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Your Early Morning Germany Wrap-Up

Added by Jeff Gerstmann on Aug. 20, 2008

33 comments

While sane people like you and me were asleep in our beds, Germany was busy putting it down big time with the Leipzig Games Convention. And I guess by big time I mean "there's some stuff there, but 90 percent of it was at E3." Rather than go and wander around looking for that 10 percent of newness, we decided to hang back and save ourselves for the Penny Arcade Expo.

Here's what's happened so far:

- EA announced the cast for C&C Red Alert 3, and it includes Gemma Atkinson, Tim Curry, Andrew Divoff, Kelly Hu, Jenny McCarthy, Ivana Milicevic, Jonathan Pryce, J.K. Simmons, Autumn Reeser, Peter Stormare, George Takei, Randy Couture, and Gina Carano.

Tim Curry hasn't been this Russian since Loaded Weapon 1.

You may recognize Gina Carano as "the hot one" from the new American Gladiators series. Also, apparently George Takei, who will play one of the guys telling you what to do when you play as the Japanese forces, will speak out of synch with his lips.

- Sony had a press conference and made some hardware moves. There will be a new 160GB model of the PlayStation 3. Sony's US branch went on to confirm that the same model will be hitting the US in November. It'll come packed in with Uncharted, a voucher to download Pain, and a DualShock 3. It'll hit the US for $499.99.

There's a new PSP hardware configuration coming, confirming those FCC docs that popped up last week. The PSP-3000 has a built-in microphone and a higher-contrast screen with some anti-glare stuff on it, for kicks. The PSP will continue to be $199.99 in bundles and $169.99 as a Core Pack.

Sony also showed a crazy-looking snap-on keyboard for PlayStation 3 controllers. It's a Bluetooth device, so you could conceivably use it with your cell phone or anything else that can handle a BT KB. But it's decidedly shaped to fit on a DualShock, so that would just be silly. This will be hitting in late November.

Strap-on PS3 keyboard.

IGN live-blogged Sony's conference. Aside from the aforementioned hardware stuff, LittleBigPlanet was there. Heavy Rain was shown, too, but it sounds like it was mostly bits of previously-released footage. It's a PS3 exclusive.

- Midway announced additional characters for Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Raiden and Kano will be joining the MK side. Wonder Woman and Deathstroke will be hitting for DC. Now Kano and Superman can have a battle of crazy laser eyes. Oh, and Raiden and Superman can have a battle of crazy... uh... flying like Superman... thing.

- EA put out a press release for Need for Speed Undercover, the new driving game that EA Black Box will ship this November. We got some hands-on time with this last week, stay tuned for Ryan's impressions of the game. The game will have "real-world damage and realistic driving physics." It'll be interesting to see how far the real-world damage goes, considering it'll have licensed cars like the Audi R8, the BMW M6, and the Lexus IS-F. Speaking of which, I still need to go test drive an IS-F and see if I like them. Might get one.

- Microsoft is apparently showing off a redesigned Xbox 360 controller on the show floor that has a redesigned D-pad. Microsoft is claiming that the pad, which sits on a limited edition green controller, is primarily coming out alongside Pro Evolution Soccer and supposedly will only be available in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Don't expect that to last, if there's a controller with a new D-pad coming, it'll probably eventually make its way out as the new default pad. Eurogamer has a bit more on this.

- Also, totally separate from all this, the president of Tecmo resigned.

Filed under : Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Sony Computer Entertainment America, Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, Heavy Rain, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

33 Comments

ShaggyChu
on Aug. 20, 2008

Mmm, I like me some strap ons...

SlowHands
on Aug. 20, 2008

I wasn't in bed, sleepy head. But then again I'm in Europe.

HazBazz
on Aug. 20, 2008

nothing amazing. that ps3 keyboard looks kinda crazy

Ben_H
on Aug. 20, 2008

I'm glad I didn't get a PSP-2000, I guess I'll justwait for the 3000 instead.

MasterSplinter
on Aug. 20, 2008

Gina Carano is the best female MMA fighter in the world, right now. American Gladiators was a bad move!
It is nice to see Sony announcing their 10th iteration of the PS3. Heh
On a serious note, I am really curious about Heavy Rain. I would love to know more about it sometime soon. Also, the D-pad redesign for the 360 was severely needed. Hopefully it comes to the US.

The_Icon
on Aug. 20, 2008

Gamespot is down for some reason. Anyways the PS3 is looking far more attractive than 360 with 160 GB and Blu-ray playback for just 500$. The wireless keypad is good, even though 360 had it, it always neat to have it if we use text often, although the touch pad sounds cool. PSP is looking really good now, just hope they upped the refresh rate (I hate the ghosting).

TheGreatGuero
on Aug. 20, 2008

It's about time Microsoft addresses their d-pad. It was horrible and clunky on the original Xbox. Then it remained horrible and clunky on the 360. Though, even if it comes to the US, I'm not thrilled about the fact that I'd need to buy new controllers just to have a better d-pad. Sounds like a waste of money to me.

FLStyle
on Aug. 20, 2008

Looking good, RA3 is probably the only game I'd upgrade my PC for so it's going to cost a lot more than its own price.

suneku
on Aug. 20, 2008

I think I'll just stick with my usb keyboard... but I'll probably upgrade to the PSP3000 since I still have the launch model

Salabrin
on Aug. 20, 2008

You forgot the official addition of the Tyranids to Dawn of War 2, Jeff.

BlazingWookie
on Aug. 20, 2008

Sweet. Raiden.
I'veGottaDog! Syonbabbalayy!

Jimbo_N
on Aug. 20, 2008

Now thats some AWESOME actors for RA3. Wow. Peter stormare? really? Thats insane. nice!

albedos_shadow
on Aug. 20, 2008

TIM CURRY!

CaleShepard
on Aug. 20, 2008

Gemma Atkinson!

ObsideonDarman
on Aug. 20, 2008

Pretty cool Jeff, thanks for the update.

The PS3 Chat thing looks alot like the chat pad that the 360 has don't ya think???

GalvanizedNails
on Aug. 20, 2008

i was about to break down and buy a new psp since mine broke, but I guess im going to hold out for the 3000 version. More is coming out of Leipzig than I thought would

jlaudio7
on Aug. 20, 2008

I'm guessing the new PS3 SKU will have PS2 BC? if so Im definately holding out for that then. No reason to get the new 80gb SKU when you can get twice the harddrive, a game, and BC for $100 more.

EDIT after looking around it seems that the 160gb will not have PS2 BC. Oh well, I'll buy it anyways when it comes out in November.

GrindAxis
on Aug. 20, 2008

I was pleasantly surprised by some of the stuff that has been revealed today.

Snapstacle
on Aug. 20, 2008

That PS3 keyboard looks almost exactly like the older Logitech PS2 controllers they released when FFXI and Everquest 2 came out. Might pick one up. I already have a BT keyboard, but now I won't have to pair it every time I switch from computer to PS3.

abe
on Aug. 20, 2008

go for the BMW 320 coupé instead Jeff

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