GDC '08 - Day 2 Impressions / Video Roundup

In addition to the large amount of videos that went up yesterday, a lot of previews have also popped from all sorts of sites - check them out below!

Bionic Commando Rearmed

IGN - Hands-on: "Grab some light poles and save the world."
1UP - Previews: "The 8-bit classic swings back in prime downloadable form."

Penny Arcade Adventures

IGN - Preview: "On the rain-slick precipice of a release date."

Go! Go! Break Steady

IGN - Hands-On: "In yo' face! Zuma meets Breakin' 2."
1UP - Previews: "Rhythm-action goes breakin' at GDC."

Castle Crashers

IGN - Hands-on: "We take a ride on a farting deer."

Protimity HD

Gamespot - Hands-On: "We check out a demo of this simple but addictive XNA-developed board game."

JellyCar

Gamespot - Hands-On: "We check out a demo version of this bouncy, XNA-based puzzler that's bounding its way onto Xbox Live Arcade later this year."
Gametrailers Video - Gameplay HD: "Use this auto's expanding ability to maneuver strategically through the puzzling course!"

Rocketball

Gamespot - Hands-On: "Vince Vaughn is nowhere to be found in this casual XNA-developed dodgeball game."

Culture

Gamespot - Hands-On: "We play it with flowers as we check out a demo of this unusual XNA-developed puzzle game."
Gamevideos Video - 'Weed Trimming' gameplay HD

Little Gamers

Gamespot - Hands-On: "Gamers take on gamers in this tongue-in-cheek action game headed to Xbox Live Arcade."

The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai

Gamespot - Hands-On: "We check out a playable demo of this gory XNA-created side-scroller."
Gametrailers Video: XNA James Silva - A Life HD: "Meet the creator of the upcoming action-packed XNA title, The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai."

Source: Gametrailers, Gamevideos, Gamespot, IGN, 1UP.com

GDC '08 - Surprise! XNA realised! Go download demos now!

Microsoft's big reveal for those at home? Finally realizing the potential of the XNA games interface! You can now go and download demos of upcoming games that use XNA through your Xbox 360!

To do so you have to download the Community Game Blade, to do so you must go here:

Marketplace blade > New Arrivals > Game Content > XNA Creators Club > XNA Creators Club Game Launcher (7mb)

Download it and a new Blade will appear, allowing you to download demos of these games:


• “JellyCar.” Created by Walaber from the United States, this game is about driving a squishy car through squishy worlds, trying to reach the exit.

Click here for more images of Jelly / Jello Car!


• “Little Gamers.” This is a 2-D high definition action side-scroller based on the famous Web comic “Little Gamers” created by Loïc Dansart, a 24-year-old software developer from Belgium.

Click here for more images of Little Gamers!


• “The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai.” An intense 2-D action platform game created by James Silva from the United States, “The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai” has a unique, highly stylized look and fast and fluid action.

Click here for more images of The Dishwasher!


• “TriLinea.” This puzzle game created by Edison S. Prata Jr., Renato Pelizzari da Silva and Davi da Silva Prata from Brazil mixes fast-paced action with strategy.

Click here for more images of TriLinea!


• “RocketBall.” Created by Tyler Wanlass, Patrick Murty and Todd Barrons of the United States, this neighborhood game of dodgeball explodes onto the street with fast-paced multiplayer action.
Click here for more images of RocketBall!


• “ProximityHD.” This game, created by Brian Cable from the United States, takes the essence of strategy games — battles for control of territory and armies — and distills it down to a simple, easy-to-understand set of rules for casual players.
Click here for more images of Proximity HD!


• “Culture.” Created by independent game development company Hidden Path Entertainment from the United States, “Culture” contains challenging games and puzzles based on beautiful flowers.

Click here for more images of Culture!

1UP Show does Rez!

Rez is all the rage at the moment (as it should be) and the 1UP show has a fantastic look at it. If you're still teetering on the edge of whether or not to get the game, look no further than this montage.

It also includes a few pieces from a chat with Mizuguchi while he plays his own game.

Gamespot's Don Francis has also reviewed the game, giving it an 8.5/10. Read their review here.

Watch the 1upshow by going to the link below:

Source: 1UP Show

Interview: Videogamer has a chat with SFIIHD's David Serlin

David Serlin, the man in charge of bringing Street Fighter II HD to the XBLA and PSN, has had a long and fascinating interview with Videogamer.com a few days ago. He's got some long answers to all your questions, you can see he's very dedicated to the product.

An interesting note that has been posted around is about the XBLA size limit:

VideoGamer.com: Does the 360 download limit cause any problems?

DS: Yes, it's difficult to store so many 1080p graphics in such a small download size. A lot depends on the specific shading that the final art will have, and how well that shading compresses. It also makes it difficult or impossible to include all the original game's music AND all remixed set of music. We're still doing our best to fit within the limit we've been given.

Currently the limit of XBLA games is 150 megabytes, while the PSN has no such limit due to the hard drive on every machine. If worse comes to worse, hopefully Capcom will release the game on XBLA complete with just remixed songs, and then have a free DLC addon pack including the classic tunes. It's how Worms initially got around their problem with sound banks. Let's just hope microsoft come to their senses.

Read the entire interview for a good look into this highly anticipated game.

Source: Videogames.com: Super Street Fighter II HD remix Interview

Rez HD coming next week, plus interviews with Mizuguchi!

1UP's resident Mizuguchi fanboy James Mielke has discovered that Rez HD is definitely coming out this week! To celebrate this occasion, 1UP has put together a collection of Rez-related stories they've done over the years, as well as a new interview with the man.

During the interview, 1UP confirms that there will be some bonus content for those who love Rez - by playing through the game with 100 percent shot down of enemies and items, you can play as a Morolian Alien from Space Channel 5 - a feature previously available in Japanese versions of the game. If that's too hard for you, simply play the game for over 10 hours and you'll get the same outcome!

Check out their story collection and interview at 1UP.com

Wired blogger Chris Kohler has also had a chat with Mizuguchi, discussing the development cycle for the Live Arcade version, and a look back at what made Rez what it was

Check out their story over at Wired's Game|Life Blog

New Rez HD clips from Gamevideos.com

Gamevideos have uploaded the final 3 videos of Rez HD, showing off Areas 3, 4 and 5.

Rez HD 'Area 3' gameplay HD
Rez HD 'Area 4' gameplay HD
Rez HD 'Area 5' gameplay HD

Source: Gamevideos.com

Win 1 of 50 copies of Rez HD!

The official Rez HD website is now live at www.thatgamecalledrez.com, and to celebrate they're giving away 50 free copies of the game!

Simply register your information here, answer a few questions about Q?'s games, and you're in the running!

"Here is your chance to win a prepaid code for Rez HD! (Value: 800 Microsoft Points, downloadable on the Xbox Live Arcade). Simply register below by January 27th, 2008 11:59PM PST. 50 Lucky winners will be notified within 72 hours after the closing of the contest. Good luck!"

Source: XBLArcade.com