No, I’m not talking about all the hoopla over the allegations that football’s governing body is so corrupt that the Mafia have started sending its members on FIFA business management courses, or the fact that they managed to stage the kind of election that would leave even Robert Mugabe saying “Now, hang on a minute.” I’m not even referring to Sepp Blatter’s post re-election press conference, during which his analogy to FIFA as a ship couldn’t have made him sound more like the captain of the Titanic if he’d broken out into an impromptu rendition of “My heart will go on”.

No, I’m talking, of course, of EA Sports’ official unveiling of FIFA 12, the next edition in its colossally popular football franchise, which is due out later this year. Proof, if ever any were needed, that no matter how cleverly you plan an announcement, you just can’t legislate for a juicy scandal stealing your thunder.

EA must have thought their timing was perfect. Coming just days after a show-stopping Champions League final, football fans about to embark on their arduous trek through the arid summer wilderness with only a drip feed of speculative transfer rumours to sustain them, would surely lap up every last drop of FIFA information. Instead, the news was washed away in a torrent of allegations over bribery and shady dealings within the organisation from which the series takes its name.

It’s a shame, because the game’s headline new features sound genuinely worthy of attention. The player impact engine is set to bring real-world physics and physicality to every shoulder barge, sliding tackle and other moment of contact between players. Precision dribbling will allow those with the appropriate skills to weave their way through the opposing ranks without having to produce a show reel of Hollywood-style tricks, and tactical defending will make it easier to snuff out threatening attacks.

What’s initially puzzling about the FIFA 12 reveal, though, is why EA is choosing to market the game as a “revolution rather than an evolution”. FIFA 11 mounted a very strong case for being the greatest football simulator ever, and while the changes in FIFA 12 seem both intelligent and attractive, they sound like steps forward rather than leaps. It’s hard to think, therefore, of a single reason why EA would want to talk in such hyperbolic terms.

But there are, of course, two very obvious reasons.

The first of these, is that the slogan is a direct dig at FIFA’s biggest rival, Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer, which has been stuck down something of a Darwinian dead end since the start of the current console generation. The second, and by far the more important, however, comes from the leaked news that EA are planning to up the Recommended Retail Price for FIFA 12 to an almost insulting £54.99.

It’s normally hard enough for publishers to justify charging full price for annual sports franchises that return with metronomic regularity, usually with only minor alternations. So for FIFA 12, EA really needs to pull out all the stops to try and convince you that what it’s doing is more than just blatant profiteering.

What’s really disappointing about all of this, is that the revolution in the FIFA series actually took place in FIFA 08. Back then, it was a real revolution, based on an ideology, a dream, a desire to make FIFA the best football game ever whilst still retaining its popularity.

I’m certain FIFA 12 will turn out to be a stunning football game, possible the greatest to date, but if Electronic Arts really wants to make a significant change, all it needs to do is drop the price and switch the series’ name to disassociate themselves from the body that epitomises everything that’s worst about football. They won’t, of course, because the kind of money FIFA 12 is set to generate doesn’t just talk to you, it screams at you. And with this apparently EA’s primary concern, I can’t help finding FIFA 12’s talk of revolution slightly revolting.

It was in fact Dimitri Mavrikakis, the man he had with him on stage to demonstrate the new Kinect-enabled Fable: The Journey – and the man we’re almost certain is the godson he’s previously mentioned to us several times, whose name he first used some TEN YEARS AGO as the codename for the project that somehow eventually became the showcase E3 2009 Kinect demo, Milo and Kate. Which, supposedly, will never become an actual game. Did you follow all that? We almost gave up somewhere along the way too.

But perhaps, therefore, Dimitri demoing the game was a little sign that some of Milo and Kate’s DNA lives on in the Fable: The Journey – especially since the title explicitly uses Kinect, a technology that was made famous by Milo and Kate in the first place just two years ago.

Or perhaps Peter just wanted Dimitri, who we believe now works with him proper anyway, to experience the thrill of being on an E3 stage for the first time.

Or maybe, Peter just thought it would be funny to make a point of mentioning “Dimitri” during his E3 speech such that only people who’ve already spent far too much time thinking about all this would pick up on it.

Maybe, we need a visit to the shrink.

Update: Dimitri also appeared at the TED conference back in August 2010 to demonstrate Milo and Kate.

Speaking just a few minutes ago after the press conference, NOA boss Reggie revealed that further details are still to come this week - most importantly, he suggested, details of Nintendo’s online plans.

Reggie said there are not one but two “roundtable briefings” to come throughout the rest of E3, including the one that traditionally takes place on Wednesday.

Speaking to GTTV’s Geoff Keighley, he also confirmed that the new console puts out full 1080p HD, and said that the new storage media (which is not Blu-ray, but a “proprietary” format) will be more than enough to store all the data required for such cutting edge visuals.

More to follow.

We doubt the game is exclusively set in London, but we’re pleased that it’ll be one of the stops he’ll likely be making around the globe as he slices up bitches.

Hayashi has previously commented that Ninja Gaiden 3 – the existence of which this site confirmed first back in 2009 – will be totally different from the previous games, and stuff. Clearly he’s getting a bit carried away as it looks pretty much the same to us.

But we’re sure it’ll still be great, especially if Team Ninja is mixing things up with new locations and what have you.

Watch out for more from E3 next week. Here’s our review of NG2.

Source

You probably already know that Sony’s LittleBigPlanet and its sequel allow players to let their imaginations run wild and create everything from silly catapults to actual working calculators.

But one gamer – London-based games journalist-turned music producer Chandra Nair – has used LittleBigPlanet 2 to create the music video to his latest song – with Sony’s blessing.

Chandra, who goes by the producer name Kick-Ass Trainers, explained to Video Games Daily what it took to put together the video She’s The One, which he co-wrote and recorded with fellow producer Laurence Allen.

“I’ve always thought that it would be pretty cool to do something with LBP, but it wasn’t until LBP2 came out that I actually sat down with it to see what the potential was.

“The first huge problem was that I had to complete the game to 100% to unlock all the materials and objects… nightmare!”

But how much of the video was really done in-game?

“In terms of what has been made in LBP2, I’d say 90% of it. Anywhere you see LBP characters is an LBP2 scene created in the game, from scratch. Creating the Lamborghini model was probably the biggest challenge of the entire project.

“The few exceptions have been created by animating photos, but this has only been done because I couldn’t find any other way to recreate it. The text overlays (such as where the ‘bon bon’ text spins in) is all done in After Effects.”

And if the song catches on, it got us thinking: could it end up on TV – and wouldn’t there be legal hassles?

“Sony has been really good with getting it through licensing”, Chandra reveals.

“The video originally had GT5 footage in place of all the car footage we’re now using, but Polyphony Digital didn’t even want to talk about it so we ended up making the car stages and the car in-game. The result is better because the video now has a consistent look and feel.”

“If/when the vid gets picked up by big music channels we could run into problems, as we’ve only been granted an online license. Oh well, I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it!”

If nothing else, it goes to show the potential of what you can do in LittleBigPlanet 2. Does Chandra reckon the same sort of thing could be achieved in another game?

“I honestly don’t think you could do this in any other game. I didn’t even know you could do this with LBP2 and people who have seen it have no idea the game is so flexible. The game does impose limitations on what you can do… but if you’re clever with camera positions you can do some great stuff.”

See what Kick-Ass Trainers get up to next on their Facebook Page.

Sort of. It’s a man, who’s made a song and put it on the internet. If you haven’t played and finished Portal 1, this won’t be very funny or clever. But you might force out a smile if you have.

Come Get One.

Here’s the full media advisory from “Duke Nukem himself… (yes, really)”, states the 2K PR man in the email.

Duke Nukem Sits for Officially Commissioned Portrait to Commemorate His Forthcoming Return as the Self-Proclaimed ‘King of Shooters’

His ‘Royal Awesomeness’ immortalized forever in oil to celebrate himself… and the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton

Windsor, UK April 27th, 2011 – 2K Games and Duke Nukem proudly present the portrait ‘Untitled: I’m So Awesome, I Don’t Even Need To Name It’, an oil-on-board portrait celebrating the forthcoming release of Duke Nukem Forever (and the Royal Wedding).

The specially commissioned piece was painstakingly crafted by renowned portrait artist Frank Frid and took a record 350 man hours to create. It was painted in a single sitting.

The portrait will be unveiled to the public prior to the Royal Wedding before moving to a more permanent exhibition space as part of the Duke Nukem Forever launch celebrations. 2K Games is also creating a limited run of 200 signed prints that will be partly used to raise money for charity.

“As usual, I look awesome,” said Duke of the 35” x 23” masterpiece. “I’m clearly the Royal story everyone should be talking about this week.”

Duke Nukem Forever will be released in the UK on June 10th. For more information on Duke Nukem Forever, please visit www.dukenukemforever.com.

 ***

Brilliant.

And obviously, they are idiots.

According to this report, the angry fans’ issues are targeted at the PC version, and are as follows:

“PC users are upset that the game is a console port, and even includes references to turning off the ‘console’ when saving.”

I’ve played through both the Xbox 360 version and the PC version. The PC version is, as you’d expect, light years ahead. So regardless of how they developed the game internally, for all intents and purposes it may as well be the other way around. In addition, the console reference (oh no!) appears to have been removed. Portal 2 looks stunning on any platform, and if development had been led on PC first, do you honestly think it would look significantly better? The art in the game is beautiful and, both artistically and technically, it’s Valve’s most visually impressive game to date on console and PC. So who cares? Morons!

“The game’s short running time.”

You can’t be serious. Even on a second play through when I already know how to beat every level pretty fast, this is still at least a seven hour game by my timing and will be significantly more on the first play through. In an age where some game franchises hand in a major sequel with a campaign almost as a bonus feature to complement the multiplayer, Portal 2’s running time is actually quite optimal when you consider that every moment of the experience is fantastic. So what’s the problem? Morons!

“The online store, which is already filled with downloadable content”

I can sort of understand this one, a little. But not really. The DLC is just non-essential add-on tat, such as additional “gestures” and skins for use in co-op play: all rather superfluous and I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole, but y’know, it’s there if you want it – and at least it’s there on day one IF YOU DO. What does it matter whether DLC comes now or later? If there’s any further, proper DLC on the way then I’ll be looking forward to it. But some costumes and other store crap? Who cares? Morons!

“The controversial ARG promotional campaign – which tempted players into buying unrelated indie titles.”

So let me get this right. A company has a product launch. And in the run up to said product launch they do various kinds of marketing, including some alternative reality game nonsense, if you like that kind of thing. And, in said marketing, they have the audacity to try and market some other stuff on the side? No way! That’s good marketing, last time I checked. Does this have anything at all to do with Portal 2, the finished product? No, it does not. Morons!

I know these childish users have already been chastised around half the Internet, but I just couldn’t resist.

Read our Portal 2 review from yesterday morning here if you still haven’t heard what makes it so great.

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual at VGD – or at least it will be as soon as we get some fresh blood! We’re looking for talented young writers to add unique gaming opinion and develop the passionate coverage that’s kept VGD a prominent gaming site for more than eight years.

Breaking into full time games journalism might not be a cakewalk, but look: we also know there’s a million and one game sites out there, and eager bloggers who want to be seen have a lot of choice. So, I actually think we need to “sell” this a little bit…

Cunningly, we went back to Edwin and other previous staff to get their views on working with VGD and its key staff (me) and what it did for their careers, to outright “prove” why things tend to work out pretty well for our staff. Here’s what they said!

Edwin Evans-Thirlwell, Online Editor, OXM UK
Worked for Video Games Daily as Editor from 2009-2011

“My earliest memory of Adam is of a guy loudly inquiring of a PR rep whether, in the absence of a promised scoop, he should ‘go fuck a sheep’. This will tell you one thing about the man, other than that he’s never at a loss for a choice word: he believes in cutting the crap. To give a related example, my interview for the position of Kikizo editor consisted of being handed a bag of unreleased games, a list of embargo dates and a pint of Becks.

You’ll want to work with Adam for a few reasons. Firstly, his industry access - name a member of the games biz, and there’s a good chance Adam’s on speaking and/or drinking terms with them. He was first to the punch with a PlayStation 3 hands-on and has sat down with everyone from Satoru Iwata to Kaz Hirai. And after working with Kikizo for two years, I’d chewed the fat with luminaries as diverse as Chet Faliszek, Ray Muzyka, Suda51 and (bizarrely) Alesha Dixon.

Secondly, his unusual combination of publishing experience; Adam has continued to refine his offering to suit different market scenarios. What this will mean for you is a boss who’s always supporting you in new situations as a writer, allowing you to build up skills and experience across a range of publications, on and offline.

Most importantly of all, he will generally insist on paying for your drink. Rare qualities in an employer, I’m sure you’ll agree.”

Andy Robinson, Deputy Editor, CVG
Worked for Kikizo from 2003-2005 as Staff Writer

“I can definitively state I wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it weren’t for my fantastic time and vital experience gained working with Kikizo. Adam’s years of experience running a games media company offers budding online games journalists actual work experience and contact building that’s near-impossible through schooling alone.

Thanks to Adam’s mentorship and my time writing for Kikizo and learning the trade at E3 and other industry events, at a young age I managed to quickly build a name for myself and secure a position at Future Publishing.

It’s testament to the effectiveness of actual work experience in the games industry and its value to employers that so many of Adam’s writers have gone on to full time work in the games industry, media and otherwise.”

Ian Dransfield, PLAY Magazine
Worked for Kikizo from 2005-2009 as Reviewer

“Working with Adam, albeit from a distance, was certainly a good experience for me. He’s a friendly, personable editor, as up front and straightforward as he is helpful. Kikizo is a fine place for anybody to hone their writing skills – you’re never stifled, never asked to write in a particular ‘voice’ and always allowed to be yourself in everything you do. It’s a great place to encourage creativity, of that there’s no doubt.

Kikizo made up part of the early steps of my career in games journalism and was a huge help to getting my foot in the door – something that’s legendarily difficult in this industry. Without the experience and without the help of Adam I doubt I would have been able to get my professional career off the ground, at least not as quickly as I did.”

So, there you have it.

If you’re serious about getting into games media or want to take a few steps up that ladder, Video Games Daily is proven to be one of the best places any aspiring games journo can showcase their work.

This time we’re open to applications from bloggers everywhere. London-based staff will benefit in certain aspects of coverage (this is where all the UK events happen and where all the games get sent to us), however the site has always maintained an international spirit, and we want to continue that with enthusiastic, talented blog contributors who have something interesting to say, no matter where they’re based!

We’re looking for a range of applicants right now – there are no particular roles we’re defining up front, to be honest. We’re just going to see what fits.

Impress us: Email us at jobopps [at] kikizo [dot] com and explain why you’d be great for VGD, along with relevant work examples (doesn’t have to be published, but does need to either be awesome or show potential!) and a CV/resume (doesn’t matter if it’s basic).

Whether you’re the games reviewer the internet doesn’t even know it needs yet, an opinionated industry analyst in the making, or fancy taking on a broad challenge on the site, get in touch! Who knows where it might take you…

Get the no-nonsense lowdown from myself, MSN’s Simon Munk, Gamesweasel’s Matt Cuttle, Andy Robinson and John Houlihan from CVG, and a bit of Konami’s Jon Murphy and Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton thrown in for good measure.

Since this interview was about the only thing I did in Amsterdam resembling “work”, I thought it sensible to throw out an update. Click through to go and see the video…