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Continue reading ‘Mass Media 11/24/12’ »

Nippon Ichi has turned to the gaming public for name ideas, specifically for a set of six weapons in the upcoming Disgaea D2. If you’re up for a linguistic adventure, feel free to check out the submissions page and weapon images here.

Source/translation: Gematsu

More information regarding Shin Megami Tensei 4 has crept out, particularly regarding the game’s cast. Although the game appears to jump to several points in time, the party itself comes from the fictional country of East Mikado in 1492.

The silent, nameless main character is a recent inductee into a samurai order secretly sworn to fight demons. At present only two other characters were introduced: Isakal, a friend and big brother figure to the hero, and Hope, the samurai leader.

Source: Eurogamer

In a first for the company, Nintendo has launched the 3DS-based Pokedex on iOS as a paid app. Currently limited to Japan, the app costs 170 yen and covers all creatures from the latest generation (Black & White). In-app purchases can expand the encyclopedia to cover previous monsters, separated into four packs at 500 yen apice.

Source: Eurogamer

In a rather explosive finale, the original release of Final Fantasy XIV has officially come to a close. The weekend event drew enough players to overwhelm servers, leaving several – such as yours truly – unable to log in and witness the final battle firsthand. Fortunately, Square Enix arranged the final minutes of the Seventh Umbral Era in a CG trailer, available for all over on YouTube.

This marks the shutdown of the original servers, to be replaced next year with the Realm Reborn content. I’ll just be waiting over here, not at all impatient or anything.

*twitch*

Via Dengeki, Nippon Ichi’s president Sohei Shinkawa stated that Disgaea 5 will have a new setting, and accordingly feature a new cast of characters. This keeps in line with past numbered entries, which have also shifted away from those of previous installments.

Source: Gematsu

Vita dungeon crawler Demon Gaze has received its Japanese release date: January 24, 2013. No US or European releases have been announced yet.

Source: Gematsu

Presumably because they like money, Blizzard announced that a Diablo III expansion is currently in development. This was brought up during an investor call with Mike Morhaime, though he was unable to give any specifics about timeframe or content.

Source: Eurogamer

After little in the way of news regarding Skyrim DLC on PS3, Bethesda offered some hope that the issue is coming to a close. While discussing DLC in general, Bethesda tweeted that “To update: we’re also close on new Skyrim content for PS3 and PC.” A follow-up tweet reads “Thanks to all our fans. We think you’ll love the new stuff. We know it takes us time and thanks for all your support and patience!”

Source: Eurogamer

Rumblings about Mass Effect 4 have already begun, with BioWare more or less confirming it after asking for fan feedback via twitter. With the project in its early stages, little is currently known about the title. However, BioWare did confirm that ME4 will run on DICE’s Frostbite engine, most recently used in Battlefield 3. Development has also been handed off to BioWare Montreal from their Edmonton studio, who developed the original trilogy.

Source: Eurogamer

Acclaimed designer Yasumi Matsuno has parted ways with studio Level 5, as he announced on twitter like all the cool kids seem to be doing today. Having joined the studio just sixteen months ago, Matsuno commented that “With my work done on the domestic and overseas version of my latest 3DSWare game (Guild 01: Crimson Shroud) it was good timing for me to step down and take a short break in order to recharge for my next project. My deepest thanks to everyone at Level-5 and everyone playing our games for your continued support.”

Matsuno gave no details about the upcoming project, tweeting only that “sorry, it’s a secret.” Friendly reminder: Matsuno is the brains behind Ogre Battle and Tactics Ogre, directed Final Fantasy Tactics, and produced/directed Vagrant Story.

Source: Eurogamer

Do you have anything for Craig T. Nelson?

Continue reading ‘Not So Mass Media’ »

With the Mass Effect Trilogy already available for 360 and PC, BioWare has revealed a date of December 4 for the bundle to hit the PS3 in North America. The European release will follow on December 7.

DLC-wise, the PS3 version will include Bring Down the Sky, Kasumi, Overlord, and Lair of the Shadow Broker. Mass Effect 3 will remain as it shipped, with the Extended Cut still free for download separately.

Source: Eurogamer

Square Enix has announced their 3DS redux of Dragon Quest VII will hit Japan on February 7. No global release was confirmed at this time.

Source: Eurogamer

Obsidian’s South Park: The Stick of Truth has been delayed, with a nebulous “fiscal 2014” as the release window instead of its original March 5 of next year. Given how fiscal years work, that could still technically be in 2013, but this was not clarified.

Source: Gematsu

In a rare twist, Overhaul Games announced that the Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition has been pushed forward, slightly. The game is now set to launch on November 28, as opposed to November 30; the Android release will happen “soon after” the iOS, PC, and Mac versions.

Source: Eurogamer

Skyrim: Dragonborn has been confirmed, with the DLC scheduled for a 360 release on December 4 for 1600 MS funbucks. No PC or PS3 dates were given. As the title suggests, the content centers around another Dragonborn, specifically the very first one. Currently known only as the Dragonbeast, it intends to make a dramatic return to the land of Solstheim, which it once ruled.

Check out the official trailer here. No, seriously, check it out. That looks an awful lot like a dragon mount, my friends.

CC2 president Hiroshi Matsuyama announced that development is already underway on a new Solatorobo. While it follows last year’s Solatorobo: Red the Hunter for the DS, no further details have been given at this time.

Source: Eurogamer

Over on Persona Europe’s Facebook page, it was announced that Persona 4 Arena will not see a 2012 release. An FAQ from the publisher explained that “For all EU games, there are a number of changes that need to be done to bring it in line with the regulations laid out by Sony and Microsoft in Europe. These regulations are to ensure the game will work correctly in each individual PAL territory, from individual EU countries to Australia and UK.” This, unfortunately, appears to be the delaying point.

While fans reacted angrily, citing the unpopular decision to region-lock the game, the FAQ did suggest a possible bonus as compensation for the delay. “We understand everyone’s frustration surrounding this,” it reads, “so we are preparing something – and we’ll announce that once the new schedule for release is in place.”

Check out the full FAQ and resulting rage here.

In a press release, Nexon announced an update for the XBLA-based Dungeon Fighter LIVE: Fall of Hendon Myre. Apart from technical changes, such as an improved camera during multiplayer, the update adds new difficulty modes – Expert, Master, and King’s Road – for the game’s final dungeon.

The press release can be read in full here.