At 12.01 midnight GMT on the 10th November, HMV, Game and select supermarkets opened their doors to the hordes of eager fans aching to get their hands on Activision’s latest block buster Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. Sam Gibbs, representing Pixelated Geek, was on hand at HMV in London’s Trocadero to cover the carnage. With just under 1000 people expected, security was tight with a full team of door men were there to keep the piece. Competition winners were also on hand to collect their swag and of course get their hands on the game.

HMV laid on a full squad of military personnel complete with two army Land Rovers with which people, including myself, posed for shots (sorry again I just couldn’t resist).

First in the door was Chris from Surrey who had been queuing there since 1.30 am and managed to get his hands on MW2 at about 12.30 meaning he was one dedicated fan having queued a full 23 hours on the streets of central London. His hearty devotion to the game won him some favour with HMV who took care of him shipping him out with no less than three Prestige kits (a total sum of £360’s worth).

Shout out to Mr. Lai and Mr. Wood for braving the cold with me

[View with PicLens]

 

As all keen FPS gamers should know by now, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 launches tomorrow, 10 November, ending the social lives of a lot of gamers across the globe for a couple of months. Activision, deciding that the follow up to the wildly popular COD4 MW deserved the red carpet treatment and held a launch event with all the trimmings in London’s Leicester Square, the home to many a film premier. The Vue cinema in the main square was the venue with hands on with the game on the big screen, a VIP party and even a surprise concert to entertain a lucky few.

For the hard core fan however, the action was already building at the Trocadero HMV where a massive queue of just under 1000 or so eager gamers had already formed. Check back later for some coverage of the action at HMV including a guy who had queued a full 23 hours on the streets of London just to be first in line and a boat load of military action.

Shout out to Mr. Lai and Mr. Wood for braving the cold with me

We all saw this coming. The next step in Blizzards’ plot to take over the world, or at least your salary. Blizzard micro-transactions using their new Battle.net platform.  Today Blizzard has added 2 new items to their online store for World of Warcraft players.  Two new in-game pets.  A mini Kel’Thuzad and Pandaren Monk for $10 each.

Some people are acting like this micro-transaction thing is new to WoW when in fact, it’s not.  It’s just presented in a different way.  Instead of going through the official World of Warcraft site, it goes through Battle.net.  Blizzard already has a bunch of paid for services like server transfer, name changing, sex changes, race changes and faction changes.

Are any of our readers planning on buying one or both of these new in-game pets? Or are you one of those than can resist these two new cute vanity items.

I’m a big fan of Mash-Ups.  I acted like a gitty little schoolgirl when I saw and heard Jay-Z perform live with Linkin Park.  I still love it when I find great mash-ups on YouTube.  Then I heard about a game called DJ Hero that will let me act like I know how to mash-up songs and I just went nuts.  After seeing the demo played on stage at E3, I knew that I was going to get the game.  This was even before I saw any tracks revealed from the game.  Now, the full list has surfaced on the internets and I cannot wait for this to get into my living room already.  To see all 95 mashed-up tracks, go past the break.

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DJ Hero has posted a new clip to show you a new song produced and mixed by J. Period. Just by looking at the clip and imagining that I had the controller with me at my desk, I started pretending I was playing the game. You know, kind of like when you’re waiting for your turn on the DDR machine, so you start playing right next to it. After some pretending, the game seems kinda complicated. But, I guess I won’t know how complicated it really is until I get my hands on it. Oh holiday season. You’re really going to burn a hole through my wallet this year.

If you haven’t heard yet, the technologic men from outer space (or France), Daft Punk, will be featured in DJ Hero.  Not only will their likeness and songs be in the game, but also some special remixes by Daft Punk.

Daft Punk “Around the World” vs. Young MC “Bust A Move”
Daft Punk “Da Funk” vs. NASA “Strange Enough ft. Karen O, ODB and Fatlip”
Daft Punk “Da Funk” vs. Queen “Another One Bites the Dust”
Daft Punk “Robot Rock” vs. Hashim “Al-Naafiysh (The Soul)” – Produced and mixed by The Scratch Perverts
Daft Punk “Robot Rock” vs. Queen “We Will Rock You”
Daft Punk “Short Circuit” vs. Boogie Down Productions “Jack Of Spades”
Daft Punk “Technologic” vs. Gary Numan “Cars”
Daft Punk “Television Rules The Nation” vs. No Doubt “Hella Good”

DJ Hero comes out October 27, 2009.

Click to Play

Over at the Activision booth, they demoed DJ Hero. Not knowing anything about the game except for the turntable, I was impressed. I’m a big fan of music mash-ups like Linkin Park and Jay-Z’s Collision Course (don’t judge me). So, a game with this type of music, instantly got my attention. At first, the scratching and switch of the tracks using the crossfader got me confused. But just like any new game, it just takes some time and practice to get used to it. In the second part of the video, you’ll see that if you have a Guitar Hero guitar controller, you can also use that for 2 player fun. But there is only 10 special tracks you can play with both the Guitar Hero guitar and the DJ hero turntable.

DJ Hero release September 30th, 2009.

Oh Yeah...We're Going!

This is it…the weekend before E3. All of us over here a Pixelated Geek are excited to be able to cover what is quite arguably one of the biggest gaming expo’s of the year. There’s so much we still don’t know about what’s coming this year or what to expect, but here’s some more about what we know and can expect.

Sony Unveiling New, Slim PS3?

On the Sony front, talks about a hardware redesign have started surfacing, and speculation is point towards a new PS3. Similar to Sony’s route with the PS2 and PSP, rumor has it that the company is planning to release the PS3 Slim, a significantly smaller version of the black monolith. Of course, the redesign wouldn’t bring that much new stuff to the table, except maybe table space, but the inclusion of Bluetooth 3.0 might be coming with the new system.

However, since no console was specified, the hardware redesign could be for a multitude of things, like the PS2, which is still going strong, or the PSP, though the new PSP Go! has been all but confirmed. Then again, there’s still the rumor of that PS3 Motion controller, which I wouldn’t doubt is coming.

However, there’s news that while a Slim PS3 is in fact on the way, we won’t be seeing it at E3.

Why, you ask? There’s still many standard PS3 systems still available and Sony wants to let those sell before unveiling the updated model. Maybe Sony should go forward with a price drop if they want to unload the rest of those systems. But who knows whether or not that will happen anytime soon.

[Source, Source]

256 Player MAG Demo for Journalists

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe’s highly anticipated MMOFPS (that’s Massively Multiplayer Online First-Person Shooter for those of you that aren’t up on the latest acronyms) MAG, formerly Massive Action Game, will be playable at this year’s E3, with Journalists being part of eight-man teams to be led by the game’s developers, taking part in 256-player games. Sounds exciting.

[Source]

Microsoft Reveal Plan for Zune Integration with the Xbox 360

Microsoft will be showing off the Zune HD at E3 and, likewise, will be showcase just exactly how it will be integrated with the Xbox 360. Not just satisfied with Zune connectivity, the Zune brand will become part of the Xbox 360’s Video Marketplace, similar to Netflix Instant Streaming, and will offer a library of TV Shows and Movies to 360 owners.

[Source]

Does Miyamoto’s Absence from Nintendo’s Press Conference Mean More Gamer Oriented Presentation?

Startling news from Nintendo has revealed that the father of many great franchises, such as Mario and Zelda, Shigeru Miyamoto will not be speaking at Nintendo’s E3 Press Conference. With previous E3 Press Conferences being geared towards the more family friendly games, his absence from this year’s conference may signal a break from the current family-friendly strategy and a return to some of Nintendo’s core franchises. Who knows, we may see a new Super Mario or Zelda game announced this year. One can only hope, right?

[Source]

Wii Fit Plus to be Revealed at E3

However, even without Miyamoto at the Press Conference, speculation of a Wii Fit Plus being unveiled at E3 are still going strong. Apparently, Nintendo has already trademarked the name and E3 would be the perfect time to make a dramatic. But even with the popular title in the works, the chance of some of Nintendo’s core titles making a showing at E3 is still anticipated.

[Source]

Activision Blizzard Confirms E3 Line-Up

Activision Blizzard has released their E3 line up, though with only the Activision half of the company showing up, it’s no surprised that they’re all Activision titles.

Along with the highly anticipated Modern Warfare 2, here’s a list of what to expect:

• Blur
• DJ Hero
• Guitar Hero 5
• Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
• Prototype
• Singularity
• Tony Hawk: RIDE
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
• Wolfenstein

[Source]

EA Unveils E3 Line-Up

EA has also released their E3 and it’s a doozy. Along with some of the more anticipated titles, such as The Sims 3 and Mass Effect 2. We’re definitely gonna have a lot on our hands when we get to the EA booth next week.

With just a little over two dozen titles, EA promises to have much to show. Here’s a list of what they’ve got in store:

• Army of Two: The 40th Day
• Battlefield 1943
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2
• Brutal Legend
• Dante’s Inferno
• Dead Space Extraction
• Dragon Age: Origins
• EA Sports Active
• EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis
• FIFA 10
• Fight Night Round 4
• G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Madden NFL 10
• Mass Effect 2
• MySims Agents
• NCAA Football 10
• NHL 10
• Need for Speed NITRO
• Need for Speed SHIFT
• Spore Hero
• Spore Hero Arena
• The Saboteur
• The Sims 3
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10

[Source]

More cryptic images from Kojima regarding new Metal Gear. Plus new project: MASK

Kojima Productions has been driving gamers insane with their needless countdowns, mysterious symbols and images. And now, clicking on the Kojima Productions logo on the countdown site reveals a new site. Labeled “MASK,” my suspicions that the team at KP are working on more than just the next MGS game may have been right all along. The site shows a mask (obviously), slowly revealing a creepy woman underneath as a creepy tune plays in the background.

And back on the MGS front, as the countdown gets lower, more symbols have begun to appear, with a picture of what appears to be the Cyborg Ninja, Raiden. However, a closer look reveals the character has brown eyes, whereas Raiden has blue eyes. Maybe this some new character altogether.

That's not Raiden

With MASK seeming as though it is a completely separate project, will we see it at E3. And while we’re on the topic, could we possibly see any other non-MGS projects? Maybe Zone of the Enders 3?

[Source]

No Dead Rising 2 at E3 due to Swine Flu concerns

Bad news on the Capcom front. Dead Rising 2 will apparently not be shown at E3 due to Swine Flu concerns. I didn’t know Zombies had to worry about the flu, but travel precautions and government restrictions have made it necessary for the Japanese developers that back out of the trip. However, it seems that Dead Rising 2 is the only game that Capcom won’t be showcasing. Given the early stage of the game’s development, the team isn’t comfortable with someone else handling what they have. Bummer.

[Source]

Kingdom Hearts Team not making the trip either

More bad news, this time for Kingdom Hearts fans. Again, due to Swine Flu concerns, Square-Enix has cancelled plans for its Kingdom Hearts team to attend E3. It’s unfortunate, especially for those expecting a KH3 announcement this year, though whether an unveiling of Kingdom Hearts-related games will still surface, given that staff from both European and American divisions of Square-Enix, as well as some Japanese representatives will still be making the trip.

[Source]

Atari cancels plans for E3

Atari has seemingly backed out of E3 this year. With less than a month before kick-off, the company had apparently decided to cancel their plans for E3, supposedly focusing more on other marketing plans for their upcoming titles, including Ghostbusters. I have to say, I feel like this is more Atari’s loss than E3’s. However, only time will tell if this was a smart move.

[Source]

Well, that’s about it. Stay tuned, because next week, Pixelated Geek hits the big time, live (sort of) from LA and the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

The rumors from before are true and I don’t think it’ll make a real DJ, like our blogger Fillmatic, happy. I don’t think it’ll make most people happy. I mean look at the remixed songs that are coming with the game:

“Feel Good Inc.” (Gorillaz) vs “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (Marvin Gaye)
“Jayou” (Jurassic 5) vs “Rockit” (Herbie Hancock)
“Bustin’ Loose” (Chuck Brown) vs “Time of the Season” (The Zombies, DJ Shadow Mix)
“All Apologies” (Nirvana) vs “Give It to Me Baby” (Rick James, DJ Shadow Mix)
“Let’s Dance” (David Bowie) vs “Jack of Spades” (KRS One, DJ Shadow Mix)
“Shout” (Tears for Fears) vs “Pjanoo” (Eric Prydz)

I don’t know about this. We have some good songs in there but they are remixing them with somewhat unheard of songs.  We’ll see how it plays out. I think we have or are reaching the peak of rhytm based games and extra accessiories.

Supposedly Activision UK sent out a press release which included these renderings of the “DJ HERO” controller…

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