Posts by Majed Athab at PS3 Fanboy

Majed Athab
New York, NY - http://www.ps3fanboy.com

Majed Athab is a long-time gamer and a seasoned games journalist working primarily for the Joystiq Network's PS Fanboy blog. He got his first break in the industry writing for the RPGamer website shortly after graduating from the University of Portsmouth in the UK. As of right now, he's joyously writing from his Manhattan home and virtual office.

Kojima insists he's not disappointed with MGS4

Posted May 12th 2008 5:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Hideo Kojima clarified on his latest blog podcast that he's absolutely not disappointed with Metal Gear Solid 4, despite earlier reports of his dissatisfaction. He's just trying to be modest about the game. He put the blame on his words getting lost in translation as the reason why his views were taken askew. This is always the usual suspect as the Japanese language and culture doesn't always clearly come out the same when put into English words.

We won't go too far into this but in short Kojima says he doesn't like to brag; so he's downplaying his thoughts, keeping in line with Japanese humility. Whether Kojima is being too humble or not, gamers should still listen first to their own opinions on the game. We've seen the game footage over the years and listened to the news reports, and we're pretty sure we like what we see. Has a previous MGS game failed to ~~disappoint~~ amaze? No. Will this one? Most likely not. Cue in beaming first exclusive ten-over-ten review.

[Via Kotaku]

Star Wars: Force Unleashed producer confirms demo

Posted May 12th 2008 2:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

As the first "next gen" Star Wars title for home consoles (the LEGO iterations don't count), many gamers and fans alike are keeping close watch on Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Mixing a dangerous combination of high expectations and lots of hype, eager game addicts everywhere are craving for a demo. So are we getting one? Yes we are, according to a VideoGamer interview with Cameron Suey the producer for Force Unleashed on PS3.

While Suey has revealed that a demo is indeed in the works, it's still anyone's guess as to when we'll see it. Suey's exact words were, "I'm not certain about the specifics, but we definitely want to get this game out into people's hands." The game launches on September 16 in North America, so that means the demo could pop up anytime within the four months until release.

PS Nation Podcast 060 - Sing It

Posted May 12th 2008 12:00AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Podcasts

Andrew returns to podcasting this week while Mark goes missing due to moving. So, it's just Glenn and Andrew this week ... but wait! We've got a special guest appearance! US producer for SingStar, Aaron Orsak, joins the podcast crew this week talking (not singing) about the new game coming later this month. If SingStar is not your cup of tea, then there's still a lot to listen to on Haze demos, GTA IV, and Made-for-PSN TV.

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New episodes will be available for subscribers every Saturday. Episodes will be available to stream and download on PS3 Fanboy every Monday at 12:00AM. Visit the VGEvo.com forums to chat with other podcast fans.

Continue reading PS Nation Podcast 060 - Sing It

Blu-ray movie releases for the week of May 11

Posted May 11th 2008 10:00AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Blu-ray

Hey it's Mother's Day today! Why not buy your Mom a Blu-ray film! But wait, you probably couldn't buy her one from this list though; these Blu-ray movies won't be out until Tuesday. Bummer. Anyway, she probably won't like most of the films this week -- they're looking rather butch.

In case you want to get Mom a belated present, perhaps she would like this week's Youth Without Youth, a Coppola drama set in WWII. You know what that means right? You'll probably like that one, too. If that doesn't work, Mrs. Doubtfire is a contingency plan. "Heloo!"

Codemasters making official Formula One game

Posted May 9th 2008 8:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Codemasters, makers of racing titles DiRT and the upcoming GRID are adding yet another racing game to their repertoire. The company has recently acquired an official license to make an authentic Formula One title. This worldwide deal gives Codemasters the rights to feature all Grand Prix circuits, teams, cars, and driver likenesses. The first game based off the FIA Formula One World Championship is expected to launch in 2009. That's the first, which means there's probably going to be multiple titles down the line.

[Via press release]

Pandemic conquers Middle-earth with new LOTR title

Posted May 9th 2008 7:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Pandemic Studios is spearheading a new Middle-earth based game entitled: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest. The team behind the Star Wars Battlefront and Battlefront II titles is tasked to breathe life into the Tolkien fantasy world with this new action game. Can they do it? Josh Resnick, co-founder and general manager of Pandemic Studios thinks so: "Our experience creating massive, rich, action-packed games means that The Lord of the Rings: Conquest will give fans exactly what they want: full control of the blade, bow, and magic to fight its epic battles any way they want -- even if they choose to play from the evil side."

Interesting PR-laced point there Mr. Resnick. We're sure intrigued about the "evil side" gameplay, though; the ability to play as an Oliphaunt, the Balrog, and Sauron do sound rather wicked (in a good way). Interested in more? Then check out the game's official website. The game is due for a global Fall 2008 release.

[Via press release]

Man kills neighbor over missing PS3

Posted May 8th 2008 11:00PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Being a protective console owner is one thing, but taking obsessive love for one's system to violent ends is a whole other ballpark. Take the story of Edward Keith Stoddard Jr. who was arrested last night in Dade City for murdering his neighbor over a missing PlayStation 3. He's accused of murdering neighbor Douglas F. Abrams when the two were arguing over the PS3 in question on April 24.

It's such a sad thing to hear that someone had to die over something so trivial. Sure, most of us love our systems, but not enough to kill for it. It's not clear whether the PS3 was the only reason for the murder, but even if it wasn't, it wouldn't matter. The story would end the same -- someone's dead, the other's in jail, and the PS3 still missing.

[Via Digg]

Fallout 3 composer named, soundtrack samples available

Posted May 8th 2008 12:30AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Music is an integral part of any game. It's important that the right composer is put in charge of bringing the aural atmosphere to life. For Fallout 3, the right man to pen the musical score would apparently be Inon Zur, composer of game soundtracks from Crysis and Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones.

Fallout 3 executive producer Todd Howard had this to say about Zur's original music for the game: "He's created a score that has epic sweep; from the lonely ambience of the wasteland to dramatic fights for survival." True enough, Zur is well-known for that sort of sound. Don't believe it? Then hit up Fallout 3's official website to listen to three songs from the soundtrack. Also, you can hear some of Zur's older work at his official website.

[Via press release]

THQ announces WWE Legends of WrestleMania

Posted May 7th 2008 11:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

Not much was revealed about WWE Legends of WreslteMania, a new wrestling title to hit next year. All that's known so far about the game is that it's being made by THQ and JAKKS Pacific, and that it will come out March 2009 to coincide with Wrestlemania 25.

Other than that, everything is up for speculation -- especially that coveted roster. If the game's title wasn't enough of a hint, it looks like stars who've appeared at Wrestlemania will be the only ones making it into the game. Please THQ, whatever you do, don't include the likes of Tyson and non-wrestler personalities that have been at the big WM. That will just be disappointing. And, the "Macho Man" better not be missing this time.

[Via press release]

PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Haze

Posted May 7th 2008 3:00PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Hands-on

PlayStation Day 2008 is over but our coverage continues! We're also enjoying the spoils to be found on the European PlayStation Store. In particular, we're talking about the Haze demo which we fired up and took out for a spin. North Americans without Euro accounts can get their nectar dosage tomorrow. While we've played the demo and have written our thoughts here, reader Chris G. shares his gameplay footage through the Haze trial play. So read our thoughts and check out the vid (or not the vid, if you wish not to spoil the experience before you give it a go).

The demo starts off with a firefight in the middle of the jungle. There's no real explanation as to why you're there but that doesn't matter too much for a demo. The controls are standard as far as shooters go, move with the left analog stick, aim with the right, and fire with a shoulder button. Left-handed players will be glad to see control options for them.

Anyway, the thing that deviates from the typical formula is the inclusion of the nectar drug which heightens one's senses and actually makes killing easier. When you inject yourself will a limited supply of nectar, you can zoom in farther, your melee attack is stronger, and enemies glow a bright orange giving away their position. While this is a strategic enhancement, at times it does tend to feel more like a distraction deviating from the main action. We're sure the story aspect of nectar will be fleshed out through the final game, but it doesn't come through in the demo, which feels a bit like a heavy weight dragging the experience down.

Continue reading PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Haze

GTA IV gets 1.01 patch, freezing not fixed [Update]

Posted May 7th 2008 1:10PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Game Patches

Looks like Grand Theft Auto IV got a little band-aid patchwork today with a 1.01 update. It's a small little tweak at 18 MB, and it supposedly will fix up those freezing problems everyone's been getting antsy over. So far, we've been playing with the new patch for the past few minutes and everything seems to be going smoothly.

[Update: Looks like the freezing issue has not been fixed after all. Many gamers are stating the problem is persisting. Apparently, this update is supposed to fix multiplayer connectivity issues which cause the game to lockup. Eurogamer notes: "reducing the loads on the servers at GameSpy and hopefully the completely random hangs that some users have seen".]

[Thanks Lee!]

The villains rule in new LEGO Batman media

Posted May 7th 2008 3:00AM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

It looks like Two-Face and Scarecrow are yet another duo of baddies introduced into LEGO Batman. They're taking the town to hell in the gameplay footage above. Our dear Two-Face, aka Harvey Dent, flips his infamous double-headed coin after making mince-meat out of coppers. Meanwhile, Scarecrow runs around like the daft loon that he is.

Other than checking out the video, make sure you take a peek at the new screenshots in our gallery below.

Gallery: LEGO Batman: The Videogame

Watch these PS Day and Buzz! Quiz TV trailers

Posted May 6th 2008 9:00PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Videos and Screenshots

If you don't feel like downloading this 300+ MB trailer off the PSN, then you can alternatively watch it livestreaming here. There's some new SOCOM Confrontation footage to look at as well as other upcoming titles like Elefunk, LittleBigPlanet, SingStar, and Siren Blood Curse.

Also, check out the video after the break. It's Buzz from Buzz! Quiz TV showing us the all new features: choose a category, My Buzz connectivity, and other downloadable content.

Continue reading Watch these PS Day and Buzz! Quiz TV trailers

MGS4 bundle is deploying in Europe

Posted May 6th 2008 6:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: Hardware, News

Well, guess it turns out that Europe is getting a Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle after all. The only drawback is that this bundle doesn't include a DualShock 3 (SIXAXIS only) unlike the recently revealed Japanese "welcome boxes" and North America's own bundle. The new Snake-tastic bundle is another 40 GB system which will be available by the international release date of June 12. The bundle is currently set at €439.99.

[Via press release]

Live the dream, become a real racer with GT Academy

Posted May 6th 2008 5:30PM by Majed Athab
Filed under: News

If you hadn't read about this from the live blogging earlier today, then better put on the seatbelts GT fans -- this one is going to be quite a ride. The PlayStation brand and Nissan car manufacturer are giving racing enthusiasts a chance to live out a dream with the introduction of GT Academy. GT Academy is a competition that'll earn two lucky gamers a four-month training program for a real racing license, and using it to race for team Nissan at the January 2009 24-hour endurance race in Dubai. Yes, you heard that right, a chance to race a real car (a Nissan 350Z) in a real competition. That doesn't come often. So, want to know how you can enter?

Well, to get into the Academy you'll have to register via the PSN with your copy of Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. You'll be first entering into a special online tourney qualifier before going into real cars for a "series of elimination-based competitions on and off the racetrack" starting at the nation level. This will go on for eight months all across Europe (sorry, not for any other region). You'll be able to sign-up at the end of May when GT Academy goes live. Good luck! Godspeed!

[Via press release]

Continue reading Live the dream, become a real racer with GT Academy

Next Page >

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Gamestop: GTAIV 360 sells almost 2 to 1 over PS3 in first week of sales Several Niche Sequels Confirmed; skate, F1 Racing New Fable 2 screens, New Fable games coming	Guitar Hero 4 adds new instruments, turns features up to eleven Rogue Trooper serves a cold dish of revenge on the Wii Miyamoto talks WiiWare launch, American devs
Cooking Navi finds a home in Europe on June 20th? Kablamo! Multiple: Option releases audio-enabled digital comic Digging up fossils in Dinosaur King	Fate/Tiger UPPER gets new screens & an expensive LE set PSP-2000 Traveler Case discovered This week's PSP gaming deals

PS3 Fanboy

Kojima insists he's not disappointed with MGS4

Star Wars: Force Unleashed producer confirms demo

PS Nation Podcast 060 - Sing It

Blu-ray movie releases for the week of May 11

Codemasters making official Formula One game

Pandemic conquers Middle-earth with new LOTR title

Man kills neighbor over missing PS3

Fallout 3 composer named, soundtrack samples available

THQ announces WWE Legends of WrestleMania

PS3 Fanboy hands-on: Haze

GTA IV gets 1.01 patch, freezing not fixed [Update]

The villains rule in new LEGO Batman media

Watch these PS Day and Buzz! Quiz TV trailers

MGS4 bundle is deploying in Europe

Live the dream, become a real racer with GT Academy

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