There have been so many rumours flying about the place about Silent Hill Shattered Memories lately. Originally penciled in for a mid-October launch, the game got delayed, and then delayed again, all without a word of confirmation either way from publishers Konami.

The good news is that fans in the states finally have a date: 8 December 2009. The bad news is that this is only for the Wii release; if you were hoping to find the PS2 or PSP version in your Christmas stocking, you’re going to be disappointed as all Konami will confirm is that they’re ‘following shortly’ – suggesting Wii exclusivity until at least early 2010.

Worst of all, if – like me – you’re a massive Silent Hill fan cursed to live on the other side of the Atlantic, we don’t have a release on any platform scheduled yet. My pre-order on Amazon UK now lists the release date as 10 February but at this stage, that’s simply an estimate. Looks like us Europeans are forced to sit and wait it out until Konami put us out of our misery. Or, more accurately and if the game is anything as terrifying as it first appears, into it!

Source: Silenthillheaven.com

After having its coming out party at E3 2009, Project Natal will now have a compliment of developers working on software for its feature set.  Microsoft touted a list of developers, including Konami, SquareEnix, Electronic Arts, Activision, MTV Games and more as having signed on to provide games for the Project Natal experience.  The list of developers equals 70% of the third party developers that released games for the 360 (their numbers, not ours).

There was no word on whether these would be new franchises or existing ones, and if existing, would they only allow Project Natal control schemes.  At least it is good to know that there will be something there when Project Natal does finallyhit retail shelves.  Whether it will be good or not is a totally different story.

Like it or loathe it, there is no denying that Silent Hill raised the bar when it came translating games to the silver screen. And now that a second film has finally been officially confirmed, the rumour mill cranks into overdrive as speculation about the plot of the second film spreads across the community.

Davis Films, responsible (ahem) for other game-to-screen adaptations such as Resident Evil: Afterlife and Return to Castle Wolfenstein, have confirmed plans for Silent Hill 2. And whilst we know that original screenwriter Roger Avary and producer Samual Hadida are back on board for the sequel (and that Rhada Mitchell will not be involved this time around) what’s less clear is what this second film will be about. A sequel to the de Silva’s tale, a brand new story or – SHOCKGASPHORROR! – an adaptation of the second, and arguably the fan-favourite, game in the series?

As a fan of Silent Hill, I buck the trend insofar that I actually liked the movie. Whilst I found the wooden, stilted presentation disappointing and Avary’s screenplay distinctly lacking, director Christophe Gans nailed what Silent Hill was about. From the perfection of the grossly-beautiful environs to the sprinkling of in-game references throughout the movie, Gans’ inner fanboy was all over that film. Senseless (and pointless) Pyramid Head fan-service aside, the thought of a second film without Gans – perhaps someone who hasn’t played the games at night, someone who doesn’t love and know the Silent Hill universe like Gans does – worries me. The thought of that person turning Silent Hill 2, my favourite game of all time, into a movie … well, that worries me even more.

How about you? If you’ve seen the movie, what did you think – a notable example of a solid game-to-movie port, or a complete waste of time? How do you feel about a sequel?

Source: Silenthillheaven.com

GameShark have posted up a new interview with Tomm Hulett, producer of the up-and-coming and eagerly-anticipated Silent Hill Shattered Memories. After months of speculation about the game’s mysterious in-game psychological profiling, Hulett answers some questions (albeit vaguely on occasion) about this new approach to survival horror.

“You shouldn’t think of [the psych profiling] like one decision affecting something else,” Hulett says. “This isn’t about helping a young prince in the past and then inheriting his kingdom when you come of age or anything like that. The game watches everything you do, and learns what kind of person you are. Past games taught us that Silent Hill reflects the inner mind of each person – so that’s what the psych profile does. This time Silent Hill is looking back at you, rather than James Sunderland, Walter Sullivan, etc. In demos you’ve seen that hallway with a sign at one end pointing toward the exit (left) and the restrooms (right). Well Silent Hill knows which way you turn, and if you go right, which restroom you go into.”

That’s quite a claim from a game that starts with a brief questionnaire during a chat with your friendly psychiatrist. Do you role-sex during sex? Do you make friends easily? Have you ever been unfaithful? And rather have your answers dictate a static pathway through the game from very early on, instead you’ll find that the seemingly inconsequential decisions you make as a player will dramatically change the landscape of the Silent Hill you’re trapped within … from the appearance of the creatures that pursue you to the behaviour of the other characters around you.

I know. Impressive … well, on paper, in any case.

For more of the interview, and information on the release date and bonus pre-order giftage, join me after the cut.

But what about horror in general? What does Shattered Memories have that other survival horror games don’t?

“When horror games were feeling things out, there was a wide range of “feelings,” just like in horror films,” Hulett explains. “You had your dumb zombie flicks, your slower burn horror, your slasher flicks, etc. Well, as I said, I think the focus now is on action. The games stopped being scary (because of their conventions) and so they changed from scary games into gorefests modeled after zombie movies (marines with big guns shoot slow, ugly monsters). There are some exceptions, of course, but there aren’t many horror games that let the atmosphere work on you and cause that unease that was a big part of the first Silent Hill games.”

“This project came more from realizing that within the “Survival Horror Framework” there isn’t anywhere to go. The reason a lot of titles are now focusing on action rather than psychological horror is because that formula stopped being scary. You can’t scare someone with the same thing four times. This genre more than a lot of others has “set rules” that the games seem to think they have to follow. For Shattered Memories we stepped back and thought, if we didn’t know we had to do all these things… what would we do instead? What would a “horror game” look like today if the genre never existed? That game is Shattered Memories.”

Convinced? I am. The release date has been pushed back a few days to 3 November (although it’s still presently listed as October 30 in the UK) but don’t let that put you off. If you’re in the States and pre-order with GameStop now, you’ll qualify for a free Silent Hill soundtrack featuring work from the awesome composer and series producer Akira Yamaoka. Unlike other promotions which have featured the original soundtrack to each game, this is instead a compilation CD featuring the best eighteen tracks from across the series.

I hope that the original OST will also hit shelves at some point, although to me the whole thing’s kinda moot, anyway; those of us outside the US have yet to see sight of any pre-order goodies. Sob.

Even though they are now few and far between, and considered by some to be a dying breed, the American arcade still exists in quiet alcoves and dimly lit buildings. This feature highlights these final holdouts and some of the electronic beasts therein.

Before the release of the Wii, five years prior to be exact, Konami unleashed a sword fighting game that used close to 1:1 motion control: Blade of Honor, or Tsurugi. As with many new or stylistic arcade games, this one was thought to have only seen a release in Japan. Well lo and behold while walking through the arcade at my local mall, there stood an intact and operational unit.

Like most arcade games, this unit shares a hardware base that can be found in other titles. For the arcade neophyte, many arcade systems share a common hardware platform where the only difference is the cabinet and the ROM and/or RAM that powers it. In the early days, the ROM boards were just that: a single PCB with lots of ROM chips on it with a common connector. Think of it as a very large Nintendo cartridge. During the 90’s, some systems moved onto LaserDisc and finally CD/DVD based storage. With the advent of large storage in a very small package, compact flash has become the storage du jour.

Providing the power for Blade of Honor is known as the Viper hardware, and it was also found in Mocap Boxing and  Silent Scope EX. The main brain of this box is the Motorola XPC8240. Unfortunately the only other place that seems to have used this processor was an embedded network switch, so very little information is available besides a core speed ranging from 200-250MHz. It seems to have been a derivative of the MPC 8240, also known as the PowerQUICC II. So we also know that it was a 32-bit processor (for those that like to count their bits). But the most interesting aspect is the video processor which was built by 3DFx and was very similar to their Voodoo 3/Avenger. This could have been one of the last instances of 3DFx hardware showing up in an arcade cabinet.

The game consists of the player brandishing the hilt of what should be a sword and swinging it around violently to defeat the on-screen attackers. The unit uses an array of sensors to detect and provide close to 1-to-1 motion control. There is also a foot pedal that is used for long range attacks. Are the controls as tight as the Wii’s MotionPlus? No, but they come pretty darn close for 2001 standards. And compared to today, the graphics seem archaic but were pretty on-par with other arcade entries. Recall that at this time, the PS2 had been out for roughly a year, so the closest console during the development of this game was the original Playstation.

In all of the arcades I’ve visited across the US, this is the only time I can recall seeing one of these systems. The styling of the unit suggests some variance from the original Japanese release, and a quick internet search shows that units can be purchased from Australia. Maybe there is hope for more of these collecting dust elsewhere. In any case, if you’d like to place your hands on this and give it a swing, it can be found at the arcade in the Dayton Mall in Ohio.

Hardware images courtesy of system16.com.

There’s a pretty nurse in salmon scrubs tucked away in that trailer. That’ll make some of the SH fanboys happy (although it probably won’t stop them complaining).

Accompanying the new trailer and screens comes the official press release:

Face your fears in Silent Hill®

Konami explores the dark side of the player’s mind by utilizing a new & innovative psychological profiling system in Silent Hill®: Shattered Memories

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has released more details on the elaborate psychological profiling system at the heart of its new Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for Wii, PlayStation®2 and PSP®(PlayStation®Portable).

While the new game borrows key plot and setting elements from the original PlayStation game, this re-imagining begins with a visit to a psychiatrist, who asks the player to answer a series of questions. From here on in, their every movement, reaction and response is monitored and the game tailored accordingly.

Join me after the jump to find out what else Konami has to say, as well as take a peek at the official cover art. No, it’s not as good as Dementium II’s insane artwork. I know – bummer.

For instance, if a player dashes from location to location, the game will present different reactions from people and situations than if a more considered approach is adopted. Characters may appear more hostile, for example, and less willing to help with the game’s ongoing mystery of the hero’s missing daughter. Similarly, if the player comes across as overtly flirtatious or, at the other end of the scale, stand-offish and reserved, those they meet will dress differently, and also adjust their behavior.

This means that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories is a game that will be different for everyone who plays it. At its heart, the mystery of main character, Harry Mason’s missing daughter Cheryl remains, but the game is centered on the notion of family relations, and subtle plot elements and situations in the game outline a series of circumstances related to Harry’s plight.

During the game, an all-new bespoke Wii control system allows the user to fully interact with their surroundings, and explore the sprawling town of Silent Hill. A mobile phone doubles as a GPS unit, and can also be used to stay in touch with those you come to meet, and receive mysterious messages related to Cheryl’s disappearance. For the first time ever in the series’ history, Silent Hill is presented as a genuine location, inhabited by believable characters each driven by the evil undertones they live within.

The series’ renowned horror elements are delivered in nightmarish sequences, where the world around the player is gripped by ice, and where misshapen creatures – again inspired by elements from the player’s psychological profile – relentlessly chase and attack until the world unfreezes. This frozen nightmare can appear when least expected. Harry is unarmed, so is forced to use all his wits to escape his pursuers, which maximizes the suspense and feeling of helplessness, creating a truly unique horror experience.

Konami is also releasing Silent Hill: Shattered Memories for PSP® and PlayStation 2, both of which will feature a more familiar control system, but will include all the other additions mentioned. All three versions are being developed by Climax, the team behind the acclaimed Silent Hill: Origins for PSP® and PlayStation 2, and will also feature an all-new soundtrack by series composer Akira Yamaoka.

“From the very beginning, we planned to re-invent the horror-genre, getting deeper into the player’s minds and taking a new approach for videogames,” commented Tomm Hulett, Producer of Silent Hill Shattered Memories for Konami Digital Entertainment. “The development team took a long time studying all kinds of psychological elements, and created a unique system to monitor all player actions – even small things like how long an object is looked at. The result is a diverse experience, which adjusts itself all the way through the game and creates a story-driven experience like never before in any video game.”

So … what do you think? If you’re a fan, are you convinced? If not, why not? And for those of you not fussed by the Silent Hill franchise either way, has this done anything to sway you and tempt you into trying this out?

Source: Silent Hill Heaven

The moderately bizarre iPhone game Metal Gear Solid Touch has been temporarily marked down from $8 to $3 until tomorrow. MGST turns environments from MGS4: Guns of the Patriots into a tap-to-kill shooting gallery. I had the demo and deemed it OK, so I’ll pick this up on the sale for sure. The game features 20 levels, boss fights, and 50 unlockable iPhone wallpapers.

Source: iPhone Application List.com

New screens from Konami’s highly-anticipated ‘reimaging’ of the original Silent Hill were released today. Along with a redesigned logo for Silent Hill Shattered Memories (well, the first one did suck), the new screens tell us …. well, nothing, actually. We have a bizarre family portrait and learn that Harry’s super-snarky when he has his photo ID taken … and that’s kind of it. I’m all for keeping spoilers at bay, but quite what Konami are trying to achieve by releasing these I’ve no idea. Do you?

Anyway, while I’m here and we’re on the subject, I might as well tell you about the new Silent Hill attraction – yes, you read that right – opening in California later this year. So for more details and a better look at the Shattered Memories screens, join me after the jump.

The people behind the Saw haunted attraction in Orange County, CA, have now secured Konami’s approval for a Silent Hill-themed attraction this coming October. Details are scant, but the official site tells us that $13 will get you in, and depending on whether you run or walk, you can get back out again after about fifteen minutes. Not sure I can convince my husband that it’s quite worth the round-the-world plane ticket, but if you’re local, check it out come Halloween and let us know what you think! Have you visited the Saw attraction? If so, what did you think?

Finally, here come the screens:

Full size, hi-res screens can be downloaded from Silent Hill Heaven.

Sources: Silenthillheaven.com | Sinister Pointe

As some of you may be aware, I’m something of a Silent Hill fanatic. I know – it’s a weird thing to be fanatical about. It’s mean and moody and kinda disgusting and the storylines are often nothing short of grotesque, but there’s something about that FUBARed town that gets my pulse pumping … and it has very little to do with a certain dude and his pointy hat.

Well, good news for fellow fanatics, and those of you who may have missed out on early visits to that quiet little resort town. In what they say is a direct response to customer demand, Konami Europe are re-issuing a selection of the finest (read: most profitable) PS2 games, including the last three games of the SH franchise developed internally at Konami – Silent Hill 2, 3 and Silent Hill: The Room (SH4).

The original 1999 title Silent Hill has not been re-issued – though this is likely as a result of the much anticipated ‘reimaging’ of the original game, scheduled for a Wii and PSP release in October of this year.

“They are proper reissues,” a spokesperson said. “Konami has put them out at budget price because of demand. They are re-manufactured. They are ours. We’ve manufactured certain amounts depending on the title, and they’re being bought by wholesalers so will likely pop up in independent rather than chain stores.”

But that’s not all. Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 are also scheduled for re-release. A full list of the re-issues – along with details on just why Konami may be doing this – follows the cut.

• Suikoden Tactics
• Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
• Silent Hill 2, 3, and 4

We’re told that pricing will follow traditional Greatest Hits guidelines, with games retailing anywhere between £10.00 and £20.00 GBP.

As for why now … well, it might be coincidence, but only this week we learned that profits for Konami’s ‘MGS4-less’ quarter is a staggering 94% down. According to GameSpot, across its gaming, arcade, health club, slot machine, and other businesses, the company posted revenues of ¥55.98 billion ($585 million), a 21% drop year-over-year. Konami still managed to turn a net profit for the quarter, but the reported ¥367 million ($3.83 million) represented a steep 94% drop from the previous year.

In the digital entertainment division – which includes “software, arcade units, and collectible trading cards like the Yu-Gi-Oh series”- sales were down more than 45% year-over-year, falling from ¥44.85 billion ($469 million) to ¥24.6 billion ($257 million). Konami’s best-selling genres were soccer (860,000 sold), games based on animated TV shows (300,000 sold) and baseball games (240,000 sold). By comparison, the publisher sold 3.94 million Metal Gear games worldwide in last year’s fiscal first quarter; this year’s number was 160k. You do the math.

Ever optimistic, a spokesperson said that Konami will “place particular focus on the development of animated games and original games in addition to sports and music games, which are Konami’s strengths.”

Source: GameSpot UK

I still remember laughing at how early on Snake, skittish at how one prisoner he was trying to rescue had dropped dead in front of him, asks another if he was feeling OK.

One open question I have is whether I can take the saved game from my PS1 disc version of the game and use it with the digital download version. I do know that you can copy the saved game used on the PS3 and PSP back and forth to keep your progress between the two systems, but I think I still might have my old MGS save on my PS3’s hard drive.

From EvilAvatar and Joystiq.