Ever wondered what Life was like in the West? Crossing valleys, deserts and rivers are all possible in Rockstar’s upcoming Western game called Red Dead Redemption. The fast speed of the west are taken into account during this Western open sandbox game. You’ll explore all different types of regions including forests, snow and hunt big game including bears. Hunting was vital in the west so not only was it a source of food, but shelter and clothes. Playing the reformed outlaw, John Marston, you’ll be able to skin buffalo and cash them in for money. Just keep the damn buzzards away ater your kill!

Everyone knows what GTA IV was capable of so imagine Niko Bellic in the wild west. Red Dead Redemption will allow you to take up the activities most cowboys went through. Drinking, playing cards or keeping ranches safe from rustlers. Need a new wild horse? Well, you’ll be able to lasso yourself a new white stallion. Free of charge of course.

The vast, sprawling world of Red Dead Redemption hides unique challenges in every area, with wild bears and snow in the North, bandits and cattle rustlers in the West, to unrest and revolution in the South.  Hundreds of characters populate each of the three areas, each with a distinct personality, and every area has its own unique ecosystem with a variety of animals and plant life.
 
The rich diversity of each area offers several types of challenges and rewards.  Hunting allows reformed outlaw John Marston the opportunity to skin and sell the skin in town, while a bloody battle attracts vultures, who if shot, unlock sharp shooting challenges.  Full of possibility and activity, the world of Red Dead Redemption reflects the immensity  that was the Wild West. 

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day! To celebrate this day filled with green beer, leprechauns and drunken Irishmen, we’re handing out a couple of PSN codes for MLB 10 The Show! To enter is very simple and the instructions are below…

1. Leave a comment below
2. Funniest Caption below wins.
3. And finally, press the “retweet” button to the right –>

Incase you don’t know anything about MLB 10 The Show. Stay tuned this week for our review. Or be sure to check out the comparison review of MLB 2K10.

Here’s what to expect from the $5.99 PSN DLC code:

• Shibe Park
Opened April 12, 1909. It was the first steel and concrete stadium built.

• Forbes Field
Opened 1909 becoming the home of the Pirates.

• Polo Grounds
Opened 1890. This stadium was witness to the ” Shot heard around the world.” homerun

• Crosley Field
Home of the Cincinnati Reds from 1912 until June 24, 1970

• Spotsman’s Park
Built in St. Louis in 1912

• Griffith Stadium
Was built in Washington D.C. from 1912 to 1965. The outfield was shaped strange due to home owners nit willing to sell to the organization during construction.

These classic stadiums bring the old to the new and they look just like they did before they were torn down.  I’m a huge baseball fan and this DLC is worth the $1.25 for each stadium if you break it down.

The winners will be announced on Thursday March 18!  Good Luck!

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EA Sports will revive NBA Jam to the Wii this year. If you remember the days of the Big Head code or Bill Clinton and Al Gore, then you’ll remember just how much fun it was to compete against your friends.  I personally built up my Chicken character and dominated the boards with strength.  These games were all played on the Nintendo 64, and the game controls were ideal.  Some rumors have made their way around and those include NBA Jame 2010 coming to Xbox LIVE and PSN.  But those are rumors for now. We’ll be sure to let you know if we hear concrete evidence.  Boom Shaka Laka!

The game has a unique visual style, using 3D models with high-resolution photographs for the heads of each of the players. Several aspects such as outrageous slams and “He’s on Fire” make a return.  Unfortunatley, the original did not contain any players with licensing issues including Shaq and Jordan.  Let’s hope all NBA players and classic players return.  My team of choice was the Bulls, but without Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Tony Kukoc were the best they offered.  NBA Jam was made in 1993.  So 17 years later seems fitting for a remake.  Wow, it’s THAT old?

I hope the NBA Jam folks take a page out of NBA Hangtime.  Now that was a great game too!

What team did you prefer?  And what name and nickname did you give your character?

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It’s not edible. Nor is it a microphone.  This Ice Cream looking device is Sony’s latest Motion-sensitive Controller called The PlayStation Move and it’s going to amaze you.  Releasing this Fall, the PlayStation Move will sell as either a standalone controller, bundled with the PlayStation Eye or with a PS3.  No price yet…

For those questioning the device, understand that this Motion Controller is different compared to the Nintendo Wii-mote.  While the PlayStation Move does feature the main controller with a sphere attached to the end and a nunchuck sidekick, they are both wireless.  The PlayStation Move will also charge it’s battery via usb cable like the Dualshock Sixaxis PS3 controller does now.

Move Buttons: The PS3 classic buttons are all on the face of the controller.  The Move also has a home button and a trigger on the backside which makes it look like an advanced karaoke mic.  The nunchuck also has the similar buttons including a d-pad.

Move Colors: Those colors you see are made to be used in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye.  The Move will generate a color that is not detected in the room thus allowing the PlayStation Home to communicate with it more accurately.

Move Wireless: As I mentioned above, there are two controllers.  The main controller with a strap and the nunchuck that goes in your off hand.  Using both Move controllers is made more for Move games.  Best of all, both controllers can be charged with the usb cable and do not require batteries.

Move Games: Right now, the Move was demo’d for some games including Table Tennis; shooter and fighting games.  Also making news is PlayStation Move supported The Shoot a new light gun shooter game from Sony.

As we get closer to the projected Fall release date, we’ll be sure to get details regarding price, supported games etc.  For now, know that the PS3 joins the Wii with their own Motion sensitive controller.  Wait, wasn’t the Sixaxis supposed to be motion controlled…

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UPDATE: Through a podcast over at Major Nelson’s, the price was confirmed at 1200 Microsoft Points or $15.  For that $15 players get five maps, three new ones and two remakes from COD4. The new maps are Bailout (overrun apartment complex, wide map), Salvage (snow-covered junkyard, it’s a smaller map), and Storm (raining, abandoned warehouses). The remakes are from Call of Duty 4: Crash (urban environment with crashed helicopter in the central square) and Overgrown (dry river running through a village).

Thanks to the folks over at Activision for helping the economy with the great news that will bring FREE MW2 multiplayer Maps this month.  Coming March 30th to Xbox LIVE, Infinity Ward and Activision present Modern Warfare 2: Stimulus Package.  This is the first DLC currently announced.  Amongst the rumored maps, Crash has been mentioned to be on the list of the Stimulus Package DLC.  Behind MW2’s Terminal, Crash may be the 2nd best map in the Modern Warfare series.  It was a great map for Team Deathmatches, Search and Destroy and Sabatoge.  Snipers can pick people off from atop the chain link roof tops or rifleman can battle it out near the Helicopter Crash site near the center.  And of course the broken down building where rocket launchers and grenades were constantly hitting.

Players on the PS3 will have to wait one full month due to negotiations with Microsoft and Activision that gave Xbox 360 players one exclusive month of the maps.  Sony PlayStaion owners will have to quietly sit back until April, when they’re scheduled Stimulus Package will arrive on the PSN.  Additionally, Xbox 360 Silver Live members will be able to try out Modern Warfare 2 through the “Multiplayer Unlock event” running from March 12-15.

Of course, since the PSN service is FREE $15 for all members, the Stimulus Package will not require any additional prerequisites.

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Spring training is finally here and it’s time to strap up your batting gloves and pine tar your bats because it’s Baseball Season for MLB 2K10. In their 10th year, 2K Sports revamped their fielding system and improved on their pitching mechanics then they previously used in MLB 2K9 only keeping the “hold and gesture” for pitching accuracy and quality of pitches. Developed by Visual Concepts, a new hitting system called Total Control Hitting is used flicking the right analog stick.  This means your swing controls become more timed than ever. For the first time, you’ll be able to create your own ball player in the “My Player” mode and groom yourself into a future first ballot Hall of Famer making your way up through your farm team of choice.  The noticeable enhancements from MLB 2K 9 are great.  But should you draft MLB2k 10 and let it try out for you?

Total Control Pitching. I’ve always questioned precise timed pitches.  The ones where you press a button to start your power meter then again for your release.  I applaud MLB 2K10 for creating this new style of pitching because it works.  It’s called Total Control Pitching (TCP).  Throwing a fastball this year is easier and fun.  Pulling your right analog stick down then flicking it up produces a fastball.  Pushing the analog stick to the right then moving it clockwise to the 9 o’clock position creating a “U” shape will throw a slider.  You get the picture, move the analog stick similar to how you throw it mimics that type of pitch.  You’ll find yourself in a pitching situation where you’ll need some baseball knowledge and when you get yourself out of 2nd and 3rd with two outs, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief.  But with rewards there are risks.  You won’t cross every pitch over the plate for a strike and that’s when TCP can become challenging.  If you do not move your analog stick in accordance with the pitch, the result is a wild pitch.  Throw enough of those and your pitcher will get rattled.  With Pitch analyzer you’ll be able to view your stick movements on a graphic and that should show you what you did wrong.  Another improvement is the Inside Edge scouting system that can help you decide what pitch and where against that batter gives you the advantage.  It can slow down the flow of the game, but it is helpful at times.  Remember, be sure to visit the mound to improve the pitchers performance and calm him down.  Just don’t visit him if you going for the $1 Million, it’s one of the rules.

Batting the cage. While I wasn’t a fan of MLB 2K10 hitting style, it was manageable with three types of swings.  Using the analog stick, flicking upwards produces the swing of the batter with a contact swing.  Power swings are performed by pulling your analog stick back and flicking it forward at the right time.  And last are the defensive swings moving the stick right or left.  Defensive swings just prolongs an at bat and it’s a bit annoying since it can fouled off almost any pitch.  I hope they fix this.  I did enjoy the batting assistance letting me know if I was too early or too late on a swing.  Good thing I didn’t hear “good cut” cause every knows that just means you swung and missed and now, embarrassed.  Directional hitting is also possible using the left analog stick.  Pull it to third with a movement to the left; hit it on the ground with a pull down on the left analog stick.

Graphics could be better. Graphically, MLB 2K 10 is better than 2K 9.  But it’s not quite there yet.  Jagged lines, empty spaces and hats not sitting correctly on heads all contribute to the OK graphics.  The stadiums were scaled correctly and were the best graphics ok MLB 2K10.  I visited both Fenway Park and Camden Yards last year and I was impressed with most of the accurate depictions in the game except the Gulf sign behind the green Monster was missing.  Advertising or lack there of most likely contributed to that.  Come on Gulf!  The facial expressions and excitements after a pitch were nice compliments.  The copy and paste crowd made for a visual nightmare.

Play with “My Player”. Want to know what it’s like to audition for an MLB Club?  MLB 2K 10’s newest feature “My Player” does just that.  I created two separate players; a Catcher and Pitcher and of course favored the Pitcher due to the fun factor of staying involved.  You first begin your stint in the Minors A, AA or AAA of the desired ball club you choose.  I selected to be random and it landed me in the Cubs farm system.  My first player, the catcher, was only called on when I selected “Sim to next appearance”.  Most of the time, it involved me batting while on offense for 3 or 4 at bats or catching a pop out in foul territory behind the plate.  As a Pitcher, you get to experience all the fun.  I chose the role of Closer to experience the tight jams over the calmness of starting a game.  Challenges will be addressed before every batter you face, and they vary from “Get a first pitch strike” to “Get a groundout”.  I failed several times after I induced a double play on the first pitch which to me is a first pitch strike.  Your goal is to make it to the Majors and I found that after several successful appearances my MLB call up meter increase and changed from red to blue.  After the first season I was called to Spring Training and made the club.  I maintained an ERA of 1.79 but had a high WHIP of 1.75 with 36 strikeouts.

MLB Today = Live Play. Playing today’s match ups is now possible thanks to MLB Today.  Upon starting the game you’ll see the list of games that are slotted for play today.  I couldn’t figure out out to advance the day to the next, but I don’t think that’s possible.  Which brings me to the MLB 2K 10 menu.  The cumbersome navigation to view game type, options, or even play Home Run Derby games is not fluent.  Same when trying to exit a game.  They tried too hard by offering the right analog stick as a convenience, but it surely backfired and made looking for things more difficult.

Online Play. At the time of this review, many have complained of the inaccessibility of online play.  I was able to login and search for an opponent but did not play a full game to notice any glitching.  As a matter of fact, I did not see a problem with the innings I did play.

Comparisons to MLB 10 The Show. See here how MLB 2K 10 matched up against MLB 10 The Show in our Pros / Cons.

Game commentary – adv. MLB 2K 10 – Gary Thorne, Steve Phillips and John Kruk fill up the booth for MLB 2K 10 MLB games.  They give accurate and detailed play-by-play calls and keep the game entertaining to listen to.

Graphics – adv. MLB 10 The Show – I’ve mentioned the OK graphics that needs a bit more cleaning up and polishing compared to The Show. Jagged lines for infield grass or waves of people in the stand means MLB 2K 10 still needs work.

Pitching – adv. MLB 2K 10 – By far, Total Control Pitching dominates over The Shows “sweet spot” pitching.  Pitches that resemble the arm movement add to the realism and fun factor.

Batting – adv. MLB 10 The Show – Total Control Hitting (default) was not my hitting preference.  Much easier to time a pitch pressing a button (precision) than flicking the analog stick.

Crowd/atmosphere – adv. MLB 10 The Show – Sounds of the game have to go to The Show.  Realistic enough that when hitting a foul ball, some fans will even fall into the field trying to get themselves a souvenier.

Menu navigation – adv. MLB 10 The Show – The simple things in life are easier and MLB 2K 10’s right stick menu navigator is a deterant.  Not only did I forget where things were, but I found myself stuck not knowing to hit “return” or “exit”.

RTTS or My Player – slight adv. “My Player”. In My Player, your goals are relevant to your player’s position.  For example, if you’re a pitcher you’re asked to maintain an ERA below 4.50 and WHIP below 1.50.  In RTTS you’re asked to improve your hitting, drag bunting etc. Making some goals unattainable complex.

Keyboard typing – push – MLB 2K10 and MLB 10 The Show both disapointed me when it came to typing.  On the PS3, MLB 2K 10 does not use the classic PS3 keyboard and does not use a Qwerty keypad.  MLB 10 The Show also decided to use their proprietary keyboard which prolonged typing.  Both should feature their respective console’s keyboard.

Final Thought: Playing MLB 2K 10 before MLB 10 The Show allowed me to play all the features that MLB 09 The Show boasted last year and were used in this game including “My Player”.  Total Control Pitching alone makes this game stand out and propels MLB 2K 10 into the right direction for the baseball game genre.  Some in game decision glitches and visual blunders still keep this game far from perfect.  It’s a good baseball game for those who like baseball games and know baseball. For 360 fans it’s a must buy.  For PS3 fans it’s a good comparison game to compliment MLB 10 The Show.

8/10

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That’s right folks, the leading online game distribution service on the PC just got a lot more flexible.  Valve software Steam and Source are heading to the Mac platform this April.  Once labelled the most convienent PC gaming software, will now share the same task along side a Mac.  To go with this monumental announcement for Mac users, the supported list of games that will be available in April are;  Left 4 Dead 2, Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike, Portal, and the Half-Life series.  And best news of all, through “Steam Play” if you purchased the game through PC you’ll be able to play it on your Mac for FREE.

“Our Steam partners, who are delivering over a thousand games to 25 million Steam clients, are very excited about adding support for the Mac,” said Jason Holtman, Director of Business Development at Valve. “Steamworks for the Mac supports all of the Steamworks APIs, and we have added a new feature, called Steam Play, which allows customers who purchase the product for the Mac or Windows to play on the other platform free of charge. For example, Steam Play, in combination with the Steam Cloud, allows a gamer playing on their work PC to go home and pick up playing the same game at the same point on their home Mac. We expect most developers and publishers to take advantage of Steam Play.”

Joining the list of games as well as simultaneous releases on both the PC and Mac will be Portal 2.   President of Valve, Gabe Newell said ”As we transition from entertainment as a product to entertainment as a service, customers and developers need open, high-quality Internet clients.  The Mac is a great platform for entertainment services.”
 

About Steam
The leading online service for games and digital entertainment, Steam delivers new releases and online services to over 25 million gamers around the world. For more information, please visit www.steampowered.com
 
About Steamworks
The Steamworks suite of publishing and development tools include product key authentication, copy protection, auto-updating, social networking, matchmaking, anti-cheat technology, and more. The features and services available in Steamworks are offered free of charge and may be used for both electronic and tangible versions of games. For more information, please visit www.steampowered.com/steamworks

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I’m sure many of you checked out our Heavy Rain review. I know I did. But this game is getting more controversial every day. We know Madison, one of the four playable characters undresses in her shower scene where she.. wait for it… gets nude! But more nakedness is hitting the news. Glitch?  I say nay.  Careful, nudity is just around this post…

Spoiler:
Apparently, in the scene where Ethan and Madison engage in kissing an other stuff in the hotel room, some players are claiming to load the save game from that point and load Madison, in the nude.  Pic and video below as proof.

End Spoiler:

I’m not sure just how much nudity in a video game is acceptable, but Heavy Rain tends to use it for the flow of the “adult” game. Movies have done worse, so games just touching the nude bar should be ok, right?

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While there has been no official word from Sony PlayStation, the good news is the PlayStation Network (PSN) is back up.  Logging into the PSN, there are no noticeable defects.  You should be able to log-in right into the PSN like nothing ever happened.  For those of us on the east coast, your gaming (assuming you went to work today) was delayed by only 2 hours.

PerezStart.com staff has logged into the PSN and everything seems to be OK on the 60GB and 40GB models.  Fortunately, the PS3 Slim
did not suffer from the outbreak…

We’ll be sure to let you know, what exactly was done to fix the issue.  For now, log-in to the PSN and if you have received any follow up error messages, we want to know about them.  Post your issues in the comments below.  Xbox 360 gamers, please leave your fanboy comments at the door.  No one wants to hear “Xbox Live never goes down”.  For a service your paying for, I should hope not.

The PlayStaion Network is now online.

image via Kotaku

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Do you know what today’s date is? Yup, it’s March 1st, 2010. Do you know what the PSN date is? Apparently, it thinks it’s February 29th, 2010… LEAP YEAR. That’s right, Leap Year is what caused this massive network downtime for most PS3 customers. The PS3 thinks Leap Year is every two years. Unfortunatley, this issue is related only to hardware since the PS3 Slims
aren’t reporting any issues (newest PS3 model). The internal clock thinks it’s Feb. 29th, while the OS clock does not have the date 02/29/10 available since it doesn’t exist. This is causing the older model PS3’s back to 12/31/99. For those wondering, this issue did not happen in 2008, because it was a leap year then. Look out 2012.. the end of the world and PSN Leap Year!

This issue is preventing any PS3 games to played on their currently “bricked” systems. For now, if you haven’t turned on your PS3, Don’t! You run the risk of corrupting data saves, PSN purchases including videos, games etc. and PS3 trophies.

Some major programming issues to the PS3 caused this issue and needs to be patched through firmware. But the problem will not be fixed by today. Today doesn’t exist! Stay tuned for more news. If the option to connect and patch exists, we’ll be sure to inform you how.

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