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News: Mouse boobs update
|
March 30, 2004 11:57 PM PST
|
Hanbros / BS
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|
Thanks to leftoverfiller22's post for revealing a bit more info on the mousepads that everyone's been emailing in about. They're made by Taiwanese company Hanbros (three brothers named Yang run it. Why is it not Yangbros?), and are viewable here. Doesn't appear as though you can purchase them there, unfortunately. The origin of the original pic was this PCweb article.
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News: GP32 europe bytes
|
March 30, 2004 11:49 PM PST
|
various / BS
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|
The Spanish release of the GP32 will cost under 200? euros, and last 12 hours with two double-as and no backlight. With the backlight (which can be switched on and off) it should last 7 hours. There are some pics of the backlit unit over at Meristation. It really looks quite good! First games released: Tomak Save The Earth Again, Dungeon & Guarder, Little Wizard, Her Knights - All For Princess, Rally Pop and Treasure Island. There is now a GP32 forum at virginplay as well. There, we learn that games will range in price from 29,95? to 34,95?. Thanks to GP32 News for some of this info.
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Download: Espgaluda test play
|
March 30, 2004 11:37 PM PST
|
Arika / BS
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|
|
Arika has put up a new Espgaluda video (direct link). This one shows a test play of the PS2-only Arrange Mode.
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News: Homestar RPG
|
March 30, 2004 11:23 PM PST
|
Paul Slocum / BS
|
|
Slocum put up a new rom of the Homestar Runner Atari 2600 RPG - and the game is still coming in May. It will be released in both cart and (emu) rom format. Official site is here.
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GDC 2004: Preserving game history
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March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / brandon sheffield
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Our first conference was about game history preservation. Most of the people there were older academics/educators. They spoke quickly. I discovered that the best way to get a word in was to raise my hand. HAH! Suckers.
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GDC 2004: Women in game development
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March 24-29, 2004
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insert credit / brandon sheffield
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There was a women in game development conference. We went to it. It was not productive.
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GDC 2004: ICO
|
March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / vincent diamante
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The game designers of ICO share their design secrets. These consist of perfectly envisioning your game, then making it exactly as you envisioned it. hmmm.
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GDC 2004: Make better criticism
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March 24-29, 2004
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insert credit / brandon sheffield
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Finally, finally, someone who has something to teach us about game criticism. Apparently one has to look all the way to Italy for this sort of thing now.
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GDC 2004: Iwatani
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March 24-29, 2004
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insert credit / eric-jon rossel waugh
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Toru Iwatani was probably the best of the developer-speakers. He had ideas, he had insight, and most importantly - he was able to communicate them.
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GDC 2004: Breaking the ice
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March 24-29, 2004
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insert credit / vincent diamante
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Vincent speaks about the trials of trying to get a job at the GDC. Or trying to, rather. Shirts, now those you can get.
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GDC 2004: Mega Enterprise 1
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March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / brandon sheffield
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Thank goodness for Megaking. They had the only real announcements of interest; Metal Slug Online, Mark of the Wolves mobile, and yes - Erotic Actress Maker.
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GDC 2004: Outrun 2
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March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / eric-jon rossel waugh
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Over at the CRI booth there was an Outrun 2 cabinet. We spent most of out time there. Videos, and a deep dissection will tell you why.
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GDC 2004: 3D LCD
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March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / eric-jon rossel waugh
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While wandering around the show floor, we happened upon an interesting Nvidia booth. They were displaying 3D technology that was not imbedded in games, but in the screens themselves. Curious! We also kinda took a movie of it. Kinda.
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GDC 2004: Nokia interview
|
March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / vincent diamante
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Early friday morning, we had an interview with Nokia. Vince intercuts this interview with his experiences the evening prior with a drunken european mobile developer. Information ho!
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GDC 2004: Mega Enterprise 2
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March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / brandon sheffield
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Megaking/Mega Enterprise again. I just couldn't stay away. Herein lies a bit more Metal Slug Online info, and a hell of a lot more crazy/cool PR lady info. Read it for the latter, not the former.
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GDC 2004: William Hung
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March 24-29, 2004
|
insert credit / brandon sheffield
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I'm not usually one to be star-struck, but I did giggle a little bit to see American Idol's William Hung performing YMCA on Sony's Singstar. If only his mom hadn't gotten in the way.
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GDC 2004: GDC awards
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March 24-29, 2004
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insert credit / eric-jon rossel waugh
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The Developer's Choice Awards struck eric-jon as an evolution in the cultural appreciation of gaming - and an evolution in the production of awards shows as well. It might strike you similarly, who can say.
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News: Homosexuality in gaming
|
March 28, 2004 11:59 PM PST
|
Armchair Arcade / BS
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I had plans to undertake something like this, but it looks like I don't have to now. Armchair Arcade has put up an article about gay characters in videogames that's worth a read.
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News: Consolevania
|
March 28, 2004 11:50 PM PST
|
Consolevania / BS
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Consolevania - it's a gaming TV show from Scotland. They have accents of a certain type. You can download the episode, and our own Mathew Kumar says it's not too bad. So there you have it.
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News: Orange Pocket
|
March 28, 2004 11:39 PM PST
|
Hook / SM
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|
Another day, another H-game. And, like always, it's the migration season for
H-games, moving slowly from PC to console and back again. This time it's Orange Pocket (links not work safe), available on the PS2 and DC 4/28. It seems to be the story
of a small school at the top of a mountain and the inhabitants of the small mountain town. And the sketchy adventures that happen when you can't get a drivers license until you're twenty and are stuck in the same mountain town for way too much time.
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News: MS dev plans
|
March 28, 2004 11:27 PM PST
|
Microsoft / SM
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Microsoft announced their new game development platform at the San Jose
GDC, XNA. Designed for both next generation Xbox and PC game development, programmers can easily develop future projects. "Should we wait for the hardware to decide when we've entered the next generation? Our answer is no. The next generation
begins today," said Mr. Allard (VP). In particular, this looks like a
strong push by Microsoft to unify the PC/Xbox development platform.
Among things, the XNA Tool set facilitates easier Xbox Live interaction
between PC games and Xbox games. Much of the Xbox Live backend will
become easily accessible to PC programmers via this platform. Japanese Press Release Perhaps more useful is the American XNA site. Lots of the programming interface available to the Xbox will be opened up to PC
developers and development will be unified among the multiple platforms.
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News: Interlude PC
|
March 28, 2004 11:19 PM PST
|
Shall Luck / SM
|
|
They just opened the site for
the PC version of "Interlude." Looks like it includes a number of features from the previous versions, such as the original scenarios and visuals from the PS2 version and the sexy scenes from the DC version that weren't included in the PS2 version. Coming in out in May, for 7800 Yen on 1 DVD.
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News: Llamasoft history part 2
|
March 27, 2004 11:57 PM PST
|
Way of the Rodent / BS
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Our pals across the pond have squeezed a second installment of the Llamasoft history saga out of the great yak. It makes for interesting reading, so please engage your interest protocols.
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News: Mouse boobs
|
March 27, 2004 11:45 PM PST
|
???? / BS
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Only in Japan, as they say. I think the image (provided you click on it) speaks for itself.
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News: X68000
|
March 27, 2004 11:39 PM PST
|
NFG Games / BS
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|
If you ever had any questions about the X68000 system/PC, lawrence has the answer. He's put together a great tech resource, along with explanations and commentary. You could even use this as a hardware purchasing guide. Bless his heart.
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News: KOF 3D Max impact
|
March 27, 2004 11:27 PM PST
|
SNKP / BS
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IGN has gotten ahold of some KOF Maximum Impact high-res photos. Go check them out.
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News: Goldeneye face mapper
|
March 27, 2004 11:19 PM PST
|
Rarewitchproject / BS
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|
This utility over at the Rarewitchproject will allow you to map faces onto Goldeneye characters using digital photos. Quite ingenious - and they're currently using this as a vehicle to get revenge on Bill Gates for acquiring Rare. Thanks to Jess Ragan for the news.
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Site News: Delays
|
March 26, 2004 11:58 PM PST
|
insert credit / BS
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|
|
No, we are not dead! There is a...well, rather massive GDC update brewing. With any luck, this will be done tomorrow. It is most definitely better when taken as a whole. Thanks for being patient with us.
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News: New Game Journalism
|
March 23, 2004 11:58 PM PST
|
Kieron Gillen / BS
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|
|
Kieron Gillen emailed me today - he was supposed to be part of our game journalism feature, but...somehow wasn't able to do this. He has finally written his part though, or what would have been his part at least. Check it out here...it's not a bad read.
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Review: Astroboy (GBA)
|
March 22, 2004 11:58 PM PST
|
insert credit / tim rogers
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|
Tim calls it a slice of videogame genius. A borrowed-from-a-bunny-girl copy of Astroboy is reviewed on a stolen-from-a-felon GBA. If you're looking for more hyphens, sorry...we're out. It's oldschool treasure at it's gunstarriest.
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News: Anime/Game Production
|
March 22, 2004 11:46 PM PST
|
Todai / BS
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|
|
Tokyo University will be adding a Anime, Game Producer Education program this fall. Todai (Tokyo Daigaku (University)) is
Japan's most prestigious school and this move surely indicates a growing appreciation for the cultural capital of these two mediums.
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News: KOF Maximum Impact
|
March 22, 2004 11:39 PM PST
|
SNK USA / BS
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|
|
There's an official english page up for KOF Maximum Impact. "Get ready to encounter the ultimate impact!" It's no "road to the punchfest" slogan, but it'll do!
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News: Death by Degrees
|
March 22, 2004 11:26 PM PST
|
Namco / BS
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|
|
Death by Degrees is the new name for Namco's upcoming vehicle for Nina Williams' breasts. She's from tekken, in case you've forgotten. Lots of new info on the page. Thanks to rid for the news.
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News: Aruruu to asobou!
|
March 22, 2004 11:05 PM PST
|
Leaf / BS
|
|
The aruruu to asobou! site has been updated again, this time with a pic of 'Leaf battle characters", which will be an RPG it turns out. Thanks to Zepy for the news.
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News: Yoshinoya
|
March 20, 2004 11:56 PM PST
|
Success / SM
|
|
|
If you haven't seen it yet, here's Yoshinoya the videogame. Yoshinoya is the famous beefbowl chain in Japan (and coastal US). No word on whether there is a "despairing shacho" scenario where you deal with BSE eliminating your only source of beef...
Planned for May 17th, 3,800 yen on PS2. Official site is here.
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News: UIEvolution
|
March 20, 2004 11:47 PM PST
|
Square Enix / SM
|
|
|
Square Enix has purchased American Software
developers UIEvolution. UIE will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Square Enix USA. The move is expected to helped position Square Enix
for the burgeoning cell phone gaming market in the states. So maybe
those really cool looking FF and DQ games that I get stuck seeing in
all the DoCoMo 9 series ads will make it over the United States?
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News: PowerVR
|
March 20, 2004 11:38 PM PST
|
Sega / SM
|
|
|
A recent press
announcement indicates that Sega has obtained a license to use high end PowerVR technology in its upcoming arcade hardware. The AM representive states, "The inherent benefits of PowerVR, which are well known to SEGA, will be utilized to deliver interactive experiences that will amaze gamers worldwide and continue SEGA’s legacy of innovation
and excellence. SEGA’s new arcade platform, which will be at the forefront of Sega’s current board strategy across all video game genres, will deliver cutting edge gaming, exceeding any other videogame system in the world." (hey, I like their translation better than mine!) Regardless of the successes or failures of the Dreamcast, the Naomi hardware seems to have been a solid platform in the arcade business and this will hoepfully continue the tradition. Japanese press release.
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News: Super Chinese Hero Advance
|
March 20, 2004 11:24 PM PST
|
Culturebrain / SM
|
|
|
I'll let the product
description do it for me. Super Chinese Hero Advance- The return of the long running, popular Comical Action Series! Fun for older fans and the present generation! Definitive Kung-fu Action! Etc! GBA, may '04, 4,800 yen.
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News: Spectrum LPs
|
March 18, 2004 11:50 PM PST
|
Kempa / BS
|
|
If you've any feeling for the Spectrum, check out this page here. It's a list/description of LPs (vinyl records, people) that had spectrum programs coded into them aurally. Lots of downloads, and some extra info on the frontpage here.
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News: Castlevania: Symphony Of Destruction
|
March 18, 2004 11:39 PM PST
|
Vampsoft Studio / BS
|
|
Here's a nifty mod for the popular Beats of Rage beat 'em up engine. Castlevania: Symphony of Destruction uses SOTN graphics, Castlevania: Resurrection music, and a few extra tricks. He's looking for help, actually, and there's a downloadable beta.
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Download: NGPC combo movies
|
March 18, 2004 11:25 PM PST
|
Rockman Pocket / BS
|
|
Good old Rockman Pocket has put up some tiny combo videos from various NGPC games. If you want larger movies, check out his fileplanet page.
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Download: The Adventures of Fatman
|
March 17, 2004 11:59 PM PST
|
Socko! / BS
|
|
The Internet Archive has got the recently-public-domain point 'n click adventure game The Adventures of Fatman up for download. Humor, full voice, nice music...quite the full package. Should tide over those of you disappointed by the Sam&Max II cancellation. The official site for the game is here, with more screenshots.
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News: The Daibijin
|
March 17, 2004 11:50 PM PST
|
D3 Publisher / BS
|
|
Check out The Daibijin (giant beautiful woman) from D3 publisher. Seems a 17 year old girl named Riho Futaba has grown to a height of 48 meters, and is attacking japan in her bikini. Slow her down with tanks, helicopters, planes, all the while taking pictures in order to analyze how she came upon this condition. Completely ridiculous (but developed by HuneX!). Release is may 20th, for a Simple 2000 yen. Thanks to jiji for the link.
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News: AAO2 (Eieiou 2)
|
March 17, 2004 11:45 PM PST
|
kapolab / VD
|
|
Everyone's favorite shooting game without a
shoot button gets a sequel! (Well, I like it, at least...) With its
powerful low res graphics and autofiring madness, there are certainly worse
ways to spend 1.4 megs of drive space. Check it
out.
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News: Melty Blood English progress
|
March 17, 2004 11:37 PM PST
|
Revolve / VD
|
|
|
Revolve posted the first public patch release
in their efforts to translate Melty
Blood to English. While the patch features only menus so far, the team
assures me that "dialog translation is progressing at a steady pace."
Steady though it may be, I'm sure they would appreciate extra translation
power, should any readers be able to spare it...
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News: Ikaruga shirt
|
March 17, 2004 11:28 PM PST
|
a guy / BS
|
|
This guy here has designed a not-altogether-bad Ikaruga shirt. He'll be selling them, it seems (various colors). A bit pricey, but them's the breaks.
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News: Steel Empire
|
March 17, 2004 11:20 PM PST
|
Starfish / BS
|
|
|
Starfish has put up the official site for the Steel Empire GBA port. Click the little yellow kanji tabs on the left side to get anywhere. Release is planned for April, at 4,800 yen. Thanks to jiji for the link.
|
|
News: GP32 Backlit Unit
|
March 17, 2004 11:09 PM PST
|
Virgin Play / BS
|
|
|
According to GP32 News, the GP32 that comes out in Europe will not be front lit, but back lit. Quite curious to see how that would work.
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|
News: Samurai Spirits Zero Special
|
March 17, 2004 11:03 PM PST
|
SNKP / IGGY
|
|
|
The Samurai Spirits Zero Special official page is up. Not too much data there yet, but it exists.
|
|
News: Symphonic Rain
|
March 16, 2004 11:58 PM PST
|
Kogado / BS
|
|
Kogado has put up a movie for their upcoming PC game Symphonic Rain (sic). It's a musical adventure, and if you order quickly, there's a limited supply of figures. Unfortunately, this one is titled the "Foni fairy of sound". Thanks to the Zepy for the news.
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Rumor: Monthly dirt
|
March 16, 2004 11:50 PM PST
|
various / IGGY
|
|
|
It's time once again for Iggy's monthly rumors thread at the mmcafe bbs. This news is gathered from various japanese bulletins, and frequently coded. Good times.
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Play Asia: NGPC games
|
March 16, 2004 11:42 PM PST
|
Play Asia / BS
|
|
|
Play Asia has got quite a collection of NGPC games now, not to mention the system pack-in. While you're at it, they've got the excellent GBA Astroboy for $29!
|
|
News: Hot Gimmick
|
March 16, 2004 11:34 PM PST
|
X-Nauts / BS
|
|
Turns out the Tsukasa Jun art book(let) you get with the limited Taisen Hot Gimmick Mahjong release is a hardcover. Rock the house.
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|
News: Aruruu to asobou!!
|
March 16, 2004 11:25 PM PST
|
Leaf / BS
|
|
Aruruu to Asobou!! has gotten an update (vaguely not work safe). You can get a glimpse of the mahjong-esque table game. Thanks to Zepy for the news.
|
|
Download: Espgaluda superplay 2
|
March 16, 2004 11:13 PM PST
|
Arika / BS
|
|
|
There's a second superplay of Espgaluda (PS2) up at Arika's download area. This one's of the first stage (direct link). Thanks to Click-Stick for pointing this out.
|
|
News: GP32 in Europe
|
March 15, 2004 11:57 PM PST
|
Virgin Play / BS
|
|
|
Virgin Play has announced (via a flash on their site), that they plan to continue on with their release of the GP32 in Western Europe. The GP32 will hit Spain, Portugal and Italy this coming may. Thanks to GP32 News for the info.
|
|
News: MKZero update
|
March 15, 2004 11:45 PM PST
|
Wildcat / BS
|
|
I recently checked in with Korean doujin group Wildcat Studios - the makers of Mortal Kombat Zero and Xtreme Duel. After some prodding, he was able to put up a page of new work being done on the game. They're now using 3D models to map the sprites, and have upped the level of the art in MKZ and changed the Xtreme Duel roster. More info will come eventually, but both projects will be progressing very slowly, as the team has very little spare time in which to work.
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|
News: New Cave shooter
|
March 15, 2004 11:31 PM PST
|
Cave / BS
|
|
Thanks to jiji's find, and Click-Stick's hosting, we can see this insert from the Espgaluda OST. It mentions that Cave will be working on a new shooter in 2004. No new details, aside from the preliminary sketch.
|
|
News: Metal Gear Kohler
|
March 15, 2004 11:18 PM PST
|
Nintendo / BS
|
|
|
Turns out our old pal Chris Kohler made his way into the Metal Gear Solid remake for gamecube. He is dog tag #018, the first soldier in Warehouse North, easy mode. A nation rejoices.
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News: Shiki II appreciate
|
March 15, 2004 11:07 PM PST
|
Media & Creative System / IGGY
|
|
|
The Shikigami no Shiro II Appreciate DVD will be dual layered and 508 minutes in length, according to mak-japan. While you're there, be sure to check out the scans of flyers from various upcoming arcade games. Rumblefish, Force Five, Chaos Field, etc. The Shiki II DVD comes out on the 22nd of April for 5,800 yen.
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|
News: Gradius V
|
March 13, 2004 2:38 PM PST
|
Konami / IGGY
|
|
Konami/Treasure's newest addition to the Gradius line has a new release month; July. With any luck, they might stick to this one! News from Game Watch.
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|
News: Blue Sabers
|
March 13, 2004 2:30 PM PST
|
Blue&White / BS
|
|
German shooter makers blue and white have got a nice game up here; Blue Sabers it's called (hosted by Shootergott). There's a 2-level demo available, and it plays very nicely. The music is quite good as well. The full release costs 25 euro. Thanks to Triggerzone for the news.
|
|
Trouble: Beats of Rage Xbox
|
March 13, 2004 2:23 PM PST
|
Gamefreak.biz / BS
|
|
|
Swedish game retailer Gamefreak.biz has an odd title on their Xbox roster - Beats of Rage. This game has the same title as the homebrew beat 'em up which uses KOF sprites, and Streets of Rage style gameplay. They're selling the game for a full 80 SEK, so one wonders what will transpire. Here's hoping it's just an error on GameFreak's part, and that the games are unrelated. Otherwise the scene may be in for some difficulties.
Update: Turns out the site's very purpose is bootlegs, so nobody will be getting in trouble but them. False alarm! Thanks to MNK for pointing this out.
|
|
Download: Espgaluda superplay
|
March 13, 2004 2:18 PM PST
|
Arika / BS
|
|
|
As is their custom, Arika has put up a superplay (direct link) of Espgaluda's level two for PS2.
|
|
News: SF 3:3rd
|
March 13, 2004 2:14 PM PST
|
Capcom / BS
|
|
|
Here's the official site for Street Fighter 3:3rd strike for PS2. No new modes, networking, or anything of that sort announced on the page yet.
|
|
News: Sonic Advance 3
|
March 13, 2004 2:00 PM PST
|
Sonic Team / BS
|
|
The official page for Sonic Advance 3 is now open. They've implemented a partner system, which looks to be like a Sonic Heroes/Sonic 2 amalgam. 2-player co-op play is now possible as well. Comes out June 17th for 3,800 yen. Thanks to Rid for the link.
|
|
Feature: FFDOG Gaiden
|
March 11, 2004 11:59 PM PST
|
insert credit / tim rogers
|
|
|
The latest in the FFDOG epic is here! Witness as our heroes enter a battle between good (the turbo grafx) and evil (aidyn chronicles). Who will prevail? Go have a look-see.
|
|
Off-Topic: This guy
|
March 11, 2004 11:56 PM PST
|
insert credit / TR
|
|
This guy, according to tim, beat Super Mario Bros 3 in six minutes on that famiclone you see there in the upper-right side of the picture. Even if he didn't, he seems like a nice enough fellow. He wanted his picture on here, so...here he is.
|
|
News: Genesis overclocking
|
March 11, 2004 11:50 PM PST
|
Epic Gaming / BS
|
|
|
Tired of lag/slowdown in your genesis titles? overclock it! These fellows have found a way to nearly double the processor speed of the genesis, and they're sharing it with us, the denizens of the internet. That's a nice thing to do. Thanks to Slashdot Games for the link.
|
|
News: Vintage SNK ads
|
March 11, 2004 11:46 PM PST
|
nfg games / BS
|
|
|
Lawrence has put up some nifty/ridiculous old SNK spots on nfg games. Samurai Shodown, Fatal Fury 2 and 3.
|
|
News: Front Mission 4 demo
|
March 11, 2004 11:39 PM PST
|
Square-Enix / BS
|
|
|
Square-Enix (US) is giving out free demos of Front Mission 4. Avoid being a tool, and get yours now!
|
|
Off-Topic: Robotcop III
|
March 11, 2004 11:28 PM PST
|
Channel News Asia / BS
|
|
Robotcop III is the newest cop on the beat in Hong Kong...though he's more of an educational tool than anything. He sports a hidden plasma screen, free movement due to infrared sensors, and can answer questions in english and cantonese. Frightening. Thanks to all watched over for the link. Bonus: Voltron frog.
|
|
News: KOF 2k3 update
|
March 11, 2004 11:17 PM PST
|
SNKP / E-JRW
|
|
|
Check out a small new update to the KOF 2003 character roster. Now Maki, Adelheid/Rose and Mukai have been added.
|
|
Rumor: Street Fighter 3:3rd to PS2
|
March 11, 2004 11:09 PM PST
|
various / BS
|
|
|
Various sources have reported that Street Fighter 3:3rd strike will be coming to PS2 in Japan soon. No official confirmation yet, so treat it as a rumor for now.
|
|
News: Aruruu to asobou!!
|
March 9, 2004 11:45 PM PST
|
Leaf / BS
|
|
Leaf has just announced that they will soon be releasing Aruruu to asobou!! for PCs. This is part of their Amusement Soft series, something they've not done for four years. Leaf is a visual novel company by and large, one of the higher-profile ones (To Heart, Comic Party for instance). But this Amusement Soft disc contains an Action game (left), a board game, a SLG, an AVG, and an as-yet genre-unspecific game called 'leaf battle fighters.' Curiously, this game was announced immediately after the firm announcement of Clannad's release date. Clannad is a highly anticipated visual novel from Key.
Aruruu to asobou!! is scheduled to come out on the same day. Aggressive!! The game is due out on the 25th of March at 5800 yen. Thanks to a Zepy from beyond the pale for the news.
|
|
News: Sukisho update
|
March 9, 2004 11:27 PM PST
|
NEC IC / JN
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Sukinamono ha sukidakara shouganai, the new Yaoi PC-turned-PS2 game from NEC, has gotten a small couple of updates. First of all, the voice actors have been announced. Next up, the PS2 original features are also available now. There will be 40 new (sekushii!) event visuals, 30% new scenarios, progressive scan, anti-aliasing and a scene viewer. Good stuff! Comes out March 25th for 6800 yen.
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News: Jibril
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March 9, 2004 11:07 PM PST
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Frontwing / JN
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Jibril is the newest in Frontwing's large-ish H-game line (not work safe, obviously). It's a pretty oldschool one as well. Scifi and tentacle oldschool.
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Letters: Christ Stickers
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March 8, 2004 11:59 PM PST
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insert credit / drew cosner
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Drew has updated the letters section once more! This time the discussion is about G4. Sparks fly! Christ bumperstickers are rated! Drews pontificate! Etc.
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News: KOF Neowave
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March 8, 2004 11:50 PM PST
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Sony / IGGY / BS
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In this week's famitsu, we see pics of new characters in KOF Neowave: Benimaru vs Athena, Eiji vs Jhun, K' vs Ryo, Terry vs Iori, Ralf vs Leona. Aside from Eiji and Jhun, everybody was here in 2002...Athena even has her psychoball attack from 2002. It is said that the basic gameplay for this version is similar to 2002 as well. There are also rumors regarding a 'groove select', 45 characters, and the entire roster. Time will tell.
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News: SNK World updated
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March 8, 2004 11:45 PM PST
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SNK World / BS
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SNK World has been updated. There's now a movie of the KOF 3D intro up, which looks...interesting? Decent music. They've also announced the winners of the illustration competition. The SS0 winner is to the left. As always, if you haven't made an SNK World login, here's the guide. You can also find the movie on a chinese bbs (linked from an mmcafe post).
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News: PS2 online numbers
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March 8, 2004 11:33 PM PST
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GC / SM
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List of necessary items in my accessorized lifestyle just upped by
one. There will be an A3 credit card allowing one to spend another form of cash under the auspices of GC corp, a major Japanese credit card company.
It follows in the tradition of the Ragnorak Online card made available by the company a while back.
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News: PS2 online numbers
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March 8, 2004 11:26 PM PST
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Sony / SM
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Looks the number of PS2 online users has increased by 239% over the last year according to SCEA. This comes in at a grand 2.6m users, who particularly like playing from 5-11 at night.
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News: Spriggan Powerd
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March 8, 2004 11:15 PM PST
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???? / BS
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Lawrence has mirrored a recent PCB sale - it's Spriggan Powerd, an unreleased arcade shooter. The final price was 121,000 yen, making it one of the most expensive PCB in the world, he says. It's hard to see why...especially since the auctioneer said that he's not 100% sure of the condition (wiring), and is selling it as 'junk' (though the game does come on when booted).
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News: Microsoft announces announcement
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March 8, 2004 11:06 PM PST
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Microsoft / SM
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Looks like Microsoft will soon be detailing their software plans for the next generation hardware. Public announcements regarding the hardware itself have not been set yet (but the rumors mills need some time to run their course first, right? Israeli flash memory and Powermac G5++ in a box small enough Japanese consumers?).
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News: BH4 photos
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March 8, 2004 11:01 PM PST
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Capcom / SM
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Namae says these are brand new Biohazard 4 shots, but they look familiar... Also, the killer7 site has been updated.
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Whackiness: Quest for the Crown
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March 7, 2004 7:14 PM PST
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Lance and Eskimo / VD
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Best. Credits. Evah. If you're stuck, don't hesitate to read the walkthrough! And make sure to play the 2nd quest! And the third. And the fourth...
It gets harder! Really!
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Random Stuff: Halo Armor
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March 7, 2004 12:13 AM PST
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Nightmare Armor / VD
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There are cosplayers. And then there are these guys. Now anyone can be Master Chief...for a price. It's too bad that price isn't listed, though...
Edit: While the website's store doesn't list a price for the armor, the March issue of Official Xbox Magazine lists the full armor set at a cool $3500 USD. Thanks to Rich for the heads up.
Brandon's note: Welcome to January, vince! HAH!
Vince's note: Hey!
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News: Psyvariar 2
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March 6, 2004 6:29 PM PST
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nfg games / BS
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Psyvariar 2 sure is pretty. Check out Lawrence's short report for a nice gallery and some cursory impressions.
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News: Giana's Return
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March 6, 2004 6:25 PM PST
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some german guys / BS
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The Giana's Return demos are now out for Dreamcast and GP32! Giana's Return is the unofficial sequel to the popularish Amiga Super Mario Bros clone. It was made by people who should be very familiar in the demo scene...go and get!
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News: Katamari Damashii
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March 6, 2004 6:18 PM PST
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Namco / BS
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Katamara Damashii, Namco's promising new trash-rolling/planet-building game, now has an official site. Not shockingly, it's wacky. Thanks to Rid for the link.
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News: Princess Brave
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March 6, 2004 6:11 PM PST
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Windship / BS
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Windship has renewed his Princess Brave (GP32) official site. There's lots of new art and info (even a babelfish translation service).
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News: Final Fantasy Concert Tickets Available
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March 5, 2004 12:13 AM PST
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Square Enix USA / VD
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The wait is over, Uematsu fans. Nobuo Uematsu's official Square Enix USA site finally sports the link to ticket sales for "Dear Friends - Music from Final Fantasy." A seat can be your's, starting at a $40 USD a head. Even if you're not too keen on FF music, if you're around LA during the week of E3, the LA Phil under Esa-Pekka Salonen are pretty fantastic, and the venue is among the best sounding in the country...
Me? I'll probably be hanging around the nearby Little Tokyo arcades and getting my ass kicked in Initial D...
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News: RCR 2
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March 4, 2004 11:59 PM PST
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Lost Levels / BS
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Over at Lost Levels, there's a story about a humble playtester who, if only for a few short months, once owned the rights to the River City Ransom name. But then somebody else took it.
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Desperation: A game sale
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March 4, 2004 11:50 PM PST
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brandon sheffield
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I swore I'd never do this, but here I am. I am selling a medium-sized chunk of stuff, because I need the money. Import games, domestics, hardware, and a host of gaming goods. There are some posters from tim in there too.
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News: Colorful Box
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March 4, 2004 11:45 PM PST
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NEC IC / SM
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The PS2 sim Colorful BOX~to LOVE~ will be released 5/27. It seems to have all requisite upgrades, like new scenarios and CG, one would
expect (are these really extras at this point?).
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News: Famesoft update
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March 4, 2004 11:34 PM PST
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FaMeSoft / SM
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FaMeSoft has stopped the development of their Solitaire GP32 pack - but they've also put up a very odd comic. Might want to check it out.
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News: Nintendo retirement
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March 4, 2004 11:31 PM PST
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Nintendo / SM
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Nintendo will be implementing a retirement age. Until now there has been no standard retirement age at the company and the average employee age is fairly young. In fact, the program is in response to employee wishes. One employee comments, "Without an age limit it's difficult to make a break in one's life." The retirement age will be set at 65, giving a little leeway to the average employee who retires at the age of 62.
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News: A3
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March 4, 2004 11:20 PM PST
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BIGLOBE / SM
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Beta testing update. The R-18 rated MMORPG A3 (mentioned last week) beta testing application has begun, as noted by this Nikkei article. At the same time, the much cuter Strugarden will soon be looking for participants in a closed beta. Looks like it will distributed by Sammy and developed by FromNetworks. The world of Planteria is based off of middle Age Europe and will be the stage for all the "legitimately cute" character's adventures.
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News: Let's
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March 4, 2004 11:13 PM PST
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BIGLOBE / SM
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Something that has needed addressing just got addressed by BIGLOBE. Nothing is more intimidating than trying to pick up all those ecchi games in Japan. You go down to the proper "electronics district"
and these big stores plastered with AV models greet you and a million other otaku. You inevitably slink off to a more respectable place (like the 2nd floor at Mandarake, at least pretending you got lost looking for the newest Clamp manga or something.) Fortunately, BIGLOBE will be making available "Let's -A beach cafe~ Love's Battle Beach" for
online download for 2000 yen. It blends a management simulation with a love adventure. Check out the official site here, with movies here.
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News: noriyo no bouken Online
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March 3, 2004 11:50 PM PST
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Hyo-Gonosuke / BS
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Noriyo no bouken Online is a 3D flash game to beat them all. Incredible detail, classic MMORPG interface, involving themes. It's a bit rough around the edges just now, but you can test play by clicking the orange box on the right side (which says 'test play' on it, incidentally). Thanks to Pie for the link.
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