Nintendo is rolling out its E3 2009 line at noon today. Yes videogames have come up in the world of entertainment, dominating movie and music. Nintendo promises a new leap forward in game control and several new Mario adventures to go with. The Nintendo team is adding more hard core game s to it’s line-up including some developed in house. Keep up with all latest here.
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I don’t know about you guys, but here at Gaming Today, we’re always up for a game that includes zombies. Of late, we’ve been playing Left 4 Dead, and keeping our eyes on Killing Floor, the upcoming release from Tripwire Interactive. Killing Floor isn’t exactly a zombie game, but genetically engineered zombies are close enough for us.

If you’re a Unreal Tournament player, you may remember Killing Floor as a mod for UT2K4. Since then, the mod team behind Killing Floor has teamed up Tripwire Interactive to bring their mod to retail release as a standalone title, and it looks to have some serious potential.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with a few of the people responsible for Killing Floor. Read on to find out a little bit more about the upcoming survival horror title.

Gaming Today: Let’s get the boilerplate stuff out of the way up front. Can you tell us who you are, what your role in the production of Killing Floor is?

Alan Wilson, VP of Tripwire Interactive. I get all the non-tech stuff to do. Some writing and design, bit of voice acting this time, project management, PR and trying to manage the testing.

I’m Alex Quick. I’ve worn a few hats over the course of KFs production, but primarily I’m working as a level designer, and texture artist. Oh, and the mod this game is based on was largely my undertaking, so I’ve been pretty active in gameplay design discussions for the sake of consistency.

Dayle Flowers, Senior Programmer at Tripwire Interactive. Aside from the typical working on game play, I get much of the highly technical stuff that many people overlook and simply expect to work. I was responsible for connecting Killing Floor to the Steam system to support Authentication, the Master Server, and Perks/Achievements. [Edit: and designing a lot of that stuff, too! AW]

Dan Nassick, audio designer and musician. I’ve worked on the Killing Floor mod since 2005 and my responsibility on the audio team has been to organize a complete audio overhaul in the transition from modification to commercial game.

Myles Lambert, part of the original mod team. I get to do a great mixture of work, environmental art and level design and when I’m not working on that I’m working on some future DLC map content.

GT: So, judging from everything I’ve seen, Killing Floor is a survival horror game featuring some very interesting adversaries. Can you tell us a little bit about these zombies?

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“… dogs and cats, living together… mass hysteria!!”

As I quote the fictitious, yet venerable, Dr. Peter Venkman, it seems Sony Entertainment is currently attempting a coup of sorts towards bringing the upcoming Ghostbusters: The Video Game within its exclusive ranks. With just over a month until the game’s imminent release, this bit of news will come as a shock to many anticipating its release via the “other” platforms – namely the PC, Xbox 360, and Wii.

According to gamesindustry.biz, Sony acquired the game from Atari and has simultaneously revealed (as of today) that the game will launch on the Playstation 2 & 3 platforms exclusively with a PSP version to follow later. Officially, there is no word as to the fate of the other platform versions that were originally to be launched the same day. Speculation has it that Atari will still retain the rights to publish the game for the remaining platform versions, albeit, launching at a much later time.

Personally, I’m not sure what to think of this bit of news. The game has certainly changed hands (both developer and publisher) more than I can recall. The project would surely have died if Atari had not stepped in and secured the publishing rights last year. However, I can’t help but view this recent acquisition as anything but “dealing under the table”. When first hearing this news, I was given a strong visual of Sony and Atari representatives touting trench coats; both exchanging a briefcase full of cash in some dark alley late at night. Am I overreacting? Perhaps. But I sincerely doubt I’m alone here. It just seems so last minute given all the teasing we’ve had from trailers, demos, etc. added to the knowledge that it would be coming to our favorite platform very soon. The candy dangling in front of us has certainly been yanked away.

Nonetheless, I am still hopeful and looking forward to playing this game on PC. For now, it seems, I will be watching this game from the sidelines. My new multi-core Intel processor was also looking forward to crunching away at some neato physics calculations powered by the Velocity physics engine.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game is still slated to hit shelves around June 19th. However, gamers will only see the box sitting in specific sections of «insert favorite game store here».

Update: It seems MCV has confirmed (from Atari) the game will be released for Xbox 360, DS and Wii “later this year”.

Update: Atari has just sent out a press release with clarification that Sony exclusivity is for PAL regions only. You can check it out after the break.

… and there was much rejoicing in the west.

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There are only a few more memorable lines spoken in the original Star Wars than when Obi Won refers to the Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine where Luke and he meet up with Han Solo and Chewbacca as a place where:  “You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.”

That fateful meeting set the tone for the scoundrel and privateers in the Star Wars setting and introduced us to our first bounty hunter as well (even if he did get blasted by Han.. alas poor Greedo).

Scum and Villainy is the latest book in the outstanding Star Wars SAGA Edition RPG line. Like the place that inspired the films dialog, the book introduces gamers to the seedy side of galactic life in a galaxy far, far away. Lovable rogues, mercenary privateers and less forthright businessmen get their own sourcebook concentrating on making the gray side of Star Wars’ black and white universe not only playable but interesting to set within an entire campaign.

No longer do force wielding Jedi or noble galactic soldiers need to be the sole focus of a Star Wars campaign. Instead players and GMs alike can spend some time wallowing in the mud, making backroom bargains and getting involved in illicit deals with high risk and big rewards.

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The Path is an independently created horror game inspired by the ancient folk tales of Little Red Ridinghood, but set in the present day.  Six sisters live with their mother in an urban apartment at the edge of a gloomy forest and each of them is sent on an errand to their grandmother on the other side of the woods. A straight path connects the city with grandmother’s house. It’s a safe journey. But will the girls be able to resist the temptation of leaving the path?

Game description: There’s something wrong with the forest. No matter how bright the sun shines, it remains dark and foggy. It smells like something died. Strange noises fill the rusty air. Squeaks and screeches. The dull thump of someone chopping trees. The wind playing eerie melodies on ghostlike flutes. She just left the city. Cars can’t drive here anymore. Mother told her to go visit grandmother. The old lady lives all alone at the other side of the forest. Quite a walk from here. It’s probably best if she stays on the path…

In The Path, you play Little Red Ridinghood. Not the cute blond toddler that we’re used to, but a young woman in the throws of teenage angst. When her mother sends her on this errand, she has no intention to stay on the path–and the forest is a dangerous place, especially for lonely girl with an interest in wolves.

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Hothead Games have not only released Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 2 today for the PC and Xbox 360, but currently on FileFront you can get the PC demo of it. Plus, thanks to it being available for Linux, Mac and Windows, everyone can get in on disdainfully humorous antics of Gabe and Tyco.

Whether you played Episode 1 or not is inconsequential because Episode 2 is a standalone experience that does not rely on the original to give you the full experience. Also, this time around Gabe and Tycho have some new gardening implements arming them as they search for clues to unravel the hidden mystery of New Arcadia and come up against strange enemies just begging to be mocked with biting wit.

In addition to a whole new level of customization where you can design and develop your character, new difficulty settings have been added, and with more levels to gain, Penny Arcade fans are definitely in for it. To get a taste of what to expect, Windows users can download the demo currently up on FileFront here or by hitting the badge below. Linux users can click here, and Mac users <here.

Should you decide to purchase the full game, the PC version can be bought over on the Greenhouse digital distribution service for $14.95 and through Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1200 Microsoft Points ($14.99). PS3 users stay tuned, because as soon as it is made available for you, we will be sure to let you know.

When Alone in the Dark was released a few months back, it unfortunately fell pretty short of expectations. While some of the fire dynamics and elaborate set pieces set the game apart from other survival horror titles, they were unfortunately hampered by nagging design flaws and control issues. Luckily though, Atari has not turned a blind eye to these issues when it comes to the upcoming PS3 release. The company has announced that the next version of the game will address a wide array of known problems; enough in fact to warrant a new title. “Alone in the Dark: Inferno” will feature adjustments to the camera, controls, inventory system, and even a new action sequence with a new enemy. According to their press release, the changes will include:

• Full 360 degree Camera control: enhanced Camera controls allows complete freedom of the camera and better handling of third-person movement for even more immersive gameplay enabling players to view the fire and mass destruction they are causing in all of its glory.
• Fine-tuned controls: quicker and smoother reactivity of the hero’s movements in third person view increases the pace of the game and makes for faster, reflexive gameplay during tense fighting scenarios.
• Inventory System more accessible: more logical jacket Inventory System with the ability to scroll rapidly through the inventory with the D-Pad or Analogue Stick to combine objects. In addition, gameplay is paused when accessing the inventory system to allow maximum creativity in combining items to create unique flammable weapons.
• More tips: additional on-screen tips will help players quickly adapt to controls and easily understand how to overcome tricky situations.
• Spectral Vision tuning: a Tutorial earlier in the storyline explains the need to burn roots in order to gain spectral vision (a power that grants you the ability to see the unseen) and difficulty tuning means less spectral vision is required to reach the end of the game.
• Improved car dynamics and handling: driving has been tuned with increased suspension and reduced drifting giving overall better handling to make driving a fun walk in the park every time.
• 59th Street Level tuning: one of the game’s most exciting sequences just got better. 59th Street has been tweaked for a more satisfying race against the fissure with difficulty tuning, an added Checkpoint at Columbus Circle and clear voice directions given by Sarah.
• Brand new thrilling action sequence: an exclusive new sequence has been added in Episode 6 for even more excitement and variety of gameplay in the episode.

A lot of these have been mentioned before, but it’s nice to hear that they really seem to have a feel for what’s wrong and how to correct it. Fortunately, Atari has also confirmed that these fixes — though probably not the extra action sequence — will be available in a patch for the 360 version. I doubt that would encourage many people to give the game a second go, but at least they’re taking steps to fix an obvious problem.

Today is GameTap Thursday, like most Thursdays here at Gaming Today, and just look what the folks over there have in store for you:

• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory: Yes, Sam Fisher is once again out to save the world in this third installment in the stealth-action series. Against the background of rising tensions in the East, protagonist Sam Fisher (Michael Ironside) is once again called into action, utilizing brand new stealth mechanics and close-quarter combat techniques to diffuse the situation before it’s too late. And with major graphical and lighting improvements, Splinter Cell looks better than ever.

• Ocean Express: This puzzle game from Strategy First has you working on the docks so to speak. There’s ships to load and money to be made! But filling those big barges is more complicated than it sounds, and only the most efficient shippers can possibly hope to earn a profit. You’ll start with just one barge and grow your shipping empire, one crate at a time.

Added to the ever growing roster of free games this week is none other than the illustrious Lara Croft in Tomb Raider: Anniversary which will be free-to-play for an entire week. Should you not be interested in this game or if you already own it, take heart because they have 143 other free games to play which is enough to keep even the most hardcore gamer busy for more days than one would care to mention.

The full list of free games can be seen after the jump or you can head on over to GameTap yourself and see what hoops you have to jump through to become a gold member. Personally I recommend doing a few summersaults and maybe a back-flip with a full twist. Okay, I am kidding, all you have to do is register and you will be guided through the process from there. If you are strapped for cash and just want the freebies, you still have to register.

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Nintendo is throwing in a little of everything in the latest bigger and better Wii-klly update. This week there are two WiiWare titles available for your downloading pleasure. Pick up a sports title with Midnight Bowling. It’s all the fun of an after dark trip to your local psychedelic bowling alley, only less embarrassing. If puzzle games are your thing, stretch your brain with the MadStone.

On the virtual console, you can download the Nintendo 64 classic Mario Golf. This premium Mario game goes for 1000 Wii points instead of the usual 800 WP. If you’re into RPGs, save the princess and the kingdom of Granseal in the Sega Genesis classic Shining Force II. Full details from the press release for all these offerings follow the break.
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Lucas Arts and Sony Online Entertainment have launched their new trading card game, Star Wars Galaxies: Champions of the Force. The game is available only online for an MMO take on the traditional TCG. Players will test their mettle in ten battles while trying to reassemble the ancient Jedi holocron, the Codex of Tython. According to the press release, here’s what players can look forward to.

• Choose between the light and dark sides of the Force and build their own Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game decks to fight virtual matches for the Rebel, Imperial, Jedi or Sith; Enhance their digital card decks with 15-card Booster Packs;
• Find more than 20 “loot” cards in the first release, Champions of the Force, that can be redeemed for fantastic virtual items for use within the Star Wars Galaxies massively multiplayer game for players with a Star Wars Galaxies account*;
• Challenge their skills in story-based solo-play or against other Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game players in epic one-on-one matches, cooperative Heroic Encounters, and official tournaments.

Current and former Star Wars Galaxies players are invited to participate. However players with a current subscription will receive a bonus pack of boosters each month. A stand alone trial for SWG: Champions of the Force will also be available complete with tutorial and practice games. Of course you can also access the game within SWG using a 14-day trial for the MMO. There are many bonuses for both current and future SWG to be had listed after the break.
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