Leipzig Games Convention 2007

[RC Cola]

This event is basically like the European equivalent to E3 and TGS (think it might even be the biggest in terms of size now), and new details are starting to pour in from the event. Details are scattered among multiple sources it seems, and they sometime requires translations, so keep in mind that it might be a little difficult for me to post all the info as it is ready. I'll try to edit most of my posts with new info, unless I think a new post is required.

First, a scan of MGS4:
http://img101.imagevenue.com/img.php..._122_707lo.jpg
This contains images of the bosses, so take notice if you don't want to see that kind of thing. FWIW, the names of the bosses are pretty interesting if you think about some of the names of the older bosses. This isn't directly related to the GC, but we'll get new MGS4 details (and a new trailer IIRC) either later today or tomorrow I think.

The DualShock 3 controller for the PS3, using new rumble technology by Immersion, seems all but confirmed at this point, and will most likely be formally announced later today (or at least sometime this week).

Machine translation (uh-oh) of EA's press conference with details on some of their upcoming games:

- 10 new Songs were announced for the play. Live-presentation on the stage begins. - This is the first presentation of the play in Europe. - Skirt volume is shown. - Also rope pulling is present. Here the Wii remote must be moved fast. The play is to appear Christmas 2007. - Move through the Wii Remot e.g. a wheel of fortune one knocks against. Who knows an answer to a question, must to be announced by Wii Remot as at school. Also verschiedne tasks must be fulfilled. - Smarty Pants for Wii is shown. It concerns a kind Quiz play, which knowledge and skill are to promote. In addition a Trailer is shown. - Trailer to Boogie is shown. Mix from singing and dance play. Own characters can be provided. - With I/O 13 plays for Wii and DS are in development. *I think this means 13 games* - A pro on-line one: Download-cash play mode. This needs 10 consoles (5 for each side). So the Teamplay is to be strengthened. Until 2010 want to create I/O it that on-line each team consists of 11 individual players. - In the training mode the play gives feedback, how good one is. It treats itself around the new A pro mode. - A new camera perspective is shown: Diagonally from the rear. This reacts dynamically to the actions and zoomt e.g. in the happening. - The diagram looks very good. - 15000 genuine players. The license is fully expenditure-provoked. The AI computes per player over 1000 decisions per second. Also there are dynamic decisions on the part of the AI. - Videos of plays can be high-loaded on the Website by I/O. - Different moves are demonstrated on the basis Ronaldinho. Players have their own, individual moves. - The play is to run with 60fps. Directly there is besides still another announcement of exclusive to the play to be. - New play mode: A pro - FIFA 08 is shown. - I/O communicates that one died a co-operation with Coca Cola, in order to reach new target groups. - Trailer to Need for speed ProStreet and Crysis are shown. - I/O says that one wants to remain faithful Hardcore Gamern. - By Gewichtsverlagerung one can achieve a higher speed. The play uses the Ragdoll physics engine and is the Xbox 360 and PS3 fully to use. - A Replay mode with different functions such as Slow Motion and break is likewise present. Also own films can be high-loaded. - The Schulterbuttons serves for control of the left, and/or right arm. Balmer turns some rounds in a pool, which sees the Tony Hawk plays very similar. Altogether the play looks much responding. - Cheat directly with the right analog stick are implemented. With the left stick one controls the Skater. - Jay Balmer presents now Skate on the Xbox 360. - A new label is introduced: I/O Casual Entertainment. - I/O speaks about “an industry in the change” and about past success of I/O. Besides one wants new target groups to open and so to the market adapt. - Jay Balmer (Skate) and Joe Booth (FIFA) are on the stage. - It is communicated that FIFA 08 is introduced for the first time today for the PS3.

The big deal with FIFA 08 is that it is 60 FPS on both platforms...sad that this is a big deal, but whatever. I might try to replace that with a more readable version of EA's conference, assuming there were any details that got lost in translation anyway.

Rock Band will be released on the PS2 as well, although it has only been announced for a European release.

Some times for some of the events:

NINTENDO 5:30PM -- TOKYO 8:30AM -- UTC/GMT 4:30AM -- EASTERN 3:30AM -- CENTRAL 2:30AM -- MOUNTAIN 1:30AM -- PACIFIC MICROSOFT 12:00AM -- TOKYO 3:00PM -- UTC/GMT 11:00AM -- EASTERN 10:00AM -- CENTRAL 9:00AM -- MOUNTAIN 8:00AM -- PACIFIC SONY 1:00AM -- TOKYO 4:00PM -- UTC/GMT 12:00PM -- EASTERN 11:00AM -- CENTRAL 10:00AM -- MOUNTAIN 9:00AM -- PACIFIC

Other events, although all in German local time

9:30 Electronic Arts 10:30 Nintendo press event (additionally at 13:00, 15:30) 10:30 Blizzard presents new games 10:30 Ubisoft - Games for me: generations play together 11:30 Atari - Strong brand, strong line up. 13:00 Konami 14:00 Disney press conference 15:00 Midway Games press conference 16:00 Activision Deutschland GmbH / Lucas Arts press conference 17:00 Microsoft Deutschland GmbH - Xbox 360 & Games 4 Windows Get together 18:00 Sony Computer Entertainment Deutschland GmbH - Press conference Thursday 23d: 11:00 Kojima presents MGS4 15:00 JoWood Productions Software AG - Gothic Press conference Friday 24th: 11:00 GC Awards 2007

I may edit that to make it easier for people in the US to better understand the times.

A few new trailers for games have been posted on European sites I believe, although I don't think there has been anything too big (probably better to wait until US sites post them...Gametrailers and maybe a few other sites have a trailer for Spore though). Also, a few games were announced yesterday, which I might post later on.

edit:

BBC report with some tidbits:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6958233.stm

Sony is primed to make key announcements for its PlayStation 3 and PSP consoles on the eve of the Leipzig games conference, in Germany. The Japanese giant is expected to announce a tuner for the PlayStation 3 that will allow the recording and playback of digital TV. It will also give more details of a video download service for the PSP handheld, developed with Sky in the UK. Nintendo and Microsoft will push titles like Super Mario Galaxy and Halo 3. Games on display at the show will include Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, Crysis, Warhammer Online and the new expansion pack for World of Warcraft, The Lich King. Multimedia functionality Sony is also expected to give more details of a video chat and instant messaging system for the PSP, developed in conjunction with BT in the UK.

New MGS4 trailer will be tomorrow.

Video of Pro Evolution Soccer (PS3 version if it means anything):
http://www.game1.nl/gamevideos/video...-Gameplay.html

Table Tennis Wii:
http://www.jeux-france.com/news21444...-en-video.html

GT5 Prologue:

[RC Cola]

Hmm...
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3162176

Following a demo presentation at Games Convention in Germany today, Gearbox president Randy Pitchford confirmed to 1UP that Borderlands -- his upcoming "Indiana Jones meets Mad Max" sci-fi four-player co-op first-person shooter -- will require a hard drive if players choose to play it on Xbox 360. Because of the way the game procedurally generates everything from weapons to armor, Borderlands has different requirements from typical first-person shooters. "If it weren't for where the 360 and the PS3 have gone, with big hard drives, and lots of memory, and powerful processors, there's no way you can conceive of this as a console game," Pitchford said. When asked about recent mixed statements from Microsoft about whether a game that requires a hard drive will be allowed on 360, Pitchford confirms that such a release is possible. "I don't know if [Microsoft is] gonna complain about that, and I don't want to be in the middle of a controversy there, but you need space," he said. Borderlands is also heading to PlayStation 3 and PC, and is tentatively set to ship in late 2008. Check back on 1UP soon for more on the game.

Wonder how this will all turn out, especially if other (non-MMO) games require the HDD. Wish they would kill off the Core, but it seems like they are just trying to make it more attractive.

[Angkor Wat]

I heard a playable NBA 2K8 demo will be at this event. So far, they've been very hush hush about this game. Don't know if its a bad thing or good thing.

[mogrod]

Originally Posted by Angkor Wat I heard a playable NBA 2K8 demo will be at this event. So far, they've been very hush hush about this game. Don't know if its a bad thing or good thing.

That would be nice to get some info or video on the game. I've been looking forward to it. All we have so far is some clips of the dunk contest mode, which looks cool, but I'd like to hear/see any improvements to gameplay and franchise.

[RC Cola]

Yeah, I've been a little curious about NBA 2K8 myself. I haven't seen when they were going to show off the game though (or if it is just going to be on the show floor). I'll try to post anything I find here, although some of the sites about sports games might be better (especially if I get distracted by other games).

Anyway, for those that impatient, here is the new MGS4 trailer in poor quality:
http://kotaku.com/gaming/breaking/me...ler-292179.php

I think the Microsoft conference/event/whatever is going on right now (no details from it yet though), and the Sony one should start up pretty soon. Eurogamer will liveblog Sony's conference (I think Sony is the only one with any major plans?).

Also, a few more trailers are out there, including Mafia 2 and Team Fortress 2.

[RC Cola]

Some embargoed announcements from Sony:

PlayTV
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81876

Sony has taken the wraps off a new television tuner and personal video recorder for PS3 in its Games Convention 2007 press conference. Dubbed PlayTV, it will let you watch and record your favourite shows on your console completely independently of each other - so you can view something while saving something else. If you like. You'll be able to choose programmes to keep on your hard drive by selecting them from a fancy seven-day guide, and even control it all remotely using your PSP - in case you forgot to tell it to record something before you left for work. Or you could just stream it to your PSP and watch it elsewhere. It will use the Digital Video Broadcasting standard, and be able to intelligently display the picture in high or standard definition depending on the capabilities of your TV. "The introduction of PlayTV really will extend the already broad entertainment credentials of PS3, and makes it an exceptionally attractive proposition for the whole family," said David Reeves, big cheese of Sony Europe. It's so easy your ageing parents could probably use it - or so we're told, and will be available in early 2008 across the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain. A price is yet to be mentioned.

Buzz PS3
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81893

Sony has unveiled the next-generation of Buzz! quiz games in its Games Convention 2007 conference. Dubbed Buzz! Quiz TV, its main attraction will be the integration of the PlayStation Network, effectively opening the game up to you lot, the community. So, you'll be able to play people from all over the world rather than your slightly-too-clever flatmate, on your own, or in teams - just like on Family Fortunes. The Network will also open up limitless content for you to download and expand your game with. We're told the closest comparison is to imagine the previous PS2 suite of games all rolled in to one gigantic offering, and you'll be able to break it up into themed-chunks or any way you like. And when you get the point you feel you are the best and most knowledgeable person around, then you can write, upload, and share your own content. Yours and everyone else's questions will be available on community site MyBuzz, which will link directly to the game and by playable in the Buzz Studio area. You can do it all on your PC, too, before transferring it through your console. What it all means is that the questions will never dry up, essentially meaning developer Relentless will never have to make another Buzz game to house new questions. Lazy! Oops, they'll get me. Better talk about next-generation graphics, lovely audio, new games, modes, better jokes from Buzz, high-definition Rose. And a new style wireless buzzer? No news just yet.

PSP Go!
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81886

Sony sprinkled plenty of love on the PSP during its Games Convention 2007 conference, by introducing its new Go! Entertainment brand and announcing a 5th September release date for the Slim and Lite model. Included in the brand will be three new non-gaming services: video downloads; voice chat, video chat and instant messaging; and a satellite navigation product that uses a new GPS accessory. The Go! branded video download service is a joint venture with BSkyB due for release in early 2008. It will let those of you with a PSP grab a choice of programs from popular Sky channels like sports, entertainment, movies, music and animation - cartoons, silly. Essentially it gives you access to the sort of stuff mugs like us already pay for, either to download straight to your PSP or to your desktop first - and will all be apparently very easy to use. But if you'd rather spend your time chatting, then Go! Messenger will be your thing. It's a joint venture with BT due out in January, and will let you chit-chat with chums using an application being provided in a future firmware upgrade. By using a wireless broadband connection and a new on-screen keyboard you'll be able to instantly message pals, or you can plug in a headset and talk to them using voice chat. Go out and buy the PSP camera and you'll be able to leave video and voice messages - amusing ones if you take your PSP out with you when you drink. Alternatively if getting lost is your thing, then fear not - because Go! Explore will keep you found. Sony is effectively turning your PSP into a GPS-enabled device by introducing a new receiver and providing a UMD disk loaded with up-to date 3D maps from around Europe. UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and Scandinavia are supported at the moment, with localised languages for each. There's even a Car Adaptor and Car Mount accessory being bundled in. And Collaborators TeleAtlas and NavNGo will be helping Sony provide updated language support and more maps over time via the PlayStation Network. Us Europeans will also be treated to two new limited edition PSP bundles: a black and red Spider-Man one with the Spider-Man 2 game and Blu-Ray Spider-Man 3 film; and a yellow Simpsons model, with The Simpsons Game. Both will retail for EUR 199.99.

The Eurogamer link with info from the event is here:
http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=81862

I'll edit in any info that is revealed later on.

edit:
Ugh...that was pretty much it. Pretty boring stuff if you don't live in Europe.

There are some new Killzone 2 screens though:







Think I'll take a nap now.

[Jodegam]

As always, thanks for the hard work!!!

[RC Cola]

OK, I'm going to try and start posting some links to videos for some of the higher profile games. If nothing else, you guys can check out other videos by visiting the sites I post (Gametrailers, Gamevideos, Gamersyde, etc).

Some (mostly poor quality) Halo 3 Vids. I haven't seen each of them yet, so I don't know if they're all different videos or just basically the same thing (quoting CushVA from NeoGAF since he posted all the links in an easy-to-read fashion):

http://uk.media.xbox360.ign.com/medi...17/vids_1.html edit 1: didn't see that this was posted in another thread Edit 2: was asked to post these so they'd appear at the top http://www.game1.nl/programmas/igtv/...o-Highway.html http://www.game1.nl/programmas/igtv/...-Sandtrap.html Direct Downloads: http://www.game1.nl/referer.php?vide...7&filetype=wmv http://www.game1.nl/referer.php?vide...6&filetype=wmv From Gamevideos.com http://gamevideos.com/video/id/14161 http://gamevideos.com/video/id/14162 http://download.gamevideos.com/14161...er_640x360.flv http://download.gamevideos.com/14162...ot_640x360.flv IGN Montange: http://media.xbox360.ign.com/media/7...d_2095499.html

New trailer for Midnight Club Los Angeles:
http://www.rockstargames.com/midnightclubLA/

Video for Battlefield: Bad Company:
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/14137

Trailer for GT5 Prologue:
http://www.gamersyde.com/news_4848_en.html
They'll have video of gameplay from the show floor later, but here's a sneak peek:

Hard to believe it looks that good, and it is 1080p/60 FPS. Guess I should expect the best from Polyphony (maybe I got my expectations for EA and Polyphony mixed up ).

I'll try to edit in some other videos in later (Team Fortress 2, Mafia 2, Spore, NFS, Heavenly Sword, maybe DMC4, etc.).

edit: Here are some embedded videos from Gamersyde (TF2, Heavenly Sword, Skate, NFS ProStreet, Mario & Sonic, PES, and Table Tennis Wii):

Spore Trailers via Gametrailers:

Mafia 2 cam footage from Youtube:

Screen:

More here:
http://www.actiontrip.com/features/mafia2.phtml (plus the image I just posted in higher resolution)

FIFA 08

DMC4 trailer via Youtube:

MGS4 cam footage from Gametrailers (better quality, you can actually hear the audio, which is kind of important)

[tulexan]

Gran Turismo looks really good, almost photo realistic.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Originally Posted by tulexan Gran Turismo looks really good, almost photo realistic.

I thought Gran Turismo 3 looked photo realistic

[AroundTheWorld]

I was there last year, not going again this year. Huge event.

[RC Cola]

OK, I edited my previous post with a bunch of embedded videos, and that is probably it for the night. I also posted cam footage of the MGS4 trailer from Gametrailers since the quality is a LOT better (you can hear the audio this time). Kind of crazy how we get a new MGS4 trailer at just about every major event. Certainly makes it worth the wait.

There are also some PS3-related videos that got posted to the European store on the PSN (which I don't think have been posted on any web sites yet?), as well as a demo of Folklore (think this is a different one than the one that was on the Japanese store a while back).

Originally Posted by tulexan Gran Turismo looks really good, almost photo realistic.

And to think that the final release of GT5 will probably look even better. As I sort of alluded to in my previous post, I'd wonder what the visuals would look like if Polyphony decided to only do 720p and/or 30 FPS like most other games.

[TracyMcCrazyeye]

holy crap, the graphics on mafia 2 look insane

[RC Cola]

Some NBA 2K8 impressions:
http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/spor...result;title;0

In our last look at NBA 2K8, we primarily focused on the new dunk system, which promises to add an entirely new level of fun and challenge to one of the more stylish aspects of the NBA game. Here at the 2007 Games Conference, 2K Sports was on hand to show off an updated build in the game, one that gets to the heart of what most fans of the series have been clamoring to know more about: five-on-five gameplay. Though our time with the game was short, we have a good idea of where the team at 2K is heading when it comes to the fundamental hoops play in 2K8. Simply put, the focus this year has been on improving defensive controls and giving players more options for running plays while on offense. When defending, a new lock-on defensive system will help you shadow the ball carrier. To initiate it, you simply press and hold the left trigger. A small target icon underneath the player's feet begins to animate and, once it's complete, your controlled defender is locked on to the ball carrier. A player's defensive attributes will affect how long it takes for him to lock on to an opponent, as well as how aggressively he will guard him once locked on to that opponent. When locked on to an opponent, your defender will be able to more tightly cover and stay with a ball carrier--the CPU kicks in a bit to act as a defensive helper--but that isn't to say that you can't get beat. Indeed, should your defender get his ankles broken, or if you switch to another defender, you'll need to lock on to that player as well. The other big addition to gameplay is the new off-ball controls--as they're known. Here, the idea is to give the player more flexibility with how plays unfold on the court, and the team at 2K is taking the system to a surprising level of depth. Essentially, the system lets you choose a two-man play to run and gives you the ability to choose which players are involved in that play. Here's how it works: As you bring your player (say, your point guard) to the offensive end of the floor, you hold down the left bumper. Immediately, a menu pops up showing four different plays you can call right away with a press of the associated face button: X for get open, A for come off screen, Y for go to post, and B for set screen. Once you've called the play, the highlighted player (indicated by a RB button icon above his head) will move accordingly based on the kind of play you called. Once the player is in position (wherever that may be) a button icon will appear. When you press the corresponding button, you'll pass the ball to him. Sounds good so far, right? Well, it doesn't end there. Remember that RB button icon that appears over the player's head after you've brought up the menu with the LB button? By pressing the RB button, you can take control of that player. For example, let's say you're playing the Pistons and controlling Chauncey Billups. You can send Rip Hamilton toward the net by pressing the Y button then take control of Rip by pressing the RB button, move Rip toward the net, and press the button to pass the ball from Billups to Hamilton. And because you can select any player on the court with the D pad then take control of that player with the RB button, you could conceivably start the play with Chauncey, send Rip toward the net (controlled by the artificial intelligence), and take control of Richard Jefferson to provide some rebound help or an easy outlet pass. When playing NBA 2K8, you might notice a small icon underneath a player's feet, one that looks suspiciously like cell phone reception bars. No, NBA 2K8 won't have LeBron asking if you can hear him now; instead, the cell icon represents your player's shot tendencies in the game and throughout different areas of the court. Deriving data from actual NBA games, the team at 2K has devised a system that will illustrate when a player is close to his hot spots on the floor, as well as whether that player is on a hot streak or not. When a player gets close to a hot spot on the floor, the cell phone bars increase; if he moves away from it, the bars will deplete. Hot or cold streaks are noted by the color of the bars in the icon. If you're lighting up J's from all over the floor, you can be sure your cell icon will be bright red before too long. These features, coupled with a promised new batch of signature style animations, have us once again excited to tackle the next entry in the NBA 2K series. We should be getting a more detailed hands-on look at the game in the coming weeks and will be bringing you much more on NBA 2K8 in the coming weeks.

Hopefully we get some more (in the form of videos?) later though. BTW, they did say that both the PS3 and 360 versions will be 60 FPS, so no worries like there were with Madden.

I haven't had much of a chance to check out what is new at the GC today, so expect a new post later on with updated news, videos, and screens (unless things were really boring).

[RC Cola]

BioShock ruined any plans I had of checking out some GC stuff earlier, so I'm a little late on the update (and I won't have as much stuff to update either).

There is a new Castlevania in development for the 360 and possibly the PS3 (they're worried about PS3 sales apparently).

For anyone that cares about The Agency (a Spy-themed MMO for the PC/PS3), it seems as though it won't have a subscription fee, but it will instead get money from microtransactions and other "business models." Guess this could be a good thing or bad thing depending on how they do it.

There is a Highlander game in development for the 360, PS3, and PC. I remember someone talking about a Highlander game recently...can't remember if it was a wish or if there was already speculation that it was coming. Here is the PR:

SCi signed the Highlander license a few years ago, and finally the first results are revealed. Highlander is a third person action adventure set in the Highlander universe – control an Immortal embroiled in a battle against rival Immortals in an adventure spanning over 2000 years. Highlander, developed by Widescreen, is a third person action adventure set in the Highlander universe – control an Immortal embroiled in a battle against rival Immortals in an adventure spanning over 2000 years. Explore and battle your way through epic historical locations. (NY, Pompeii, Japan and the Highlands). Featuring familiar characters from the Highlander series, stunning sword combat, epic battles and high adventure in lush, historical locations. Features : * 4 distinct environments and 18 missions - Play in NY (near future), Pompeii before the eruption, Highlands in the medieval ages and Japan during the Samurai era - Epic Engine for high quality graphics * 3 weapons to master - Katana, Claymore and Double Sword * 9 navigations features - Dagger climbing, Ropes, Dynamic ladders, Swan dive, Freefall, Traverse climbing, Cannonball, Beams, Ziplines * Quickening techniques - Resurrection, Chi balance (stamina), Weapon Mastery (Fireblade, Wind Fury, Stone Armor), Channelling the Source (charge up for powerful attacks) * 77 characters - New main character – Owen Macleod, Familiar characters from series/movies (Methos) Release: 2008

There are some screens I think, but nothing too exciting.

Some screens of the bosses from MGS4:

Kojima sure likes to mess with people's heads (notice something about the two marionettes that Screaming Mantis has?). Anyway, IGN has some other pictures as well (some from the new trailer, plus some renders of Snake and Eva).

Here's the Beauty and the Beast featurette about the girls they modeled the bosses on (haven't seen it personally yet):

BTW, HD versions of the trailer yesterday are available at a number of places (including the PlayStation Store on the PSN I think).

Some more videos of various games...

PS Eye videos:






Kane & Lynch Gameplay


Resident Evil UC


Wipeout HD Gameplay


Turok Gameplay


GT5 Prologue Gameplay

I'm sure I missed a lot though, I mostly just skimmed over things and posted videos of games we either haven't seen or haven't seen much of (except for some games like GT5...but I think we still haven't seen enough of it ).

[RC Cola]

Seemed like a lot of good stuff came out during the last day or so (while I was busy).

There is a lengthy developer walkthrough of GT5 Prologue, discussing the features of the game (such as some of the community features as well as the number of players online). The entire thing can be downloaded from the following link (in FLV format, ~222MB):
http://www.jeuxfrance.org/PlayStatio...Prologue_2.flv
I think Gametrailers has the same video, but it is divided into different segments.

There is also a developer walkthrough for Killzone 2, which you should be able to download from the following link (~330MB MP4):
http://download2-east.gamespot.com/s..._082407_hr.mp4
They play through the level they showed off at E3, stopping the game and moving the camera around to show off various things (including how the AI reacts and how the gameplay mechanics work). There are a bunch of videos and impressions online since a lot of the press finally got to get their hands on the game at this event (most of them only got to watch at E3, although a few lucky individuals did get to play it).

Gamersyde got some exclusive Halo 3 footage:
http://www.gamersyde.com/news_4868_en.html
It is all divided into many parts, although I think there will be a "full" version later.

Pretty cool video of LittleBigPlanet showing off more of how easy it is to create stuff:
http://www.gamespot.com/video/938583...e;videos;img;1
You can stream it, or download it using the available link.


Some walthrough videos of Mass Effect (although they're from PAX and not GC):




Also a video of PlayTV in action (not that it really matters to us in the US though):