's Santa Monica studios updated the visuals to a crisp 720p while retaining everything else you remember about these games.
What's Hot
A visual upgrade is a great way to reintroduce the wrath-filled tale of Kratos. The games looked great on the PS2 to begin with, but the PS3 has since blown anything the PS2 could do out of the water and them some (nomination for understatement of the year!). The new coat of paint on the textures remain faithful to the original material but gives it an HD shine that looks stunning on TVs. This is the real reason to pick this collection of classic games all over again. Screen shots don't do this texture rehaul justice, you need to see it in action.
REVIEW: God of War Collection Gives the PS2 Games a Facelift
by Ryan Olsen | 11/20/09 | 5:45 AM PST
What the Game's About
God of War: Collection is the re-release of the PlayStation 2 classics God of War and God of War II. The games tell of the story of a tortured anti-hero named Kratos who seems to always get tricked by the Olympian gods, gets really pissed and ends up destroying a lot of stuff and people. The reason they are re-releasing on the PS3 is that Sony's Santa Monica studios updated the visuals to a crisp 720p while retaining everything else you remember about these games.
What's Hot
A visual upgrade is a great way to reintroduce the wrath-filled tale of Kratos. The games looked great on the PS2 to begin with, but the PS3 has since blown anything the PS2 could do out of the water and them some (nomination for understatement of the year!). The new coat of paint on the textures remain faithful to the original material but gives it an HD shine that looks stunning on TVs. This is the real reason to pick this collection of classic games all over again. Screen shots don't do this texture rehaul justice, you need to see it in action.
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PS3
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Beta is Up and Ready for Download
by Casey Jones | 11/19/09 | 7:29 PM PST
Dice has announced that the US client for Battlefield Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Beta is ready for download and servers are ready to start accepting players.
If you keep an eye on the Official BFBC2 twitter every day they will be giving out beta codes for PS3 users to redeem and play. So if you don't have a code yet definitely keep an eye on @OfficialBFBC2
Battlefield Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Beta is Up and Ready for Download
by Casey Jones | 11/19/09 | 7:29 PM PST
Dice has announced that the US client for Battlefield Bad Company 2 Multiplayer Beta is ready for download and servers are ready to start accepting players.
If you keep an eye on the Official BFBC2 twitter every day they will be giving out beta codes for PS3 users to redeem and play. So if you don't have a code yet definitely keep an eye on @OfficialBFBC2
source: Twitter
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PS3
Potential Modern Warfare 2 Movie in the Works
by Kombo Staff | 11/19/09 | 7:21 PM PST
Voice Actor Kevin McKidd, the voice of "Soap" McTavish in Call of Duty 4 and Modern Warfare 2, has mentioned that a movie adaptation of the game seems to be in the making. Apparently in Hollywood they have seen how huge Modern Warfare 2 is and I'm guessing they are seeing potential in a Call of Duty movie now. Here is what Kevin had to say about who would play Soap and some comments on voicing the character throughout the last few games
Let's see who wins the race for the first huge FPS movie, will we see a Halo movie or Call of Duty movie first? What do you think?
Potential Modern Warfare 2 Movie in the Works
by Kombo Staff | 11/19/09 | 7:21 PM PST
Voice Actor Kevin McKidd, the voice of "Soap" McTavish in Call of Duty 4 and Modern Warfare 2, has mentioned that a movie adaptation of the game seems to be in the making. Apparently in Hollywood they have seen how huge Modern Warfare 2 is and I'm guessing they are seeing potential in a Call of Duty movie now. Here is what Kevin had to say about who would play Soap and some comments on voicing the character throughout the last few games
They were looking for a rough, Scottish actor in Hollywood they probably couldn't get Gerard Butler, so they got the No. 2 Gerard Butler, me. I had no idea it would be so huge, and now there are talks of a feature film. If the script is good, and Gerard isn't available [laughs], then absolutely.
Let's see who wins the race for the first huge FPS movie, will we see a Halo movie or Call of Duty movie first? What do you think?
source: Brave New Gamer
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PS3
The Re-Imagining of Mortal Kombat That Might Have Been
by David Oxford | 11/19/09 | 4:58 PM PST
Before departing Midway last year, artist Vincent Proce put together a proposal for a new Mortal Kombat game that was "a re imagining of the Mortal Kombat franchise from the original premise but mixing modern muti-player and dismemberment game design with the original fighting mechanic." As a part of that proposal, he redesigned four of the characters from the original roster.
Given that he's no longer with the company, the idea isn't going to happen and only stands as a vision of what might have been. Nevertheless, he says "I still would like to one day redesign all the rest of the original characters if I ever find the time.
You can check out the four designs in much higher resolution alongside brief descriptions at his blog, along with some other cool stuff, including various MK vs. DCU endings and images.
The Re-Imagining of Mortal Kombat That Might Have Been
by David Oxford | 11/19/09 | 4:58 PM PST
Before departing Midway last year, artist Vincent Proce put together a proposal for a new Mortal Kombat game that was "a re imagining of the Mortal Kombat franchise from the original premise but mixing modern muti-player and dismemberment game design with the original fighting mechanic." As a part of that proposal, he redesigned four of the characters from the original roster.
Given that he's no longer with the company, the idea isn't going to happen and only stands as a vision of what might have been. Nevertheless, he says "I still would like to one day redesign all the rest of the original characters if I ever find the time.
You can check out the four designs in much higher resolution alongside brief descriptions at his blog, along with some other cool stuff, including various MK vs. DCU endings and images.
source: Super Punch, via Destructoid
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PS3
Gamer Fails at Suing Sony, Goes After Microsoft and Nintendo Instead
by Kombo Staff | 11/19/09 | 4:35 PM PST
One lawsuit-happy gamer by the name of Erik Estavillo didn't have much luck when he tried to sue Sony Computer Entertainment America for banning him from the PlayStation Network, so he has instead decided to try his luck against the industry's other two big platform holders.
And at the same time, no less.
Gamer Fails at Suing Sony, Goes After Microsoft and Nintendo Instead
by Kombo Staff | 11/19/09 | 4:35 PM PST
One lawsuit-happy gamer by the name of Erik Estavillo didn't have much luck when he tried to sue Sony Computer Entertainment America for banning him from the PlayStation Network, so he has instead decided to try his luck against the industry's other two big platform holders.
And at the same time, no less.
November 20, 2009
