Topics

1

General Chat / Spiderman 2 Trailer

« on: December 14, 2003, 07:40:03 PM »

wow.

http://advision.webevents.yahoo.com/sony/spiderman2/

2

General Gaming / Final Fantasy XI - Who's Playing?

« on: November 28, 2003, 05:47:14 PM »

Well, chances are none of us are on the same server, but how is everyone doing who's playing?  Level, character, server?  What are you up too?


I only made one character so far.

Name:  Miyara
Race:  Mithra
Class:  Red Mage
Level: 10
Server:  Pheonix (Though i've signed up for world emmagration with friends)
City:  San D'oria


So far i'm having a blast.  FFXI has fixed a problem i've had with MMORPG's where it doens't feel like you're making progress.  Yes, like the Penny Arcade guys I did get my butt kicked by a rabbit, but at only level 5 I was able to take on low level orcs and start making money.  At level 10 I can fend for myself in a few dungeons and it just doens't feel as pointless as with say Ultima and Everquest.  The aution system has a very quick learning curve and can be a good way to make money with the random items you get off kills.

The server thing can be a pain, but it really isn't that hard to pick your own server.  You can create, view server, and delete a character in the span of about 60 seconds or so, so you can just keep doing this till you get the server you want.  Pheonix must have been a full server, becasue it took me about 2ish hours to get in.  But durring that time I saw a good dozen other servers so, again, you can get in.  No clue how many there are total (Though there may be 3 more on the way next week).  Ian from machall.com got onto pheonix, and with the large readership at the site, I think a lot of people went for it.  Don't remember if the PA guys let out their server......probably good if they didn't.

The games pretty diverse, and people seem friendly enough.  Only once have i gone to one of the town gathering points to hear two people arguing at eachother.  There is a nice balance of races, and no race seems to be overwhelming the others.  The Tarutaru (the real small characters) are much more popular than I thought, as are the Mithra (The female only cat people) and Galka (The huge male only race).  I expected most people to be elvaan so it's nice to have the diversity.  Only real downside (Though hasn't effected me to much being a red mage) is the lack of White mages to heal party's, though this is a problem in many MMORPG's.  As such if you like to party up, be a white mage and you'll be very popular.

So if you're looking for a new MMORPG, or wanting to get started i'd definatly try it.  If you've had bad experiences i'd still give it a shot on PC since you get the month free.  It's a lot different than what I've palyed before.

3

General Chat / Harry Potter 3 Trailor Online

« on: November 13, 2003, 07:53:41 PM »

http://www.themoviebox.net/trailers/harrypotter3/

Few things I noticed

Michael Gambon as Dumbledor looks to go well.  Sounds a lot more like I imagined him than Richard Harris did.

Neville got skinny.....really skinny

Oldman looks perfect at Sirius.

overall feel looks to make the movie from the much more light hearted first two films into the dark path the 3rd book begins.  

Not nearly enough angles to get a good look at Lupin.

No pictures at all (That I could tell) of Trelawney

No direct look at the Dementors.  We all know they probably just went to peter Jackson and asked to borrow the ringwrath costumes

Anyways, 3rd book was my favorite so i'm looking forward to this a lot.  Looks like No more Columbus at the helm is going to work out really well.  

4

General Chat / Square Fixed 7 Year Olf Problem

« on: October 16, 2003, 06:54:53 PM »

They are finaly releasing a piano collection CD for Final Fantasy 7.

Pre-order from your favorite imported now.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SSCX-10111

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000QX39O/ref=sr_aps_pm_/249-5565235-9776368  

5

General Gaming / Final Fantasy 12 Website Up And Running

« on: September 25, 2003, 09:14:32 PM »

www.ff12.com

Not much other than saying the big showing will be november 11.  

There is only 1 picture, but based on that one picture alone, i can't wait for this game.

6

General Gaming / Xenosaga 2: Jenseits Von Gut Und Bose

« on: July 18, 2003, 01:43:25 PM »

Well, the official web site for Xenosaga 2:  Jenseits Von Gut Und Bose (Beyond Good and Evil) is now up.

http://www.namco.co.jp/cs/ps2/xenosaga2/

while the official premire of the game isn't for a few more days a few interesting things have been revealed.

Kunihiko Tanaka will not be doing the character designs for Xenosaga 2, dispite his work on both Xenogears and Xenosaga 1.  The new character designs are much more life life and far less resemble anime characters now.  The official site (Linked above) will let you take a look at the new character designs.

Another shocking newcomer is Yuki Kajiura at the helm of Xenosaga 2's music.  Yasunori Mitsuda will not be doing the music for Xenosaga 2 as he did with both Xenosaga 1 and Xenogears.  Yuki Kajiura's works include composition of both the .hack//SIGN anime series (not the .hack games), and the anime series Noir.  Though not confirmed it is safe to assume Jonne Hogg, the vocalists of Xenogears and Xenosaga's vocal theme will not be back.  Vocal duties will probably be handeled by wither Emily Bindiger (Vocalist in the .hack//SIGN and NOIR series) or possibly even Kajiura's group SEE-SAW who performed .hack//SIGN's opening theme.

Xenosaga's story will involve the cast from Xenosaga 1 returning, and will also feature a lot more focus on Shion's brother Jin.  It would seem that this is the final nail in the Xenogears cofin, as Xenogears episode 2 would have taken place after the Eldridge crash (Though some have continued to specualte that 10 years after the Eldridge crash would be a boring setting for a game).  Xenosaga 2 will take place before the Eldridge crash (Assuming there is even an Eldridge crash in the Xenosaga timeline).

Keep an eye out in the next few days for news from the Xenosaga 2 premire in Japan, and hopefully a nice 8 minute trailor like Xenosaga 1 had.  

[ADV NEWS:]

7

General Chat / Anime Expo News

« on: July 09, 2003, 09:31:51 PM »

well, america's largest anime convention is over.  And that means a lot of news.  Oddly enough, news was more subdued than many expected, and many are anticipating Otakon, the #2 con in the USA to have bigger anouncements next month.

ADV NEWS:

new shows:

Slayers Premium (Slayers movie 5)
The Azumanga Daioh movie (no word on HOW this will be released, seeing it's only 5 minutes long)
RahXephon movie
Maho Yuugi
Birth (formerly released in America by Streamline as "Planet Busters")
Manie Manie (formerly released in America by Streamline as "Neo Tokyo")
D.N.Angel
Chojushin Gravion
Nurse Witch Komugi-chan (the SoulTaker magical girl parody spin-off)
Sister Princess
Bastof Lemon (Korean animation)

ADV also started a Manga line, with the following lineup.  Books will run about $10 each and be printed in the right to left Japanese style

Demon Palace Babylon
Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
Cat Sh*t One
Dark Side Blues
Full Metal Panic
Kimera
Those Who Hunt Elves
Seven of Seven
Demon City Shinjuku
Steel Angel Kurumi
Azumanga Daioh
Demon City Hunter
Najica
Gunslinger Girl
To Heart
Figure 17
Happy Lesson
RahXephon Bible

ADV also hinted to keep an eye on Comic-con where more pictures from the Live Action Evangelion movie will be shown.  Interest was also shown in releasing Azumanga Daioh Plushies.

BANDAI NEWS

new shows:

.hack//Legend of Twilight's Bracelet
Wolf's Rain
Stratos 4
Magical Nyan Nyan Taruto
Galaxy Angel seasons 1 & 2
Mobile Suit Gundam F-91 movie

A box set of the full Zeta gundam series will be released for fans before the TV boradcast or regualr DVD release sometime next year or late this year.

Bandai will provide a special box for fans of .hack who have purchased all 4 .hack games.

TOKYOPOP MANGA

Fruits Basket
Saiyuki
PitaTen
Get Backers
Cyborg 009
Ai Yori Aoshi: True Blue Love (not officially confirmed, but a picture was shown)
Aura Bansho Psychic Academy
Love Won't Stop
Mahoromatic

BROCCOLI MANGA

Note:  Brocoli is a division of Anime gamers.  A game store in Japan and LA who has the famous digi-charat mascott.  They also support Synch Point, the US company that brought america FLCL and I Want To Be An Angel.

Aquarian Age: Juvenile Orion
Galaxy Angel
Digi-Charat:  Leave it to Pyoko

FUNIMATION

rights to long awaited Detective Boy Conan Series.  They have first 100 episodes and 2 movies, with options for the rest.

PIONEER

Texnolyze

Pioneer is also involed in the production of the upcomming Read or Die TV series, The upcomming Gungrave TV series, and a new anime by Cowboy Bebop director Shinichi Watanabe.

MEDIA BLASTERS

Gunparade March
My Sexual Harrasment

Media Blasters also expressed interest in aquiring more Weiss Kreuz

Media Blasters will release Kenshin TV box sets.  1 for each of the 3 seasons at some point in the future.

CENTRAL PARK MEDIA

Narue no Sekai

CPM also anounced the final volume of Utena will include commentary from creators Kunihiko Ikuhara and Chiho Saito

AN Entertainment

Annoucned Aquisition of Miami Guns, but gave a no comments on Guu, a show that has been rumored to have been licenced by AN Entertainment.


Well that's all the offical news.

Other news and tidbits....

Yuki Kajiura, composer of the music in .hack//SIGN and NOIR confirmed she is working on a PS2 game that will be officially anounced July 21st.  Xenosaga 2 is set to be shown by Namco and anounced officially that day.  Take that as you will.......

yosh*toshi (Can't even spell a guys name in this forum without getting a warning) ABe anoucned no further Haibane Renmei doujinshi will be made by him.

8

General Chat / The Horror....The Horror.....soon to be on DVD

« on: May 23, 2003, 07:58:05 PM »

Super Mario Brothers:  The Movie.   On DVD June 3

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00008979N/qid=1053751508/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/104-7921591-7455925?v=glance&s=dvd

9

General Chat / ADV + Gainax + WETA Visual Effects + $$$$ = Live Action Evangelion Film

« on: May 21, 2003, 10:59:26 AM »

This Is NOT a joke.

http://www.advfilms.com/news/index.asp?c=&p=920&i=921

Ginax (The creators of Evangelion), ADV films (Released Evangelion TV in North America), and WETA visual Effects (Lord of the Rings) have anoucned plans to create a live action film based off Neon Genisis Evangelion, arguably the most influential and still most talked abotu anime series ever created. While no date has been set, it was anoucned that production woudl be agressive, but they are still only in the most early of production.

Few big questions remained unanswered that hopefully will be answered soon.

Will they use a Japanese or American cast?

Will the story be a remake of the current story? Alternate presentation? Remake of End of Eva?  Sequel to End of Eva?

10

Nintendo Gaming / Official Metroid Prime And Metroid Fusion Soundtrack

« on: May 03, 2003, 05:54:48 PM »

It will be released as a 2 disk set on June 18.  

It's a Japanese only release.  Retail is 3,200 yen (about $27).


So far the onyl site i've seen it on is amazon japan.  here is a link (they will ship to USA).  I imagine cdjapan.co.jp will also have it listed soon.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009KMDS/ref=sr_aps_pm_/249-0705147-3740322

No word yet on any possible first-press bonus'    

11

Nintendo Gaming / Free Game With Game Boy SP Purchase

« on: March 15, 2003, 06:58:20 PM »

Circuit City is giving away a free game in NEXT sunday's ad with the purchase of the SP.

You get to chose between Ironman and Defender (Not much, but it's free).  Circuit City does not do pre-orders so it's a first come, first serve next Sunday.

12

General Gaming / .hack//FUN

« on: February 20, 2003, 07:35:30 PM »

Well, I'm about 11 hours into the game, and so far I've enjoyed it a lot.

One of the things I like about the game, is there is so much to do, and while the actual plot parts of the game may only take upwards of 20 hours or so, there is still a lot of things to do.

Graphically, the game is alright.  The characters look fantastic, the monsters looks pretty good.  Towns are pretty, dungeons are kind of bland, but given the random creation used for dungeons and area's, that's kind of expected.

Game play, it's a standard action adventure set up.  Your character gets close, enemy is targeted, like a real MMORPG, you can slash at an enemy if you are a few paces away, you don't have to be right on top of them.  There is no targeting button, to set a target, though while you don't even notice it, it's VERY easy to switch targets, the set up allows alight movements in direction to change your target.  Spells, and other items pause the action, and allow specific targeting, like a turn based RPG.  The action also pauses when you bring up the command window, to command your players.  You can tell them to attack, use skills, heal and other things.  For AI in a RPG, they are pretty smart.  If a character has died (Including you) and you ask for first aid, they will set revival above healing, and will go right back to healing after that.  They attack well, but you do have to tell them to use skills.

The creation of a fictional MMORPG was done very well.  When in towns and even roaming around dungeons, you will see idle chit chat between characters, just as you would in a role playing game.  You can trade items with other players asking for an item of theirs and choosing a few of your items to give them in return.  Trading is really the only way to upgrade weapons and armor, as the shops in towns only have the low level stuff.  Buying things in towns is only good for healing items and such.  You will find plenty of magic scrolls in the dungeons.  The only way to get money is to sell stuff.  After searching dungeons you will find the treasure room, with an item or two specifically for selling (Or trading).  Trading also has to be done for the other characters, as it seems that while they will level up on their own when they aren't in your party, they won't upgrade weapons and armor.  You find enough things in dungeons and such to keep a good trading stock so it's easy to trade for just about anything you want.
A few other little additions are a message board and email system within the game.  The message board looks like a regular message board, and updates as you progress.  The message board is mostly for learning how to do things, but you will find stuff to progress the story.  Some of your companions will email you at times, and for the most part, it's nothing big, but does serve to give you some insight to your companions in the real world.  I had an hour long email trading with a character called Mistrel about Apple Pie and Beef Stew, not because I had to, it just seemed natural to respond (You are given several pre-set responses).  Some email does progress the story, telling you where a new area is to visit.

The game isn't set in one big world, but rather many area's  The town serves as the hub, and to go to area's you enter a 3 word password system.  Nearly every combination will take you somewhere, so you can always screw around and level up at anytime you want.  And it really is up to you to level up.  The required dungeons will level you up, but not as much as you will probably want.

The story of the game is pretty strait forward.  Your friend (Orca) was put into a com while playing this game.  Your character (Kite), a newbie to the game is given a power to use, identical to the power that put his friend into a coma.  Orca was legendary player in the game, and is even mentioned in .hack//SIGN (the anime prequel) at one point.  During the game you will meet up with numerous characters to hang out with.  While some of them have no point in the game, it's nice to have variety.  The game is a direct sequel to .hack//SIGN (I'm thinking within a day after SIGN's finale).  While you don't need to see SIGN first (And keep in mind the first .hack game was released in Japan VERY early in SIGN's TV run), the ending of SIGN will answer some questions.  Who is Aura, why is she awake?  What was the thing chasing Aura?  Who is Morgana?  Also, don't expect an ending from this first game, being the first of 4, it's not going to end.  People who bash it for not having a real ending are just as stupid as people who backed the LOTR movies for not having endings.


So in the end, I'd go out and buy this game if you enjoy action RPG's, enjoy the .hack//SIGN anime on cartoon Network, or just want to play something different.

Just for note here are dates for the next 3 games.

.hack//MUTATION will come out May 6
.hack//OUTBREAK will come out August 5
.hack//QUARANTINE will come out November 4
(all dates are USA dates)  

13

General Chat / Some Anime News

« on: February 16, 2003, 06:17:17 PM »

Now that some other Nintendo sites forums are pretty much toast, I’ll start posting some anime news here, since after seeing the Evangelion thread, there is obviously some interest.



SPIRITED AWAY:

Some may already know, but Spirited Away has gotten an Oscar Nomination for Best Animated Film, along with Lilo and Stick, Ice Age, Spirit, and Treasure Planet. Being Nominated (And more likely if it wins) will likely cause a delay in the April 17th DVD release so Disney can put in theaters again.


ANIME GAMES:

Konami has announced they are making an action game based on the recent anime "Saishu Heiki Kanojo" (also known as She The Ultimate Weapon, or Saikano). Though pictures make it look more like the usual "date sim" format. The game will be released in May on the PS2.

Bandai has announced they are making an Evangelion RPG for the PS2 and it will be released later this year.

not surprisingly, these titles probably won't show up in the USA.



RahXephon Movie:

RahXephon: Tagen Hensoukyoku (RahXephon: Pluralistic Variation), the feature film will debut in Japan on April 19. No idea how this fits into the show chronologically.

The first RahXephon DVD will be released in the USA by ADV films on March 25.



.hack//$IGN

On march 4, the first .hack//SIGN DVD will be released in the USA. There will be 2 versions, a regular version, and a beefy prices $65 special edition. The $65 is well justified as you not only get the DVD, but a box for all 6 volumes, a postcard and sticker set, a demo of .hack//INFECTION For the PS2, a plush figure of a "Grunty" (cow-like animal used for transportation), a T-Shirt, and the first .hack//SIGN OST (Which by the cover appears to be a reprint of the first OST in Japan). Volumes 2-6 will also have $40 LE sets which will feature a limited slip case, and another music CD, the 6 volume will also include a box for all the CD's. People are unsure how the CD thing is going to work, Bandai has said the CD with volume 6 is the .hack//LIMINALITY (the OVA that comes with the PS2 game), and there were only 3 OST's for .hack//SIGN in Japan, so the 2 remaining CD's are anyone’s guess.

Also, the .hack//GAMES release schedule in the USA has been announced. .hack//INFECTION came out this past week, .hack//MUTATION will hit on May 6, .hack//OUTBREAK on August 5, and .hack//QUARANTINE on November 4.


The Special Edition Box


Hell Freezes Over And Other Cartoon Network News:

February 24-28 is Giant Robot Week on Toonami. During this week several episodes of various anime will be aired including Robotech, Dai-Guard, Martian Successor Nadesico, and NEON GENISIS EVANGELION. Despite being in an afternoon timeslot the ADV panel at the anime convention Katsucon this weekend confirmed the episodes would be shown uncut. Keep in mind, they will only be showing some episodes, there will not be full runs of these shows.

Trigun will air on Cartoon Network starting in April.

March 17th will see the Beginning of Rurouni Kenshin on Cartoon Network


Some Import News

The 1989 anime film Five Star Stories will be released in Japan on April 17 with an available English subtitle track.

Nearly Every studio Ghibli DVD in Japan features English subtitles (And the English dub if one was made). Just about every film, except for Nausicaa has been released so far.

Saikano, the recent anime by Studio GONZO (Blue Submarine 6, Hellsing), is currently being released in Japan on DVD, and the DVD's will feature English subtitles (3 of 5 volumes are out).

14

General Gaming / For anyone getting .hack

« on: February 10, 2003, 07:57:51 PM »

Target advertised .hack for $39.99 this week, and while not in their ad, it looks as if Circuit City is also selling it for $39.99.


Can't wait till this game is out

15

Nintendo Gaming / Zelda: The Wind Waker OST

« on: February 06, 2003, 09:27:59 AM »

Nintendo has finaly set a date for the new Zelda OST.

It will be released on March 19 for the price of 3200 Yen (About $27.00).  This will be a 2 disk set.

Both CDjapan and Amazon Japan are currently taking pre-orders, and will both ship to the USA (And won't chage you a insane import markup, just higher shipping).

http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008DZ31/ref=sr_aps_pm_/250-4016801-1739429

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=SCDC-250  

16

Nintendo Gaming / Offical 2002 Game Of The Year Nominees

« on: February 04, 2003, 05:12:35 AM »

The Academy Of Interactive Arts And Sciences has released the nominee list for the 2002 awards show.  All awards will be anounced on Feb. 27 at the DICE summit in Las Vegas.  One big surprise, is unlike last year, the AIAS did not boycott GTA from the major awards.


Finalists for 2003’s Game of the Year include:
• Animal Crossing™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE™, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation® 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North.

Finalists for 2003’s PC Game of the Year include:
• Age of Mythology™, published by Microsoft, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Medal of Honor Allied Assault™, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights™, published by Infogrames, developed by BioWare;
• Warcraft III®: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard.

Finalists for 2003’s Console Game of the Year include:
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by UbiSoft, developed by UbiSoft Montreal;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Retro Studios;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar Games, developed by Rockstar North;
• Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem™ for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Silicon Knights;
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America Inc., developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.

Finalists for 2003's Innovation in PC Gaming include:
• Battlefield 1942, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions;
• Dungeon Siege, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Gas Powered Games;
• Grand Theft Auto III, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• Neverwinter Nights, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.

Finalists for 2003's Innovation in Console Gaming include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.

Finalists for 2003's Console Action Adventure Game of the Year include:
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal;
• Hitman 2 for the Xbox, published by Eidos, developed by IO Interactive;
• JSRF - Jet Set Radio Future for the Xbox, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and Smilebit;
• Rez for the PlayStation 2, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and United Game Artists.

Finalists for 2003's Console Fighting Game of the Year include:
• Godzilla: Destroy All Monsters Melee for the PlayStation 2, published by Infogrames, developed by Pipeworks Software;
• Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Midway;
• Capcom VS. SNK 2: EO for the PlayStation 2, published by Capcom, developed by Capcom Japan;
• Tekken 4 for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Namco;
• Virtua Fighter 4 for the PlayStation 2, published by SEGA of America, developed by SEGA and AM2.

Finalists for 2003's Console First Person Action Game of the Year include:
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• James Bond 007: Nightfire for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Eurocom Entertainment and EA;
• Timesplitters2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Eidos, developed by Free Radical Design Ltd.;
• Ghost Recon for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Red Storm Entertainment.

Finalists for 2003's Console Platfor Action / Adventure Game of the Year include:
• Ratchet and Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• Super Mario Sunshine for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.

Finalists for 2003's Console Racing Game of the Year include:
• ATV Offroad Fury 2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Rainbow Studios;
• Moto GP: Ultimate Racing Technology for the Xbox, pubished by THQ, developed by Climax;
• RalliSport Challenge for the Xbox, published by Microsoft Game Studio, developed by Digital Illusions;
• NASCAR Thunder 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon;
• Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Black Box.

Finalists for 2003's Console RPG of the Year include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Wild Arts 3 for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by MediaVision;
• Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Suikoden 3 for the PlayStation 2, pubished by Konami, developed by KCET.

Finalists for 2003's Console Sports Game of the Year include:
• NCAA Football 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon;
• Aggressive Inline for the PlayStation 2, published by Acclaim, developed by Z-AXIS;
• NHL 2K3 for the Xbox, published by SEGA of America, developed by Visual Concepts;
• Madden NFL 2003 for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Tiburon;
• Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 for the PlayStation 2, published by Activision, developed by Neversoft.

Finalists for 2003's Family Game of the Year include:
• Back Yard Football for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Infogrames, developed by Humongous Entertainment;
• Mario Party 4 for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Hudson Soft;
• Scooby Doo! Night of 100 Frights for the PlayStation 2, published by THQ, developed by Heavy Iron;
• Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts UK;
• SpongeBob Squarepants: Employee of the Month for the PC, published by THQ, developed by AWE Games.

Finalists for 2003's Handheld Game of the Year include:
• Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past / Four Swords for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 for the Game Boy Advance, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Castlevania - Harmony of Dissonance for the Game Boy Advance, published by Konami, developed by Konami KCET.

Finalists for 2003's Online Gameplay of the Year include:
• Twisted Metal Black Online for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Incog Entertainment;
• Command and Conquer: Renegade for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Westwood;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Digital Illusions.

Finalists for 2003's PC Action / Adventure Game of the Year include:
• Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, published by Lucas Arts, developed by Raven;
• Grand Theft Auto III, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Syberia, published and developed by Microids;
• The Thing, published by Black Label Games, developed by Computer Artworks.

Finalists for 2003's PC First Person Action Game of the Year include:
• No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way, published by Sierra Entertainment, developed by Monolith;
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, published by Electronic Arts, developed by 2015 Inc.;
• America's Army, published and developed by the US Army.

Finalists for 2003's PC Massively Multiplayer / Persistent World Game of the Year include:
• Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Turbine Entertainment;
• The Sims Online, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Maxis;
• Disney's Toontown Online, published by Disney Online, developed by ALT Disney Internet Group - VR Studio;
• Dark Age of Camelot: Shrouded Isles, published and developed by Mythic Entertainment;
• Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars, published and developed by Funcom.

Finalists for 2003's PC RPG of the Year include:
• Dungeon Siege, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Gas Powered Games;
• Neverwinter Nights, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, published and developed by Bethesda Softworks;
• Arx Fatalis, published by JoWood Productions, developed by Arkane Studios;
• Freedom Force, published by Crave / EA, developed by Irrational Games.

Finalists for 2003's PC Simulation Game of the Year include:
• MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Cyberlore Studios and FASA Studios;
• Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by ACES Game Studio;
• The Sims Unleashed, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts Maxis;
• The Aurora Neverwinter Toolset, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware.

Finalists for 2003's PC Sports Game of the Year include:
• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Headgate Studios;
• High Heat 2003, published by 3DO, developed by Team .366;
• Links 2003, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Salt Lake Games;
• Madden NFL 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Tiburon;
• NBA Live 2003, published by Electronic Arts, developed by EA Canada.

Finalists for 2003's PC Strategy Game of the Year include:
• Age of Mythology, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Ensemble Studios;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment;
• Medieval: Total War, published by Activision, developed by The Creative Assembly.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Game Design include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Battlefield 1942 for the PC, published by Electronic Arts, Developed by Digital Illusions;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Neverwinter Nights for the PC, published by Infogrames, developed by Bioware;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Gameplay Engineering include:
• Animal Crossing for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Nintendo Co. Ltd.;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction include:
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Animation include:
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• Sly Cooper and the Thievious Raccoonus for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Sucker Punch;
• The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by SCEA San Diego;
• Ratchet & Clank for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by Insomniac Games;
• Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story include:
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Kingdom Hearts for the PlayStation 2, published by Square Electronic Arts, developed by Squaresoft;
• The Mark of Kri for the PlayStation 2, published by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., developed by SCEA San Diego;
• Syberia for the PC, published and developed by Microids.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Original Musical Composition include:
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind for the PC, published and developed by Bethesda Softworks;
• Rygar: The Legendary Adventure for the PlayStation 2, published and developed by Tecmo;
• Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos for the PC, published and developed by Blizzard Entertainment.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design include:
• Eternal Darkness for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Silicon Knights;
• Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for the PlayStation 2, published by Rockstar, developed by Rockstar North;
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Stormfront Studios;
• Medal of Honor: Frontline for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Electronic Arts LA;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• No One Lives Forever 2: A Spy in H.A.R.M.'s Way for the PC, published by Sierra Entertainment, developed by Monolith;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal.

Finalists for 2003's Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering include:
• Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings, published by Microsoft Game Studios, developed by Turbine Entertainment;
• Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the PlayStation 2, published by Electronic Arts, developed by Stormfront Studios;
• Metroid Prime for the NINTENDO GAMECUBE, published by Nintendo of America, developed by Retro Studios;
• Splinter Cell for the Xbox, published by Ubi Soft, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal;
• Unreal Tournament 2003 for the PC, published by Infogrames, developed by Digital Extremes.
 

17

General Gaming / February = RPG heaven

« on: February 02, 2003, 01:27:17 PM »

As I look at the month, i see a lot of RPG's comming out.

We already had Skies on the GC last week, and a lot more are planned this month.

We've got .hack//Infection comming out next week, as well as Breath of Fire 5, and Dark Cloud 2 for the PS2.  Week after that we have the Zelda Bonus disk (Well it's not really an RPG, but close enough).  Then the last week of the month, we have the "Xbox Live Screwing" Phantasy Star Online, and the long awaited Xenosaga.

.hack, Xenosaga, Zelda and Dark Cloud 2 are the ones i'm going to try to get this month