Square Enix To Announce New MMO Title This Year

During an earnings briefing on May 13, translated by Andriasang, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada made mention of the company's plans to run at least one more MMO title in addition to Final Fantasy XIV. These plans come with the hope that the games will provide the company with a stable cash flow.

This new MMO is already in development, and Wada teases an announcement is on the horizon some time this fiscal year.

According to Andriasang, Wada also comments on Final Fantasy XIV, which has seen prolonged post-launch troubles, saying that while the game will require more time, the company is finally "at the point where they can see the target."

Source - 1UP

Ubisoft announces Ghost Recon Online

Ubisoft has taken the wraps off Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online, a PC MMO take on its long-running tactical shooter franchise.

Developed by Ubisoft Singapore, it will be free-to-play with premium items available for purchase.

Gameplay details are thin on the ground right now, but it seems you'll be able to choose between three different classes of soldier, each of which will be fully customisable. Regular events and content updates are promised, as well as a "rich lobby platform" for hosting social and persistent progression features.

"The online market is an exciting new frontier for video games and for gamers," commented Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot.

"With Ghost Recon Online, and other major upcoming projects, Ubisoft is creating online experiences that allow our fans to stay connected to their favorite brands and to continually receive new content and gameplay. This direct link with our fans will allow us to create new and ever better experiences for them."

No launch date has yet been announced but a closed beta is expected to go live in the Summer. You can register for that now at the game's official site.

The more traditional Ghost Recon: Future Soldier is also still in the works, currently scheduled for a multiplatform release in early 2012.

Oblivion is Getting a Limited Re-Release

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, one of the most expansive and successful role-playing games of all time, seems set for a limited re-release, as retail listings for a 5th anniversary edition begin appearing online.

It includes the material from the original Collector's Edition (like map and bonus material discs), along with a discount coupon for the game's upcoming sequel, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Looks like this re-release will be out on PC, 360 and PS3 in June.

Source - Kotaku

Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale out this month

Atari has confirmed that Dungeons & Dragons Daggerdale will launch in US on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox and at retail for PC on May 25, and on PlayStation Network for PS3 on May 31.

Daggerdale - an action RPG - is described as "an engaging multi-player experience" that introduces a "riveting narrative" and "treacherous new characters". 

In a story that absolutely no-one unfamiliar with D&D will understand, Daggerdale centers on the desperate struggle to defeat the evil Rezlus and his Zhentarim in their attempt to invade and conquer the Dalelands. Or whatever.

It's playable in solo or co-op modes that supports up to four players who battle their way through a wide range of beastly hordes including skeletons and orcs. Check out a trailer for it here.

Expect UK release dates soon.


Source - CVG

PSN Attack Costs Sony $171 Million

As part of its revised earnings projections published today, Sony said it estimates the PlayStation Network attack from April will cost the company 14 billion yen, or $171 million. 

This estimated cost includes the personal information theft protection program for customers, the "Welcome Back" program, customer support, network security enhancement, legal experts, and the impact on profits due to a possible future revenue decrease. 

"So far, we have not received any confirmed reports of customer identity theft issues, nor confirmed any misuse of credit cards from the cyber-attack," the company said. "Those are key variables, and if that changes, the costs could change. 

"In addition, in connection with the data breach, class action lawsuits have been filed against Sony and certain of its subsidiaries and regulatory inquiries have begun; however, those are all at a preliminary stage, so we are not able to include the possible outcome of any of them in our results forecast for the fiscal year." 

The costs will be incurred during Sony's current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2012. The company will report results for fiscal year 2011 this Thursday. 


Source - IGN

[OFFICIAL] Modern Warfare 3 Reveal Trailer

 Modern warfare is back.

Why the Playstation 3 isn't doomed yet!

Over the past few months, Sony has been drawing attention, much of it, unwanted attention. Sony, being an anti-hacker company, took very extreme steps against a famed hacker "Geohot", which in turn caused a shockwave that was felt across the internet. Once this shockwave reached fellow hackers, it was all out war between Sony and the hacking community.

The fact of the matter is that this "war" has left Sony crippled both physically, and to the public, but all hope isn't lost yet! Sony's flagship entertainment system, the Playstation 3, the target of these attacks, has some tricks still up it's sleeve. This console has many things that the Xbox 360, it's main competitor, doesn't have. For example, the original PS3 featured a built-in Wi-fi adapter, which the Xbox 360 only got 4 years later, with a new version of their console. Not to mention the fact that the PS3 has a fully featured blu-ray player, and many exclusive titles, such as but not limited to, Killzone, Little Big Planet, Resistance, and so on. Finally, the main concern of last gen Xbox 360's was the RROD, and other various overheating problems, which even scared me from purchasing an Xbox 360 myself! These problems are yet to be found on the PS3, if any, there are little to none, nothing that can't be fixed with a little firmware update. Last but not least, it features a full multiplayer gaming network, called the "Playstation Network" all for free. Something the Xbox does not have, for free, considering how much more robust the Xbox Live is, you get what you pay for, and in this case, that is quite a bit of money if I don't say so myself.

So next time you go shopping for a console, remember, the PS3 is not a complete waste, nor is it perfect, but it is a console to be had alongside whatever else you might have, go ahead, try it out, I certainly hope you enjoy it as much as many other players are enjoying it right now!

-Michael