Sometimes, all of us at Aeropause have received gaming related items in regards to marketing.  At times, it will be a little figuring, or some sort of memento related to the game in question.  Other times, it might be a grab bag of stuff from an event.  However, I was in a fit of laughter over the Prison Break item that I received in the mail yesterday.  It seems that the good folks at Deep Silver have a good sense of humor, as they sent over Soap on a Rope as a reminder of the Prison Break game that is coming out in a week.  It was accompanied with the following little text:

Grab your ankles and wash away the taint of everyday life.  Prison Break: The Conspiracy drops March 30th, 2010.

Funnier still is my 8 year old son asking me why soap would come on a rope for prisoners.  That is a discussion for a whole nother day.

Case in point, I still have a crap ton of games going back years that I have yet to finish.  Some day, I will find out the ending to every Splinter Cell game.  Or I will find out why people hated the ending to Prince of Persia (2008).  Or what happens at the end of Daikatana?  Wait, maybe I don’t want to know that after all, or even admit that it is in my collection of games.  Never the less, we at Aeropause are trying to perform a public service by putting together a fun little contest that helps us get those unfinsihed games off of our backs.

So what do you have to do?  Easy.  Come join our forum community and look for the Official Aeropause Backlog Competition, or you can click on this link.  Add three games from your backlog and finish them.  Knock one off and get a point, and add another title.  What could be easier.  Hope to see all of you readers in the forums, getting your backlog knocked out!

So yesterday, we finally got the big reveal from the guys putting together the OnLive service.  We now know that the service will go live this summer and will run $14.95 a month for the service.  At first glance that sounds pretty good.  I mean who wouldn’t like to have a service that has full streaming video, tons of games across all platforms all available for one low price.  Think of it like Gametap, but with newer games.  Of course that bubble burst when they said that the $14.95 a month fee was just giving you access the service, not the game.  Games, apparently, are an extra cost, available as rentals or purchase.

Yes, they have since released word that there will be a free option that gives people “access to select rentals and game demos” when bandwidth permits.  So if a game rental is in high demand, you might be shit out of luck in playing that game.  Basically the free service is a way for OnLive to save some face by saying they have a free option, but they neglect to tell people that the free option is a hunk of crap compared to the full featured, pay us now service.

Also, I did not realize they were going to be selling games on the OnLive service.  This just takes another step of ownership away from the consumer at that point.  I mean right now, I barely own the games in my collection right now, but I can at least say they are installed locally on my hard drives, be it Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii or PC.  Now we have a service that does not even let me install the game on my computer.  So imagine if I buy a host of games on OnLive, and the service goes belly up in a year.  What then?  Will publishers make good on getting me a copy of that game from some other service, or will they champion the phrase “Caveat emptor” and basically demand another chunk of money to get a physical or Steam download of the game.

Also, while some would not give care about HD gaming, I do.  I enjoy high end graphics.  It is why I spend a ton of cash every two years for a video card, and why I have all my consoles hooked up via component or HDMI cables.  OnLive will deliver HD 720p graphics, but only if you can connect to the OnLive servers with a consistent 5Mbps connection.  Right now, I can safely say that with a section of the country still on dial up, this will be out of reach for most consumers, which means the service will shift to 480p.  Yeah, something tells me that 640×480 graphics will not keep me interested for long.  That medium was passed in 1996-98 era of DOS and Windows gaming.  I refuse to pay for a game that will deliver 14 year old graphics at the most.

I was very skeptical when we talked about OnLive in a podcast several months ago, but I had warmed up to the service as of late, and was amazed by the video presentation we had on the site a couple of months ago.  The service seemed very robust, and the inclusion of live video feeds, brag reels and more gave the serivce a ton of style and substance not found currently on any network I have for gaming.  The pricing was what I was waiting for, and now that I have that information, I will steer far away from OnLive.  $15 a month as an access fee is not appealing.  I would rather be charged $25-30 and have access to all the games I want to play. 

But hey, maybe I am missing the point here.  Let me know if you think this is a good or bad idea from OnLive.  Also, if they offer Burnout: Paradise, will I have to buy it out of sheer need to own on all platforms?

What dots? The “How can they put Free Realms on the PS3 when it’s completely stuffed with mouse-control mini games? Nobody has a mouse on the PS3!” dots. They’re gonna use the Move, and I think that would be fun!

Granted that’s my prediction, and nothing’s been announced, but it makes total sense. Anyway, check out the full Move press release after the jump, including the list of developers that have pledged support. Are any studios you like on the list?

PlayStation(R)Move Motion Controller Delivers a Whole New Entertainment Experience to PlayStation(R)3

New PlayStation(R)Move Sub-Controller, Enabling Intuitive Navigation, to Accompany the Release of the Motion Controller This Fall and 36 Developers and Publishers to Support PlayStation(R)Move Platform

TOKYO, March 10 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that PlayStation®Move motion controller for PlayStation®3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system launches worldwide this fall, offering a motion-based, high-definition gaming experience unlike anything on the market. Concurrently with its launch, SCE will also release PlayStation®Move sub-controller to be used along with the motion controller for intuitive navigation of in-game characters and objects. The PlayStation Move platform, including the motion controller, sub-controller, and PlayStation®Eye camera*(1), together with a strong lineup of software titles, will deliver an innovative and highly immersive experience on the PS3 system.

The combination of the PS3 system and PlayStation Eye camera detects the precise movement, angle, and absolute position in 3D space of PlayStation Move motion controller, allowing users to intuitively play the game as if they themselves are within the game. PlayStation Move motion controller delivers unmatched accuracy through its advanced motion sensors, including a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and a terrestrial magnetic field sensor, as well as a color-changing sphere that is tracked by PlayStation Eye camera. Through PlayStation Move system, both fast and subtle motion can be detected, whether the user is swinging a tennis racket, or painting with a brush. With PlayStation Move motion controller, users can provide direct input through action buttons and an analog trigger, while receiving physical feedback from rumble functionality and visual feedback from the sphere’s ability to display a variety of different colors. Furthermore, PlayStation Eye camera can capture the player’s voice or image, enabling augmented reality experiences.

The newly announced PlayStation Move sub-controller is a one-handed controller, developed to further expand the game play options that PlayStation Move games can offer*(2). PlayStation Move sub-controller features a sleek curved design that pairs with the motion controller and comes with an analog stick and directional buttons that allow users to easily control the game when moving characters or choosing a direction. Like all other Wireless Controllers for the PS3 system, it comes with a built in lithium-ion rechargeable battery as well as Bluetooth® technology, enabling the controller to transfer the input information wirelessly to the PS3 system without a cable. PlayStation Move motion controller and sub-controller will further broaden the gaming experience on the PS3 system for all genres, from games that use one motion controller to games that use both controllers.

The introduction of PlayStation Move controllers has been well received within the industry and now 36 third party developers and publishers*(3) have decided to support PlayStation Move platform. In fiscal year 2010, SCE Worldwide Studios will also release more than 20 games that are either dedicated to or supported with the PlayStation Move platform.

SCE, with strong support from software developers and publishers, will deploy various measures to enhance the PlayStation Move software title line-up and vigorously promote the PS3 platform.

*(1) Users will need to use the PlayStation Eye camera to enjoy PlayStation Move motion controller on PS3.

*(2) DUALSHOCK® or SIXAXIS® Wireless Controller can also be used in place of the sub controller.

*(3) Please refer to the attached list below for detail.

PlayStation®Move Logo

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100310/AQ68427LOGO)

Product Outline

PlayStation(R)Move motion controller

Product name PlayStation(R)Move motion controller
Product code CECH-ZCM1
Release date Fall 2010
Recommended retail price To be decided
Color Black
Mass Approx. 145 g
External dimension Approx. 200mm X 46mm (height X diameter)
Battery type Built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Voltage DC 3.7 V
Operating temperature 5 degrees C ~ 35 degrees C

PlayStation(R)Move sub-controller

Product name PlayStation(R)Move sub-controller
Product code CECH-ZCS1
Release date Fall 2010
Recommended retail price To be decided
Color Black
Mass Approx. 95 g
External dimension Approx. 138mm X 42mm (height X diameter)
Battery type Built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion batter
Voltage DC 3.7 V
Operating temperature 5 degrees C ~ 35 degrees C

Third Party Developers and Publishers Supporting PlayStation®Move platform

Company Name (in alphabetical order, as of March 10, 2010)
———————————————————-
505 Games U.S.
————–
Activision Publishing, Inc.
—————————
AQ INTERACTIVE Inc.
——————-
ARC SYSTEMS WORK CO.,LTD
————————
ATLUS Co., LTD.
—————
Bigben Interactive
——————
CAPCOM CO., LTD.
—————-
CCP
—
Crave Entertainment
——————-
CYBERFRONT Corporation
———————-
Disney Interactive Studios
————————–
Electronic Arts Inc.
——————–
FromSoftware, Inc.
——————
Game Republic, Inc.
——————-
GUST CO., LTD.
————–
HUDSON SOFT CO., LTD.
———————
IREM SOFTWARE ENGINEERING INC.
——————————
Koei Co., Ltd.
————–
Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
————————————–
Majesco Entertainment
———————
Marvelous Entertainment Inc.
—————————-
NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc.
———————–
ONGAKUKAN Co., Ltd.
——————-
Oxygen Games
————
PAON CORPORATION
—————-
Q Entertainment Inc.
——————–
Q-GAMES, LTD.
————-
SEGA CORPORATION
—————-
Sony Online Entertainment
————————-
Spike Co., Ltd.
—————
SQUARE ENIX GROUP
—————–
TECMO, LTD.
———–
THQ Inc.
——–
UBISOFT(R)
——–
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
————————————–
Zoo Entertainment, Inc.
———————–

* Third party developers and publishers supporting PlayStation Move
platform may vary among countries and regions.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.

The Bluetooth word mark is a registered trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. is under license.

PlayStation, PS3, DUALSHOCK and SIXAXIS are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Opinion coming: I mean, whatever.

There’s some nice write-ups at Kotaku, but the Move announcements smell like more motion-controlled crap mini-games. How is it that something like this can launch four years after the Wii came out, and the first batch of games are still goofy Wii 1.1 junk, with titles like “Move Party”? And could that photo be any more Wii-like?

Sure, the interior tech is improved over the stock Wii Remotes. It damn well better be, since it’s 2010. It also requires a PlayStation Eye camera, which almost no one owns, so get ready for expensive bundles this holiday season.

Sure, there’s no doubt one amazing upcoming game that will manage to combine HD graphics with motion controlled gameplay and not seem like a cheap Wii knockoff. Maybe it will be God of War Presents Kratos and Friends Brutal Olympiad Featuring Archery.

Sure, I haven’t touched it yet so what do I know about how fresh it feels.

But none of that changes the fact that this is a follow-the-leader reaction, issued primarily to remove a bullet point from Nintendo’s marketing plan. Sony’s new attack could be “We have this same crap now too, so you can stop buying that ugly standard-def unit with the bullshit online service.”

I’m all for video game systems evolving over time, but where’s the Move’s great leap forward? Depth perception? No tether cord? Like the Wii Remote+Nunchuk, the Move will be limited to certain types of games and certain types of control schemes… and if you do not enjoy those specific types, you simply won’t be buying a Move. Sounds like our highest hope for the Move is a high-def port of Madworld. The best part about the Move is, unlike the Wii, you at least have a kickass “traditional” controller available by default.

Don’t even tell me that shooter fans are going to get in line for this, since similar control schemes were tried on Wii and roundly ignored. Does anybody really think that the SOCOM audience is going to prefer to play the fourth installment with Move controls?

Thus far, I like the proposed LittleBigPlanet Move integration. And I’m waiting for the big REVISED EYEPET announcement where they add a bunch of Move controls to the delayed virtual pet. But Move Party? No thanks.

Something makes me think that the bigwigs at NBC and Universal listen to our podcast, because I am certain that our use of the word “Frak” over and over sewed the seeds for the new Battlestar Galactica MMOG that was announced today.

Bigpoint has teamed up with NBC and Universal to create an browser based massively multiplayer online game based upon the very popular Battlestar Galactica series that runs on the SyFy Network (seriously, I still cannot get a grasp on that name change).  Battlestar Galactica Online, or BGO as the cool kids are sure to call it, will host a mix of mission based gameplay, exploration and space combat.  You will be able to play as a Cylon or a Human, although there is no word on whether you will get a chance to make you back glow if you are a Cylon.

Look for more details at GDC next week on this title, but in the mean time, check out the presser after the jump.

NBC Universal and Bigpoint Announce First Ever MMO Based Upon the Television Phenomenon, Battlestar Galactica: Battlestar Galactica Online

SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2010/PRNewswire/ –

- NBC Universal and Bigpoint Announce Frakkin’ Sweet 3D Browser-Based

MMOG at 2010 Game Developers Conference

- Co-Development With Unity Pushes Visual and Technology Boundaries

The global market leader in browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online

Games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://bigpoint.com) will be demonstrating the next

generation of client-free PC gaming at Game Developers Conference 2010.

Leading its product slate for 2010 will be Battlestar Galactica Online, a

tactical space combat and adventure MMOG based upon Syfy’s Battlestar

Galactica series. The MMOG, inspired by one of the most popular science

fiction series in television history, will launch worldwide exclusively this

fall on Syfy.com for a 30 day period. The Unity co-developed MMOG will offer

state of the art graphics that can be played directly in an Internet browser.

The teaser website for Battlestar Galactica Online is available at

http://www.bgo.bigpoint.com and Bigpoint will be discussing this announcement

at booth 2038 at Game Developers Conference, March 9th-12th. Battlestar

Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing, on

behalf of the NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.

Battlestar Galactica is the gripping saga of humanity’s last remnants and

their struggle to find a new home while fleeing from their deadly Cylon

enemies. Redefining the space opera with its gritty realism, Galactica’s

intensity, issues-driven topicality, and command performances have garnered

it numerous awards, including three Emmy(R) Awards and the prestigious George

Foster Peabody Award. The show was recognized by the American Film Institute

(AFI) as one of the most outstanding programs of the year two years running.

The series was produced by Universal Cable Productions and executive produced

by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. The outstanding ensemble cast was led by

Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James

Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.

“Battlestar Galactica is a supremely gameable intellectual property, with

compelling character classes, a fantastic array of ships and weaponry,

multiple worlds, and a dramatic storyline,” said Bill Kispert, VP & GM,

Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. ” We are excited to

work with Bigpoint – and our partners at Universal Cable Productions and Syfy

- to bring an epic, accessible, and ‘always on’ BSG experience to fans of the

franchise and online gamers alike.”

“Cooperation between Bigpoint and NBC Universal is a very important

strategic step for us,” explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint.

“Battlestar Galactica has a huge and passionate fan base. We are proud to be

able to publish such an internationally famous title as one of our online

games. For the first time ever, we’re relying completely on Unity in order to

offer our users fantastic game graphics right in their browsers.”

Battlestar Galactica Online is the first game inspired by a blockbuster

Hollywood franchise to be fully developed on Unity technology for MMO

audiences. This platform independent engine makes it possible to produce

real-time 3D applications such as MMO games with exceptionally high quality

graphics without having to download a client.

Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant

struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of

tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a

diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game’s overall

storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar

universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web

games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a

new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television

production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic

experience.

The game is being developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian

development studio specializing in 3d web MMOGs.

THIS IS REALLY DRIVING ME MAD NOW! I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO PLAY AT ALL TODAY! DON’T SELL YOUR ****ING GAMES IF PEOPLE CAN’T PLAY THEM!

from someone called LadyRinsun and this

I am 100% returning this game tomorrow! i have lost an entire weekend trying over and over to play this. I urge everyone to return this shambolic cack. Someone is bound to get around your DRM soon. I’ll just wait for that! Ubi….you deserve to make massive losses on this, bad forward thinking.

from mattymcrae1979!

Now, before you accuse me of dancing on a grave (so to speak), I’m obviously not pleased that people can’t play their copies of AC2. What I am happy about is that all the problems with Ubisoft’s quite frankly cretinous and moronic DRM strategy are floating to the surface immediately, and consumers, not just the press, are up in arms about it. It’ll discourage them from pursuing it with such gusto in future. I only feel sorry for all the devs and PR people who have to try and defend this indefensible tripe.

Via Joystiq, picture via Roger Ebert’s Twitpic

I’m a very big fan of the God of War II soundtrack and will likely pick up the CD version.

This track doesn’t disappoint, following very strongly in the thematic footsteps of its predecessor. Give it a listen. It makes buying the full soundtrack a no-brainer for me.

There were a few questions about what would happen to Quake-Con with the purchase of id Software by Zenimax Media.  Would the convention continue?  Where would it be held?  Well, it appears it is business as normal, as Quake-Con is coming August 12th-15th, 2010, in Dallas, TX.

As with past Quake-Con events, attendence will be free to all that attend due to corporate event sponsors, id Software and Bethesda Softworks.  More details will be available closer to the event date.

Whatever’s going on, it looks like it’s going to be really cool. I’m expecting for more to be revealed at this year’s GDC. All I really want now is a Steve Jobs keynote where he talks about how awesome HL2 Episode 3 is going to be…